Steve Fossett expects to make his solo round-the-world record attempt in the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer some time after 4 January - three months later than the date originally announced. The 40,000km (21,600nm) unrefuelled flight is expected to take 80h. The 34.8m (114ft) span, Williams FJ44 turbofan-powered GlobalFlyer will take off and land in the USA.
Source: Flight International
US regulator the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will take no immediate action to address a smoke-related issue involving the CFM International Leap-1B engines that power the Boeing 737 Max.
The engine-maker says the successful demonstration involved a GE Aerospace CT7 turboshaft engine combined with internally-produced electric machine and power electronics.
GE Aerospace in 2025 plans to use two of the world’s fastest computers, both at US-government-funded research facilities, to study how its open-fan engine concept will integrate with an aircraft’s wings and other structures.
