Aviation

The World Gears up for Dubai Airshow 2017 .

The static display at the Dubai Airshow will feature over 160 of the latest commercial, business and military aircraft when the show opens on 12 November. With many coming from around the world in addition to those from the UAE, exhibitors and visitors alike can see the best that the aerospace industry has to offer at the DWC, Dubai Airshow Site.

New for this year will be the Sukhoi Superjet 100 and the Japanese Air Force Kawasaki C2, in addition to first time exhibitor Calidus displaying not one but two aircraft: the B-250 Bader and the TX-C.

Military might on display will include SU35, Dassault Rafale, the Taqnia/Antonov AN-132, the IOMAX S2R-T660 Archangel and a PAC JF-17 Thunder. In addition, helicopters are well represented with a Turkish Aerospace Industries T129 Atak Helicopter, the Motor Sich Mi2 and Mi8 MSB-T.

“The aircraft that we are expecting on the static display at the Dubai Airshow 2017, like the show itself, represent all sectors of the aerospace industry,” said Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director of show organisers Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East. “We’re seeing lots of returning favourites, like the Emirates A380 and several jets in the Gulfstream family, plus some new and exciting inclusions such as the Calidus Bader 250.”

“We are also very pleased to again see the inclusion of unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the Turkish Aerospace Industries Anka MALE Class UAV which are a particular focus at the show this year, with the UAS Summit taking place for the first time.”

Business aviation, a market which is growing in the Middle East, is always heavily represented at the Dubai Airshow and this year is no exception with around 50 business aircraft expected on the static park, including a Gulfstream G650ER and Bombardier Global 6000; while Emirates Airline will be displaying its all business class ACJ319.

Also on display will be the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, while both Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways will be exhibiting their flagship A380s and Flydubai will be showing its Boeing 737 MAX 8. Among other aircraft on the static park will be Honeywell Boeing 757-200 and Diamond DA50 Super Star.

The Dubai Airshow 2017 takes place 12-16 November at DWC, Dubai Airshow site from 10:00am – 5:30pm and is open to aerospace trade visitors only. Trade visitor tickets are valid for the full five days and can be purchased from dubaiairshow.aero.

Aviation

Lost Tool Found in Qantas A380 After 34 Flights

An Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation recently revealed that a Qantas A380 operated 34 flights with a 1.25-meter nylon tool lodged in one of its engines.

This turning tool, used during borescope inspections to rotate the intermediate-pressure compressor, was left behind during scheduled maintenance at Los Angeles on December 6, 2023. It remained inside the engine until it was discovered by maintenance staff during a subsequent check at Los Angeles on January 1, 2024.

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The ATSB report highlights two critical lapses. First, maintenance engineers failed to notice the tool during final checks for foreign objects after the borescope inspection. Second, the lost tool procedure was not activated when the tool was identified as missing.

The certifying engineer ultimately cleared the aircraft for service without accounting for the misplaced tool. During the time qantas films the tool was inside, the A380 completed 34 flight cycles, accumulating nearly 294 hours without any noticeable effect on engine performance.

Although the tool was deformed by high-energy airflow within the engine, there was no reported damage to the engine itself. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell commented.

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“This incident underscores the importance of following established maintenance protocols. Engineers missed the tool during foreign object checks, and the required lost tool procedure wasn’t started after realizing the tool was missing.”

Following the investigation, the airline issued a safety directive, urging all engineering and tool storage teams to adhere strictly to these protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A qantas spokesperson stated, “While the tool didn’t impact engine performance, we take this incident very seriously. It is critical to follow the correct lost tool procedures.”