[October 16, 2020] [No. 077] In This Issue : Boeing Forecasts Challenging Near-Term Aerospace Market with Resilience in Long Term : ProSafeT - SMS, Quality & Audit Management Software : Hong Kong extends waiver on airport fees until year-end : Registration deadline nears for FAA Rotorcraft Safety Conference : BOEING’S 20-YEAR JOB PREDICTIONS LOWERED : Dassault Aviation Makes Changes to Hourly Mx Program : IAI Aviation Group notes increasing demand for Boeing 737 conversions : Covid-19: Airport Authority Hong Kong extends relief measures : Pratt & Whitney Cuts Salaried Workers as Commercial Aviation Reels from COVID-19 : Aircraft Electronics Association Awards $100,000 in Scholarships : SpaceX adds third Starlink launch to busy October manifest Boeing Forecasts Challenging Near-Term Aerospace Market with Resilience in Long Term - Near-term industry challenges impact demand for commercial airplanes and services - Over 10 years, Boeing Market Outlook shows resilient $8.5 trillion total market CHICAGO, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] today released its annual forecast for the commercial and defense aerospace market, reflecting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Boeing's view of near-, medium- and long-term market dynamics. The 2020 Boeing Market Outlook (BMO) projects that the commercial aviation and services markets will continue to face significant challenges due to the pandemic, while global defense and government services markets remain more stable. "While this year has been unprecedented in terms of its disruption to our industry, we believe that aerospace and defense will overcome these near-term challenges, return to stability and emerge with strength," said Boeing Chief Strategy Officer Marc Allen. The BMO forecasts a total market value of $8.5 trillion over the next decade including demand for aerospace products and services. The forecast is down from $8.7 trillion a year ago due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines globally have begun to recover from a greater than 90% decline in passenger traffic and revenue early this year, but a full recovery will take years, according to the outlook. The 2020 Boeing Market Outlook includes projected demand for 18,350 commercial airplanes in the next decade – 11% lower than the comparable 2019 forecast – valued at about $2.9 trillion. In the longer term, with key industry drivers expected to remain stable, the commercial fleet is forecasted to return to its growth trend, generating demand for more than 43,000 new airplanes in the 20-year forecast time period. The BMO also projects a $2.6 trillion market opportunity for defense and space during the next decade. This spending projection reflects the ongoing importance of military aircraft, autonomous systems, satellites, spacecraft and other products to national and international defense. This demand continues to be global in nature with 40 percent of expenditures expected to originate outside of the United States. While near-term commercial services demand is lower, the BMO forecasts a $3 trillion market opportunity for commercial and government services through 2029, with digital solutions emerging as a critical enabler as customers focus on leaner operations to adjust to future market demand. Life cycle services and support will help customers scale their operations to meet efficiency and cost objectives aligned to market recovery trends. As the impact of the pandemic continues, Boeing is taking action to reshape its business operations to adapt to the new market reality and become more resilient for the long term. This business transformation includes every element of Boeing's enterprise, including infrastructure, overhead and organization, portfolio and investments, supply chain health and operational excellence. Also released today, the 2020 Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), an annual 20-year forecast addressing the market for commercial airplanes and services, projects an increase in the share of deliveries replacing older passenger aircraft that are being retired in an accelerated replacement cycle, especially in the first decade. "Commercial aviation is facing historic challenges this year, significantly affecting near- and medium-term demand for airplanes and services," said Darren Hulst, vice president, Commercial Marketing. "Yet history has also proven air travel to be resilient time and again. The current disruption will inform airline fleet strategies long into the future, as airlines focus on building versatile fleets, networks and business model innovations that deliver the most capability and greatest efficiency at the lowest risk for sustainable growth." The commercial forecast includes: • Over the next 20 years, passenger traffic growth is projected to increase by an average of 4% per year. • The global commercial fleet is expected to reach 48,400 by 2039, up from 25,900 airplanes today. During this period, Asia will continue to expand its share of the world's fleet, accounting for nearly 40% of the fleet compared to about 30% today. • Single-aisle airplanes such as the 737 MAX will continue to be the largest market