The World of Aviation

Japanese carrier Fuji Dream Airlines has ordered one 84-seat Embraer E-175 jet. The aircraft has been previously counted in Embraer’s backlog and listed against an unidentified customer. Fuji Dream currently operates a fleet of three E-170s and one E-175, with the new aircraft to enter service before the end of the year.

Raytheon says it has successfully flight tested a new precision Small Tactical Munition (STM) designed specifically for use from UAVs. The STM is 60cm in length and weighs just 6kg, and features a dual mode semiactive laser seeker and GPS guidance system for use against fixed and mobile targets in all weather conditions.

Skywest is planning to place its first Airbus A320, VH-FNP, into service shortly with the long time Melbourne resident aircraft ferrying into its new Perth base on October 23. The A320, which is configured in an all-economy configuration of 162-seats with a 31in pitch, arrived in Perth from Melbourne on October 23 after it was

Skywest has announced that it will start services from Perth to Ravensthorpe as well as add jets to its Perth-Geraldton services. Subject to regulatory approval, Skywest will start four times weekly services between Perth and Ravensthorpe from November 15, with the flights operating on a Perth-Esperance-Ravensthorpe-Perth routing. Currently, Ravensthrope only receives charter flights on behalf

Sydney Airport Corporation Ltd (SACL) CEO Russell Balding has decided to step down from the role in early 2011 at the end of his current contract. “Sydney Airport is a major asset for Sydney and the five years I’ve spent as CEO have been wonderful,” said Balding, who was appointed to the role in 2006.

The Army’s two CH-47D Chinooks of the Rotary Wing Group detachment based at Kandahar, Afghanistan, returned home on board two RAAF C-17 transports earlier this month. Since deploying earlier this year, the two Chinooks flew 737 hours over 860 sorties, and carried 4700 troops and 691,000kg of supplies and equipment in support of the International