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

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has extended Safran a €500 million credit line to finance its research into alternative propulsion systems for the next generation of single-aisle commercial airplanes. Calling itself a "climate bank," the EIB said the loan agreement underscores its recent shift in focus toward supporting efforts involving a decarbonized and environmentally friendly economy.

 


Carried out primarily by Safran, the project aims for a drastic reduction in fuel consumption by the next generation of single-aisle commercial airplanes to meet the EU’s objective of achieving carbon-neutral flights by 2050. The project centers on four main goals: maximize propulsion efficiency, optimize energy management, develop new technologies, and integrate those technologies into aircraft, allowing them to fly using only alternative fuels. The EIB will make the credit line available until September 2022. It would carry a maturity date of up to 10 years. The bank has served as a long-standing partner with Safran and had already provided €300 million in 2009 to help finance the development of the CFM Leap engine.

 


“The funding arrangement set up with the EIB will make a decisive contribution to Safran’s research into carbon-free aviation,” noted Safran CFO Bernard Delpit. “The disruptive technologies developed by these projects should make a significant contribution to meeting our goal of carbon-neutrality.”

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Safran Gets €500 Million Loan for Clean Engine Development 

The European Investment Bank will make available a 10-year credit line to Safran for the development of environmentally friendly engine technology.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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.

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

HECATE and SWITCH research and development is focused on new airliners 

Collins Reports Progress with Hybrid-electric Propulsion Work

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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

JobsOhio backs company's investment with $2 million grant

Hartzell Opens Propeller Innovation Center In Ohio

Charlotte Bailey

European start-up is aiming to start test flights in 2027

Molicel Batteries Will Power Vaeridion's Electric Microliner

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

European group’s helicopter division makes strong contribution to 2025 financials

Airbus Presses Pratt & Whitney on A320 Engine Shortages

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Airlines and special-missions applications are in the Dutch start-up’s sights

Conscious Keeps Focus on Hydrogen-powered Dash 8 Aircraft

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

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.

India’s JetSetGo plans to buy up to 50 of the Valo aircraft

Evolito Will Supply Propulsion Units for Vertical eVTOL Aircraft

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

New agreement includes a 12-year maintenance plan

Vietjet Opts for More Pratt & Whitney GTF-Powered A321s

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

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