Gregory Polek
Senior Editor
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 New Jersey Monthly 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 Aviation International News 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.
Latest from Gregory Polek
Aircraft
Airbus Wins Order for 40 A320neos from Xiamen Airlines
A new 40-aircraft order for A320neos adds to a previous contract for 96 from Xiamen parent China Southern Airlines.
Airlines
Mesa Airlines Buys 29 Pipistrel Trainers for Pilot Development
A purchase order from Mesa Airlines for 29 Pipistrel Alpha Trainer 2 aircraft comes with options for another 75 of the two-seaters over the next year.
Airlines
FAA Denies Republic’s Proposed Exemption from 1,500-hr Rule
Republic Airways’ proposal to reduce its first officer flight time requirements from 1,500 to 750 hours meets with stiff resistance from the FAA.
FutureFlight
United Airlines Invests $15 million in Eve, Signs Purchase Deal for 200 eVTOL Aircraft
The U.S. major airline’s agreement with Eve marks its latest commitment for aircraft in the urban air mobility sector.
Aircraft
United Airlines Invests in Eve, Signs for 200 eVTOL Aircraft
A $15 million investment by United Airlines in Eve Air Mobility accompanies a conditional purchase agreement for 200 four-seat electric aircraft.
FutureFlight
Electra Completes Test of Hybrid-electric Engine for eSTOL Aircraft
Testing of the 150-kW propulsion system paves the way for flight testing of a nine-seat eSTOL vehicle.
Aircraft
As Boom Seeks Engine, Airlines Mull Supersonic Use Case
The most recent Boom Overture customer, American Airlines, says it will work with the manufacturer to determine route scenarios for the supersonic jet.
FutureFlight
Safran Aims to Acquire Thales’s Aeronautical Electrical Systems Business
The proposed transaction would expand Safran’s position in electrical power generation.
Airlines
U.S. Dispute over Pilot Shortages, Flight Disruptions Ratchets Up
ALPA stages nationwide picketing campaign in U.S. ahead of expected holiday travel crunch.
Aircraft
China Airlines Orders 16 Boeing 787-9s
An order for 16 Dreamliners by China Airlines calls for first delivery in 2025.
Aircraft
UPS Orders Eight Boeing 767 Freighters
An order for eight 767 Freighters brings UPS’s order total for the widebody cargo haulers to 108.
Engines
Pratt Canada’s PW127XT-M Gains Transport Canada Approval
The newly certified PW127XT-M will power all new-build ATR turboprops.
Eve Charts eVTOL Simulation in Chicago with Blade
Eve's planned eVTOL simulation in Chicago with Blade is similar to the one it conducted with Brazilian operator Helisul Aviation in Rio de Janeiro.
Airlines
U.S. Regional Airline ExpressJet Declares Bankruptcy
A day after ceasing operations, ExpressJet filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
FutureFlight
Eve to Conduct UAM Simulation Out of Chicago Vertiport Using Helicopters
Blade Air Mobility helicopters will fly between Chicago and two suburban heliports as part of the Eve UAM simulation.
Accidents
Civil Aviation Sees Big Drop in Accident Rate in 2021
The International Civil Aviation Organization reports a 9.8 percent drop in the rate of accidents and a 66 percent decline in fatalities last year.
FutureFlight
Harbour Air’s All-Electric Beaver Performs First Point-to-Point Test Flight
The first eBeaver flew a 45-mile trip between Vancouver and Victoria, Canada, in 24 minutes.
Airlines
UK Software Startup Helping Pilots Fly More Efficiently
Virgin Atlantic has saved some 1,000 tonnes of fuel over six months thanks to a new behavioral economics and data science app from London-based Signol.
Aircraft
American Airlines Places Deposit to Secure 20 Boom Overtures
A contract between Boom Supersonic and American Airlines covers a firm order for 20 Overtures and options on another 40.
Aircraft
Malaysia Airlines Chooses A330neos for Widebody Replacement
The Malaysian flag carrier plans to take a total of 20 A330-900s under a sale-leaseback and direct lease agreements with Avolon.
Airlines
Airlines Clamor for Clarity on Altimeter Upgrades for 5G
The airline industry calls on the FAA to issue more definitive guidance for upgrading their radio altimeters to accommodate full-strength 5G signals.
FutureFlight
Cranfield Aerospace Draws Fresh Funding from UAE and California-based Investors
CAeS has now drawn £14.4 million for the development of a hydrogen propulsion system meant to power 19-seat commuter aircraft.
Aircraft
Boeing Resumes 787 Deliveries after 14-month Pause
American Airlines takes the first delivery of a Boeing Dreamliner since the end of May 2021.
Airlines
Spirit Airlines Agrees To Merge with JetBlue
Hours after rejecting a merger agreement with Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines has accepted a sweetened offer from JetBlue.
Airlines
Spirit Calls Off Merger Deal with Frontier Airlines
A terminated merger agreement between Frontier and Spirit Airlines means JetBlue gains pole position in any takeover attempt of Spirit.
Aircraft
Supply Constraints Force Boeing to Cut 737 Output Target
Boeing sees production of 737 Maxes reaching the “low 400s” this year while Airbus projects 700 A320neo deliveries.
FutureFlight
Eviation Picks Parker for Alice Aircraft's System Packages
Parker and Eviation have entered the design phase for the production and certification phase of the nine-seat Alice.
Aircraft
Boeing Seals Max Deal with Qatar, Adds 777-8F Customer
Qatar Airways signs a firm order for 25 Boeing Max 10s while Cargolux endorses the 777-8F.
Aircraft
Embraer Won’t Let the Competition Guide its Turboprop Plans
New but conventional engines will power Embraer’s turboprop upon expected entry into service in 2028.
Aircraft
Embraer Finds Its Stride after Failed Boeing Deal
The Covid crisis and the failed sale of its commercial division has forced Embraer to sharpen its focus on efficiency and innovation.
