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News
Czech cruiser reaches the skies (Mar 30)
Czech Aircraft Works has released its latest low-wing creation, an all-metal two-seater called the SportCruiser, which has gained light sport aircraft certification in the USA.
Powered by either a 912 Rotax or Jabiru 3300, the machine is being packaged by US Distributor Sports Aircraft Works as a ready-to-fly concern with 20 hours of instruction thrown in. That lot is prioed at US$65,000 (AU$92,000). See our feature page for more details, including specifications.
Cruiser feature page
ASICs on track – according to Minister (Mar 29)
From DOTARS: The Australian Government Minister for Transport and Regional Services, Warren Truss, today said that pilots who had applied to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) before 31 December 2005 for an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC), and have been found eligible, can expect to receive their new card before the end of March.
Mr Truss said it is expected that by the end of this week over 10,000 ASIC cards will have been distributed to pilots by CASA.
"The background checking of these 10,000 pilots has been a massive undertaking which has involved CASA, the Australian Federal Police, ASIO, the Department of Immigration and my Department," Mr Truss said.
"Other pilots will have ASICs that have been issued by other agencies."
Mr Truss said CASA was now focused on following up those pilots who had provided incomplete applications. Further background checking of some other applicants is also continuing.
"In this kind of massive security exercise, the integrity of personal identification documents which are used as the basis for background checking is vital," he said.
"We simply can not accept a lesser standard of application, nor fail to follow up possible security issues, otherwise we risk undermining the integrity of the entire system. CASA continues to work with pilots to resolve outstanding issues with their applications," he said.
Mr Truss said it was also of concern that some pilots had not submitted applications at all.
"I remind pilots who require an ASIC and have not applied that they may face a penalty of $550 for each failure to display an ASIC at a security regulated airport. After 31 March 2006, all persons are required to display an ASIC when in the secure area of an airport that has regular public transport services," Mr Truss said.
Mr Truss said that from 1 April 2006 Transport Security Inspectors will be routinely checking that pilots have their ASICs.
"If a pilot has applied by the 31 December deadline and is eligible to be issued with an ASIC, but due to exceptional circumstances has not received a card, the pilot will receive fair treatment," Mr Truss said.
Since 1 July 2005 over 72,000 background checks have been processed for participants in the aviation industry.
China to experience huge civil aviation staff growth (Mar 29)
As China's civil aviation business rapidly develops, the demand for human resources continues to grow and experts say that China needs at least 240,000 civil aviation specialists in the next two decades.
"China's civil aviation business will suffer a shortage in specialists for quite a long time in the future," warned Du Yefu, an expert from the Civil Aviation University of China.
Following the development goals of China's civil aviation, by 2020 the country's civil aviation market will reach the current development scale of the United States.
Yet Du said in view of the civil aviation specialists, there still remains a large gap between the two nations.
In the United States, more than 700,000 people are working for the aviation companies but the number is less than 200,000 in China.
Du said the number of planes and the size of the air companies dictate the demand for specialists in this business.
As the domestic civil aviation market opens further, many overseas aviation companies will expand in China, boosting aeroplane purchases.
According to the International Air Transport Association, China will need 2,400 more planes in the next 20 years, making it the world's second largest aviation market.
Currently, the average ratio between staff members and the aeroplanes in international air companies is 100:1, but it is 200:1 in China, highlighting the need for specialists.
The specialists will mainly include civil aviation entrepreneurs, flight crew, air transportation safety professionals and aeroplane mechanics.
Source: Xinhua news agency
Scramjet flies again (Mar 27)
 Woomera has once again hosted a flight from the University of Queensland Scramjet project, and the results are currently being analysed.
According to the project crew: The $2 million University of Queensland-led HyShot III experiment used a scramjet engine developed by UK company, QinetiQ.
It was attached to a Terrier-Orion rocket combination and aimed to fly at an estimated Mach 8 (or about 8000km/hr), or about 10 times faster than a conventional jet engine.
The purpose of the experiment was to correlate measurements achieved in ground test facilities at The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, and at QinetiQ at Farnborough, UK.
