The World of Aviation

A delegation of senior officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of China has recently visited Melbourne to take part in an in flight emergency response seminar being hosted by PCR Australasia. The mission is led by Mr Zhu Yunxiang (deputy director general, CAAC), and includes Ms HanYaping (vice president of the Civil Aviation Management Institute

The US Army awarded Boeing a US$247m (A$251m) contract on October 22 to begin Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the AH-64D Apache Block III attack helicopter. This initial contract covering eight aircraft, will see the new the AH-64D receive enhanced 1500kW T700-701D engines, composite main rotor blades, a new split-torque face gear transmission, the

The US naval and air bases on the western Pacific island of Guam are to receive a massive upgrade in the face of military advances and increased tensions in north-east Asia. The naval base there will be upgraded to accommodate a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. The island itself will receive a missile defence system and

Raytheon and Boeing have successfully completed test flights of a Joint Air to Ground Missile (JAGM) fixed wing launcher and instrumented representative missiles on a US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet. Boeing says the test flights are the first step in qualifying the missile for the Super Hornet. “The JAGM fixed-wing launcher is based on the

Production of the Robinson R66 five seat turbine helicopter commenced on October 26 after the helicopter was certified by the US FAA on October 25. The R66, powered by the Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine, is Robinson’s first foray into turbine powered machines, and examples are available to Australian customers from the first quarter of 2011

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has called for a slowdown in the decision making process for low rate production for the Lockheed Martin JASSM-ER. The decision on whether to commence low rate production of the 1000km range stand off weapon is due to be made in November, but the call comes amid claims the