Author: kaplanianreport

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Volume 3 Issue 9 September 2016

On the Boeing Front

 The 787 is Becoming the Work Horse of the Airlines that Acquired it

In spite of all the initial launch problems with the 787, it is proving that it is a capable, fine aircraft with all the airlines that bought it and are flying it.

Boeing incorporated improvements to the aircraft that include the introduction of simplified display and control(DCA) software, which in mid-2014 was cited as the third largest cause of delays after issues with spoiler control units and brakes.  “Since then, we have rolled a couple of block software changes,” says Mike Fleming, Boeing’s 787 vice president for service & support.

“We continue to track every interruption on the fleet, and the engineering teams review it to understand if it’s a known or new problem. Over the last two years, the rate of new problems has come down on the aircraft. Once we know about them we are devising improvements,” adds Fleming, who says that the main focus for improvements is now on elements of the flight controls, electrical system, software and air conditioning system.

The key issues are “a combination of things. Most are component problems as opposed to system problems or integration issues,” he says.

The following are comments from airlines that are flying the 787:

  • The economics of the aircraft are strong. Air Canada recently told investors that when it switched from the 767 to the 787-8 between Toronto and Tel Aviv, it was able to carry 31% more passengers and 350% additional cargo while using 3% less fuel.
  • After a difficult start, LOT Polish Airlines stated that one of its aircraft, which is wet leased to Air Europa, has enjoyed a dispatch reliability of almost 100%. “As such, it is the most reliable Boeing 787 in the world,” says LOT. In terms of fuel burn against the 767-300 which the airline used before the 787, shows average savings of 10-11% on the same routes.
  • All Nippon Airways (ANA) is the largest airline operator of the 787. On August 17th, the airline took delivery of its 50th 787 Dreamliner, a 787-9.  The airline is pleased with the aircraft and stated that fuel savings versus the 767 are at 21% for the long-haul flights & 17% for short-haul.

As of this writing the fleet has accumulated 1.3 billion revenue miles, saving 9 billion pounds of fuel in the process. The aircraft has opened new nonstop markets that did not exist before this airplane went into service.   An impressive feat.

Source : Aviation Week/Boeing/Ed’s Research from Various Sources.

                      

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Decision Concerning the on A380

Qantas Airways said it does not want the remaining eight A380’s it still has on order because the 12 aircraft it operates now are sufficient to meet demand, further dimming future sales prospects for the aircraft.

“Our intention is that we are not taking those aircraft”, Qantas Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce said on Friday August 5th at an airline conference in Brisbane, Australia.

Qantas was one of the original operators of the A380 and looked to become one of the biggest buyers of the A380.Joyce has pushed back delivery of the remaining planes for about two years now, joining customers including Virgin Atlantic, that have not outright canceled orders but are unlikely ever to have them fulfilled. That leave Emirates of Dubai as the one committed buyer of the aircraft.

Airbus announced a drastic cut in production last month of the A380, saying it would build about 12 of the planes annually compared with close to 30 in recent years, Emirates’ orders amount to close to 50 percent of the model’s backlog.

Following Airbus’ latest decrease, it will produce one A380 a month come 2018, more than halving the current rate of monthly jets.

At present,13 airlines operate the aircraft: with Etihad, Qatar and Asiana Airlines most recently taking their first A380s back in 2014.

But while production on the A380 has slowed down, it remains somewhat unclear at this stage how this will impact on the MRO segment, with some of the aircraft now reaching the age for some of their first D-checks.

Source : China Aviation Daily/Ed’s Research

                     

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                                                       The 100th Series 400 Twin Otter

The 100th series 400 Twin Otter took flight recently from Viking Air’s production facility in Canada. The aircraft, serial number 944, will be operated by Pacific Sky Aviation, Viking’s sister company demonstrator. Headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, Viking holds the type certificates for all out-of-production de Havilland aircraft, from the DHC-1 Chipmunk through the DHC-7 Dash-7 50 passenger STOL regional airliner, and provides exclusive spare parts manufacturing for the legacy de Havilland fleet.

The company launched the upgraded Twin Otter program in March 2007, the first version flew from Viking’s final aircraft assembly facility in Calgary, Alberta, in March 2010; Transport Canada issued the aircraft’s Type Certification the following June. Series 400 Twin Otters now operate in 29 countries.

Recently Tara the Nepalese regional carrier has signed a purchase agreement with Viking for three Twin Otter Series 400s.

Source : Business & Commercial Aviation/ Picture

                                                                       

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

 Alaska Airlines Breaks Ground on New Aircraft Maintenance          and Engineering Facility in Anchorage, Alaska

On August 22nd Alaska Airlines broke ground on a new $40 million aircraft maintenance and engineering facility located at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport. The design of the new 105,000 square-foot facility by Anchorage based artifact firm McCool Carlson Green was also unveiled.

The new facility will be more than double the size of the current hanger and holds two 737-Max 9 aircraft, which will be the largest and widest in Alaska Airlines fleet. The current facility, located about a half mile from the new site, measures only 37,500 square feet and is unable to accommodate the newer, larger aircraft.

Construction will begin in the fall of 2016 and is scheduled to be complete in the second quarter of 2018. The new facility will house 80 engineering and maintenance employees in Anchorage,” said Kurt Kinder, Alaska Airlines Vice President of Maintenance and Engineering.

Source : Alaska Airlines Press Release

 

      American Airlines Retiring 20 MD-80s in One Day 

American Airlines retired 20 of its MD-80 jets on Tuesday August 23rd. All 20 aircraft were sent to Roswell, New Mexico, as part of what American called “one of the largest single-day aircraft retirements in airline history.”   

Of the 20 planes headed to the New Mexico desert, 17 were originally delivered to American Airlines.  The three others were inherited by American via acquisition of TWA. The average age of the 20 retiring jets is 28 years old. The 140-seat MD-80 arrived to Roswell throughout the day arriving at a clip of about one every five minutes during an 85-minute window starting at 11:20 a.m. local time. Still, American Spokesman Josh  Freed said, “Today’s 20 retirements do not indicate an acceleration of MD-80 retirements.”

“It’s just that we have a long-term MD-80 retirement plan and with the busy summer flying season winding down, August 23rd was a good day to take care of these,” Freed adds.

American had 87 MD-80s remaining in its fleet as of the second quarter of 2016.  By the end of the third quarter, American says that number will have dropped to just 53 – aided in large part by this mass retirement.  Freed said some MD-80s will remain in the carrier’s fleet “through at least summer of 2018.”

In Roswell, two full-time American employees processed incoming aircraft as they arrived. Planes can sit indefinitely in storage in Roswell, where the desert air helps keep the idle aircraft from corroding. Some find second lives, taken to cargo carriers or by smaller airlines in the developing world. Others face a stark end – raided for parts or scrapped altogether.

Source : USA Today/American Airlines  

 

 Rockwell Collins Nears Finish Line with Cockpit Displays  

Rockwell Collins is planning to deliver the final software load to Boeing for the 737 MAX cockpit displays in the middle of this month, followed by initial deliveries of the final hardware components by year end.

The handover will wrap up four years of design, development and test work made more challenging by Boeing’s goal of maintaining maximum commonality between the 737NG and the 737 MAX, in part to retain common type ratings between the two minimal “differences training” for pilots.

Boeing is targeting 2017 for first deliveries of the re-engined and otherwise modernized 737, for which it has garnered more than 3,200 firm orders.

“One of the things that has been a challenge for us and for Boeing is that we are taking a 2015 display system and sticking it on an airplane that was designed in 1964,and has not changed all that much in terms of hydraulics, electrical and air conditioning systems,” Keith Stover, MAX program chief engineer for Rockwell Collins, said.

Source : ATW/Rockwell Collins Picture

                 

LATEST NEWS

  • Albawings Albanian start-up based in Tirana, Albania has taken delivery of its first aircraft, A Boeing  737-500.
  • Armenia Air has taken delivery of its first two aircraft. The carrier, which launched services earlier this year using a Boeing 737-700 leased from Georgian Airways has acquired two of its own-former Westjet 737-700 and a 737-500.
  • Precision Aircraft Solutions completed its 50th Boeing 757-200 freighter conversion.
  • Rolls-Royce has won a $1.5 billion order from China Eastern from China Eastern to power 15 Airbus A330 aircraft.
  • Thai Airways has take delivery of its first of 12 Airbus A350s.The aircraft, an A350-900,is on lease from US-based CIT.

  • Aseman Airlines of Iran plans to buy 20 Mitsubishi Regional jets. The aircraft will be acquired through a lease-purchase contract.
  • Silk Way Airlines Azerbaijan’s national air cargo carrier received another new Boeing 747-8 F aircraft. This is 4th Boeing 747-8F aircraft operated by the airline.
  • BOC Aviation lessor BOC (Bank of China) Aviation has ordered another five Airbus A321s,to be delivered in 2017,all five are to be leased to an Asian carrier.
  • Aerolease Aviation Miami based lessor has firmed an order for 10 Mitsubishi MRJ90 regional jets with options for 10 more.
  • LATAM LATAM Airline Group has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo from the airframe’s facilities in Toulouse, becoming the first Americas operator of the re-engined narrow body.

 

  • Aviall Boeing subsidiary has signed an agreement to acquire up to 36 CF6-80A engines powering the 767 and A310 aircraft from GE Aviation.

                           

IN FOCUS

                         Boeing 747 Designer Joe Sutter Dies at 95

Boeing engineer and aircraft designer Joe Sutter, who achieved aviation icon status as the “Father of the 747”, died on August 30th at age 95. 

Known principally for ushering the West’s first wide body airliner into service in 1970, barely four years after the program launch, despite severe technical, supplier and production obstacles. Sutter also played roles in multiple Boeing aircraft programs spanning seven decades.

Sutter a native of Seattle, began his career with a summer job at Boeing in 1940 while studying for an aeronautical engineering degree at the University of Washington.

In the library of Boeing history books, Sutter’s role in the company is widespread, from delivering the technical data that drove the decision to use a T-tail on the 727 to recommending underwing podded engines on the original 737-100.

His preference for mounting engines underneath the wings would have a lasting impact on the industry beyond Boeing.  Sutter’s legacy, however, is forever linked to the 747, the Boeing aircraft credited with opening international air travel to the masses.

“Joe lived an amazing life and was an inspiration, not just to those of us at Boeing, but to the entire aerospace industry,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and chief executive Ray Conner wrote to employees.

AIR CARGO

             Online Retailer Amazon Enters the Air Freight Market 

Amazon signed agreements with Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, parent company of Atlas Air and Air Transport Services Group, under which those companies will each operate 20 767s for Amazon.  Amazon will be operating under the name Prime Air.  Amazon got its first branded 767-300 ER Freighter the company calls “Amazon One”.  The aircraft, registration N1997A, flew on August 5th during the Boeing Seafair show.

Aircraft N1997A was manufactured in 1994 and is powered by General Electric CF6 turbofans, according to Flight Fleets Analyzer. The aircraft N1997A had accumulated 90,000 hrs and completed 17,400 cycles as of November 2015 according to Analyzer.

Atlas expects to have the 20 aircraft flying for Amazon by the end of 2018.  As part of the deal, Atlas gave Amazon the right to purchase up to 20% of Atlas stock over five years, and the possibility to purchase another 10% of shares.

That deal followed an announcement in March that Air Transport Services Group had reached an agreement to operate 20 767s for Amazon. The Air Transport Services deal gave Amazon the right to purchase 19.9% of Air Transport Services shares.

Source : Flightglobal/Photo Amazon

      

                                                 MILITARY NEWS

 Resurrected B-52H Returns to Flight After Eight Years in Storage 

A US Air Force Boeing B-52H is back in flight after spending eight years parked in storage in the Arizona desert. The regenerated Stratofortress, nicknamed Ghostrider, completed first flight on August 30th at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma, rising into the sky without a painted livery.

The base’s Air Logistics Center was tasked with restoring the airworthiness of the unretired B-52H, reversing a normally one way trip for aging military aircraft to the “boneyard” at Davis-Monthan AFB near Tucson, Arizona.

The Air Force will use Ghostrider to replace another B-52H severely damaged by fire in 2014, restoring the strategic bomber fleet to approved levels. The Air Force maintains a fleet of 58 B-52s in active duty force and 18 more in reserve units.

Ghostrider, tail number 61-007,arrived at Tinker last fall before entering the boomer’s firsts programed depot maintenance cycle in 12 years.  The Air Logistics Center plans to complete several more flights of the B-52H at Tinker before handing the bomber over to an operational squadron at Minot AFB, North Dakota.

Source : Flightglobal

                         

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

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Volume 3 Issue 8 August 2016


ON THE BOEING

        Boeing Details Range-Boosting 737-7 Redesign

     Boeing decided to stretch the 737-7 by two seat rows and added major elements of the 737-8.  It is the first major tweak to the 737 Max line-up in more than five years after launching the program.

     In a sign of the shifting dynamics in the single-aisle market, the 737-7 has attracted just 60 aircraft orders from three customers. It gives the formerly 126 seat variant less than 2% of the overall backlog for the three member 737 Max family.  The original of the aircraft, the 737-300 Classic, outsold two larger sister variants by a wide margin.

     In an overall market segment from 120-240 seats with more thanks 8,000 aircraft on backlog; a total order book of 465 aircraft on firm order does not appear encouraging. The 465 aircraft on firm order includes the A319neo.  In the end, Boeing decided to stretch the 737-7 by two seat rows and added major elements of the 737-8.

      Boeing does not expect the addition of up to 12 more seats in a typical two class seating configuration to significantly drive new demand into the low end of the single-aisle sector. The move appears to be driven to satisfy new requirements imposed by the two 737-7’s two largest customers, namely Southwest and WestJet.

     “We have now assessed the market.  The customers have said that the bigger airplane is something we would like with that range,” says Keith Leverkuhn, vice-president and general manager for the 737.

     The 737-7 and 737-8 share the same wingspan, but the latter has a thicker wing that can carry more fuel.  The modified 737-7 wing will have more fuel capacity to compensate for the greater weight of the lengthened fuselage and add 500 nm more range”, says Leverhuhn. The fuselage itself is lengthened by 1.17 m (46 in) forward of the wing and 76 cm aft of the wing, he says.  The maximum take-off weight rises from 70,300kg (155,000 lb) requiring the use of the strengthened landing gear of the 737-8.

