Aerospace

These two Iraqi B747 planes are up for auction, and you can get them for $494,000 each.

These two B747s from Iraq are up for auction, and they cost just $494,000.

Iraq Airways’ Queen of the Sky Boeing 747 aircraft is slated to be auctioned off. This aircraft can be purchased, but you have to retrieve it from the airport where it is currently stored.

The 747-200 and 747SP jumbos have been stationed in Tunisia for almost 32 years and are no longer operational.

Southwest Airlines pilot hangs from window to retrieve passenger’s phone(Opens in a new browser tab)

Iraqi Airways recently advertised the sale of two Boeing 747 wide bodies. According to Flight Global, the aircraft, which will be auctioned on August 16, are now parked at Tozeur-Nefta airport in Tunisia.

The “Jumbos” for sale are Boeing types 747SP (serial number 22858) and 747-200 (22366), both built in 1982 and powered by Pratt & Whitney JT9D engines.

After the Gulf War in 1991, the aircraft were stored in Tunisia and were never recovered by the Iraqi carrier.

Kingfisher aircraft to be auctioned; expected to fetch around Rs 535 crore.!(Opens in a new browser tab)

The estimated value of each aircraft is $494,000, and one of the prerequisites for participating in the auction is a 20% deposit to the Iraqi Ministry of Finance.

The victorious bidder must complete the transaction within seven days of the auction date, according to the carrier, and there are restrictions on the usage of the aircraft following the sale.

Iraqi Airways’ fleet has been modernized with aircraft such as the Boeing 787 and 737 Max, as well as the Airbus A220.

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.