Inside Greg Asner’s Airborne Observatory
The airborne observatory developed by American scientist Greg Asner is a Dornier 228 modified with imaging equipment that is used to study ecosystems. Asner, who is the director of the Arizona State University (ASU) Centre for Global Discovery and Conservation…
NZ’s Air Chathams Finally Planning To Replace Convair 580s
Air Chathams plans to phase out its Convair 580 aircraft within the next three years, possibly replacing it with ATR 72s and a Boeing 737 combi. The airline’s CEO and co-owner, Craig Emeny, tells Smart Aviation APAC that the airline…
New Zealand’s Sounds Air Adding More PC-12s
New Zealand regional carrier Sounds Air plans to add more Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, so it can cater to growth in New Zealand’s regional aviation market. The airline’s managing director, Andrew Crawford, says the carrier evaluated Beechcraft 1900D aircraft about two…
Observing Ecology from a Dornier 228
The Arizona State University (ASU) Centre for Global Discovery and Conservation Science is using a modified Dornier 228 turboprop aircraft to map and study ecological systems for governments and non-profit organisations. The director of the centre, Greg Asner, tells Smart…
Qantas’ Move on Alliance Air and What It Means
Qantas has purchased a 19.9 percent stake in major Australian charter operator Alliance Airlines, with long-term plans to build a controlling position in the operator. Qantas says the stake was acquired at A$2.40 (US$1.70) a share for a total of…
Singapore’s Avation Bets on ATR with Growing Regional Market
Singapore-based lessor Avation is focused on building its ATR fleet to capture growth in the Asia-Pacific regional aircraft market. Executive chairman of Avation, Jeff Chatfield, tells Smart Aviation APAC that the lessor is continuing to favour the ATR turboprop over…


