Week in brief December 2 2011

That death-defying Jetman, aka Yves “Jetman” Rossy, has been at it again. This time, in his jet-propelled wingsuit Jetman has flown a formation flight alongside two jets from the Breitling Jet Team. Jetman, the world’s first jet-powered man, jumped off a helicopter with his rigid wing equipped with four jet engines. Adjusting his trajectory and altitude by his body movements alone, he then performed aerobatic figures above the Swiss Alps in the company of two L-39C Albatros aircraft from the Breitling Jet Team. Among many other hair-raising feats, Jetman has previously flown the Grand Canyon.


That Diamond DA42-NG that has been making its way to Australia this past week has reached its target for an economy run from Alice Springs to Sydney. Diamond rep Hawker Pacific set up the economy run to see if the DA42-NG, powered by brand new, economical Austro diesel engines, could cross half of Australia on less than $500 of Jet A1. And….drum roll…in a non-stop, seven-hour flight from Alice Springs to Sydney, the aircraft reached its destinations using less than $450 worth of Jet A1. This 1097nm (2032km) flight was accomplished with a fuel burn of only 18 litres per hour per engine (36L/hr total), at an average ground speed of 156.9 knots, demonstrating the impressive low fuel burn of the aircraft. Keep an eye out for the Diamond DA42-NG as Hawker Pacific takes it on a countrywide demonstration tour in early 2012; dates to be announced shortly.


RAAF personnel who flew, maintained and supported F-111 operations have been honoured at a dedication service at RAAF Amberley today, exactly one year after the F-111 took to the skies for the last time. A Personnel Memorial was unveiled at the service, which Officer Commanding 82 Wing Group Captain Geoff Harland dedicated to the men and women who proudly served F-111 operations. The top plaque of the memorial is in the shape of an F-111, with wings swept as it flies upwards toward the skies. The inscription within the wattle wreath curled around the F-111 reads:  "In Honour of those who flew, maintained and supported F111 operations 1973 – 2010". "The memorial was established as a celebration of all those who supported the F-111 during its 37-year service, as well as honouring the special memory of those who sadly died providing the F-111 capability in the defence and security of our nation," Group Captain Harland said. "The F-111 was an iconic aircraft, which became a central part of the Air Force community, as well as the wider Ipswich and Brisbane communities."


Wednesday November 30 marked the 50th anniversary of the day an Ansett-ANA Vickers Viscount en route to Canberra hit a violent thunderstorm, lost a wing and pitched into the dark waters of Botany Bay, an accident that signalled a turning point for aviation safety in Australia. Four flight crew and nine of the 11 passengers on board perished in the accident, and subsequent inquiries into the crash led to weather radars becoming mandatory on airliners. Read a Canberra Times story looking back on the accident by clicking here.


The story has been all around the globe this week, so you’ve undoubtedly already caught wind of it, but here’s the official word from the ATSB regarding that exploding iPhone on board a Regional Express flight. On Friday November 25 at about 1042EST, on board a Rex SAAB 340B that had just landed at Sydney Airport, a passenger’s Apple iPhone began to emit both heat and smoke. A flight attendant used a fire extinguisher to cool the phone and the passengers and crew disembarked safely. The mobile phone is in the custody of the ATSB and detailed technical examination of the phone has begun. There is no previous record in the ATSB's databases of spontaneous self-ignition involving smart phones or other portable electronic devices on an aircraft in Australia. The investigation is continuing, and the ATSB is consulting directly with Apple on the matter.


While back home recently, Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mary of Denmark showed her support for what she described as “this most Australian of charities” with a visit to the Royal Flying Doctors’ Broken Hill Base last Friday. While there, she addressed a group of 260 people and said “I wanted to see first-hand the work of this iconic Australian organisation” and praised the Flying Doctor’s work as a “lifeline” for people living in remote communities. After meeting with RFDS and supporters and also touring the ground facilities, the Crown Princess then got on board an RFDS King Air to check out their work first-hand. While on hand, the Crown Princess also announced the appointment of an RFDS breast care nurse (Broken Hill-based), funded by the McGrath Foundation. We always knew our Mary was cool – after all, she did pick up a Prince in a bar right here in Sydney – but by showing her support for the RFDS she’s now officially even cooler in our books! Visit the RFDS website.


CASA is conducting its next round of aerodrome flight safety checks in South Australia from Monday December 5 and Sunday December 11. Checks will be conducted at Adelaide, Cleve, Edinburgh, Kimba, Kingscote, Olympic Dam, Leigh Creek, Parafield, Port Augusta, Renmark, Tumby Bay, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie, Whyalla and Wudinna to ensure flight paths at the aerodromes continue to be safe. A twin-engine Cessna Conquest will be used to carry out the safety checks within an area up to 35 kilometres from each aerodrome.