Aircraft

Category Archives for Aircraft.

Boeing Admits Retaliating Against Whistleblowers As More Allegations Surface

by Gary Leff

Jun 18 2024

A new whistleblower was identified in advance of Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun’s testimony today. A Renton, Washington quality assurance inspector says that the planemaker “improperly tracked and stored faulty parts, and that those parts were likely installed on airplanes including the 737 Max,.”

Furthermore, he claims that supervisors instructed him “to conceal evidence from the FAA,” and that he has faced retaliation. Boeing offered to fly the whistleblower to D.C. on a 737 MAX 9.

Continue Reading »

United Airlines Cleared For Takeoff: FAA Expected To End Safety Audit Freeze

by Gary Leff

May 16 2024

After a number of high profile incidents, the FAA has been auditing safety practices at United Airlines. They’ve been unable to open up flights to new cities or add new delivery aircraft to their fleet, and they have had to defer already-announced service.

There was some worry that this could drag on as the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General announced an audit of the FAA’s audit.

Continue Reading »

End of an Era: The First ‘Stripped Down’ American Airlines A321T Is About To Enter Service

by Gary Leff

May 10 2024

The best American Airlines domestic aircraft is the one that it flies on premium cross-country routes like New York to Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Airbus A321T (T for transcon) features first class, business class and economy.

However that plane is on the way out, with the premium cabins being dismantled and even coach being made worse. The first of these – the aircraft registered as N115NN – has already been converted into a standard domestic plane with regular first class, TVs removed, and less legroom. It will soon re-enter service as a stripped-down experience.

Continue Reading »

Embraer Enters The Chat: Looks At Filling Void Left By Boeing As World Clamors For Jets

by Gary Leff

May 02 2024

Boeing’s reputation is in tatters, and their manufacturing capacity has been throttled by the government and a need to revamp quality control processes. Airbus can’t keep up with demand, and has its own delivery delay issues. Both are booked up with sales for the next several years, regardless.

The world may desperately need another mainline jet manufacturer.

Continue Reading »

New Whistleblower: Boeing Threatened Him For Revealing Workers Jumped On Panels To Make Them Fit

by Gary Leff

american plane
Apr 10 2024

Boeing faces new scrutiny as allegations emerge from a whistleblower about the assembly of its 787 and 777 jets. Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour reveals issues that could potentially compromise the structural integrity and lifespan of some aircraft. These detailed complaints, submitted to the Federal Aviation Administration, highlight critical flaws in the assembly process, particularly with the 787. He claims that during the plane’s assembly, crews failed to properly fill tiny gaps between fuselage parts, a problem that not only puts additional wear on the aircraft but could lead to catastrophic failures. The whistleblower’s assertion that Boeing prioritized speed over safety in its assembly line practices adds to a growing narrative of concern surrounding the aerospace giant’s production culture. The company has defended the 787’s structural integrity, stating that the issues raised do not affect the…

Continue Reading »