The World of Aviation

A series of errors by air traffic controllers at RAAF Williamtown that lead to a breakdown in separation between a Virgin Blue 737 and a defence-chartered Westwind business jet in February 2011, according to an ATSB report. The report says the RAAF controllers maintained the two aircraft on a mirror image course despite urgent warnings

Tiger Airways will establish a second base at Sydney Airport after CASA approved the carrier’s plan to increase flights to pre-grounding levels over the next six months. The plan will allow Tiger to use all 10 of its aircraft for the first time since its operations were shut down for six weeks over safety concerns

Boeing has delivered the first production P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft to the US Navy. The aircraft is the first of 13 scheduled to be delivered under a US$1.6 billion low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract awarded in 2011. The US Navy expects to eventually order 117 P-8s to replace its P-3C Orions, with IOC for

Airbus will begin testing the main and nose landing gear of its A350 XWB after completing a test bench at its facility in the British city of Filton. The European planemaker says it is carrying out extensive testing campaigns on all A350 systems well ahead of first flight next year, part of an effort to

Thai Airways’ first Airbus A380 made its maiden flight yesterday from Toulouse, France to Hamburg, Germany, where it will undergo cabin installation and painting. Thai will become the ninth A380 operator when it takes delivery of the aircraft, scheduled for the third quarter of this year. The airline has ordered six of the superjumbo jets

Airbus Australia Program Manager Valentin Merino has told Australian media that the company has made an unsolicited offer to the Royal Australian Air Force for a sixth MRTT/KC-30 tanker. The ‘green’ Airbus-owned aircraft was built for the US KC-X program, which was originally awarded to Airbus before being cancelled on appeal. Mr Merino said the