HyShot program leader Professor Allan Paull, his brother Dr Ross Paull and U.K. scientist Rachel Owen of QinetiQ examined the fins from the first stage rocket of the Terrier-Orion rocket combination at the weekend.
The scramjet payload is attached to the second stage of the rocket combination, some 400km down range. Recovery teams are expected to search the region to attempt to retrieve the payload this week.
Professor Paull said at this stage it looked like a second scramjet experiment would be scheduled for Wednesday, March 29, also at Woomera at about 12.30pm local time (CDT).
“We have one launch down and one to go,” he said. “We have a job to finish.”
This flight experiment is a commission from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to The University of Queensland.
The experiment is designed to benefit the development of future space transportation systems. It is hoped that the $1.3 million HyShot™ IV program will provide more extensive scramjet pressure and temperature measurements than previous flights.
University of Queensland link
Solar-powered UAV gets off the ground (Mar 23)
 QinetiQ has completed the first flight trials of Zephyr -- a High-Altitude, Long-Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (HALE UAV) that has a 12 metre wingspan but weighs just 27 kilograms.
The trials took place at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, USA. Two aircraft were flown for four and a half and six hours respectively, the maximum flight times permitted under range restrictions.
The maximum altitude attained was 27,000 feet above sea level.
Designed by QinetiQ, the ultra-light aircraft is solar-electric powered, autonomous and is designed to fly at altitudes in excess of 50,000 feet, above normal commercial air-lanes and most weather. The combination of solar panels on the upper wing surface and rechargeable batteries allows Zephyr to be flown for durations of many weeks and even months.
Caroline Slim, Zephyr's programme director said: "Zephyr uses lightweight solar panels coupled to rechargeable batteries. They are incorporated into the carbon fibre airframe which gives a low weight structure capable of flying at high altitude continuously for several months.”
More info via QinetiQ
Jabiru 4-seater goes turn-key (Mar 22)
 Queensland manufacturer Jabiru is now selling its J230 four-seter as a complete turn-key unit -- previously it was only available as a kit. Available with either GA or recreation registration, the aircraft is priced at $95,000. Specs include a 240kg useful load, 3300cc boxer six poerplant claiming 120hp, and six hours endurance with a 20lt/hr burn.
The company has been offering its J160 two-seater as a ready-to-fly package for some time and is finding a wider group of customers as a result, including flying schools.
Jabiru
Opposition to open safety records has faded (Mar 22)
From the International Herald Tribune: The International Civil Aviation Organization has overcome opposition from most African and South American countries to win approval of a plan to open the organization's safety assessment records to the public.
Opposition from South America, where every country signed a statement opposing making safety records public, faded at the last minute Monday.
IHT home; Story
Phantom chopper tests unmanned software (Mar 22)
 Boeing and a team of university scientists have completed a highly successful multi-year research program to develop and demonstrate cutting edge flight control technologies that dramatically enhance the autonomous operations of advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV).
The autonomous flight control technologies were developed under the Software Enabled Control (SEC) program sponsored by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) with technical direction from the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
During flight demonstrations, the last of which took place on Feb 23 before US Department of Defense and NASA observers at Victorville, Calif, the SEC software assumed control of a DARPA Renegade rotorcraft UAV and successfully executed a series of advanced maneuvers.
The autonomous maneuvers included flying optimal routes through a field of pop-up and already-known threats; flying low-level, terrain-hugging profiles to avoid detection; and determining safe landing zones by using vision-based algorithms to process landing site imagery and terrain height information.
"Advanced technologies developed under the SEC program provide for a very cost-effective approach to enhancing the tactical effectiveness of unmanned platforms, providing a low-risk mechanism for the rapid integration of advanced autonomous flight control capabilities," said Patrick Stokes, Boeing Phantom Works manager of Contracted R&D Network-Centric Operations programs. "And these autonomous behaviors can be integrated without the need for costly modifications to the vehicle's existing flight software."
Source: Boeing
New-gen engine gets a spin (Mar 22)
 General Electric’s new GEnx jet engine, which will power a range of new airliners such as the Dreamliner, has undergone its first running test at the maker’s outdoor facility in Ohio, USA.
