An American Airlines flight attendant has been charged with destruction after allegedly starting a fire in an aircraft lavatory during flight, according to a statement by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Boeing video of its self-cleaning lavatory prototype that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to kill 99.99% of germs. Credit: Boeing

The use of additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, of polymer parts for aircraft has been growing for decades and continues to increase. The much tougher printing of metal parts is now beginning in earnest as engine OEMs and others use AM to create both simple and complex assemblies for powerplants.

Boeing has developed a self-cleaning lavatory prototype that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to kill 99.99% of germs.

Air Canada’s mid-February announcement that it intends to buy up to 75 CSeries aircraft is good news that extends beyond the airframe maker Bombardier and engine supplier Pratt & Whitney. It’s also good news for airlines.

Air Canada’s mid-February announcement that it intends to buy up to 75 CSeries aircraft is good news that extends beyond the airframe maker Bombardier and engine supplier Pratt & Whitney. It’s also good news for airlines.

In a 15-day period spanning late January and early February, the Airbus A320neo entered commercial service with Lufthansa, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 made its maiden flight and the A321neo flew for the first time. It was the most significant period of achievement in narrowbody commercial aircraft manufacturing in recent history. Remarkably, however, the airframes were mostly an afterthought.

Features from the March 2016 edition of Air Transport World