The World of Aviation

Strong demand for helicopters and agricultural aircraft drove a slight increase in total shipments of new general aviation aircraft in 2012 according to figures recently released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). International deliveries increasingly outpaced shipments to domestic customers signifying differences in the economic strength of the US domestic and overseas markets. Shipments

The first production model F-35C carrier variant – CF-6 – has made its maiden flight. On delivery later this year the aircraft will be assigned to the US Navy fighter attack squadron 101 based at Eglin Air Force base in Florida. The unit will serve as the fleet replacement squadron training navy F-35C pilots and

The first of two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships was officially named NUSHIP Canberra in a traditional Navy ceremony at BAE Systems’ Williamstown, Victoria yards. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Defence Stephen Smith, as well as CDF GEN David Hurley, Chief of Navy VADM Ray Griggs, and

In the face of ongoing uncertainty about the fitness of lithium-ion batteries for use in commercial aircraft, Airbus has announced it has decided it will install traditional nickel cadmium batteries in the A350. Calling it its “Plan B”, Airbus said the unresolved issues surrounding  the 787 lithium-ion battery incidents have caused the manufacturer to take

Victoria-based Lovitt Technologies has been awarded a contract from Boeing to supply machined parts for the global F/A-18 Super Hornet fleet. Under global supply chain (GSC) program, Lovitt will build on its existing relationship with the US manufacturer under which it has supplied parts for the V-22 Osprey, Chinook and P-8 Poseidon since 2009. Minister

The Flight Attendants Association of Australia (FAAA) has achieved agreements with Qantas on longhaul flight attendant conditions for the next three and a half years. Flight attendants, who will vote on the agreement during March, will retain their current entitlements and receive a three per cent annual increase totalling 12 per cent over the life