Predicting the weather even more accurately, analyzing climate changes even more precisely, researching even better how the world is developing. This is the goal of a globally unique cooperation between Lufthansa and several research institutes. Converting an aircraft into a climate research plane poses major challenges. Lufthansa has chosen the most modern and economical long-haul
United Parcel Service (UPS) has confirmed its agreement to purchase ten electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft from Vermont-based Beta Technologies. According to the American package delivery company, the purchases are to assist with speeding up deliveries in small markets. The aircraft in question will have a cruising speed of 170 mph and a
The Pegasus Vertical Business Jet (VBJ), being developed in South Africa, is entering its next phase with two quarter-scale models which will be ready for testing and engineering by May 2021 and a full-scale, unmanned hover model by the end of the year. This follows the successful hover demonstration of a 1/8-scale model in July
Japan Airlines (JAL) has announced that it has taken the decision to retire its 13 Pratt & Whitney-powered Boeing 777s a year earlier than scheduled. The news follows on from the grounding of the aircraft in February after a United Airlines 777 with Pratt & Whitney engines shed debris after what was later identified as
Bombardier has confirmed that worldwide fleet operator VistaJet is the customer for a previously disclosed firm order for ten Challenger 350 business jets. Bombardier announced the sale involving its best-selling Challenger platform on December 23; it was one of the biggest jet orders of 2020. VistaJet said in a press release that its firm order
Robinson Helicopter Company has delivered one R66 Police Helicopter, serial number 1025, to Florida’s Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO). PCSO’s R66 Police helicopter is the first R66 Police helicopter configured with a Wescam MX-10 EO/IR imaging system and an HD infrared sensor, a system widely used by homeland security and law enforcement agencies. In addition
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the design for the Boeing 737 series MAX 8200 variant, which also includes all of the design improvements recommended for the 737 MAX following a 20-month review after the two fatal air crashes. The approval from the FAA moves Boeing one step closer to delivery of the
CDB Aviation, a wholly owned Irish subsidiary of China Development Bank Financial Leasing (CDB Leasing), has reported that the year 2020 marked a period of robust business activity despite the toughest market the aircraft leasing industry has ever experienced. “The pandemic-battered environment has inflicted an array of unexpected and unparalleled challenges upon all stakeholders across
MNG Airlines has entered into a contract with Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW), joint venture of ST Engineering and Airbus, for the Passenger-to-Freighter (P2F) conversion of two Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The first A330 aircraft has been inducted for conversion on April 1, while conversion for the second aircraft will commence in 2022. Conversions will be carried
Southwest Airlines has announced the purchase of advanced CFM International LEAP-1B engines to power 100 Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft. Southwest originally launched the LEAP-1B engine on the 737 MAX in 2011 with an order for 150 firm aircraft. The new airplanes are scheduled to begin delivery in 2022. CFM’s advanced LEAP engine continues to
