The Air Current

30m

The Air Current pairs exacting journalism with the technical depth a sophisticated industry audience expects, and breaks the stories others miss. Until Saturday, Oct 31, a quarterly subscription is $39.60 for the first quarter, 60% below the usual $99. theaircurrent.memberful.com/checkout?cou...

theaircurrent.comSky-high jet fuel is pushing aviation to the verge of a correctionGlobal airlines are heading into another crisis brought on by skyrocketing fuel prices and worsening geopolitical tumult

Sky-high jet fuel is pushing aviation to the verge of a correction theaircurrent.com/airlines/sky... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

The Air Current reposted

Last month, United became the largest recipient of Boeing 787s, passing launch customer ANA. Notable for a lot of reasons, but the milestone came 25 years to the month after 9/11, which left U.S. airlines financially unable to take the lead on an all-new Boeing widebody. (United launched 767 & 777)

theaircurrent.comAmid Boeing tiff, GE CEO says it’s making gains on 787 engine shipmentsGE CEO says its GEnx engine shipments to Boeing now outpace 787 Dreamliner deliveries, signaling progress on a source of tension

Amid Boeing tiff, GE CEO says it’s making gains on 787 engine shipments. (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comHistorical Airliner Deliveries: An Interactive VisualizationAn interactive historical visualization of the last seven decades of commercial aerospace from The Air Current.

Historical Airliner Deliveries: An Interactive Visualization theaircurrent.com/historical-a... #staycurrent

The Air Current reposted

theaircurrent.comHistorical Airliner Deliveries: An Interactive VisualizationAn interactive historical visualization of the last seven decades of commercial aerospace from The Air Current.

10 months of work, now published. (no paywall) theaircurrent.com/historical-a...

theaircurrent.comInstrument flying gets a reinvention with new electric aircraftElectra’s milestone flights in Virginia show how IFR operations can be adapted for advanced air mobility

Instrument flying gets a reinvention with new electric aircraft theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

Dispatch: "Boeing’s 1,555 unfilled orders for the 737 Max 10 as of the end of September — the second highest in its backlog for any single model — set up the company for a windfall to support its financial and industrial recovery." via @jonostrower.com theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc...

The Air Current reposted

theaircurrent.comThe world’s most important airspace is a sliver of sky between two warsExpanding conflict zones force hundreds of daily transcontinental flights into a tiny corridor over Azerbaijan

Roughly 65% of flights by the top 50 airlines between Asia, Australasia and Europe transit a tiny slice of airspace over Azerbaijan, according to @flightradar24.com data. That spikes to nearly 90% when excluding Chinese & Indian airlines with access to Russian airspace.

The Air Current@theaircurrent.com

The world’s most important airspace is a sliver of sky between two wars theaircurrent.com/geopolitics/... (via @jonostrower.com & @bgarrettglaser.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comBoeing and FAA hold final meeting to clear 737 Max 10 for certificationLong-awaited regulatory approval could come as early as next week

Boeing and FAA hold final meeting to clear 737 Max 10 for certification theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

The Air Current reposted

Julie Johnsson

@juliejohnsson.bsky.social

Come for the mesmerizing graphic, stay for the discussion of the territorial disputes and spoofing squeezing a critical sliver of sky over Azerbaijan.

The Air Current@theaircurrent.com

The world’s most important airspace is a sliver of sky between two wars theaircurrent.com/geopolitics/... (via @jonostrower.com & @bgarrettglaser.bsky.social) #staycurrent

The world’s most important airspace is a sliver of sky between two wars theaircurrent.com/geopolitics/... (via @jonostrower.com & @bgarrettglaser.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comDemocratic lawmakers take aim at FAA’s new AI-driven air traffic toolHouse transportation committee wants GAO to review how agency assessed risks

Democratic lawmakers take aim at FAA’s new AI-driven air traffic tool theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comFAA will accept more risk to aircraft from space debris under new policyAs space launch tempo increases, U.S. regulator eliminates rolling limit intended to mitigate risk to aircraft

FAA will accept more risk to aircraft from space debris under new policy theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comWhy U.S. airlines balked at adopting Boeing’s latest 737 Max software versionsThe Boeing 737 Max software issue that was in the spotlight this week is only one of many bugs that have led U.S. airlines to avoid updating their FMS software

🔓 Why U.S. airlines balked at adopting Boeing’s latest 737 Max software versions theaircurrent.com/aviation-saf... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comNASA invests in Boeing, woos new entrants to replace SpaceX’s DragonIsaacman to commercial space entrants: “Here’s your demand signal”

NASA invests in Boeing, woos new entrants to replace SpaceX’s Dragon theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comBoeing faces potential 737 Max 10 delay as FAA reviews software issueCertification timing hinges on federal safety review of flight management software

Boeing faces potential 737 Max 10 certification delay as FAA reviews software issue theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social & @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comNew A321neo quality defect adds pressure to Airbus delivery scheduleRoughly 500 aircraft in-service and at various stages of manufacture are affected

New A321neo quality defect adds pressure to Airbus delivery schedule theaircurrent.com/aircraft-pro... (@jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comUnsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternativesThe Pentagon is rapidly procuring small hybrid-electric drones to fill a critical surveillance capability in the Middle East.

