FAA Orders Airbus A380 Engine Replacements After Uncontained Failure Forces Aborted Take-off By Aaron Bailey The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered that turbine components on certain Airbus A380 engines be replaced after an uncontained failure resulted in the superjumbo aborting a takeoff. This directive was issued on October 8 and targets the 15 high-pressure turbine interstage seals that are on...Read More

eVTOL Training: Evolving, But Not There Yet By Robert Moorman The training infrastructure needed to support commercial eVTOL operations is beginning to take shape, but significant gaps remain. The training of eVTOL pilots and aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs) is just beginning as various Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) move toward certification and delivery of their clean energy transports. While test pilots...Read More

Addressing the shortage of aviation maintenance technicians Aircraft maintenance organizations can address the struggle for talent by boosting their own technicians’ productivity. By McKinsey & Company Shortages of aviation maintenance technicians (AMTs) can drive up aviation costs, delay aircraft turnaround times, and hamper aircraft reliability. Analysis suggests that, at current rates of AMT retirement, recruitment and training will not be...Read More

Airbus targets 100 aircraft per month for A320 successor Plan would exceed the A320neo family’s still-unreached 75-aircraft target as manufacturer seeks faster development and 20-30% lower fuel burn By Ricardo Meier Airbus is preparing its next-generation single-aisle aircraft for a production rate of around 100 jets per month , an unprecedented industrial target that would significantly exceed the output planned...Read More

John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Act To require the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration to revise regulations for certain individuals carrying out aviation activities who disclose a mental health diagnosis or condition, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1....Read More

Aircraft Parts: Private Equity Spikes Costs, Sustainability in Question By Russ Niles One of the biggest players in aircraft parts and systems says it’s investing in its aviation companies and intends to continue strengthening “their manufacturing and service capabilities and better serve aircraft owners and operators.” The quote is part of a written response by Arcline, an investment company that...Read More

Colleges Embrace Aviation Home Field Advantage Four school-owned airports embrace their storied histories and modern aviation training. By Grant Boyd For some, the most appealing and memorable spot on a college campus is the football stadium, where they tailgated and cheered on their team to victory. For others, it’s the lecture hall or library, where they met their significant other...Read More

Airbus advises some A330neo operators to anticipate tail inspections Potential checks follow an isolated quality problem found during production, while the final aircraft population is still being determined with EASA By Ricardo Meier Airbus has advised some A330neo operators to anticipate possible inspections of the aircraft’s horizontal tail plane during scheduled maintenance after a quality problem was found on a...Read More

IFA Hosts Senior Aviation Leaders Summit On Wednesday 30th September IFA held the inaugural IFA Senior Aviation Leaders Summit to better understand the current and future challenges to airworthiness provision in the UK and building on the responses received to the IFA’s survey. The outcome was a number of positive actions that we will share more about in the coming...Read More

BOAC’s First Transatlantic Jet Service By Lee Cross Fouth of October in 1958, British Overseas Aircraft Corporation (BOAC) launched the world’s first jet-powered transatlantic flight. Using the de Havilland Comet 4, BOAC beat rival Pan American to the post by just three weeks, operating the first jet service across the North Atlantic to New York. This was despite Pan Am...Read More