ALL THINGS BOEING

              

Boeing completed the first flight of the UK’s E-7 Wedgetail for the Royal Air Force (RAF).  A Boeing flight-test crew conducted functional checks during the first flight from Birmingham Airport, marking a significant milestone in the program’s test and evaluation phase.

Currently unpainted, the aircraft is one of three NG aircraft on British soil undergoing modification by a highly skilled team of over 100 people at STS Aviation Services in Birmingham.

“This safe and systemic Functional Check Flight is an important step for Boeing and the RAF as part of our rigorous and extensive testing and evaluation,” said Stu Voboril, Boeing vice president and E7 program manager.  “Our team is committed to ensuring the E-7 delivers the safety, quality, and capabilities we’ve promised to our customer as we prepare to deliver the UK’s first E-7 Wedgetail to the RAF.”

Group Captain Richard Osselton, RAF Program Director for Wedgetail said, “Achieving the first flight of Wedgetail is a significant milestone, representing an outstanding effort from the RAF program team, DE&S, Boeing, and STS Aviation.  We will build on the success and look forward to continuing the test and evaluation phase as part of our preparations for the aircraft to enter service.”

The RAF, the Republic of Korea Air Force, and the Turkish Air Force currently operate the E-7.   Boeing is also building two rapid prototype E-7 aircraft for the USAF, and in 2023, NATO announced the selection of the E-7 for its AEW&C mission.

Source: Boeing, Picture Boeing

                   Japan Eyes Big Increase In Tanker Numbers

The US government has cleared Tokyo to buy nine Boeing KC-46A tankers, potentially offering a significant boost to the country’s air-to-air refueling capabilities.

Japan has requested nine KC-46As, with the cost of aircraft and related equipment, logistics, and services coming to potentially $4.1 billion, according to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).  Should Japan take all nine aircraft, its long-term KC-46A fleet could grow to 15.

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force(JASDF) already operates four KC-46As.  It also has orders for two more: original planes call for these to arrive in 2025.

Extra tankers would allow the JASDF to not only conduct longer-range operations against regional foes, but also better support US forces in the event of a regional conflict.

Source: FlightGlobal, Picture Boeing

                     

ALL THINGS AIRBUS

               GlobalX Takes Delivery of 18th A320-Family Aircraft

Charter carrier Global Crossing Airlines has taken delivery of its 18th Airbus aircraft, an 150-seat A320 it is leasing from Dubai-based DAE Capital.    The Miami-based cargo and passenger carrier, which operates as GlobalX, disclosed the delivery of the aircraft via a a social media post on September 24.

The jet rolled off Airbus’ production line in Toulouse in 2007 and was originally operated by Virgin America, according to Cirium fleets data.

GlobalX now operates 11 passenger-carrying A320s and seven A321s converted for cargo, all of which are leased.  In April, the carrier received approval from US aviation authorities to grow its fleet to up to 20 family aircraft.

The same day it received the aircraft, the carrier disclosed plans to launch, starting this month, three weekly round-trip cargo flights from Chicago to San Juan, Porto Rico with A321 Freighters.

GlobalX launched in 2021 and has since pursued aggressive growth.

Source: GlobalX, picture GlobalX      

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                 Duncan To Add Paint Hanger in Lincoln, Nebraska

Duncan Aviation is kicking off construction in December on a $25 million paint facility at its Lincoln, Nebraska location.  Plans call for a 32,500-sq-ft dual-bay hanger with an additional 9,000-sq-ft storage and support area that will connect to the MRO provider’s existing paint facility built in 2012.  The project also entails the expansion of the ramp on the building’s west side.

Designed and engineered by long-time Duncan Aviation partner Tectonic Management Group, the facility will feature cross-draft bays with updated climate control, as well as upgraded wastewater treatment and added air showers to contain more contaminants.  It will further have a small application booth for parts such as flaps and thrust reversers.

The new facility will accommodate large models such as the Gulfstream G650, Dassault Falcon 10X, and Bombardier Global 7500, as well as flexibility for unscheduled and drop-in work such as paint touch-up and registration number changes.