Source : Flightglobal/ Line Drawing Boeing

                      

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                 Airbus : Delivery of P&W A320 Engine Imminent

     Airbus stated that the delivery of the revamped Pratt and Whitney PW 1100G is imminent by the time this report is out for distribution Lufthansa is supposed to have received the first A320neo with the revamped engine.

     Deliveries have been held up by efforts to correct engine start-up times, as well as other minor technical issues, leaving Airbus with some 25 undelivered A320neos at its production sites.  Airbus Group chief Tom Enders, speaking as the airframe disclosed its first-half results, said the first upgraded ”golden engine” would be delivered to the German flag-carrier Lufthansa.

     P&W parent United Technologies’ chief Greg Hayes, speaking during a briefing on July 26th, said the technical problems were “in the rear-view mirror”  and that the manufacturer was “exactly” aligned with the production plan submitted to Airbus earlier this year.

       He says the geared turbofan power plant, which also powers the Bombardier CSeries, Mitsubishi Aircraft MRJ and other types, has accumulated 5,000 hrs in service with four operators, with a 99.8% dispatch reliability.

    Hayes says the engine is “meeting commitments” on fuel-burn, noise and emission levels. The manufacturer expects to build 140 geared-turbofans engines in the second half of 2016, having produced 60 in the first half of 2016, with 36 delivered to various aircraft platforms to meet a target of 200 for the year.

Airbus has also just started delivering A320neos with the rival CFM International Leap-1A power plant,with the first going to Turkish carrier Pegasus Airlines.

Source : Flightglobal/Airbus/Pratt and Whitney

             

        

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

     E-190-E2 Is Ahead of Schedule But Not Rushing Delivery

     Embraer has no plans to rush the timeline for delivering the first E190-E2 regional jet, even though the flight test program remains ahead of schedule.  The first flying prototype made a debut appearance at the Farnborough air show only after six weeks after achieving first flight.

     The second E190-E2 entered the flight test campaign on July 8th, and the overall program so far has consumed less of the buffer the company built into the schedule,says Luis Carlos Affonso, senior vice-president of operations and chief operating officer for Embraer’s Commercial Aviation unit.

     Embraer will not accelerate the delivery schedule of the first E190-E2, even if the program stays ahead of schedule, Affonso says.  The company will focus on increasing the maturity of the new technologies packed into the E190-E2, including the Embraer developed fly-by-wire control system and Pratt & Whitney PW1900G geared turbofan engines.

    Though summarized often as re-engining project,the E2 version of the E-Jet is a bold project.  In addition to the engines, Embraer is installing a new, high-aspect ratio wing, re-inventing the flight control system and tweaking the cross section.

“ It’s not a re-engining. It’s a new plane,” Affonso says.

Source : Flightglobal/Embaer/Embaer Picture

                                                                       

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

             Cayman Airways a New Customer for the 737 Max

    The Caribbean carrier, a longtime Boeing customer, will replace four 737-300s that are approaching 25 year of age.  The new aircraft, which will come from lessor Air Lease Corp (ALC), will begin arriving in December 2018 through 2020.

       After retiring the -300s, “the logical progression would have been to go to 737 NGs,” Cayman Airways’ president and CEO Fabian Whorms said, but the lease structure put together by ALC swayed them to go with the newer design. The leases will be run for a minimum of nine years.

      Going from a -300 to a MAX8 will save the airline  20% in fuel costs alone. ”In fact, it will be more than that,” Whorms said.  The MAX’s will also be able to carry 40 more passengers than the existing aircraft and their faster cruising speed will save 15-20 minutes on the four hour flight to New York.

Source : ATW/Picture Boeing

                       Gulf Air Chooses Trent 1000 to Power its 787-9s

Bahrain-based Gulf Air selected the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine to power its Boeing 787-9s in a deal valued at $900 million.

Gulf Air announced in January that it is ordering 16 787-9s. The contract with  Rolls covers Trent 1000 engines to power 10 787-9s, plus options for additional Trent 1000s to power six more 787-9s. The agreement also includes long-term service support by Rolls-Royce.

( An interesting sidebar, Gulf Air’s long range fleet  was comprised of 22-24 767-300s which the airline used from 1988-2007.  Boeing’s 787-9 meant to be a replacement to the 767-300 with a wider fuselage 168 diameter for the 767-300

with seven across seating vs the 787-9 with a wider diameter fuselage of 226 inches with 8-9 across seating) Ed K

Source : ATW/Gulf Air Picture

   American Defers A350 Deliveries by More Than Two Years

     American Airlines has deferred the deliveries of all the 22 Airbus A350-900s on order. It is working to reduce its capital expenditures and manage capacity through 2018.  The Fort Worth-based carrier will take its first A350 in late 2018 instead of the spring of 2017, American said in a quarterly financial report.  Deliveries will continue through 2022, two years later than originally scheduled with an average deferral of 26 months.

     American will take two A350s in 2018, five in both 2019 and 2020, the remaining ten in 2021 and 2022, the filing shows.  It previously planned to take four in 2017, ten in 2018, six in 2019 and two in 2020.

     The deferral will reduce capital expenditures in 2017 and 2018 and provide capacity flexibility, the airline says.     Aircraft capital commitments are $4.06 billion in 2017 and $2.2 billion in 2018, the filing shows.  This is down from $4.58 billion and $2.89 billion, respectively, that American reported in April.

Source : Bloomberg/American           

      

LATEST NEWS

  • Herous-Devtek Canadian supplier has completed its first set of 777-300 ER main landing gear for delivery to Boeing, ahead of its contract to make the 777X main landing gear.
  • Azerbaijan Airlines is considering buying 10 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, the carrier has announced.
  • Tara Air the Nepalese regional carrier has signed a purchase agreement with Viking for three Twin Otter Series 400S.
  • Kalstar Aviation, an Indonesian regional operator, signed a firm order for five E190-E2s. The value of the order has an estimated value of 582 million dollars.
  • Arkia Airlines signed a letter of intent (LOI) for up to ten E195-E2 jets, consisting of six firm orders and four purchase rights.
  • Porter Airlines, a Canadian regional airline, has signed a firm purchase agreement for three Bombardier Q 400s, valued at $93 million at list prices.
  • Xiamen Airlines officially launched its first ever trans-Pacific flights to North America on July 25, using 787-8 aircraft.
  • Thai Airways International first A350-900 has entered flight testing.  Thai Airways, which confirms the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-powered jet has carried out its first flight.  Thai has four of the type on order.

  • Fly Leasing has bought five Boeing aircraft.  Three 787-8s were purchased in a sale and lease back transaction with a leading flag carrier.
  • Avolon, the Irish lessor, delivered one Boeing 787-9 to China’s Hainan Airlines. This is the Fourth Avalon aircraft on lease to Hainan Airlines.
  • Qatar Airways doubled its deal for Boeing 777-9Xs on Wednesday July 13th, firming a previous commitment for 50 aircraft and adding new purchases for an additional 50 of the wide bodies.  

  • Allegiant Air  Las Vegas based airline has ordered 12 Airbus A320s from the airframe, in its first purchase of new aircraft.

 

AIR CARGO

           Cathay Pacific Expands Cargo Presence to Portland, Oregon  

     Cathay Pacific Airways announced an expansion of its freighter service in the Americas with the addition of a twice-weekly scheduled service to Portland International Airport (PDX). It will launch on November 3, 2016, subject to government approval.  Portland will be Cathay Pacific’s 18th cargo station in the Americas.

   The new Portland service will operate on a Hong Kong-Anchorage-Los Angeles-Portland-Anchorage-Hong Kong routing every Thursday and Saturday. They will use Cathay Pacific’s newest and biggest freighter, the Boeing 747-8F.

     The Boeing 747-8F aircraft offers more cargo space to carry the anticipated high volumes of semi-finished foot ware and apparel, electronics and perishables from Portland and its catchment area into Asia. Portland is also one of the fastest-growing hubs for e-commerce related shipments in the Pacific Northwest region.

     Cathay Pacific was the first Asia Pacific airline to take delivery of the Boeing 747-8F in 2011 and currently has 13 of this type in its cargo fleet. The Boeing 747-8F employs innovative technologies to bring about significant improvements to the airline’s ultra-long-haul freighter services, particularly on North America routes,while reducing the environmental impact of its operations.

   “We could not be more pleased with the commitment byCathay Pacific to launch Portland-Hong Kong service this fall,” said Keith Leavitt, Port Chief Commercial Officer.

Source : China Aviation Daily/Picture Cathay Pacific

       

MILITARY NEWS

                         KC-46 Completes Required Flight Tests

     The KC-46 Pegasus program completed all flight tests required for the Milestone C production decision on July 15, offloading 1,500 pounds of fuel to an A-10 Thunderbolt II.

   The successful A-10 mission was the last of six in-flight refueling demonstrations required before the tanker program can request approval from Frank Kendall, the under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics, to award production Lots 1 and 2, totaling 19 KC-46A aircraft.

      “It is great to see the KC-46 boom back in action and the program moving forward to a production decision”, said Col. John Newberry, the KC-46 system program manager.

   The other five required air refueling demonstrations were the C-17  Globemaster III and F-16 Fighting Falcon using the air refueling boom.  The Navy’s F-18 Hornet and AV-8B Harrier II were also using the centerline and wing drogue systems, and the KC-46 a receiver aircraft.

      This test would not have been possible without contributions from the 412th Test Wing, 23rd Fighter Wing, 355th FW, 124th FW, the 896th Test Support Squadron and  40th Flight Test squadron which all provided aircraft manpower and equipment.  The milestone C decision to begin low-rate initial production is expected this month.

Source : Aero News Network/ Images provided with USAF news release

                         

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

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Volume 3 Issue 7 July 2016

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Selects iPad-Like Touch Screens For 777X Flight Deck

Future Boeing 777X airline pilots will be able to interact with their flight information displays in the same way that they use their smart phones and tablets.

Boeing has decided to integrate a multi-touch interface on the flight deck of the re-engineer wide body due to enter service in 2020, replacing a touch-pad based cursor control device (CCDs) mounted on the aisle-stand of the original 777, says Bob Feldmann, vice president and general manager of the 777X program.

The decision was made so recently that Boeing is not yet able to announce the supplier, as the contract had not been signed as of mid June, Feldmann says.

The new technology will be integrated as Boeing transitions from a standard layout of six displays in the 777 cockpit to the 787’s five display format in the 777X.  ”We think we are the first Commercial airplane to really make something that is like all our customers are used to doing in their daily lives,” Feldmann says.

In discussions with our 777X customers, Boeing received a clear preference for making the transition to multi-touch screens, Feldmann says.

The next milestone for the 777-9 development program is a critical design review scheduled earlier next year.  Production of the first test aircraft is expected to begin next June, with first flight following in 2018.

Cockpit touch screens are one of several key technologies Boeing is developing for the 777X.  The most visible innovation on the 777X is perhaps Boeing’s plan to integrate folding wingtips, a feature normally found on fighters based on space constrained aircraft carriers.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing

                 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Starting A330neo Final Assembly in October

Airbus is working through some high profile issues with the introduction of the A350 and the A320neo to market, but surely wishes those programs were low-profile as the A330neo.  The reengineer A330 program, is progressing more quietly and without major problems that have kept Airbus in the news.

The A330-900, the first reengineer version of the family, is due to enter service by the end of 2017, followed by the smaller -800 a year later.  Airbus hopes the program’s lower costs – combined with the fuel burn reduction the new engines are expected to provide and the new cabin designed to align it with the larger A350’s interior – will be sufficient to counter the Boeing 787.

Airbus is well on the way to producing the A330neo subassemblies. The first wing is essentially completed in the Broughton, England facility with only the sharklets missing, and the second is close behind.  Along with engines and the new cabin, the wing has seen the most modifications of the major components. At 64 m(210 ft), the A330neo wingspan has grown by 4 m (13.1 ft) over the the A330ceo’s and has been structurally reinforced to accommodate the Neo’s heavier engines. The wing-to-body-juncture also has been redesigned.

In parallel, the first A330neo nose section is completed at the Saint-Nazaire plant in France.  Airbus has a total of 186 orders for the two versions of the A330neo,10 for the A330-800 and the rest for the larger -900.  Hawaiian Airlines has ordered 6 -800s and 4 for TransAsia Airways

Source : China Aviation Daily/Airbus Photo

  

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

 Mitsubishi Starts Final Assembly of First Delivery Jet

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is set to begin final assembly of the first customer aircraft for the MRJ regional jet program, with various sections of the fuselage having been delivered to the MRJ final assembly hanger.In a newsletter, Mitsubishi Aircraft says it will work through the final assembly process, with an eye on delivery to launch customer All Nippon Airways in mid 2018. The Japanese airframe also gave an update of the MRJ flight tests, which are ongoing using two test aircraft.  It says valid results have been obtained from FTA-2, which started flying on May 31st, including the confirmation of emergency response measures – such as flying with one  engine, activation of emergency power units and stall tests.

Various tests are also being carried out as the program prepares for ferry flight to Moses  Lake, Washington State, this summer.

These include the expansion of its flight envelop to it’s design specifications of a maximum speed of Mach 0.78 and a maximum altitude of 39,000 ft, conducting instrument flights,plus checking on terrain awareness, warning system and collision avoidance system.

Its Moses Lake Flight Test Center meanwhile has been conducting flights using a small aircraft, rehearsing for the test missions ahead.

Mitsubishi adds that preparations are underway for FTA-3 and FTA-4 to take their first flights this summer.

Source : Flightglobal/Photo/Mitsubishi Aircraft

                                                                       

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

 First CSeries Aircraft is Delivered to SWISS

Bombardier delivered the first CSeries aircraft to Lufthansa subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines(SWISS), at ceremonies in Montreal on June 29th.

The delivery marks an important milestone in an aircraft program beset with technical problems, delays and difficulty securing customers.  Swiss originally ordered 20 CS100 and 10 CS300s, plus 30 options, but then converted five 100s to the 300 variant.

The handover should begin a process in which SWISS will receive nine aircraft by year end, taking one aircraft per month this month, August and September.  After that, deliveries will increase to two aircraft per month.  The first aircraft will enter service this month.

On June 23, Bombardier signed a definitive agreement with the Quebec government for $1billion investment in the CSeries program.  The assets, liabilities and obligations of the program have been transferred to the CSeries Aircraft Limited Partnership(CSALP) of which 50.5% is owned by Bombardier and 49.5% by the provincial government through Investment  Quebec.

The money will be used for cash-flow purposes, representing half of the $2 billion Bombardier says is required to take the CSeries program to cash-flow positive production in 2020.

