All air transport news – Page 362
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In depth
Bell’s eVTOL vision changes as it eliminates two rotors and goes all electric
Bell changed the design of its proposed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, removing two rotor ducts and adding a purely electric propulsion option, after hearing from potential customers that shorter inner city travel would likely come before longer-range trips between metropolitan areas.
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News
Caspian MD-83 blocks highway after landing overrun at Mahshahr
Iranian authorities have dispatched a team of investigators to the scene of a Caspian Airlines Boeing MD-83 accident in which the aircraft suffered a runway overrun. The twinjet came to rest on a highway apparently off the southern end of the 2,400m runway 13 at Mahshahr airport, located near the ...
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News
Fastjet Group still trying to finalise sale of Zimbabwe operation
African budget carrier operator Fastjet Group believes it has sufficient resources to meet operational needs until the end of March, as it scrambles to finalise a deal to sell its Zimbabwe airline to investors. The company had previously warned, last November, that it faced a February deadline to secure additional ...
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News
EASA warns over misleading visual perception during conflicts
Europe’s safety regulator is concerned that crews are not being given full information on use of collision-avoidance systems to maintain safe separation, to the point where pilots might disregard their instructions. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency says some aircraft flight manuals and operating manuals “do not provide adequate information” ...
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News
Boeing eyes 2021 delivery as 777-9 completes maiden flight
At least a year of flight-testing ahead after first 777X touches down in Everett
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News
Wing-tip fold marks end of 777X's maiden flight
With the folding of its characteristic wing-tips while still rolling out on Boeing Field’s runway 14R, the first 777X completed a maiden 3h 51min test flight. The aircraft – which had departed Paine Field at 10:09 on 25 January – spent much of the first sortie operating at around 15,000ft ...
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News
Boeing’s 777X takes to the skies
After two thwarted attempts, Boeing’s flight test 777X lifted off from Paine Field on 25 January.
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News
777X first flight video stream
Boeing’s first 777X flight-test aircraft has lifted off from Paine Field, north of Seattle, kicking off a certification campaign for the twinjet family. Source: Boeing Lift-off: the first 777-9 test aircraft becomes airborne The 777-9 took off on 25 January, a day after gusting winds and poor ...
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News
Tailwinds keep 777X from making maiden flight
After a several-hour tarmac hold, Boeing scrapped the planned first flight of its 777X on 24 January due to high winds.
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News
Unexplained Trent 1000 surges spur de-pair order to 787 operators
Rolls-Royce is investigating further operational issues with Trent 1000 engines, after instances of surges involving certain powerplants – a situation which has triggered a de-pairing order from European regulators. Trent 1000s, which are fitted to Boeing 787s, have already been the subject of several regulatory interventions, particularly as a result ...
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News
SACAA was still conducting smoke probe before Citation crash
Investigators were still conducting an investigation into two smoke incidents involving the South African Civil Aviation Authority’s Cessna Citation II flight-inspection jet before its fatal loss near George. There is no immediate evidence of a connection between the incidents – on 7 and 8 November last year – and the ...
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Opinion
Why jet stalwart Embraer is embracing the turboprop
If the stars align, the world could have the first all-new large turboprop passenger aircraft for four decades within five years.
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News
No survivors from South African CAA calibration Citation crash
None of the three crew members of a South African Civil Aviation Authority flight-inspection aircraft survived after the aircraft came down shortly after take-off from George airport. The aircraft, a Cessna Citation II, came down in mountainous terrain after departing George at 10:40 on 23 January. It was due to ...
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News
Transavia 737 inquiry highlights unpredictability of turbulence
French investigators have reiterated that the only strategy to limit injury risk from turbulence is for passengers to keep seat-belts fastened while seated. Investigation authority BEA states that turbulence forecasting is not precise – able to provide only probabilities – and detection of clear-air turbulence is “not possible” with current ...
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News
Avianca crew hospitalised after A319 diversion
Four occupants of an Avianca Airbus A319 have been hospitalised after an apparent turbulence incident and a diversion to Panama City. The aircraft had been operating the AV693 service from San Jose to Bogota on 23 January, says the carrier. Diversion of the flight, which had been operating at 35,000ft, ...
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News
EASA considers alternatives to US order on 727 fuel tanks
European regulators are looking into alternative measures to mitigate an apparent safety risk relating to Boeing 727 auxiliary fuel tanks, after opting not to adopt a US FAA directive on the matter. The directive, to which Boeing had objected, argues that the fuel-quantity indicating system presents a potential electrical ignition ...
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News
Airbus talks up A220’s regional credentials as NAC firms order
Nordic Aviation Capital has firmed up its order for 20 Airbus A220-300s, prompting the manufacturer to highlight the aircraft’s relevance in the regional aviation market. Regional aircraft lessor NAC had signed a memorandum of understanding for 20 A220s in June 2019. Airbus chief commercial officer Christian Scherer states that NAC’s ...
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News
Trent-powered A380s to be checked for rotor shaft cracks
Operators of Rolls-Royce-powered Airbus A380s are set to be ordered to inspect the type’s engines for cracking of spacers between intermediate-pressure compressor discs. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency says examination of a Trent 900 rotor shaft revealed a crack in an interstage spacer between the stage two and stage ...
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News
South African CAA calibration aircraft involved in accident near George
South Africa’s civil aviation regulator is investigating an accident involving its flight inspection and calibration aircraft, which occurred shortly after it took off from George airport. The South African Civil Aviation Authority says the aircraft went missing shortly after departing the airport, on the south coast, at 10:40 on 23 ...
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News
Embraer expecting non-US orders soon for E175-E2
European and Asian customers in sights as manufacturer seeks firm contracts for re-engined twinjet