NewsCommercial
Global regulatory scrutiny threatens Boeing's Max timeline: CEO
Some regulators around the world plan to complete their own review of the Boeing 737 Max, threatening to set back the company's anticipated timeline for the aircraft's service return, Boeing chief executive Dennis Muilenburg said on 11 September.
Muilenburg insists Boeing continues "targeting" the aircraft to receive regulatory clearance to fly "early in the fourth quarter".
Link
Airbus tests connected interior on A350
Airbus has started flight tests with an A350 featuring a cabin configured with connected Internet of Things equipment.
The airframer says that the precise interior features will be revealed "shortly", but has disclosed that the initial set of connected prototype equipment includes Recaro's iSeat, galley contents in co-operation with catering specialist Gategroup, a remote cabin management control system, and an organic LED display.
LinkAirlines
Deadline for Alitalia business plan may be delayed again
A deadline for Alitalia’s rescue consortium to present a business plan looks set to be pushed back once again, the latest delay in a long-running bid to map out a relaunch strategy for the bankrupt airline. Italian railway company Ferrovie dello Stato—working with Italian infrastructure group Atlantia and US carrier Delta Air Lines—is scheduled to present a plan by Sept. 15 to relaunch Alitalia, which filed for bankruptcy more than two years ago.
Link
Lufthansa to block last row of A320neo seats on center-of-gravity limits
Lufthansa no longer sells the last row of seats on its Airbus A320neos to address concerns about the aircraft’s center-of-gravity (CG) limitations. Lufthansa told pilots in an internal memo the decision was made as an ad-hoc measure to comply with regulatory demands—referring to a recent EASA airworthiness directive (AD) limiting the aft CG to 37% mean aerodynamic chord (MAC), up to 4% less than the previous CG limit at which the airline operated the neos.
Link
Greece’s Ellinair to increase presence at Moscow Vnukovo
Greek airline Ellinair will increase the number of aircraft based at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport under a partnership between the airport and Ellinair parent Mouzenidis Group.
“A long-term agreement will allow Vnukovo to get sustainable international passenger traffic and will boost the airport market share,” Vnukovo general director Dmitry Saprykin said Sept. 10.
Link
Ethiopian Airlines rolls out onboard Wi-Fi connectivity
Ethiopian Airlines has begun installing the latest broadband Ka-band satellite technology on board its 12 Airbus A350 XWBs with plans to expand the inflight Wi-Fi internet service to other long-haul aircraft including the Boeing 787 or 777.
Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said, “The launch of onboard Wi-Fi internet is part of our relentless efforts to further add to passengers’ comfort keeping pace with the technology of the day, taking advantage of emerging technologies and infrastructure.”
Link
Cargo aircraft reportedly crashes near Toledo airport
Preliminary reports indicate that a freighter aircraft has crashed near Ohio's Toledo Express airport.
No details have been confirmed on the aircraft type, the operator or its route, although an initial report from an Ohio TV station claims the aircraft was inbound from Memphis.
Link
Max Air 747-400 suffered pod-strike during Minna landing
Nigerian accident investigators have indicated that a landing incident involving a Max Air Boeing 747-400 at Minna resulted in a pod-strike of an outboard engine.
But the circumstances remain confused and the inquiry has yet to clarify the sequence of events.
LinkAirports
Germany’s Memmingen Airport to undergo renovations
Germany’s Memmingen Airport will shut down operations from Sept. 17-30 to modify the runway to international and European standards.
Memmingen, a former military air base, is one of three civil airports in Bavaria and is used mainly by LCCs and charter airlines.
Link
Major passenger pain at San Francisco due to closure of 28L
More than 1,100 flights have been delayed or cancelled at San Francisco International airport since the airport closed its busiest and second-longest runway, 28L, to construct a new base layer below the runway surface.
The closure, which began on 7 September and is due to last until 27 September, has frustrated thousands of travelers and caused chaos at one of the busiest airports on the West Coast.
LinkMilitary
USA approves $6.5bn sale of 32 F-35A stealth fighters to Poland
The US State Department has approved the sale of 32 Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters to Poland as part of a package worth an estimated $6.5 billion.
NATO member Poland wanted the stealth aircraft as a counterweight to Russia, a country Poland has viewed as increasingly aggressive following invasions of Georgia and Ukraine.
Link
USAF shows larger B-1B weapons capacity for hypersonic missiles
The US Air Force (USAF) has modified a Boeing B-1B Lancer to enable the bomber to carry larger and heavier weapons, including hypersonic missiles.
The service's 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base in California showcased a B-1B with the improve weapons capabilities to an undisclosed group of industry partners on 28 August, the USAF says.
Link
Aviation Quote
If you're ever faced with a forced landing at night, turn on the landing lights to see the landing area. If you don't like what you see, turn 'em back off.
- Anonymous
On This Day
[url=/onthisday/09/12]Click Here[/url]
Daily Video
Editor's Choice
Trivia
Who Was The Pilot
1. The developer of the Spruce Goose as well as its pilot. Who was it?
John Glenn
Amelia Earhart
Howard Hughes
Charles Lindbergh
2. Who was the pilot of 'The Flyer'?
3. Who was the pilot of Freedom 7?
Gus Grissom
John Glenn
Wally Schirra
Alan Shephard
4. Who was the first pilot to break the sound barrier?
5. Who was the pilot (commander) of Apollo 13?
Tom Hanks
Buzz Aldrin
James Lovell
Neil Armstrong
