NewsAccidents/Incidents
Air Djibouti Boeing 737 landing gear collapses on touchdown
A Boeing 737 of Air Djibouti suffered a main landing gear collapse while landing at Garowe Airport, in Somalia.
The Boeing 737-529, registered EY-560, was operating flight DJB206 from Djibouti International Airport (JIB), Djibouti, to Mogadishu International Airport (MGQ), Somalia, with two stops in the Somali cities of Hargeisa and Garowe. The aircraft was carrying 39 passengers and 5 crew members.
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British Airways 787-9 Returns To Heathrow With Possible Slat Issue
A British Airways Boeing 787-9 today returned to London Heathrow after a two and a quarter-hour flight to nowhere. The flight’s intended destination was Mexico City. However, the Dreamliner only got as far as the west coast of Wales.
LinkCommercial
Aviation’s biggest challenge: COVID-19 vaccine distribution
Repetition aside, there are little-to-no words left to describe what kind of damage the current coronavirus-induced crisis has caused for the aviation industry. Seemingly, the world is about to turn the corner on COVID-19, as in the early morning hours on December 2, 2020, the United Kingdom approved a vaccine against the virus.
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Boeing completes autonomous teaming flights in Australia
Boeing completed flight tests with five AI-controlled jets operating in formation at the new Queensland Flight Test Range in Cloncurry, Australia.
The team flight involved 3.4-meter (11-foot) aircraft fitted with Boeing’s onboard command and control and data sharing capabilities. The test campaign took place over 10 days with aircraft added one after the other until the five operated together. During testing, the aircraft reached speeds of 270 kilometers (167 miles) per hour, according to the manufacturer.
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Japan to lower aviation fuel tax by 80% to support airlines
In an effort to support the aviation industry, Japan plans to temporarily cut its aviation fuel tax by 80%.
On December 1, 2020, Reuters reported that Japan was considering lowering the tax from 18,000 yen ($172.58) per kiloliter to 4,000 yen ($38.21) during fiscal year 2021.
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What's The Difference Between The FAA And EASA's MAX Requirements?
After 20 months of grounding, the FAA has recertified the Boeing 737 MAX. Its European counterpart, the EASA, has signaled its readiness to do so at the beginning of next year. While the software updates and maintenance directives are largely the same, the two agencies’ requirements differ in two main operational respects.
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FAA Issues First Boeing 737 MAX Airworthiness Certificate Since 2019
On Tuesday, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it has issued its first airworthiness certificate for a Boeing 737 MAX built since March 2019. With the jet now recertified to fly in the United States, all the aircraft that have been manufactured by Boeing must undergo a series of software changes before returning to service.
LinkAirlines
US Senate to set aside additional $17 billion to help airlines
In a bipartisan proposal for coronavirus aid of $908 billion, the US Senate has set aside $17 billion for the struggling airline industry.
The $908 billion coronavirus aid package would set aside $45 billion for the transportation sector, according to Reuters.
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China Airlines receives first Boeing 777F in new livery
Taiwan-based China Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 777 cargo aircraft. The freighter is the first of six planes in a newly redesigned livery. The aircraft, registered as B-18771, arrived in Taiwan on December 1, 2020, showed the recent Planespotters.com data update.
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No staff cuts after merge with Asiana, says Korean Air
The President of Korean Air reassured employees of the airline that after an ongoing takeover of Asiana Airlines, which is planned to be finalized by the second half of 2021, the major part of the staff at both airlines would save their jobs as Korean Air had no plans for redundancies.
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Thai Airways to export fresh fruit in bid to recover
Thai Airways will expand its cargo services in order to promote Thailand’s fresh fruit and vegetable products to Asian and European markets.
Thailand’s national carrier Thai Airways, in cooperation with the government ministries of commerce, agriculture and transport, would reportedly concentrate on delivering seasonal fruit and vegetables to promote the country’s fresh products and generate revenue.
LinkAirports
Reagan National's Perimeter Rule Seems Here To Stay After Review
Last month, the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a study that looked at the perimeter rule at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The report did not conclude that the perimeter rule should be lifted, but it noted an appetite for more beyond-perimeter flights.
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Hamad becomes first Middle Eastern airport to achieve 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating
Hamad International Airport (DOH) has become the first airport in the Middle East and Asia to be awarded a 5-Star COVID-19 Airport Safety Rating by Skytrax. The audit evaluated how effectively COVID-19 policies are implemented at Qatar’s airport against the Skytrax COVID-19 safety rating standards.
LinkMilitary
Sukhoi S-70 combat drone tested with missiles
The Russian military conducted a series of interceptions with the heavy attack drone S-70 Okhotnik (“Hunter”), including simulated use of air-to-air missiles.
The flight tests carried out by the Russian military evaluated the capacity of the Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik (“Hunter”) to operate as a fighter-interceptor, according to an industry source quoted by RIA Novosti.
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Aviation Quote
If the pilot survives the accident, you'll never find out what really happened.
- Doug Jeanes
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Trivia
General Trivia
1. What is the Cessna 305?
2. While flying in a single-engine Cessna, Martin Wikelski observed that dragonflies fly only during warm daylight hours. How did he determine this?
3. The tails of the Piper PA–28 series of aircraft feature corrugations to strengthen the metal surfaces. Why are these corrugations concave (rounded inward) instead of convex (bulge outward)?
4. What major aviation motion picture was used by the U.S. Air Force as an official training film?
5. Construction of what will become the world’s highest airport used by airlines will begin next year and be completed in 2014. In which country will this airport be located?
6. The Invasion of Normandy (a.k.a. Operation Overlord) began on June 6, 1944, which is also known as D-Day. It involved what probably was the largest armada of military aircraft ever assembled for a single purpose. What does the “D” in D-Day represent?
7. A pilot is flying over Kansas at noon under clear skies. Unbeknownst to him, the sun is suddenly extinguished. How much time would elapse before the pilot finds himself flying in total darkness?