segment, with operators projected to need 32,270 new airplanes in the next 20 years. Single-aisle demand will recover sooner due to its key role in short-haul routes and domestic markets as well as passenger preference for point-to-point service. • In the widebody market, Boeing forecasts demand for 7,480 new passenger airplanes by 2039. Widebody demand will be affected by a slower recovery in long-haul markets – typical after air-travel shocks – as well as uncertainties from COVID-19's impact on international travel. • Air cargo demand, a relative bright spot in 2020, is expected to grow 4% annually and generate further demand for 930 new widebody production freighters and 1,500 converted freighters over the forecast period. Airplane demand, 2020-2039 The global airplane fleet will continue to generate demand for aviation services, including parts and supply chain; engineering, modifications and maintenance; training and professional services; and digital solutions and analytics. The served market for commercial services is valued at $1.6 trillion, and $1.4 trillion for government services. "Boeing is focused on making sure that the right services solutions are available to help our customers and industry navigate the downturn and scale their operations accordingly as near-term demand trends upward. For example, low-cost digital solutions can help manage some of the most critical and dynamic aspects of operations, such as crew scheduling," said Eric Strafel, vice president, Boeing Global Services Strategy. Around the world, the long-term need for commercial pilots, maintenance technicians and cabin crew remains robust. Boeing's 2020 Pilot and Technician Outlook forecasts that the civil aviation industry will need nearly 2.4 million new aviation personnel between now and 2039. The Commercial Market Outlook is the longest-running jet forecast and is regarded as the most comprehensive analysis of the commercial aviation industry. The CMO and other Boeing market forecasts can be found at https://www.boeing.com/market. Forward-Looking Information Is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty Certain statements in this release may be "forward-looking" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expects," "forecasts," "projects," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements relating to our future plans, business prospects, financial condition and operating results, as well as any other statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions about future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Many factors could cause actual events to differ materially from these forward-looking statements, including economic conditions in the United States and globally, general industry conditions as they may impact us or our customers, and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any such statement, except as required by law. Boeing is the world's largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries and leverages the talents of a global supplier base. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth. Contact media@boeing.com SOURCE Boeing https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/boeing-forecasts-challenging-near-term-aerospace-market-with-resilience-in-long-term-301146753.html Hong Kong extends waiver on airport fees until year-end Hong Kong has extended a relief package for the aviation sector for a further two months until the end of 2020. Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) says it made the move “in response to the ongoing challenges arising from the Covid-19 pandemic”. The relief measures include a full waiver of parking charges for idle passenger aircraft and airbridge fees, reduction of passenger aircraft landing charges, as well as fee reductions related to ramp handling, maintenance and airside vehicles. The full waiver of fees in relation to aircraft maintenance charges and fixed charges for in-flight catering services will also continue until the end of December. The package includes rental reductions for terminal tenants; fee waivers for terminal licensees including ancillary passenger services, commercial services counters and cross-border transport operators; as well as concessions on franchise fees for aviation support services such as into-plane fuelling. AA last extended its relief package in August, until the end of October. It says: “AA will closely monitor the operating environment and provide necessary assistance to the airport community during these challenging times.” https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/hong-kong-extends-waiver-on-airport-fees-until-year-end/140638.article Registration deadline nears for FAA Rotorcraft Safety Conference There are only a few days left to register for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) 2020 International Rotorcraft Safety Conference, which will be held virtually from Oct. 27-29. There is no charge to attend the conference, which is targeted to the entire helicopter industry, with additional programming geared specifically toward pilots and mechanics. However, attendees must register on the event website, faahelisafety.org, by