The $2 billion includes funds to cover losses on discounted sales to marquee customers, including Air Canada and Delta Air Lines deals which Bombardier will record a $500 billion this quarter to cover “onerous contract provisions.”

The Canadian federal government, meanwhile, confirmed it is continuing negotiations with Bombardier about investing in the CSeries partnership.

Source : ATW/Bombardier Photo

 Pratt & Whitney to Invest $65m in Georgia GTF Maintenance Site              

Pratt & Whitney will invest $65 million in maintenance site near Columbus, Georgia, where the company maintains and overhauls PW 1000G geared turbofans (GTFs).  The investment, which comes as the company embarks on massive GTF production ramp up, will help P&W ensure it has infrastructure in place to meet increasing maintenance demand, P&W said in a media release.

Also, later this year the company expects construction will begin on an additional engine test facility at the site in Columbus, which is about 90 miles(145km) south of Atlanta, P&W says.

The company has orders for more than 7,100 GTFs, executives have said.  P&W will manufacture about 200 of the engines this year, but the company forecasts production will hit 400 in 2017, 600 in 2018 and 1,200 annually by 2020, executives have said.

The Columbus maintenance site is also where P&w is modifying a number of in-service PW 1100Gs to address a slow-engine-start issue, P&W aftermarket president Matthew Bromberg has told Flightglobal.

Source : Flightglobal/P&W

Air Lease Corp. Names New CEO;  Udvar-Hazy to Be Executive Chairman

Air Lease Corp.(ALC) has appointed John Plueger as president and CEO, effective July 1, as current CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy assumes the role of Executive chairman of the board, a full-time officer role.

Steve Udvar-Hazy started ALC in February 2010, the company owns and manages 268 young and in-demand jet aircraft on lease to 88 airline customers around the world.  It has an order book of 386 new jet aircraft to be delivered from Airbus and Boeing through 2023.

Plueger joined ALC as president, COO and board member in March 2010, shortly after the company was formed.  Plueger has more than 30 years of aviation experience, 24 of which were with International Lease Finance Corp.

Udar-Hazy said, ”John and I have worked together for over 30 years and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished in six short years at ALC.  I look forward to continuing to partner with John in my new role”.

Source : ATW

                 

LATEST NEWS

  • Emirates  took delivery of its 80th A380 to join the Emirates the A380 fleet and the airline has another 62 on order including 21 to be delivered this year.
  • Gulfstream  G500 business jet program has reached another milestone with the completion of the ultimate load testing on June 16.
  • Irkut Corporation Russian aircraft manufacturer rolled out its MC-21-300 on June 8 at its factory in Irkutsk.
  • Chengdu Airline made its first commercial flight with China’s home grown ARJ21 on June 28 with 70 passengers on board.  Chengdu is the launch customer for the ARJ21.
  • Alaska Airlines took delivery of a 737-900 painted in a special livery to celebrated Boeing’s 100th Birthday.

  • Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has announced that an unidentified customer has signed a firm purchase order for 10 CRJ900 aircraft.  The agreement is valued at $472 million at list prices.
  • HNA Group (Hainan Airline mother company) will become the biggest customer of both Airbus and Boeing aircraft within the next 10 years.  Hainan Airlines welcomed its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on June 10.
  • Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of the first of 14 Airbus A350 XWBs on June 28, making it Africa’s first operator of the type.

  • Embraer E190-E2 has achieved first flight in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, earlier than expected.
  • Xiamen Airlines will be the sixth airlines to fly from Seattle to China using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.  The three-times weekly service will connect to Xiamen, a city 360 miles to the northeast of Shenzhen.
  • Nile Air, Egyptian based carrier, began operations from Cairo to  Al Ain international airport in Abu Dhabi located on the Omani border.

AIR CARGO

 FedEx’s 270 Boeing Planes

Package delivery company, FedEx Corp, owned 582 airplanes at the end of May 2015 and leased another 65 for a total fleet of 647 planes.  Of the planes owned,241 were manufactured by the Boeing Company or by McDonnell Douglas prior to its merger with Boeing in1997.  Another 29 Boeing planes were leased, bringing FedEx’s total Boeing fleet to 270 planes.

The most popular Boeing aircraft in the FedEx fleet is now the 757-200, a dual-engine narrow body that Boeing configured as a cargo plane.  The plane can carry 63,000 pounds of cargo with maximum range of 3,625 miles.  The average age of these planes in FedEx fleet is nearly 25 years.  Boeing sold more than 1,000 of the planes and delivered the last new 757 in 2004.(it went to Shanghai Airlines in China)

Boeing had also supplied FedEx with 21 767-300 cargo freighters at the end of May 2015 (the end of the most recent fiscal year for which the company has produced an annual report).  FedEx ordered 50 more of the wide body planes last July with an option on 50 more.  At list price of $199.3 million per plane, the order was valued at nearly $20 billion.

Why buy an old design? it is simple to replace even older ones and reduce the variety of planes in FedEx’s fleet.  FedEx’s 767s average less than three years old.  The 767 is also more fuel efficient and shares many parts with the 757s in the fleet; plus it is a great aircraft.

Because Boeing is building the Air Force tanker, The KC-46A, on the 767 airframe, FedEx is assured of spare parts for at lease another 40 years, the expected life of the tanker.

Finally, FedEx reported 27 Boeing 777 freighters in its fleet at the end of November 2015, and in January the company said it had committed to another 16 at a list price of $318.7 per plane,for an order totaling more than $5 billion.

Source : 24/7 Wall St/ Boeing Photo/Ed’s Research.

 

  MILITARY NEWS

China’s New Y-20 Is the Largest Military Aircraft Currently in Production 

The Y-20 is China’s version of the C-17 Globemaster.  The first Xian Y-20 military transport aircraft was delivered to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) on June 15. Developed by Xian Aircraft Corporation, the Y-20 has an empty weight of 110 short tons, making it the largest military aircraft currently in production – larger than Russia’s Ilyushin Il-76.  Boeing’s C-17 Globemaster III is bigger than the Y-20, the C-17’s empty weight is about 60,000 pounds more than the Y-20.  Its payload capacity is 25,000 pounds more, but production stopped in 2015, making the Y-20 the biggest that currently rolling out of factories.

The Y-20 has the official codename “Kunpeng” after a mythical Chinese bird, though it is nicknamed “Chubby Girl” for its appearance.  The Y-20 is remarkably similar to the C-17.  Currently the Y-20 uses four Russian made Soloviev D-30 turbofan engines; however, plans are to replace the engines with Chinese-made Shenyang WS-20 turbofans by 2020 to give the plane short takeoff capabilities and a greater range.

Source : Popular Mechanics/AIN Online

 

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

by

Volume 3 Issue 5 May 2016

ON THE BOEING FRONT

The Latest on the Development of the 777X

The development of the 777X is quietly moving forward. German manufacturer Liebherr has delivered the first prototype of the actuation system for the 777X folding wing-tip.

The step will enable initial testing on a rig to begin in mid-year, the company’s Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg division states, revealing that proof-of-concept prototype was handed over at the end of February.

Liebherr says the delivery shows “substantial progress” has been achieved in developing a “compact and reliable” wing-tip actuator.

The 777X is to use a folding wing-tip in order to reduce its 235Ft (71.8) span by 7m when parking. Boeing selected Liebherr to develop the folding assembly, which uses motors and rotating actuator at the end of 2014.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing Photo

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

  First Airbus A350-1000 Takes Shape

The first Airbus A350-1000, the stretched version of the A350XWB family aircraft, has emerged from the Roger Beteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France, moving on its wheels for the first time. (note the three wheel trucks on the main landing gears)

The Aircraft, MSN59, has spent one and a half months in Station 40 in FAL.  On April 14th, the A350-1000 left its station 40 position and entered in the station number 30, where the initial ground testing of the aircraft systems takes place.

After that, the aircraft will be moved out of the FAL to undergo complementary tests, painting, engine installation, cabin fittings and it will be finally handed over to the Flight Test Center.

This aircraft, one of three flight test aircraft to be built, will take to the skies for its maiden flight before the end of 2016, with delivery expected to occur in mid 2017.

So far, Airbus has won 181 A350-1000 orders from 10 customers.  Launch customer is set to be Qatar Airways, who also was the launch customer for the -900 variant.

Source : China Aviation Daily/Airbus Photo

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

MRJ FTA-2 Prepares for Flight This Month

Mitsubishi Aircraft says the second prototype for its MRJ regional jet program is undergoing engine tests, as it readies for its first flight.

In a newsletter, the Japanese manufacturer says FTA-2 will move forward with taxi tests this month, followed by flight tests.

This follows the completion of the first phase of flight tests for the FTA-1. On April 13th, FTA-1 started receiving “planned modifications” that will be completed in the middle of this month. It will also be fitted with instruments necessary for upcoming tests.

Mitsubishi says it has been conducting flight tests on FTA-1 on consecutive days since mid-March, whenever weather conditions permit. These tests include flying with only one engine and auxiliary power systems, as well as a functional check on the emergency power generation system.

The MRJ is scheduled for first delivery in mid-2018.  Mitsubishi is using five test aircraft for the flight campaign.

Source: Flightglobal/Mitsubishi Aircraft/Photo

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

 Comair 737 Arrives at New St Helena Airport

South African carrier Comair has carried out the first large passenger jet landing at the new St Helena airport.  The Carrier operated a Boeing 737-800 which touched down just after 12:00 noon on April 19th.

British Airways franchise partner Comair recently took delivery of the aircraft – painted in BA livery – which has been configured specifically to serve the Johannesburg-St Helena route.

The initial operation to the island airport was an implementation flight to test the route, ground operations and handling, ahead of commencement of scheduled services.

“We did a few practice approaches just to  make sure we understand the approach,” says the carrier’s operations director, Martin Louw.

“ Safety is always paramount”.

Source : Comair Limited /Flightglobal

 

  CFM LEAP-1B Engine Receives Joint FAA/EASA Certification

The FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have awarded type certificates to CFM International’s LEAP-1B engine, paving the way for entry into commercial service in 2017. The LEAP-1B engine is the exclusive power plant for the Boeing 737 MAX.

“The LEAP-1B engine flew for the first time on the Boeing 737 MAX on January 29,” CFM  International said in a statement. “Since then, two more aircraft have been added to the test program in March. To date, these three airplanes have logged a combined total of more than 100 test flights, including completing high altitude flight testing in La Paz, Bolivia, recently.”

CFM International EVP Francois Bastin said, ”Boeing is racking up an impressive number of flight hours with the test aircraft; initial indications are that engine performance is meeting expectations.”

“MAX looks like a very well-run program on the airframe and engine side; reinforced the possibility that maybe they will even be early,” said Teal Group analyst, Richard Aboulafia,

”They have been doing great. Their story is they learned a lot from the 787, that might well be true.”

Source: ATW/Ed’s Research/Boeing Picture

 

 Airbus to Cut Output of Slow-Selling A380 

European plane maker Airbus plans to cut production of its A380 from 2017 as it struggles to revive sales of the world’s largest passenger jet.

It has told its suppliers to slow production to support an assembly rate of 1.7 aircraft per month from next year, compared with production of just over two a month now.  The exact month in which the slowdown would be felt in Toulouse assembly plant was not immediately clear.  Airbus declined to comment on talks with suppliers.

The company does not publish production figures for its biggest model, but only targets deliveries.  Sales of large four-engine airliners like the 544-seat A380 have been hit by improvements in range and efficiency of smaller two-engined models, which can be easier to fill.

Last year it delivered 27 A380s and has said it expects to continue to break even based on similar deliveries in 2016. It meanwhile continues to cut costs in an effort  to lower the break-even point to as low as 20 aircraft a year.

In February Airbus Group Chief Executive Tom Enders said it had between 20 and 30 A380s on its delivery list in 2017.

At the end of March, Airbus had 135 aircraft on its books that have been sold and are waiting to be produced, mainly for leading customer Emirates which recently topped its order. But after deducting aircraft that are unlikely to be delivered, analysts say the order situation is weaker.

Air France Has canceled two and replaced them with A350s.  Another 10 listed anonymously are believed to have been canceled by Hong Kong Airlines and 20 are allocated to leasing firm Amedeo, which are seen as unlikely to enter production until the lessor places them with airlines.

Analysts also say Qantas and Virgin Atlantic are unlikely to take a combined total of 12 of the jets.  The Project received a boost earlier this year when Iran announced a preliminary order for 12 A380s as it emerges from sanctions, but doubts remain over how quickly the order can be finalized as Iran faces continued financial restrictions.

Source : Business Insider/ Photo Air France

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • CFM International has delivered the first ship set of LEAP-1A production engines to Airbus to power the A320neo.
  • Avianca Holdings, one of Latin America’s largest airline operators, said it has negotiated a ‘significant reduction” in aircraft deliveries from 2016-2019 with Airbus.
  • Avolon delivered one Boeing 787-800 to Thai Lion Air.  This is the First Avolon aircraft on lease to Thai Lion Air.
  • GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) delivered a leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft to its new Thai customer, NewGen Airways, to expand the carrier’s fleet.
  • Trident Jet (jersey) Ltd., a sister company of UK-based lessor Falko Regional Aircraft, has ordered four more Bombardier CRJ 900s for lease to Irish regional CityJet.

  • Avolon Ireland-based delivered one Boeing 787-9 aircraft to UK long-haul specialist Virgin Atlantic.
  • Airbus has rolled out the first US-built American Airlines A321 of the paint shop at Mobile, Alabama facility.

  • Horizon Air has ordered 30 Embraer 175 aircraft, with half earmarked for growth under the widely anticipated order. The deal is worth $2.8 billion at list prices including 33 options.
  • Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) has completed the construction of a facility to manufacture center wing boxes for the 777X at its Handa plant.
  • Honda Aircraft delivered the first Honda Jet in Europe with a ceremonial delivery at AERO 2016 at Friedrichshafen,Germany.  Honda Aircraft’s exclusive HondaJet dealer for Central Europe, Rheinland Air Service, will become the first operator of the aircraft in Europe.
  • China United Airline has taken delivery of its 32nd Boeing 737 aircraft, which is also the 9000th 737 aircraft to be delivered by Boeing.

  • LATAM Airlines Group has unveiled new aircraft livery featuring its new branding. The Carrier’s updated livery features its new logo against an all-white fuselage, with its new corporate colors of indigo and coral on the tail.

