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

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday increased the limits of Boeing 787 extended twin-engine operations (ETOPS) from 180 to 330 minutes, Boeing announced on Wednesday. The approval allows the Dreamliner to operate as far as 330 minutes away from a diversion airfield, thereby allowing for more direct routes between long-range city pairs, particularly over the Pacific Ocean. The expanded operational permission could also allow airlines to open new routes after they meet the so-called proof of capabilities requirements and receive approval from their own regulatory agencies for such operations. Boeing 787s have operated under 180-minute ETOPS since they entered service in 2011.


“Our customers are eager to expand their 787 operations,” said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager, 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We're delighted that this capability, which was designed into the airplane from the very beginning, has been certified.”


During a recent media event held by Boeing in Seattle, program managers indicated that the 787-9, scheduled for certification this summer, would gain its initial airworthiness approval with 180-minute ETOPS capability, but that the company’s campaign to expand the larger airplane’s limit to 330 minutes would run in tandem with its 787-8 efforts.

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.

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

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News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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