Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

A third airplane–Dreamliner ZA004–joined the Boeing 787 flight-test program when it took off at 11:43 am local time yesterday from Paine Field in Everett, Wash. Boeing said the program plan called for ZA004 to fly before ZA003 because the program needs the data from ZA004 more quickly both for certification and development of the next Dreamliner variant–the 787-9.
Flight test pilots Heather Ross and Craig Bomben completed a three-hour-and-two-minute flight at 2:45 pm, landing at Boeing Field in Seattle. “Airplane number four operated flawlessly today,” Ross said after landing. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us, but I can’t imagine a better start to the flight-test program for this airplane.”
Ross will serve as ZA004’s chief pilot. Boeing expects to use the airplane to validate aerodynamics, high-speed performance, propulsion performance, flight loads, community noise and extended operations (ETOPS) and other test conditions.
During yesterday’s flight, the airplane reached an altitude of 30,000 feet and an airspeed of 255 knots. As the testing of the 787 fleet progresses, the airplane will fly at its expected in-service maximum altitude of 40,000 feet and speed of Mach 0.85.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner ZA004 Joins Flight-Test Program

A third airplane–Dreamliner ZA004–joined the Boeing 787 flight-test program when it took off at 11:43 am local time yesterday from Paine Field in Everett, 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Chad Trautvetter

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Sarasota complex will also eventually house a 110,000-sq-ft aircraft manufacturing plant

Pilatus Aircraft Breaks Ground on 18-acre Florida Site

Kerry Lynch

Approval follows Transport Canada certification and FAA validation

Bombardier Secures EU Nod for Global 8000

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Diamond subsidiary still seeking type certification for VoloCity model

Volocopter Chases Approval of Light Sports eVTOL Aircraft

Charles Alcock

Main changes are to the six-passenger aircraft’s canard fans 

Horizon Releases Details of Cavorite X7 VTOL Redesign

Aircraft features G3000 Prime avionics suite and upgraded cabin features.

TBM 980: Daher Has Unveiled The Latest Member of Its Aircraft Family

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

More In Aircraft

Pilatus Aircraft Breaks Ground on 18-acre Florida Site

Sarasota complex will also eventually house a 110,000-sq-ft aircraft manufacturing plant

Bombardier Secures EU Nod for Global 8000

Approval follows Transport Canada certification and FAA validation

Volocopter Chases Approval of Light Sports eVTOL Aircraft

Diamond subsidiary still seeking type certification for VoloCity model

Horizon Releases Details of Cavorite X7 VTOL Redesign

Main changes are to the six-passenger aircraft’s canard fans

TBM 980: Daher Has Unveiled The Latest Member of Its Aircraft Family

Aircraft features G3000 Prime avionics suite and upgraded cabin features.

Bombardier Reinforces Leadership Team

Several changes were made in M&A, legal, sales, support, and engineering

Beyond Aero Completes First H2 Bizjet Wind Tunnel Tests

Scale model testing to help validate hydrogen-electric business jet design

Frax’s ‘Banner Year’ Helps Global Bizav Ops Finish Strong

Global ops finish December up 4.2%, Argus reports

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