The Airbus plant in Stade, northern Germany, has launched the assembly and equipping of the A380 vertical tail plane, or VTP. The A380 vertical tail plane has a surface120 square metres and integrates many components manufactured in different types of material. The Airbus plant in Stade is a centre of excellence for carbon fibre reinforced plastic manufacturing and producing the VTP’s spars, ribs, rudder fittings and skin panels. Other parts for the VTP come from Airbus’ facilities in Puerto Real, Spain for the rudders, fin tips and dorsal fins, and from Varel, Germany which manufactures complex machined parts. Key external suppliers include Japan’s Fuji Heavy Industries, which produces the leading and trailing edge sub-assemblies, as well as the carbo

Boeing's 777-300ER passenger airplane has completed its Extended Operations (ETOPS) certification tests, demonstrating the superior reliability of the airplane and its two General Electric engines. Two 777-300ER (extended range) airplanes made 38 flights totaling 267 flight hours during testing. The flights included various system checks and simulated malfunctions to ensure the airplane's systems work in the long-range environment. "The ETOPS flight-test program exceeded our expectations," said Don Ruhmann, senior engineering manager for the 777 ETOPS program. "The comprehensive testing again showed how safe and reliable today's jet engines are, and how airplanes can fly safely for long periods of time, if necessary, on one engine."

Because of rising fuel costs, American Airlines announced today that it will increase its fuel surcharge by $3 one-way, $6 round trip, for travel in the domestic 50 States and travel between the U.S. and Canada. The increase is effective immediately. The Dallas Morning News reports American paid $0.74 for a gallon of JP4 back in June. Now, the airline pays $0.90.

The Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA) has announced  the appointment of Debra Maier of The Boeing Company and Richard Levin of A.J. Levin Co. and as new board members to the Aviation Suppliers Association's Board of Directors.