australian - VibeWire Magazine

Australian-owned firefighting helicopters in deadly mid-air crash

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August 3, 2026
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The Bell aircraft, owned by McDermott Aviation, were battling a fire near Porto Germeno in Greece when the rotor of one appeared to strike the underside of the other, causing the lower helicopter to crash in flames, while the other flew away after dump…

Sydney Airport traffic ‘resilient’ despite Iran conflict

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August 3, 2026
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A total of 9.96 million passengers travelled through Sydney’s terminals in Q2 2026, down 0.7 per cent on the same period in 2025, but half-yearly passenger traffic was up 1.5 per cent on 2025 levels, with growth in Asian routes helping offset the slump…

NZ government requests info on long-range maritime surveillance drones

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August 3, 2026
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The information gathered will provide indicative costs and time frames for the potential delivery of a system to conduct maritime surveillance activities across the South-West Pacific.

Premium Podcast: ‘Top Gun for kids’

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July 31, 2026
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In this premium Australian Aviation Podcast, Jake talks to author Melanie Hill about how she brought the high-speed, high-stakes world of air races to life, as well as how her book “Jett Cooper” could inspire more young people to a career in – or along…

Launceston Airport marks new record financial year

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July 31, 2026
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A total of 1,478,925 people travelled through Launceston’s terminal in 2025-26, up three per cent on the previous year, with January the busiest month in the airport’s history. A total of eight monthly records were beaten over the last 12 months.

Australia sends helicopters to help battle French wildfires

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July 31, 2026
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The CH-47D Chinook helicopter, equipped with an 11,300-litre water tank, and Bell 412 reconnaissance and support aircraft will be deployed to France, accompanied by 24 highly skilled aerial and ground crew from the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.

New standard operating procedures adopted for large air tankers

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July 31, 2026
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The Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council developed the procedures, which include minimum drop heights, after the ATSB’s findings around the crash of a Boeing 737-3H4 Fireliner, N619SW (similar aircraft pictured), on 6 February 2…

Queensland Airports sees ‘bumper’ passenger growth in 2025-26

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July 30, 2026
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The operator of Gold Coast, Townsville, Mount Isa and Longreach airports recorded 8.4 million total passengers in the 12 months to the end of June, up half a million on the previous year, with Gold Coast Airport seeing the most substantial growth, up 7…

Leidos wins $1.3m Qld government grant

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July 30, 2026
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Part of the state’s $180.6 million Sovereign Industry Development Fund (SIDF), the grant will enable Leidos to “relocate and upgrade its Mission Equipment Service Centre”, boosting its capacity to maintain advanced airborne radar and electro-optic syst…

German Air Force chief visits fighter pilots training in Australia

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July 30, 2026
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Lieutenant General Holger Neumann is touring Australia as part of Exercise Pitch Black 26 held in the Northern Territory this month.