Here’s what the company had to say: General Electric Company's best-selling GEnx engine -- with already more than 575 engines ordered for three new commercial aircraft -- demonstrated 80,500 lbs. of takeoff thrust during ground testing today at GE's outdoor testing facility in Peebles, Ohio.
Ground testing on the GEnx engine began with idle runs on March 19, and then reached 80,500 lbs. of standard day sea-level takeoff thrust on March 21.
The GEnx engine is scheduled to certify at maximum takeoff thrust of 75,000 lbs. in 2007 with entry into service in 2008 on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In total, seven GEnx engines will be used in the certification program for this engine.
"It is exciting to see the GEnx come to life," said Tom Brisken, general manager of the GEnx program. "Engine assembly was flawless, and engine testing began three days ahead of schedule. We are extremely pleased with initial test results and are looking forward to validating the GEnx technology."
Full story
Mixed
feelings on aviation in UK (Mar 21)
 From
the Guardian, in the UK: Environmental concerns about air travel
are changing attitudes in the boardroom, with almost half of businesses
in the capital declaring themselves in favour of higher taxes on the cost
of flights.
The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry yesterday revealed that 44%
of its members believed higher taxes should be levied on aviation fuel
and air tickets to mitigate the environmental havoc wreaked by aircraft.
Editor’s note: Nevertheless the Chamber has said it wants to see
London’s aviation capacity expanded so it can compete effectively
with European hubs. (Pic: Airbus)
Guardian
home; Story
London Chamber
2005
not a good year for passengers – ICAO (Mar 20)
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has completed its
analysis of the preliminary information available on aviation safety and
security for 2005.
There were 18 aircraft accidents involving passenger fatalities on scheduled
air services worldwide for aircraft with a maximum take-off mass of more
than 2250 kg, usually seven passengers or more. This does not include
aircraft accidents caused by acts of unlawful interference. The
total number of passenger fatalities was 713. In 2004, there were 203
passenger fatalities from nine accidents.
The increase in passenger fatalities led to an increase in the accident
rate as measured in fatalities per 100 million passenger-kilometres. In
2004, 203 fatalities resulted in an accident rate of 0.01, while in 2005,
713 fatalities produced a rate of 0.02. =
Meanwhile the International Herald Tribune reports: The International
Civil Aviation Organization is to decide today whether to put countries
worldwide under a political microscope by pressing them to open detailed
safety audits of their airlines to the public, a move that South America
and Africa strongly oppose.
ICAO
International Herald Tribune home;
Story
Garuda gets a reprieve (Mar 20)
Indonesian carrier Garuda has been given a lifeline by the government, which has injected cash to prop up the company’s ailing finances.
Garuda is staggering under a huge debt and the government says it will now take a more active interest in the firm’s management, while assisting in paying out the loans over ten years.
Trouble brewing in the cockpit? (Mar 16)
 There may be trouble brewing in the cockpit of Qantas jets as CEO Geoff Dixon continues to put in place the long-term company strategy that involves cutting $3 billion from operating costs by 2008.
The first measure bound to earn the ire of flight crew is the potential winding back of heavy jet captain salaries to around $158,000 per year (the expected Jetstar international rate -- $135,000 for domestic) from the $220,000 earned by a Qantas domestic captain. This will take on greater significance as Jetstar expands its operations internationally.
The second is the announcement that Qantas no longer plans to fund the Australian and International Pilots Association to the tune of $500,000 per year.
In a letter to pilots, Mr Dixon said, "It's about productivity and overall efficiency, not just rates of pay. Given our investment profile and the competitive nature of our business, we have no other option." While it contained no clear information on how or when pilot salaries might be pulled back, it also made clear that such a move was on the agenda.
However the current head of AIPA, Mr Ian Woods, told the Australian Financial Review, "Pilots are generally very committed people...they're normally very pro-company, but their patience is being worn thin."
AIPA
Czech waterbird gets Jabiru engine (Mar 15)
 Czech builder Sport Aircraft Works has recently converted its Mermaid two-seater amphibious aircraft to accept the Queensland-made Jabiru 3300 powerplant, and says it is pleased with the performance.