Oct. 19. Originally planned as an in-person event, the conference was transitioned to a virtual format due to concerns over Covid-19. Organizers expect to hold their next face-to-face conference in October 2021. In the meantime, they anticipate that the online format will enable the largest audience in the conference’s history. The first day of the event will feature presentations of interest to a wide audience, including a session with helicopter crash survivor Dave Repsher; his wife, Amanda; and Karen Mahany, the widow of pilot Patrick Mahany, who died in the crash that left Dave Repsher with burns over 90 percent of his body. In the years since, they have become powerful advocates for crash-resistant fuel systems and other helicopter crash safety measures. Along with Survivors Network co-founder Krista Haugen, Vertical editorial director Elan Head will interview the Repshers and Mahany in a pre-recorded part of the session, to be followed by a live question-and-answer period. Other conference topics include a review of the FAA’s Aircraft Certification Service and Flight Standards Service priorities; an update from the Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention; presentations by well-known helicopter industry figures Nick Mayhew, Jason Quisling, Bruce Webb and Randy Rowles; and maintenance seminars by Schweizer, Bell, Airbus and Robinson. Many of these sessions provide credit toward the FAA’s WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program and Aviation Maintenance Technician Awards Program. The full agenda can be found on the event website. https://verticalmag.com/news/registration-deadline-nears-for-faa-rotorcraft-safety-conference/ BOEING’S 20-YEAR JOB PREDICTIONS LOWERED Boeing’s Pilot and Technician Outlook 2020–2039 cites a drop in demand of 41,000 pilots and 30,000 technicians from the 2019 forecast because of “a temporary oversupply of qualified personnel” driven by the COVID-19 pandemic but predicts “the long-term need remains robust.” Although the new report no longer predicts “unprecedented” global demand for pilots, educators and aviation career specialists have concurred that the aviation world is seeing one of the industry’s cyclical downturns, with recommendations to aviators embarking on professional pathways to stay the course and continue their training. “In recent decades, aviation has experienced external forces that have affected demand, such as 9/11, SARS and the Great Financial Crisis,” Boeing notes in the report. “Recovery has generally followed several years later, as the fundamentals driving passenger and air traffic demand remain strong.” Boeing’s report says it will “take around three years for commercial air travel to return to 2019 levels” but notes that “business aviation is currently in the midst of a robust recovery.” Retirements and other vacancies should leave “openings that will need to be filled by furloughed and new aviators. Additionally, as airplanes are brought out of storage, thousands of labor hours will need to be spent to ensure proper maintenance.” Educators, flight schools, and aviation businesses have come to rely on the outlook to tailor their enrollment, training, and resources. In previous years, the report was released during EAA AirVenture, but the 2020 event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, the aviation industry was experiencing a shortage of qualified pilots, technicians, and cabin crew members that was predicted to continue growing; however, that was tempered by recent events, restrictions, and a reluctance for leisure travel. The new outlook calls for 763,000 pilots and 739,000 maintenance technicians worldwide compared to 804,000 and 769,000, respectively, from the 2019 report. The new figures account for a 5-percent reduction in pilots and a 3.9-percent reduction in technicians. The expectations for cabin crew positions decreased about 1.2-percent from 914,000 to 903,000. In late June, FAA Administrator Steve Dickson told Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University flight school students that he remained optimistic about the future of air travel and encouraged them to continue pursuing aviation and aerospace career paths. Aviation jobs website JSfirm.com, an AOPA Partner, agreed. The company said in a news release there were “reasons to be hopeful that the aviation industry is going to bounce back” in the long run despite furloughs, early retirements, and other personnel cutbacks as airlines tighten their belts in the near future. Though the overall demand for qualified aviators, mechanics, and cabin crew has shrunk, the Boeing report “will produce confidence across the aviation industry,” predicted Abbey Hutter, executive director of JSfirm.com. She added that job seekers inquiring about aviation positions are “increasing exponentially, and we have hundreds of companies that are actively hiring. As the industry continues to recover, we will see the demand for aviation professionals return to their pre-COVID levels.” A Boeing executive summary reiterates that “meeting the projected long-term demand” for aviation positions “will require a collective effort across the global aviation