FAA to Mandate Further Boeing 787 Structural Inspection By Len Varley The FAA will issue a new directive mandating inspections of the forward pressure bulkhead on Boeing 787 aircraft after reports of findings of “excessive gaps” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is issuing a new directive calling for further inspections of Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The new Airworthiness Directive (AD)...Read More

Vietnam considers regulatory changes to allow COMAC aircraft operations Vietnam is considering amending aviation laws to certify and operate Chinese-made COMAC aircraft, addressing aircraft shortages and facilitating fleet expansion for airlines. The Ministry of Construction has submitted a request to the Ministry of Justice for feedback on a fast-track procedure to amend decrees and circulars, enabling the licensing of Chinese-made...Read More

Delta Air Lines and JetZero partner to design the future of air travel By Teodor Stefan JetZero’s more fuel efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) design is at the center of the collaboration and is one facet of Delta’s journey to advance industry innovation, drive down cost through increased fuel-savings and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. On the heels of the airline celebrating...Read More

Safran Arriel engine selected to power new Robinson R88 helicopter Safran Helicopter Engines and Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) announced today their exclusive partnership to power the R88. This new helicopter will be equipped with the 950 shp power class Arriel 2W, the newest variant of the Arriel family. By choosing the Arriel, Robinson Helicopter Company has selected the benchmark engine...Read More

Inside KLM (Follow link for article Photos) By Simone Chellini KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) is the world’s oldest airline. It operates a fleet of Airbus A321neo, A330, Boeing 737, Boeing 787, and Boeing 777 aircraft, and it has a large maintenance effort to match its extensive fleet. Our tour started in the Engines Services shop, where multiple lines are...Read More

‘Next Gen’ Tecnam P2006T Gets EASA Certification By Mark Phelps Tecnam announced this week its P2006T NG (Next Generation) piston twin has been granted European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) certification. The news comes 15 years after the original P2006T entered the market. Among the improvements is a redesigned flight deck with a center console accommodating a Garmin GCU 477 Flight...Read More

China’s AG600 Amphibious Aircraft Completes All Prior-Certification Flight Tests By Xinhua China’s AG600 large amphibious aircraft on Friday completed all of its prior-certification flight test subjects, a key step toward achieving its airworthiness certification target, announced the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The Chinese independently-developed AG600 aircraft on Friday accomplished the compliance flight test subject of combustible liquid discharge...Read More

Quiet Supersonic Research Aircraft Successfully Completes EMI Testing NASA’s X-59 Completes Electromagnetic Testing By Nicholas Cholula NASA’s quiet supersonic X-59 research aircraft has cleared electromagnetic testing, confirming its systems will work together safely, without interference across a range of scenarios. “Reaching this phase shows that the aircraft integration is advancing,” said Yohan Lin, NASA’s X-59 avionics lead. “It’s exciting to...Read More

FAA Advises Boeing 757 Freighter Operators to Evaluate Cargo Doors By Caleb Revill The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) advising operators of Boeing 757-200 freighter planes to be aware of an “airworthiness concern” regarding the main deck cargo door opening while in flight. The bulletin, issued Friday, stated that this concern is not an unsafe condition that...Read More

British Airways To Acquire Boeing Gatwick MRO Hangar By James Pozzi British Airways is set to grow its domestic maintenance presence by acquiring Boeing’s MRO operation at London Gatwick Airport. The UK flag carrier announced the acquisition Feb. 17, subject to conditions, and says it will establish a new wholly owned subsidiary called British Airways Engineering Gatwick. The business will join...Read More