Adrian is Auckland bureau chief for Aviation Week, based in New Zealand. He covers commercial aviation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Adrian was previously based in Aviation Week’s Washington office for nine years, writing for a range of the group’s publications and covering many aspects of the commercial aviation industry. He has won Australasian and international awards for his aviation writing.
Prior to joining Aviation Week in 2002, Adrian covered aviation industry and policy issues for two other publishing companies in Washington. He has also worked for newspapers in Texas and New Zealand, covering a wide range of topics. Adrian graduated from Auckland University with a degree in history and English in 1992.
The latest round of aviation talks between Chinese and U.S. government officials did not yield the open-skies breakthrough the U.S. was hoping for, although there is still hope that a new agreement can be reached before this month's Strategic Economic Dialogue in Washington.
FAA last week awarded production certification to Eclipse Aviation for the company's Eclipse 500 jet, which should let the company increase production rates. The Eclipse 500 received its type certification last fall, allowing production to begin. The production certificate, however, will allow Eclipse to build the aircraft with a reduced level of FAA oversight, according to an agency official. -AS
Nigerian carrier Arik Air has signed a deal with Boeing that will launch the new carrier's widebody fleet. Boeing last week announced that Arik has ordered three 787-9s, two 777-200LRs, and two 777-300ERs. The orders were previously attributed to unidentified customers. Arik is the fourth African carrier to order the 787, and also the fourth to purchase the 777, Boeing said.