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World aircraft news

aircraft related aviation news

China Plans to Launch Manned Spacecraft Shenzhou-11 on Monday

China is preparing to launch a manned spacecraft on Monday, marking a crucial step toward the country’s ambition to build and operate its first space station by 2020. The spacecraft is scheduled to blast off on a Long March-2F carrier rocket at 7.30 a.m. Beijing time from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in western Gansu province, Wu Ping, deputy director of China Manned Space Agency, told...

Crew shortages force Kenya Airways to cancel flights ahead of strike

Loss-making national carrier Kenya Airways canceled several flights on Sunday after some crew members failed to turn up for work, the latest blow as the airline struggles to avert a strike called by its pilots. "Some of our outsourced staff, including cabin crew, have stayed away from work from Friday and we are working with their employer to resolve any issues they may have," the air...

Etihad’s Savoy-trained butlers strive for consistency

White gloves might be de rigueur for royalty or a trip to the opera, but it’s also what your butler will be wearing when he or she delivers a hot towel during your next journey with Etihad Airways’ The Residence. A uniform prerequisite for the carrier’s team of 52 butlers, they can take some "getting used to", according to butler Thomas Piroska. "Sometimes I...

Battery-powered R44 Flies

Tier 1 Engineering flew a battery-powered, manned Robinson R44 in September at Los Alamitos Army Airfield, Calif. The flights were made under a special airworthiness certificate in the experimental category issued by theFAA’s Los Angeles MIDO. The flights were part of a project under contract from Lung Biotechnology PBC to produce an electrically powered semi-autonom...

Crystal AirCruises luxury Boeing 777: Inside 'the world's most luxurious plane'

A new super-luxurious plane service is set to give Emirates a run for its money when it launches next year. Boasting a Michelin-star inspired menu with a proper fine-dining room, bar and a butler service, it’s no wonder it is being heralded as the most luxurious commercial jet in existence. The US-based travel company Crystal unveiled its privately-owned Boeing 777-200LR plane&nbs...

Russian bombers perform flight to stratosphere

Russian Eastern Military District Sukhoi Su-34 pilot crews have performed flights to the stratosphere, the upper layer of the athmosphere, the head of the district's press service, Alexander Gordeyev, has told TASS.  According to the official, the crews also trained night flight navigation and drilled bomb attacks against ground targets at one of the local test ranges. The Su-3...

Is over-reliance on GPS technology affecting more than our navigational skills?

There are few things more reassuring in life than hearing the automated voice in the navigation app on your smartphone. It can be your first and only friend in an unfamiliar part of town or a new country. Technology can be credited with helping to reduce our anxiety about getting lost. ­However, while it does make our lives easier, there is also a growing concern about our increased reli...

Boeing Provides More than US$3 Billion Annual Economic Benefit in Canada

Boeing contributes more than US$3 billion annually to Canada’s economic growth and development, according to a study commissioned by the company. Through its operations in Winnipeg and elsewhere, along with direct and indirect economic effects, Boeing supports more than 17,000 jobs across Canada according to the study done by Doyletech Corporation. The analysis also found that Boeing...

Embraer’s Commercial Aircraft Deliveries Up 38% in 3Q16

During the third quarter of 2016 (3Q16), Embraer delivered 29 jets to the commercial aviation market, 38% more than the same period of 2015. The company delivered 12 large executive jets, 33% more than the same quarter of last year. However, total executive aviation deliveries fell around 17% when compared to 3Q15. On September 30, Embraer’s firm order backlog totaled USD 21.4...

Airbus becomes first OEM to install suite of Satcom Direct Router, SD WiFi hubs and GlobalVT

The newly released SD WiFi Hub is a wireless access point that, when installed together with the SDR in large cabin aircraft, expands capability and enhances connectivity performance – such as allowing the internet to be used to make telephone calls. The Hubs adds additional interfaces where needed, simplifying the installation and improving Wi-Fi coverage in the cabin. The Hubs also support...

Bell Helicopter announces Japanese launch customer for Customer Advantage Plans

Bell Helicopter has announced the first customer for its Customer Advantage Plan (CAP) support solution in Japan. SECO International signed a letter of intent for CAP coverage of its two future Bell 505s, while at the Japan International Aerospace Exhibition in Tokyo, Japan. Bell Helicopter’s Customer Advantage Plans provide customers with comprehensive coverage solutions for daily o...

Jet Aviation expands Bombardier capabilities in Vienna with recent EASA approvals

Jet Aviation Vienna recently received approvals from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to provide line maintenance to Bombardier Global 5000/6000, Global Express and Global Express XRS series aircraft; and base maintenance to the Challenger 350. As a key destination for business aviation traffic, Jet Aviation’s expanding maintenance capabilities in Vienna provide suppor...