ON THE BOEING FRONT

  Boeing 737 MAX Test Flight for China A Success

Boeing Co’s 737 MAX test flight for China’s aviation regulator in August was successful and Boeing hopes a two-year grounding will be lifted this year, the head of Boeing’s china said.

“It went off without a hitch,” Boeing China President Sherry Carbary of the test flight, speaking on the sidelines of Airshow China, the country’s biggest air show. 

Boeing working with the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) as it sifts through data and finalists reports before deciding whether the plane can be returned to service, Carbary said.  

The ban, which has been lifted in the West and several Asian countries, could be eased in China around November, people close to the matter have told Reuters.

“We are hopeful it will happen by the end of the year,” Carbary said, declining to be more specific. ”It is up to CAAC. But WE can tell you we are doing all we can to support them and we’re encouraged about how closely they are working with the US.”

The company’s China sales have also been hobbled by U.S. China trade tensions.

Source: Reuters

Boeing Sets up Two 767 Freighter Conversion Lines with GAMECO

Guagzhou-based GAMECO will open two Boeing 767 passenger -to- freighter production lines, becoming the first MRO provider in China to join the Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) program for the 767-300.

The announcement, made during the 2021 edition of Airshow Chinain Zhuhai, will also see GAMECO become China’s first MRO provider to run conversion lines for both the 737-800, as well as the 767-300. 

The Chinese MRO first began work on the 737-800BCFs in late 2019, and steadily ramped up production capacity by opening two more lines in its Guangzhou base.  The 767 conversion lines will also be sited in Gangzhou, says GAMECO chief Norbert Marx. “The introduction of the 767-300BCF program further grows GAMECO’s regional presence and enhances our strategic focus around meeting customer demand. We will open the 767-300BCF conversion lines inner new hanger.” Marx adds.

Source: Boeing,  

                 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

             Airbus Seeks More Performance and Efficiency from Wings

Airbus confirmed towards the end of September it has been working on what it calls an “extra performing wing” that will be able to adapt its shape, span, and surface during flight. The completely new design of the wing aims to generate additional operating efficiencies and reduce fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions. A scaled demonstrator integrated on a Cessna VII business jet is scheduled to fly by the middle of the decade, Airbus chief technical officer Sabine Klauke said during the company’s sustainability summit at its Toulouse headquarters.

The project is running in tandem with Airbus’s Wing of Tomorrow (WoT) research program, which focuses on exploring new materials, new technologies in aerodynamics and wing architecture, plus how wing manufacturing and industrialization can be improved to meet future demand. The extra-performance wing demonstrator project focuses on accelerating and validating technologies that will improve and optimize wing aerodynamics and performance for any future aircraft. The two projects are completely complementary, stressed Klauke, noting they both contribute to the company’s decarbonation roadmap.

“Airbus is continuously investigating parallel and complementary solutions such as infrastructure, flight operations, and aircraft structure,” she said. The extra-performing wing technologies are inspired by biomimicry, stimulating the wings and feathers of a soaring. Various technology bricks will be investigated to enable the active control of the new wing, including gust sensors, pop-up spoilers or plates that are rapidly deflected perpendicular to airflow, multifunctional trailing edges that dynamically change wing surface in flight, and a semi-aeroelastic hinge.

Britain’s multi-technology tier one aerospace supplier GKN Aerospace delivered the wing’s composite fixed trailing edge from its UK-based global technology center in Bristol to Airbus’s wing-production plant in Broughton. ”The manufacturing of the first composite fixed trailing edge under the WoT program is great achievement,” said John Pritchard, GKN’s civil airframe president.

“We are proud to be on board of Airbus’ WoT research program. The manufacturing of lighter, stronger, and low maintenance composite wing structures will contribute to the sustainability goals of the aerospace industry and help shape the future of flight.”

Source: Airbus

           

Regional/Business Jets

      Italy Continues Commitment to Piaggio with an Order for Six P180s

Italy has formalized an order for six Piaggio Aerospace P180 Avanti Evo turbo- props for the country’s armed forces. Signed by defense minister Lorenzo Guerni on October 1st, the commitment is valued at $198 million.

