NewsAccidents/Incidents
Nigerian Air Force jet goes missing during support mission
A Dassault-Dornier Alpha Jet of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) went missing in Borno state, northeast Nigeria on March 31, 2021.
According to Edward Gabkwet, the NAF spokesperson, the aircraft was carrying out a ground support mission against Islamic insurgents when radar contact was lost. The jihadist terrorist organization Boko Haram is known to operate in the region. A search and rescue operation was organized to locate the aircraft.
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Fourth explosive attempt for SpaceX's Starship rocket
After SN8, SN9, and SN10, the latest SpaceX's Starship prototype SN11 crashed during a flight test on March 30, 2021.
Like its predecessors, the SN11 rocket took off from Boca Chica Village, near the Texas-Mexico border. The spacecraft ascended to its 10-kilometer goal through a foggy sky.
LinkCommercial
FAA certifies Ryanair’s high-density 737 MAX 8-200
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified the high-density Boeing 737 MAX 8200, a model based on the 737 MAX 8 that is able to seat up to 200 passengers in an all-economy configuration.
The FAA certified the Boeing 737 MAX 8200 on March 31, 2021, as first reported by the Air Current. The MAX 8200, developed specifically for low-cost carriers, incorporates two additional exit doors in order to accommodate the increased passenger capacity.
LinkAirlines
A TAP Airbus A321LR operated a 10 hour flight, covering a distance of 4,500 miles!
An Airbus A321LR belonging to TAP Air Portugal performed an incredible 10-hour flight from Mozambique to Luanda on Monday, 29th March.
The Airbus A321LR, with registration CS-TXA, took off from Maputo, Mozambique at 8:59 local time and landed in Praia at 19:06 local time, ten hours and eight minutes after departure.
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SpiceJet plans to boost fleet with 50 new aircraft
The Indian low-cost air carrier SpiceJet plans to boost its fleet with additional aircraft. The airline announced having signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the New York-based investment firm Avenue Capital over the financing of 50 new aircraft to be ordered by SpiceJet.
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American Airlines cuts its debt by $2.8 billion
American Airlines Group, the parent company of American Airlines (A1G) (AAL), reduced its outstanding debt by $2.8 billion.
The American air carrier announced having fully repaid $2.8 billion of its revolving loans which the company borrowed in April 2020 aiming to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 virus on its business stability.
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Corsair nears all-Airbus fleet with first A330neo
Corsair is now the latest airline to join the list of European A330neo operators. The first of five A330neos scheduled for delivery performed its ferry flight to Orly Airport on March 31, 2021. The aircraft made its maiden flight out of the Airbus Toulouse facility on October 30, 2020.
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Romanian airline Blue Air gets the first of 10 Boeing 737 MAX jets
The Romanian airline Blue Air received its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 jet following its long-term lease agreement with the American aircraft leasing company Air Lease Corporation.
On March 30, 2021, Air Lease Corporation (ALC) announced having delivered the first of ten new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft to Blue Air.
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Air India's previous suitor Interups agrees to buy 49% in regional carrier TruJet
US-based investor Interups which had shown an interest in bidding for Air India has agreed to buy a 49% stake in regional airline TruJet, said a statement.
LinkAirports
Canadian ATC Union Warns of Safety Risks from Tower Closures
The Canadian Air Traffic Control Association (CATCA), the union representing all Canadian air traffic controllers in the country, recently raised serious public safety concerns that could result from the anticipated control tower closures and service reductions being suggested in an ongoing NAV Canada system review.
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Philadelphia Airport receives $2 million funding for aircraft parking apron
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) has received $2 million in funding from the state of Pennsylvania for a project to construct an aircraft parking apron that would be capable of accommodating up to eight planes. The $31.9 million project is expected to be complete in June 2022.
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Aviation Quote
It's better to be down here wishing you were up there, than to be up there wishing you were down here.
- Anonymous
Daily Video
Trivia
Space Shuttle
1.
What United States president signed an order that officially began the space shuttle project?
A. John F. Kennedy
B. Richard M. Nixon
C. Jimmy Carter
2. What year was the first space shuttle mission launched?
A. 1977
B. 1979
C. 1981
3. What shuttle was used to repair the Hubble Space Telescope in 1993?
A. Challenger
B. Discovery
C. Endeavour
4. How many successful U.S. shuttle missions had taken place before Challenger disintegrated into a ball of fire in 1986?
A. 9
B. 24
C. 99
5. What was the first shuttle to be launched following the Challenger disaster?
A. Atlantis
B. Discovery
C. Endeavour
6. What was the first shuttle to dock with Russia's Mir space station?
A. Atlantis
B. Columbia
C. Enterprise