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

Russia’s United Engine Corporation (UEC) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s AECC&nbsp;Commercial Aircraft Engine Company calling for the joint development of a turbofan engine for the proposed new Russian-Chinese widebody known as the C929 in China and the LRWBA (long-range widebody aircraft) in Russia.

 


The MOU, signed during Aviation Expo China in Beijing, calls for UEC—part of the Russian industrial conglomerate Rostec—and AECC to collaborate on research and competitive analysis, defining customer requirements, determining the engine’s architecture and deciding on its basic technical parameters.

 


“The signing of the memorandum on the development of the engine for the LRWBA is a milestone for the civil aviation of Russia and China,” said Rostec CEO Sergey Chemezov. “It's not just a matter of being competitive; it is a matter of technological independence for our countries. Our ultimate goal is the creation of our own powerful world-class&nbsp;engine certified in accordance with the highest international standards.”&nbsp;

 


Plans call for the start of engine testing in 2022 and certification in 2027.

 


A joint effort by China’s Comac and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation, the C929, or LRWBA, would seat some 280 passengers and fly to a range of 6,500 nm, placing it roughly in the category of the Airbus A330-900. Cost estimates place total investment at between $13 billion and $20 billion, and schedules call for first flight in 2023. If all goes according to plan, the new airplane would enter service in 2026.

 


Initially, the 75,000-pound-thrust-class engines for the new widebody would likely come from Rolls-Royce and/or GE, “which already have suitable models with the required thrust,” according to UAC president Yury Slyusar.

 


UEC has already begun development of an engine at its design house in Perm called the PD-35, which could form the basis of Russia’s participation in the joint program with China.

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

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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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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 environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

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News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

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.

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