Unsustainable losses of MQ-9 Reaper fleet spur U.S. Air Force to search for cheaper alternatives theaircurrent.com/defense/mq-9... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comAs White House pushes for a stronger yen, U.S. carriers ride travel wave to JapanMonetary policy threatens to upend strong American travel demand fueled by an extremely favorable exchange rate

17 Sept

As White House pushes for a stronger yen, U.S. carriers ride travel wave to Japan theaircurrent.com/airlines/whi... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comBoeing tightens its belt as crucial SPEEA contract vote loomsHiring, travel restrictions are in place as unionized engineers mull interplay of trust and pay

17 Sept

Boeing tightens its belt as crucial SPEEA contract vote looms theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

The Air Current reposted

Julie Johnsson

@juliejohnsson.bsky.social

10 Sept

Great read from @elanhead.com !

The Air Current@theaircurrent.com

Regent’s challenging path to a seaglider first flight theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comRegent’s challenging path to a seaglider first flightHow the startup overcame obstacles and setbacks on the way to the first flight of its wing-in-ground-effect craft

theaircurrent.comRegent’s challenging path to a seaglider first flightHow the startup overcame obstacles and setbacks on the way to the first flight of its wing-in-ground-effect craft

10 Sept

Regent’s challenging path to a seaglider first flight theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comBoeing’s former Wichita chief to play a critical role in developing its next new airplaneSean Black to lead the commercial unit’s Future Production System

9 Sept

SCOOP: Boeing’s former Wichita chief to play a critical role in developing its next new airplane theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @jonostrower.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comLarry Culp explains what’s behind GE's mega acquisition of a key castings supplierIn an interview with TAC, GE CEO Larry Culp’s unpacks his largest deal so far to take aim at a critical supply-chain chokepoint

9 Sept

GE's Larry Culp explains what’s behind his mega acquisition of a key castings supplier theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @jonostrower.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

The Air Current reposted

theaircurrent.comAmazon Prime Air Boeing 767-300BCF N1997A | The Air Current Photography CollectionExplore over 24,000 professional aviation images for licensing.

6 Sept

The accident aircraft in Miami was Amazon Prime Air’s first 767-300BCF (N1997A) when it launched operations in 2016 as a virtual operator. It was initially assigned to Atlas Air back then. theaircurrent.com/photos?photo...

theaircurrent.comHow the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfareNew requirements for distributed fuel depots move the U.S. closer to a wartime footing

3 Sept

How the Pentagon is adapting its Pacific fuel strategy for island-hopping warfare theaircurrent.com/defense/pent... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comU.S. Navy begins search for its first tranche of ‘loyal wingman’ uncrewed fightersRequirements released on Aug. 31 seek two fully-functional prototypes from industry within three years

1 Sept

U.S. Navy begins search for its first tranche of ‘loyal wingman’ uncrewed fighters theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comWith range shortfall, United’s initial A321XLR deployment will be ‘very conservative’United Airlines limited itself to destinations in far Western Europe for its first deployment of the A321XLR, taking a more cautious view of the jet’s range than Airbus’s marketers.

25 Aug

With range shortfall, United‘s initial A321XLR deployment will be ‘very conservative’ theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comBoeing plays hardball after SPEEA members spurn contract offerCompany withdraws 2026 pay increases it had promised for early approval of deal

22 Aug

Boeing plays hardball after SPEEA members spurn contract offer theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comUnionized Boeing engineers and tech workers overwhelmingly reject first company offer, authorize strike - The Air Current

21 Aug

Unionized Boeing engineers and tech workers overwhelmingly reject first company offer, authorize strike theaircurrent.com/intel/unioni... (via TAC/Intel)

theaircurrent.comBoeing’s Starliner odyssey takes an unexpected turnStar-crossed CST-100 capsule is poised to play key role for NASA into 2030s as uncertainty shrouds SpaceX’s plans

21 Aug

Boeing’s Starliner odyssey takes an unexpected turn theaircurrent.com/space/boeing... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comWhisper Aero tests its ultra-quiet electric propulsors in crewed flightWhisper used a modified Swift 3 glider to test its electric ducted fans, marking its first flight tests with a human pilot on board.

