Boeing

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

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 11 The Kaplanian Report

COMMENTARY

             What is the Cost of a Used Boeing 777?

When Delta Airlines CEO Richard Anderson said a few weeks back that his airline may be interested in acquiring used rather than new airplanes, shares of both Boeing and Airbus lost 4% of their value. The striking part of Anderson’s comment was a 10-year old 777 could be purchased for $10 million, compared with a new 777-200ER which carries a list price of $277.3 million and likely purchase price of about $194 million, assuming a 30% discount.

The day Anderson made his comments, my source found an eight-year old 777-200ER on offer for $68 million, a far cry from $10 million.

In a presentation last year, Ascend Advisory, a division of Flightglobal and leading appraiser of used aircraft, put a value of about $65 million on a seven-year old 777-300ER (a larger version of the 200ER with longer range).The list price for a new 777-300ER is $330 million(2014 price). It trails only a 747-8 as the most expensive plane Boeing builds and sells today.

A significant number of wide-body aircraft like the 777 and the Airbus 330 are coming off leases in the next few years. According to a press release from Delta, ”A large number of leased wide body aircraft are being returned to lessors and manufacturers, causing a glut in the market,”

Where is the truth? Probably somewhere between $10 million and $60 million for a used 777-200ER. The low-end is probably too low, just as the high-end is J P Morgan’s thinks a 10-year-old 777 is more accurately priced at around $43 million.

Now let us come to the crux of this matter. It is worth to note that Boeing and Delta have an uneasy relationship. The two companies have been at loggerheads over the U.S. Export Import Bank (Boeing in favor, Delta against) and Delta buys a lot of Airbus planes, recently ordering 50 new A330s and A350s, and I am sure they got them at a very nice price and financing.

Source : 247 WallSt/ Flightglobal Ascend Advisory / Ed’s Research

ON THE BOEING FRONT

 Boeing Completes 737 Max 8 Power-up

Boeing has completed the power-on milestone for the first 737 Max 8 as the re-engined and updated single-aisle aircraft is pieced together on a new assembly line in Renton, Washington.

The power-on milestone activated a modernized cockpit featuring four 787-style multi-function displays supplied by Rockwell Collins.

The 737 Max electrical  system was adapted to support the improved cockpit systems, as well as the addition of electronically controlled spoilers.

Boeing plans to roll the first 737 Max 8 powered by CFM International Leap-1B engines off the Renton assembly line by the end of the year, with first flight scheduled for early next year.

A photo of the first aircraft on the line reveals much progress since the first 737 Max fuselage arrived in Renton in August. The aircraft is installed in the first position of a newly created, first assembly line dedicated for 737 Max flight test aircraft.

The first 737 Max 8 is shown in the picture with wings mated to the fuselage. A tail cone is visible in the picture, but not installed. (The writer has physically seen the aircraft on the line.) (The horizontal stabilizer has been painted but not installed yet).

Source : Boeing

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

 Airbus Launches New Ultra-Long Range Version 0f the A350-900

Singapore Airlines SIA) has selected Airbus’ newly launched Ultra-Long Range version of the A350-900 for non-stop flights to the US.  Under an amendment to the carrier’s existing order for 63 A350-900s, seven of the aircraft will now be delivered with an Ultra-Long Range capability for flights of up to 19 hours. In addition, the carrier has placed an additional order for four A350-900s, taking its total firm orders for the A350 XWB Family to 67.

Optimized for non-stop flights to the US, the aircraft, designated A350-900ULR (Ultra-Long  Range),will include a modified fuel system to increase the fuel carrying capacity, an increase in Maximum Take-Off Weight, plus aerodynamic improvements, enabling service to the US West Coast, as well as to New York.

The all-new A350 XWB entered commercial service earlier this year. To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 783 firm orders for the A350-XWB from 41 customers worldwide.

