GE begins testing first full GE9X engine GE Aviation is ground testing the first full GE9X development engine at its Peebles Testing Operation in Ohio. The GE9X engine will power Boeing’s new Boeing 777X aircraft. GE general manager-GE90/GE9X engine programs Bill Millhaem said the ground testing will “generate data on the full engine system and aerodynamic performance, mechanical verification, and aero thermal system validation. Link
Panasonic to debut first-class, tech-packed airline seats in 2019 Panasonic has designed a first-class airline seat packed with high-tech features, including a 4K TV, zone lighting and fully reclining chair that can all be controlled by an app on the flier's phone. The seats are also equipped with wireless phone charging, an HDMI input and a built-in camera. Panasonic is on pace to bring the first seats to market in 2019. Link
Airlines
Air France Makes New Cost-Cut Proposals To Pilots Air France has made fresh cost-cutting proposals to pilots' unions that would see an increase in the number of flying hours and more flexibility in return for a share of the resulting productivity gains. The proposals, which were sent to unions on Sunday, with a May 2 deadline to respond, would also see it employ more than the 600 new pilots previously envisaged by 2020, taking the total number to 3,900. Link
American Airlines to integrate Flight Operating System by next year American Airlines plans to integrate its Flight Operating System with the US Airways version by 2017. "Moving the entire American operation into FOS is among the largest and most complex integration efforts any airline has ever undertaken," said Todd Christy, vice president for airline operations technology at American. Link
Etihad posts record A380 reliability performance Etihad Airways recorded 99.8% reliability in its first year of operating the Airbus A380-800, the best performance level of any airline to have introduced the aircraft, the carrier said April 11 after receiving the Airbus Operational Reliability Performance award. The 0.2% of reliability problems in the January-December 2015 period did not include any cancellations, the Abu Dhabi-based carrier added. Link
Flydubai investigation reveals ‘abrupt’ descent before crash Russian and international investigators said the pilots of Flydubai flight 981 climbed to approximately 3,000 ft. on the second aborted approach at Rostov-on-Don Airport early on March 19 before an unknown event caused the Boeing 737-800 carrying 62 passengers and crew to crash. According to an April 8 update by Russia’s Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC), weather conditions when the aircraft first approached the airport at 1:42 a.m. local time were challenging. Link
Qatar CEO confident A320neo engine fix coming A meeting with Pratt & Whitney executives 10 days ago left Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker confident his list of complaints about the engine he ordered to power 50 Airbus A320neos will be partly resolved by mid-year. But Baker is still not withdrawing a threat to cancel the PW1100G order if P&W misses the deadline and order CFM International Leap-1A engines instead. Link
Airports
Flybe tight-lipped on prospective Heathrow services UK-based regional carrier Flybe has said reports in a UK Sunday newspaper that it is planning to start services from London’s Heathrow airport are speculative. The airline, which is Europe’s largest regional carrier, operates from four other London airports—Gatwick, Stansted, City and Southend—but not from the capital’s main long-haul hub. Link
Airlines face delays, congestion issues at Indian airports Key Indian international airports at Delhi and Mumbai are experiencing accessibility problems as a result of traffic volume increases and infrastructure upgrades. Airport operator Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said surface improvements on the airport’s Runway 10/28 would take one week from April 5, but carriers would not be inconvenienced. However, some carriers have warned passengers to expect delays during the maintenance period. Link
Southwest to open new gates at St. Louis airport Southwest Airlines plans to open two new gates this week at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. The new gates will handle 12 flights until June, when the number increases to 16 flights. Link
Military
Northrop to develop more precise navigation system for guided missiles Northrop Grumman has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to develop a miniaturized navigation-grade inertial measurement unit based on microelectromechanical system sensors. "In particular, we are aiming to address the challenge of providing precise navigation for guided munitions, which operate in highly contested environments and have stringent requirements for minimized cost, size, weight and power consumption," said Northrop's Alex Fax. Link
Aviation Quote
Just remember, if you crash because of weather, your funeral will be held on a sunny day.
1. I was born in Russia and emigrated to the United States. I was always tinkering with machines. I developed an aerial vehicle that was the first successful design in its class. With some assistance from fellow émigrés I started my company that began building flying boats. During WW2 I designed the first practical helicopter for the Department of War. My company still exists today as part of the United Technology Group. Who am I?
2. I was born the day after Pearl Harbor got bombed by the Japanese. I started my higher education at a Teacher’s college then transferred to the U of Missouri. I joined the US Navy in 1967 and was one of the first graduates of Top Gun. I was also the only Navy ace of the Viet Nam war. Who am I?
3. I was born in 1897, in Atchinson, KS. In December of 1920 I was given a ride that would change my life forever. I was the 16th woman to be issued a pilot’s license. In my second attempt to circle the globe, my airplane disappeared, no remains ever to be found. Who Am I?
4. I was born in 1914, and died in 1998. I started flying at an early age and grew up to be a test pilot for one of the industry’s leading manufacturers. Under the guise of selling airplanes, I barrel rolled a four-engine transport aircraft over Lake Washington. Who am I?
5. I was born in 1922 in Germany. I have had several nicknames, like “Bubi” or “The Black Devil.” As a fighter pilot I left a record that will never be broken; yes, I said never. I shot down 352 enemy airplanes. Who am I?
And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
And let's get one thing straight. There's a big difference between a pilot and an aviator. One is a technician; the other is an artist in love with flight. — E. B. Jeppesen
