Month: April 2018

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Volume 5 Issue 5 May 2018 The Kaplanian Report

On the Boeing Front

                               Boeing Start Assembly of the First 777-9

Major fuselage sections of the first 777X aircraft have entered Boeing’s fuselage assembly center in Everett wide body plant.

In a tweeted photo on March 23rd, (see picture) Boeing showed the first Section 41—the company’s internal designation for the nose and forward fuselage—entered the 40-47 bay of the Everett factory. The first 777-9 version of the 777X family to enter fuselage assembly will be used for static testing on the ground, Boeing says.

Inside the 40-47 bay, Section 41 will be joined to the center and aft fuselage sections, using a new process introduced two years ago on the 777-300ER and 777-200LR programs. Instead of loading the assemblies into a rotating tool fixture, Boeing will mate the 777X using automated upgrade build (FAUB) procession which sections are loaded into movable cradles and are mated together using mostly robots for drilling and fastening.

Later this year, the assembled fuselage will be moved to the final assembly bay for the 777X, where it will be joined with the aircraft’s first new composite wings.  Boeing introduced the first 777-9 wingspan into assembly last year for the static test airplane.

During final assembly, Boeing also mates the fuselage with the wings, onboard systems and the GE Aviation GE9X engines. The 777-9 program is scheduled to enter flight testing in 2019 and enter service with launch customer Emirates in 2020.The longer-range 777-8 will enter service two years later.

Source : Boeing/Flightglobal   

                   

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

      Sections for First All Nippon Airways A380 Arrive in Toulouse

Final assembly of the first A380 for All Nippon Airways is set to start this month.

The main sections of the first A380 for Japan’s All Nippon Airways(ANA) have arrived at the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse, France via a special convoy, with six subassemblies—the nose, central and aft fuselage sections, the tailplane, and the two wings.

ANA Holdings placed a firm order for three A380s in 2016, becoming the first customer for the A380 in Japan. The first delivery is scheduled early in 2019, and the A380 will initially be operated on the Tokyo-Honolulu route. ANA’s A380 will feature a special Hono Hawaiian green sea turtle livery, symbolizing good luck and prosperity.

Source : Airbus/Picture Airbus            

       

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

      Gulfstream Aerospace Has Delivered a Fourth G650ER to Qatar

Gulfstream AeroSpace delivered a fourth G650ER to Qatar Airways for its Qatar Executive commercial charter service.

With the delivery, Qatar Executive becomes the largest single owner and operator of G650ER aircraft, Gulfstream said.

The delivery will help meet increased demand for a longer-range private air travel by Qatar customers, Qatar Airways said. Gulfstream’s partnership with Qatar Airways began in 2014 when it became the launch customer for the Gulfstream G500.

Since then, Qatar Airways has signed orders and options for up to 30 Gulfstream aircraft that include the G650ER,the G500 and the G600.

Source : Gulfstream/Qatar Airways                                                                                                                                  

                 Cambodia Bayon Airlines Commenced Operations                         with MA60 Domestically

Cambodia Bayon Airlines (Phnom Penh) is a new airline in Cambodia which selected the Xian MA 60 to fly domestic operations between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. The airline received its AOC on December 23, 2014.

Cambodia Bayon Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bayon Airlines Holdings which was established in April 2014.

Bayon Airlines plans to introduce 20 MA60 aircraft and 10 Airbus A320 aircraft within five years to build route network which covers Cambodia and services to Japan , China and Korea.

Little bit about the MA60…it is a stretched version of the Xian A7-200A which was produced on the An24 to operate in rugged conditions with limited ground support and short take-off and landing(STOL) capability. The MA60 has not applied for FAA(US) and EASA(Europe) type certification and is not certified for use in the US and the European Union.

Source :World Airline News/Ed’s Research  

                                                               

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

         China Southern Group to Take 309 Aircraft Through to 2020

The China Southern Airlines Group is currently scheduled to take delivery of 309 aircraft over the next three years, with nearly half of those set to arrive this year.

Over 2018 the carrier will take delivery of 115 aircraft, comprising of 61 Boeing 737-800s,39 Airbus A320 family jets,10 787-9s and five A330-300s.It will retire 29 aircraft, thus ending the year with an estimated 840 aircraft-up from 2017’s 754.

2019 will see the addition of 105 aircraft, comprising of 45 Boeing 737-800s, 42 A320 family jets, seven 787-9s, six A350-900s and five 777-300ERs. It will end the year with 916 aircraft, after 29 retirements.

