Episode 250: PelAir Westwind investigation, RMIT and retiring an AP-3C

A Federal Government Senate committee has handed down a verdict into the handling of an ATSB/CASA investigation into the 2009 ditching near Norfolk Island of a PelAir Westwind jet, which ran out of fuel on a medical transport flight – a report which is extremely critical of the way the investigation was handled.A team from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) have been short listed as finalists in the Airbus sponsored 2013 Fly Your Ideas global university challenge. The team has passed through to the final with its proposal for the development of aircraft fuelled by a blend of sustainably-produced liquefied biomethane and liquefied natural gas (Bio-LNG). If successful, they stand to win a €30,000 prize.The RAAF has retired an AP-3C Orion due to budget cuts and the Government has been making enquiries regarding the possible purchase of the MQ-4C Triton UAVSenate committee hands down poor verdict on performance of safety regulator and ATSBSenate Committee releases damning report into Australia’s aviation authoritiesRMIT team shortlisted for Airbus’s Fly Your Ideas challenge finalAustralia issues Triton Letter of RequestBudget reveals RAAF Orion retirement