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

FAA administrator Mike Whitaker has given Boeing's senior leaders 90 days to develop a “comprehensive action plan” to address its systemic quality-control deficiencies at the aircraft manufacturer. Whitaker made the remarks on Tuesday during an all-day safety discussion at FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C. to meet the agency's non-negotiable safety standards. The meetings addressed safety lapses before the January 5 incident in which a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-01-08/boeing-max-9-depressurization-emergency-prompts-grounding">door plug “blew out”</a> from an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 in mid-flight.
“Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements,” Whitaker said following a meeting with Boeing CEO and president Dave Calhoun and his senior safety team. “Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones and expectations.”  
Whitaker told Boeing that he expects the company to provide the FAA a “comprehensive action plan” within 90 days that would incorporate the results of the agency’s production-line audit and the latest findings from the expert review panel report, as required by the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act of 2020.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The plan must also include steps Boeing would take to “mature” its safety management system (SMS) program, to which it committed in 2019. Boeing also must integrate its safety management system program with a quality management system, which would ensure the same level of rigor and oversight gets applied to the company’s suppliers. &nbsp;
“Boeing must take a fresh look at every aspect of their quality-control process and ensure that safety is the company’s guiding principle,” concluded Whitaker. &nbsp;
Earlier this week, an FAA-led panel of experts <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-02-26/boeing-missing-key-elements-safety-culture-faa-report">published a report </a>highlighting what it characterized as deficiencies in Boeing's safety culture.
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News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

FAA Calls for ‘Action Plan’ to Address Boeing’s Deficient Quality Control 

Agency insists that Boeing meets non-negotiable safety standards

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker informed top Boeing officials that the manufacturer must develop a “comprehensive action plan” to address quality deficiencies. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

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.

Deal adds MRO capabilities for oxygen and fire-suppression systems

Aerox Expands O2 Services with Omnigas Acquisition

Kerry Lynch

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.

House T&I Committee Democrats highlight urgent need to prioritize FAA reauthorization implementation

Lawmakers Call For ‘Intense Focus’ on ATC Upgrades, Hiring

AmyWilder

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.

The SMS supports regulatory compliance for operators

NATA CS Launches Safety Management System with AI

Workshops will delve into regulatory requirements, managing risk, and using data

ACSF To Host SMS Workshops with Symposium

Charles Alcock

News and information about crew, passenger, aircraft and airport security issues.

New safety topics related to cybersecurity, ground handling, and VTOL aircraft

EASA Adds Tasks to European Plan for Aviation Safety 

Curt Epstein

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

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

Quick thinking and decisive action led to a peaceful conclusion

Hero Pilot Apprehends Teen Gunman at Arkansas Airport

News about significant aircraft accidents and information from accident reports.

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

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

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Workshops will delve into regulatory requirements, managing risk, and using data

EASA Adds Tasks to European Plan for Aviation Safety

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Quick thinking and decisive action led to a peaceful conclusion

Aviation Orgs Pledge Safety Commitment, Urge Full Funding

Groups say NTSB, FAA, and controllers must have adequate resources to do their jobs

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