Air New Zealand the official airline of Middle-earth has unveiled a stunning Boeing 777-300ER ZK-OKP aircraft flying billboard which extends the full length of the 73 metre long aircraft for the soon-to-be-released movie The Hobbit. An Unexpected Journey a fantasy adventure.

Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand’s CEO Rob Fyfe says that the imagery is simply stunning. “This aircraft is going to excite passengers and fans of Sir Peter Jackson’s award-winning cinema fantasies alike when it begins regular Air New Zealand services between Auckland Los Angeles and London”. He was speaking at the world première of the film.

“New Zealand is the home of Middle-earth and The Hobbit movies will be hugely important to New Zealand’s tourism industry in the next couple of years as international tourists are inspired to come and see and experience for themselves the landscapes which have shaped the movies

Photos of Boeing 777-300ER ZK-OKP

Photos of Air New Zealand aircraft

Report by Derek Pedley

Boeing marks the 50th anniversary of delivering the first H-47 Chinook military helicopter and is nearing completion of a $130 million renovation of its production line near Philadelphia that will help it meet global demand for the latest model the CH-47F.

Boeing Chinook Helicopter

"The Chinook has served as the backbone of U.S. Army aviation since the Vietnam era revolutionizing how we move troops and supplies in combat and save lives and deliver aid in times of need " said Col. Bob Marion U.S. Army Cargo Helicopter program manager. "The latest F-model has ushered in a new era of heavy-lift capability for the U.S. Army. With continued technology insertions I fully expect that 50 years from now there will be a centennial celebration for Chinooks still in service."

The Chinook is a multi-mission heavy-lift transport helicopter. Its primary mission is to move troops artillery ammunition fuel water barrier materials supplies and equipment on the battlefield. Its secondary missions include medical evacuation disaster relief search and rescue aircraft recovery fire fighting parachute drops heavy construction and civil development.

Boeing has delivered more than 1 200 Chinooks to 18 operators around the world since delivering the first to the U.S. Army on Aug. 16 1962. More than 800 are in operation today conducting combat cargo transport and humanitarian relief missions.

"Chinook is Boeing’s longest continuously running production program and it’s in greater demand today than ever before " said Leanne Caret vice president Vertical Lift and H-47 Programs. "Chinooks are being delivered on schedule and operating at a higher rate than any time in history thanks to our team's innovation efficiency and focus on meeting our customers' needs."

The production line updates will enable Boeing to continue to affordably increase Chinook production rates. Boeing is scheduled to deliver nearly 60 Chinooks this year and has submitted a multiyear firm fixed-price proposal to the Department of Defense to provide 155 CH-47Fs to the U.S. Army with deliveries beginning in 2015.

Boeing CH-47D/F Chinook Technical Specifications

Powerplant:

• Two Textron Lycoming T55-L712 engines

Rotor System:

• Three blades per hub (two hubs)
• Fiberglass construction
• Speed: 225 r/min
• Manual folding blades

Performance at 50 000 lb:

SL cruise: 143 kn.

Rate of climb: 1 522 ft/min.

Range: SL and ISA 230 nmi.

Crew:

Cockpit-crew seats: 2

Cabin-troop seats/litters: 33/24

Weights:

Max gross: 50 000 lbs.

Empty: 23 401 lbs.

Boeing Chinook photos

Report by Derek Pedley

Boeing 720 C-FETB

The last flying Boeing 720 aircraft C-FETB has made its final flight.

This Pratt & Whitney Canada test bed aircraft was used to test various different type of engines. Engines could be installed on the nose or on a side pod (on the right hand side of the fuselage). Seen here departing from Montreal Saint-Hubert Airport for Canadian Forces Base Trenton Ontario on Wednesday 9th May 2012 where it will be displayed at the National Air Force Museum of Canada. This particular Boeing 720 (cn 18024/77) first operated by American Airlines as N7538A . In the early 1980s it was sold and operated for MEA - Middle East Airlines for a number of years as OD-AFQ before being sold to Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Boeing 720

Introduced by Boeing in 1959 the 720 is a smaller capacity lighter and medium-range version of the 707 which was one of the most successful airliners of the 20th century. Although only 154 were built the Boeing 720 was still profitable due to the low research and development costs of it being a slightly modified version of the 707-120. C-FETB was the 720 flying test bed operated by the Quebec-based manufacturer until 2010. For the last 24 years this Boeing 720 C-FETB has helped Pratt and Whiney Canada test more than eight different families of engines.

Report by Derek Pedley and Mathieu Pouliot

Bruntingthorpe

Bruntingthorpe has become the centre of activity in the UK for the Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer - the RAF’s last British built bomber. Nicknamed the ‘banana bomber’ and ‘brick’ by those service personnel that worked with her the Buccaneer was retired from front-line service in 1994 after a 37 year career with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force.

