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 secured its second significant 737 Max order in as many weeks by inking a new deal with SMBC Aviation Capital covering 14 additional 737 Max 8 jets, the companies said Tuesday. The purchase increases the size of SMBC’s 737 Max portfolio to 121 jets as the lessor continues to incorporate Boeing narrowbodies into the global fleet. In the first quarter of 2021, SMBC delivered thirteen 737 Max 8s to two customers—Southwest Airlines, which took 11, and TUI, which accepted two.

 


"SMBC has been actively managing its portfolio in a very dynamic market,” said Boeing vice president of commercial sales and marketing Ihssane Mounir. “With this new order for the fuel-efficient 737-8, the lessor is well-positioned to help its customers capture domestic travel demand in several countries and regions.”

 


The SMBC purchase follows recent orders and commitments from Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines. Boeing says orders and commitments this year for the Max have exceeded 250 airplanes.

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.

Boeing Inks New Max Deal with SMBC Aviation Capital

A new contract with SMBC marks the second sale of the 737 Max in two weeks.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

David Donald

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.

Various versions of the jet were produced for more than 50 years

De Havilland's DH.125—Britain’s Long-lived Bizjet

Charles Alcock

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.

Public flight took place on November 2 against the backdrop of Mount Fuji

Joby and Toyota Demonstrate eVTOL Aircraft in Japan

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

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

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 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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