Samwise Aeronautical Mechanics
Friday, May 29, 2026
Hermeus Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 reaches Mach 1.21 in first supersonic flight
Hermeus confirmed that its uncrewed Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 aircraft completed its first supersonic flight, reaching a top speed of Mach 1.21. The Atlanta-based defense aviation company said the milestone came on the platform’s third test sortie, flown out of Spaceport America within restricted airspace over the White Sands Missile Range. The flight came less than three months after the aircraft’s maiden flight and 364 days after the first flight of the earlier Mk 1 prototype. Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 is powered by a Pratt & Whitney F100 turbofan and is the first of three F-16-scale platforms. Hermeus is already building the next vehicle, Mk 2.2.
Sources: Aviation A2Z
FAA finalizes Boeing 747 inspections for SATCOM antenna corrosion
The FAA adopted a new airworthiness directive covering all Boeing 747-100, -200, -300, -400, 747SP and 747SR series airplanes after reports of corrosion damage on a satellite communications high gain antenna adapter plate. The rule requires repetitive detailed inspections of the adapter plate, with repair or replacement depending on the depth of corrosion found. The agency warned that, if left unaddressed, the condition could allow antenna system parts to depart and strike the airplane, resulting in loss of continued safe flight and landing. Effective July 6, the directive affects 115 U.S.-registered airplanes at an estimated $935 per inspection cycle.
Sources: Federal Register
FAA orders Airbus A320-family checks over rudder flutter risk
The FAA issued an airworthiness directive for Airbus A319, A320 and A321 airplanes, including neo variants, after aeroelastic stability assessments found that reduced stability margins may exist due to added mass from rudder repainting or repairs. Combined with a rudder actuator disconnection, the condition could create a risk of flutter and reduced control of the airplane. The directive requires airframe vibration troubleshooting after a vibration event, reporting of results, and on-condition actions such as rudder weighing and paint-thickness measurement. Citing the risk to the flying public, the FAA adopted the rule immediately, effective June 15. It affects 1,996 U.S.-registered airplanes.
Sources: Federal Register
FAA mandates Airbus A320-family seat-rail bolt fix
The FAA finalized an airworthiness directive for Airbus A318, A319, A320 and A321 airplanes after reports of broken bolts in seat rail connections at certain fuselage frames. The directive requires operators to replace nylon bushes with bronze bushes in the affected areas and prohibits installing affected parts. Adopting a related European Union Aviation Safety Agency directive, the FAA said the unsafe condition, if not corrected, could result in seat detachment and passenger injuries under emergency landing loads. Effective July 6, the rule affects 1,404 U.S.-registered airplanes, with required actions costing up to $19,860 per airplane, plus possible on-condition repairs the agency could not yet price.
Sources: Federal Register
FAA proposes hydraulic system test for Airbus AS350B2 helicopters
The FAA proposed an airworthiness directive for Airbus Helicopters AS350B2 models after a report of magnetization on solenoid valves serving the three main servo-controls, the regulator block and the tail servo-control. Investigators traced the problem to a diode that was not properly installed in the hydraulic circuit. The proposal would require a cut-off test of the rear rotor actuator valve and, depending on the results, corrective actions such as replacing or installing the affected diode. The agency warned the condition could reduce hydraulic assistance and yaw load compensation, leading to reduced control. The FAA estimates 12 U.S. helicopters are affected; comments close July 13.
Sources: Federal Register
Norsk Titanium wins recurring Northrop Grumman parts contract
Norsk Titanium secured its first recurring production contract with Northrop Grumman for aircraft components, the company said, marking its first production award after a multi-year qualification and specification process. Reported by TCT Magazine, the agreement establishes the firm as a supplier of critical structural components and, in its view, validates the readiness of its additive manufacturing technology for serial aerospace production. The company also pointed to an earlier collaboration with Airbus, which is installing a Norsk Titanium Merke IV RPD machine at its facility in Varel, Germany. The two firms are jointly evaluating the RPD manufacturing processes, controls and validation data.
Sources: IndexBox
Parts shortages keep legacy aircraft engines flying, MRO specialist says
Persistent supply-chain bottlenecks and a shortage of skilled labor are extending engine shop turnaround times and reshaping aftermarket economics, EAL Engine Services managing director Matt Eales told Aviation Today. With new aircraft and engine deliveries constrained, operators are keeping legacy powerplants such as the CFM56 and V2500 in service longer, reducing the supply of teardown assets and used serviceable material. Eales said that shift hands pricing power to lessors and parts suppliers and has left some engine valuations stretched. He added that converting retired CFM56 engines for data-center ground power could pull further material away from the aviation pool.
Sources: Aviation Today
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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