2020 will see 89 additions, again with the 737-800s forming the bulk of the deliveries at 51, followed by 24 A320 family aircraft, six A350-900s, five 787-9s and three 777-300ERs.With 26 planned retirements, it will end the year with 979 aircraft. China Southern is the largest airline group in China by fleet size. Besides China Southern, the group also has stakes in a list of carriers including Xiamen Airlines, Shantou Airlines, Zhuhai Airlines, Guizhou Airlines, Chongqing Airlines and Hebei Airlines.

Source : Flightglobal                                                                                                                                           

                    American Orders 47 787s for Fleet Replacement

American Airlines has ordered 47 Boeing 787s on April 6 and canceling its order for 22 Airbus A350s.The 787 order consists of 22 787-8s to begin arriving in 2020 and 25 787-9s scheduled to begin arriving in 2023 American said.

The 787-8s will replace American’s Boeing 767-300s, while later 787-9 deliveries will replace Airbus A330-300s and older 777-200s.All the 787s will be powered by GE Aviation GEnx-1B engines. The order is valued at $12 billion at list prices, says Boeing.

“This was a difficult decision between the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350 and the A330neo and we thank both manufactures for their aggressive efforts to earn more of American’s business,” says Robert Isom, President of American, in a statement. “In the end, our goal to simply our fleet made the 787 a more compelling choice.”

As part of the deal, American is also deferring the delivery of 40 Boeing 737 MAX narrowbodies.

Boeing says that the order is a new deal from American and not an exercise of the carrier’s options for 58 787s.

American will be the largest operator of the 787 in the western hemisphere, with 89 aircraft. ANA, the Japanese carrier that was the launch customer for the Dreamliner, is the largest operator of 787s, while lessor AerCap is the largest 787owner.

So Far Orders for the 787 Dreamliners stand at over 1,365 that is not counting recent announcements from Hawaiian for 10 787-9s and Emirates for 40 787-10. When confirmed will be over 1,400. (EdK)

Source : Boeing/American/ATW/Flightglobal/Ed’s Research

           

                          Ethiopian Airlines Launches Split Scimitar                              Winglet in Northern Africa

Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) announced on March 26 that Ethiopian Airlines has become the first operator in Northern Africa of its Split Scimitar Winglet Technology. The first installation of the System was completed on March 20th,2018 in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopian Airlines intends to install the Winglets on its fleet of Boeing Next Generation 737-700 and 737-800 aircraft. Aviation Partners’ latest Winglet design, the Split Scimitar Winglet, uses existing Blended Winglets technology but adds new aerodynamic Scimitar tips and a large ventral strake, further increasing the efficiency of the airplane.

The Split Scimitar Winglet modification reduces Boeing Next-Generation 737 block fuel consumption by up to an additional 2.2% over the Blended Winglets alone. The Split Scimitar Winglet System will reduce Ethiopian Airline’s annual fuel requirements by more than 275,000 liters per aircraft and their carbon dioxide emissions by over 700tons per aircraft per year.

Since launching the Boeing Next-Generation 737 Split Scimitar Winglet program, APB has taken orders for over 1,800 systems, and over 1,000 aircraft are now operating with the technology. APB estimates that its products have reduced aircraft fuel consumption worldwide by over 8.0 billion gallons to date thereby saving nearly 85.0 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions

Source : Aviation Partners Boeing/Ethiopian Airlines/Picture Avimet.cr

     

LATEST NEWS

  • Ukraine International Airlines will take delivery of 10 aircraft in 2018, comprising of four 737-800s, four 777-200ERs and two Embraer E190s.
  • Spirit Airlines agreed to purchase 14 Airbus A319-100s off-lease from AerCap.
  • Avolon delivered one Boeing 787-9 aircraft to Virgin Atlantic. This is the fourth Avolon aircraft on lease to Virgin Atlantic.
  • Jet Airways announced a new order for 75 737 MAX. The new deal is in addition to a similar number of 737 Max 8s of firm orders and purchase rights that was announced at the 2015 Dubai air show.
  • Air Lease has firmed up an order for eight additional Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, valued at almost $939 million at list prices.
  • Royal Jordanian Airlines improved on-time performance to rank third in the Middle East and Africa.                                                                                                                                             
  • Hi Fly Portuguese long-haul wet-lease specialist is to become the latest operator of the Airbus A380, with planes to take delivery of the type around the middle of this year.
  • LOT Polish Airlines received its first 787-9 after a 9h 20 min flight from Everett Paine Field to Warsaw Chopin Airport.
  • Lessor BOC Aviation has signed a purchase agreement with Boeing for six 787-9s, in a deal valued at $1.69 billion at list prices.
  • All Nippon Airways(ANA) has finalized an order for two 777-200LRFs valued at $678 million at list prices. 
  • Gulf Air reveals new branding as it took delivery of its first delivery 787-9 on April 6th.                                                                                                                                                                     
  • Sources : Various Sources Researched by Ed K

 

AIR CARGO

  Air Bridge Cargo Launches Scheduled Freighter Services at Rickenbacker

AirBridgeCargo Airlines(ABC) will become the fifth freighter operator to provide scheduled services at Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio.

