Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Boeing mechanics joined the forward and aft fuselage sections with the wing and center section of the first 747-8 Intercontinental in Everett, Wash., this week. “Final body join is an important milestone for the 747 program,” said Pat Shanahan, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president and general manager of airplane programs. “It is a major step toward completing the structural integration and building out our all-new interior. We now have the first real look at the size and distinctive shape of the <a href="?q=node/25150">747-8 Intercontinental</a>.” 
The 747-8 fuselage measures 250 feet, 2 inches in length–18 feet, 4 inches longer than the 747-400. The stretch allows for another 51 seats, raising passenger capacity to 467 in a typical three-class configuration. The airplane also offers 26 percent more cargo volume.
Scheduled for first delivery late next year to a VIP customer, the Intercontinental has drawn firm orders for 33 examples. Together, the <a href="?q=node/24190">747-8 Freighter</a> and Intercontinental have collected firm orders for 109 units. Boeing expects to deliver the first Freighter version by the middle of this year.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Boeing Joins Fuselage Sections for First 747-8 Intercontinental

Boeing mechanics joined the forward and aft fuselage sections with the wing and center section of the first 747-8 Intercontinental in Everett, Wash., this 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

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Matt Thurber

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Kerry Lynch

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Electra Launches Hybrid-electric EL9 STOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

First production-representative Alia CX300 takes flight

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G700 next headed to the Bahrain International Airshow for display alongside the G500

Gulfstream’s G700 Surpasses 65 City-pair Records

Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

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Curt Epstein

Some models are seeing high demand, others not so much

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Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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