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

The Airbus A321neo powered by Pratt &amp; Whitney PW1100G turbofans received joint type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airframer announced Thursday. EASA certification director Trevor Woods and FAA transport airplane directorate manager Jeffrey Duven signed and handed over the certificates to Airbus executive vice president of programs Didier Evrard and A320 family senior vice president Klaus Roewe.

 


The largest member of the A320neo family, the A321neo accumulated more than 350 flight hours during some 130 flights over its 10-month certification program, validating its airframe and systems well beyond their design limits. The campaign also confirmed the aircraft meets its performance targets in terms of fuel burn and range, said Airbus.

 


The first variant of the A321neo to have received EASA and FAA type certification, the Pratt-powered version made its first flight later than did the CFM Leap-1A-powered model, which flew for the first time on February 9. Originally planning to fly the PW1100G-powered version first, Airbus switched the flight-test sequence as Pratt worked on a machining problem and software adjustments to address operating restrictions—namely extended start-time intervals—on the smaller A320neo. The first Airbus A321neo powered by Pratt &amp; Whitney engines completed its maiden flight exactly a month later. Despite the switch in first flight sequence, Airbus plans to deliver the Pratt-powered A321neo around the new year, just ahead of Leap-powered version in the first quarter. Airbus has yet to identify the launch operator for either variant.

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.

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Issues regarding financing of aircraft; aviation insurance; tax issues for aircraft operators; new companies and people in the aviation financing and insurance industries.

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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.

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.

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