The World of Aviation

A GE/Rolls-Royce F136 engine was damaged during testing on September 23. According to an F136 Fighter Engine Team release, engine ‘008’ suffered damage to its front fan and compressor area but was shut down in a “controlled manner” after a near maximum speed test on a stand. A detailed inspection will be carried out but

The Singapore Ministry of Defence has ordered 12 Aermacchi M346 Master trainers under the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) replacement program. The aircraft will be supplied by Alenia Aermacchi and the training system by Boeing, both under contract to Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aero), and will replace the RSAF’s ageing A-4SU

Business aviation operator Execujet Asia Pacific has announced that it will separate into two regions to support growth in Asia and Australia. The split will see Execujet Asia take over responsibility for Execujet’s FBO, maintenance, aircraft management and charter operations in Singapore, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur with the latter to be the regional headquarters. Graeme

Key JSF partner nation, Norway, has announced it will delay its planned acquisition of the aircraft for about two years so it can order a more mature aircraft. Norwegian defence minister Grete Faremo announced the delay to “ensure operational maturity and optimum cost of production on the Norwegian aircraft.” Whilst previous plans were for deliveries

Captain Cameron Tribe has been appointed as the new chair of Swinburne University’s Aviation Industry Advisory Committee. Tribe, who is a senior 737 training captain at Virgin Blue and has also held various managerial positions, succeeds former chair Captain Mark Krieger. The Aviation Industry Advisory Committee helps to ensure the university’s aviation programs are industry

Eurocopter commenced flight tests of its X3 (pronounced, ‘X-cubed’) hybrid helicopter demonstrator on September 6 at the Istres test facility in southern France. In order to keep development costs down, the X3 is a blend of the AS365 N3 Dauphin fuselage, EC155 main rotor, EC175 gearbox, NH 90 engines, and features the twin fin tail