industry” as “tens of thousands of pilots, technicians and cabin crew members reach retirement age over the next decade.” The company says educational outreach and career pathway programs “will be essential to inspiring and recruiting the next generation.” https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2020/october/15/boeings-20-year-job-predictions-lowered Dassault Aviation Makes Changes to Hourly Mx Program Dassault Aviation has signed the 500th contract for its FalconCare maintenance program and is adding new options to it. The program currently offers scheduled and unscheduled maintenance services through C-Check, including airframe, avionics, and landing gear parts, labor, consumables, service bulletins, and maintenance tracking that can be performed at more than 60 Dassault Falcon-owned and authorized service centers. Based on feedback from flight departments and the Falcon Operator Advisory Board, FalconCare service will now be offered at two different levels. The basic level, known as FalconCare Essential, covers the full cost of Dassault spare parts; meanwhile, FalconCare Elite covers parts as well as labor, consumables, AOG GoTeam service, documentation, and exchange items such as batteries and wheels. FalconCare Efficiency Bonus—a rewards program—and a flex spending account for costs outside FalconCare coverage are also available for both plans. “Thanks to operator input, we’re now able to offer different plans and options that meet the diverse needs of our growing customer base,” said Jean Kayanakis, senior v-p of worldwide Falcon customer service and service center network. “We are always tapping the knowledge of our operators on how to expand and improve our service plans, and expect that FalconCare offerings will continue to evolve in the future in line with changing customer needs.” https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-10-15/dassault-aviation-makes-changes-hourly-mx-program IAI Aviation Group notes increasing demand for Boeing 737 conversions As leader in passenger-to-freighter (P-2-F) aircraft conversions, IAI BEDEK has successfully converted more than 260 aircraft, which have collectively accumulated over 2,500,000 operational flight hours over the past 40 years. Among these aircraft are different types of Boeing 737, 757, 767, 747, and the MD-11, with the conversion of the B777 currently under development at IAI. The Boeing 737 makes up a significant part of IAI’s P-2-F conversions. The B737 provides the flexibility and economy of flying cargo over short and medium distances. In the past, IAI has provided conversions for B737-300/400, but is now focused on the new generation (NG) and currently provides P-2-F conversions of the B737-700 and -800. Since receiving the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to convert the B737-700 in 2017, IAI is the only provider of full cargo conversion for aircraft of this type, whereas others offer Combi configurations, carrying a mix of passenger and cargo. As with other conversions, IAI developed the BEDEK special freighter (BDSF) conversion and has Supplemental Type Certificates (STCs) from the FAA and EASA for the conversion of the B737-300/400/700 and /800. These BDSFs deliver excellent operational value with advanced avionics, improved performance, reduced fuel-burn, and reduced maintenance costs. These conversions include a comprehensive modification of the aircraft, a new main deck cargo door, installation of smoke and fire detection and suppression systems on the main deck, and floor drain system. In parallel to the conversion of B737-700, IAI has developed a separate conversion for the longer B737-800, which has a much larger payload. In early 2020, IAI received the STC for its B737-800 conversion. “IAI operates conversion lines for the B737 in Israel, Mexico and China, where aircraft undergo all the necessary inspections and heavy maintenance, as part of the conversion to the cargo configuration,” said Eran Cohen, director of B737 conversions programme at IAI Aviation Group. “The conversion process takes between 90 and 100 days (depending on the specific model) and includes all the necessary modifications. Following the process, the aircraft is able to fulfil its new role of a cargo aircraft, for the rest of its operational life. IAI also offers full MRO services support for these aircraft”. Until 2020, the aftermarket price of B737-800 remained too high for economic conversions due to high demand and the grounding of the B737-MAX. “The situation has changed with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Cohen said. “Today, with the drastically reduced passenger aircraft operations and grounding of fleets, airlines are phasing out relatively new aircraft, such as the Boeing 737-800.” Cargo operators are eager to introduce these aircraft into their fleets, while airlines are using them to carry packages in their cabins. With the full BDSF conversion, these aircraft can carry twice, and even three times the cargo, more efficiently, with faster loading and unloading. “Today, the B737-800 aircraft are available for cargo conversions at prices much lower than only four months ago. This trend has