Brief Summary
This video covers several breaking news stories and developments in the aviation industry in January. It discusses the Boeing 777X program, China's increasing aircraft production targets, the SpaceX Starship explosion, the dangers of drones near firefighting aircraft, lawsuits against airlines for chronically delayed flights, the impact of Donald Trump's administration on aviation, and a tragic midair collision between a commercial jet and a military helicopter.
- The Boeing 777X program has faced delays but is now back on track with test flights resuming.
- China is ramping up production of its C919 narrow-body aircraft, aiming to reach a production capacity of 150 aircraft per year by 2028.
- A SpaceX Starship exploded shortly after launch, raising concerns about the safety of space launches and their impact on aviation.
- A Canadian firefighting aircraft was damaged by a drone, highlighting the dangers of flying drones near aircraft.
- The US Department of Transportation is suing airlines for chronically delayed flights, with JetBlue, Southwest, and Frontier facing fines and penalties.
- The new US administration is expected to have a significant impact on aviation, particularly regarding tariffs and relations with China.
- A tragic midair collision between a commercial jet and a military helicopter in Washington DC resulted in the deaths of all passengers and crew.
Boeing 777X on the Way?
The Boeing 777X program has faced significant delays, but there is positive news. The aircraft finally started flying with FAA personnel on board in July 2023, but the process was halted in August due to a fractured trust link in one of the engines. Boeing discovered cracks in the trust links of other test aircraft as well, grounding all four jets. However, on January 16th, 2024, one of the test aircraft completed a flight test without any further issues. This indicates that Boeing has a working fix for the problem, and the FAA flights are expected to resume.
China increases its targets
China is increasing its efforts to boost production of its newest narrow-body aircraft, the C919. The aircraft, which is similar in size and shape to the Airbus A320, entered service in 2023 after delays. Comac, the aircraft's manufacturer, plans to increase production capacity to 50 aircraft per year, although this increase will not be immediate. Comac's current target is to produce 30 C919s in 2025, but analysts expect them to reach 27. China's long-term goal is to reach a production capacity of 150 aircraft per year by 2028. However, the C919 is currently only certified in China, and international certification is crucial for expanding its customer base beyond Chinese operators.
Starship explodes
On January 16th, 2024, a SpaceX Starship suffered a rapid unscheduled disassembly about 8 minutes after launch from SpaceX's Texas site. The explosion occurred over the Turks and Caicos Islands, and there were no alerts to air traffic control or pilots in the region about the launch and its possible trajectory. While the falling debris was visible from hundreds of miles away, several pilots alerted traffic control and diverted or entered a hold. The event prompted discussions and an investigation from the FAA, which has effectively grounded Starship. This incident raises questions about the way hazard areas are identified during space launches and their impact on aviation.
Drones vs firefighters
A Canadian CL-415 Super Scooper firefighting aircraft was damaged and grounded after hitting a small drone during a firefighting mission in Los Angeles. The incident highlights the dangers of flying drones near aircraft, especially during critical operations like firefighting. The drone was flown illegally, and the incident could have been much worse, potentially causing a fire or injuring the crew. Despite the incident, police authorities in the LA area continued to spot drones flying over the fires, with 48 detected in total. This irresponsible behavior endangers the crew of the aircraft, the firefighters on the ground, and increases the devastation caused by the fires.
Sued for chronically delayed flights
The US Department of Transportation is suing airlines for chronically delayed flights, defined as flights that are canceled or arrive at their destination more than 30 minutes late over 50% of the time in a single month. The department argues that airlines should readjust their published schedules to be more realistic and avoid misleading passengers. JetBlue was the first airline to be penalized, facing a $2 million fine for four specific flights with chronic delays. Southwest and Frontier are also facing fines and lawsuits for similar issues. The airlines argue that the delays are due to factors beyond their control, such as air traffic control understaffing.
Donald Trump's impact on aviation
The new US administration is expected to have a significant impact on aviation, particularly regarding tariffs and relations with China. The new Transportation Secretary, Shan Duffy, has stated that he intends to keep the production cap of 38 737 Max aircraft per month and plans to meet with Boeing's CEO. The administration is also considering tariffs against China, Mexico, and Canada, although the details are still unclear. The impact of these policies on the aviation industry remains to be seen.
American Airlines 5342
A tragic midair collision occurred over Washington DC between a CRJ700 flown by PSA on behalf of American Airlines and a US Army VH-60M Blackhawk helicopter. The collision resulted in the deaths of all 64 passengers and crew on the CRJ and three crew members on the helicopter. The PSA crew was performing American Airlines flight 5342 from Wichita, Kansas to Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport. The helicopter was completing a training flight. The investigation is ongoing, but it appears that the helicopter was not transmitting ADS-B information, making it difficult to track on Flight Radar 24. This incident highlights the importance of safety protocols and the need for continued vigilance in the aviation industry.
