Aerospace

BOEING and SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS expanded scope of inspections of quality issue involving elongated fastener holes from automated drill on aft pressure bulkhead on some 737-8s; reportedly, inspections now include hand-drilled holes

AIREON, VA secured new credit facility from Global Infrastructure Partners to invest in advanced data analytic capabilities and visualization tools.

CFM INTL introduced upgraded HPT blade (produced by GE in Greenville, SC) for CFM56-5B/-7B to maximize time on wing; updates include increased wall thickness, optimized dovetail loading, and tightened manufacturing tolerances.

SAFRAN ELECTRICAL & POWER completed acquisition of Thales' aeronautical electrical systems business, covering electric conversion, power generation, and motors for civil and military aircraft; deal was originally announced in Sept 2022.

ISRAEL AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES launched flight test program for 777-300ERSF (32789; ex-Emirates).

KELLSTROM AEROSPACE expanded partnership with Valcor Engineering with addition of global distribution of Valcor's Gen 2 Air Separation Module (ASM) for 737NG/MAX fuel inerting system.

GE AEROSPACE was awarded $4.5m in Phase 2 funding through ARPA-E’s REEACH program to build and demonstrate a small scale 25kW power generation subsystem that combines solid oxide fuel cells and gas turbine engine using SAF.

Bombardier Senior Vice President, Engineering and Product Development Stephen McCullough shares further details of the EcoJet project with Aviation Week.

Bombardier is the first business jet OEM to explore the potential of the BWB configuration as a possible means of targeting net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

GE’s FLyCLEEN project is integrating solid oxide fuel cells into the combustor of a gas turbine engine.

Volatus Infrastructure & Energy Solutions is a startup company developing modular, scalable vertiports for electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicles.

Short announcements of developments within the Advanced Air Mobility industry.

Hosting 9 tracks with 300+ speakers across 3 stages, this year’s Dubai Airshow conferences are set to witness industry’s leaders.

The AAM Stock Composite rallied nearly 5% during the week ended Oct. 13, boosted by a surge in EHang’s stock.

This year’s Dubai Airshow will highlight how technology is changing the industry with artificial intelligence, cyber security, blockchain solutions and advanced aerial mobility.

The Senegalese Air Force will host the second Africa Air Force Forum held in Dakar, Senegal, from October 25 -26, 2023.

Ampaire expands hybrid family; liners for quiet nacelles; equipping airports for hydrogen; and delivery by drone and bike.

The autothrottles streamline operations by managing aircraft speed, engine performance and power to allow the aircraft to climb, descend or maintain altitude.

Whether electric and hydrogen propulsion can find a place in business aviation is not yet clear.

BermudAir’s Embraer 175s will add economy-class seating from December 1.

Multiorbit satellite services seem to be a trend, and some systems will be highlighted at NBAA-BACE.

Embraer says nailing down a possible timeline for the establishment of an overseas final assembly line is difficult, adding, “It is not a one-sided discussion.”

The Chinese startup describes airworthiness certification as “an epoch-making milestone” for urban air mobility.

Airbus announced new Commercial Aircraft management team for 2024, led by Christian Scherer: Stella Belvisi (General Counsel); Maggie Bergsma (Head of Communications); Mathieu Callewaert (EVP-HR); Thomas Hundt (EVP-Finance); Sabine Klauke (EVP-Engineering); Florent Massou dit Labaquère (EVP-Operations); Philippe Mhun (EVP-Programmes and Services); Benoît de Saint-Exupéry (EVP-Sales).

NOVELIS extended contract with Airbus for supplying aluminum wingskins, plates and sheets, especially for A320 Family, out of Koblenz, Germany, and Zhenjiang, China; wingskins require pre-machining for long components and special alloys.