NewsAn-12 crash inquiry begins flight-recorder analysisUkrainian investigators have commenced analysis of flight-recorder information from the Antonov An-12BK which crashed on approach to Lviv on 4 October. While detailed data from the recorders has yet to be disclosed, investigating authority NBAAI says the devices were in a "satisfactory" condition following their retrieval from the accident site.
LinkShanghai, Singapore on the cards for Air Astana A321LRThe longer-range variant of the Airbus A321neo will be a “driver of change” for Air Astana, as it looks to expand its international network with the aircraft. Air Astana chief executive Peter Foster says that the A321LR combines range capabilities with “excellent narrowbody economics”.
LinkSouthwest grounds two 737NGs with structural cracks Southwest Airlines removed two Boeing 737NG aircraft from service because of structural cracks discovered during inspections mandated by the US Federal Aviation Administration of such aircraft that had completed 30,000 flight cycles. The FAA ordered the inspections on 2 October after Boeing discovered cracks on hardware connecting the wing and fuselage of 737-800s, known as "pickle forks". Airlines must report their findings to the agency.
LinkAmerican Airlines delays expected Max return to mid-JanuaryAmerican Airlines has pushed back the date on which it expects to resume Boeing 737 Max flights to 16 January, six weeks later than it previously anticipated. Despite the delay, however, American is expressing optimism in the likelihood that the Federal Aviation Administration will clear the aircraft to fly before year-end.
LinkA380 operators told to check for trailing-edge cracksAirbus A380 operators are set to be instructed to check for cracks in the trailing edge, and trailing-edge devices, of the double-deck type. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency says the directive is intended to prevent in-flight loss of parts from the trailing edge, following findings of cracks in devices on both sides.
LinkEthiopian 767 suffers uncontained engine failure at DakarOne of Ethiopian Airlines' Boeing 767-300ERs has suffered an apparent uncontained engine failure during departure from the Senegalese capital Dakar. The aircraft – identified by the carrier as ET-AMG – experienced a "technical problem" as it conducted flight ET908 on 8 October.
LinkFalse ILS signal lured ERJ-145 crew into Swedish airproxPilots of a BMI Regional Embraer ERJ-145 were caught out by false ILS signals before the jet was involved in a serious airprox incident with a light aircraft during approach to Norrkoping airport last year.
LinkExpress cargo operator Atran adds extra 737-800BCFRussian express airline Atran has added another freighter to its fleet as it continues adding capacity to cater for an “e-commerce bonanza”. The addition of a second Boeing 737-800BCF (VQ-BFT) brings the Volga-Dnepr-owned airline’s fleet to six aircraft.
LinkFAA Completes Rollout of Baseline ADS-B ServicesThe FAA completed the operational rollout of ADS-B baseline services with the recent implementation at the last two of 155 airports slated for the technology, the agency announced yesterday. ADS-B services became operational last month at Akron-Canton Airport and Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport, both in Ohio. “This brings the operational rollout of ADS-B baseline services to a successful conclusion, on schedule and within budget,” the agency said, adding it was completed before the Jan. 1, 2020 ADS-B aircraft equipage deadline.
LinkGlobal 7500 breaks business aircraft range recordBombardier’s Global 7500 has completed an 8,225nm (15,230km) nonstop flight, which the manufacturer bills as “the longest city-pair flown by a purpose-built business aircraft”. The journey from Sydney, Australia to Detroit, in Michigan on 6 October was undertaken by the company demonstrator, N750GX. It eclipsed a previous record set on 4 March, when the ultra-long-range twinjet made an 8,152nm nonstop flight between Singapore and Tucson, Arizona.
LinkUK travel agent Hays picks up Thomas Cook outletsCollapsed leisure firm Thomas Cook Group's UK retail operations have been acquired by Hays Travel, which claims to be the country's largest independent travel agent. Hays will take over 555 outlets, the entire retail estate component, according to the UK's Insolvency Service.
LinkATR to deliver STOL version from 2022 Turboprop manufacturer ATR has formally launched development of a short take-off and landing version of the ATR 42-600. The airframer – jointly owned by Airbus and Leonardo – says that its board of directors has approved the program and that deliveries are scheduled to begin during the second half of 2022.
LinkScylax seeks €80 million for E10 all-electric aircraftGerman start-up Scylax Aircraft is developing a 10-seat all-electric aircraft designed to provide sustainable, regional transport for “environmentally conscious” business, commercial and utility aircraft operators. It is now seeking funding of around €80 million ($88 million) to bring the aircraft to market by 2027.
LinkBombardier to debut Learjet 75 Liberty cabin at NBAABombardier will debut a full-scale cabin mock-up of the Learjet 75 Liberty at the forthcoming National Business Aviation Association Convention and Exhibition as it prepares the modified light business jet for service entry next year. The Canadian airframer launched the Liberty in July as a "rescoped" version of the high-end Learjet 75. The move followed several years of poor sales for its entry-level product, and Bombardier hopes that can be reversed by rebranding, revamping and repositioning the aircraft within the light-business jet sector.
LinkArgentina to retrofit aging IA-58 Pucará into Fenix ISR modelThe Argentine air force plans to retrofit an undisclosed number of IA-58 Pucara light attack aircraft into intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) variants, renaming the type as the IA-58 Fenix. Buenos Aires operates 25 IA-58s, according to Flight International’s 2019 World Air Forces Directory.
LinkItaly adds three more maritime patrol ATR 72sItaly’s Guardia di Finanza agency has signed for three additional ATR 72MPs – the maritime patrol variant of the turboprop airliner. Valued at over €150 million ($162 million), including support services, the deal adds to an initial example ordered in 2018.
LinkCanada's first C295 gains air force liveryThe first of 16 Airbus Defence & Space C295 fixed-wing search and rescue (FWSAR) aircraft on order for the Royal Canadian Air Force has received its service markings, ahead of delivery to the customer before year-end.
LinkBell-Boeing V-22 Tiltrotor Fleet Tops 500,000 HoursThe fleet of more than 375 Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey military tiltrotor aircraft has surpassed 500,000 flight hours. “The V-22 provides unmatched capability for the U.S. Marines and U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, V-22 joint program manager.
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