Four examples of the former Cold War jet are currently based at the Leicestershire airfield three of which have been restored to fast taxiable condition. A special event was held on the 24^th March 2012 to mark the roll-out of Buccaneer S.2B XW544 in new colours. Six months of painstaking work went into restoring the aircraft into the markings she wore in 1979 while stationed at RAF Laarbruch in Germany with 16 Squadron. XW544 was prematurely retired from service in 1983 due to persistent fuel leaks and she made her last flight from Laarbruch to Shawbury on the 5^th July 1983 and was then transferred by road to RAF Cosford for use as a training aid. The withdrawal of the Buccaneer from service in 1994 resulted in ‘544 being sold to a nearby scrap merchant. It was here she sat until being discovered in 2001 by members of the Buccaneer Aviation Group and found to be in fairly good condition. She was rescued and transferred to Bruntingthorpe in 2004 where the long process of mechanically restoring ‘544 to taxiable condition began and culminated in her re-paint and roll-out in 16 Squadron colours.

The Buccaneer Aviation Group - TBAG

Looking after all four aircraft at Bruntingthorpe are the Buccaneer Aviation Group – the ‘TBAGgers’- which was formed in April 2011 with the amalgamation of the Buccaneer Preservation Group (who owned XW544) and the Buccaneer trust (XX894). The other two Buccaneers are privately owned - XX900 in 237 OCU markings belongs to the airfield owner David Walton while Gary Spoors acquired former Operation Granby veteran XX889.

Hawker Siddeley Buccaneer XW544 Roll-out

Flt Lt Ollie Suckling who has around 200 hrs on the Hawk T.1 and currently serving with 208 Sqn at RAF Valley was invited by the group and given the honour of taxying XW544 for her roll-out ceremony in 16 Sqn markings and subsequent fast taxy down Bruntingthorpe’s runway. Later ‘544 was joined by XX894 and XX900 for a simulated three-ship take-off roll at dusk from the runway threshold. With Ollie in XW544 Sqn Ldr Dennis Brooks (rtd) in XX900 and Mike Birt in XX894 all three Buccaneers powered down the runway at sunset andthenreturned to their parking positions for an evening photo-call for the assembled Buccaneer enthusiasts and photographers. Occupying the back seat with Mike Birt in XX894 was Robin Tait whose father Sqn Ldr Ken Tait was killed while ejecting from Buccaneer XV345 during a Red Flag mission over the Nellis ranges on 7^th February 1980. WSO Flt Lt Charles Ruston was also killed in the accident and the crash resulted in the grounding of the entire Buccaneer fleet for six months in 1980. The fatal accident was caused by a fatigue crack in the front spar which resulted in the structural failure of the starboard wing. Several Buccanners were retired and placed in storage as a result and the newly formed 216 Squadron at Honington in 1979 was disbanded in 1980 due to the shortage of airframes. The grounding of the Buccaneer fleet came to an end when XW544 and XX893 lifted off from Laarbruch’s runway on the 28^th July 1980 for the first Buccaneer mission after the accident.

It was therefore a fitting tribute to the Buccaneer that it should be XW544 that was rolled-out on the 24^th March some 32 years after it flew from Laarbruch on the first flight after the grounding order was lifted.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable and very well organised event by the group and with the entry priced at £10 per person it was very good value for money. It is also encouraging to hear that TBAG areplanning a follow-up event later in the year. Not to be missed if you are a fan of the Buccaneer.

Report by Kieron

British Airways new logojets (nine Airbus A319 aircraft) have been designed to celebrate the upcoming 2012 Summer Olympics in London. The theme of the special colour scheme is called 'The Dove' and was designed by Pascal Anson.

The Dove

Heston Blumenthal Richard E Grant and Tracey Emin have unveiled projects inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games produced by rising British talent who they mentored over the past year in the BA Great Britons Programme.

British Airways customers will be able to enjoy a London 2012 Games inspired menu created by Michelin star chef Simon Hulstone watch ‘BOY’ a short-film written by screenwriter Prasanna Puwanarajah and fly on a number of celebratory ‘Dove’ aircraft by designer Pascal Anson.

Airbus A319

Tens of thousands of customers travelling to Europe over the next year will have the chance to fly on one of nine celebratory ‘Dove’ aircrafts created by artist-designer Pascal Anson from Brighton. His mentor Turner-prize nominated artist Tracey Emin unveiled the first Dove at British Airways engineering bay at Heathrow on the 3rd April 2012 an Airbus A319-131 registered G-EUOH.

His design is all encompassing of the livery using the cockpit for its beak fuselage and wings for its main body and wings and the tailfin as its tail. The aircraft painted white with gold strokes of paint to represent the feathers. Doves are internationally recognised as a symbol of peace and social unity and were also used in previous Olympic Games ceremonies including the last London Games in 1948.

