Ten GE9X Engines Have Been Delivered For Boeing’s Four 777X Flight Test Airplanes

GE Aviation's GE9X engine has been certified by the FAA, a key milestone in its journey to power the new twin-engine Boeing 777X family. The FAR Part 33 certification involved eight test engines. This certification achievement culminates GE Aviation’s renewal of its commercial jet engine portfolio, including the GEnx for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the CFM LEAP engine. “It takes the world’s best talent in jet propulsion to create a game-changing product like the GE9X engine,” said John Slattery, president and CEO of GE Aviation.

Pilot Furloughs Cancelled, 13000 Pilots Stay Employed

Our friends flying for United Airlines tell us that they "worked hard for this one." What they're talking about is their approval of a Pandemic Recovery Letter of Agreement (LOA) with United Airlines management. The agreement keeps all 13,000 United pilots employed and cancels the 2,850 previously announced furloughs. “Our members understood that in order to protect pilot jobs, we needed to approve this agreement,” said Capt. Todd Insler, United ALPA Master Executive Council chairman. “We’re spreading the existing flying among our pilot group while locking in permanent contractual gains. I am proud of our pilots for showing the unity and resolve needed in the face of uncertainty.”

The Guild of Air Traffic Control Officers Takes Issue

The GATCO Executive Board has published a statement in which they state that they are, "shocked and concerned by the decision NATS has taken to terminate the training of a significant number (122) of Trainee Air Traffic Controllers (TATCs) after a review of its initial training organization structure. Those trainees are now under threat of redundancy or redeployment. A number of those TATCs were within two weeks of completing their ab-initio training and receiving their student Air Traffic Control (ATC) licenses."

Bill Attempts to Reinforce Human Factors in the A/C Certification Process

Still believing in promoting aviation safety through legislation by a body with little aviation expertise, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), and Rep. Garret Graves (LA-06) have introduced the Human Factors Improvements to Aircraft Certification Act, bipartisan legislation to prioritize the consideration of human factors in the aircraft certification process and support pilots and flight crews as aviation technology advances. “Airplanes are changing rapidly, and the federal government is not keeping pace with those changes. Integrating human factors throughout the aircraft design and certification process will help address systemic issues with increasingly automated aviation systems,” said Larsen.

Awaits Further Details But Sees Some Reason For Cautious Optimism

It's all about the mooney... As Canada’s aviation sector continues to struggle from the effects of COVID-19, the most recent throne speech shed some light on potentially meaningful government assistance to directly support the aviation industry and protect the jobs of its workers. For more than six months, the Air Line Pilots Association Canada (ALPA Canada) has respectfully lobbied the government for targeted support as the Association and its members fight to stop the failure of Canada’s airline industry.

Aircraft Will Be Additionally Equipped With Controller-Pilot Digital Private Communications System

SSJ100 aircraft has successfully completed test flights and proved the performance capability of ATN system in real conditions in Europe. The installation of this system is relevant primarily for the operators flying to EU countries. Equipping of all civil passenger aircraft with ATN system starting from February, 2020 is a mandatory requirement of the European aviation authorities for flight operations in various European countries above FL285.