AIR CARGO

     Swiss WorldCargo Inks VA-Q-tec Container Agreement

Swiss WorldCargo recently signed a partnership agreement with container manufacturer Va-Q-tec to provide passive temperature-controlled ULDs for the transport of pharmaceuticals and other sensitive goods. The signing ceremony was held at the Zurich offices of Swiss WorldCargo’s parent company, Swiss International Airlines Ltd.

“Va-Q-tec has been requested by pharma customers to establish a partnership with Swiss WorldCargo to enable direct container rentals,” said Dominic Hyde, managing director of Va-Q-tec,LTD.”  Many pharma shippers and forwarders see the cargo division of SWISS as a strategic partner for reliably transporting pharmaceuticals, they want the simplicity of ordering the Va-Q-tec containers through the airline directly.”

Va-Q-tec offers an advanced passive solution portfolio of hard-shell containers that can accommodate up to two pallets at once and maintain temperatures ranging from -70C to 25C. The containers can be delivered to their customers fully temperature pre-conditioned for one-way retail shipments for more than five days on global lanes.

Under the agreement, the global product launch will take place in June, with Swiss WorldCargo and Va-Q-tec continuing to serve existing customers.

Source : Air Cargo World/ Swiss WorldCargo

 

MILITARY

How the Very First Air Force One Was Saved-Columbine II, President  Eisenhower’s Ride is Back in Action- Part II 

Columbine’s number four engine was not airworthy anymore, so Brian Miklos borrowed a 3350 from another Lockheed Constellation which had recently flown and installed it on the airplane.  The effort took a full year from March 2015 with a team alternating between three weeks in Arizona and two weeks at home in Virginia.

It was an intense effort,” says Brian Miklos.  Finally, the Dynamic crew took off in Columbine II on March 21, 2016, for the first leg of the cross country trip to Mount Pleasant,Texas, then resumed the trip to Bridgewater, Virginia, the following morning.

The vintage Constellation logged about nine hours flight time and performed admirably.”  At one point, we had 234 mph across the ground.  The old girl was up and getting it done!” Miklos says.

Karl Stozfus plans to restore Columbine II back to its Air Force One configuration and return it to the air show scene.  Fortunately, a significant part of its interior is still intact.  Miklos says Dynamic as obtained a similar galley from another Constellation and has detailed information on how the aircraft looked in presidential service.

“The plan is to restore it to just as it was when President Eisenhower was using it.  We have incredible drawings and documentation to support that, right down to color codes and manufacturer’s original materials.”

Source : Popular Mechanics/Photos Ed’s Research

 

Finally the UK Decided To Go For the P-8A Poseidon 

Boeing seems to be racking orders for military aircraft and it is not done yet.  In late March, the US Defense Security Coorperation Agency (DSCA) — the Pentagon arm for coordinating sales of military equipment to our allies — notified Congress of an impending sale of military aircraft to the United Kingdom.

P-8A_Poseidon_VX-20_Squadron

According to DSCA’s March 24 notification to congress, the British government has requested permission to buy nine of Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, plus related “major defense equipment, associated training and support,” for a grand total of $3.2 billion.

The UK was looking at different platforms to replace its last retired Nimrod and in the end it appears the UK bit the bullet and decided to buy the Cadillac of maritime sub-hunting aircraft, Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon.

Source : Boeing/Boeing Picture

 

 

                         

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

 

by

The Kaplanian Report – June 2016

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing and GE work Together to Ready the                                           777X Engine for Flight Tests 

Designing, building and ground testing the world’s largest turbofan is challenging enough, but the challenge is how to safely put this large engine through the rigors of flight testing on the wing of an aircraft for which it was not designed is another again.

That is a key question General Electric and Boeing engineers face as they wrestle with the mechanics of flying the GE9X engine for the 777X on GE’s 747-400 flying testbed in 2017.

Although rated at 105,000 lb. thrust, less than the GE-90-115B, so far the world’s largest engine, the drive for efficiency and higher bypass ratios means the GE9X is physically much larger.

With a bypass ratio of 10:1 and fan diameter set at an unprecedented 134 in., the overall size of the GE9X nacelle has grown to 178 in. The GE90-115B, which has a fan diameter of 128 in., was the previous record-holder.

To fly the engine on the testbed, the internal wing structure was strengthened; with the GE9X in mind when the 747-400 was modified for the test role starting in 2014.

Further modifications are also planned to reduce the chances of aeroelastic interaction between the extended wing of the 747-400 and the GE9X mounted on the inboard left strut.  GE has already removed the standard winglets because these add unnecessary weight and maintenance burden to the aircraft’s flight test role.

More about the testing in my upcoming reports.

Source : Avweek/GE/GEPhotos

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

The Airbus Beluga XL: New Transport                                                 Based on the A330 Takes Shape

The first of Airbus’ five new BelugaXL air lifters will begin to take shape early next year, initiating the creation of a new jetliner fleet to transport complete sections of the company’s aircraft from production sites around Europe to final assembly in France, Germany and Spain.

Beluga XL’s lower fuselage will be the same as the freighter version of the Airbus A330-200 jetliner and is to be built on the A330 final assembly line adjacent to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in southwestern France.

The Beluga XL’s other aerostructure-specific components are provided by external suppliers, including the significantly enlarged upper fuselage, the modified forward section with a lowered nose and cockpit, a large forward cargo door allowing “roll-on-roll-off” loading directly onto the main deck and a pair auxiliary vertical tailplane end-fins.

Once a lower fuselage for Beluga XLs is completed on the final assembly line, it will be moved to Building L34 at Airbus’ Lagardere industrial zone adjacent to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, where the build-up process into the outsized airlifted will take approximately 12 months per aircraft.

The five Beluga XL aircraft will join the existing fleet of five A300-600ST Super Transporters-which are based on the A300 jetliner.

Source : Airbus/Airbus Picture

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Gulfstream’s G650ER Blazes Trail from Sydney to Los Angeles

Gulfstream’s G650ER recently set another city-pair record on a trip from Sydney, Australia, to Los Angeles, the Savannah, Ga.-based aircraft manufacturer announced on May19th. The G650ER travelled 6,620nm in 12 hours and 40 minutes, departing Sydney Airport at 7:11 a.m. local time on March 11 and landing at Los Angeles International Airport at 1:51 a.m. local time on March 11.  It averaged a speed of Mach.86 during the trip

The U.S. National Aeronautic Association has approved the record, the trip is pending approval by Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as a world record. This city pair will join the more than 55 world records established by the G650 and its longer-legged G650ER sibling. The 650ER is designed to fly as fast as 7,500 nm at Mach 0.85 and 6,400 nm at Mach 0.90. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 0.925.

Source : Business Aviation/ Photo Gulfstream Aerospace

 

 Lufthansa Technik Bags VIP 787 Modification Deal

Lufthansa Technik has won a modification and support contract for a Boeing 787 that will be completed as a VIP aircraft.

The new agreement covers not the VIP completion itself, but rather modifications based on a service bulletin issued by the airframe, says Lufthansa Technik.

This includes the aircraft’s galleys and crew rest compartments plus adjustments to the IFE and Communication systems.

Lufthansa Technik adds that the 787-8 will arrive as a “green aircraft” at the MRO provider’s Hamburg headquarters in early autumn; the project is scheduled to be completed over the course of two months.

In addition to modifications, the MRO specialist will provide technical services for the undisclosed operator.

Source : Flightglobal/Lufthansa Technik

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Eight Asia-Pacific Low-Cost Carriers Form Alliance

Eight Asia-Pacific low-cost carriers (LCCs) have formed a new standards-based collaborative marketing group, using IATA New Distribution Capability (NDC) digital interoperability standard.

The group, called Value Alliance, comprises Philippines – based Cebu Pacific, Korea-based Jeju Air, Thailand’s Nok Air and Japan’s Vanilla Air.  It said it is already talking to several other LCCs about expanding membership.

The Value Alliance covers more than 160 destinations in the region with combined fleet of 176 aircraft. It offers a web side allowing passengers to book tickets and extra services, such as additional baggage and meals across the group’s airlines, according to a statement.

Scoot CEO Campbell Wilson said the grouping will offer “a wider choice of destinations and flights – at the most competitive airfares – all in one go.”

Membership in the Value Alliance is by invitation only.  In 2015, its member airlines collectively served more than 47 million travelers from 17 hubs.

Source : ATW

 

Qantas Talking to Boeing On 777X

Qantas said it will keep its Airbus A380s in service beyond 2020 as it conducts talks with Boeing on its next generation 777X jets.

“The A380s do a great job on the markets that they operate,” said Garth Evans, head of the company’s international business.  Qantas currently operates a fleet of 12 A380s.” They are big units on big thick routes like Los Angeles and London, flying into slot-constrained airports.” said Evans. ”You want to have a fleet

that is simple, but you need to have vehicles that do the right job for you.”

While an order is not imminent, Evans said conversations with Boeing revolve around the “scope and Capability” of the 777X.  It will have two variants, a 777-8 that will have a longer range, and the 777-9 that will be able to carry more passengers but have a slightly shorter range.

“It does look interesting though because of its range capability, said Evans. ”When you are an airline that is based in our part of the world, those are things that are important to you, an aircraft that can reach major cities around the world out of Australia is attractive.”

Source : Airwise

 

 China’s Ruili Airlines Orders Six Boeing 787-9s

Kunming-based Ruili Airlines has ordered six Boeing 787-9 aircraft in a deal valued at $1.54 billion at list prices.  The aircraft will be used for international expansion. A delivery schedule was not released.

16051810081416

Launched in May 2014, Ruili operates a fleet of nine aircraft on 16 domestic routes with 46 daily departures.

The carrier plans to expand its fleet to 11 aircraft by the end of this year and to 80 aircraft by the end of 2025.

In 2015, Ruili committed to buy 30 737-MAXs with a financial support of AVIC International Leasing at the Paris Air Show.

Other Chinese carriers have also ordered Boeing 787-9 aircraft: Air China ordered 15 787-9 aircraft and received its first one on May 18, China Eastern has ordered 15 787-9s and Hainan Airlines has 30 787-9s on order.

Source : China Aviation Daily/Picture Ruili Airlines/Boeing

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • The Airbus A350-900 has gained extended-range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) approval from FAA for routes that require beyond 180 minutes diversion time.
  • VietJet, Vietnam’s low-cost carrier, signed an order for 100 Boeing 737 Max 200, making it the second customer to commit to the high-density variant after Ryanair.

  • GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) revealed the delivery of a new leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft powered by GEnx engines to Air Canada as part of a purchase and leaseback transition with the airline.
  • Lithium Ion Batteries will be installed on A350-900 aircraft delivered to customers by the end of the year.
  • Leap 1A powering the A320neo has been granted type certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation  Administration (FAA)
  • Air China took delivery of its first Trent !000 powered 787-9.
  • Xiamen Airlines took delivery of its 15th 737-800; with the delivery of this aircraft Xiamen expanded its all Boeing fleet to 154 aircraft.
  • Pratt & Whitney obtained certification from the FAA for its PW1400G-JM engine to power Russian aircraft manufacturers Irkut’s MC-21 Aircraft.
  • J-Air Corp Japan Airlines Subsidiary has introduced its Embraer E190 jet in Japan.

jal-j-air-mrj70-11fltjallr

  • Mitsubishi Aircraft second prototype of the MRJ regional jet conducted its first flight on May 31st.
  • United Airlines launched its nonstop service between San Francisco International Airport and Singapore’s Changi Airport.  Measured by distance, the new route will be the longest scheduled 787 Dreamliner flight operated by any airline, covering a distance of 8,446 miles.

 

AIR CARGO

Two of the World’s Top Three International                                  Cargo Carriers Have Joined Forces

Lufthansa and Cathay Pacific rank second and third, respectively, among all airlines in international cargo traffic, training only Emirates.  So their formation of a joint network to connect Hong Kong to Europe is an interesting move.

Regarding the agreement itself, the carriers said it would take the form of “a highly integrated bilateral corporation.” Lufthansa and Cathay say they “will work closely together on network planning, as well as sales, IT and ground handling.” Further, customers will be able to access the entire joint network through either of the partners’ booking systems or the two carriers will offer joint handling at their hubs in Hong Kong and Frankfurt.

The agreement covers 140 direct flights per week between Hong Kong and thirteen cities in Europe.  Cathay’s Director of Cargo, said: ”Cathay Pacific’s large number of direct connections to multiple European destinations fits perfectly with Lufthansa’s strength in Frankfurt, the most important air freight hub in Europe through its dense feeder-network.” Peter Gerber, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo pointed out that the deal would give customers more flights to choose from with a combination of feeder and direct flights.”

LHcargo

Implementation of the partnership is still some way off.  The first shipments covered by the agreement will not fly until 2017, then only westbound from Hong Kong to Europe.  Eastbound shipments will become available in the course of the year.

Source : Air Cargo World/Photos Lufthansa & Cathay Pacific

       

                                    MILITARY NEWS

                                          The C-130 Just Never Dies

Lockheed Martin started building its latest civilian version of the iconic C-130 Hercules in Marietta, Georgia in late April.The company’s new LM-100J will bring its advancements of the C-130J Super Hercules to civilian operators such as the United Nations.

The C-130 just never dies.  Because almost no other aircraft can do what the Hercules does best: reliably haul outsized loads into and out of short, rough airstrips in the middle of nowhere.

“They obviously did its design right,” says Tom Wetherall, director of LM-100J Business Development for Lockheed Martin.  ”It’s been in production for 60 years.

It’s got a high-wing.  It’s a turboprop. The engines and propellers are out of harm’s way. The straight wing yields the efficiency to get in and out of dirt runways, to get the weight off the wheels as soon as possible.  The fuselage is low to the ground at truck-bed height, which combines with rear loading capability.  It’s a configuration that is second to none”

The first C-130 rolled out in 1954.  Since then, Lockheed has built more than 2,500 at it’s Georgia assembly plant.  More than ten variants of the airplane, including AC-130 gunships and WC-130 weather reconnaissance aircraft, serve U.S.and global militaries.

In 1965 Lockheed started making a dedicated civilian version of the Hercules, the L-100, cranked them until 1992.  About 115 L-100s have flown with commercial operators, delivering spare parts and bringing in disaster relief. But these old planes are nearing the end of their useful lives, and companies that fly them are looking for a new airplane – a new Hercules, according to Lockheed.

The LM-100J is based on the C-130J-30, an extended version of the “J” that shares the same length as the L-100.  Like the military Super Hercules, the LM-100J gets new Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D# turboprop engines and six-blade Dowty R391 Propellers.  The airframe features a new center wing-box.  The cockpit comes with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) which eliminates the need for a flight engineer, a significant cost savings.