The deal also includes the provision of a P180 full flight simulator and continued maintenance of the Rolls-Royce Viper engines powering the The Aeramacchi MB-339s operated by the Italian Force’s Frecce Tricolore display team.

Piaggio Aerospace has been in extraordinary administration—a form of business rescue—since 2018, with a sale process down to a final bidder. Notably, these six aircraft bring the total order portfolio of the P180, including private customers, to 20 units. 

Vincenzo Nicastro, Piaggio Aerospace’s commissioner, says the order shows the Italian government fulfilling its commitment to the company’s turnaround.

Source: Piaggio Aerospace

           Florida-based VIP Completions Refurbished Boeing 767 Business Jet

Florida-based VIP Completions is taking on what it said is its biggest project yet: a comprehensive interior and exterior refurbishment of a Boeing 767 business jet. Delivery of the refurbished aircraft is scheduled before the end of this year.

The Cabin has been divided into six spaces, the cornerstone of which is the main lounge. It is equipped with an 80-inch video monitors DJ station with an “audiophile-caliber” sound system, and a full dining table. Other spaces include a master bedroom with a queen-size bed and a suite bathroom and two lounge areas that can be converted to bedrooms.

With seating for 33 passengers, the cabin sleeps 16. Two galleys, conference room and seating for eight; plus four lavatories, two with showers round out the new cabin. A custom cabin management system controls high-speed controls, high-speed internet, high definition audio and LED lighting. The aircraft’s exterior features a paint scheme of black, white, and pearl colors accented by a carbon fiber effect on the cowlings.

“While we have successfully completed VIP wide body projects in the past, including multiple BBJs, 757s and others; this project is the biggest in our company’s history,” said VIP Completions president Ben Shirazi.

“Beyond its size and the potential that it offers, the 767 stands out from other VIP wide body platforms because of its range, altitude, and speed capabilities.”

Source: VIP Completions, Picture VIP Completions

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

                    Tata Confirms Selection As Winning Air India Bidder

Executives from Indian conglomerate Tata Sons have confirmed the group has won the bidding for struggling national carrier Air India.

“I am confident the Tata Group will restore the glory of Air India”, said a gracious Singh SpiceJet founder Ajay Singh who submitted the other bid for the flag carrier.

Statement from Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaren call it “a historic moment, and it will be a rare privilege for our Group to own and operate the country’s flag-bearer airline.” He paid tribute to J.R.D. Tata, whom he called a “pioneer of Indian aviation, whose memory we cherish.”

Air India becomes Tata’s third airline acquisition. It holds a majority stake in full-service Vistara with Singapore Airlines and AirAsia India with Malaysian AirAsia.

Once the sale closes by the end of the year, Tata will get  full its profitable subsidiary Air India Express. 50 percent of its share of the joint venture with Singapore Airport Terminal Services, which provides handling services across airports in India.

Air India’s fleet consists of a mix of 117 wide-and narrow-body aircraft and Air India Express flies 24 Boeing 737-800s. In 2020, Air India flew 63 million passengers, giving it a 26 percent market share on 172 domestic routes. It operates 70 international routes, more than any other Indian carrier. More than two-thirds of its consolidated revenues come from the international market.

Sources: Tata Bros, AIM, FlightGlobal

             Japan Clears ANA to Switch Pilots Between A320s & A380s

Japanese operator All Nippon Airways is introducing mixed-fleet flying between the Airbus A380 and A320 family, enabling crews to switch between long-and short haul operations.

ANA will be the first carrier to bring in the capability between the types, following clearance from the Japanese civil aviation regulator. The carrier has three A380s, which were introduced to operate services to Hawaii, as well as some 40 A320-family jets.

Airbus mixed-fleet flying enables pilots to be cleared to operate more than one type from the airframes’s range-allowing crews to be utilized more efficiently. “It also enables airlines to interchange differently-sized aircraft at short notice without crew-scheduling difficulties, allowing them to better match aircraft capacity to passenger demand,” says Airbus.

Source: All Nippon Airways, Picture Airbus

   Flyr to Take up to 10 Boeing 737 Max-8 Aircraft From Air Lease 

Norwegian start-up has signed a letter of intent to lease six new Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft from US lessor Air Lease next year. The first aircraft will be delivered early next year and the carrier aims to have all six aircraft in service during the first half of 2022. Flyr has also taken options on four more aircraft for delivery in 2023.

“The decision to choose the latest generation of brand-new Boeing aircraft is in line with the authorities’ goal of a more sustainable development in aviation,” Flyr chief executive Toje Wikstrom Frislid says.

Flyr launched flights at the end of June, initially on domestic flights, using a Boeing 737-800. The airline in August launched its first international flights, serving Alicante, Nice and Malaga. Cirium fleets data shows the airline operates four 737-800s.

Source: Air Lease Corp., Picture Flyr

LATEST NEWS

• Flair Airline will add four new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to its fleet in April and May 2022. The additional planes should help Flair to grow its spring schedule by 33%, according to the airline’s statement on October 19, 2021.

• Alitalia sells the brand to ITA-Italia Transporto Aereo, including the domain http://www.Alitalia.com  for 90 million euros.

• Icelandair is considering adding up to three more Boeing 737 Max 8s to its fleet to provide additional capacity ahead of next year’s summer season.

• Bonza, a new low-cost carrier named Bonza aims to commence services with Boeing 737 Max aircraft in Australia next year.

• India Navy is continuing to expand its long-range maritime reconnaissance anti-submarine warfare capabilities with the delivery of the country’s 11th P-8I.

• Alaska Airlines to add the former SunExpress Airlines of Germany. The aircraft is 737 Max 9 as the airline elected to cancel its order for any Max aircraft.

• TUI Group travel group to amalgamate its five individual airlines under a single leadership, bundling key functions together in order to streamline operations.

• Gulf Air started direct twice weekly flight from Bahrain to Tel Aviv on September 30th.

• Recaro Aircraft Seating is to equip Qatar Airways with its brand new CL3810 economy class seat. Starting at the end of 2022, twenty shipsets of the CL3810 will be installed on the new A321neo fleet.

• Spirit Airlines is sticking with Pratt & Whitney geared turbofans to power at least another incoming Airbus A320neo- family jets

Sources: Alaska Airlines, Gulf Air, Boeing, Recaro Aircraft Seating, Spirit Airlines

AIR CARGO

                     Europe’s Last MD-11 Exits Lufthansa Cargo Service

Lufthansa Cargo’s last Boeing MD-11 freighter completed its final service with European carrier on October 17, before its sale to US operator Western Global Airlines.

It marks the end of service for the three-engine type at Lufthansa Cargo after more than 23 years in the carrier’s fleet and also likely end of MD-11 operations with any carrier based outside the USA.

“We are very grateful to our MD-11f fleet for over two decades of loyal service,” says Lufthansa Cargo chief executive Dorothea von Boxberg.”The decisive factor for the introduction of the MD-11F at Lufthansa Cargo in the late nineties was significantly better fuel efficiency compared to the wide body freighter previously used.In the future we will rely on the twin-engine Boeing 777F for the same reason.”

The only registered MD11F to a carrier outside the USA a single Saudia freighter which is in storage and due to be retired in December of this year.

With the departure of its final MD-11, Lufthansa Cargo becomes an all-Boeing 777 Freighter operator, with 11 of the type in service, according to Cirium.

Source: Lufthansa, Picture Lufthansa

     CMA CGM to Supplement New Air Cargo Fleet With 777Fs 

French logistics firm CMA CGM Group is supplementing its new air cargo operation with a pair of Boeing 777-200LRFs. The company is to purchase the two General Electric GE90-powered aircraft having previously established the new division with a fleet of Airbus A330-200 Fs.

CMA CGM Air cargo was set up in February this year and started in services in March. It expanded from an initial service on the Liege-Chicago route to include routes to New York,Atlanta and Dubai.

CMA CGM says the 777Fs will give the carrier “flexibility” as its air freight network broadens. Boeing has secured total orders for 272 777Fs.

Source: CMA CGM, Picture CMA CGM Group           

 Researched and Compiled by : 

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor  

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian