The World of Aviation

Lockheed Martin has delivered three short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) F-35Bs to the US Marine Corps’ Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121. The delivery of the aircraft marks the the beginning of STOVL tactical operational training at the Yuma air station. Bob Stevens, Lockheed Martin chairman and chief executive officer said: “The F-35B is the world’s only

Air New Zealand is heightening anticipation for its soon-to-emerge 777-300ER sporting a graphic promoting the new Hobbit trilogy of movies. In a statement issued today, the airline said: “Tight security and total secrecy surround an Air New Zealand Boeing 777-300ER aircraft sequestered in a closed hangar at Air New Zealand’s Auckland technical operations base this

The first three production A400Ms have entered final assembly at Airbus Military’s facility in Seville, Spain. Our photo shows two aircraft for France and one for Turkey.  A fourth A400M, also for France, is entering final assembly. All four aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2013.

A new east-west runway will be included in Melbourne Airport’s masterplan when it is submitted to the federal government next year. Announcing the plan, Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff said the 3000-metre A380-capable runway is needed to accommodate the expected increase in traffic by 2018/20.  The airport’s passenger throughput is projected to reach 40 million by

Virgin Australia annual general meeting signalled Game On to its rivals as the first phase of the airline’s transformation comes to close and the second phase – certain to be of ongoing concern to domestic and international competitors – begins. Posting solid growth across all key commercial and financial indicators, Virgin Australia chairman Neil Chatfield

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter flight test program has accomplished another milestone with a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) F-35A achieving the jet’s maximum 50-degree angle of attack. The goal was reached in only four test flights and breaks the previous 20 degree limit imposed on test aircraft until controllability was proven. Lockheed Martin said