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

Boeing&nbsp;has awarded a contract to Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic) to produce composite empennage tips for the 777 beginning in 2017, the companies announced on Tuesday at Airshow China in Zhuhai. The deal builds on the contract Boeing signed with Avic earlier this year to produce vertical fin and horizontal stabilizer forward torque box panels.

 


“This new contract demonstrates the deep confidence Boeing has in Avic’s commitment to world-class aerospace manufacturing,” said Kent Fisher, vice president and general manager, Supplier Management, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “We have steadily increased our sourcing from Avic with good results. They have not only met our requirements for high quality and on-time delivery, but they have also worked closely with us to meet our airline customers’ demands for affordability.”

 


Under the contract, workers at Avic subsidiary Shenyang Commercial Aircraft Corporation (SACC) will build tips for the 777 vertical fin and horizontal stabilizer at its new facility near the airport in Shenyang, China. Boeing qualified SACC for composite work in July of this year following an audit of equipment, workforce and processes.

 


Plans also call for the two companies to jointly establish a manufacturing innovation center (MIC) within the SACC facility to help enhance the manufacturing and technological capabilities of SACC employees. Boeing and AVIC pioneered the MIC concept in 2012, establishing the first center in Beijing to provide classroom training for AVIC employees on Boeing’s successful production methods.

 


SACC has produced airplane components for Boeing since 1990, starting with cargo doors for the 757 and expanding to complex empennage manufacturing. The company supplies the vertical fin leading edge and tip for the 787 Dreamliner and the entire 737 empennage (section 48) through a contract with Spirit Aerosystems.

 


Avic facilities across China manufacture parts for all Boeing programs including the 737 vertical and horizontal stabilizers, 747 inboard flap, 767 converted freighter floor beams and 787 rudder.

 


Over the past 30 years Boeing has purchased more than $2 billion in airplane components and assemblies from China, making it the largest foreign customer for China’s aviation manufacturing industry.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Avic to Make Empennage Tips For Boeing

Chinese company to supply 777 empennage tips starting in 2017

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

People in Aviation

People In Aviation

Kerry Lynch

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.

Next delivery for BACN program slated for 2025

Bombardier's USAF BACN Global Jet Deliveries Reach Eight

Milestone reached two years after the latest version entered service

Bombardier's Challenger 3500 Reaches 100th Delivery

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

Garmin's Autoland feature could save lives if a pilot becomes incapacitated 

Textron Cessna Citation CJ4, CJ3, and M2 Jets Updated to Gen3 with Garmin Autoland

Charles Alcock

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.

Hybrid-electric aircraft will operate in VTOL or STOL modes with range of up to around 544 nm

Manta Turns to China's Shenyang Aviation To Advance VTOL/STOL Aircraft

Sarah Rose

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 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.

Fastest single-engine aircraft in Piper’s history gets nods from EASA and other agencies

M700 Fury Racks Up Foreign Certifications

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.

More In Aircraft

People In Aviation

People in Aviation

Bombardier's USAF BACN Global Jet Deliveries Reach Eight

Next delivery for BACN program slated for 2025

Bombardier's Challenger 3500 Reaches 100th Delivery

Milestone reached two years after the latest version entered service

Textron Cessna Citation CJ4, CJ3, and M2 Jets Updated to Gen3 with Garmin Autoland

Garmin's Autoland feature could save lives if a pilot becomes incapacitated

Manta Turns to China's Shenyang Aviation To Advance VTOL/STOL Aircraft

Hybrid-electric aircraft will operate in VTOL or STOL modes with range of up to around 544 nm

M700 Fury Racks Up Foreign Certifications

Fastest single-engine aircraft in Piper’s history gets nods from EASA and other agencies

FAI Rent-a-jet Nominated for ITIJ Air Ambulance Award

Marks the operator's sixth nomination for the International Travel & Health Insurance Journal (ITIJ) Awards

Textron Aviation Ships 41 Bizjets in 3Q Despite Strike

Four-week strike will affect aircraft deliveries in the fourth quarter

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN