Jon Ostrower
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Jon Ostrower
@jonostrower.com
14K followers 1.1K following 770 posts
Endlessly fascinated by things in the sky. Editor-in-chief of @theaircurrent.com, co-host of @theairshowpodcast.com and co-founder of @yawmanflight.com. CNN, WSJ & Flightglobal alum. Standby for news...
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Reposted by Jon Ostrower
reuters.com
Boeing gets nod for moving 777X forward in certification, Air Current reports reut.rs/3LwwIcO
Boeing gets nod for moving 777X forward in certification, Air Current reports
Boeing received approval last week from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to begin the third of five major phases of certification flight tests for its 777-9, the Air Current reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the program's progress.
reut.rs
November 11, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Reposted by Jon Ostrower
theaircurrent.com
Boeing gets FAA nod to begin next major phase of 777X certification trials theaircurrent.com/aircraft-dev... (via @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
Boeing gets FAA nod to begin next major phase of 777X certification trials
Closely-watched TIA Phase 3 flight test milestone signals fresh progress for delayed super-twin, still a year to go
theaircurrent.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:50 PM
jonostrower.com
A steady stream of updates from @theaircurrent.com and TAC/Intel, which launches in the coming weeks.

Here's the latest: FAA Emergency Airworthiness Directive formally grounds MD-11 freighter fleet
The FAA formally prohibited flying of MD-11 freighters “until the airplane is inspected and the applicable corrective actions are performed” according to a Saturday afternoon Emergency Airworthiness Directive. (PDF) The directive requires approval by the FAA of a yet-to-be-determined means of compliance that will pace the aircraft’s return to service. The move by the U.S. aviation regulator follows Boeing’s recommendation on Friday to cease flying with the aging tri-jet “while additional engineering analysis is being performed” following the Nov. 4 crash of a UPS Airlines aircraft in Louisville. Two of the aging jet’s three remaining operators, UPS Airlines and FedEx Express, both curtailed flying on Friday and the third, Western Global Airlines, appeared to do so following the completion of a Saturday flight from Anchorage to Miami. The EAD contains few details, but the early investigation into the crash is focusing on the aircraft’s pylon. The left engine and pylon on the crashed UPS flight separated from the aircraft during the takeoff roll, the FAA said in its directive. Roughly 70 of McDonnell Douglas trijets are still in service, all as freighters. An FAA spokesperson said the order applies to roughly 109 U.S. registered aircraft, as the three carriers have aircraft in long-term storage.
November 8, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Reposted by Jon Ostrower
jonostrower.com
"We spoke with nine C-level U.S. airline executives and senior officials across six U.S. carriers for this story. They expressed varying degrees of skepticism, but none felt the cuts were without some level of political interference."
November 7, 2025 at 10:08 PM
jonostrower.com
BREAKING: Boeing confirms recommendation to ground MD-11 fleet “while additional engineering analysis is performed” (via ⁦‪@theaircurrent‬⁩.com)
November 8, 2025 at 8:19 AM
jonostrower.com
CONFIRMED: FedEx follows UPS in grounding MD-11 fleet after Boeing safety recommendation. Western Global expected to follow. Boeing statement expected shortly. (Via ⁦‪@theaircurrent‬⁩.com)
After a Friday Boeing recommendation to ground the MD-11 freighter fleet, FedEx has followed UPS in immediately ceasing operations of the aging tri-jet. In a statement provided to TAC, the logistics provider said, “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to immediately ground our MD-11 fleet as we conduct a thorough safety review based on the recommendation of the manufacturer.” A statement from Boeing on its recommendation is expected shortly. The airline has 28 MD-11s in operation. UPS Airlines, FedEx and Western Global are the only remaining operators of the McDonnell Douglas type. UPS grounded its fleet of 26 aircraft earlier Friday night.
November 8, 2025 at 6:43 AM
jonostrower.com
BREAKING on TAC/Intel: UPS Airlines says it has grounded the MD-11F fleet after Boeing recommendation
UPS Airlines said late Friday that “out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of safety” it has temporarily grounded its McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter fleet. The global cargo and logistics provider said in a statement provided to TAC that “we made this decision proactively at the recommendation of the aircraft manufacturer.” Boeing assumed responsibility for the McDonnell Douglas product line when it merged with the company in 1997. The grounding comes after the Nov. 6 crash in Louisville, Kentucky when one of UPS’s tri-jets bound for Honolulu lost its number one engine on takeoff. UPS said the aging MD-11 makes up 9% of its fleet and the grounding is “effective immediately.” The NTSB investigation into the fiery crash that killed at least 14 people, including three UPS pilots aboard the aircraft, is still in its earliest days.
November 8, 2025 at 6:00 AM
jonostrower.com
Night Music: The Doobie Brothers - NPR Tiny Desk Concert youtu.be/jrkOQuRYCIQ?...
The Doobie Brothers: Tiny Desk Concert
YouTube video by NPR Music
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Reposted by Jon Ostrower
kairyssdal.bsky.social
👇
jonostrower.com Jon Ostrower @jonostrower.com · 3d
"We spoke with nine C-level U.S. airline executives and senior officials across six U.S. carriers for this story. They expressed varying degrees of skepticism, but none felt the cuts were without some level of political interference."
theaircurrent.com The Air Current @theaircurrent.com · 3d
With little recourse, U.S. airline leaders skeptical of DOT flight cut justification theaircurrent.com/airlines/air... (via @willguisbond.com & @jonostrower.com) #staycurrent
November 7, 2025 at 10:10 PM
jonostrower.com
"We spoke with nine C-level U.S. airline executives and senior officials across six U.S. carriers for this story. They expressed varying degrees of skepticism, but none felt the cuts were without some level of political interference."
November 7, 2025 at 10:08 PM
jonostrower.com
A real banger from me and @willguisbond.com on this Friday afternoon. U.S. aviation has had a rough week:

