Aircraft & Propulsion

Russia’s United Engine Corp. (UEC), a part of state-owned Rostec Corp., has completed the second stage of flight tests for the PD-14 engine that will power the Irkut MC-21.

Singapore-based lessor BOC Aviation has ordered four Airbus A320neo family aircraft (including A320 and A321 variants), plus two A330-900 widebodies.

Aviation Week’s evaluation pilot flies Airbus’s popular A321neo and finds a re-engined aircraft with more power, less fuel burn and emissions, and several system changes and refinements.

While the immediate financial outlook for the airline industry appears positive, experts warn of problems on the horizon.

Aviation Week's guest evaluation pilot Tim Wuerfel is an A320 captain at Lufthansa and previously a Boeing 737 captain. Listen in as he discusses his first impressions after flying Airbus’s popular A321neo.

Bombardier’s pricing on its sale of 75 firm CSeries aircraft to Delta Air Lines was “normal course” business and not improper, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft president Fred Cromer said.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its 10th and final Airbus A380.

Rolls-Royce has performed the first power runs of the gearbox for its new UltraFan engine at a facility in Germany.

HNA Group subsidiary Hainan Airlines is raising funds to acquire 13 Boeing 787-9s and six 737 MAX 8s.

Aircraft Briefs-May 24, 2017

In December 2015, FAA introduced a hurriedly conceived, small-unmanned aircraft vehicle (UAV) Registration Rule ahead of an expected Christmas surge in drone sales.

Russia’s Red Wings Airlines took delivery of its first Airbus A321 with 220 economy seats May 19.

Kazakhstan-based regional carrier Qazaq Air is aiming to grow its fleet to five aircraft within two years.

New York Newark Airport has reopened after a United Airlines Boeing 757 had a suspected engine fire while taxiing, leading to minor injuries during the evacuation.

Delays in development are likely to put the Russian aircraft as the last of the new-generation aircraft in its segment, which will likely limit its market.

South African low-cost carrier (LCC) Mango Airlines is starting to consider the future shape of its fleet, as aircraft leases approach an end.

Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) and China’s COMAC have launched full-scale development for a commercial widebody aircraft, setting up a joint company in Shanghai with an aim of delivering the first aircraft no later than 2027.

Malaysia’s Malindo Air has operated the first revenue flights with a re-engined Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Airbus has established a new independent compliance review panel (ICRP) to ensure “irreproachable” behavior, following allegations of fraud, bribery and corruption in its civil aviation business.

The basic version of the aircraft will carry 280 passengers over 12,000 km (7,500 mi.), making it somewhat comparable to the Airbus A330-900, but with a wider body suiting nine-abreast economy seating.

Belgian flag carrier Brussels Airlines has decided to replace seven of its 10 Airbus A330s, but is sticking with A330ceos for its fleet renewal and long-haul expansion.

[UPDATED] Boeing said it has agreed to negotiate a widebody aircraft order with Saudi Arabian startup SaudiGulf Airlines for as many as 16 aircraft, which the airline indicated will be 777s and/or 787s.

GE Aviation has started the 18-month certification program for the GE9X engine that will exclusively power the Boeing 777X.

GE is promising the GE9X will offer 10% greater fuel efficiency than the GE90-115B and will be the most efficient engine it has produced on a per-pounds-of-thrust basis.

China’s Commercial Aircraft Corp.’s (COMAC) unannounced target for first delivery of its C919 narrowbody is now 2020, a senior program source said.