Adrian is Auckland bureau chief for Aviation Week, based in New Zealand. He covers commercial aviation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Adrian was previously based in Aviation Week’s Washington office for nine years, writing for a range of the group’s publications and covering many aspects of the commercial aviation industry. He has won Australasian and international awards for his aviation writing.
Prior to joining Aviation Week in 2002, Adrian covered aviation industry and policy issues for two other publishing companies in Washington. He has also worked for newspapers in Texas and New Zealand, covering a wide range of topics. Adrian graduated from Auckland University with a degree in history and English in 1992.
Boeing this week named another supplier for its new 747-8 program, selecting London-based Smiths Aerospace for the thrust reverser actuator system (TRAS). Smiths already provides a TRAS for the 777 program, and will use similar technology for the 747-8, Boeing said. The TRAS will be designed and manufactured at Smiths' Los Angeles facility. The TRAS will power the thrust reverser system that is being developed by Middle River Aircraft Systems. -AS
Austrian VIP charter operator Jetalliance yesterday said it will buy the A318 Elite version of Airbus' corporate jet line, following an order placed earlier in May for the A320-based Airbus Corporate Jet. Cabin outfitting will be completed by Lufthansa Technik, and the aircraft will be powered by CFM56-5 engines. Jetalliance has 37 aircraft and is certified to operate in Europe and North America. -AS
The Transportation Security Administration yesterday issued a new cargo screening rule that will extend airport secure areas and employee background checking, as well as increase inspections. The rule makes permanent some practices already in place and creates some new ones. TSA described it as the first substantial changes to air cargo regulations since 1999, resulting from a joint government-industry effort. The new measures will be enforced by an expanded force of TSA inspectors, with an additional 300 to be hired in coming weeks.
