NewsIncidents/Accidents
Mahan Air Narrowly Avoids Fighter Jet Mid Air - Injuring Passengers
A Mahan Air Airbus A310-300 heading from Tehran (Iran) to Beirut (Lebanon) was forced to perform an abrupt maneuver to avoid two fighter jets. Information from The Aviation Herald indicates that the aircraft had to climb at least 600 feet rapidly, while video from within the cabin shows the chaos and fear experienced by passengers.
LinkCommercial
U.S. FAA issues emergency directive on 2,000 Boeing 737s parked in pandemic
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Friday issued an emergency airworthiness directive for 2,000 U.S.-registered Boeing 737 NG and Classic aircraft, warning of possible corrosion on parked planes that could lead to a dual-engine failure.
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Boeing May Be Preparing To Delay The 777X Amid Current Crisis
Boeing may be gearing up to announce a delay to the launch of its latest and greatest widebody jet. The 777X, a successor to the 777, is one of the crown jewels in Boeing’s portfolio. However, amid the current crisis, the planemaker may be looking to launch the jet at a more palatable time for air travel.
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Embraer's Aircraft Can Now Carry Cargo In The Cabin
Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer has developed a solution to allow its array of aircraft to carry more cargo. Embraer highlighted requests from customers detailing the need for additional cargo space onboard its aircraft as part of its decision to pursue the solution. Now, the Brazilian civil aviation authority has granted an exemption allowing Embraer’s planes to carry more freight.
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Rolls-Royce To Take An Ex-Qantas Boeing 747 For Engine Testbed
This week was the end of an era for Qantas as the last Boeing 747 left its fleet. The aircraft had been with the carrier for nearly five decades, and it helped revolutionize the Australian aviation industry. However, there is a new lease of life for the Queen of the Skiesas Rolls-Royce will use a unit to test current and future jet engine technology that will transform flight, and reduce emissions. This process will set new benchmarks for efficiency.
LinkAirlines
Which Airlines Have Ordered The Airbus A319neo?
With not much news surrounding the Airbus A319neo and its newCFM LEAP engines, we thought we would take a look and try and uncover which airlines had placed orders for what is evolving into a niche aircraft.
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Aer Lingus Opens New Regional Base In Belfast City
Aer Lingus announced this week that it is opening a regional base at Belfast City Airport.The flag carrier of Ireland is also launching six routes across the Irish Sea from the hub this year.
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Why IranAir Cancelled Its Order For 12 Airbus A380s
Did you know that IranAir had an order for twelve Airbus A380s? What happened to this order, and why did the carrier cancel them at the last minute? Let’s explore this hidden pocket of aviation history.
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KLM To Fully End 747 Operations In October
In March this year, KLM operated its final 747 passenger flight. In April, three of the airline’s jumbo jets were temporarily brought out of retirement to assist in the carrier’s cargo-only efforts. However, it seems that by fall, the grace period will have run out. As the Dutch government’s need for medical supplies dwindles, the KLM 747 era will indeed come to an end in October this year.
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SpiceJet Given Approval To Operate UK Flights
SpiceJet has received permission to fly between India and the UK, becoming the only private airline to do so. The news comes just a day after it got similar permission from the Indian government to fly to the US.
Link
In Photos: Hi Fly Converts Airbus A340 Into Freighter
Portuguese wet-lease specialist carrier Hi Fly is betting that the uptick in cargo demand will persist even as passenger air travel demand remains stunted. First, it converted its A380 as well as one of its A330s into cargo freighters. Furthermore, the airline has now completed the reconfiguration of three of its A340s. Let’s have a look at what the long-range quad-jet looks like post-makeover.
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Finnair Pays €270m In Passenger Refunds
Finnair’s half year results announcement today showed that the airline has been losing around two million euros per day ($2.32 million). Despite this, the airline has taken a firm stance on paying back its customers for canceled flights, refunding a total of €270 million ($313 million) between February and June.
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The Story Behind Pan Am's Concorde Order
The Concorde was a revolutionary aircraft and the first civilian supersonic transport. Yet, only European carriers British Airways and Air France operated the type. What happened to Pan Am’s options for ten faster-than-sound aircraft? Let’s explore this little-known nugget of history.
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Southwest Extends Blocked Middle Seats and Eliminates Mask Exceptions
Southwest Airlines has joined the growing list of US airlines cracking down on face masks. From next week, the airline says no mask, no fly. Southwest’s decision follows Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air Lines all toughening their stance on passengers wearing masks.
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Aeromexico Confirms It Will Return 19 Aircraft
Aeromexico is sending 19 aircraft back to their owners. The airline is taking advantage of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring process. Earlier this month, Aeromexico obtained court authorization to terminate the leases on 19 planes. It’s all part of a broader effort by Aeromexico to streamline its fleet and put the business in the best possible position going forward.
LinkAirports
Air Canada Begins Reopening Its Maple Leaf Lounges
On Friday, Air Canada announced that it would be gradually re-opening its Maple Leaf Lounges. However, it won’t be ‘business as usual’ when travelers set foot in these re-opened facilities. Instead, these lounges will now have new biosafety protocols for the well-being of its customers and employees.
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Southwest Is Testing Out Temperature Checks at Dallas-Love
Southwest Airlines will begin trialing thermal temperature checks of passengers at Dallas Love Field from early August. The airport’s owners announced the initiative on Wednesday. To start with, it will run as a trial and last for 30 to 90 days. Thermal cameras will keep an eye on the temperature of passengers as they get on planes and the movement of people in lines.
LinkMilitary
This Is What The F-35 Of The Future Will Look Like
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter is scheduled to receive a long list of upgrades that will ideally keep it the dominant multi-role fighter for years to come.
The F-35, already in service with nine countries, is scheduled to receive the new Block 4 series of enhancements in the near future.
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Aviation Quote
Limited in his nature, infinite in his desires,
Man is a fallen god who remembers heaven.
- Alphonse de Lamertine
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Editor's Choice
Trivia
General Trivia
1. Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin were first to walk on the moon. Altogether, how many men have walked on the moon, and who were the third and fourth astronauts to do so?
2. The tires of some turbofan-powered airplanes have chines. What are these and what purpose do they serve?
3. What is the greatest speed ever achieved by a man-made object?
4. Who was apparently the only pilot to intentionally solo a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress?
5. True or false; The Boeing JB-17G Flying Fortress was a single-engine, propeller-driven version of the famed bomber.
6. True or false; When filing flight plans, pilots should include cadavers when indicating the number of persons on board the aircraft (or mention them in the Remarks section).
airtrainer wrote:Boeing May Be Preparing To Delay The 777X Amid Current Crisis
Boeing may be gearing up to announce a delay to the launch of its latest and greatest widebody jet. The 777X, a successor to the 777, is one of the crown jewels in Boeing’s portfolio. However, amid the current crisis, the planemaker may be looking to launch the jet at a more palatable time for air travel.
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