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

Airbus won another big endorsement for its single-aisle series—potentially the biggest in its history—by securing a memorandum of understanding from India’s IndiGo covering 250 A320neos, the company said Wednesday.

 


If converted to a firm order, the contract with IndiGo would become Airbus’s single largest order ever in terms of number of aircraft. IndiGo has already placed firm orders for 100 current-generation A320s and <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/2011-01-11/airbus-signs-launch-customer-a320neo">180 A320neos</a>. The largest domestic airline in India by market share, IndiGo now operates 85 A320s, serving 31 cities in India and five international destinations.

 


News of Airbus’s most recent narrowbody success came a day after Boeing announced that production had started on its competing 737 Max. Boeing Fabrication Integrated AeroStructures in Auburn, Washington, has begun fabricating the airplane’s fuselage stringers, components that run the length of the fuselage to provide stability and strength.

 


After forming, Boeing plans to send the stringers to Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, Kansas, for incorporation into the first 737 Max fuselage. From there it plans to ship the fuselage to Boeing’s facility in Renton, Washington, for final assembly starting next year.

 


Separately, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) approved Airbus’s new A350-900 widebody for Etops (Extended-range Twin-engine aircraft Operations) beyond 180 minutes’ diversion time, making the A350 the first new aircraft type ever to receive such a level of Etops approval before entry into service. The approval, which includes 180-minute Etops in the “basic” specification, also includes provisions for 300-minute and 370-minute Etops, depending on operator choice. The 370-minute option extends the diversion distance up to what Airbus calls an unprecedented 2,500 nm at one-engine-inoperative speed under standard atmospheric conditions.

 


Airbus, which said it expects corresponding approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration “soon,” asserts the 370-minute option will prove particularly beneficial on new direct southern routes between Australia, South Africa and South America, while the 300-minute option will allow for more efficient routes across the North and Mid-Pacific, such as from Southeast Asia and Australasia to the U.S.

 


&nbsp;

 


&nbsp;

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.

Neo Draws Record Deal as Max Production Starts 

Airbus wins latest chase for new narrowbody orders 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

FlyNYON will offer aerial photography flights on Beta’s Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft

NYC Helitour Operator FlyNYON Orders Beta’s eVTOL Aircraft

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

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.

Get a glimpse of Qatar's unique interior appointments.

Step Aboard Qatar Executive's Gulfstream G700 Business Jet

Jilin signs preliminary purchase agreement for 41 EH216-S aircraft

EHang Plans Cold-weather eVTOL Trials in China’s Jilin Province

Republic Airways is the latest customer to receive an aircraft for testing.

Beta Technologies' Alia CX300 Electric Aircraft Debuts at Paris Air Show

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Competing against the Boeing 777, this airliner has a maximum capacity of 410 passengers.

Airbus A350-1000 Airliner Flies at the Paris Air Show

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.

More In Aircraft

NYC Helitour Operator FlyNYON Orders Beta’s eVTOL Aircraft

FlyNYON will offer aerial photography flights on Beta’s Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft

Step Aboard Qatar Executive's Gulfstream G700 Business Jet

Get a glimpse of Qatar's unique interior appointments.

EHang Plans Cold-weather eVTOL Trials in China’s Jilin Province

Jilin signs preliminary purchase agreement for 41 EH216-S aircraft

Beta Technologies' Alia CX300 Electric Aircraft Debuts at Paris Air Show

Republic Airways is the latest customer to receive an aircraft for testing.

Airbus A350-1000 Airliner Flies at the Paris Air Show

Competing against the Boeing 777, this airliner has a maximum capacity of 410 passengers.

Fouga CM170 Magister Flies at the Paris Air Show

This French classic is right at home at the Paris Air Show.

Embraer KC-390 Military Airlifter Flies at the Paris Airshow

Nations around the world have ordered the multirole aircraft.

Embraer E195-E2 Airliner Flies at the Paris Air Show

The regional airliner can seat up to 146 passengers.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN