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October marks a special anniversary regarding transatlantic air travel. A special anniversary in the world of passenger aviation, with October 4th, 1958 being the date of the first jet-powered transatlantic commercial flight. Here are some variables that affect the speed at which a plane crosses this ocean.

Aircraft type

A key factor is the aircraft being used. While modern jetliners are in a similar ballpark regarding speed, there used to be more variation. This was particularly obvious with the supersonic Aérospatiale/BAC Concorde airliner flying between Europe and North America. Transatlantic routes were in between of 3 hours and 30 to 3 hours and 45 minutes. However, under certain conditions, it could fly even faster, with its New York-London record being 2 hours, 52 minutes, and 59 seconds.

The route

Route of a transatlantic flight also plays a role in dictating its length. For example, Aer Lingus flies from Shannon in western Ireland to Boston, with the Massachusetts city being further up the eastern coast than New York. These flights duration of just 6 hours and 55 minutes, with the return being even shorter, at 6 hours and 5 minutes.

Looking further south, direct flights across the Atlantic Ocean between Africa and South America are in shorter supply. TAAG Angola Airlines’ flights from its Luanda hub to São Paulo/Guarulhos have a scheduled block time of 8 hours and 30 minutes.

Direction and wind speed

Flights, North America to Europe are faster than those traveling in the opposite direction. This is because these flights benefit not from the earth’s rotation, but rather from jetstreams. These fast-flowing, high-altitude air currents help eastbound flights cross the Atlantic quicker than their westbound counterparts.

In February 2020, a British Airways Boeing 747 set a subsonic transatlantic speed record when, assisted by the winds of Storm Ciara, it flew from New York to London in four hours and 56 minutes. Since 1958, transatlantic jet travel has come a long way!

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Aerospace supply chains have become more fragile due to greater globalization, increased complexity, as well as price inflation. Staffing shortages have caused airports to cancel thousands of flights, while aircraft manufacturers are experiencing longer lead times on their production lines.

The economic unrest has instigated a wave of new challenges, with sanctions and conflict restricting the flow of critical resources.

As demand for commercial, civil and defense aviation recovers, the difficulty for companies is returning employee headcount to pre-pandemic levels and possessing all the fundamental skills.

The combined effects of these underestimated disruptions has made it even more evident that supply chains, no matter how mature, are far more unadaptable than to be believed. Operational strategies currently focused on digital should also include a strong risk preparedness component, greater transparency and sustainability.

This is not the first time, nor will it be the last, when a major disruption in aviation industry has presented itself; the key question is how can respond now, and in the future. Maintaining profitability and a healthy balance sheet during such an event is certainly achievable.

Underestimating the next set of global disruptions is perhaps inevitable (we cannot know the future). However, companies which take proactive balanced steps to mitigate supply chain risks and increase supply chain visibility and durability are more likely to be able to enjoy continued success and profitability.

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Aircraft replacement parts are a crucial component of continued aircraft cycle. Even the smallest replacement part can ground an airplane. However, it’s the little things that can make all the difference in the installation of new equipment.

One of the biggest questions many aircraft owners face is: How do I know the parts I am flying behind are approved and not some knock-off?

The FAA has a term for aircraft material that does not meet the standards for installation, and return to service — suspected unapproved parts (SUPs). Just because a bolt fits does not necessarily mean you are good to go. Approved aircraft parts must conform to strict guidelines.

The aircraft parts aftermarket is massive and will only continue to grow. This growth creates both opportunities and challenges for owners, operators, and maintenance professionals when it comes time to procure parts.

Thousands of companies advertise themselves as aircraft parts distributors. This list does not include the undocumented dealers, private sellers.

The best defense you can have against the threat of a SUP is to buy consistently from trusted suppliers.

How can aircraft parts distributors protect themselves against counterfeit goods?

• Maximize availability of authentic products.
• Procure products from reliable sources, assuring authenticity and conformance.
• Control products possibly identified as suspect.
• Report products to other potential users and government authorities.

What offers Locatory.com Marketplace?

• Quality suppliers data base including manufacturers, distributors, real stock suppliers.
• Powerful complex of search tools and options, easy and quick to use. Instant RFQs sending possibilities and contacts visibility.
• Variety of suppliers offering parts gives the possibility to choose the best price and delivery time match.
• To make even more exact search you can always use the option to select exact PN condition and Supplier location country.

What advice can to offer when purchasing aircraft parts?

• Do business with an accredited supplier operating within an aviation standard.
• Use the tools provided by Locatory.com Marketplace.
• Listen to that inner voice of reason that asks, “Why is this actuator $500 while all the others I have seen are $5,000?”

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The new generation of commercial wireless communications (5G) and the multiplication of 5G antennas have raised concerns of interference with aircraft operations, particularly for landing at airports. While most focused on the impact of 5G on consumers, it’s the enterprise world where the technology will really take flight.

5G’s Impact on the Entire Aviation Lifecycle

If leveraged properly, 5G deployments will touch every facet of the aviation lifecycle. At a high level, 5G will transform the industry in: manufacturing, airlines, and the passenger experience.

Manufacturing

For example, 5G can provide manufacturers greater understanding of all its manufacturing processes/scenarios by enabling digital twins for aircraft blisks. Blisks are complex products that require high transmission rates, high reliability, and high data rates to produce. By deploying a 5G, manufacturers can ensure highly precise blisk manufacturing and real-time tracking capabilities.

Airlines

It’s easy to imagine 5G’s impact on a structure such as an airport, but the airlines themselves can leverage 5G technology as well. The avionic systems inside airlines, for instance, can have accelerated communication with control towers via 5G connectivity. Also, real-time equipment monitoring using 5G networks can enable predictive maintenance. Airlines could also improve their cargo and people movement, with 5G.

Passenger Experience

The opportunities are vast to utilize 5G to provide an improved passenger experience. From a logistics standpoint, QR code scanning to verify passengers’ identity can considerably reduce waiting periods and long queues. Real-time video streaming enabled through 5G could improve baggage control and monitoring, providing passengers with constant monitoring of their baggage during loading/unloading and the flight itself. When on the airplane, passengers could benefit from a 5G-enabled experience by lighter-weight and faster in-flight entertainment services.

The sky is truly the limit when it comes to 5G’s ability to transform the aviation industry.