May 18
The "Aircraft with a Parachute" has proven popular both here in OZ and in the USA the home of the high-performing Cirrus

On Monday another 3 new aircraft arrived at Archerfield after completing the long ferry flight from the west coast of the USA

Cirrus production is now only second to that of Cessna for piston-powered aircraft making the concept of safety (parachute) with speed (very fast for the horse-power) popular with pilots throughout the world

Report of the first Cirrus arrival in July 2000 is HERE

May 17 
Temora Aviation Museum in central western NSW now has the Lockheed Hudson VH-KOY added to its expanding historic aircraft collection - the previous home was Coolangatta airport

"This Lockheed Hudson A16-112 was commissioned by the RAAF in December 1942 ...On transfer to No.6 Squadron it served out of Milne Bay in PNG on bombing, armed reconnaissance and patrol work"

A total of 2,941 Hudsons were built during the war years and now only 6 remain in existence with VH-KOY the only one in flying condition

May 16 
The Caboolture biennial air show was off to a good start Saturday under ideal weather conditions for both spectators and participating pilots

The air-show is now staged over 2 days and included a vintage aircraft fly-in and other - as in a motor sport "Who's Fastest" - contest

New to the show circuit is the refurbished Catalina recently brought into the country

- that report is HERE

May 15 
SpaceShipOne - piloted by Mike Melvill - reached an altitude of 212,000 feet in its 3^rd powered test flight becoming the first private aircraft to "enter" near-space

"This flight marks an additional milestone for Paul G. Allen, Burt Rutan and the innovative aerospace design team in their ongoing efforts to complete the first non-government manned space flight"

NASA awards astronaut status to pilots who reach an altitude of 50 miles (80,500m) or more - 62 year-old Mike got to 65,000 metres and now appears close to being the very first "private (pilot) astronaut" in the world

Previous Reports - April 2003 HERE - April 2004 HERE