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On this week’s episode of AvTalk, we recap the Farnborough Airshow, where the biggest news wasn’t aircraft orders, but the possible next generation of aircraft. A Meridian An-12BK crashes in Greece. And airports in Europe continue to cut flights as airlines figure out what to do next.
Farnborough Airshow
The biggest orders weren’t the biggest news at this year’s Farnborough Airshow. Delta’s order for 100 + 30 737-10 MAX was the largest at a show that saw just over half the number of orders as Paris 2019 and the lowest number of orders at at Farnborough in at least a decade. But there was plenty of other news, including Airbus and CFM’s announcement that CFM’s RISE open rotor engine will fly on an A380 demonstrator aircraft in the second half of the decade. Airbus also announced its Blue Condor hydrogen test flight campaign using a modified Arcus-J jet sailplane. Those test flights began this week. And supersonic hopeful Boom unveiled its redesigned aircraft now with four engines. But most importantly, it also announced a partnership with Northrop Grumman, which changes Ian’s perspective of Boom’s prospects slightly.
Melting runways
London experienced its highest-ever temperatures this week, topping 40℃ for the first time ever. At Luton Airport, the heat lead to ‘runway defects’ — the tar in the asphalt melted.
Meridian An-12BK crashes in Greece
A Meridian An-12BK en route from Niš to Amman crashed near Kavala, Greece, after reporting engine trouble and turning back over the Aegean Sea.
Airports further reduce flights
Frankfurt cuts more flights, Heathrow is threatening legal action against airlines unless they cut passenger numbers, and Amsterdam’s troubles are rolling right along.
ICAO issues Ryanair 4978 report
ICAO’s Fact Finding Investigation issued its report on the forced diversion of Ryanair 4978, concluding that Belarusian authorities were responsible for the diversion of the aircraft. Read the full report.
SAS strike ends
SAS and its pilots reached an agreement after a 15 day strike as the airline moves through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process.
iMac in the exit row
A passenger on a United Airlines flight last week had a bit more computing power than we’re used to seeing on board an aircraft.
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Please click here for a transcript of this episode.