Lockheed Martin planes to roll out the first LM-100J this September. Flight testing begins early next year and the first delivery is slated for the first quarter of 2018.

Source : Popular Mechanics/Photo Lockheed Martin

 

    Boeing has Received a Seven Year, $319 Million Contract to Continue Maintenance and Support Work for the U.S. Air Force’s C-32A and C-40 BC

On May 17th Boeing announced that it was awarded a $319 million to continue maintaining and supporting the U.S. Air Force’s C-32A and C-40BC executive aircraft.

The Air Force uses the C-32A and C-40BC, which are based on the Boeing 757 and 737 passenger planes, to transport the vice president, cabinet members and military commanders among others.  Boeing has supported the aircraft since first delivery in 1998 and 2001.

The C-32 and C-40 are among the many military derivatives of commercial airplanes that Boeing has built for the U.S. and international customers, offering affordable adaptations of proven airframes and existing worldwide support for military missions.

Source : Boeing/Photo Boeing

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

by

Volume 3 Issue 4 April Kaplanian Report

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Selected Panasonic Avionics to Supply the Cabin Services System for the 777X

Panasonics Avionics has been selected by Boeing to supply the cabin services system (CSS) for the 777X.

The win extends Panasonic’s CSS win streak on next generation Boeing wide bodies; the company also supplies the CSS on the 787 and the 747-8 intercontinental.

“Panasonic’s CSS is a scalable, database driven, Ethernet-based network that provides core cabin functions – such as passenger address, cabin inter phone and environmental controls,” Panasonic said in a statement.  ”CSS directly integrates with external subsystems – such as cabin lighting and other airplane member systems across the airframe networks, including the inflight entertainment and connectivity solutions.”

Boeing completed firm configuration for the 777-9X in August 2015. Orders and commitment for the 777X total 320 aircraft from six customers.  The 777-9X is slated to enter service in 2020, followed by the smaller 777-8X in 2022.

Source : ATW/Boeing

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

Airbus Launches New Cabin Brand “Airspace by Airbus”

On March 23rd Airbus launched the “Airspace by Airbus”, bringing together an enhanced experience for passengers and optimum performance for airlines – based on four dimensions: comfort, ambience, service and design.

Introduced with Airbus’ wide body A330neo (new engine option) – and incorporated on the A350 XWB – Airspace cabins offer a more relaxing, inspiring, attractive and functional environment for travelers and optimizes the use of cabin space for operators.
 csm_A330neo_Airspace_by_Airbus_Ambience_e23cddabea

Signature design elements recognizable throughout all Airspace cabins include wider seat, larger overhead storage bins, spacious, contemporary lavatories with antibacterial surfaces, along with unobstructed under-seat foot space.  Other features are a unique and customizable welcome area at the main passenger boarding door, the latest in LED technology for ambient lighting, as well as clean shapes and surfaces throughout the interior.

Features for operators include a range of new galley/lavatory options – such as modular Space-Flex to maximize trolley capacity, wheelchair-accessible lavatory configurations to suit individual airline requirements and freeing up of main deck space to allow for additional seating.

Source : ATW/Airbus

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

  Qatar Executive Adds Second G650ER

Middle Eastern VIP operator Qatar Executive has added a second Gulfstream G650Er to its fleet.  The handover comes three months after the first ultra-long-range type joined the company’s line-up of high-end business aircraft from Airbus and Bombardier stables.

The lead pair are part of a 2014 order from Qatar Airways subsidiary for up to 30 Gulfstream business jets, including six G650ERs and 24 G500 and G600s, for which it is the launch customer.

The flagship G650ER was selected, Qatar Executive says, for its market leading 7,500 (13,890km) range, which allows passengers “to fly non-stop from the Middle East to North America or from destinations in Asia to Africa.”

Qatar’s G650ERs have a two-cabin configuration, with capacity for up to 13 passengers.

Source : Flightglobal

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Scoot, Tigerair to Merge, Expand Reservation Systems

Singapore based long-haul, low-cost carrier (LCC) Scoot and regional LCC Tigerair will finalize a merger of their reservations systems by the end of 2016, according to Scoot CEO Campbell Wilson. “This will make Tiger our biggest partner,” he said. He said two LCCs already shared ground handling and other operational facilities and costs, and that a more complete integration of ticketing systems would bring a greater ability to capitalize on potential opportunities across the two carriers.

Both LCCS are Subsidiary airlines of parent Singapore Airlines, which Wilson says is working to develop long-term working structures that are shared between the two carriers.

Wilson added that Scoot would expand its fleet of 10 Boeing 787s with another 10 787s by the end of July 2019, which would enable it to add routes to India, China and northeast Asia.

Source : ATW/Scoot

 

Rolls-Royce Has Successfully Completed First Flight of The Trent 1000 Ten

Rolls-Royce has successfully completed the first flight of its new Trent 1000 TEN (thrust, efficiency and new technology) engine which will power the Boeing 787 Dreamliner family of aircraft.

Capable of up to 78,000 lbs thrust, it will be available to power all three variants of the Boeing 787: the -8, -9 and future -10.

The engine’s first flight was on a Boeing 747 flying test bed which took off from an airfield in Tucson, Arizona. A distinctive paint scheme on the engine nacelle-depicting a “perfect ten pin ”bowling image – easily identified the Trent 1000 TEN engine on the aircraft.

Iain Dudley, Head of Marketing, Trent 1000 said : “We are delighted that the first flight went smoothly and we look forward to a successful program on the 747 test bed before flight testing begins on a Boeing 787 later this year. We know that this engine will deliver a step-change in efficiency and performance for the 787 when it enters service.  In fact it’s perfect for it.”

The Trent 1000 is already the most reliable engine on the 787 and was the first to power both the -8 and -9 versions into service. Over one and a half million flying hours have been successfully achieved and now the TEN version is set to deliver new levels of fuel efficiency and thrust for customers.

Trent 1000 engines were the first to put the Boeing 787 into service in 2011 with ANA of Japan and the first to put the 787-9 into service last year with Air New Zealand.

Source : Rolls-Royce

 

 Rolls-Royce and El Al Sign 787 Trent 1000 Service Deal

On March 21st, 2016, El Al announced in a media release that Rolls-Royce will provide support for the Trent 1000 engines that will power El Al’s incoming fleet of Boeing 787s.

El Al says the deal reflects the strength of a business relationship with Rolls-Royce that has been ongoing for more than 50 years. It adds that the agreement is the “largest ever business arrangement between the United Kingdom and Israel.”  El Al did not provide the value or length of the agreement: the carrier’s media representative did not immediately provide additional details.

In August 2015, El Al stated it would buy and lease a total of 15 787s to replace its 747-400s and 767-300ERs.

The carrier plans to begin flying the first eight 787-9s starting in 2017 and the first of seven 787-8s starting in 2019.  In October, El Al announced it opted for all 15 of the 787s to be powered by Trent 1000s.

Source : Flightglobal

 

Cayman Airways to Replace Fleet

Cayman Airways will replace its fleet of aging 737-300s classics with four new 737s over the next four years.

The government has approved a fleet modernization plan for the national airline to replace the four 737-300 jets; which are between 15 and 20 years old, with new 737-8Max planes straight off the Boeing production line.

The 737-8Max planes have 40 more seats and burn 20 percent less fuel than the 300-series. Mr  Fabian Whoms, Cayman Airways CEO said the technical advances made by Boeing in developing the next generation aircraft made the arrangement possible.

The airline will bring a different Boeing 737-800 plane into service as an interim measure; it intends to replace the entire fleet of 737-300s on a phased timetable between 2018 and 2020.

By 2020, the airline will have a full fleet of four 737-8Max aircraft.

Source : Cayman Compass

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • Air India agreed to lease 14 LEAP-powered A320neos from ALAFCO for delivery in 2017-2019.
  • GoSky of Slovakia took delivery of one Boeing 737-800 aircraft on March 18th.
  • Aegean Airlines has taken delivery of the final of seven Airbus A320ceos.  It has 61 of the type in its fleet.
  • Aircelle (Safran) began the manufacturing of titanium engine exhaust systems for Boeing’s new 777X, marking an on-time industrial activity startup on Aircelle’s first major role as a supplier to Boeing.
  • GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) delivered a new leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Chinese airline Okay Airways to expand the Carrier’s fleet.

  • Mitsubishi Aircraft completed construction of new 44,000 sq m MRJ final assembly hanger to build up to 10 aircraft per month; it will now start installing related tooling.
  • Air France has cancelled its remaining pair of Airbus A 380s in favor of taking three additional A350-900s.  Deliveries of the A350s have been rescheduled from 2018 to 2019 and 2020.
  • Boeing started major assembly of the first 787-10 Kawasaki Heavy Industries started installation of the circular frames into the mid forward fuselage on March 14th,two weeks ahead of schedule.
  • Embraer, the Brazilian manufacturer, announced on April 4th that E190-E2 completed the first engine run. The E190-E2 is powered by two PW1900G turbofans that are rated at Up to 23,000 .lb – thrust each for take-off power.
  •   Air France-KLM Group chairman and CEO, Alexandre de Juniac, is set to replace the retiring Tony Tyler as IATA’s DG and CEO after a unanimous recommendation by the IATA board of governors.

  • Exclusive – Boeing said it will buy seats directly from new supplier, LIFT by EnCore of Huntington Beach,California for its 737.

 

Air Cargo

  Air France- KLM Moves to Protect Perishables with “Kold Kart” Dolly

When on the ground in high temperature locations, the ruination of perishable cargo or pharmaceuticals is a real issue.  Air France-KLM – Martinair Cargo’s most recent weapon in the war against temperature incursions is the “Kold Kart”, a new dolly system that maintains proper temperature while shipments await transfer to planes or trucks.

After testing the product,  AF-KLM found that Kold Kart was able to protect temperature-sensitive commodities while reducing waste and extending the shelf life of products being shipped.  Once perishable container shipments are weighed and checked in for a flight, they are placed inside a Kold Kart dolly.  The dolly is then moved onto the tarmac area and held until it can be pulled by a tug to the outbound aircraft.  The Kold Kart unit also has a conveyor floor that permits container shipments to roll in and out of the dolly.

For inbound shipments, the dolly meets the aircraft and perishable containers are off-loaded from the aircraft to the Kold Kart dolly and pulled back to the cargo building.  The temperature can be set anywhere the customer requests.

Source : Air Cargo World/Air France-KLM Cargo

 

MILITARY

     How the Very First Air Force One Was Saved – Columbine II, President Eisenhower’s Ride  is Back in Action – Part I

Getting a 70-year-old Lockheed C-121 Constellation ready to fly cross-country isn’t easy.  Besides making sure the large airframe is structurally sound, you have got to get four enormous 18-cylinder,2,500-horsepower radial engines running reliably.  Karl Stolzfus had plenty of motivation to see this project through. In doing so, had been saving and preserving history: the first Air Force One.

First Lady Maimie Eisenhower named the airplane “Columbine II” after the official state flower of Colorado, her adopted home state.  Her husband, President Dwight D.Eisenhower, was traveling in Columbine II in 1953 when air traffic controllers became confused.  An Eastern Airlines commercial flight (8610) had the same call sign as the President’s (Air Force 8610) and the two aircraft accidentally entered the same airspace.  The potentially dangerous situation spurred creation of the unique call sign “Air Force One” for Columbine II, and the name stuck for all subsequent presidential planes.

Columbine II was built as a VC-121A transport for the Air Force in 1948, but converted to VIP configuration for President Eisenhower and re-designated VC-121E.

It served Ike from late 1952 through 1954 when it was replaced by another VC-121E, this one called “Columbine III.” (it currently resides at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio).  Columbine II remained as a “spare” Air Force One into 1955, when it was transferred to Pan American airlines, serving on special assignment to the government of Thailand as the “Clipper Fortuna.” The aircraft later returned to Air force transport duties until its retirement in 1968.

It was a derelict by the early 1980s but was restored using parts from another VC-121 in 1989-90. The Air Force One went on  to  the air show circuit in the early 1990s.  When the owner lost interest, it was put up for sale in 1998.  Nobody wanted Eisenhower’s ride at the time and it was flown to Avra Valley Airport near Tucson in 2003.

Karl Stolzfus is the owner of Dynamic Aviation, a Virginia-Based contractor that provides the federal government and other clients with aircraft and crews for tasks from surveillance to data acquisition.

Rather than let Columbine II languish, Stolzfus bought the airplane and starting in March of 2015, a team of engineers from Dynamic aided by volunteers from Texas-based Mid America Flight Museum, travelled to Avra Valley and retired Columbine II to air worthiness.   According to Brian Miklos,who lead the Dynamic’s team, says the constellation was in reasonably good shape, considering its history, but needed work.

“The Airframe and the hard parts of the airplane were great condition but all the soft components, hose and seats, were brittle from the desert environment.  We had to replace all of that.  We did not do that much  engine work, we just made sure the top-ends were well lubricated and replaced engine accessories.”

Source : Popular Mechanics

Story of the restoration of this aircraft will continue in my May Report

 

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

by

Volume 3 Issue 3 March 2016

ON THE BOEING FRONT

 Boeing Launches 737-800 BCF Program

Boeing has launched the 737-800 converted freighter program, with orders and commitments for up to 55 conversions. In a statement, Boeing says the modifications will be done at selected facilities near conversion demand, including Boeing Shanghai.

Modifications required include the installation of a large main-deck cargo door, a cargo-handling system and accommodation for non-flying crew or passengers. The first 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter is expected to be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2017.

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The aircraft will have the capacity to carry up to 52,800 pounds of cargo, and a range of about 2,000nm. Boeing says 12 pallet positions, comprising 11 standard pallets and one half-pallet, will provide 5,000 cubic feet of cargo space on the main deck. There will also be two lower-lobe compartments, which will provide a further 1,540 cubic feet of cargo space.

GECAS will provide the initial aircraft for conversion, and has also ordered five conversions. Hangzhou-based YTO Airlines and Beijing-based China Postal Airlines have meanwhile signed for 10 conversions each. YTO has also committed to 10 additional conversions. An unannounced customer meanwhile has signed for five conversions with two commitments.

Boeing adds that it has also secured a further 13 commitments from China’s SF Airlines, Bulgaria’s Cargo Air, and an unannounced customer. The 737-800 BCF will primarily be used to carry express cargo on domestic routes.

