All aerospace news – Page 304
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In depthAlphabet’s Wing division advances unmanned air traffic system
Various companies have in recent years been working to develop underlying air traffic technologies intended to support the expected rapid expansion of the commercial unmanned urban air mobility (UAM) industry.
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NewsAirbus chief seeks ‘urgent reframing’ of aviation/climate debate
Airbus chief executive Guillaume Faury argues that the sector’s “role in society” is at risk amid growing calls for a reduction in flights to curb emissions.
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NewsA380 fan-hub disintegration traced to misunderstood ‘cold dwell’ fatigue
French investigators have traced the serious engine failure involving an Air France Airbus A380 over Greenland to a phenomenon known as ‘cold dwell’ fatigue, which had caused a failure in a fan hub slot which houses the root of the fan blade. The analysis by investigation authority BEA closes a ...
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NewsZeroAvia conducts pioneering flight with hydrogen-electric M350
Alternative-fuel innovation company ZeroAvia is claiming to have achieved the world’s first flight of a hydrogen-electric commercial passenger aircraft, with its retrofitted Piper M350. The aircraft – under previous registration N866LP – had already been used to conduct a commercial-scale battery-electric flight in June. But ZeroAvia says it also completed ...
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NewsLHT Shenzhen and CASC in A320 component MRO partnership
Lufthansa Technik Shenzhen and China Aviation Supplies Corporation (CASC) have signed an agreement for the maintenance of Airbus A320 components. Source: Lufthansa Technik Lufthansa Technik Shenzhen and China Aviation Supplies Corporation (CASC) have signed an agreement for the maintenance of Airbus A320 components. The agreement will ...
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NewsSweden’s Heart Aerospace presents all-electric regional aircraft
Swedish aviation start-up Heart Aerospace says it plans to build a 19-seat all-electric commercial aircraft that will fly by mid-2026.
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NewsAmeco becomes China’s first PW1100G MRO shop
Pratt & Whitney has opened its first PW1100G geared turbofan MRO centre in China, by adding Beijing-based Ameco to its global network of MRO providers. Ameco will also be Asia’s fourth PW1100G MRO centre, after Eagle Services Asia in Singapore, as well as IHI and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries ...
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NewsMC-21 deliveries to start ‘by the end’ of 2021: Russian industry minister
First deliveries of the Irkut MC-21 to launch operator Aeroflot will take place by the end of 2021, according to Russian trade and industry minister Denis Manturov. Manturov says the combination of sanctions on the country and, in particular, the coronavirus situation have forced a delay to the twinjet’s flight-test ...
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NewsLCI, SMFL firm up helicopter leasing joint venture
Lessors LCI and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing (SMFL) have confirmed the launch of a helicopter leasing joint venture. The joint venture will launch with a value of $230 million, say the two companies. Source: LCI An H175 managed by LCI The deal was originally announced ...
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NewsJAL, Matternet in drone delivery business partnership
Japan Airlines has signed a memorandum of understanding with California-based drone maker Matternet to explore medical delivery services by drone, as well as to further develop a drone delivery business in Japan. The partnership will see Matternet’s M2 drone system utilised in trials in Tokyo, before assessing opportunities for a ...
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NewsHydrogen-powered airliners unlikely in near term: Boeing exec
Boeing’s top product developer doubts hydrogen-powered airliners will be viable in the near future due to technical and regulatory hurdles and remaining technological uncertainty.
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NewsJamco targets incremental cabin improvements – for now
Jamco is awaiting All Nippon Airways’ decision on whether to modify lavatory doors on its aircraft for hands-free use, as the interior equipment manufacturer focuses attention on incremental, cost-effective passenger-experience improvements.
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NewsSpirit predicts Asco purchase will terminate, describes Bombardier buy as uncertain
Spirit AeroSystems expects not to close its planned $420 million acquisition of Belgium company Asco and has raised uncertainty about closing a planned $500 million purchase of Bombardier’s commercial aviation businesses.
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NewsUS rule on early 777 fuel-tank inerting overrides foreign carriers’ objections
US safety regulators have adopted a controversial rule aimed at modifying early Boeing 777s to reduce the risk of a centre fuel-tank explosion, having dismissed multiple objections by foreign operators of the type. Part of a long-running FAA effort to reduce the risk of fuel-vapour explosion across a range of ...
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In depthRecovery in China hard to replicate elsewhere: GAMECO chief
China’s rapid recovery in domestic air travel — after a battering by the coronavirus pandemic —will be difficult to replicate in other countries and regions, but can set the tone for a wider, global recovery. Chief executive officer and general manager of Chinese MRO GAMECO Norbert Marx says the key ...
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NewsBoeing lays off pilot group that supports service entry of new aircraft types
Boeing is laying off a group of seven “line-assist instructor pilots” whose work includes helping airlines bring into their fleets aircraft types that those airlines have not previously operated.
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NewsAirbus turns to hydrogen as energy promise of batteries fades
Airbus is backing away from battery power in favour of pursuing hydrogen as a primary propulsion source for future aircraft development, over concerns that battery technology will not advance quickly enough to adapt to large airliners. The airframer has unveiled three conceptual designs – two based on conventional turboprop and ...
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NewsCollins investing in touchless cabin technologies as it predicts recovery from 2023
A hands-free lavatory is among the innovations being pushed by leading interiors supplier to help restore passenger confidence
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NewsRolls-Royce weighs funding options including £2.5bn equity issue
Rolls-Royce is evaluating various options for raising additional funding, including equity of up to £2.5 billion. The engine manufacturer’s share price fell substantially during trading on 21 September as it disclosed the plan, dropping to lows not reached since 2003. “We continue to review all funding options to enhance balance ...
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NewsAirbus shows off hydrogen-fuelled concept aircraft for 2035 service entry
Airbus has unveiled conceptual designs for a potential zero-emission commercial aircraft, which it believes could be developed for service entry in the next 15 years. All three of the preliminary designs – branded as ‘ZEROe’ aircraft – would use hydrogen as the main power source. Source: Airbus ...