The Mermaid recently became the first amphibian to get through USA FAA Light Sport Aircraft rules.
Sport Aircraft Works
Games restrictions today (Mar 15)
Airspace restrictions for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne take effect from today. There is a 40-mile no-fly zone during the opening and closing ceremonies (today and March 26). Authorities have warned that transgressors may find themselves facing the sharp end of an F-18!
The approaches via Station Pier, Albert Park Lake and the MCG are closed for the duration, while other restrictions are in place for specific events.
See this Air Services page for details.
Geelong fly-in (Mar 15)
The Geelong Sports Aviators club (Vic) is having its annual fly-in this weekend at Lethbridge Airpark. See this link. (Airservices code: YLED)
Room with no view (Mar 14)
Estonian airline Enimex has had its plans to use an Antinov An72 for passenger services squashed by the local civil aviation authority. Apparently the CAA thought the plane’s lack of windows was a disadvantage. Eminex planned to use the craft on its Helsinki to Kittila route.
Home-built sets trans-USA record (Mar 14)
 American Glasair owner-builder Bruce Hammer has set a new trans-USA class record (C-1.b) in his nine-year-old Glasair.
The aircraft (similar to the type shown, but in taildragger configuration) is comparatively low-tech, with fixed prop and undercarriage, running a 180-horse Lycoming.
His flight from Lyndburgh field in San Diego to Jacksonville, Florida, took 8 hours and 5 minutes, with an average speed of 224kts.
Hammer has competed in a number of air races in the past.
Glasair
OzJet drops Biz-only flights (Mar 13)
OzJet, the start-up business class-only airline started by Paul Stoddart a few months ago, has suspended regular services on its Melbourne-Sydney route and will concentrate on charter work.
Stoddart said that it was with very great regret that the decision had been made to stop flying scheduled services immediately.
"Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, we have not had the support we needed to operate in that environment against big, established carriers," he said.
"It's very, very disappointing, particularly, I'm sure, for those people who had started travelling regularly with us between Melbourne and Sydney and many of our very diligent and loyal employees.
"Sad to say, there have not been enough of those regular customers.
"We will now concentrate, with a reduced workforce, on charter operations.
"No paying passenger booked on OzJet will be unduly disadvantaged - they can either receive a refund from OzJet or transfer without any additional cost to Qantas, which has kindly offered to assist in transporting people who have booked and paid for tickets with OzJet.
"The OzJet call centre will remain open on telephone 1300 737 000 for the time being to assist people booked with us.
"We have given it a go in a very tough area of the Australian aviation industry and, as much as we would have hoped, it has become clear that we were not going to achieve in the immediate future the kind of revenues that were needed to keep OzJet in the air as the airline was envisaged.
"Charter operations may well be more rewarding.”
The company will retain its Air Operator's Certificate, a minimum of two Boeing 737 aircraft for charter work and about 30 per cent of its staff.
Ozjet
Qantas decision could be worse (Mar 12)
Amid the dismay caused by the decision to close its Sydney maintenance centre at the cost of 480 jobs, Qantas says the decision could have been more harsh. Keeping its wide-body jet maintenance in Australia will cost it $15-20 million, according to CEO Geoff Dixon, during an ABC interview.
The Sydney decision is set to save the company around 70-million per year. This may not impress Australians however, as a Morgan poll last month found 87 per cent believed the national carrier should keep such jobs in the country.
C-17s for local military (Mar 10)
 The Australian military has announced it is purchasing four C-17 heavy lift aircraft.
According to the Defence Materiel Organisation: “The C-17 is a highly reliable, long range, heavy lift aircraft designed to rapidly transport large outsized cargo over long distances, giving the Australian Defence Force (ADF) the ability to rapidly move personnel, equipment and helicopters to support operations globally.
“The acquisition will boost investment in Australia’s aerospace industry, with Boeing planning to execute an Australian Industry Capability program. The program will be worth 10 per cent of the acquisition price and 30 per cent of the support price of the contracts.
