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

Singapore Airlines has signed a firm order with Boeing for twenty 777-9s and nineteen 787-10s after settling on plans for fleet growth and route development over the next decade, the airline announced Monday. The signing took place at the White House in Washington D.C., during a ceremony witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. It marked the finalization of an agreement announced in February as a letter of intent.

 


Along with the firm orders for 39 airplanes, SIA also took options for six more airplanes of each model. Boeing values the firm orders at $13.8 billion based on list prices.

 


SIA said it plans to use the 777-9s for long-haul routes. It expects delivery of the new widebodies starting in its 2021/2022 fiscal year. It expects to use the 787-10s on medium-range routes, primarily in Asia. Those airplanes come due for delivery starting in SIA’s 2020/2021 fiscal year.

 


SIA became the launch customer for the 787-10 in 2013, when it placed an order for 30. It plans to become the first operator of the type when it takes the first production 787-10 in the first half of next year.

 


Boeing rolled out the first Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-equipped 787-10 built for Singapore at its final assembly facility in North Charleston, South Carolina, in early October.

 


A straightforward 18-foot stretch of the 787-9, the 787-10 retains 95 percent design and build commonality with its smaller sibling while adding some 40 seats in exchange for range. Boeing lists the 330-seat 787-10’s range at 6,430 nautical miles, while the 787-9 operates to a range of 8,500 nautical miles. A pair of Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-10s powered the first 787-10 test airplane on its maiden flight in March. The company also offers General Electric GEnx turbofans for the biggest Dreamliner.

 


At Boeing’s main widebody plant in Everett, Washington, the 777-9 remains on schedule to reach completion of final engineering definition by the end of the year as program managers eye final assembly of the static test airframe in 2018. Featuring 105,000-pound-thrust GE9X turbofans and structural improvements to the fuselage that will allow for a 6,000-foot cabin altitude, the airplane appears well positioned to meet Boeing’s 2020 entry-into-service target, as the company progresses beyond pre-production verification and into full-scale production of its all-new composite wing.

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.

Singapore Signs Firm Order for 39 Boeing Widebodies

Flag carrier inks deal for twenty 777-9s and nineteen 787-10s during White House visit by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong

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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 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.

ATR 72 aircraft performs pre-modification flight in Toulouse

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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.

Only the piston aircraft segment posted a decline

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Two captains held the prototype 33 feet above the water for 30 seconds

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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.

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Deal to close this year

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David Donald

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.

The two NATO allies will purchase seven of the tanker/transport aircraft

Spain and Poland Agree to Buy A330MRTT Tanker Transports

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

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.

GE Aerospace has tested the GE9X, Leap 1A, Leap 1B, and more with the 747.

GE Aerospace Flies Boeing 747 To Test New Engine Tech

Charles Alcock

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

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

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