Dickson’s Flight Took Two Hours

FAA Boss Steve Dickson fulfilled his promise today to pilot the Boeing 737 MAX before the Federal Aviation Administration approves the aircraft’s return to service. Dickson’s flight took two hours and included a number of scenarios to demonstrate the proposed software and design changes to the aircraft’s automated flight control system. Dickson, along with FAA Deputy Administrator Dan Elwell, completed the new recommended pilot training for the aircraft on Tuesday. While Dickson’s flight is an important milestone, a number of key steps remain in the FAA’s evaluation of Boeing’s proposed changes to the aircraft’s flight control system and training.

Combining Young Eagles, United's Aviate Result In Novel Partnership

EAA has teamed up with United Airlines to encourage young people to pursue aviation on all levels, with a variety of programs and activities that build on the strength of each organization. The joint effort will build on the success of current EAA and United Airlines programs. That includes EAA Young Eagles, which has introduced flight to 2.2 million young people since 1992, and the United's Aviate program that offers aspiring and established pilots the most direct and best path to United Airlines.

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."

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.