Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Long-time United Technologies executive Alain Bellemare will replace Pierre Beaudoin as president and CEO of Bombardier in a surprise management shakeup that will also see Laurent Beaudoin retire as chairman after more than 50 years at the helm. Effective February 13, Pierre Beaudoin becomes executive chairman of the board, while his father assumes the honorary title of chairman emeritus. Bellemare also joins the Bombardier board.

 


The changes come as Bombardier unveiled a new financing plan that will see it access capital markets for up to $1.5 billion in debt and $600 million in equity and explore the possibility of participating in “industry consolidation” to reduce its debt. It also announced it would suspend dividend payments.

 


The plans amount to an effort to address the company’s weakening cash position resulting from delays and associated cost increases related to the CSeries airliner program. Last year the company’s available short-term capital resources fell from $4.8 billion to $3.8 billion as of December 31, while cash and cash equivalents dropped from $3.4 billion to $2.5 billion.

 


On Thursday Bombardier released financial results that showed a fourth-quarter loss of $1.2 billion, compared with earnings (EBIT) of $185 million during the same period a year earlier. Bombardier Aerospace contributed a negative EBIT of $1.3 billion, compared with a $93 million gain during the same period in 2013.

Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

Bombardier Names New CEO, Pierre Beaudoin Now Chairman

Pierre Beaudoin to step aside as chief executive after six and a half years

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Fewer than half of Volocopter’s employees will resume work after the restructuring

Wanfeng’s Diamond Aircraft Absorbs eVTOL Developer Volocopter 

AmyWilder

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

New acquisition expands Titan's aviation services portfolio

Titan Aviation Fuels Acquires Multi Service Aviation Card

Consulting firm also warned over the impact of U.S. tariffs on Bombardier exports

Altea Predicts Softening in Prices for Preowned Bizjets

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

WingX data suggests rising aircraft numbers may not be viable as demand flattens

Supply/Demand Imbalance Could Signal Dip in Bizav Sector

Wanfeng has owned Austria-based Diamond Aircraft since 2017

China's Wanfeng Group Set to Buy Volocopter for €10 Million

Curt Epstein

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

With offices around the world, Blueberry Aviation passed the $100 million mark

Helicopter Broker Reaches Landmark Tally in 2024

Almost all employees have been placed on paid gardening leave under German legal protection 

Volocopter Enters New Phase of Insolvency To Save eVTOL Aircraft

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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