Airlines

FAA Issues 30-Day Inspection Mandate for Pratt & Whitney GTF Engines

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, some users of Pratt & Whitney’s geared turbofan engine will be required to undertake inspections within 30 days in order to prevent a part failure that could harm the aircraft.

A “rare condition” in powdered metal required 1,200 of the more than 3,000 engines constructed for the twin-engined Airbus A320neo between 2015 and 2021 to be removed and checked for microcracks, according to a July announcement by Pratt & Whitney parent RTX Corp.

United Airlines Selects Pratt & Whitney’s GTF For Future Airbus A321neo &A321XLR (Opens in a new browser tab)

According to the report, the FAA said it will mandate an ultrasonic check of the first- and second-stage high-pressure turbine discs within 30 days in an airworthiness regulation that was published on Friday. According to the organization, if the discs exhibit signs of damage, they must be changed before the next trip. The instruction goes into effect right away. Twenty engines on U.S.-registered aircraft and 202 engines globally are impacted by the FAA’s decision.

As a result of contaminated powder metal used in the manufacturing process, Pratt expects that 1,200 engines will need to be taken out of aircraft and evaluated during the next nine to twelve months.

The FAA will require a secondary barrier on the flight deck of new commercial airplanes(Opens in a new browser tab)

The FAA claimed that its action came as a result of an additional investigation into the engine failure that forced an Airbus A320neo’s pilots to cancel a takeoff in December. Neither the agency nor Pratt would name the airline.

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Airlines

Qantas Engineers Stage Walkout Over Cost of Living Concerns

Tensions at Qantas reached new heights as base maintenance workers in Brisbane walked out of a hangar meeting hosted by the airline’s CEO, Vanessa Hudson.

The walkout was a clear display of displeasure and aimed to send a strong message to the company’s management about the growing frustrations within the workforce. The workers, represented by the Qantas Engineers Alliance, have been pushing for wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living.

In an open display of displeasure, Qantas Base maintenance workers walked out of a hangar meet hosted by the CEO Vanessa Hudson in Brisbane, also aimed to send a message to the management.

Qantas Engineers Alliance members have been demanding decent wage increases to match with… pic.twitter.com/y9EVjc46VM— FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 14, 2024

Despite ongoing discussions, the employees feel that their concerns have been overlooked, leading to this public show of dissent. The hangar meeting, meant to foster dialogue and address employee concerns, instead became the stage for a visible demonstration of dissatisfaction as the workers exited in unison.

For some time, the engineers and maintenance staff have expressed frustration over wage stagnation amid increasing inflation and living costs. Their demand is simple: a decent and fair wage adjustment that keeps pace with economic realities. The walkout underscores the workers’ determination to stand firm on their request for better pay and fair treatment.

As Qantas navigates its recovery post-pandemic, this incident highlights the growing internal challenges the airline faces, especially concerning its workforce. The maintenance staff’s actions have put additional pressure on the company’s leadership to address the wage concerns and avoid further escalation.