With little recourse, U.S. airline leaders skeptical of DOT flight cut justification theaircurrent.com/airlines/air... (via @theaircurrent.com)
With little recourse, U.S. airline leaders skeptical of DOT flight cut justification
Concern about political motivation fills the void left by lack of FAA data
theaircurrent.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Reposted by Jon Ostrower
middleseatview.bsky.social
Hey, you don’t belong here 🤔
November 7, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Reposted by Jon Ostrower
jonostrower.com
Historical context - In 1979 an AA DC-10 (MD-11 predecessor) crashed on takeoff from ORD. Its left engine separated (due to a maintenance issue) on takeoff causing an asymmetric stall when the slats retracted. (Locks mandated in 1982) TAC report from 2019: theaircurrent.com/historical-c...
Searching for 40-year old lessons for Boeing in the grounding of the DC-10
An eerily similar crash in Chicago 40-years ago holds lessons for Boeing and the 737 Max that reverberate through history.
theaircurrent.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Reposted by Jon Ostrower
elanhead.com
I spoke with Beta Technologies CEO Kyle Clark about why he's retaining control over the electric aircraft developer as it goes public. In short: to make sure the company preserves its long-term vision instead of chasing Wall Street's "short-term sugar high". theaircurrent.com/industry-str...
Beta CEO Kyle Clark wants to run his public company like a private one
The electric aircraft developer’s initial public offering is structured with a view to the long term.
theaircurrent.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:06 PM
jonostrower.com
Historical context - In 1979 an AA DC-10 (MD-11 predecessor) crashed on takeoff from ORD. Its left engine separated (due to a maintenance issue) on takeoff causing an asymmetric stall when the slats retracted. (Locks mandated in 1982) TAC report from 2019: theaircurrent.com/historical-c...
Searching for 40-year old lessons for Boeing in the grounding of the DC-10
An eerily similar crash in Chicago 40-years ago holds lessons for Boeing and the 737 Max that reverberate through history.
theaircurrent.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 AM
jonostrower.com
The Air Current is following the developments out of Louisville where a UPS MD-11 Freighter crashed on takeoff. The flight with three crew aboard was on its way to Honolulu and the airport remains closed at this point.
November 4, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Reposted by Jon Ostrower
theaircurrent.com
Beta CEO defends projected battery business economics theaircurrent.com/feed/dispatc... (via ⁦‪@elanhead‬⁩.com) #staycurrent
Beta CEO defends projected battery business economics
Clark says hourly operating costs factor in high cost of battery replacement
theaircurrent.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Reposted by Jon Ostrower
theaircurrent.com
Beta CEO Kyle Clark wants to run his public company like a private one theaircurrent.com/industry-str... (via @elanhead.com) #staycurrent
Beta CEO Kyle Clark wants to run his public company like a private one
The electric aircraft developer’s initial public offering is structured with a view to the long term.
theaircurrent.com
November 4, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Reposted by Jon Ostrower
willguisbond.com
Boeing's digital services spin off into their own biz unit dubbed "Jeppesen ForeFlight" and complete their divestment from the plane maker, confirming @jonostrower.com scoop from last week. www.jeppesenforeflight.com/news/jeppese...
Jeppesen ForeFlight | Jeppesen ForeFlight Launches as a Standalone Company to Redefine the Future of Aviation Software
www.jeppesenforeflight.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
jonostrower.com
I think season 3 of The Diplomat might’ve been written by ChatGPT.
November 2, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Reposted by Jon Ostrower
faabot.paxex.aero
✈️⚠️ October 30, 2025 - Commercial Aviation / Boston, Massachusetts

MassachusettsFAA Details. #AvGeek
October 31, 2025 at 4:48 PM
jonostrower.com
A scoop yesterday evening from @theaircurrent.com:

Boeing nears finish line on Jeppesen, ForeFlight divestment theaircurrent.com/scoops/boein...
Boeing nears finish line on Jeppesen, ForeFlight divestment
The sale as soon as Nov. 3 is expected to help Boeing pay down its $53 billion debt
theaircurrent.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:29 PM
jonostrower.com
Did you know that you wanted to watch the 1989, 1990, 1991 and 1992 British Airways corporate highlights video? I didn't either! www.youtube.com/watch?v=28Vf... #avgeek
BRITISH AIRWAYS 1989 - 1992. Highlights. BA’s 747-400; Super Shuttle relaunch; Club Europe & more.
YouTube video by Heathrow Aircraft - past and present.
www.youtube.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:01 PM
jonostrower.com
Supply of widebody aircraft "extraordinarily acute", Aercap CEO says www.reuters.com/business/fin... (via @reuters.com)
www.reuters.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
jonostrower.com
Open your Photos app

Search “Airplane” (lol)

Scroll down to what you think is exactly halfway and screenshot it

Post.

#AvGeek
October 29, 2025 at 3:58 PM