Aerospace

How a hero pilot averted disaster Collision in mid-air

Following reports that the state carrier’s plane narrowly avoided a mid-air collision with a British Airways flight over Turkey, putting the lives of nearly 500 passengers in danger, SriLankan Airlines praised its pilots for safely commandeering a flight from London to Colombo. The airlines also praised the pilot’s talents, as well as the communication and surveillance systems, for averting a major disaster. It should be noted that flight UL 504 was flown by an Airbus A333.

The national carrier claimed on June 13 that “the pilots’ vigilance and the state-of-the-art communication and surveillance systems onboard the aircraft allowed safe passage for UL 504”.

Furthermore, SriLankan Airlines commends the pilots operating UL 504 for their prompt action, which secured the safety of all passengers, crew, and equipment onboard UL 504, the company stated in a statement.

After media sources indicated that UL 504, flying from London to Colombo, escaped the worst potential mid-air collision while in Turkish airspace, the correction was provided. According to accounts, the Airbus A333 aircraft carrying 275 passengers had crossed Turkish airspace after departing Heathrow on its way to Colombo. The Srilankan aeroplane had been instructed to rise to 35,000 feet from the current altitude of 33,000 feet.

The Srilankan jet noticed a British Airways flight with more than 250 people on board about 15 miles away, travelling at 35,000 feet, and contacted Ankara’s air traffic control.

Ethiopian Airlines Refutes the Wrong Reportings of the New York Times

Despite being cleared twice incorrectly by Ankara air traffic control, the Sri Lankan pilots refused to rise. Minutes later, air traffic control replied quickly, warning the Srilankan jet not to climb because a British Airways flight to Dubai was already at 35,000 feet.

If the UL pilot had climbed to the requested height, the UL flight would have collided with the British Airways jet, which was flying faster than the UL flight, according to the Daily Mirror newspaper.

The passengers and crew safely departed from the flight after landing at Bandaranaike International Airport here, and a report on the event was filed, according to the statement.

A 13-year-old Qantas Airbus A380 is being scrapped in Victorville.

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.