American 1Q Results Top Analyst Expectations

American Airlines Group reported earnings of $932 million for the first quarter, exceeding analyst expectations. The carrier also declared a dividend of 10 cents for the quarter. CEO Doug Parker said American is on track to complete the integration process from its 2013 merger with US Airways. In a letter to American Airlines employees, Parker wrote, "All of the [integration] work thus far has meant change for everyone as we learn new systems...Read More

AF Sends Aircraft To Support Disaster-Assistance Operations In Nepal 

The U.S. has sent an Air Force aircraft to Nepal to deliver personnel and cargo in support of disaster-relief operations, according to Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren. A 7.9-magnitude earthquake hit the country yesterday, reportedly leaving almost 2,500 dead, about 6,000 injured and thousands more still missing. In addition, thousands of people are currently reported to be without food, water or shelter. "This morning at approximately 11:18 a.m...Read More

New Active Sidestick Controller For Large Aircraft 

UTC Aerospace Systems' Actuation & Propeller business unit is supplying the active side-sticks for the cockpit of the new Irkut MC-21 single aisle aircraft. The MC-21 family of aircraft will include two versions ranging from 150 to 212 seats. The MC-21-300 is scheduled to achieve its first flight next year and enter into service in 2018. Active side-sticks provide pilots with a tactile and visual feedback of the aircraft behavior. Featuring...Read More

NTSB Rules Pilot's Death A Suicide 

The NTSB has released a probable cause report for a crash that occurred on January 11, 2015 in Brighton, CO. The board has determined that the the pilot intentionally flew his airplane into terrain to commit suicide. According to the report, witnesses said they observed the pilot taxi the airplane from inside his hangar and depart. For several minutes, the airplane maneuvered at a low altitude and high airspeed. Witnesses then observed the airplane make a steep bank turn, descend, and impact terrain about 5...Read More

USAF Realigns B-1, LRS-B Under Air Force Global Strike Command 

The Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force have directed the realignment of the Air Force's B-1 bomber fleets and Long Range Strike-Bomber program from Air Combat Command to Air Force Global Strike Command, effective Oct. 1. The move will realign the Air Force's core mission of global strike and all of the service's bombers under a unified command responsible for organizing, training and equipping Airmen to perform this mission...Read More 

U.S. Airlines Report Record Q1 Results 

Major U.S. carriers reported strong financial health for the first quarter. "We are pleased to report record first-quarter profits, exceeding the prior record set just last year," said Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of American Airlines. Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and Delta Air Lines also posted robust results for the quarter...Read More

Airbus Fails To Secure A330 Regional Orders, Looks At Cabin Upgrade

The transition from the current AirbusA330 to the A330neo was never going to be easy. But that it has become as difficult as it is now has a lot to do with one market that Airbus thought would be ideal for both aircraft: China. In late 2013, Airbus launched the A330 Regional. Certifying the A330 with a low maximum weight to save a little on operational costs was supposed to add to its attraction. Airbus hoped the regional variant would help secure a Chinese...Read More 

TPC Winners Are Not The Best Defense Contractors 

Although it may not pay to perform well for the Pentagon per se, somewhere down the line there could be a payoff for being a master of the Iron Triangle.

That is one plausible conclusion after comparing the latest Top-Performing Companies (TPC) from Aviation Week with the most recent list of "superior suppliers" and prime contractors on major defense acquisition programs from the U.S. Defense Department. While TPC has been published...Read More

Air New Zealand Selects PurePower Engines For A320neo Aircraft 

Air New Zealand has selected Pratt & Whitney's PurePower PW1100G-JM engines for 13 firm A320neo family aircraft. The agreement also provides fleet management support services for up to 16 years. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017 and continue through 2019. The PurePower Geared Turbofan (GTF) family of engines has completed more than 17,000 hours of testing, including 4,000 hours of flight time...Read More 

Three SkyWest Passengers Lose Consciousness, Forcing Emergency Landing

Three passengers aboard a SkyWest flight from Chicago to Connecticut reportedly lost consciousness during the flight, prompting the pilot to divert his airplane from its planned route and making an unscheduled landing in Buffalo, New York. Fox News reports that, according to a spokesperson for SkyWest, one passenger aboard the airplane operating as...Read More 

Airbus, Boeing Delivering Aircraft At The Last Minute?

An analysis of Airbus' and Boeing's delivery data for the past five years from Aviation Week Intelligence Network's Fleet database reveals that both Airbus and Boeing tend to deliver a majority of their aircraft during the second half of each month. By the 15th, both Airbus and Boeing have delivered, on average, only 40% of the total number of aircraft they end up delivering for the entire month. Theoretically, around 3.3% of total monthly...Read More

FedEx Ranked As One Of Most-Reputable Companies In World

FedEx is ranked as the 39th most-reputable company in the world, according to a report from the Reputation Institute. In 2015, FedEx rose 15 places in the RepTrak 100 list from last year's ranking. "FedEx connects people and possibilities around the world, linking small businesses to the global marketplace and supporting communities in challenging times," said Patrick Fitzgerald, a senior vice president...Read More
 

Japan Raises Age Limit For Commercial Pilots To 67 

Some 10% of commercial pilots in Japan are currently aged 60 or over. In an effort to stem the pilot shortage in Asia, the country has raised the age limit from 65 to 67. "We are aiming to ease a shortage while still ensuring safety," said an official from Japan's transport ministry...Read More