HOT AND HIGH – Ex Pitch Black 2022

Aviation Report Downunder presents our summary on this important multi-national exercise in the skies over the Top End. 17 nations, including Australia, participated in Exercise Pitch Black 2022. This year over 100 aircraft and 2500 personnel from Australia, France, Germany, Canada, Indonesia, India, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, United States, United Kingdom, Republic of

A Century of Aviation History in Antarctica The Search For Mawsons Air Tractor 2007 – 2011. Part 3: For Posterity

Dr Tony Stewart and Dr Chris Henderson Mawson’s Huts Foundation The site of Mawson’s Huts at Cape Denison in Commonwealth Bay is recognised under the Antarctic Treaty as a Historic Site & Monument. It has been declared an Antarctic Specially Protected Area and included in the Australian National Heritage List. Because of its significance, expeditions

On Ice: Vickers’ First Aeroplane and the Mawson Expedition: Part 2

On 2 Dec 1911, S.Y. Aurora and the main party of the Australian Antarctic expedition sailed from Hobart for Macquarie Island and Antarctica.  The wings of the monoplane apparently were relatively intact (repairable) but left behind in Australia.  19 Jan 1912, unloading at Cape Denison was completed and included was the air-tractor under the care

Vickers’ First Aeroplane and the Mawson Expedition

The Australasian Antarctic Expedition, 1911-1914, became the stuff of legend, one of the very best polar expeditions as it attempted to utilise modern technology far more than was previously attempted in Antarctica. Douglas Mawson (who was knighted for his achievements in 1914) became a household name in Australia, eventually appearing on the 1984 Australian $100