The World of Aviation

The US Government Accountability Office has released its annual report into the F-35 JSF program. The GAO says delays in testing the revolutionary aircraft’s critical software systems put at risk planned in-service dates for the three major US services. It says “persistent software problems” have meant flight testing has been delayed and often requires re-testing,

The Maritime Helicopter Support Company (MHSCo) commenced work on its support facilities for the RAN’s fleet of MH-60R Romeo combat helicopters on March 26. In a ceremonial ‘first sod’ event held at the Albatross Aviation Technology Park near Nowra, work commenced on two new buildings which will comprise an 8,300 square metre deep maintenance workshop and

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority has cancelled the operator’s certificate for Broome Helicopter Services and of its chief pilot after what it said it identified “non-compliance with a range of relevant safety requirements during an audit”. The Broome, WA-based company operates charter and aerial survey work. CASA says the non-compliances included poor record keeping, failure

GippsAero has announced the appointment of Ms Shanti Lakhan as its new Marketing Manager. Ms Lakhan comes from the role of Marketing Manager of Cirrus Aircraft in Minnesota, and was also previously an A319.A320 engineer with Northwest Airlines. GippsAero parent company Mahindra says Ms Lakhan will be responsible for leading the marketing team in development

The first Boeing 737NG to be produced at the increased rate of 42 aircraft per month has been rolled off the production line in Renton, Washington. The aircraft, a 737-800 which is owned by Air Berlin but will be leased to Transavia in France will be test flown and undergo functional and systems tests at

The United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Flight Company (UFC) has taken delivery of its first of seven L3/Alenia C-27J Spartans at a ceremony at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. The aircraft, all former USAF ANG machines which were divested after just two years of service due to budget cuts and had been in