Category
Tech & OEMs
The Air CurrentJul 10
Apparent engine fan blade failure preceded rupture of Ryanair 737 window
Air safety reporting is made accessible without a subscription as a public service. Subscribe to The Air Current for full access to our scoops, in-depth reporting and industry analysis. The rupture of a Ryanair Boeing 737-800 window Friday morning was preceded by an apparent failure of a fan blade from its right engine, a CFM International CFM56-7B, people familiar with the accident told The Air Current. A fan blade failure is a rare but serious safety issue that aircraft manufacturers []
The Air CurrentJul 10
Electra secures the FAA certification basis that eVTOL developers wanted
Electra announced on Friday that the Federal Aviation Administration has closed the G-1 issue paper for its nine-passenger EL9 “Ultra Short” aircraft, a major regulatory milestone that the company said confirms its ability to use the comparatively straightforward certification path that other advanced air mobility entrants were denied. G-1 issue papers are used by the FAA to define the certification basis for aircraft undergoing type certification. Until leading electric vertical take-off and landing [] The post Electra secures the FAA certification basis that eVTOL developers wanted appeared
The Air CurrentJul 9
Domestic ATC firms cite China concerns in latest effort to stifle competitors
Domestic contractors vying for U.S. air traffic control modernization projects are citing Chinese business ties as well as cyber and national security concerns in their latest bid to shut out foreign-owned competition. Leidos and RTX Corp. are warning Congress and the Trump administration of their competitors’ relationships with China, according to people familiar with the matter. Their French and Spanish competitors, Thales and Indra, have both sold air traffic management software platforms to [] The post Domestic ATC firms cite China concerns in latest effort to stifle competitors appeared f
The Air CurrentJul 2
Opinions split at FAA over prospect of early commercial eVTOL ops
During an online investor conference on June 8, Beta Technologies CEO Kyle Clark was asked whether his company’s electric aircraft will be able to start commercial operations before receiving type certification by the Federal Aviation Administration. “Yes, they can through this new eIPP,” Clark said, responding to the question from Jefferies analyst Sheila Kahyaoglu. “It’s an eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, which allows within limited geographies with specific operators to do for-hire operations.” Clark [] The post Opinions split at FAA over prospect of early commercial eVTOL ops appeared fir
The Air CurrentJun 30
Boeing operations disrupted coast-to-coast by IT outage
Boeing’s commercial and military production has been significantly disrupted as a widespread computer outage derailed work in factories from Washington to Florida, people familiar with the issues told The Air Current. The disruption came on the last day of the quarter, when Boeing typically seeks to hand over as many airplanes as possible to waiting customers, boosting its financial results. Although the company was able to complete some deliveries, final commercial jet inspections []
The Air CurrentJun 30
Boeing, engineers union to try novel bargaining strategy in test of labor peace
Boeing and negotiators representing 17,000 engineers, scientists and technical workers are kicking off contract talks early, using a novel bargaining method for the first time in a quarter century aimed at avoiding an ugly showdown that could derail the company’s rebound. In a break with recent tradition, SPEEA intends to use so-called “interest-based” bargaining. This means negotiators for the white-collar union won’t present their Boeing counterparts with either a contract proposal or a [] The post Boeing, engineers union to try novel bargaining strategy in test of labor peace appeared first
The Air CurrentJun 26
The surprising first U.S. deployment of a collaborative combat aircraft
At a remote airfield in the northwestern Pacific ocean, the U.S. military is operating a stealthy, uncrewed fighter aircraft for the first time as part of a major field training exercise. Boeing’s MQ-28A Ghost Bat is serving as a “loyal wingman” to piloted fighter jets during Valiant Shield 2026, a multinational combat simulation taking place from June 22 to July 1 that tests the Pentagon’s strategy to confront a rising China. The Ghost []
The Air CurrentJun 23
Helicopter collision risk higher after D.C. airspace changes, Coast Guard leaders say
Loading the Elevenlabs Text to Speech AudioNative Player... Air safety reporting is made accessible without a subscription as a public service. Subscribe to The Air Current for full access to our scoops, in-depth reporting and industry analysis. U.S. Coast Guard aviation leadership sharply criticized the Federal Aviation Administration’s changes to Washington, D.C.’s congested airspace following a January 2025 midair collision, saying the revisions may increase the risk of a serious accident between helicopters. [] The post Helicopter collision risk higher after D.C. airspace changes, Coast Gu
The Air CurrentJun 18
Alaska 737s leading candidate to replace Hawaiian 717s on interisland operations
Alaska Air Group will likely deploy Boeing 737-800s to take over Hawaiian Airlines’ interisland flying as it looks ahead to phasing out the smaller workhorse jet that’s handled the mission for a quarter-century. “The default at this point will be 737s. I think it’s the most likely answer to replace the 717s,” said Shane Tackett, newly-appointed Alaska president in a June 6 interview with The Air Current at the International Air Transport Association’s []
The Air CurrentJun 16
The age of drone warfare brings new battlefield roles for helicopters
The Pentagon is increasingly looking to helicopters as aerial counter-drone platforms, following years of lessons from global conflicts where uncrewed aircraft have proven to be lethal and cost-effective weapons that have overwhelmed traditional air defense systems. Starting on June 22, U.S. Air Force reservists from the 301st Rescue Squadron will take a page out of the Ukrainian Air Force’s strategic playbook, rehearsing counter-drone operations using HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopters off [] The post The age of drone warfare brings new battlefield roles for helicopters appeared
