All articles by Greg Waldron – Page 123
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NewsGulfstream beefs up G700 test fleet
Gulfstream has commenced flights with its second and third G700 test aircraft. The second aircraft (msn 87007, N703GD) conducted a 2h 58min maiden sortie on 20 March, says the company. On 8 May, the third G700 (msn 87008, N708GA) test aircraft operated a 3h 2min sortie. Source: Gulfstream ...
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Airline BusinessAsia-Pacific April deliveries collapse amid travel restrictions
Asia-Pacific airlines received just two new aircraft during April 2020, as travel restrictions stemming from the coronavirus epidemic played havoc with delivery schedules. Only two Chinese carriers received new jets, according to Cirium fleets data. Loong Air took an Airbus A320neo and Chengdu Airlines took a Comac ARJ21. ...
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Airline BusinessAsia’s bullish LCC orderbook confronts a bear trap
Following epic orders in the aviation bull market of the 2010s, Airbus and Boeing have significant exposure to the fate of the four major low-cost carrier groups in the Asia-Pacific. The 2010s were a heady time for Asia-Pacific low-cost carrier bosses such as AirAsia’s Tony Fernandes, Lion Air’s Rusdi Kirana, ...
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NewsAsia-Pacific governments cautious on cross-border travel
Asia-Pacific governments are taking a tentative approach to opening up international travel as the coronavirus pandemic starts to abate, with the possibility of a “bubble” containing Australia and New Zealand. In a press briefing following a virtual meeting with Australia’s national cabinet, New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Arden said that ...
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NewsATSB, ATR clarify ignition settings for flameouts
Following a double engine flameout on a Virgin Australia ATR 72-600, the airframer issued a clarification about the appropriate use of automatic and manual ignition. The incident occurred during the early evening of 13 December 2018 as the aircraft (VH-FVN) operated flight VA660 on the Sydney-Canberra route in stormy weather, ...
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NewsNorthrop to prototype communications gateway for fifth-generation fighters
Northrop Grumman will develop the prototype of a new system that enables improved communications among diverse platforms. The company labels the system gatewayOne, and is undertaking the work under the US Air Force’s (USAF’s) Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) effort, following a contract with the service’s Life Cycle Management Center. ...
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NewsCoronavirus punishes ANA’s profitability and revenue
The parent company of All Nippon Airways (ANA), ANA Holdings, saw coronavirus hurt both profitability and revenue during its 2019 fiscal year, as it painted a bleak outlook for the immediate future. Consolidated operating profit of for the 12 months ended 31 March fell 63% to Y61 billion ($569 million), ...
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NewsElbit wins EW deal from Asia-Pacific customer
Elbit Systems has secured a $103 million contract to provide electronic warfare (EW) suites for helicopters operated by an Asia-Pacific air force. “Demand for combat-proven EW systems is getting stronger as the electro-magnetic spectrum becomes increasingly contested and the threat to aircraft gets more acute,” says Elbit executive vice president ...
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Airline BusinessNew AAPA chief sees multilateral effort as key to restoring air travel
The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) is optimistic about the future of air travel in the region, but stresses that rebooting the air travel sector will take substantial coordination. Subhas Menon is the new director general of the AAPA, succeeding Andrew Herdman. Prior to joining the association he spent ...
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NewsSIA to move a fifth of A380 fleet to desert storage
Singapore Airlines (SIA) will shift four Airbus A380s to long-term storage at Alice Springs airport in central Australia. The first of four double-deckers arrived on 26 April, according to a Facebook post by Alice Springs airport; the jets will be stored at Asia Pacific Aircraft Storage. Video: A380 ...
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NewsVietnam domestic market shows signs of life
Vietnam’s domestic air travel market is taking tentative steps back to normality with the country’s airlines adding flights as the coronavirus pandemic ebbs. Vietnam Airlines has started operating four to six flights daily on the key Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City route, with this to grow to 11 flights daily in ...
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NewsUSAF B-1B stars in Asia-Pacific show of force
The US Air Force (USAF) and Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) have mounted a show of force intended to demonstrate a doctrine for quickly deploying combat assets to the Asia-Pacific region. The activity involved a Boeing B-1B bomber operating a 30h sortie from Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, to Japan’s Draughon ...
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NewsUSA, Norway to continue THOR-ER hypersonic work
The USA and Norway will continue research work into solid fuel ramjet technologies, with an eye to developing affordable full-sized prototypes with high-speeds and long ranges. The Tactical High-speed Offensive Ramjet for Extended Range (THOR-ER) is an Allied Prototyping Initiative (API) under the USA’s Directorate for Advanced Capabilities. ...
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NewsAVIC AG600 testing moves to the sea
The AVIC AG600 amphibian has moved to a new stage in its testing campaign, operating flights over the sea. Later in 2020, the aircraft is scheduled to conduct its first takeoff from the ocean surface, according to a China Daily report quoting the aircraft’s manufacturer. Video: China’s AG600 ...
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NewsFirst Nigerian Super Tucano conducts maiden sortie
The first A-29 Super Tucano due for delivery to the Nigerian air force has conducted its maiden flight from Jacksonville, Florida.
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NewsAVIC FTC-2000G snags first export order
The AVIC Guizhou FTC-2000G has bagged its first export deal to an unnamed Southeast Asian country. The order was revealed in a report by the state-run Global Times newspaper that was also posted on the website of the Chinese defence ministry. Source: Greg Waldron The FTC-2000G made its ...
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Airline BusinessAir Astana’s Foster eyes tricky return to normalcy post coronavirus
Air Astana chief executive Peter Foster is upbeat about the airline’s future in the post-coronavirus world, but sees a number of challenges before normalcy returns.
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NewsAH-64E hits 500th delivery, as Boeing eyes more Apache exports
Boeing has celebrated the 500th delivery of an AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, as it eyes opportunities for additional international sales.
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NewsU-2 to get avionics, mission computer update
Lockheed Martin recently secured a $50 million US Air Force contract to update the venerable U-2 spy plane. The project involves three elements: a new avionics suite, a new mission computer, and modern cockpit displays, says Lockheed. Source: Lockheed Martin The U-2S spyplane Designed to the new ...
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NewsUS government clears Harpoon, Torpedo deal for India P-8Is
The US government has approved to separate deals to sell India anti-ship missiles and air-launched torpedoes for its fleet of Boeing P-8I Neptune maritime patrol aircraft. The first possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) covers 10 Boeing AGM-84L Harpoon Block II missiles and related services and equipment for around $92 million, ...