Jiangxi provincial government plans to build a CNY40 billion ($5.85 billion) aviation industrial complex in the capital of Nanchang centering on production of 25% of the fuselage for the country's C919 large commercial transport. Nanchang is about 400 mi. southwest of Shanghai. The local government signed a joint venture agreement with AVIC in December to cooperate on aviation technology and launch the Nanchang General Aircraft Co., which will support AVIC subsidiary Hongdu Commercial Aircraft Co.

Boeing announced the transfer of the 787 fatigue test airframe to its structural test rig in Everett. Tests are expected to begin in mid-2010. "Unlike static tests, where loads are applied to the airplane structure to simulate both normal operation and extreme flight conditions, fatigue testing is a much longer process that simulates up to three times the number of flight cycles an airplane is likely to experience during a lifetime of service," 787 VP and GM Scott Fancher said.

Nordic Aviation Capital announced the sale of three ATR 72-500s to Borajet of Turkey. Aircraft were purchased last September from Alitalia Express.

CIT Aerospace delivered one CFM56-powered 737-300 to Jet2.com.

Baltia Air Lines, a New York JFK-based startup, announced a power-by-the-hr. engine lease agreement with Logistic Air.

Despite all the advances in airframe durability and engine reliability over the past 50 years that have helped to make air travel the safest form of transportation the world has ever known, one thing has not changed: Bad weather is a threat to be avoided, not confronted. Fortunately, airlines have a weapon in their arsenal that gives them a huge advantage in the never-ending war of wits with Mother Nature--highly advanced weather radar systems.

The airline industry heads into the Singapore Air Show definitely not in a buying mood.

Boeing said the first stall tests on the 787 went "very well and there were no surprises," according to Chief Pilot Mike Carriker.