The FAA intends to require airlines inspect flight control computers on more than 500 737NGs to address risks that aircraft might drift below the glideslope during landing. A proposed rule released Feb 26 targets aircraft with flight control computers equipped with “operational programme software” versions “P8.0” and “P9.0”. Affected flight control computers are made by Rockwell Collins, now Collins Aerospace. Boeing has already released a software update to address the issue, and the FAA’s order, if finalised, would give airlines 1 year to make the updates. “The FAA has received reports that during autopilot-coupled instrument landing system approaches, the airplane did not capture or track the glideslope correctly,” says the proposed rule. <br/>
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The price of jet kerosene is continuing to move sharply lower in line with weaker crude, amid mounting concerns about the impact of the coronavirus on global economic growth. A tonne of jet kerosene for barge delivery to Rotterdam Feb 25 was assessed at US$501.75 per tonne, according to energy data provider ICIS – a reduction of $29.25 over one week. At the start of the year, the same delivery of jet kerosene would have been priced at around $660 per tonne. “European jet kerosene spot market continues to bear the brunt of coronavirus outbreak as flight cancellations are not only seeing reduced consumption rates but also inducing length in the market,” notes ICIS. Similar downward pressure is being seen in US markets. <br/>