ATW Photo Gallery-In the News-October 2014

Virgin Galactic test vehicle SpaceShip Two (SS2) has crashed into the Mojave Desert after experiencing an inflight “anomaly” during the first test of a new hybrid rocket motor at Mojave, California on Oct. 31. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Virgin Galactic

SriLankan Airlines has taken delivery of its first of six A330-300s, becoming a new operator for the variant. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Airbus

Belgian regional VLM Airlines, which is in the middle of a management buyout, is to launch the Sukhoi Superjet SSJ100LR in Europe after detailing plans to take up to 14 of the type. ATW Courtesy photo

Speedy package delivery in urban areas by small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) “is absolutely going to happen,” according to Nick Roy, the founder of Google’s Project Wing program. Photo: Project Wing prototype vehicle lowering package to ground near Brisbane, Australia. Photo: Courtesy, Google. ATW

The first Mitsubishi Aircraft MRJ flight-test aircraft, unveiled Oct. 18, will undergo about six months of ground evaluations before taking to the air in the second quarter of 2015. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Mitsubishi Aircraft

Alitalia and Etihad Airways have unveiled two aircraft in a unique Expo Milano 2015 livery to mark their co-sponsorship of the global event. Expo 2015 will be held in Milan from May 1, 2015 to Oct. 31, 2015 with an estimated 20 million visitors expected to attend the event of which more than a third will travel to the northern Italian city by air. The airlines held joint simultaneous events at Malpensa Airport in Milan and Abu Dhabi Airport to unveil the two Airbus A330-200 aircraft, to audiences gathered in both locations as well as thousands watching online around the world. Courtesy, Alitalia and Etihad

Airbus said it will build nine A330s per month instead of the current production rate of 10 starting in the 2015 fourth quarter, which will allow the manufacturer to maintain a smooth production flow as it prepares to transition to the re-engined A330neo, which is expected to enter service in 2017. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Airbus

Engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce has flown its new-generation composite carbon/titanium (CTi) fan blades for the first time, at the start of the components’ airborne test program. The fan blades completed their first flight on board a company Boeing 747 testbed flying from Tucson, Arizona, installed on a Trent 1000 powerplant. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Rolls-Royce

AirBridgeCargo Airlines took delivery of its sixth Boeing 747-8 freighter. The Moscow-based carrier is part of the Volga-Dnepr Group. It operates 13 Boeing freighters, including four 747-400ERFs and three 747-400s, in addition to the new 747-8Fs.

Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has signed a memorandum of understanding for 250 Airbus A320neo family aircraft. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Airbus

Boeing started production of the first 737 MAX fuselage stringers at Boeing Fabrication Integrated AeroStructures in Auburn, Washington. ATW Photo: Joggle Press operator Rich Harrison prepares the first 737 MAX fuselage stringer for the press by brushing on lubricant. The press applies up to 100 tons (90,718 km) of pressure to form small jogs in the metal to engineering design specifications. Courtesy, Boeing

Garuda Indonesia announced an order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, valued at $4.9 billion at list prices. The carrier will purchase 46 737 MAX 8s and convert existing orders for four 737-800s to 737 MAX 8s. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Boeing

UK carrier Virgin Atlantic Airways has taken delivery of the first of 16 Boeing 787-9s. It is the first European airline to take delivery of the 787-9. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Boeing

CFM International’s LEAP engine made its first flight on GE’s Boeing 747 flying testbed at Victorville, California, launching the next phase of testing for the advanced engine program. ATW Photo: Courtesy, CFM International

Etihad Airways has launched a new brand that envelops Etihad and five of its partner airlines in a group that will synchronize schedules and frequent flyer benefits in a similar way to the three global alliances. ATW Photo: From left: CEO Darwin Airline Maurizio Merlo, airberlin CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, Etihad president and CEO James Hogan, Jet Airways CEO Cramer Ball, Air Serbia CEO Dane Kondić and Air Seychelles CEO Manoj Papa launch Etihad Airways Partners. Courtesy, Etihad Airways

Transaero will begin 2X-weekly St. Petersburg-London Heathrow Boeing 737-500 service Oct. 29. The airline will offer Discount Class on the flight, offering fare flexibility including free luggage, onboard meals and drinks, and with a higher fare a vacant seat next to the ticket holder’s seat. Credit: Transaero

The Australian Transport Safety Board (ATSB) said the next phase of a year-long underwater search in the Southern Indian Ocean for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 began Oct. 6. ATW Photo: Courtesy, ATSB

Alaska Airlines has placed an order for 10 Boeing 737-900ERs, building on Alaska’s all-Boeing fleet. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Boeing

Taiwanese flag carrier China Airlines has taken delivery of its first of 10 Boeing 777-300ERs. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Boeing

Lufthansa introduced its first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental, equipped with premium-economy class, in a special flight from Frankfurt Airport over Northern Germany Oct. 2. ATW Photo: By Kurt Hofmann

British Airways (BA) began its first Airbus A380 service into Washington DC Oct. 2, arriving at Washington Dulles (IAD) from London Heathrow (LHR). ATW Photo: By Karen Walker

Airbus has begun final assembly of the first A350 XWB for Vietnam Airlines at the Roger Béteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Airbus

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a type certificate for the Airbus A350-900, following a certification program that included more than 2,600 hours of flight testing. ATW Photo: Courtesy, Airbus