The World of Aviation

Boeing says it has successfully completed testing of the counter-measures dispenser system (CMDS) for the RAAF’s Wedgetail AEW&C project. The tests were conducted in September and October off the coast of Seattle and comprised 19 flights and the dispensing of more than 500 chaff and flare packages from the aircraft. Flight tests were conducted at

South Africa has become the first customer nation to cancel its order for the troubled Airbus Military A400M airlifter. The decision to cancel the order for eight aircraft was taken by the South African government on November 5 due to the more than three year delays with the project and rising costs, and the state

Airbus says the resilience of passenger traffic will require carriers in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands to acquire 631 new aircraft valued at US$87bn (A$96bn) between now and 2028. According to its Global Market Forecast, Airbus predicts that revenue passenger kilometres will grow by five per cent over the next 20 years, higher

Boeing announced on November 5 that it delivered the RAAF’s third F/A-18F Super Hornet, A44-203, on September 30, three months ahead of schedule. “We look forward to continuing to deliver Australia’s newest combat aircraft on budget and ahead of schedule, as promised,” said Carolyn Nichols, Boeing F/A-18F program manager for Australia. “Successful early delivery of

Virgin Blue is reportedly close to signing a major sale with Boeing which will include Boeing 777-200LRs for V Australia to launch direct Perth-London Gatwick services from 2011. Australian Aviation contributor Geoffrey Thomas reports in The West Australian newspaper that the order  for six 777-200LRs is part of a wider order for 70 aircraft being

Aviation Week & Space Technology reporter Guy Norris claims that the Boeing 787 is unlikely to make its first flight until late December due to slow progress with the wing-join fix which has slowed the program down. According to a blog post by Norris, the fix is not yet complete on the first aircraft, ZA001,