Samwise Aeronautical Mechanics
Sunday, July 19, 2026
CFM RISE Open-Fan Demonstrator Clears Preliminary Design Review Ahead of Farnborough
CFM International announced that its RISE open-fan engine demonstrator has cleared the preliminary design review, covering the compact core, open-fan architecture, and outlet guide vanes. Marking five years of development, CFM has completed approximately 500 test campaigns across wind tunnel, endurance, and dust ingestion testing. Full-scale ground tests of the open-fan demonstrator are planned later this decade, with a separate powerplant scheduled to fly aboard an Airbus A380 testbed. Safran will open a new 8-metre test cell at its Villaroche facility near Paris—capable of accommodating the 4-metre fan—with first tests of the full fan system beginning by year-end or in early 2027.
Sources: FlightGlobal Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Boeing Forecasts $4.9 Trillion in Commercial Aviation Services Demand Over 20 Years
Boeing has published its annual commercial market forecast for aviation services, projecting that demand for commercial support—spanning parts supply, maintenance, repair, and modifications—will total $4.9 trillion over the next 20 years. The 2026 projection closely tracks the prior year’s figure, suggesting sustained long-range confidence in commercial fleet growth and associated aftermarket demand. The forecast was released by Boeing Global Services ahead of the Farnborough International Airshow, where commercial services contracting and supply chain capacity are expected to feature prominently. Boeing projects continued expansion of its addressable services market across its installed commercial fleet worldwide.
Sources: Aviation International News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
New Zealand Startup Reveals All-Composite Feeder Cargo Aircraft at Farnborough Day Zero
Wellington-based Aviation Composites New Zealand revealed the AC-2 AveniQ at Farnborough’s Day Zero on July 19, emerging from stealth with an all-composite, single-turboprop feeder cargo design. Founder Lapo Ancillotti claims the AC-2 delivers twice the range at 40 percent lower operating cost compared with aircraft such as the Cessna Caravan and Beech 1900. The design carries a 6,000-pound payload to 400–450 nautical miles at 200 knots, accommodates three LD3 containers, and provides a 2,750-nautical-mile ferry range. Built from the outset for crewed or uncrewed operations, ACNZ claims a 36-month path from construction start to type certificate using certified off-the-shelf systems. The company is seeking a launch customer.
Sources: Royal Aeronautical Society Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
GE Aerospace and Safran Commit More Than $2 Billion to CFM LEAP MRO Capacity at Farnborough
CFM International outlined expanded commitments to its open MRO ecosystem at Farnborough 2026, with GE Aerospace pledging more than $1 billion and Safran Aircraft Engines pledging more than €1 billion over five years to build MRO capacity for the CFM LEAP engine family. The commitments are designed to address forecast growth in LEAP shop visit volumes as the global narrowbody fleet matures. CFM said the investment will support engine test cells, advanced inspection technology, and component repair capability expansion. GE Aerospace separately announced additional investment of more than €110 million in European manufacturing and workforce development, coinciding with the start of the biennial airshow.
Sources: GE Aerospace Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA Restores Boeing Authority to Issue Airworthiness Certificates for 737 MAX and 787
The FAA announced on July 17 that Boeing may resume issuing airworthiness certificates for all new 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft starting July 20, 2026. Federal regulators took direct control of 737 MAX airworthiness approvals in 2019 after two fatal crashes, and withdrew Boeing’s 787 self-certification rights in 2022 over production quality concerns. For the past eight months, Boeing and the FAA alternated weekly safety checks on completed aircraft before delivery. The agency said Boeing’s internal safety checks are now sufficient to confirm airworthiness, while government factory inspectors will continue oversight to identify potential defects earlier in the manufacturing process.
Sources: Leeham News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA Issues Airworthiness Directive for Diamond DA 42 Over Uncommanded Rudder Deflection Risk
The FAA has adopted airworthiness directive 2026-14511, effective July 20, 2026, covering all Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Model DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG airplanes. The action was prompted by occurrences of uncommanded rudder deflection caused by a cracked nose landing gear hydraulic actuator rod end. The agency determined that a cracked rod end can cause nose landing gear actuator failure and subsequent mechanical interference with the rudder control system, posing a flight-control safety risk. The DA 42 series is a twin-engine piston aircraft widely used for instrument flight training, aerial surveillance, and multi-engine rating instruction at flight academies worldwide.
Sources: Federal Register Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA AD Targets GEnx Engine Fuel Tube Hose Defect on 787 and 747-8 Fleet
The FAA has adopted airworthiness directive 2026-14478, effective August 21, 2026, for certain General Electric GEnx-1B and GEnx-2B series engines. The directive was prompted by a report of a fuel leak caused by a defective fuel tube hose connecting the main fuel–oil heat exchanger to the engine fuel system. The agency determined that degradation or failure of the hose could allow fuel to contact hot engine components, creating an uncontrolled engine fire risk. Affected engines power Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 747-8 aircraft operated by major commercial carriers. The AD requires inspection and replacement procedures specified in the associated GE Engine Service Bulletin.
Sources: Federal Register Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA Orders Repetitive Inspections of Bell 407 Cyclic Stick Tubes Following Fatigue Fracture Reports
The FAA has adopted airworthiness directive 2026-14481, effective August 21, 2026, for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited Model 407 helicopters. The directive was prompted by a report of a fractured pilot cyclic stick tube, followed by findings of fatigue cracking in additional units. The AD requires repetitive visual inspections of the pilot cyclic stick tube assembly for cracks; cracked assemblies must be repaired or replaced before further flight. The Bell 407 single-turbine helicopter is widely used in utility, emergency medical service, and air charter operations. Cyclic stick tube failure presents a loss-of-control risk by compromising primary rotor control inputs.
Sources: Federal Register Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
GE Aerospace Q2 2026 Revenue Rises 21 Percent as Engine Demand Sustains Strong Growth
GE Aerospace reported second-quarter 2026 results on July 16, posting total revenue of $13.3 billion, up 21 percent year-on-year, and adjusted earnings per share of $2.02, a 22 percent increase. Commercial Engines & Services revenue reached $9.7 billion, up 27 percent, reflecting sustained demand for new engine deliveries and aftermarket services despite ongoing supply-chain constraints. Defense & Propulsion Technologies contributed $3.4 billion, up 16 percent. Total orders rose 17 percent to $16.5 billion. GE Aerospace raised its full-year 2026 operating profit guidance to $10.55–$10.75 billion and now targets adjusted EPS of $7.65–$7.85.
Sources: Leeham News Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Curated by JD · samwise.agency