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United States aviation news

Fitch: Commercial Aircraft Delivery Outlook Intact Despite Order Slowdown

Fitch Rating’s large commercial aircraft (LCA) delivery outlook for 2016 and 2017 is intact despite some weakness in parts of the widebody aircraft market, delivery deferrals across most regions of the airline industry, and a likely decline in new orders in 2016 compared to 2015. While Fitch is more cautious than at the beginning of the year, the record order backlog combined with other s...

FAA Announces Aviation Safety Rating for Indonesia

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced that Indonesia complies with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) safety standards and has been granted a Category 1 rating. The FAA first assessed Indonesia’s civil aviation authority in September 1997 and found it in compliance with ICAO standards and then...

Boeing will not raise 787 production

Boeing Co said it will not increase 787 output and could further cut 777 output unless sales of both jets improve, its clearest indication yet that its production of large jetliners may have peaked for now. "If the market's not going to demand it, we're not going to go," Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith said on the sidelines of an investor conference in New York by glob...

Boeing’s Crabtree optimistic for the rest of the year

The first half of the year has certainly been a rough  ride to date for the air cargo industry, but there is optimism in the air. Boeing’s Tom Crabtree, who is the US aircraft manufacturer’s air cargo airline market analyst, is sure there are better months on the horizon. He feels the industry is still on track to achieve growth in 2016 compared to 2015, and forecasts a bett...

Dreamliner makes history with plastic, outsourcing, design — and delays

By Dominic Gates When Boeing announced its vision for the new 787 Dreamliner in 2002, it was no surefire winner. Aviation pundits and many company employees openly questioned whether Boeing management was fully committed to remaining a power in the airliner business. Airbus was aviation's innovator then, pouring billions of euros into developing its new A380 superjumbo jet. Boeing seemed...

F-22 Raptor grounded by 20,000 bees

The US Air Force's F-22 Raptor may be the most advanced fighter jet in the world but even with $143 million-worth of stealth and supersonic capabilities, it proved to be no match for one unlikely adversary --- a huge swarm of honey bees. An F-22 aircraft from the 192nd Air Wing was temporarily grounded on June 11 after crew members at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia discovered nearly...

JetBlue turbulence puts 24 in hospital

At least 22 passengers and two crew members were taken to a hospital for evaluation after a JetBlue flight experienced rough turbulence Thursday evening, a spokeswoman for the airline said. JetBlue Flight 429 was headed from Boston to Sacramento, but had to be diverted to Rapid City, South Dakota, at about 6:30 p.m. (8:30 p.m. ET), spokeswoman Katherine McMillan said. Passenger Derek Lindahl...

Boeing, Mauritania Airlines Finalize Order for One Next-Generation 737-800

Boeing  and Mauritania Airlines have finalized an order for one Next-Generation 737-800 airplane, valued at $96 million at current list prices. “The Boeing 737 is the backbone of Mauritania Airlines fleet because of its efficiency and superior operating economics,” said Mohamed Radhy Bennahi, chief executive officer of Mauritania Airlines. “The addition of this new 737-80...

Signature S.R.L. in Paraguay signs for Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Bell Helicopter announced  it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Signature S.R.L. for a Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. The aircraft will be used for corporate transport in Paraguay. “We are pleased to sign for the Bell 505 and look forward to integrating the aircraft into our operations,” said Mr. Paul Hellmers, Co-Owner, Signature S.R.L. The Bell 505 has accumulated more than...

XTI Aircraft Company selects Honeywell Aerospace to supply engines for first prototype of TriFan 600

XTI Aircraft Company (XTI) announced today that it has entered into a preliminary agreement with the Aerospace division of Honeywell International under which Honeywell will supply its HTS900 engine for use in XTI's first prototype, a two-thirds piloted subscale of the TriFan 600 vertical takeoff airplane. Honeywell will also provide an additional engine for use in XTI's Ground Propulsion...

Boeing Starts Assembly of 1st Flightworthy Starliner Crew Taxi Vehicle at Kennedy Spaceport

The next generation of America’s human spaceships is rapidly taking shape at the Kennedy Space Center as Boeing and NASA showcased the start of assembly of the first flightworthy version of the aerospace giants Starliner crew taxi vehicle – that will ferry NASA astronauts to and from the International Space Station (ISS) by early 2018. Boeing is rapidly making tangible progress towa...

Bugatti 100p Replica Down, Pilot Lost

 We regret to note that the truly stunning Bugatti 100p replica is reported down, with the loss of its pilot, Scotty Wilson. The accident occurred early Saturday morning, near Burns Flat, OK. The replica first flew in August of 2015 and dealt with a number of teething problems along the way, including an incident on its first flight whereby the vehicle was damaged when the right b...