“It will represent an Australian industry program valued in excess of $345 million over the 30 year life of the aircraft. Based on outcomes from similar projects, it is expected to provide in the order of 100 additional jobs for the first five years and 40 jobs thereafter.” (Pics: DMO)
Defence Materiel Organisation
Plus…
 The military is also in the tores of developing new unmanned observation aircraft with Boeing Australia. According to DMO:
“Its features include a fully automatic take-off and landing system that dramatically increases operational reliability.
“Mobility was extremely important to Army, the I-View's catapult launch and parafoil landing system means it can be deployed and recovered from an uneven area smaller than a football field.
“The parafoil is a non-rigid, parachute-like, usually nylon airfoil of ribbed or cellular construction, used especially in kites and paragliders. It has the ability to correct itself during the landing process allowing the I-View vehicle to land in a controlled location.
“Taking into account the varied landscapes of the battlefield the I-View is fitted with advanced retractable sensor technology, reducing the risk of damage on landing.
“Three interchangeable sensors will be used on the aircraft, the Multi-mission Optronic Stabilised Payload (MOSP), POP 300 and camera can be easily alternated in the field.
“The MOSP sensor has enhanced day and night capability, collecting video data by day and infrared by night.” (Video release link)
Plus…
Media release: The Premier, Steve Bracks, today announced Victoria had secured up to 240 new highly skilled jobs through an $800 million aerospace contract to upgrade electronics in the RAAF’s P3 Orion maritime patrol and surveillance fleets.
Mr Bracks said the electronic design and engineering jobs will be part of a new Tenix Defence Aerospace Systems Support Centre being established in Melbourne’s CBD.
“The Government has worked closely with Tenix Defence to secure this major investment for Victoria,” Mr Bracks said.
“The centre will create up to 240 highly skilled new jobs over the next five years, and represents a significant boost for Victoria’s world-class aerospace sector. It reinforces our position as Australia’s leading aerospace state.”
Mr Bracks said Victoria’s aerospace industry turns over $600 million annually, employs 5000 workers and achieves exports of $250 million per annum.
“Victoria also accounts for about 40 per cent of the national aerospace industry in employment terms,” he said.
Asia-Pacific 2nd biggest jet market – Boeing (Mar 9)
 Boeing has detailed its
current market outlook for the Asia-Pacific region, forecasting a
market for about 7200 new airplanes worth $770 billion over the next 20
years. Over the forecast period, Asia-Pacific will remain the largest
market outside North America for new commercial airplanes.
With the continued high rate of growth for Asia-Pacific air travel and
air cargo markets, Asia-Pacific's fleet will nearly triple to about
8600 airplanes by the end of the forecast period.
Nearly 7200 new airplanes will be needed for future growth and
replacement.
Single-aisle airplanes, such as the Next-Generation 737 (pictured),
will be the largest category with total new airplane deliveries at 3690
airplanes. Intermediate twin-aisles such as the Boeing 787 and 777 will
comprise approximately 2430 airplane deliveries. Regional jets will
total 540 units delivered and 747-and-larger-size airplanes will be 510
units delivered.
"Passengers are the foundation of air travel and, in a competitive
market, the airlines will continue meeting passengers' demands for more
direct nonstop flights to destinations around the world with
longer-range, efficient and comfortable airplanes," said Scott Carson,
Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president - Sales.
"This requirement
will be met by airplanes in the 200-to-400-seat capacity category, with
relatively few very-large aircraft being needed.
Thailand is expected to become a major regional air transportation
gateway in the Asia-Pacific region with the new multi-billion baht
Suvarnabhumi Airport scheduled to begin operation in June.
Boeing projects passenger traffic within Asia-Pacific to grow 6 per cent
per year, outpacing the world average of 4.8 percent during the next 20
years. This robust air travel growth will cause Asia-Pacific carriers to
expand significantly, resulting in the high regional demand during the
forecast period.
Worldwide, Boeing projects that operators will invest $2.1 trillion for
approximately 25,700 new commercial airplanes during the next 20 years.