The Russia-based carrier joins a network of logistics service providers at the US cargo-dedicated airport, which is located within a one-day drive to nearly half of the US population and one third of the Canadian population.

ABC’s inaugural flight landed at Rickenbacker on April 5th, and weekly flights will continue on Thursdays, carrying freight inbound from the airlines global hub in Moscow and returning to Moscow through Liege, Belgium. The carrier will employ its fleet of 747 freighters that provide up to 139 tons of capacity.

ABC joins Cargolux, Cathay Pacific Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo and Etihad Cargo as freight carriers that operate up to 15 weekly international lights at Rickenbacker International Airport(LCK).

Source : aircargonews/Photo ABC                                                                                                                   

       Qatar Airways Signs LOI for 5 Boeing 777-200LR Freighters 

On April 10 Qatar Airways signed a letter of intent(LOI) with Boeing to buy five 777-200LR Freighters, worth $1.7 billion at list prices, the airline said in a statement. Al Baker And Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Kevin McAllister met in Doha to sign the preliminary agreement. Qatar has taken delivery of 13 out of 16 Boeing 777 Freighters orders in 2006, and has 60 of the next generation jets on order, according to Boeing’s orders and deliveries website.

The order will be posted on Boeing’s orders and deliveries website once the purchase is finalized the statement said.

Source : Reuters

 

   Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

     Rolls-Royce Develops Maintenance Log Reader

Rolls-Royce is preparing to demonstrate part of Intelligent Insights a suite of tools launched under the IntelligentEngine program.

The first of those tools, Technical Insight uses natural language processing techniques to read engine maintenance logs, combining its findings with cloud-based inputs from other data sources.

“Insights are then delivered via visualization tools for the line maintenance environment in an easy-to-use append via the Rolls-Royce portal”, says Rolls-Royce in a statement.

If It works as intended, the tool should make mechanics’ lives easier, removing the need to cross-check various sources of information and presenting important data in an accessible manner.

The main goal is to improve dispatch reliability, but it will also be interesting to see how the new technology contributes to wider aims such as lifecycle management.

Rolls-Royce has not said if Technical Insight was developed with outside help or purely in house.

Source : Rolls-Royce/Rolls-Royce Picture

 

MRO LATEST NEWS

  • Safran Nacelles unveiled the NacelleLife service offering providing complete coverage of its set engine nacelle systems—including thrust reversers.
  • Lufthansa Technik has a total component support agreement with Easter Jet for its Boeing 737NGs.
  • AerFin signed a three-year TrueChoice Material Service Agreement with GE Aviation for serviceable OEM parts, advanced repair and technology upgrades for the CFM56,CF34 and CF-80C2 engines.
  • Wheeltug was selected by Kenya Airways to provide its electric taxi systems for its Boeing 737NGs.
  • Pratt & Whitney was selected by JetBlue Airways to supply GTF engines for another 85 Airbus A320neo family aircraft; the deal includes 15-year EngineWise service agreement.                    

 

 

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian

by

Volume 5 Issue 4 The Kaplanian Report

ON THE BOEING FRONT

                     GE Aviation’s GE9X Engine Begins Flight Tests

GE Aviation’s GE9X turbofan engine, which will power Boeing’s new 777X aircraft, completed its first flight test under the wing of GE Aviation’s flying testbed in Victorville, California.

GE said the first flight marks the start of a flight test campaign that is slated to last through most of this year.  “Today’s flight starts the beginning of the GE9X flight test campaign that will last for several months, allowing us to accumulate data on how the engine performs at altitude and during various phases of flight” ,says GE program manager Ted Ingling.

The GE9X will power the Boeing 777-9 and 777-8, which are scheduled to enter service in 2020 and 2022, respectively.

The engine is the largest turbofan engine in history.  The 105,000lb-thrust engine produces less thrust than the older 115,000lb-thrust GE90 for the 777-300ER; but has a larger diameter fan of 134in-diameter(340cm) vs the 128in-diameter fan(325cm) of the GE90-115.  The number of blades was reduced from 22 on the GE90-115 to 16 composite blades made from 4th generation carbon fiber composite. The GE9X is 10cm(3.94in) wider. The additional width increases the bypass ratio to about 10.1, a key metric in GE’s plan to reduce fuel burn compared to the GE90-115 by about 10%.