“While the recovery of the global cargo market has been slow, we see demand for freighters, such as the 737-800 BCF, that will carry express cargo on domestic routes,” says Stan Deal, senior vice president, commercial aviation services, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing/Photo Boeing

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

Airbus Group Lifts A330 Output Goal As Profits Meet Expectations                                                         

Airbus Group performed a partial U-turn on plans to cut production of its profitable A330 aircraft on Wednesday February 24th, easing the delicate transition to newer models.

The European plane maker said it now plans to build seven A330 wide body jets per month  from 2017; partially unwinding recent staggered cuts in output to six from 10 a month as it prepares for its new A350 jetliner and an A330 upgrade (the A330neo) .

Demand for the current generation of jets such as the 250-to 300-seat A330 faces a broad decline as a new generation of fuel-saving airplanes enters the market.

The move to reconsider the decline of one of its two main sources of cash and profits came weeks after Iran provisionally agreed to buy 45 A330 jets as part of a $27 billion deal following the lifting of sanctions. Airbus said it would have gone ahead anyway because of other deals.

“That should be enough to put a floor under production until a revamped version of the A330 enters service at the end of 2017”, Chief Executive Tom Enders said.

Source : New York Times.90

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Embraer Rolls Out E190-E2 Aircraft

Embraer has rolled out its first next-generation E-Jet, an E190-E2, at its factory in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. The E-190-E2’s first flight is slated for the second half of 2016 with first deliveries expected to take place in 2018. The E2s are exclusively powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1900G geared turbofan engines.

Before a crowd of several thousand Embraer employees and invited guests – following flyovers from aircraft from Embraer’s three aviation divisions (commercial jets, executive jets and defense systems) and a welcome greeting from Embraer president and CEO, commercial aviation Paulo Cesar Silva – the doors of hanger F-300 slowly opened to reveal the first assembled prototype of the E190-E2jet, which gradually rolled out onto the tarmac before stopping, its nose several meters away from the gathered crowd.

“The rollout on February 25th marks the completion of the assembly of the first E190-E2 and paves the way for the start of the tests that will lead to first flight,”  Embraer SVP operations and COO-commercial aviation Luis Carlos Affonso said.

Four prototypes of the E-190-E2 will be created for the aircraft’s certification process. Assembly of the second prototype is underway; it recently had its wing junction completed, Affonso said.

To date, the E2 program has 640 commitments, comprising 267 firm orders and 373 options and purchase rights.

Source : ATW/Embraer Photo

 

    Gulfstream Starts G600 Systems Testing on Iron Bird

Gulfstream has begun simulated flight tests on the G600 Iron Bird ground rig preparation for the first large-cabin, long-range business.

During the 30 minute “flight”, the Iron Bird-housed at the airframe’s Savannah, Georgia headquarters-simulated taxi, take-off and landing, says Gulfstream. It also performed simulated maneuvers and transitions at different altitudes and airspeeds.

“This first flight sets in motion the testing and validation required for the G600’s actual first flight,” says Dan Nale, Gulfstream’s senior vice-president for programs, engineering and test. ”With the Iron Bird, we can confirm the characteristics of the system components, improve the integration maturity, make modifications and provide those benefits in a lab environment, all while on the ground and still in design stage, to the benefit of the flight-test aircraft.”

Gulfstream says the first G600 flight-test model and structural test vehicle are in production in Savannah.The 6,200nm (11,500km) Pratt & Whitney Canada PW815Ga- powered twin is scheduled to enter service in 2019 – a year behind its shorter-range stablemate, the G500.

Source : Flightglobal/Gulfstream

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

GE Aviation Finishes the Assembly of the First GE9X Test Engine

GE Aviation has completed the assembly of the first GE9X test engine at its Peebles, Ohio facility. It will shortly begin ground runs of the 100,000 kb-thrust (445kN)-class power plant for the 777X.

“The engine is assembled, it is just a matter of adding lots of instrumentation,” says GE9X program manager Bill Millhaem. Tests will begin “soon” he says, although declines to offer a precise date.

The GE9X features a basket of advanced technologies as GE strives to reduce weight and improve engine performance to deliver a 10% reduction in specific fuel burn over the  current-generation GE90.

These include use of ceramic matrix composites (CMC) on the inner and outer combusted liners, plus stage 1 and 2 nozzles and stage 1 shroud in the high pressure turbine.

“The first engine to test (FETT) wraps up the extensive technology maturation program for the GE9X engine program. It began five years ago and has included component-level, system-level and core demo testing to validate the advanced technologies and materials in the new engine,” GE said in a statement.  The CMC parts have so far performed “phenomenally”,said Millhaem.

The maiden sortie of the GE9X, using a company owned 747-400 flying testbed, is due to take place in mid-2017.  Engine certification is scheduled for October 2018.

Source : Flightglobal/GE Aviation

 

 Ryanair to Offer All Business 737-700 for Charter

Budget carrier Ryanair is to offer a Boeing 737-700 for corporate charter services, the aircraft configured with just 60 business class seats.

Ryanair – which acquired a 737-700 last year, indicating it would serve as a back-up and training jet – says that it is offering charter with the type.  The carrier’s regular mainline fleet comprises the larger 737-800.

The aircraft will be operated on routes up to 6 hours and the passengers will be offered a cabin fitted with leather seats, at a pitch of 48in, and fine dining on-board catering.

The airline will provide the cockpit and cabin crew.  Its a charter for hire division says the aircraft will be made available on a “cost per hour” basis, with overall quotes depending on the departure and arrival airport. “We offer the most competitive rate in Europe,” it said.

Source : Flightglobal/RyanairPhotos

 

Emirates Tim Clark Blasts Airbus for Confused Strategy On Wide Body Jets                                             

Emirates President Tim Clark faulted Airbus for lacking a coherent strategy on its biggest airliners; saying the plane maker should focus on an upgrade of its A380 super jumbo rather than spend resources on yet another variant of its new A350.

“Airbus’s thinking has become increasingly hard to read and talk further extending the stretched A350-1000 makes little sense”, Clark said on Thursday, March 10th at the ITB travel fair in Berlin. He added that he is not sure the manufacturer could afford to fund the project along the upgraded A380 he is keen to buy.

“There seems to be a certain amount of cloudiness,” Clark said. “They’ve got the A380 and then bingo, out pops the new A350-1000. I am not quite sure how that’s going to pan out.”

As the world’s leading wide body operator, Emirates exerts influence over the models that Airbus and The Boeing Co. develop.  The Dubai based carrier has made the A380 the centerpiece of its fleet, adding flourishes such as bars and showers. Emirates is eager to buy as many as 200 upgraded planes, even as a lack of orders from other carriers puts the model’s future in doubt.

Clark is evidently running out of patience after John Leahy, Airbus’s sales chief, said on March 1st, that there’s “nothing imminent” about the A380 re-engining plan and that even if the  Neo were available, Emirates is “not in a position to go ahead” until the mid-2020s because of lack of airport space.

Clark said that’s wrong and the Gulf carrier would be happy to take the aircraft from 2021 if Airbus builds it. Airbus said it could not immediately comment.

Airbus’s increasing focus on a double-stretch A350 is of less interest to Emirates because the plane would compete with the largest version of Boeing’s revamped 777X – an aircraft it’s already taking. Clark said a bigger A350 would add weight and create issues at airports from the extra length.

Source : Bloomberg/Emirates

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • Air Canada on February 17th Air Canada announced that it has entered into a Letter of Intent with Bombardier Inc. to acquire up to 75 Bombardier CS300 aircraft powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1500 G engines.
  • Etihad Cargo has taken delivery of a new Boeing 777-200 LRF freighter that will enable the freight arm of Etihad Airways to continue its expansion plans into 2016.

  • Boeing gets U.S. license to talk deals with Iranian airlines about buying jetliners; but it would need additional U.S. approval to make sales.
  • British Airways jet that caught fire in Las Vegas airport last year is being repaired and will reenter service. A team from Boeing carried the repair and the aircraft has flown to Victorville, California for painting.

  • Oman Air  has agreed to a three year wet leasing deal for two Kenya Airways Boeing 787-8s.
  • Ukraine International Airlines will replace its 737 Classic fleet with newer types through the end of 2018. The carrier took delivery of a 737-800 on January 22nd and announced plans to expand the fleet with six of the type this year.
  • Iran Air placed a firm order for 20 ATR 72-600s and took options on a further 20, valued at $1.1 billion at list prices.

  • Travel Service Czech leisure carrier is aiming to operate 40 Boeing 737-MAX 8s by 2025 and has just leased a further 16 aircraft, increasing its commitment to 25 of the type.
  • Air Niugini ordered four Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The previously unidentified order adds to the Papua New Guinea national carrier’s fleet of Next Generation 737s and 767-300ERs.

  • Philippine Airlines signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to purchase six A350-900s. The Order is valued at $1.8 billion at list prices.
  • Airbus the first Airbus A321neo equipped with CFM International Leap-1A engines completed its maiden flight on February 9th from Hamburg, Germany.

 

AIR CARGO

     Kalitta Air to Diversify with 767 Freighters 

Kalitta Air relies on a fleet of 747 freighters for the long-haul flights it is known for carrying large payloads, including heavy machinery, delicate medical equipment, perishable foods, even livestock. So what’s with 767s the cargo carrier is now purchasing? 767s may be the go-to freighters for the integrators, but they’re rare in general freight world.

The answer is a combination of fleet maintenance requirements and a strategy shift at the Michigan-based carrier.  “The time is right for Kalitta to develop in the domestic market”, said Pete Sanderlin, the vice president and general manager, and the number two guy behind CEO and owner Conrad “Connie” Kalitta. Right now, Kalitta Air operates thirteen 747 freighters, three of which are 30 years old 747-200s.Sanderlin said it’s getting difficult to secure parts for the -200s,and since five of the 747-400s are tied up in DHL operations,Kalitta Air does not have many freighters available for other business.

The Airline recently purchased four 767-300 passenger aircraft, two of which are being converted to freighters by Bedek in Tel Aviv.  ”We got them because we want to diversify,” Sanderlin said, adding that most of Kallita’s work is on the international stage.  “We do little in the U.S. domestic market,” he said.  But the plan is to test the waters with the new freighters.

Of course, bringing in new freighter type does not mean abandoning the old. In addition to acquiring the 767s, Kallitta Air also plans to expand its fleet with more 747s. In fact, Sanderlin said they are in negotiations right now to purchase another 747-400 freighter.

Kalitta Air is not a huge airline, but with 1,500 employees and almost 20 freighters, it’s not small by any means.  In addition to the airplanes, Kallitta Air has its own engine shop, airframe maintenance facility and training facility with three simulators, which Sanderlin said is unmatched by carriers of its size.

Perhaps one reason Kallita Air has continued to thrive is because it does so much in house. Another reason is leadership. ”Connie is very close to the business, very hands on,” Sanderlin said. He added that he and Kalitta make most of the decisions together.

Source : Air Cargo World /Picture Kallitta

 

MILITARY

                        Boeing’s Second KC-46A Achieves First Flight 

Boeing’s second functional KC-46A has joined the fledgling pegasus fleet as the US Air Force’s next-generation tanker program advances towards a production decision by the Pentagon in April or May.

The fourth engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) aircraft took flight from Boeing’s Paine Field in Washington state on the second of this month and landed at Boeing Field in Seattle.

The company announced the flight in a statement and confirmed that the second 767-2c aircraft (EMD-3) used for FAA and military type certification will join the tanker program in April.

“Adding a second tanker to the flight test program is very important as we move into the next phase of testing,” US Air Force KC-46 system program manager Col. John Newberry says.  ”The team will initially use the aircraft to test mission system avionics and exterior lighting. Later, it will share the air refueling effort with the first KC-46.”

Adding the second fully configured tanker will help Boeing move through “receiver certification” for 18 aircraft types.  KC-46 has already demonstrated functionality with the Locheed Martin F-16, Boeing F/A-18 and refueling from a Boeing KC-10.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing

  

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

Volume 3 Issue 2 February 2016

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing’s Fourth Generation 737 Max Flew For the First Time

737-MAX-First-Flight-620x412

The 737Max flew from the company’s Renton, Washington, factory on Friday January  20th, 2015 for a 2 and a half hour maiden flight before landing at Boeing Field near Seattle. 

The prototype took off for its inaugural flight with Boeing’s flight-operations vice president and chief test pilot, Craig Bomben and Capt. Ed Wilson at the controls.

Over the years, the 737 family has become the best selling airliner in the history of commercial aviation; more than 13,000 aircraft sold since 1967. It is arguably Boeing’s bread-and-butter model.

“We think we have a terrific product here,” Keth Leverhuhn, the Boeing 737 Max program general manager said following the flight. “We think it’s going to be the preferred aircraft in the market.”

Here’s a closer look at the history of this aircraft and the fourth-generation Max:

Since its introduction in 1965, Boeing’s 737 has helped revolutionize short-to medium-range air travel. Upon its debut, the original 737 was dubbed the “baby Boeing”.

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In the late 1970s, Boeing developed a generation of 737 jets called the “Classic Series “. These jets offered more range and seating, the Classic Series was offered with the new CFM56 turbofan engines, which provided improved fuel economy and power.

In 1997, Boeing introduced another upgraded series of the 737s called the “737 Next Generation”, equipped with updated avionics, full-glass cockpit, fuel saving winglets, these are the 737s in service today.

With competition from the Airbus A320 at fever pitch, Boeing has launched the latest generation of the venerable jet the 737 Max.

Entry into service is planned for the third quarter of 2017 with launch customer Southwest Airlines, a loyal 737 customer, was the launch customer for the “Classic Series” and “Next  Generation” the 737 was the workhorse of Southwest Airlines since it was officially founded.

Source : Boeing/Flightglobal/Ed’s Research

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

Lufthansa Takes Delivery of First A320neo;  Service Started on January 24th                                           

Lufthansa Group has taken delivery of the first Airbus A320neo following a delay from the re-engined narrow body’s planned end of 2015 delivery schedule.

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The handover to Lufthansa, which became the launch operator after a late switch with Qatar Airways, occurred without prior announcement or carefully planned ceremonies typically associated with a new aircraft delivery. Lufthansa placed the aircraft into service on the Frankfurt-Hamburg route January 24th.

Lufthansa chairman and CEO Carsten Spohr said on January 20th handover ceremony that the “ A320neo is by far the most efficient and most silent aircraft on short-and medium-haul routes.” Lufthansa has 116 A320neo family aircraft on order.

