The US Federal Aviation Administration chief Steve Dickson arrived in Seattle on 29 September and will complete new 737 Max pilot training requirements before flying the Max on 30 September. Dickson has said he will personally pilot the aircraft prior to the FAA certificating the type. Boeing overhauled aspects of the jet’s flight control system and made other changes following two crashes that killed 346 people. “Dickson and FAA deputy administrator Dan Elwell are in Seattle today, completing the recommended new pilot training for the aircraft as part of the preparation for the flight,” says the FAA. Dickson will fly the aircraft on 30 September at 11:30 Seattle time, the agency adds. Elwell will not be aboard. He intends to brief reporters following the flight. The FAA says it will broadcast that briefing live through a feed via its website. Boeing has said it expects the FAA will certificate the Max in time to allow for deliveries to resume in the fourth quarter. Industry observers have speculated that the FAA could grant certification in October.

Source: Cirium

The US Federal Aviation Administration has certificated GE Aviation’s 105,000lb-thrust (467kN) GE9X turbofan, a milestone coming as Boeing continues working toward achieving certification for its GE9X-powered 777-9. The FAA’s airworthiness certification follows a notable GE9X development delay announced at the 2019 Paris air show and comes as Boeing works to begin 777-9 deliveries in 2022. GE completed the GE9X certification program using eight test engines that logged nearly 5,000h of operations and 8,000 engine cycles, the Ohio-based aircraft engine maker said on 28 September. “GE's focus remains working with Boeing to complete the 777X flight-test program and entry into service,” it adds. “Eight GE9X test engines and two test spares have been produced and delivered to Seattle for Boeing’s four 777X test airplanes.” The engine maker continues working to achieve FAA “extended operations” (ETOPS) approval for the GE9X – an effort expected to involve 3,000 ground-test cycles – and is also “conducting maturation testing to help GE engineers prepare to support the engine in service”, it adds. It says “several GE9X production engines have been assembled, and GE Aviation is in the process of completing factory acceptance tests”. Certification of the GE9X comes as Boeing progresses with the delayed 777-9 certification program. Boeing completed its maiden 777-9 flight on 25 January, following by first flight of the second test jet on 30 April and the maiden flight of the third test 777-9 on 3 August. The engine issue disclosed by GE in 2019 involved durability of stator vanes at the front end of the GE9X’s high-pressure compressor. The vanes sit between rotor blades and pivot on a bearing to keep the engine running at optimum performance. The durability problem was causing exhaust-gas temperatures to be outside expected ranges, resulting in premature component deterioration, GE has said. The issue forced GE to recall from Boeing four GE9X engines used for flight tests, though the engine maker quickly addressed the problem and shipped engines back to Boeing.

Source: Cirium

United Airlines' pilots' union has ratified an agreement that will delay involuntary furloughs of pilots until June 2021. The Chicago-based airline and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) on 16 September had tentatively agreed the deal. United had stated on 28 August that it would furlough 2,850 of its 13,000 pilots by the end of 2020, beginning after 30 September, when US CARES Act workforce conditions expire. In addition to the postponement of furloughs for all of United's pilots, those pilots age 50 or older who have at least 10 years of experience will receive via the agreement a second round of early separation options.“We’ve worked for months on creative solutions to mitigate massive pilot layoffs,” Capt. Todd Insler, union chairman for United's pilots, states. “With this agreement now solidified, we will turn our focus back to Congress to secure a much-needed CARES Act extension to keep our industry solvent until we recover from this pandemic.”

Source: .Cirium