Samwise Aeronautical Mechanics
Friday, July 24, 2026
FAA publishes final rule requiring aircraft radio altimeters to tolerate 5G interference
The Federal Aviation Administration on Friday published its final rule requiring aircraft radio altimeters operating in U.S. airspace to withstand interference from 5G signals in adjacent wireless spectrum bands. Scheduled air carriers face a 2030 deadline to complete upgrades; other aircraft operators have roughly two more years after that. Retrofitting the U.S. fleet carries an estimated cost of $4.49 billion, partially offset by a rebate program to accelerate airline compliance. The rule accompanies a Federal Communications Commission proceeding to auction new C-band 5G spectrum in 2027, which prompted the airworthiness upgrade requirement.
Sources: Aviation Week Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Emirates refuses delivery of earliest Boeing 777-9 airframes citing age and rework requirements
Emirates president Sir Tim Clark told Farnborough reporters this week that the airline will not accept its earliest-built Boeing 777-9 airframes. About 10 to 11 aircraft, some approaching eight years old, require extensive “change incorporation” work to reach current production standard. Boeing has already scrapped at least one – the seventh 777-9 ever built – which spent roughly six years parked at Paine Field with Emirates livery applied before being disassembled in 2025. Clark was blunt about Boeing's options: “Heinz would be interested, baked bean cans.” Emirates remains the program's largest customer with roughly 270 of more than 650 firm 777X orders, targeting compliant deliveries from Q2 2027.
Sources: AeroXplorer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Boeing 777X clears Phase 4B certification as CEO eyes GE9X thrust increase for range extension
Boeing's 777X cleared Phase 4B of FAA certification this week after its 777-9 test fleet logged more than 4,800 flight hours across roughly 1,700 flights – about half of total certification testing. Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stephanie Pope told Farnborough reporters the company intends to extend the aircraft's range further, using maximum takeoff weight adjustments and additional GE9X thrust; the engine has been tested to 134,300 pounds, well above its current 105,000-pound operating point. Boeing has revised the 777-9's advertised range from 7,285 to 8,000 nautical miles. Core flight testing is expected to conclude by year-end, with ETOPS certification carrying into 2027 before launch customer Lufthansa takes delivery.
Sources: AeroXplorer Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
CFM certifies LEAP-1B durability kit for Boeing 737 Max as reverse bleed fix reaches 70 percent of Airbus fleet
CFM International announced at Farnborough that it has certified a “durability kit” for the LEAP-1B, the engine powering Boeing's 737 Max. The hardware fix addresses high-pressure turbine degradation from dust ingestion in hot, arid environments – a problem eroding engine time-on-wing for Max operators. An equivalent solution for the LEAP-1A, which powers Airbus's A320 family, was introduced last year and is now installed on 40% of that fleet. GE Aerospace VP Tom Levin called the LEAP-1B certification a “huge milestone for the Max program.” CFM also reported its reverse bleed cooling system is now on 70% of the Airbus fleet, with a Max version expected before year-end.
Sources: The Spokesman-Review Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
CFM RISE open-fan engine approaches flight test decade as Pratt and Whitney opts for geared turbofan stability
Rival engine makers CFM International and Pratt & Whitney are placing different bets on next-generation propulsion. At Farnborough, CFM said its open-fan RISE program – which eliminates the traditional nacelle casing from around the fan blades – has completed about 500 test campaigns and remains on track for full-scale flight demonstrations this decade. CFM projects RISE could deliver 20% better fuel efficiency than today's ducted engines. Pratt & Whitney, by contrast, is staying with its geared turbofan architecture, which president of commercial engines Rick Deurloo called a “low-risk next-gen solution.” Deurloo added he expects no new narrowbody aircraft from either Airbus or Boeing until 2040: “Our industry needs some stability.”
Sources: The Spokesman-Review Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
RTX lifts 2026 guidance as commercial aerospace backlog climbs 22 percent and MRO demand stays strong
RTX, parent of Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, reported strong second-quarter results on Thursday, lifting its 2026 revenue guidance to $95–$96 billion. The company's commercial aerospace backlog rose 22% year over year to $170 billion, with total backlog reaching $289 billion. RTX cited continued strong demand for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services, as supply-chain disruptions and delayed new-aircraft deliveries have forced airlines to operate older fleets. Collins Aerospace, RTX's airplane-components unit, contributed roughly 25% of the guidance increase. RTX also raised its adjusted profit forecast to $7.10–$7.25 per share. Both RTX and Lockheed Martin topped Wall Street's second-quarter expectations.
Sources: The Spokesman-Review Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Lockheed Martin raises 2026 revenue forecast as PAC-3 and THAAD production ramps to restock Pentagon
Lockheed Martin on Thursday raised its 2026 revenue guidance to $79.75–$81.75 billion after its missiles and fire control segment posted nearly 20% revenue growth, reaching $4.1 billion in the quarter. Production ramp-ups in PAC-3 and precision strike missile systems drove the gain, alongside a $35 billion THAAD contract signed in June to quadruple interceptor output. The company's total backlog climbed 38.3% year over year to $230.4 billion. CEO Jim Taiclet cited a government push for faster manufacturing: “That's what I hear from the deputy secretary every time we get together: faster, faster, faster.” Lockheed shares rose 10.6% on the news.
Sources: The Spokesman-Review Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Curated by JD · samwise.agency