Autonomous aircraft company Xwing says its Cessna Grand Caravan 208B has completed its first “fully autonomous gate-to-gate demonstration of a commercial cargo aircraft”. Autonomous aircraft company Xwing says its Cessna Grand Caravan 208B has completed its first ”fully autonomous gate-to-gate demonstration of a commercial cargo aircraft”. Xwing, a startup based in the San Francisco Bay...Continue Reading

The US Air Force’s Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter finished its developmental test programme on 13 April. The US Air Force’s Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter finished its developmental test programme on 13 April. The service’s new combat search and rescue helicopter wrapped up nearly two years of testing...Continue Reading

Airlines, lessors and other financiers laid out $59 billion for the purchase of new commercial aircraft in 2020 – a full 40% less funding than was available in 2019. Airlines, lessors and other financiers laid out $59 billion for the purchase of new commercial aircraft in 2020 – a full 40% less funding than was...Continue Reading

Virgin Australia Group will reintroduce 10 Boeing 737-800s into its fleet, as part of a wide-ranging, “fast-tracked” domestic recovery plan which will also see the carrier resume hiring.  Virgin Australia Group will reintroduce 10 Boeing 737-800s into its fleet, as part of a wide-ranging, “fast-tracked” domestic recovery plan which will also see the carrier resume...Continue Reading

Recent domestic lockdowns will cost the Qantas Group an estimated A$429 million ($331 million) in its 2021 financial year, but it is upbeat about prospects for the fourth quarter. Recent domestic lockdowns will cost the Qantas Group A$429 million ($331 million) in its 2021 financial year, but it is upbeat about prospects for the fourth...Continue Reading

American Airlines says that it plans to fly 90% of its normal domestic seat capacity and 80% of its international capacity during the summer season as customers begin to return to air travel in greater numbers after the beginning of the coronavirus health crisis. American Airlines says that it plans to fly 90% of its...Continue Reading

The US Air Force claims that it achieved the longest known air-to-air missile shot in March 2021. The US Air Force (USAF) claims that it achieved the longest known air-to-air missile shot in March 2021. As part of a test, a Boeing F-15C Eagle fired a Raytheon AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) at a...Continue Reading

French investigators have found that an Air Canada Boeing 777-300ER’s parking-brake had not been applied before one of the individuals in a pushback tractor was injured as he worked to disconnect the towbar. The individual was a driver instructor and was training a tractor driver at the time of the event, which occurred at Paris...Continue Reading

Despite orders for dozens more KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tankers in recent months, Boeing only delivered two examples of the aircraft in the first quarter of 2021.   Despite receiving orders for dozens more KC-46A Pegasus in-flight refuelling tankers in recent months, Boeing only delivered two of the aircraft in the first quarter of 2021....Continue Reading

Russia’s United Engine has completed manufacturing work on the primary components of a prototype Aviadvigatel PD-8 powerplant. The PD-8 is a lower-thrust variant of a family which centres on the PD-14 designed for the Irkut MC-21-310. It is intended for eventual use on the Sukhoi Superjet 100 as a fully-domestic alternative to the PowerJet SaM146....Continue Reading