The World of Aviation

Boeing announced on December 9 that it has commenced final gauntlet testing on the first 787 (MSN ZA001), raising the prospect that the aircraft may be ready to make its first flight earlier than expected. The gauntlet tests simulate operating the aircraft’s systems in flight, and are conducted in two blocks. The first block includes

Jetstar has announced that it plans to add four new aircraft and 77 new weekly services to its domestic schedule during 2010 as it continues its fight with the rapidly expanding Tiger Airways. The airline is planning major increases in frequency on a number of routes, predominately form Melbourne and Sydney to destinations including Cairns,

Jetstar will commence services on the Sydney-Nadi route from March 29, putting it in competition with V Australia and Air Pacific. The airline has announced that it will operate on the route four times weekly using 177-seat Airbus A320s, with Jetsaver Light fares starting from $229 one way. “We expect that Jetstar’s low fares and

Qantas unveiled a new security screening facility at its Perth domestic terminal on December 10 which will help to reduce waiting times as part of its $75 million upgrade to the Perth terminal. As well as the upgraded screening point, the airline has invested in three additional baggage carousels, six new check-in counters, a larger

The first Israeli Aerospace Industries Heron Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV is scheduled to be delivered to the RAAF on December 10 under Project Nankeen. The aircraft will wear the A45-262 designation, and will be the first of an unspecified number of Herons operated on a lease arrangement from Canadian firm MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates

Raytheon has announced that it successfully tested an AIM-9X air-to-air missile against a ground target in September. The missile, the latest iteration of the Sidewinder family of air-to-air missiles, was fired from an F-16C at a fast moving armoured boat target, and follows previous successful tests against a manoeurvring boat and against a moving armoured personnel