NewsCrashed An-148 pitot-static sensors left unheated Preliminary analysis of flight-data recordings from the crashed Saratov Airlines Antonov An-148 indicate that the heating system for the jet's pitot-static pressure sensors was not operating at any point. As the aircraft climbed out of Moscow Domodedovo its crew, presented with unreliable airspeed information, turned off the autopilot and attempted to fly manually before the jet dived into a field near the village of Argunovo.
LinkCrashed An-148 was intact during descentRussian investigators have indicated that the Antonov An-148 which crashed outside of Moscow was intact and was not on fire as it came down. The Saratov Airlines twinjet crashed shortly after departing Domodedovo airport on 11 February.
LinkViva Air aims for IPO in two years and third airlineViva Air Group is eyeing a public listing in about two years, as the low-cost carrier sets its sights on expanding among the Andean states. The holding company of VivaColombia and Viva Air Peru sees itself listing in New York and possibly in Colombia, Viva's chief executive Declan Ryan tells FlightGlobal.
LinkFiji Link ATR 72 in engine fire incidentFijian authorities are investigating an incident in which a Fiji Link ATR 72-600 experienced an in-flight engine fire shortly after takeoff from Nadi enroute to Suva. The airline says that the crew operating the aircraft, registered DQ-FJX, were alerted to an engine fire and activated the extinguishing system before returning the aircraft to Nadi.
LinkC919 systems set for upgrades in 2018 as tests continueAviage Systems is planning to incrementally add more functions to the Comac C919’s flight management system this year, as the programme moves further towards certification. Speaking to FlightGlobal recently, Aviage’s vice-president strategy and growth Mike Ingram, says it is all hands on deck as the aircraft moves towards type certification testing.
LinkUnited Airlines to roll out Polaris business class on new routeUnited Airlines announced the 10th route to offer its new Polaris business-class seating. Flights 960 and 961, flying March 24-July 31 between Newark, N.J., and Frankfurt, Germany, will be operated by Boeing 777-300ERs. Four of United's 14 Boeing 767-300s have been retrofitted with new Polaris seats and 14 of the 18 Boeing 777-300ERs have been received with the new seats.
LinkJetBlue to offer Molly Moon ice cream on flights leaving SeattleJetBlue Airways will offer Molly Moon's ice cream to Mint passengers flying out of Paine Field, near Seattle. "We're so excited to be their Seattle partner so that travelers out of Seattle can have a taste of home on their flight," said Molly Moon's in an Instagram post.
Link Airports improve service for passengers with hidden disabilitiesAirports are working to help travelers with conditions like blindness or autism comfortably navigate their facilities. Special accommodations include sensory rooms, lanyards that alert airport staff that a traveler might need extra help and smart glasses that help agents guide blind travelers.
LinkBoeing unit joins General Atomics' bid for MQ-25Boeing has joined a team of suppliers supporting General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ bid to win the US Navy’s MQ-25 Stingray programme even as it continues to promote a clean-sheet alternative design. Boeing’s Autonomous Systems division will support GA-ASI’s bid for the carrier-based, unmanned tanker “with our aviation and autonomous experience”, says Chris Raymond, vice-president and general manager for the division.
LinkUSAF plans to consolidate bomber fleet to B-21 and B-52The US Air Force has confirmed plans to re-engine the Boeing B-52H fleet and retire the Northrop Grumman B-2 and the Rockwell B-1 as Northrop’s next-generation B-21 stealth bomber ramps up deliveries. The proposals in the Trump Administration’s Fiscal 2019 budget request will consolidate the Air Force’s strategic bomber fleet to the B-21 and a re-engined B-52 fleet after around 2040.
LinkJSTARS replacement cancelled in new USAF budget plan The US Air Force’s has decided to retire its primary aerial ground surveillance platform in the mid-2020s and replace it with a network of existing and new sensors linked to a ground-based command and control system. The decision announced in the Trump Administration’s budget request for Fiscal 2019 would terminate the Northrop Grumman E-8C JSTARS and cancel a three-way competition to replace the platform with a large business jet or a Boeing 737.
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