Once again, Pacific Wings was right in the action at Farnborough International 2010. Peter Cooper was there all week not only as Pacific Wings’ UK correspondent, but also as Farnborough Airport’s semi-official historian and photographer. Farnborough is unquestionably the cradle of British aviation. One hundred and two years ago, it was the site of the first powered flight in the UK. ...

Fantastic Farnborough The Farnborough International Air Show is not only one of the most famous and best known air shows in the world, it is also one of the world’s most important aviation trade shows. Pacific Wings’ UK correspondent, Peter Cooper—a semi-official Farnborough Airfield historian and photographer—reports on the exciting displays and commercial successes from Farnborough 2010. Air Nelson’s New Shed Air Nelson ...

Squadron Leader Hugh Francis, a senior tutor at Massey’s School of Aviation, received a silver meritorious service award at a recent Royal Aeronautical Society dinner. The navigation specialist has been honoured for his long and dedicated service to the industry, and is due to retire at the end of the year. His 18 years at Massey followed a 33-year career in ...

Dunedin-based tracking company TracPlus Global has announced that it has secured a number a significant international contracts recently. Following on from the company’s success in being selected by the National Aerial Firefighting Centre (NAFC) as the exclusive integration provider for airborne fire fighting in Australia, TracPlus Global has secured significant tracking and integration contracts in North America, as well as ...

The recent uninterrupted two-week flight by QinetiQ’s Zephyr solar-powered UAV has the company bidding for three world records. QinetiQ has filed with the Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) for ratification of a laundry list of achievements for its high-altitude long endurance (HALE) Unmanned Air System (UAS). The records being claimed include: the absolute duration record for a UAV—at 336 hrs, 22 minutes; ...

Pacific Blue has announced that it is to exit its New Zealand domestic operations as part of a wider review of its network. Pacific Blue’s New Zealand domestic network currently includes Christchurch, Dunedin, Queenstown and Auckland, with 106 flights a week, including twice daily services from Christchurch to Wellington and Christchurch to Auckland. The airline will also boost trans-Tasman services ...

By Rob Neil. The issue of biofuel as a viable source of aviation fuel for the future is no longer questionable. Biofuel is not only one answer; it is, realistically, the only answer. Unlike the automotive and other industries, which have other viable alternatives to hydrocarbon fuel, there is no option for aviation. There will never be “electric” airliners and it is ...