Aerospace
News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.
Aircraft
Airbus Bolstered by Strong Commercial Backlog
New airliner sales fell in 2016 but the overall backlog of almost 6,900 aircraft is strong.
Aircraft
Boeing Rolls Out First 787-10 Assembled in South Carolina
The ceremony at Boeing's facility in North Charleston, S.C., featured a speech by President Donald Trump.
Aircraft
Machinists Union Fails in Bid to Organize Boeing South Carolina
Employees of the 787 Dreamliner final assembly facility voted against joining the International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers.
Maintenance and Modifications
Fulcrum Labs Rolls out New A&P Technician Prep Course
Developed in conjuction with the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, the computer-based course offers self-paced progress.
Avionics
Coming Soon: Crowd-sourced Wx Radar
Honeywell expects to debut its new EFB-based realtime weather reporting service this year.
Regulations and Government
Opioids Being Added To FAA Drug-testing Rules
Hydrocodone, hydromorphone, oxymorphone and oxycodone would be added to the FAA’s urine testing requirements for commercial pilots and aircraft mechanics.
Aircraft
Safran To Buy Zodiac Aerospace for €8.5 Billion
Deal expected to accelerate recovery of Zodiac’s seats and interiors business
Regulations and Government
FAA To Hold Meetings on New SoCal Satnav Routes
Airspace improvements in Southern California that will replace dozens of existing conventional air routes with new satellite-based routes.
Engines
Rolls-Royce Settles Corruption Case with $812 Million in Fines
The UK's Serious Fraud Office found that intermediaries gave improper payments and gifts to secure orders for Rolls-Royce engines.
ATC
SpaceX Launch Begins Era of Space-Based ADS-B Tracking
SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base carrying the first 10 Iridium Next satellites with ADS-B payloads.
ATC
Eurocontrol Handles Civil, Military Traffic in German Airspace
Controllers at the Maastricht Upper Area Control Center in the Netherlands take responsibility for high-altitude traffic over northwest Germany.
Aircraft
China Developing Homegrown 'Blue Whale' Tiltrotor
Unlike tiltrotors such the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey or Leonardo AW609, the "Blue Whale" is a quad proprotor design.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Assumes Ownership of Unmanned Helicopter Maker
The Italian industrial concern acquired the remaining 60 percent of shares in a joint venture that developed the SD-Hero unmanned helicopter.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
NASA Drives Vision of Air Traffic Management for Drones
The NASA-led UAS Traffic Management (UTM) research effort is shaping the rules and capabilities of this coming low-altitude ecosystem.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA’s National Drone Registry Marks First Anniversary
Registration is required for drones weighing 250 grams to 55 pounds.
Safety
UAS Training Program Offers Law Enforcement Discount
The Unmanned Safety Institute looks to help the Airborne Law Enforcement Association's members in their UAS safety training
Safety
Study: 12% of Pilots Could Be Suffering from Depression
Seventy-five participants, or 4.1 percent, reported having suicidal thoughts within the past two weeks before taking the survey.
Avionics
EFVS Final Rule Allows ‘No Natural Vision’ Landings
Under the new FAA rule pilots can continue the approach to landing using only the images displayed by the EVS on the HUD.
Aerospace Icon Senator John Glenn Flies West
On Feb. 20, 1962, strapped into a cramped Mercury capsule, 40-year-old Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth.
Maintenance and Modifications
Georgia Aviation Maintenance School Draws FAA Fire
Atlanta Technicial College had the plug pulled on its aviation maintenance technology program after the FAA uncovered shoddy record keeping.
ATC
Spire To Provide Lower-cost ADS-B Aircraft Tracking
75-satellite network will be put into a diverse set of orbits to provide aircraft tracking over oceanic areas, polar regions and other remote places.
Aircraft
Airbus Announces Job Cuts Tied to Integration
Targets mid-2017 to conclude agreements with employee groups on “social measures”
Maintenance and Modifications
AEA Highlights Need for UAS Maintenance, Inspections
Study finds that equipment problems accounted for 65 percent of accidents and incidents.
Rotorcraft
Life Flight Network To Take Two More AW119Kx Rotorcraft
EMS providers fleet will increase to 21 Leonardo aircraft by year end
Maintenance and Modifications
AAR Spools Up New Major MRO Facility
The Rockford center, which recently secured U.S. FAA approval, will eventually house 500 workers.
Maintenance and Modifications
NATA Backs FAA Guidance on MRO Compliance
NATA encourages the FAA's effort to encourage more certificate holder involvement with safety assurance systems.
Aircraft
Zodiac Boosts Delivery Rates as Recovery Continues
Aircraft equipment maker Zodiac could take another three years to fully restore profitability.
Aircraft
GE’s McAllister Replaces Conner as Boeing Commercial CEO
Shakeup comes amid establishment of third company division led by Stan Deal
Safety
NTSB Issues Safety Alert on Midair Avoidance
Errors by ATC resulted in the pilots’ inability to take action to avoid the collisions, the NTSB said.
Aircraft
Embraer Ready To Assemble First E195-E2 Wing
Plans to attach newly extended airfoil to center fuselage by end of year