The GE9X program also has completed icing tests at GE’s facility in Winnipeg, Canada. Cross tests are continuing at Peebles Test Operation in Ohio.

Source : ATW/GE Aviation/GE Aviation PictureEd’s Research

                     

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

First Airbus A350-900ULR Rolls Out in Toulouse

The First A350-900ULR has rolled out of the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse.  It went to  the outdoor station for ground testing before installation of its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

The Airbus A350-900ULR features a redesigned fuel system and aerodynamic improvements that increase its range to 9,700 nautical miles.

Next, plans call for the aircraft to embark on what Airbus characterizes as a short flight-test program to certify the modifications to the standard A350-900 that will bring the ULR’s additional range capability. The test phase will also measure enhanced performance derived from aerodynamic improvements, including extended winglets.

The first ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR is destined to be delivered to Singapore Airlines.

Source : Flightglobal/Airbus Picture

                  

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

GE Renames ATP Engine ‘CATALYST” As Test Plans Pick Up Pace

GE Aviation’s Czech-built Advanced Turboprop (ATP) engine has been rebranded Catalyst, as the manufacturer readies the new design for critical certification tests relating to ice crystal icing this summer.

The Renaming comes more than three years after Textron Aviation selected GE’s 1,300shp (969kW) turboprop to power the Cessna Denali; a surprise break from the aircraft manufacturer’s long association with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6.

“That is such an appropriate name because it is a catalyst for change,” Brad Mottier, vice-president and general manager of GE’s Business, General Aviation and Integrated Systems business, told reporters during a tour of the company’s facility for small turboprop engines in Prague.

Source : GE Aviation

 

                           Embraer to Deliver First E190-E2 to Wideroe 

Embraer will deliver the first E190-E2, registered LN-WEA, to launch customer Wideroe on April 4.  The air framer unveiled the aircraft on March 12, as it moves off the assembly line into flight testing.

Wideroe is Norwegian regional carrier, which has firm orders for three E 190-E2s, will take delivery of its second in May and third in June, Embraer has said.

Kazakhstan’s Air Astana is expected to be the second operator of the aircraft, and will take the first of five aircraft leased from AerCap in the second half of this year.

According to Flight Fleets Analyzer, Embraer has secured 74 firm orders for the E190-E2.

Source : Embraer/Flightglobal

                                                               

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

                     SpiceJet, CFM Sign $12 Billion Engine, Service Deal    

One of India’s fastest-growing airlines has signed a 12.5 billion with CFM international Inc. for engines and a 10-year services contract for an incoming fleet of more than 150 737 MAX aircraft.

SpiceJet Ltd. has agreed to buy the LEAP-1B engines and spare engines from CFM, which is a joint venture between France’s Safran Aircraft Engines SAS and General Electric Co.’s GE Aviation, the two companies said in a statement on March 10.The deal also includes a 10-year services contract for maintenance of the CFM engines, which will be billed on an hourly basis, the statement said. SpiceJet already deploys CFM engines in its current fleet.

“From what we have seen so far, the LEAP-1B is living up to its promises for efficiency and reliability,” Ajay Singh, SpiceJet’s chairman and managing director, said in a statement.

The deal was announced as French President Emmanuel Macron visited India and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Source : SpiceJet/CFM International 

                    

                                 Virgin Cancels Long-Dormant A380 Order

Virgin Atlantic has finally cancelled it order for six Airbus A380s, the air framer’s latest backlog data shows. Airbus has listed a cancellation of six A380s in the figures covering the first two months of this year.

The carrier has been among the first A380 customers, originally signing for the Rolls-Royce Trent 900-powered jets in 2001.

But it has repeatedly postponed deliveries—the jets were supposed to have been handed to the airline in 2006—and Virgin Atlantic has since amended its fleet plans to include long-haul twinjets such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350-1000. Virgin Atlantic has confirmed the A380 cancellation.

“Following a thorough review of our fleet we have taken the decision not to pursue our order for six Airbus A380,” says the carrier.

We believe the A350-1000 will best serve our customers and network, and will enable us continue reducing the carbon emissions from our fleet, through our ongoing investment in quieter, more fuel efficient aircraft,” it adds.

These take total A380 orders to 331 of which 222 have been delivered, leaving 109 still to be produced.

Source : Flightglobal/Virgin Atlantic

 

       Turkish Airlines Finalize an Order for Up to 30 787 Dreamliners 

Turkish Airlines finalized a firm order with Boeing for 25 787-9 Dreamliners with options for five more airplanes. The firm order will allow Turkey’s flag carrier to further meet the growing demand at its home airport, Istanbul’s third airport, and improve the flying experience for passengers.