opened up the market, and we expect further growth in demand,” Cohen concluded. https://www.aircargonews.net/freighters-world/sponsored-iai-aviation-group-notes-increasing-demand-for-boeing-737-conversions/ Covid-19: Airport Authority Hong Kong extends relief measures Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) has extended the relief measures for the local aviation sector to the end of this year as travel demand continues to remain weak amid the Covid-19 pandemic. First announced in February, the relief package was previously set to continue until the end of this month. The latest move extends the benefits for an additional two months. The measures will continue to include a full waiver of parking charges for idle passenger aircraft and airbridge fees, as well as the reduction of passenger aircraft landing and ramp handling charges. AA will also continue the rental reduction scheme for terminal tenants and the fees waiver for terminal licensees, including ancillary passenger services, commercial services counters and cross-border transport operators. It will also continue to offer rebates on franchise fees for aviation support services. The aircraft maintenance charges and fixed charges for inflight catering services were waived off until December. Most of the stores and restaurants in Hong Kong International Airport have suspended their operations as the number of passengers plummeted. The rentals of these tenants were waived off while the stores that remained open are not required to pay their base rent. In a statement, AA said: “AA will closely monitor the operating environment and provide necessary assistance to the airport community during these challenging times.” In June, AA signed five-year loan facilities with a combined worth of HK$35bn ($4.5bn) with 21 local and international banks. The amount will be used to fund its capital expenditure and to support other general corporate purposes. https://www.airport-technology.com/news/covid-19-airport-authority-hong-kong-relief-measures/ Pratt & Whitney Cuts Salaried Workers as Commercial Aviation Reels from COVID-19 Jet engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney, reeling from the downturn in commercial aviation caused by COVID-19, said Tuesday it’s laying off salaried workers. The East Hartford subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies Corp. did not say how many workers or at which of its work sites in the U.S. and globally will be affected, but notifications will be completed by Thursday. In Connecticut, Pratt & Whitney makes engines in East Hartford and Middletown. Salaried workers could include administrative employees, engineers and others. Workers who are members of the machinists union are not affected. In a statement, Pratt & Whitney said it made the “extremely difficult but necessary decision to implement an involuntary separation program” for salaried workers. It cited reduced commercial business due to COVID-19. “This has forced us to take further actions to align with current and future business demand in an evolving environment,” the manufacturer said. Tens of thousands of airline jobs could disappear if Congress and President Donald Trump fail to reach agreement on a second round of economic stimulus for the industry. Since the pandemic hit, thousands of flight attendants, baggage handlers, gate agents and others have received some financial help from Washington as part of $25 billion in grants and loans to the nation’s airlines. Companies agreed to not lay off employees through Sept. 30. Raytheon Technologies Chief Executive Officer Greg Hayes said last month the commercial aviation and defense giant is cutting 15,000 jobs, or about 7.7% of its global workforce of nearly 200,000. The reductions are limited to Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, a manufacturer of airline cockpit equipment, flight data components and other parts and materials. Military sales remain robust due to increased Pentagon spending. The April-to-June quarter was the worst three-month period for airlines, which faced an “unprecedented loss of revenue,” the International Air Transport Association said in a recent report. Revenue was down about 80% compared with the same quarter in 2019 “with almost full grounding of the passenger fleet despite strong cargo revenues,” the organization said. As a result, airlines “turned their focus on cutting expenses during this period,” IATA said. But operating costs were reduced by 50% year-over-year due to costs such as labor and maintenance costs, it said. Raytheon Technologies has gradually ratcheted up cost-cutting as the coronavirus drags on, even spiking in recent months. In mid-April, less than two weeks after its launch as a result of the combination of United Technologies Corp. and Raytheon Co., the conglomerate announced pay cuts and furloughs. Second-quarter sales at Pratt & Whitney fell 30%, to $3.6 billion, from the same period last year and posted a rare loss of $151 million. However, Pratt & Whitney posted an 11% increase in military sales, specifically engine production for the F-35 fighter jet manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corp., in the April-to-June quarter. It also reported a rise in parts sales and servicing on fighter jet platforms. Raytheon Technologies has scheduled its third-quarter financial release for Oct. 27. