Samwise Aeronautical Mechanics
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive Restricting Boeing 737 Operations in Canadian Airspace Over 5G Radio Altimeter Interference
The FAA on June 30 adopted a new airworthiness directive restricting Boeing 737 operations in Canadian airspace due to 5G Lower C-Band radio altimeter interference, effective July 1. The directive covers all Model 737 series from the -200 through -900ER. Boeing reported in May that affected configurations cannot demonstrate tolerance to radio altimeter interference in the new 5G environment deployed in Canada. Radio altimeters supply data to autoland, ground proximity warning, and windshear detection systems. The AD requires operators to revise airplane flight manuals to prohibit specific operations dependent on radio altimeter data while flying in Canadian airspace.
Sources: Federal Register Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA Orders Repetitive Fuselage Frame Inspections on Airbus A321neo Variants After Assembly-Line Manufacturing Deviation
The FAA on June 29 adopted an airworthiness directive requiring repetitive inspections of certain Airbus A321neo variants — models A321-251NX, -252NX, -253NX, -271NX, and -272NX — effective August 3. The directive targets fastener holes in center fuselage frame foot joint connections at frames FR37 to FR41, between stringers STR21 to STR23 on both sides. A manufacturing cold-working process deviation detected during an assembly-line review could adversely affect fatigue life in that area. If cracking is found at the frame foot joint connections, corrective action is required. Undetected crack propagation could reduce structural integrity of the airframe.
Sources: Federal Register / Justia Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA Proposes Inspection Mandate for Airbus A330 Nacelle Anti-Ice Tube Brackets After Cracking Reports
The FAA on June 29 issued a notice of proposed rulemaking for all Airbus A330-243, -243F, -341, -342, and -343 airplanes after reports of cracked and broken restraint brackets on nacelle inlet cowl anti-ice piccolo tubes. The piccolo tube delivers heated air to prevent ice formation on the nacelle lip skin, and the restraint brackets prevent disengagement of the thermal anti-ice spray ring from the feed pipe. Unaddressed bracket failure could allow the feed pipe to disengage, reducing anti-ice system effectiveness, allowing ice build-up on the inlet lip skin, and potentially causing engine damage or reduced aircraft control. Comments are due August 13.
Sources: Federal Register Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Honeywell Aerospace Launches as Independent Public Company Following Spinoff from Honeywell Technologies
Honeywell Aerospace began trading on Nasdaq under ticker symbol HONA on June 29, completing its separation from Honeywell Technologies to become a standalone public company. The spinoff distributed one share of Honeywell Aerospace common stock for every two Honeywell Technologies shares held as of the June 15 record date. With more than $17 billion in annual revenue for 2025 and a global presence on virtually every commercial and defense aircraft platform, Honeywell Aerospace is now one of the largest publicly traded aerospace suppliers. The split created three independent companies: Honeywell Technologies (HON), Honeywell Aerospace (HONA), and Solstice Advanced Materials.
Australian Startup Mako Raises $20 Million to Deploy Shark-Skin Drag-Reduction Film on Airbus A320 Fleet
Sydney-based Mako has raised $20 million in Series A funding to accelerate commercial roll-out of its Flightfilm drag-reduction coating, initially targeting the Airbus A320. Flightfilm is an adhesive layer featuring engineered microriblets inspired by shark skin, designed to smooth airflow over fuselage and wing surfaces to cut friction drag. Initial flight tests on a U.S. Air Force C-130J demonstrated a 4% reduction in fuel burn. International Airlines Group participated in the funding round through its IAGi venture capital arm. The product is designed for application during scheduled maintenance checks without structural modification to the airframe.
Sources: FlightGlobal Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Lufthansa Technik Breaks Ground on 55,000-Square-Meter MRO Facility Near Porto
Lufthansa Technik held a groundbreaking ceremony on June 29 in Santa Maria da Feira, south of Porto, for a new 55,000-square-meter facility specializing in aircraft component and engine parts repair, with entry into service expected in 2028. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro joined Lufthansa Group CEO Carsten Spohr at the ceremony. The facility represents a three-digit million-euro investment by Lufthansa Technik Portugal, a wholly owned Lufthansa Technik subsidiary established in 2024, and will create up to 700 jobs. Lufthansa Technik operates one of the world’s largest global MRO networks; Lufthansa Group airlines currently operate 353 weekly flights serving Portuguese airports.
Sources: Lufthansa Group Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA Proposes Tighter Structural Airworthiness Limits for Dassault Falcon 2000EX Business Jets
The FAA on June 30 proposed to supersede Airworthiness Directive 2023-23-06 for certain Dassault Falcon 2000EX business jets, publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking under Docket No. FAA-2026-4663. The proposed AD would require operators to revise their maintenance or inspection programs to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, addressing reduced structural integrity. Affected aircraft are those with original airworthiness certificates issued on or before January 15, 2026. The action follows EASA AD 2026-0041, issued February 27, which prompted the FAA to update its own directive. The FAA must receive comments on the proposed rule by July 30.
Sources: Federal Register Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.