First announced as a commitment in September 2017 Turkish Airline becomes the 71st customer to buy the 787.Together these customers ordered more than 1,300 Dreamliners.

Turkish Airlines has continued to expand its fleet of Boeing airplanes. Recently, the airline grew its stable of 777 jets with the purchase of three more 777 Freighters.

The airline also uses electronic charts and some other services from Boeing Global Services to further optimize its operations and operational systems.

Source : Boeing/Turkish Airlines  

   

LATEST NEWS

  • Hawaiian Airlines announced the purchase of 10 787-9 valued at $2.82 billion also has purchase rights for 10 additional 787s.                                                                                                     
  • Iceland Air took delivery of its first 737 MAX 8 on March 1st.Iceland air ordered 16 737 MAX 8s in 2013.                                                                                                                                         
  • Boeing rolled out the 10,000th 737 at its Renton, Washington plant the recipient of the aircraft a 737 MAX 8 will be Southwest Airlines.
  • Aeromexico took delivery of the first of up to 90 737 MAX aircraft, to expand its network  across the Americas.                                                                                                                  
  • Indigo Airlines agreed to lease two new Airbus A320-200s from Air Lease Corp, for delivery in the 3d quarter of this year.
  • China’s Air Guilin leased two new Airbus A320-200s from DAE Capital.

 

AIR CARGO

                     GECAS to Offer New Telair Flexible Loading System

Sweden’s Telair International has received certification for its new Flexible Loading System (FLS) for all current production and in-service Boeing 737 aircraft—and lessor GECAS will offer the system to its 737-800 freighter conversion customers on aircraft entering service this year.

Allowing 737 operators to carry containerized freight along with bulk-loaded bags in the lower hold of the aircraft, the FLS” improves loading efficiency and adds flexibility, especially for combination, express and e-commerce operators”, commented Richard Greener, senior vice president and manager, Cargo Aircraft Group, GECAS.

“The Flexible Loading System allows Telair’s containers to be preloaded and screened at the cargo sort and brought on board the aircraft using existing bulk loading equipment,” he explained.

New Telair containers have been designed specifically for use with Telair EDGE Sliding Carpet, an on-board conveyer system for loading and unloading bulk cargo, which is currently installed on the 737 MAX. The EDGE model is about 40 percent lighter than existing variants, Telair said, since it uses carbon fiber technology.

Source : air cargo technology news/GECAS picture

 

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

   Healthy Projections for The 787 Aftermarket

Being a new generation aircraft, it is a long-held brief that the 787 will be a lot less maintenance-intensive than some of the older predecessors.                                                                     

However, with the sheer number of 787s set to enter into service over the next decade, estimated to stand at 2,317 units in service by 2027 by Aviation Week’s Fleet & MRO Forecast, the aircraft will still see a healthy year on year compound annual growth rate for MRO of 18.9% annually. 

While MRO demand is forecast to grow at a smaller rate than that of its competitor the Airbus A350(26.3%), the 787 is nevertheless estimated to have 1,000 more aircraft in service than the A350 by 2027. Among the largest operators by then will be Japan’s All Nippon Airways in Asia Pacific, Qatar Airways in the middle East and United Airlines in North America.

Engine maintenance is expected to account for the largest share of MRO work conducted on the aircraft, accounting for 28%($17 billion) of spend from now until 2027.

The Aftermarket ambitions of its manufacturer Boeing are well documented, with a $50 million play targeted over the next decade. So far, the OEM appears on the right track. In the most recent financial results published in late-January 2018, the company saw an estimated 3%-5% annual growth in the division, taking its overall aftermarket sales to $14.6 billion for the year. 

Source : pro.network/Boeing Numbers

 

                                   MRO Latest News 

  • Magnetic MRO was selected by Air Nostrum to provide Bombardier CRJ1000 line maintenance.
  • Vallair the aircraft trading, leasing and specialist MRO organization, delivered a Boeing 737-400F to Ireland’s ASL Aviation Holdings.
  • Turkish Technic was selected by Russia’s IKar Airlines to perform C Check on a Boeing 767-300ER.
  • S7 Technics will paint 17 aircraft, Airbus A320s and Boeing 737-800s, for S7 Airlines into airline’s new brand livery.
  • Tarmac Aerosave, a company specializing in aircraft storage, maintenance and dismantling a second Airbus A380 at its Tarbes, France facility for storage. Bringing the total of ex-Singapore Airlines A380s to be stored in Tarbes to four.             

 

 

 

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian