The World of Aviation

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has instructed the authors of the new Defence White Paper currently in preparation to consider the acquisition of the STOVL F-35B variant of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to operate from the Navy’s forthcoming LHD amphibious ships. “It is understood Mr ­Abbott has instructed planners working on his defence white paper

The NSW government has begun lobbying federal ministers to lift the hourly movement cap at Sydney Airport during peak periods. NSW deputy premier and minister for tourism Andrew Stoner says he has spoken to federal minister for trade and development Andrew Robb and infrastructure minister Warren Truss regarding the 80 aircraft movements an hour cap

Nhill has shown off its new runway after the completion of recent construction work. The airport in Victoria’s north-west had its runway and taxiway resealed, as well as new line markings drawn, at a cost of about $160,000 which was funded by the state government. Victorian minister for aviation Gordon Rich-Phillips said the upgrades improved

US aerospace, defence, information and services company Exelis has chosen Melbourne for its Asia-Pacific regional headquarters. The research and development, testing and systems integration facility in the Victorian capital was expected to create 60 new jobs and support local and export opportunities, Exelis said in a statement. Exelis chief executive David Melcher said the company

Aviation fuel sustainably produced from the mallee tree in Western Australia could begin powering jet aircraft by 2021 and create new opportunities for farmers, a study says. The Future Farm Industries Cooperative Centre (CRC) study found farmed production of mallee for aviation biofuel was a significant, potential enterprise for the agricultural sector that could deliver

Nextant Pacific has sold its first dedicated air ambulance in Australia to local aeromedical operator Careflight Ltd. Careflight has bought a modified Hawker 400XP to be based in Darwin and operated by Business Aviation Services (BAS), Nextant Pacific said on Thursday. Nextant Pacific was able to competitively source the aircraft as the 400XP is the