BA Great Britons mentor Tracey Emin said 'The first time I saw Pascal’s design it made me smile. The plane is universal. Everyone will understand it. I like the way it brings back the excitement of travel too. I will constantly be looking up every time I hear a plane fly over – you never know maybe I will turn into a plane spotter!'

The Dove aircraft rolled out from today will be in operation for a year.

Report by Derek Pedley

The Boneyard Project is an art exhibition of scrapped military aircraft that have been repurposed as canvases for contemporary artists. Created by Eric Firestone and organized by curator Carlo McCormick the exhibition features work by more than 30 artists. The exhibition is on display at the Pima Air and Space Museum Tucson Arizona.

Pima Air and Space Museum

Pima Air & Space Museum where history takes flight is one of the largest air and space museums in the world and the largest non-government funded aviation museum. More than 300 aircraft and spacecraft including many of the most historically significant and technically advanced craft ever produced from the United States and throughout the world can be seen.

Three Douglas DC-3 aircraft have recently been given face-lifts by artists How & Nosm Nunca and Retna. These ex USAF C-47s joined a C45 painted by Faile a Lockheed Jetstar a C97 cockpit and more than 30 aircraft nose cones painted by various international artists.

The contemporary art paintings are a tribute to the American and European folk art developed after World Wars I and II. The painted nose cones have become a modern take on the pop culture icons pinups slogans and tattoo art that decorated war machinery and uniforms.

For the Arizona artists the project is a chance to connect with international artists and represent their home state at an admittedly unusual venue for an international art show.

Report by Derek Pedley

They say they do things bigger in Texas and with over one million square feet of exhibition and meeting space Dallas was the ideal choice for the Helicopter Association International annual Heli-Expo.

Record-breaking Heli-Expo

More than 650 exhibitors displayed their wares at the Heli-Expo 2012 show at the Dallas Convention Center Texas with items ranging from gloves to multi million dollar state of the art Helicopters. There were 60 helicopters on view at the show including a very popular MIL 24 from the Cold War Museum at Lancaster and an EC155 owned by the University of Michigan survival flight keeping the record breaking19 000 attendees at this years show engaged.

Bell 525 Relentless

Bell introduced their new 525 “Relentless” model estimated by some industry experts to have cost $500 million to develop. Weighing in at over 18 000 pounds (9 tons) the 525 has an expected range of over 400nm with a speed approaching 150 knots. The 525 will be the largest civil helicopter in Bells portfolio with 16 passenger seats available. Certification is likely to be completed in 2015 with the cost thought to be priced between that of the Augusta 189 and the Eurocopter EC225.

Eurocopter EC-130T2

Eurocopter also unveiled the new EC130 T2 (F-WGYP) an updated version of the EC130. With an impressive 105 orders there will be seven launch customers for the latest variant including Maverick Paplillon and Blue Hawaiian helicopters Scandinavian helicopter group Europavia Air Commander and Enloe FlightCare. With a higher maximum take off weight an increase in speed and lower fuel consumption Eurocopter have started 2012 impressively.

Sikorsky Aircraft

Sikorsky announced their largest order for the S-92S during the show. Bond Helicopters have purchased 16 of the variant with deliveries commencing in the second quarter of 2013 the first of which is believed to be heading for their North Sea operations.

AugustaWestland

AugustaWestland prepared for orders of over 100 helicopters worth an estimated $923 million. Before the show officially opened they had already announced sales worth over $398 million for a mix of AW139 169 and 189 variants sold to Lease Corporation International of Dublin.

Next year the show rolls on to Las Vegas…..

Full selection of photos from Heli-Expo 2012

Report by Adrian Jack

The Airbus A320 family consists of short to medium range narrow-body commercial passenger jet airliners manufactured by Airbus Industries. The family includes the A318 A319 A320 and A321 and the ACJ business jet. Final assembly of the A320 family in Europe takes place in Toulouse France and Hamburg Germany. Since 2009 a plant in Tianjin in the People's Republic of China has been producing aircraft for the various Chinese airlines.

Airbus A320 Family

The first member of the A320 family the A320 was launched in March 1984 first flew on 22nd February 1987 and was first delivered in 1988. The A320 family was soon extended to include the A321 (first delivered in 1994) the A319 (1996) and the A318 (2003). The A320 family pioneered the use of digital fly-by-wire flight control systems as well as side stick controls in commercial aircraft. There has been a continuous improvement process since the introduction.

On 1st December 2010 Airbus officially launched the next generation of the A320 family with the A320neo "New Engine Option". This option provides the minimum change with maximum benefit for the best-selling A319 A320 and A321 through the availability of two new jet engine choices – CFM International’s LEAP-X and the PW1100G PurePower from Pratt & Whitney – along with the use of Airbus’ large Sharklets wing tip devices. Improvements with the A320neo include a 15 per cent reduction in fuel consumption two tonnes of additional payload up to 500 nautical miles of more range lower operating costs along with reductions in engine noise and emissions.

Airbus A320-232 OD-MRL (msn 5000)

On 20th January 2012 Airbus delivered the A320 with manufacturer serial number MSN 5000 to Lebanon’s national carrier Middle East Airlines (MEA) and ir is powered by International Aero Engines V2500 engines.

MSN 5000 completes the deliveries of MEA’s total order for seven A320s. It marks a significant milestone for Airbus and the A320 Family going into 2012 as production rises from 38 to 40 per month during the first quarter of the year and orders for the new A320neo reaffirm Airbus’ single-aisle Family as the most modern fuel efficient in their category. MEA operates a fleet of four A330-200s six A321 and including MSN 5000 now seven A320 aircraft.

Full selection of MEA - Middle East Airlines images

Report by Derek Pedley

Serving Scotland for 50 years – 1962 - 2012

Special celebrations were organised for passengers such as complementary champagne and specially designed cakes featuring the landmark birthday logo check in desks were also decorated to mark the special occasion.

The Loganair fleet consisting of 16 Saab 340's 2 DeHavilland DHC6 Twin Otter's and 2 Britten Norman Islanders will feature the birthday logo which will incorporate the slogan ‘Serving Scotland for 50 years – 1962 to 2012’ along with the company name and the saltire.

Loganair History

Loganair was established on 1st February 1962 as the air taxi service of the Logan Construction Company Ltd and operated a single Piper Aztec aircraft from Edinburgh to Dundee. It was soon apparent that there was a demand for scheduled services in addition to the primary role as an air taxi and as such Loganair's fleet grew. As the network expanded to take in more remote islands and communities Loganair's scheduled network began to emerge.

The original logo of white red and black has long since gone from the fleet when Loganair became franchise partners of British Airways. At this time the aircraft wore the BA colour scheme and did so until 26th October 2008 when the BA agreement ended and Loganair became partners with Flybe which saw the fleet adorned in the Flybe colour scheme.

Loganair operates services in mainland Scotland and to Orkney Shetland and the Western Isles. In addition it operates services to Belfast City Birmingham from Dundee. The airline also operates services for the Scottish Air Ambulance Service together with night mail services on behalf of Royal Mail.

World's shortest scheduled flight

Loganair operates the world's shortest scheduled airliner flight taking only 2 minutes to fly from Westray Airport and Pape Westray Airport in Orkney.

Report by Ray McFadyen

Scottsdale Airport Arizona United States

Located 15 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbour International Airport 9 miles north of Scottsdale's downtown area and in close proximity to a wide range of world-class resorts hotels restaurants and golf courses Scottsdale Airport has become an ideal choice for vacationers and business travellers. With an average median temperature of 70 degrees and an average of 360 VFR days a year Scottsdale provides the country's best year-round flying conditions.

With approximately 130 000 operations in 2010 and home to 19 fixed based operators (FBOs) including Scottsdale Air Centre and Landmark Aviation Scottsdale Airport has become one of the busiest single runway facilities in the USA.

Scottsdale Airport began in June 1942 as Thunderbird Field II - a basic training facility for World War II Army Air Corps pilots. Since its inception Thunderbird II graduated more than 5 500 students which was a figure three times greater than the entire total contemplated by the Air Forces' original expansion program. In addition Thunderbird II pilots flew nearly 26 500 000 miles which is more than 3 000 times around the world at the equator. Two years three months and 24 days later it was deactivated.

After the WWII Arizona State Teachers College now Arizona State University in Tempe Arizona acquired the airport in order to implement its own aviation program. Distance from the college campus and cost of operating an aviation program soon convinced the college to abandon its plans.

The Arizona Conference of Seventh Day Adventists purchased the Airport in 1953 and established Thunderbird Academy. Former barracks became dormitories. Hangars were adapted to house a wood products industry and a vocation education centre offering training in mechanics woodworking and welding. The airfield itself became a training field for missionary pilots. In 1963 in order to finance renovation of its physical facilities the academy commissioned the first combined-use design of a clean industrial park surrounding an airport.

In 1966 The City of Scottsdale acquired the airfield portion of the academy's property and has continued to own and operate it since that time. The first fixed base operator (FBO) was selected in April 1967 and the first business jets landed at Scottsdale Airport in August 1967. The first airpark tenant Casa Precision broke ground for its first building unit in August 1968and by December 1969 127 aircraft and 20 helicopters were based at Scottsdale Airport (SDL).

Selection of images from Scottsdale Airport

Report by Steve Flint