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

Boeing has entered a partnership with SkyNRG and SkyNRG Americas focused on increasing the availability and use of sustainable aviation fuel&nbsp;(SAF) globally, the U.S. airframer said Wednesday. Boeing also said it would invest in SkyNRG Americas' SAF&nbsp;production project, for which&nbsp;Alaska Airlines&nbsp;earlier this year committed to serving as a partner. Plans call for the SkyNRG Americas’ facility to supply&nbsp;SAF for airports, airlines, and Boeing operations on West Coast.

 


"Sustainable aviation fuels are safe, proven, and offer the greatest potential to reduce our industry's carbon emissions in the near, medium, and long term [future]," said Boeing chief sustainability officer&nbsp;Chris Raymond. "This partnership is an important milestone on our journey to decarbonize aerospace while ensuring that its societal and economic benefits are available to people everywhere."

 


Boeing, SkyNRG, and SkyNRG Americas will work together to accelerate SAF development globally, focusing on scaling production capacity, building awareness, and engaging stakeholders throughout the value chain, including airlines, governments, and environmental organizations, the companies said.

 


SkyNRG sources and supplies SAF, develops production capacity, advises on policy decisions, and manages corporate SAF programs. SkyNRG Americas is a new company focused&nbsp;on increasing SAF production in&nbsp;North America. Its first dedicated U.S. production facility for SAF will supply airports and airlines on the West Coast. Boeing's investment in the project includes the advance purchase of SAF from the facility for use in company flight tests and other operations.

 


Boeing began SAF test flights in 2008 and helped gain approval for commercial use in 2011. The Boeing&nbsp;EcoDemonstrator&nbsp;uses SAF for all flight test programs and completed the world's first commercial airplane flight using 100 percent SAF in 2018. Earlier this year, Boeing&nbsp;committed&nbsp;to ensuring the certification of all its commercial airplanes for operation on 100 percent SAF by 2030.

 


"Our industry will need a strong, reliable supply of SAF to address climate change and drive adoption," said Raymond.&nbsp;"We aspire to&nbsp;partner and help&nbsp;create that supply."

 


During the FIA Connect event on July 14, Boeing's chief technology officer Naveed Hussain said that the push for widespread availability of SAF is just one part of the airframer's efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of its aircraft. He confirmed that the U.S. group's engineering teams are working on future airliner concepts using transonic braced wings and very high aspect thin wings while declining to provide a projected timeline for these studies advancing to full-scale development work.

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

Boeing Partners with SkyNRG on Sustainable Fuel Initiative

Collaboration among Boeing, SkyNRG, and SkyNRG Americas will lead to more availability of SAF globally and use by the airframer for its own operations.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

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 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.

Manufacturer says solar power is part of efforts to reduce environmental footprint 

Solar Panels Now Power Gulfstream’s Mesa Service Center

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

Green Flyways initiative is considering the potential for MD Aircraft's eViator commuter

Partners Trial Electric Air Services in Norway and Sweden

Charlotte Bailey

News, issues, personnel, equipment and developments about air traffic management.

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.

UK’s ‘Operation Blue Skies’ to redirect commercial traffic in Shanwick airspace

North Atlantic Airspace-Scale Contrail Trial Underway

Curt Epstein

Emissions reduction indexes will help contrast economics with compliance mandates

Argus Releases Sustainable Aviation Fuel Evaluation Tool

Government-funded consortium to aims to connect remote communities 

Project SEAN Trials Electric Flights For Scotland

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

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.

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.

Shift could come as the state's tax incentives change

Louisiana Could Supplant California as SAF Leader

New three-year campaign will design, build, and fly wing extension devices

WoT? Experimental Elongated Airbus Wings To Fly Next Year

Cristofer Slotoroff

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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