“Handing over the first A320neo to a world’s leading airline and long standing Airbus customer, Lufthansa, is truly great day for everyone at Airbus,” Bregier said at the handover ceremony.

Source : Airbus/ATW

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Dassault Confirms Two-Year Delay For 5X

Dassault Aviation has confirmed a two-year delay and production freeze on its all-new Falcon 5X because of ongoing problems with the Snecma Slivercrest engine.

The large cabin, long range twin jet which was rolled out in June 2015, is now not expected to fly until 2017, with first deliveries in early 2020.

After unveiling the 5X in 2013, the French manufacturer had planned the jet’s maiden flight in the third quarter of last year; but shortly after roll-out hitches with the Silvercrest engine began to emerge, Dassault said late in 2015 it would announce a new testing and production schedule early this year.

Dassault has informed 5X customers of the delay. Although he will not reveal backlog details of the type, chief executive Eric Trappier says he expects “some order erosion” and says the company will try to offer “other solutions” to buyers expecting an aircraft before 2020.

The 5X is the launch platform for the Silvercrest and it is the first time Dassault has chosen a french engine for the falcon. The engine was originally also going to be an the new Cessna Citation Longitude, but Textron Aviation switched last year to Honeywell when the business jet’s design changed.

In a statement, Snecma says that more than 500 hours of flight tests and 3,500 hours more of ground tests have confirmed the Silvercrest’s “good operational performance”.

However, it adds that the tests have “showed the need to carry out additional developments in order to extend the engine’s operational life to optimize its performance”.

Source : Flightglobal 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

  Alaska Unveils New Livery and Brand 

Alaska Airlines has unveiled the first major update to its branding in 25 years, rolling out a Boeing 737-800 adorned in a new blue and green livery and featuring an updated logo.

The company also updated its website with the new brand, part of a project that has been underway for one year and will likely take another year to fully implement, says the Seattle-based carrier.

The Company has also updated branding at 41 gates at its Seattle-Tacoma airport hub, it says.

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“The Eskimo icon that has adorned Alaska’s aircraft since 1972 remains, although it is now bordered in green and blue,” reminiscent of the tropical regions Alaska serves, including Hawaii and Costa Rica”, the carrier says.

Source : Flightglobal/Photo Alaska Airlines

Gulf Air Ups A320neo Order But Cancels New A330s

Bahraini flag carrier Gulf Air has confirmed its future narrow body fleet plan, adjusting a previous order with Airbus to sign up for an increased fleet of Neo-series A320s and A321s.

To be delivered from June 2018, the new assets will include 17 A321neo and 12 A320neo aircraft, with a deal worth an estimated $3.4 billion.  No engine choice has been announced.

The panned A330-300s were canceled after Gulf Air opted to base its wide body strategy on the use of a future fleet of up to 16 Boeing 787s. The carrier announced a switch from the -8 to -9 version immediately before the Airbus deal was confirmed.

Source : ATW

 Pratt & Whiney Management Changes Made as GTF Enters Service 

The Pratt& Whitney PW1100G-powered Airbus A320neo’s handover to Lufthansa Group marked the public debut of new Pratt president Robert Leduc, who is replacing Paul Adams as Pratt’s top executive just as the geared turbofan (GTF) engine enters service.

Pratt parent United Technologies Corp.(UTC) announced late in January that Adams, who became Pratt’s president just two years ago, will be retiring at the end of February. There had been no advance notice of the move. Adams succeeded David Hess as president in January 2014, but that transition where Adams moved from Pratt’s COO role was choreographed months in advance.

Hess’s retirement lasted barely more than a year; he was named UTC SVP-aerospace in January 2015. And at the same time Leduc’s appointment was announced the last week in January as Pratt’s new president, Hess, was promoted to UTC EVP and chief customer officer-aerospace.  UTC said Hess “will work in close collaboration with Leduc.”

The management changes at Pratt and UTC follow the delayed delivery of the A320neo, which was supposed to enter service with Qatar Airways by the end of 2015. They also come at a critical time for Pratt.  The PW1100G is just the first member of the GTF family, on which Pratt has staked its commercial aviation future, to enter service.

Source : ATW

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • United Airlines placed an order with Boeing for 40 737-700s, valued at $3.2 billion.
  • Airbus raises prices by 1.1% for 2016, effective January 1, 2016, according to a statement released by the Toulouse-based manufacturer.
  • Southwest Airlines said it had ordered 33 of Boeing’s 737-800 aircraft, a deal it struck in December but announced in January of this year.
  • Airbus rear fuselage production for the new Airbus Beluga XL transport has started, with material cut at the Spanish firm Aernnova.
  • Bombardier recently delivered the first of two specialized Challenger 605’s to the Hong Kong Government Flying Service.  This multi-role aircraft can be used for search and rescue, VIP transportation and medical evacuation. 

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  • Thai Airways International will postpone delivery of 14 wide body aircraft originally scheduled to enter the fleet between 2016 and 2018.  The 14 aircraft comprise 12 Airbus A350-900s and two Boeing 787-9s.
  • CFM International LEAP-1A engine, one of two engine choices on the Airbus A320neo, was jointly certified by the FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency.
  • CFM International Aircraft engines maker CFM International said its backlog hit a record $180 billion last year as sales of fuel-efficient jetliners rose despite low oil prices.
  • Norwegian Shuttle  first 787-9 pictures at Paine Field with Greta Garbo adorning its vertical fin.

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Air Cargo

    Atlas Air to Acquire Southern Air in a Major Cargo Merger 

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings has agreed to acquire Southern Air Holdings for $110 million all-cash transaction.  The deal, if approved by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), would mark a major consolidation in the US air cargo industry.

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Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings is the parent company of international airfreight carriers Atlas Air and Polar Air Cargo.  It operates the world’s largest Boeing 747 freighter fleet.

Cincinnati-based Southern Air is also affiliated with Florida West International Airways, which is part of the transaction.

Atlas president and CEO William Flynn called the transaction “strategically compelling, highly complementary and immediately accretive.” Atlas said in a statement that the deal is “expected to close in the next few months.” Flynn added that Atlas is “eager to capitalize on the substantial opportunities that the transaction will provide, especially adding 777 and 737 aircraft operations.”

Southern Air flies five Boeing 777-200Fs and five 737-400Fs under flight services agreements with DHL Express, which also owns a 49% stake in Polar.

Florida West operates 767-300F scheduled and charter services under contract with Chile-based LAN Cargo.

Source : ATW/Air Cargo International

 

MILITARY

  Boeing Secures Deal for 20 US and Australian P-8 Poseidons

 Boeing will supply 16 more armed P8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to the US Navy and four to the Royal Australian Air Force under a $2.5 billion contract announced this week.

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The order completes Canberra’s $4 billion request for eight of the Boeing 737-800 derived anti-submarine warfare aircraft; replacing the Lockheed AP-3C Orions introduced in 1968.  It also holds options for an additional four examples.

Spirit AeroSystems plans to deliver the first RAAF fuselage in “early 2016” and the first aircraft is due to arrive in Australia later that year.  It will deliver full operational capability by 2021, according to the Australian government.

“We continue to hear feedback from our navy customer about the incredible capabilities of the P-8A,” Boeing P-8 program chief James Dodd says.  ”The deployed squadrons tell us it’s exceeding expectations and we are looking forward to providing even more capability to the fleet and Australia.”

Boeing last year delivered 11 P-8s from its Renton, Washington, assembly line – up from five aircraft in 2014.

The 20 aircraft orders were added to Boeing’s orders report released on Thursday, February 4th, 2016.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing

 

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

                                                  Commercial Aviation Advisor  

                                                  Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

by

Volume 3 Issue 1 Kaplanian Report – 2016

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Selected the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company to Provide Main Nose and Landing Gear Tires for its New 777X Aircraft  

Akron based Goodyear will supply its Flight Radial tire for the Boeing 777X.

The Goodyear Flight Radial, what Goodyear says is its most advanced aviation product, incorporates Goodyear Featherweight Alloy Core Bead Technology, the latest in Goodyear lightweight radial technology.  It also contains a variety of other features, including strong, rigid tread belts with enhanced rubber that offer dimensional stability, longer service life and increased cut resistance.

“The 777X supply agreement is a very important next step in the continuation of the long-standing relationship between Goodyear and Boeing, and further validation of Goodyear’s commitment to supplying the aviation industry with premium products and services,” said Pierre Jambon, vice president, Off-Highway Tires, Goodyear. ”We look forward to providing our Flight Radial tire for the highly anticipated Boeing 777X.”

As of December 1, 2015, The Boeing 777X program has received orders and commitments for 306 aircraft.

Source : Boeing /Goodyear      

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

   First A320neo Delivery Postponed to 2016

The first delivery of the Airbus A320neo has been postponed until this year because of documentation issues. The delay means the neo misses a long-planned delivery target of late 2015.

That means the delivery to launch customer Lufthansa from December 30, 2015 had slipped to this month.

A Pratt & Whitney spokesperson stated that the PW1100G geared turbofan engine was “ready to enter service and meeting or exceeding all performance requirements” and that the reason for the postponement was “primarily a documentation issue.”

An Airbus spokesperson said all three partners “continue working with all efforts and full focus towards bringing the fuel-efficient A320neo into service within the next weeks.”  He added that “some more documentation  items need to be addressed by Pratt & Whitney and by Airbus in its role as overall manufacturer of the aircraft” and the priority was to deliver “a service-ready A320neo from day one.”

Airbus spokesperson stated that Lufthansa would remain the launch customer and everyone was confident the delivery would take place in one to five weeks.

“We were just a little ambitious with the documentation and paperwork that needs to be closed, given this is the holiday season,” he said.

Source : ATW/Airbus/Photo Airbus

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

        Gulfstream Delivers G650ER To Qatar Airways

On December 11, 2015, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. delivered a Gulfstream G650ER to Qatar Airways in a ceremony at  Gulfstream’s headquarter in Savannah, GA. The flagship arrival establishes Qatar Executive’s Gulfstream fleet.

The delivery is the first of up to 30 Gulfstream aircraft Qatar Airways has agreed to purchase. The sale, a combination of firm orders and options, includes the flagship G650ER as well as the G500 and G600, Gulfstream’s new clean-sheet, wide cabin aircraft.

“It was a pleasure working with Qatar Airways on this project, because we share their drive to provide unmatched safety, speed, quality, performance and cabin comfort to customers,” said Mark Burns, president Gulfstream.  ”The G650ER stands at the head of the class in all these categories. Their customers will be able to fly anywhere in the world at nearly the speed of sound, and they will be able to do so in a healthy, restful and serene environment. This aircraft will get them from Doha to New York, Cape Town to Beijing nonstop.”

“It is an honor to be the first Gulfstream G650ER air charter operator in the Middle East,” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker.

The G650ER, an ultra-long-range aircraft, can travel 7,500 nm/13,890 km at Mach 0.85 and 6,400nm/11,853 km at Mach 0.90. Gulfstream announced the G650ER in May 2014, and the aircraft received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration five months later.

Source : General Dynamics

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

      Air Lease Sells Its ATRs to Nordic Aviation Capital

Air Lease Corporation (ALC) is to sell its fleet of 25 ATRs to Denmark’s Nordic Aviation Capital (NAC) which specializes in turboprop and regional aircraft leases.

The majority of the 25 aircraft will be transferred from Air Lease to NAC during the first half of this year.

Air Lease said the aircraft have “served it well,” but turboprops represent less than 5% of its portfolio and it is disposing of the fleet to focus on jet aircraft.

“Our ATR fleet is a profitable platform which assisted ALC with its early development. The sale of this portfolio allows us to deploy more capital to grow our mainline jet fleet”, Air Lease  chairman and CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy said.

Conversely, NAC is a regional aircraft and turboprop specialist, ranking as the largest ATR operator worldwide. ”ALC has built up an impressive group of ATR customers and we are delighted to add them to our growing list of customers,” NAC chairman Martin Moller said.

Source : ALC/ATW

 

   Rolls-Royce to Build all Trent 7000s in Singapore

Rolls-Royce will build more than 300 Trent 7000 engines for all new Airbus A330neos in Singapore at its Seletar facility. Airbus lists 159  of the wide body aircraft on order, with expected delivery of the first production units in the fourth quarter of 2017.

The UK engine manufacturer said it decided on the Seletar facility based on its proven  expertise at building Trent 1000 engines for the Boeing 787.

“There are many areas of commonality with the Trent 1000 that we build here already, so it means we already have the expertise to build the new engine,” Rolls-Royce director Bicky Bhangu said.

The Singapore operation expects to ramp up production from its current 170+ power plants a year to 250 a year by 2017, and to increase production of its titanium-formed fan blades to correspond with the production hike.

Source : Rolls-Royce/ATW/Photo Airbus

 

FedEx Commits to Buy 16 More Boeing 777s

Memphis based FedEx Corp. has committed to buying 16 Boeing 777s, an investment of $5 billion. While FedEx did not make an announcement about buying additional 777s, according to FedEx’s Q2 FY Stat Book, the company committed as of November 30 to purchase 16 of the aircraft from Boeing.

FedEx currently has 27 of Boeing’s 777s in its fleet, dating to the original order it placed with Boeing in 2006.  The order of a total of 31 is anticipated to be complete in 2019, with two planes being delivered in 2018 and two in 2019.

Fulfillment of the 16 additional aircraft order will begin in 2020, with an anticipated delivery of three planes  that year and three in 2021.

Source:  Memphis Business Journal

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • Etihad Airways stated last month that it is not interested in a stretched upgrade to the A380, which Dubai-based Emirates has asked Airbus to build, according to chief executive James Hogan.
  • EVA Air is planning to retire its fleet of eight A330-200s this year in favor of more A330-300.The latter, which currently number five, will be sourced from lessors.
  • Tianjin Airlines has taken delivery of two Embraer 195s, the first of its type in China. Tianjin Airline is the largest E190 operator in China with a fleet of 43 aircraft.

  • China Express Airlines has placed a firm order with Bombardier Commercial Aircraft for 10 CRJ900 regional jets, raising its total orders for the 900s to 38.
  • Popular Science lists the 777X among the ‘ Best of What’s New’ on the web page of last year’s Best of What’s New winners, Popular Science says this of the 777X:   “Wing size matters-bigger wings generate greater lift, which can improve an airplane’s fuel efficiency. With a 235-foot wingspan, one of the largest in the industry, Boeing’s new 777X twin-engine airliner will undercut its competitors in both fuel consumption and operating costs per seat. Thanks to their carbon-fiber composition, the wings are both strong and flexible-and the tips even fold up so today’s airports can accommodate their wider span.”

