Air New Zealand, Boeing and Rolls-Royce have announced a Memorandum of Understanding to conduct a biofuel demonstration flight designed to help accelerate the development of viable and sustainable alternative fuels for commercial aviation uses. An Air New Zealand Boeing 747-400 equipped with Rolls-Royce engines is scheduled to make a demonstration flight in the second half of 2008 using the new fuel. Boeing ...

British Airways has ordered 12 Airbus A380 aircraft as part of its long-term fleet modernisation. This is the first time that British Airways has introduced an Airbus aircraft for its long haul fleet. The 12 aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines. "The Airbus A380 will provide a great solution for our high density markets and get the most out of ...

Exercise Blackbird Each year, the RNZAF holds Exercise Blackbird—a mountain flying training exercise for its helicopter crews. Andy Heap and Rob Neil joined 3 Squadron to observe a day of high altitude training in the Southern Alps. A380 Downunder — Taking a Ride on Airbus’ Double-decker When Qantas and Airbus hosted 200 guests aboard the Airbus A380 for its first passenger flight in ...

To a great many New Zealanders who have benefited from their services — as well as disaster and conflict victims around the world — the men and women of 3 Squadron, RNZAF, are undoubtedly seen as heroes. Brave, selfless and heroic though they may sometimes appear to others, the personnel of 3 Squadron prefer to see themselves simply as dedicated ...

Investigators have established that the post-landing fire that destroyed a China Airlines Boeing 737 in Okinawa, was probably caused by a bolt from the slat mechanism on the aircraft’s right wing puncturing a fuel tank (investigators discovered a hole in the fuel tank of between 2–3 cm in size) that allowed fuel to leak out. As a result, the Federal Aviation ...

Air New Zealand’s passengers will be hoping that the airline’s recently announced record annual profit of $214 million, coinciding with the introduction of increased domestic competition from Pacific Blue, should result in further fare reductions. Air New Zealand has announced that travellers can expect some fares as low as $1 on domestic services. The airline has also announced that it will ...

The Chairman of the Air Rescue-Air Ambulance Division of the New Zealand Aviation Industry Association (AIA) is urging all helicopter operators who have purchased night vision goggles in New Zealand to cooperate fully and immediately with a Civil Aviation inquiry. Rea Wikaira said it is hugely concerning to hear that some of the goggles that have come into New Zealand may ...