50 SKY SHADES - World aviation news

United States aviation news

First full GE9X engine hits the mark in ground testing

GE Aviation completed the initial ground testing of the first full GE9X development engine, the world’s largest commercial aircraft engine that will power Boeing’s 777X aircraft, with impressive results. “This engine is living up to our expectations, and we are extremely pleased with the results,” said Ted Ingling, general manager of the GE9X program at GE Aviation. &ldq...

Boeing and Teledyne Controls Partner to Improve Airplane Software and Data Management

Boeing and Teledyne Controls today announced that the companies will combine their ground-based operational data products to create the new Fleetwide Data Manager program. The goal is to provide a unified solution for airlines to transfer data to and from airplanes more efficiently, across fleet-wide operations. The new Fleetwide Data Manager from Boeing and Teledyne will set an industry s...

Pretty in pink: Navy fighter jet painted for Breast Cancer Awareness month

The fight against breast cancer picked up a powerful new ally -- a retired US Navy fighter jet. And of course, it's pink. A Grumman F9F-8 Cougar, painted a vivid shade of pink called "Heliconia," has been unveiled on the flight deck of the World War II aircraft carrier USS Lexington, anchored at Corpus Christi, Texas. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Cougar will...

Astronics Max-Viz 1400 high resolution enhanced vision system certified to DO-160G standards

Astronics Corporation through its wholly-owned subsidiary Astronics Max-Viz, announced that its Max-Viz 1400 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) for fixed and rotor wing aircraft has been certified to DO-160G standards by the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA).  DO-160G is the industry standard for the environmental testing of avionics hardware and is recognized by the International O...

Satcom Direct expands manufacturing and repair capabilities

This official approval by the FAA marks SD as an authorized manufacturer for avionics, as well as an authorized maintenance repair and overhaul center for all SD avionics. The certification was awarded for its development of the SD WiFi Hub, the standalone router and WiFi solution that enables onboard voice and data communications. Over the last five months, the associated processes, manufactur...

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...

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...

CFM56 reaches record production rateas CFM delivers 30,000th engine

CFM International has now delivered the 30,000th CFM56 engine. The milestone engines, one each for Airbus and Boeing, were recently delivered to customers, including a CFM56-5B going to Delta Air Lines powering an Airbus A320ceo and a CFM56-7B engine to China Eastern Airlines for a Next-Generation Boeing 737-800. Delta Air Lines actually launched the CFM56 engine into commercial service in...

Boeing pushes space taxi's first ISS mission to late 2018

Boeing's CS-100 Starliner won't be ferrying astronauts to the ISS until December 2018 (or maybe even later), according to Aviation Week. The aerospace corp was supposed to help end NASA's dependence on Russia's Soyuz rockets by 2017, but it announced in May this year that its space taxi won't be ready until mid-2018. Unfortunately, Boeing has no choice but to delay that histori...

Boeing Wins $3.2 Billion Dreamliner Order From China Southern

Boeing Co. landed a deal to sell a dozen 787 Dreamliners to China Southern Airlines Co., bolstering support for its marquee carbon-fiber jetliner in an otherwise tough market for twin-aisle aircraft. The order by Asia’s biggest carrier by passenger volume is valued at $3.2 billion according to list prices, although carriers typically negotiate discounts. It comes less than a week after Qatar Ai...

Spirit AeroSystems Delivers Key Components for 500th Boeing 787 Dreamliner

Spirit AeroSystems Inc. announced it has successfully delivered key components to Boeing for the 500th 787 Dreamliner. Spirit builds the 787 forward fuselage and engine pylons at its Wichita, Kan., facility and the wing fixed leading edge and wing moveable leading edge in Tulsa, Okla., and Subang, Malaysia. The company has been delivering these assemblies and components to the 787 program since 20...

Boeing, Atlas Air Announce Agreement for 767 Passenger to Freighter Conversions

Boeing and Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings announced an order today to convert nine 767 passenger airplanes into Boeing Converted Freighters (BCF). Four of the orders were previously announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July, attributed to an unidentified customer. Atlas Air Worldwide, based in Purchase, New York has an all-Boeing fleet. "Boeing has been a l...