January 11  
The latest GA aviation activity for year ended December 2000 still has the private and business side of light aircraft in serious decline compared to 10 years ago

And 10 years ago there was a similar decline indicating that over the last 20 years private and small business flying activity has been decimated

Chart of Survey Results, click to enlarge

 January 9  
Sydney's Mascot airport to-day saw a heavy just begging to be included in the latest Pepsi advertisement


It seems that a Korean Air Cargo McDonnell Douglas MD-11 tri-jet aircraft had an incorrect load configuration and sat back on its tail in protest during the loading operation

 January 11  
The pilot of a Cessna C206, has gone missing on a routine flight in the Torres Strait from Badu to Horn Island

The 26 y.o. pilot sent out a May-day after experiencing weather problems when trying to land at Thursday Island's airport on Horn


The aircraft fuselage has been located in the sea about 10k's east of Horn and at the time of print (2 days later); the whereabouts and condition of the pilot remains a mystery

 January 13  
Local media reports have the new Rockhampton rescue helicopter crashing while trying to winch aboard a lost fisherman

The pilot, crewmember and fisherman all escaped without injury when the chopper's rotor blades came in contact with rocks during the attempted winch rescue

This is the third accident in 18 months involving the Capricorn Rescue Helicopter

Click HERE for previous News article in 2001 and HERE for ABC media report July 2000