The World of Aviation

Boeing has forecast demand for over 400,000 new pilots and technicians in the Asia Pacific region over the next 20 years through to 2030, of which 13,600 new pilots and 15,600 new technicians will be required in Oceania – Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. The 2011 Boeing Pilot & Technician Outlook forecasts that

Lockheed Martin has announced the completion of static structural testing for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, one of five key milestones for the program for 2011 set by the Joint Program Office (JPO). Engineering teams from Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, Northrop Grumman and the JPO conducted structural tests over the past two years, during which

Virgin Australia and Delta Airlines will begin codersharing on each other’s trans Pacific services between Los Angeles and the east coast of Australia from November 16. Delta will add its code to Virgin Australia long haul subsidiary V Australia’s flights between Los Angeles and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, while V Australia will add its code

The GippsAero built prototype of the Indian designed CNM-5 five-seat light aircraft completed its maiden flight from GippsAero’s LaTrobe Valley, Victoria, base on September 1. The all metal, fixed gear, Lycoming IO-540 powered C-NM5’s basic handling characteristics were evaluated during the 45 minute flight, with subsequent flights evaluating stability and control in different flight regimes.

Two HH-60G Pave Hawks have become the first USAF operated H-60 Black Hawk series helicopters to reach the 10,000 flight hour milestone, during simultaneous flights over Kirtland Air Force Base on August 30. The two machines – serials 81-23680 and 81-23644 – are operated by the USAF’s 512th Rescue Squadron, and first entered operational service

Raytheon Australia will provide three Bell 429 helicopters  to “maintain and develop the skills” of junior RAN aircrew under a new, four year Retention and Motivation Initiative (RMI) contract from 2012. Raytheon will support and maintain the Bell 429s under the four year, $26 million contract. They will fly approximately 1500 hours per year in