The World of Aviation

Boeing has completed ground effect and flutter testing on the 787, moving it closer to achieving Type Inspection Authorisation. “We tested at a variety of altitudes, speeds and fuel loads on ZA001,” explained Boeing’s vice president of sales and marketing Randy TInseth in a blog post. “During the testing, we saw altitudes above 43,000ft, dive

Auckland International Airport has released its passenger traffic figures for February, showing a surge in domestic traffic, while international traffic also showed strong growth. Domestic traffic through the airport increased by 10.8 per cent for the month, which was attributed to Jetstar replacing Qantas’s domestic services, while domestic movements increased by 0.5 per cent. International

Boeing will bring forward planned production rate increases for the 777 and 747-8 as a result of higher demand and the recovering aircraft market. The adjustments to rates will see 777 output rise from five to seven units per month from mid 2011, six months ahead of schedule. Output on the 747-8 will rise to

The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) signed an FMS – Foreign Military Sale – contract with the US Army Security Assistance Command to procure seven new build Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters, two simulators and spares during a ceremony at the Australian Embassy in Washington on March 19. Defence Minister John Faulkner approved the purchase of the

Airbus expects that the Middle East will require between five and 10 large corporate jets a year, cementing its place as the largest geographic market in the world for airliner based corporate jets. The airframer says that there are currently around 200 aircraft operated by private VIP customers and government agencies in the Middle East,

Qantas recorded the highest rate of on time departures among the four major domestic carriers during February, according to the latest domestic airline on time performance report from BITRE. During the month, Qantas recorded an 87.4 per cent on time departure rate, followed by Virgin Blue (85.8 per cent), Jetstar (83.6 per cent) and Tiger