Samwise Aeronautical Mechanics
Monday, July 20, 2026
FAA Restores Boeing Full Airworthiness Certificate Authority
The FAA restored Boeing’s full authority to issue airworthiness certificates effective July 20, ending a supervisory programme that had required FAA inspectors to countersign certificates alongside Boeing’s designated representatives. The agency had revoked Boeing’s authority twice — in 2019 following the 737 Max grounding and in 2022 during the 787 production pause. Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau cited equivalent quality findings between Boeing-issued and FAA-issued certificates over the past eight months as justification for the restoration. Boeing’s Organisation Designation Authorisation was separately renewed in May for three years. The FAA said the change reflects improved production quality standards at Boeing facilities.
Sources: FlightGlobal Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA Certifies CFM LEAP-1B High-Pressure Turbine Durability Upgrades
The FAA certified two CFM International LEAP-1B durability upgrades for the 737 Max engine fleet on July 18. A redesigned high-pressure turbine kit doubles time-on-wing in harsh operating environments, while a reverse bleed system targeting compressor fouling received simultaneous engine-level certification. Together, the two modifications address 80 percent of in-service durability problems; revised operating practices cover the remaining 20 percent. One Middle East operator has accumulated more than 3,000 flight cycles since heavy maintenance using preliminary HPT hardware. Production cutover is planned for early 2027. Applied climb-thrust derate schedules can independently extend time-on-wing a further 15 percent, CFM said.
Sources: FlightGlobal Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
CFM RISE Open-Fan Engine Programme Passes Preliminary Design Review
CFM International’s RISE open-fan engine programme cleared its preliminary design review on July 18, covering the compact core, open fan rotor, and outlet guide vanes. The joint GE Aerospace–Safran programme has completed approximately 500 individual test campaigns since 2021, with aeroacoustic results exceeding technology maturation objectives. Scale aerodynamic testing was conducted at ONERA using a 1:11-scale model and at Airbus’s Filton facility with a 1:14-scale rig. A product-representative flight demonstrator, to be mounted on a modified Airbus A380, remains on track for first flight around 2029. RISE targets more than 20 percent reduction in CO2 emissions versus current LEAP engines.
Safran Begins Full-Scale Testing of PHILEAS Hybrid-Electric Engine Demonstrator
Safran began full-scale testing of its PHILEAS hybrid-electric engine demonstrator at the Istres open-air test facility in southern France on July 16. The demonstrator integrates two electric machines — one on the high-pressure shaft and one on the low-pressure shaft — each capable of operating as either a motor or generator. Onboard power electronics and electrical distribution systems are included in the configuration. The test campaign will run approximately 300 hours over six months, supported by France’s civil aviation authority, the DGAC. PHILEAS builds on Safran’s 2023 DOPEE project, which validated a 300-kilowatt electric machine within a Silvercrest core.
Boeing Completes 737 Max 7 Certification Flight Tests, Advances 777-9 Fatigue Programme
Boeing completed 100 percent of 737 Max 7 certification flight tests as of July 16 and has submitted 95 percent of FAA-required deliverables. The engine anti-ice system was redesigned using turbulators — washers and fasteners mounted on the forward fan case — that reduce critical ice-formation temperatures by 93°C (200°F). A new North Assembly Line at Everett, opened July 6, will support production ramp to 52 aircraft per month across the Max family. The 777-9 simultaneously reached 50 percent of its certification flight tests complete, while the aircraft’s structural fatigue rig has now accumulated 63,000 cycles — 1.75 times the 36,000-cycle design life target.
Sources: FlightGlobal Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Boeing EcoDemonstrator Tests Shorter, Quieter Composite Engine Inlets
Boeing launched flight testing of next-generation composite engine inlets aboard a 787-9 EcoDemonstrator Explorer aircraft at Glasgow, Montana on July 16. The prototype inlets are approximately 30 percent shorter — 38 centimetres — than current production units and feature advanced acoustic liners covering a greater proportion of the inlet surface. Despite the reduced length, ground-based microphone array testing has demonstrated improved noise performance compared with perforated production inlets. The programme is a three-way partnership among Boeing, Lufthansa, and Rolls-Royce, whose Trent 1000 engines power the test aircraft. Flight data will inform inlet designs for future narrowbody and widebody aircraft generations.
Sources: Boeing Mediaroom Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
UK Opens £54 Million COMPASS Composites Facility at Sheffield AMRC
The United Kingdom opened the £54 million Composites at Speed and Scale (COMPASS) research facility in South Yorkshire on July 16, co-located with the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre. The open-access centre supports production of large composite aerostructures using automation, robotics, and digital manufacturing methods. Boeing’s Isothermic High-Rate Sustainable Structures (IHSS) programme, backed by the Aerospace Technology Institute, will be the first industrial user, targeting a reduction in large composite structure manufacturing cycle time from approximately 40 hours to four hours. The ATI estimates COMPASS could generate 3,000 jobs and £2 billion in annual UK export value.
Sources: MRO Business Today Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
FAA Mandates Immediate Inspections on Diamond DA42 Fleet Over Rudder Deflection Risk
The FAA issued Airworthiness Directive 2026-14-08, effective July 20, requiring immediate action on all Diamond Aircraft DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG airplanes. The AD was prompted by multiple occurrences of uncommanded rudder deflection traced to cracked nose landing gear hydraulic actuator rod ends. A fractured rod end can cause the actuator to fail and force the rudder into full left-hand deflection, restricting travel in the gear-retracted configuration. Aircraft with more than 4,000 hours total time-in-service must inspect the affected part within five flight cycles. Repetitive inspections at 4,000-cycle intervals apply fleet-wide. The directive affects 267 US-registered aircraft.
Sources: Federal Register Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Curated by JD · samwise.agency