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/commercial-airline/news/21158522/pratt-whitney-cuts-salaried-workers-as-commercial-aviation-reels-from-covid19 Aircraft Electronics Association Awards $100,000 in Scholarships Those interested in pursuing a career in aviation outside of being a pilot—or as a complementary track to widen their skill set and employability—may want to consider one in the aircraft electronics field. With a range of potential jobs in the offering, from engineering to avionics installation and maintenance, there may be something worth investing in training for. The Aircraft Electronics Association has offered a total of $1.5 million in scholarships to students seeking employment across the industry as well as for those already employed by AEA member companies seeking to level up. The AEA Education Foundation recently announced the latest of these scholarship awards, for the 2020-2021 academic year, totaling $100,000. The association also opened applications for awards for the 2021-2022 academic year, in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $35,000. Some awards are broad in applicability to any course of study, while others are specific to a training course or technician program focused on avionics. AEA also offers in-person networking events through the remainder of 2020, in several regions, optimized for the current COVID-19 restrictions depending on locale. The AEA Central Connect Conference in Kansas City runs from October 19 to 20, and interested pilots can register here. https://www.flyingmag.com/story/careers/aircraft-electronics-association-awards-scholarships/ SpaceX adds third Starlink launch to busy October manifest SpaceX has added another Starlink launch to its October manifest and plans to support the mission with a record-breaking Falcon 9 booster turnaround. Several media outlets recently confirmed that SpaceX will attempt to launch Starlink-13 – the 13th launch of operational v1.0 satellites and 14th launch overall – no earlier than (NET) 8:25 am EDT (12:25 UTC) on October 18th. Two days later, NASASpaceflight.com reports that SpaceX intends to launch Starlink-14 as few as three days later, aiming to lift off NET 12:36 pm EDT (16:36 UTC) on Wednesday, October 21st. Simultaneously, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket’s eighth attempt to launch the National Reconnaissance Office’s NROL-44 spy satellite is scheduled NET 10 pm EDT (02:00 UTC), October 23rd. As a result, barring a (lately) rare instance of two back-to-back on-time launches, SpaceX and ULA appear to be destined to butt heads again on Florida’s Cape Canaveral launch range. Originally scheduled to launch as early as June 2020, Delta IV Heavy’s NROL-44 launch slipped to August, ultimately landing on August 26nd. Thus began a bizarre series of delays. Pad pressurization systems were to blame for the first delay on August 27th, followed by a rare post-ignition launch abort on August 29th. For Delta IV Heavy, such an abort necessitates at least several weeks of rework and the next NROL-44 launch attempt came on September 26th, only to be aborted by issues with the pad’s umbilical “swing arm”. Weather scrubbed another attempt on September 28th, while the subsequent September 29th backup was aborted by a leak in a pad hydraulic system. Last but certainly not least, Delta IV Heavy suffered yet another last-second abort at T-7 seconds on September 30th. All the while, ULA’s NROL-44 mission took range priority, meaning that the US Air Force wing responsible for enforcing range safety and providing weather forecasts would delay all other missions until the ULA launch was either completed or substantially delayed. Combined with temperamental weather, ULA’s range priority contributed to several SpaceX Starlink and GPS III SV04 launch delays in September and early October. Now, unless SpaceX manages to launch Starlink-13 and Starlink-14 right on schedule on October 18th and 21st, anything more than a day or two of delays will likely snowball into further delays as Delta IV Heavy takes the stage. Regardless of the schedule uncertainty and potential for delays, if SpaceX manages to successfully launch Starlink-13 and Starlink-14 within the next two or so weeks, October will mark the first time the company has launched three Starlink missions in one month. If the missions weren’t for Starlink, SpaceX would effectively be creating the second largest commercial satellite constellation in the world in less than 30 days. Additionally, NextSpaceflight.com reports that SpaceX has assigned Falcon 9 booster B1060 to Starlink-14. If Starlink-14 lifts off on schedule on October 21st, B1060 will beat out B1058 for the crown of fastest booster turnaround, launching twice in just 48 days. Falcon 9 B1058 set the current world record when it beat NASA’s Space Shuttle (54 days) with a 51-day turnaround earlier this year. https://www.teslarati.com/spacex-third-october-starlink-launch-rocket-reuse-record/ Curt Lewis