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

Rolls-Royce has chosen U.S. aerospace engineering company AeroTec&nbsp;to modify, build, and validate a new 747-400 flying testbed, the companies announced Tuesday. The engine company bought the aircraft from Qantas Airways as part of a $70 million investment in the development of new engine technologies.

 


Rolls-Royce took delivery of the airplane at AeroTec’s flight test center in Moses Lake, Washington, after it flew from Qantas’s home port of Sydney, Australia. Schedules call for a two-year conversion process, during which AeroTec&nbsp;engineers and technicians will adapt the Boeing 747-400 from a commercial aircraft with 364 passenger seats to a flying testbed equipped with instrumentation and systems to measure engine performance in flight.

 


This contract award will allow AeroTec&nbsp;to expand its facilities and create 40 additional jobs in Moses Lake, the company said.

 


When complete, the converted aircraft will work alongside Rolls-Royce’s existing flying testbed, a Boeing 747-200 that has completed 285 test flights to date.

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

AeroTec to Convert Rolls-Royce's Latest 747 Testbed

The UK engine company took delivery of the ex-Qantas quadjet at AeroTec’s Moses Lake test center.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Location incorporates upgraded former NAS equipment at Cecil Airport

Hermeus Brings the HEAT with Hypersonic Test Facility

Charles Alcock

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Textron eAviation subsidiary has long been deep into propulsion R&D

Pipistrel Advances Hydrogen, Hybrid, and Electric Power Options

Mark Huber

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.

A range of traditional and new technologies are in the works for a variety of capabilities

New-generation Engines Driving Future of Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

More In Engines

Hermeus Brings the HEAT with Hypersonic Test Facility

Location incorporates upgraded former NAS equipment at Cecil Airport

Pipistrel Advances Hydrogen, Hybrid, and Electric Power Options

Textron eAviation subsidiary has long been deep into propulsion R&D

New-generation Engines Driving Future of Aircraft

A range of traditional and new technologies are in the works for a variety of capabilities

Fueling the Future: Engine Makers Bet on Hydrogen Power

Hydrogen fuel prospects spark engine innovations

French Start-up Beyond Aero Gets Backing for Hydrogen Bizjet

No major business aviation OEMs have yet committed to hydrogen propulsion

Elfly Will Distribute Electric BR23 Training Aircraft in Nordic Countries

BR23 Energic is an electric version of the piston-powered two-seater

Serbia's Green Power Certifying Small Turboprop Engine

Low-cost turboprop engine could be suitable replacement for pistons

EcoPulse Partners Report on Hybrid-electric Flight Tests

Technology demonstrator based on TBM aircraft logged 100 flight hours

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