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

Transport&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;has validated design changes to the Boeing 737 Max certified by U.S. authorities, allowing the modifications’ incorporation on Canadian registered aircraft, the Canadian civil aviation agency said Thursday. The department added that it expects to issue an airworthiness directive (AD) that stipulates the required design changes next month and mandate training requirements for pilots through an Interim Order. Transport Canada called the validation “an important first step” toward returning the Max to service in the country, but that the department must put into place comprehensive safety plans that require additional design changes, maintenance, and training.

 


Specifically, the Canadian design changes will include an enhanced flight deck procedure that provides the option for a pilot-in-command to disable “a loud and intrusive warning system”—commonly called the stick shaker—when a failure in the angle of attack sensor activates the system. Transport Canada said its test pilots have fully evaluated the feature, which, it added, will help to reduce pilot workload. The agency will also include differences training on the enhanced flight deck procedure.

 


“Transport&nbsp;Canada&nbsp;will work with Canadian airline operators, crews, and union associations over the coming weeks to determine how these requirements will be implemented in&nbsp;Canada,” the agency said in a statement.

 


The Canadian validation comes a month after the FAA cleared the Max to return to service in the U.S. Along with addressing new training requirements and software improvement, that AD requires completing wire separation modifications and accomplishing what Boeing called de-preservation activities to ensure the airplanes’ readiness for service.

 


European authorities expect to finalize a November 24 proposed AD issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in mid-January. As in the case of the expected Transport Canada AD, a key difference between the FAA order and&nbsp;the EASA directive lies in a European&nbsp;provision for the flight crews to stop a stick shaker from continuing to vibrate in the event of an erroneous activation.

 


Clearance from Brazilian authorities on November 26 essentially mimics the U.S. directive. Brazil’s Gol resumed Max operations on December 9, making it the first airline in the world to return the then-grounded airliner to scheduled service. American Airlines plans to become the first U.S. carrier to return the airplane to service, according to schedules calling for a December 29 flight from Miami to LaGuardia Airport in New York.

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.

Transport Canada Validates 737 Max Changes

Following Thursday’s validation of design changes to the Max, Canadian authorities expect to issue an airworthiness directive in January. 

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

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