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

The FAA blamed Boeing for a deficient safety culture in a 50-page <a href="https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/Sec103_ExpertPanelReview_Report_Final.pdf">report</a> issued on Monday following a public outcry over several safety lapses before the January 5 incident in which a door plug “blew out” from an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 in mid-flight.
In a review of the employment culture at the company, an expert panel found what it called gaps in Boeing’s safety journey and that a majority of employees did not show “skillful awareness” of the concepts of just culture and reporting culture.
The panel further reported that it could not find a “consistent and clear” safety reporting channel or process within the business unit. It also noted that employees do not understand how to use the different reporting systems and which reporting system to use and when. The panel expressed concern that the confusion might discourage employees from reporting what they see as safety problems.
The report concluded that, although Boeing previously provided a roadmap to implement an Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) and safety management systems (SMS), the airframer still hadn’t completed the changes described in the roadmap.
The report recommended that Boeing develop an action plan that includes a “milestone-based” approach to address each recommendation and share the results with the FAA.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Boeing Missing Key Elements of Safety Culture: FAA Report

Employees lack awareness of the basics in reporting safety concerns.

The FAA has blamed Boeing for a deficient safety culture in a 50-page report issued following a public outcry over a spate of safety lapses.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

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.

Panelists at the Bombardier Safety Standdown agreed that communication is essential to safety

In Multi-generational Workplace, Communication Is Key

Chad Trautvetter

Experts to review and discuss current and emerging safety challenges

Next ACSF Aviation Safety Symposium Set for April 2025

AmyWilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Systems, culture, and training key to preventing aviation mishaps

Ferraro's Safety Case Study: Lessons from a Not-quite Incident

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Influence shapes safety culture in aviation

Michael Graham Talks Safety Culture at Standdown

Matt Thurber

Tony Kern brings his A game to the annual safety event

Hypervigilance and the Right Influence

Wichita welcomed attendees to the 28th edition of the Safety Standdown

Bombardier Safety Standdown Promotes Safety Influencers

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

In this article

Boeing 737 Series

Boeing

More In Safety

In Multi-generational Workplace, Communication Is Key

Panelists at the Bombardier Safety Standdown agreed that communication is essential to safety

Next ACSF Aviation Safety Symposium Set for April 2025

Experts to review and discuss current and emerging safety challenges

Ferraro's Safety Case Study: Lessons from a Not-quite Incident

Systems, culture, and training key to preventing aviation mishaps

Michael Graham Talks Safety Culture at Standdown

Influence shapes safety culture in aviation

Hypervigilance and the Right Influence

Tony Kern brings his A game to the annual safety event

Bombardier Safety Standdown Promotes Safety Influencers

Wichita welcomed attendees to the 28th edition of the Safety Standdown

Will Boeing Add Jeppesen to Asset-sale Plans?

Speculation suggests that Boeing might sell aviation chart data provider Jeppesen for $6 billion

Bombardier Grows Safety Forums on Success of Standdown

Montreal airframer will host flight attendant summit in Hong Kong

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN