Latest from Chris Kjelgaard

As orders pour in for existing engine models, engine OEMs are devoting time and money to developing powerplants for future net-zero airline operations.

The IAE AG partnership, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, expects its V2500 engine family to remain in service beyond 2045.

The highest-thrust version of the Leap, physically identical to all other Leap-1A engines, will obtain the thrust bump by means of a data plug change.

Approval of a drop-in fuel standard will predate by several years approval of a separate initiative to develop a non-drop-in standard for 100 percent SAF.

As new 5G and satcoms networks increase bit rates to bizav aircraft, providers expect passengers to benefit greatly from the expanded broadband capacity.

Collins Aerospace merged its Aerostructures and Mechanical Systems businesses to develop advanced lightweight materials for all aerospace activities.

Advances in high-volume manufacturing and welding of thermoplastic carbon-fiber parts prompt OEMs to study further applications for the material.

Well into its digitalization mission, Pratt & Whitney believes the process will lead to further agility and efficiency throughout the organization.

Automation has become key in reducing pilot workload and Merlin Labs expects entry of its one-pilot solution into commercial service by end-2023.

Having developed automation solutions for GE Aviation plants worldwide, GE Bromont is automating inspections for engine MRO.

Within its first three months of service the Smart Lander tool allowed ATR to advise operators rapidly of landing gear maintenance needs.

Hydrogen’s success as a zero-CO2 emissions aviation fuel depends largely on its production and distribution using renewable energy at huge scale.

While Russian airlines feel the brunt of overflight bans, Western European airlines have seen disruption to their schedules in the Far East.

Together, the nations of the Asia-Pacific region will account for nearly half of all commercial-jet deliveries in the next 20 years, engine OEMs reckon.

The Asia-Pacific region’s vast population, huge cities and poor road systems make it ripe for UAM market development, says Thales.

Embraer and Airbus reckon carriers’ post-pandemic efforts to adjust capacity to reduced demand represents a key Asia-Pacific sales opportunity.

Three major avionics manufacturers expect strong Asia-Pacific market demand for business aviation equipment, and for a variety of reasons.

Textron, Viking Air and Britten-Norman outline widely differing Asia-Pacific mission opportunities for their utility aircraft types.

Collins Aerospace has implemented many of its largest and most important industrial sustainability initiatives at its Asia-Pacific facilities.

United Airlines flies passengers on a Max 8 flight using 100 percent drop-in SAF.

As 360 Foam Wash engine-cleaning washes accumulate and customer numbers grow, the sustainability benefits of GE’s product increase.

All four major OEMs are working hard on engine-efficiency advances and hybrid-electric propulsion.

The technology accelerator plans to deliver proof of concept on over 40 robotics, automation, data science and software projects within five years.

Strong interest in the version from Asia-Pacific carriers persuades De Havilland Canada to exhibit an Extra Capacity Dash 8-400 at Singapore.

Interest from cargo companies in a Dash 8-400 freighter has persuaded DHC to consider launching its own conversion program.

Almost a third of the total number of short-runway airports open to service by the new ATR variant are in the Asia-Pacific region.

Asia will provide a third of MTU’s engine-MRO shop visits by 2030 and China will account for half of the company’s Asian total.

Collins Aerospace will remain largely intact following the merger but its in-house military GPS business will be divested.

The Leap production ramp-up hasn’t really been affected by Boeing’s reduced 737 Max assembly rate, says CFM CEO Gaël Méheust.

Data analytics can predict if a particular engine may be affected but CFM is still seeking a permanent fix to engine coking issue