  • Air Europa the Spanish carrier has unveiled a new color scheme for its fleet ahead of the delivery  of its Boeing 787s.

  • BOC Aviation has announced an additional order for 30 A320 aircraft which was placed late in December.

 

AIR CARGO

         Qatar Unveils Cargo Ambitions for 2016

Already one of the big three gulf carriers in terms of passenger traffic Qatar Airways is intent on becoming a much larger player in the cargo business, including the highly lucrative pharmaceuticals trade.

In Late October, the Doha-based carrier unveiled plans to build a new air freight terminal at Hamad International Airport that will be able to handle 4.4 million tons of cargo per year by 2018.

According to the Freight 50 listings published in September of 2015 by Air Cargo World, Qatar ranked No.10 on the list of top cargo carriers by tonnage (1.16 million) and No.11 by freight ton kilometers (6.04 billion), based on 2014 data from IATA.

The carrier said its rate of expansion-25 to 30 percent each year, for the last four years is showing “no signs of slowing down.” Five new freighters a mix of A330-200Fs and 777-200Fs are scheduled for delivery next year.

“Our cargo capability is a major component in driving our group success and growth,” said Qatar’s CEO Akbar Al Baker. “it will remain a focus of our expansion in the coming years.”

Source : ACW/Qatar Airways

 

MILITARY

UK to Obtain Nine P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft 

The UK is set to announce plans to obtain nine Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, as well as extend the service life of the Royal Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoon fighters.

The P-8 acquisition and typhoon life extension will be part of a $270 billion investment that will be made in defense equipment and support over the next ten years says a statement from the prime minister’s office.

With the last of the RAF’s British Aerospace Nimrod MR2s having already been retired in March of 2010, the cancellation of the replacement Nimrod MRA4 indefinitely extended a so-called “capability gap” to what had long been considered an indispensable national skill set.

“These roles require an aircraft that can carry torpedoes, as well as being fitted with a broad range of sensors, including radar and sonobuoys, which are operated from the rear of the cabin by a team of specialists,” says the statement. ”These aircraft will also provide maritime search and rescue and surveillance capabilities over land.”

Source: Flightglobal/BoeingPicture

   

             Obituary : Andre Turcat, First Man to Fly Concorde

 Andre Turcat’s career spanned the glory years of French aerospace, and as one of two senior pilots in charge of the Concorde flight test program he played a pivotal part in its most ambitious project.

Chief test pilot of what was then Sud Aviation, Turcat was the first person to fly Concorde, piloting the prototype from Toulouse on March 2nd,1969 on a 27 minute flight. Along with his UK counterpart Brian Trubshaw, he helped steer the supersonic airliner to certification, retiring from Aerospatiale at age 55 in the same year as Concorde entered service in 1976.

Born in 1921 in Marseille, Turcat began his career in the air force, serving in the Indochina war later training as test pilot at the prestigious EPNER school.

Leaving the military, he joined the state-owned Sud Aviation and his credentials as test pilot made him the clear choice to fill the role on the new Concorde program in 1964.

After retirement, Turcat dabbled in politics, serving as deputy mayor of Toulouse and later as Euro MP. He strongly supported Concorde’s return to service after the fatal crash near Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in 2000, when 113 people were killed.

He died at his home in Aix-en-Provence in southern France on January 4th, 2016  aged 94.

Source : Flightglobal

 

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

by

Volume 2 Issue 12 The Kaplanian Report

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ON THE BOEING FRONT

  Boeing Optimizes Maintenance Record Keeping For Airlines

Boeing introduced a digital records management capability to its Maintenance Performance Toolbox suite of products that will optimize maintenance operations and reduce costs for airlines.

The Maintenance Performance Toolbox Records module provides an industry standard platform to manage scanned and digitally produced maintenance and flight records.

The new tool eliminates the operational challenge of managing cumbersome, paper-based maintenance records, working in tandem with other Maintenance Performance Toolbox applications solutions to increase efficiencies related to both day-to-day airline maintenance operations and management of leased airplanes.

“Our new records solution lowers costs related to daily records and the end of lease management, as well as eliminating redundant processes and reducing delays in aircraft maintenance processes. This new system truly allows airlines to unlock the potential of fleet-wide digital records management.” said Per Noren, Vice president, Digital Solutions, Boeing Digital Aviation – a business unit of Commercial Aviation Services.

The Records module creates intelligent digital maintenance documents, featuring dynamic records search capabilities. The record-keeping tool improves airline maintenance workflow capabilities and ties into maintenance planning solutions, establishing systems that work in concert to further enhance the automation of processes and overall efficiency.

Source : Boeing

  

   Boeing Drops ( X ) From Stretched 777 Designation  

Boeing has formally dropped the (X) suffix from its individual stretched 777 variants, although it will retain it for the overall family.

Boeing is officially referring to the variants as the 777-8 and the 777-9, the company said during the Dubai air show. But the combined family, Boeing adds, will still be known as the 777X.

The change brings the branding of the long-haul twin jets into line with those of Boeing’s 787 family and the 747-8.

As of this writing, Boeing Is intending to put the 77-9 into service in 2020 with the 777-8 following in 2022.

Source : Boeing/Boeing Photos

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

 Airbus Confident for A320neo On-Time First Delivery

Airbus is on schedule to deliver the first A320neo by the end of 2015 as planned, an Airbus executive confirmed on Friday November 13th, 2015

Qatar Airways is due to receive its first A320neo in December.  Akbar Al Baker said on the sidelines of the Dubai Air Show that he was “optimistic” would arrive before the end of the year, but he had concern relating to the Pratt & Whitney PW 1100G engine.

a320neocourtesy-airbus

The Pratt engine, a geared turbofan is one of two power plants available to A320neo customers, with the CFM International LEAP 1A engine being the other option.

In early October, the first PW1100G-powered A320neo suffered “minor damage” during an incident during hot-weather testing in the Middle East.  Airbus CEO Fabrice Bregier later said the engine incident was not technical and was more about the life of the engine.  He said he was confident the European manufacturer would meet a year-end deadline to bring the A320neo into commercial service.

Briefing media at the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines annual assembly in Bali, Airbus head of marketing Asia, Joost Van Der Heijden seemed certain they would.

Asked whether there was any chance first delivery could slip into 2016, Van Der Heijden said, “I can confirm that we are on schedule to deliver the airplane by the end of this year.”

Source : ATW

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

 MRJ Performance Far Better Than Expected 

Mitsubishi Aircraft says the operational performance of its MRJ regional jet prototype exceeded expectations during its 90 minute maiden flight on November 11th.

“Operational performance of the MRJ was better than expected”, Chief test pilot Yoshiyuki Yasumura said “We had a significantly comfortable flight”.

In a statement, Mitsubishi says flight tests in the US are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2016, and that the manufacturer and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will devote resources to the successful completion of the program.

It is using five flight test aircraft and two ground test aircraft for the test campaign.

Mitsubishi has so far secured 223 firm orders for the MRJ, plus options and purchase rights for a further 184 aircraft.

Source:  Flightglobal/MitsubishiAircraft Pictures

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Boeing Dreamliners Are Even More Fuel Efficient Than Promised, Says  Qatar Top Executive 

Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners have been beating fuel burn estimates, said Akbar Al Baker, chief executive, at a high profile acceptance ceremony for the airline’s 24th and 25th jets on November 4th at Boeing’s Delivery Center in Everett.

Leaders from Boeing and Qatar Airways turned out in force for the event.  Baker said that while Qatar had at one point considered canceling its Dreamliner orders as Boeing struggled with early 787 production woes, he is now completely satisfied with aircraft.

Baker said he hopes that Qatar will exercise its options for more 787s in the near future, which he added would be conversions for larger 787-9s.

Qatar was the Middle East launch customer for the 787.

Source : Flightglobal/Pictures Boeing

 

          Boeing Bests Airbus in Orders for Small Luxury Jets

Boeing has jumped ahead of rival Airbus in narrow body business jet orders.  Boeing announced four orders for 737 Max based planes at the National Business Association Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas.

Boeing now has nine orders for the 737 Max -based Boeing Business Jets, or BBJs, putting it ahead of Airbus,which has six orders for its A320neo-based Corporate Jet aircraft.

David Longridge, president,Boeing Business Jets said that “2015 has been a really strong year for Boeing Business Jets.  We have sold seven aircraft and we are not done yet”.

The trend is the reverse of what’s happening on the much larger commercial side, where Airbus is now far ahead, with 4,414 A320neo jets, versus the 2,931 firm orders Boeing has won for its 737 Max jets.

Buyers for the four new BBJ Max 8 planes were undisclosed,with three for one buyer in the Middle East, and one for a buyer in Asia.  It is customary for buyers of high end jets like this to remain anonymous.

The business jet sideline is a small but likely high margin market for Boeing.

It is especially important for the 747 line, where individual buyers are a significant proportion of the 747-8i intercontinental models sold. The larger private jet models, including 767s, 777s, 787s and 747s, are called VIP jets.

Three 747-8is entered service this year, after a lengthy and expensive conversions of their interiors. Boeing has landed nine orders for 747-8i VIPs.

Source : Puget Sound Business Journal

 

A330neo Engine Carries Out First Test Run

Rolls-Royce has carried out the initial run of a demonstrator Trent 7000 engine, the power plant  which will be fitted to the Airbus A330neo.

The manufacturer said the power plant  successfully completed its first run on a testbed at the company’s Derby headquarters.

It will be the exclusive engine for the A330neo and -900neo family, with a thrust rating of 68-72000lb.

The engine is a successor to the trent 700 for the current A330 line, but will feature architecture from the Trent 1000-Ten built for the Boeing 787 and the Tent XWB for the A350. Airbus is aiming to put the A330neo into service in late 2017.

Source:  Rolls-Royce

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has broken ground on a new factory factory to build wings for the Mitsubishi Regional Jet.
  • Flexjet has placed a firm order valued at $2.4 billion for 20 Aerion AS2 supersonic jets, with delivery to begin in 2023.

  • Jet Airways has been identified as the customer behind a previously unattributed order for up to 75 737 Max 8s.
  • Embraer is assembling the first of its next-generation E2 regional jets and the program still remains on schedule.
  • Copa Airlines took delivery of its 100th airplane to join its fleet,a Boeing 737-800 decorated with a special decal celebrating the airline achieving this important milestone.

  • Emirates signed a $16 billion agreement with GE Aviation for maintenance,repair and overhaul of the GE9X that will power its fleet of 150 Boeing 777-9 &-8 aircraft on order.
  • Jiangxi Airlines the new venture of Xiamen Airlines to launch inaugural flight in January 2016.
  • British Airways has taken delivery of its 10th Airbus A380 and expecting the final two of the type in 2016.
  • Boeing has delivered the 500th aircraft to GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS). The next generation 737-800 will be leased to Kenya Airways.
  • AirBridge Cargo takes delivery of two 747-8Fs.The aircraft are first to be delivered as part of a MOU between Boeing & Volga-Dnepr Group at the Paris Air Show in June 2015.

 

AIR CARGO

Lufthansa Cargo Reports Operating Loss, Will Park Two Freighters 

For the second-straight quarter, Lufthansa Cargo AG,the logistics and cargo arm of Germany’s Lufthansa Group, reported an operating loss.With no end to the current declining airfreight demand in sight, it is likely that the carrier’s cargo business will end up reporting its first full year operating loss in six years.

The declining cargo traffic comes against a background of increasing capacity and decreasing yield.Capacity was up 3 percent for the first nine months,driving cargo load factor for the period down 3.2 percentage points to 65.8 percent.the tend worsened in the third quarter,with load factor down 4.7 points to just 62.4 percent.

LufthansaATLweb

Given the current market conditions,and increased competition from airlines  from the Middle East and Turkey, Lufthansa Cargo said it would park two of its fourteen MD-11 fighters.This will leave it with a large freighters fleet,made up of five 777Fs and twelve MD-11Fs,but indicates the carrier is not expecting return to growth in  air freight demand anytime soon.

On a positive note,Lufthansa Cargo said its partnership with Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA,has been operating successfully since it launch in December 2014.

Lufthansa Cargo also said it was making progress on the implementation of new IT infrastructure for fright handling.The move,which is called “the biggest IT project in the company’s history,” is scheduled for completion by the end of this year.

Source : aircargoworld/Lufthansa Cargo/Lufthansa Cargo Photo

 

IN FOCUS

A Boeing 757 Landed on the Blue-Ice Runway                                                  in Antarctica for the First Time 

In this age of modern air travel, it is relatively easy for anyone with the means to book a flight to almost any corner of the Earth. Unless that corner is Antarctica, a place where you cannot simply pave a runway and start landing planes.

In Antarctic locations such as Union Glacier, the runway is blue ice: dense, intensely blue glacier ice formed when snow falls onto glaciers, gets completed and recrystallizes.  This is generally a place for cargo and military jets, such as the Russian Ilyushin.But commercial jets are making progress-and the Icelandic airline Loftleidir landed the first Boeing 757 on the blue ice runway at Union Glacier.   On Thursday November 26, 2016.The Flight was undertaken to prove the feasibility of landing commercial passenger airliners at Union Glacier, the airline said.

Antarctic Logistics & Expeditions (ALE), Loftleidir Icelandic and NAS Corporation Limited that had been working toward the landing for seven months.

 

Source : Mashable/Photos Icelandic

 

MILITARY

   Japan Chooses Boeing KC-46,                                                                     Halting Airbus Tanker Winning Streak

Just months after being rejected by South Korea and weeks after the first flight, Boeing’s KC-46 has been selected by Japan to supplement the Nation’s KC-767 tanker fleet.

The announcement came from Japanese defense minister General Nakatani and constitutes a significant win for Boeing after a troubled start to the next-generation tanker development program with the US Air Force.

N461FT_4_Boeing_767-2C(2LK)-KC-46A_Boeing_Aircraft_Co_(USAF)_PAE_29JUL15

According to Boeing, KC-46 Pegasus is particularly attractive to Japan as it will be capable of refueling the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s planned fleet of Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey helicopters.

Japan intends to procure three tankers for fielding in the 2020 time frame at a cost of $173 million per tanker.

Japan has funding for the tanker acquisition in its fiscal 2016 budget,and Boeing expects to receive a contract next year.  Good progress has been made since the first flight of the tanker in October, and Boeing still aims to deliver 18 operational aircraft to the Air Force by August 2017.

Source:  Flightglobal/Boeing Photo

 

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com