Source: Duncan Aviation                                                                     

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

             De Havilland Producing First DAC-515 Firefighter

De Havilland Canada is assembling its first DHC-515 Firefighter in Calgary and expects to begin delivering the aircraft in early 2028, a bit later than previously anticipated.

But De Havilland’s vice-president of corporate affairs, Neil Sweeney, says the program is progressing well and that De Havilland has worked through supply chain troubles.

De Havilland’s development of the twin Pratt & Whitney Canada PW100-powered DHC-515 water bomber, an update to the CL-415, has required the company to reboot a production system and supplier network idled since 2015; when Bombardier, the program’s previous owner, stopped producing the CL-415s.

De Havilland has for several months been producing DHC_515 components.  It makes the aircraft’s airframes, wings, cockpits, and other aerostructures in-house.

Sweeny tells FlightGlobal De Havilland aims to roll out the first DHC-515 at the end of 2027 or the beginning of 2028, for the first aircraft to be flying in time for the 2028 fire season which aligns with the northern hemisphere’s warm weather months.

De Havilland will eventually produce nine to 12 DHC-515s annually.  The company also intends to relocate production from Calgary to De Havilland Field, a massive under-construction site east of Calgary in sparsely populated Wheatland County, Alberta.  De Havilland plans to move its manufacturing, maintenance, and parts distribution work to the site, which will include a runway.

Source: De Havilland

                         Avolon  will Obtain Castlelake Aviation

Lessor Avolon will obtain Castlelake Aviation, adding 118 aircraft to its portfolio.  Castlelake Aviation’s assets were worth $5 billion as of March 31, according to the two companies.  Avolon is buying the portfolio from investment manager Castlelake, which oversees $22 billion in assets.  The portfolio includes 105 aircraft that are on lease, two engines on lease, commitments for 13 aircraft as well as nine loans.

Avolon does not break down specific aircraft types but indicates that 68% of the aircraft are narrow bodies and 70% are new technology aircraft.  The average age is 4.7 years.  “This transaction accelerates our growth plans adding a portfolio of assets that will further strengthen our cashflow and earnings profile,” says Avolon Chief Executive Andy Cronin.

“Our balance sheet strength, high levels of liquidity, and established capital markets access have enabled us to acquire these assets.  They are complementary to our existing portfolio and will increase our fleet at attractive yields, supporting our positive ratings trajectory.”

The Portfolio has $3.3 billion of transferable debt, with the balance of the deal to be funded from Avolon’s existing sources of funds.  The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025.

Source:  Avolon, Picture Avolon   

LATEST NEWS

• United Airlines’ first Boeing 787-8 with the ‘Evo-Blue’ livery has entered into service after exiting the paint shop in Texas.  The ‘Evo-Blue’ is five years old and the second livery change after the United Airlines— Continental Airlines Merger.

• LOT, Poland’s flag carrier placed three Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft leased from BOC Aviation.  The aircraft will be delivered in 2025.

• T’Way South Korean low-cost carrier T’way Air will lease five Airbus A330neos from Avolon to support international growth.

• Qatar Airways is supporting IndiGo with Boeing 737 Max 8 capacity as the Iindian ULCC grounded more than 70 Airbus A320neo family aircraft related to the Pratt &Whitney geared turbofan(GTF) engine problems.

Sources: Qatar Airways, Avolon, United, LOT

AIR CARGO

                Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines Enter A Join Venture

Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines are to establish a first-of-its-kind joint venture with the aim of promoting economic and trade cooperation and enhancing global logistics and connectivity.

The joint venture project builds on the already successful partnership between Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines, which has significantly enhanced connectivity and capacity between China, the UAE, and global trade routes’ relationship that has been mutually beneficial for both airlines and their customers.

The newly announced joint venture project will take this collaboration to unprecedented heights.  Beyond capacity sharing, this partnership represents a full strategic alignment between Etihad Cargo and SF Airlines, combining their strengths to offer a unified, comprehensive logistics solution to customers worldwide.

Source: Times Aerospace, Picture Etihad

                         

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@yahoo.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian