Samwise Aeronautical Mechanics
Friday, July 3, 2026
Dowty Propellers’ Composite Blade Expertise Becomes Central to CFM RISE Open-Fan Programme
GE Aerospace has spotlighted UK propeller subsidiary Dowty’s role in the CFM RISE open-fan demonstrator programme, positioning its composite propeller expertise as central to the effort. Arjan Hegeman, GE’s vice-president of future flight engineering, says the four-metre fan blades spinning at roughly 1,000rpm require a fundamentally different engineering approach than ducted turbofan blades, drawing directly on Dowty’s heritage. Jonathan Chestney, Dowty’s technical director, notes the firm has manufactured composite propeller blades since 1984 and is applying automated resin transfer moulding research to enable higher production rates. GE is increasingly prioritising durability over fuel burn as the RISE programme advances; a decision on serial production and industrial composition remains unmade.
Sources: FlightGlobal Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Iterative Approach Dominates Technology Choices for Next Single-Aisle as NASA HiCAM Composites Work Advances
Aviation Week’s latest analysis of next-generation single-aisle development finds an iterative technology approach dominating all major architectural choices as Airbus and Boeing pursue successors to the A320neo and 737 MAX families. NASA’s HiCAM (High-rate Composite Aircraft Manufacturing) programme plays a central role, aiming to transfer composite production technologies from widebody aircraft — specifically the Boeing 787 forward fuselage section built by Spirit AeroSystems — to the higher build rates that future narrowbodies will demand. An evolutionary rather than clean-sheet design strategy is creating significant openings for established suppliers to deploy long-developed structural, propulsion and manufacturing technologies on the next single-aisle platform.
Sources: Aviation Week Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
NTSB Preliminary: Missouri P-750XL Skydive Crash Showed Gradual Left Roll to Perpendicular Bank Before Impact
The US National Transportation Safety Board has released preliminary findings into the June 14 crash of a Pacific Aerospace P-750XL skydive aircraft at Butler Memorial Airport in Missouri that killed all 12 occupants. Surveillance video shows the aircraft gradually banked left after take-off from runway 36 until its wings reached perpendicular to the ground before striking the ground nose-down approximately 445 feet from the operator’s landing zone. Investigators found no fuel contamination and determined the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34 engine was producing power at impact. Aileron cables have been removed for examination. The pilot had over 4,100 flight hours and had completed two successful jump flights that morning.
Sources: FlightGlobal Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Embraer Q2 2026: 20 Commercial Jets Delivered as Executive Aviation Rises to 45, Full-Year Targets Held
Embraer delivered 20 commercial aircraft in the second quarter of 2026, a figure consistent with the 19 aircraft handed over in the same period last year, and maintained its full-year targets. The Brazilian manufacturer delivered 10 E2-family jets — comprising six E195-E2s and four E190-E2s — alongside 10 E175 regional aircraft. Executive aviation performance was notably stronger, with deliveries rising from 38 to 45 units in Q2, including 21 Praetor medium jets and 24 Phenom small jets. Combined first-half deliveries across commercial and executive sectors reached 104 aircraft. Embraer credits continued progress in production levelling initiatives and maintains annual targets of 80–85 commercial and 160–170 executive deliveries.
Sources: FlightGlobal Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-84 EP Achieves 1.8% SFC Improvement, Nearly Double the Original Target
Rolls-Royce has revealed that its Trent XWB-84 Enhanced Performance engine has delivered a 1.8% improvement in specific fuel consumption — nearly double the original 1% target — since entering service in May 2025. Rob Watson, President of Civil Aerospace, said at a pre-Farnborough briefing attended by Simple Flying that 1% SFC on the A350-84 equates to roughly $500,000 per aircraft per year, meaning a 20-aircraft fleet saves approximately $10 million annually in fuel costs. The engine was certified by EASA in December 2024 as part of a £1 billion Trent fleet modernisation programme. Delta Air Lines, the launch customer, has accumulated over 100,000 hours on the enhanced type.
Sources: Simple Flying Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Boeing Tests 737 MAX 10 Autoland System in Extreme Crosswinds at Midland, Texas During Certification Campaign
Boeing has conducted extreme crosswind autoland evaluations of the 737 MAX 10 at Midland International Air & Space Port, Texas, as part of the aircraft’s ongoing certification campaign. Crews actively pursued gusty conditions; test pilot Dan Mangel reported many trials were flown at crosswinds ‘in great excess of the requirement.’ The tests assessed whether the autoland system maintained runway alignment while continuously correcting for rapidly changing lateral forces. The MAX 10 — at 143 feet, 8 inches the longest 737 variant — features a modified levered landing gear to handle its greater size and weight. The type carries more than 1,200 commitments globally, including up to 300 aircraft from Ryanair.
Sources: Simple Flying Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
AAIB: Guernsey Dash 8-400 Overrun Caused by Extended Float on Downward-Sloping Runway, Crew Seniority Gap Highlighted
UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch findings into a 2024 De Havilland Dash 8-400 runway excursion at Guernsey airport highlight the hazards of excessive float combined with a downward-sloping runway. The Luxwing-operated aircraft, wet-leased to Aurigny and arriving from London Gatwick on 23 April 2024, floated at below 10 feet and at 120 knots groundspeed for ten seconds, consuming approximately 620 metres of the available 1,463-metre landing distance before touching down. Neither the first officer nor safety pilot called a go-around despite recognising the extended float period; the AAIB attributed this to a seniority gradient. The aircraft overran at 25 knots; all 68 occupants were uninjured.
Sources: FlightGlobal Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Curated by JD · samwise.agency