Episode 362: First in Type – Mostly

It’s a week of firsts for the Australian Defence Force as the boys give progress on still more new or updated airframes coming down under:

HATS01: Airbus Helicopter EC135 T2+

• The first RAAF E18G Growler is unveiled
• The first RAAF P8A is under construction & due to have its first flight in mid 2016
• First of 15 Airbus Helicopter EC135 T2+ helicopters (HATS01) received for Boeing to operate on behalf of the Australian Defence Force (yes, Boeing :) )
• Not the first, but the seventh RAAF C17 is delivered in record time (one more C17 left to be delivered)

Boeing 787-9 in Qantas colours

Meanwhile, the Qantas long-haul pilots have approved a new wage deal which includes provisions for them to fly the 787-9 should Qantas actually take up the options they have for those aircraft.

To finish with, we are sad to report on the terrible news for the Australian helicopter charter industry as Bronwyn Bishop resigns. Yes, it’s a satirical take on a recent Australian political scandal (here’s a summary of the helicopter flight scandal).