Full forecast
Heli-Pacific coming up (Mar 8)
Heli-Pacific, billed as the biggest rotary wing event in this part of the world, is happening from May 31 to June 1 at the Royal Pines Resort, on the Gold Coast in Qld. Run by British event organiser The Shepherd Group, it offers (according to the blurb):
A Two-Day Exhibition:
A chance for local, regional and international companies to exhibit their products and services to a large and dedicated helicopter audience. Where else can you meet the key decision-makers, policy generators and end-users - all in the same place at the same time? Whether visiting or exhibiting, this is your chance to generate real business opportunities.
A Two-Day Conference & Seminars: A focused and senior level conference provides real opportunities to bring yourself up-to-date with the latest trends in operations, purchasing, avionics, MRO, EMS, civil and military helicopter issues. A prestigious array of speakers will be present representing both local, regional and international perspectives.
A Two-Day Static Helicopter Display:
An important feature for the inaugural event was the static display of helicopters which was on-site at the Hyatt Regency Coolum, allowing delegates, visitors and exhibitors to see at first-hand the latest technology and equipment. (pic: Bell Helicopter)
Event link
Crash-fest prompts cool-off (Mar 8)
Something of a crash-fest among the US Navy’s air fleet has prompted an order for a complete half-day stand-down so commanders can conduct safety audits. Some 3800 aircraft are involved.
The unusual measure has been prompted by four fatal crashes in a week, three involving training jets and one a helicopter, causing 10 deaths. In another incident, a flight deck helmet was sucked into a jet engine, causing $1 million in damage to the aircraft. (The helmet may also need to be replaced…)
Russia backs former MiG head for top post (Mar 7)
Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, and Prime Minister, Mikhail Fradkov, are both backing the nomination of the former head of MiG and Irkut (which produces the Su-30MK shown here), Alexei Fyodorov, to head a state owned company aimed at reviving the nation’s stalled aviation industry.
According to the Moscow Times: “Fyodorov, 53, who entered the Soviet aviation industry 32 years ago as an engineer, sold shares in Irkut in 2004 to raise money for expansion, becoming the first head of a Russian aviation or defense company to tap international markets. Fyodorov raised $65 million more for Irkut last year by selling a 10 percent stake to France-based European Aeronautic, Defense & Space Co, or EADS.”
Moscow Times story
Irkut web
Closer air ties with India (Mar 7)
Prime Minister John Howard’s recent visit to India coincided with an announcement that selected airlines from both countries will be allowed to develop new international services.
Light jets to boom – FAA (Mar 6)
The Federal Aviation Administration in the USA has released its predictions for the industry for 2006-2017 and, among the material, is speculation the market for small jets will boom with annual sales in that country of up to 500 units. Makers such as Honda, which has a new entry to the market (pictured), will undoubtedly be considerably cheered by the report.
On commercial aviation, the report says: The FAA continues to be optimistic about the future. Since 2000, the industry has been battered with 9/11, the spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), and record high fuel prices. An important yardstick, though, remains the number of passengers that traveled. Last year, that number was a record 739 million, up from 690 million the previous year. U.S. commercial aviation remains on track to carry one billion passengers by 2015. In addition, international traffic is growing almost 2 percent faster than domestic traffic. The remaining formidable hurdle for the commercial aviation
industry as a whole will be the price of oil.
And when it comes to light jets: At the October 2005 TRB/FAA workshop, industry experts suggested the market for new microjets could add 500 aircraft a year to the active fleet by 2010. The relatively inexpensive twin-engine microjets (priced between $1 and $2 million) are believed by many to have the potential to redefine the business jet segment by expanding business jet flying and offering performance that could support a true on- demand air-taxi business service. This year’s forecast assumes that microjets will begin to enter the active fleet in 2006 (100 aircraft) and grow by 400 to 500 aircraft a year after that, reaching 4950 air- craft by 2017.
FAA link
Hondajet
CASA hosts Hoxton safety day (Mar 6)
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the Phoenix Aero Club are staging the free workshop as part of a national air safety campaign.
Aviation experts will conduct the workshop at Hoxton Park on Wednesday 8 March.
The workshop will look at key air safety issues including aircraft maintenance, local weather and flying in controlled airspace.
Experts from CASA will make presentations on these topics.
CASA's Peter Gibson says the workshop will make a real difference to air safety in the region.
out the Sydney region and that's good news for pilots and passengers.
“Hoxton Park has a good air safety record but we must continue to work to prevent accidents.”
The workshop is being held at the Phoenix Aero Club, starting at 6pm, on Wednesday March 8.
All local pilots are urged to attend.
CASA is hosting a free BBQ on the night for everyone who takes part in the workshop.
Nigerian aviation to be recertified (Mar 5)
The Daily Independent, in Nigeria, reports: “Experts from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and others are expected to arrive Nigeria shortly to re-certify the entire aviation industry.”
The industry has been the subject of international criticism because of its appalling safety record involving what have been dubbed “flying coffins”.
Also see This Day story
Click to check your ASIC (Mar 3)
 From CASA: Pilots who have applied to the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for an Aviation Security Identification Card have a special new way of getting an update on the progress of their application.
An ASIC application page has been set up on the CASA web site to help pilots who have aviation security card questions.
To find out what is happening with their ASIC application lodged with CASA, pilots simply fill in a web form and submit it with the click of their mouse.
CASA is currently processing more than 10,000 ASIC applications from pilots across the nation.
The goal is to complete the processing of as many of these as possible before the end of this month.
After March 31 pilots requiring access to secure areas of regional airports will be required to display an ASIC.
ASICs are already required for pilots using the long-standing security controlled areas of capital city and other major airports.
Those pilots who applied to CASA for an ASIC before the official application deadline of the end of 2005 are being given priority over pilots who sent in applications this year.
Applications for ASICs made this year are being processed chronologically.
However, all pilots who wish to access security controlled aerodromes who have not yet submitted an ASIC application are being urged to do so as quickly as possible.
Where pilots have made a mistake in their ASIC application CASA is contacting them by telephone, fax or email to correct the problem as quickly as possible.
To access the new ASIC application web page go to: www.casa.gov.au/securitycheck
Cairns joins the AOPA roadshow (Mar 3)
From the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association: The third AOPA Roadshow event will be held in Cairns, Qld, on March 25-26. Topics include: Pilot Maintenance – theory and practical sessions covering maintenance that can be performed on aircraft by a pilot; Operations in and around controlled airspace. There will also be some panel discussions and the opportunity to meet with senior Airservices Australia staff.
Airservices Airfield code: YBCS
AOPA web
French
lead Indian gold rush (Mar 2)
 French
interests are leading a mini gold rush on the back of India’s announcement
that it will be replacing its ageing MiG-21s with 126 new aircraft via
a $US9billion budget.
Dassault is first off the rank, offering its Rafale – an offer which
will be driven home last week by French President Jacques Chirac, during
a visit to the subconinent.
"We believe the Rafale, a new-generation combat plane, meets the
operational needs of the Indian Air Force, and we hope the next invitation
will enable us to offer it," stated Charles Edelstenne, CEO of Dassault
Aviation.
However the French optimism may be premature, as the USA and India have recently agreed on co-operation with nuclear technologies and this may result in closer military co-operation -- including aircraft.
Dassault
Airservices
dumps 300 jobs (Mar 1)
Airservices Australia, which is responsible for air traffic control, has
announced it will be dropping 300 positions (about 10 per cent of the workforce) as part of a restructure.
Chief Executive Officer Greg Russell said the restructure was transparent
to airline and airport customers with no impact on the provision of air
traffic control, aviation rescue and fire fighting or technical and engineering
services.
"Today's announcement follows a review of the organisation in late
2005 which showed improvements could be made that would improve the efficiency
of the organisation without impacting on safety, while better aligning
our services to the needs of the aviation community and the country as
a whole.
"This restructure process is subjected to rigorous safety analysis
and is being scrutinised by the Safety Regulator.
"The restructure is understandably causing some uncertainty, but
these changes are necessary to ensure our organisation is best prepared
to safely and efficiently face the challenges and requirements of an ever-changing
aviation industry," he said.
Airservices
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run on this site. It's a free service. Email us via this link.
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Hosting
Does you club or association need a website? We can supply
free hosting and assistance to set it up. Your address would be www.allflying.com/yourname.
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