SPACE reports, “In case you forgot it was still up there. That U.S. Space Force X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) has silently slipped past one-year of flight time. The craft is engaged in performing aerobrake maneuvers, a technique to alter its orbit around Earth, as well as safely dispose of its attached service module.
Full Story (SPACE)
Tag: Surpasses
Joby Exceeds Range Target for Hydrogen-Electric Air Tax Demonstrator
Aviation Week reports, “While it pursues certification of its battery-powered air taxi and prepares to launch commercial service, Joby Aviation already is flying its electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft on liquid hydrogen and fuel cells. … In flight testing conducted in June, the remotely piloted aircraft completed a 523-mi. flight over Marina, California, including a vertical takeoff and landing and landing with 10% of its liquid hydrogen (LH2) fuel load remaining. This compares with the 155 mi. flown by the battery-electric S4 in 2021.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
US Airline Maintenance Surpasses Pre-Pandemic Levels
Aviation Week reported that a new report by investment bank Jeffries says that American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines collectively “spent $2.1 billion on maintenance in the 2023 second quarter (Q2), 47% above the level seen in pre-pandemic Q2 2019.” This reflects an upward trend for the commercial aftermarket with revenue forecast “to be 106% above 2019 levels and engine overhaul demand providing potential upside.” Further capital expenditure revisions “suggest delays in new aircraft deliveries into 2024.” On a trailing twelve-months basis, the three airlines collectively spent $7.7 billion on maintenance, which represents a 31% increase from $5.9 billion in 2019.
Full Story
Airbus Marks Milestone Upon Surpassing 16,000 Aircraft Deliveries
Aerotime reports, “European aerospace manufacturer Airbus has surpassed 16,000 aircraft deliveries in its latest performance update. Airbus confirmed on March 7, 2025, that since its inception, 16,028 aircraft have now been delivered with the 16,000th plane (an A321neo) seemingly going to British low-cost airline Jet2 through a lease arrangement with ICBS Leasing.”
Full Story (Aerotime)