Engineers at the Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria, Australia, have developed an inspection system based on artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and characterise internal flaws in composite materials in aircraft. According to Swinburne University, the technology it has developed has the potential to increase aeronautical safety and speed up component safety checks. Today, increasing numbers of aircraft are being designed to ...

Flightcell International has announced the launch of what it describes as “the world’s most compact satellite voice, tracking and data system.” Flightcell’s DZM3 is the latest addition to the company’s well-established range of satellite and cellular communications products. The new Flightcell DZM3 offers an all-in one, panel mounted satellite phone and tracking system, which the company’s CEO, John Wyllie, describes as ...

At the end of March, the RNZAF’s Central Flying School at RNZAF Base Ohakea announced that after a comprehensive evaluation of aircraft tracking solutions, it had chosen TracPlus Global as its tracking service provider. The RNZAF has fitted its fleet of CT4 Airtrainers with TracPlus tracking units, which allow the aircraft to be tracked and monitored in real time using the ...

On the 20th of April, Air New Zealand launched a specialist Aviation Institute, which will provide a comprehensive range of training covering most airline industry roles within a single organisation. The event was attended by the Minister of Transport, the Hon Steven Joyce. Air New Zealand’s training organisation has a 70-year track record as a specialist post-employment aviation training provider, with ...

The Northland Emergency Services Trust (NEST) announced recently that it would be buying a third helicopter to supplement its Northland operations. The additional helicopter—another Sikorsky S-76—will alleviate some of the increasing pressure placed on emergency services and organisations like NEST caused by the steady population growth in Northland during recent years. Since the service was established in 1988, NEST’s helicopters have ...

Boeing and Air New Zealand welcomed Air New Zealand’s 777-300ER (extended range) at a late December ceremony at Paine Field in Everett, Washington. Air New Zealand ordered the first of five 777-300ERs in August 2007 to complement the eight Boeing 777-200ERs already in its long-haul fleet. The airline intends to operate the first three 300ERs between Auckland, Los Angeles and ...

15 December 2010 was the last operational day for the UK’s Harrier force, a milestone commemorated with a massed Harrier flypast, taxi-in and symbolic shut-down at RAF Cottesmore, the main Joint Force Harrier base. This was an appropriate venue at which to witness the passing of a truly iconic aircraft after its 41 years of outstanding British service. A total of ...

Asiana Airlines has become a new customer for the A380 with the announcement of a firm order for six aircraft. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2014 and the airline plans to operate the new aircraft with a premium layout on key routes to Europe and the US. Asiana is scheduled to make an engine selection for its A380 fleet ...

According to Lance Beath, a Victoria University senior fellow in defence studies, with the last strike force jets out of use and having only a slim chance of sale, the New Zealand Defence Force now “completely lacks international credibility.” Defence officials had hoped to get 17 Aermacchi jet trainers back into service, but a spokesman for Defence Minister Wayne Mapp confirmed ...

IndiGo Airlines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 180 Airbus A320 aircraft, of which 150 will be A320neos and 30 will be A320s. It is the largest single firm order for large jets in commercial aviation history. IndiGo has not yet announced its engine selection. Rakesh Gangwal and Rahul Bhatia, the co-founders of IndiGo, said “the order for industry leading ...