Aviation

Virgin Galactic brings commercial space to the Dubai Airshow

Virgin Galactic invites you to an immersive reality experience of the world’s first commercial spaceport and

showcases the world’s first commercial spacesuits

[Dubai, UAE.] – November , 2019, Virgin Galactic will be attending the Dubai Airshow 2019, exhibiting in partnership with Mubadala Investment Company from the 17th – 21st November. The company will be exhibiting the recently revealed spacesuits, developed in collaboration with Under
Armour, the world’s first such collection ever created specifically for private astronauts. Virgin Galactic will also be offering a unique, immersive and sensory VR experience that allows
guests to go on a virtual guided tour around the interior of Spaceport America, New Mexico. Using state-of-the-art mixed reality technology developed by Hyper and Viewport, guests will be able to experience the surfaces and materials of Spaceport, replicating the stunning barista bar that is a centrepiece of the Gaia lounge in the Gateway To Space Building.

ANA Unveils the Features of Airbus A380
Some of our senior team members will attend the event. Jeremy Brown, the design Director for Spaceport will be there to share further insights about the Spaceport facilities, while Tom Westray,
Creative Director, will talk about his work with Under Armour to design the spacesuits. Both will share the design ethos behind each piece of work in this unique new market for commercial space
travel. Please see below a quote from Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides:

The Best and Worst Airlines and Airports of 2019

“We’re thrilled to be exhibiting at the 2019 Dubai Air Show, a world-class event that brings together the most exciting companies in aerospace from across the world. It’s a great opportunity for guests to come see the first spacesuit ever designed for private astronauts, and experience an immersive reality showcase of Spaceport America to get a glimpse of becoming a future astronaut with Virgin
Galactic.”

Lufthansa orders 20 additional A350-900 wide-body aircraft

When: November 17 – 21
Where: Dubai Airshow, Mubadala Investment Company stand, Virgin Galactic Stand 910

Aviation

Lost Tool Found in Qantas A380 After 34 Flights

An Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation recently revealed that a Qantas A380 operated 34 flights with a 1.25-meter nylon tool lodged in one of its engines.

This turning tool, used during borescope inspections to rotate the intermediate-pressure compressor, was left behind during scheduled maintenance at Los Angeles on December 6, 2023. It remained inside the engine until it was discovered by maintenance staff during a subsequent check at Los Angeles on January 1, 2024.

China Takes the Lead in Sixth-Generation Fighters with White Emperor B

The ATSB report highlights two critical lapses. First, maintenance engineers failed to notice the tool during final checks for foreign objects after the borescope inspection. Second, the lost tool procedure was not activated when the tool was identified as missing.

The certifying engineer ultimately cleared the aircraft for service without accounting for the misplaced tool. During the time qantas films the tool was inside, the A380 completed 34 flight cycles, accumulating nearly 294 hours without any noticeable effect on engine performance.

Although the tool was deformed by high-energy airflow within the engine, there was no reported damage to the engine itself. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell commented.

India’s C-295 to Gain Advanced Weapons for Maritime Surveillance

“This incident underscores the importance of following established maintenance protocols. Engineers missed the tool during foreign object checks, and the required lost tool procedure wasn’t started after realizing the tool was missing.”

Following the investigation, the airline issued a safety directive, urging all engineering and tool storage teams to adhere strictly to these protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A qantas spokesperson stated, “While the tool didn’t impact engine performance, we take this incident very seriously. It is critical to follow the correct lost tool procedures.”