19 Aug

Whisper Aero tests its ultra-quiet electric propulsors in crewed flight theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comFlight testing Navi’s AI-powered pilot training toolInside the cockpit with the purpose-built AI platform adopted by Embry-Riddle

17 Aug

Flight testing Navi’s AI-powered pilot training tool theaircurrent.com/technology/f... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comU.S. Navy quietly arming its uncrewed aerial tankerCruise missiles spotted on Boeing MQ-25 Stingray confirm long-held suspicions about an expanded mission set

13 Aug

U.S. Navy quietly arming its uncrewed aerial tanker theaircurrent.com/defense/us-n... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comBird strike suspected in Ryanair engine blade-out accidentDamaged engine reportedly suffered four bird strikes in the preceding 12 months

13 Aug

Bird strike suspected in Ryanair engine blade-out accident theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comArcher to acquire rival Wisk as Boeing broadens its asset salesPlane maker will be able to tap Wisk’s core technology for future aircraft under licensing agreement

10 Aug

Archer to acquire rival Wisk as Boeing broadens its asset sales theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @elanhead.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comNew policy moves FAA further from EASA on eVTOL certificationWith powered-lift safety continuum, FAA mirrors its existing approaches for airplanes and helicopters

6 Aug

New policy moves FAA further from EASA on eVTOL certification theaircurrent.com/regulation/f... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comThe U.S. Navy’s new search for ultra-long-range strike brings its Pacific strategy into focusNotice to industry seeks uncrewed strike aircraft with 1,000-nautical mile range for future carrier air wing

4 Aug

The U.S. Navy’s new search for ultra-long-range strike brings its Pacific strategy into focus theaircurrent.com/defense/us-n... (via @cjohnston.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comBoeing poised to finally unlock 737’s potential as FAA certifies Max 7Fifteen-year development saga comes to a close for smallest Max jet

4 Aug

Boeing poised to finally unlock 737’s potential as FAA certifies Max 7 theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social & @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comThe Air Current Photography CollectionExplore over 24,000 professional aviation images for licensing.

3 Aug

The Boeing 737 Max 7 is now certified by the FAA. Editorial resources for news orgs from the new photo collection from @theaircurrent.com. theaircurrent.com/photos?q=737...

theaircurrent.comBoeing makes early contract offer to SPEEA, aiming to avoid October strikeThe white-collar union will vote on the proposal after councils’ review.

31 July

Boeing makes early contract offer to SPEEA, aiming to avoid October strike theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comBoeing, GE among industry coalition pushing for speed-up of U.S. aircraft certificationIndustry looks to work with FAA to improve approval process without compromising safety

27 July

Boeing, GE among industry coalition pushing for speed-up of U.S. aircraft certification theaircurrent.com/regulation/b... (via @willguisbond.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comAirbus CEO begrudgingly thinks the dollar is still the best way to sell airplanesAmid broader efforts to strengthen the euro, commercial aviation — like oil — remains firmly tethered to the dollar

24 July

Airbus CEO begrudgingly thinks the dollar is still the best way to sell airplanes theaircurrent.com/analysis/air... (via @jonostrower.com & @bgarrettglaser.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comThe engineering behind Anduril and Archer’s Thunder droneThe two companies explain the technology behind their loyal wingman drone for rotorcraft

20 July

The engineering behind Anduril and Archer’s Thunder drone theaircurrent.com/defense/the-... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comWith ‘massive’ rework challenge looming, Boeing quietly scrapped a 777XArduous change incorporation process claimed an early-build 777-9, underscoring the challenges ahead for 400-passenger jet

19 July

With ‘massive’ rework challenge looming, Boeing quietly scrapped a 777X theaircurrent.com/aircraft-pro... (via @jonostrower.com & @juliejohnsson.bsky.social) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comBoeing history echoes through $10 billion 737 Max production overhaulUpheavals and false-starts underpin carbon-copy 737 assembly line in former home of carbon fiber 787

14 July

Boeing history echoes through $10 billion 737 Max production overhaul theaircurrent.com/aircraft-pro... (via @juliejohnsson.bsky.social & @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent

theaircurrent.comApparent engine fan blade failure preceded rupture of Ryanair 737 windowBlade failure follows similar accidents in 2016, 2018

10 July

Apparent engine fan blade failure preceded rupture of Ryanair 737 window theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via @jonostrower.com @juliejohnsson.bsky.social @willguisbond.com) #staycurrent

The Air Current reposted

Elan Head

@elanhead.com

10 July

The FAA has confirmed that Electra's ultra-short take-off and landing airplane will be certified as... an airplane. Although not surprising, it's a big deal for Electra, which is positioning its EL9 to compete with eVTOLs. Full story in @theaircurrent.com: theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev...

theaircurrent.comElectra secures the FAA certification basis that eVTOL developers wantedFAA closes Electra’s G-1 issue paper, confirming Part 23 certification basis for its “Ultra Short” aircraft