Detail Specifications :

  • The A350 -900ULR incorporates a number of necessary changes over the standard A350-900.These include higher capacity fuel system within the existing fuel tanks, increasing fuel capacity from 141,000 liters  to 165,000 liters.
  • The A350-900ULR has an MTOW of 280 tons. The extended range capability is achieved without installation of additional fuel tanks and the aircraft can be reconfigured easily to the standard A350-900 long haul specification, according to Airbus.

Source : Airbus Industrie

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

E190-E2 Takes Shape in Brazil 

Embraer has released pictures of the first prototype of its E190-E2, which is in final assembly at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.

The aircraft, bearing the registration PR-ZEY, is seen resting on struts, with its fuselage join and wing-to-body completed. Painted in Embraer’s blue, yellow and grey livery, the aircraft is without its Pratt & Whitney PW1900g geared turbofan engines. The horizontal stabilizer is also yet to be attached.

Embraer was showing the aircraft to more than 50 airlines and leasing companies, as well as 40 suppliers and trading partners.

Source : Flightglobal/Embraer Pictures

 

   A Detail Glimpse of the Gulfstream G650

The $65 million Gulfstream G650 is the world’s Top Private Jet. The G650 is the biggest, fastest, and overall best private jet money can buy.

It also takes a lot of patience to get your hands on one. If you want one, you will have to wait years for delivery after you place an order. The plane can fly faster and higher than any commercial jet. The G650 is in a class of its own.

The G650 is the largest purpose-built private jet on the market, and has the tallest, longest, and widest cabin in its class.

At its maximum takeoff weight, it can climb to 41,000 feet (above bad weather and crowded commercial jet routes) in just 22 minutes.

Its range is more than 8,000 miles. Powered with two Rolls-Royce engines, the plane has a top speed of Mach .925 – nearly the speed of sound, and much faster than commercial jets.

Big windows in the cockpit allow the pilots to see the tips of the plane’s wings, helping for navigating on the ground. A camera under the plane’s nose helps them see what’s below the plane.

Source : Business Insider/Gulfstream Pictures

   

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Advanced Material for GE Aviation GE90X Engine Have Passed Initial Endurance Testing

Ceramic matrix composites destined for use on General Electric GE90X engine have passed the first phase of endurance testing with no red flags, despite a surprise exposure in an unplanned engine surge.

Boeing expects the 777-9X to enter service in 2020 with two GE90X engines offering 10% lower specific fuel consumption than the GE90-115B engines that power the 777-300ER. Part of that fuel efficiency gain is achieved by raising pressure levels inside the engines, which increases internal temperatures beyond the practical reach of metal alloys.

So GE is relying on CMC’s in several key engine components, including the inner and outer combusted liners, the shrouds around the stage 1 high-pressure turbine and the nozzles for the stage 1 and stage 2 HPT.

CMCs are lighter than metal and can survive in hotter temperatures, but have been rarely used because of concerns about durability, thermal shock and the cost of production.

GE plans to start building the first GE9X core for testing next year, so the engine maker believed it was essential to verify that the CMC materials work as promised.

I will be writing about this subject in my upcoming reports.

Source: Flightglobal/GE Aviation

 

 The Boeing 777 Has Enabled the Growth of Emirates

Dubai has grown rapidly into the biggest international airline in terms of revenue passenger miles (or revenue passenger kilometers), Dubai-based Emirates has relied primarily on the Boeing 777, and secondarily on the Airbus A380. It is the world’s biggest operator of both.

Two months ago, Emirates took delivery of three 777s in a single day, bringing its total to 150 including 13 freighters (The cargo fleet also includes two Boeing 747s)

Of the 777s, 107 are 777-300ERs seating 354 to 427 passengers. As of September 3rd,Emirates’ 777s had flown 859,053 flights.

The carrier also has 65 Airbus A380s. Additionally, it has orders for 196 Boeing 777s that include the 777-9X and 73 A380s.The Emirates strategy has been to establish a global hub in the Middle East to connect passengers from throughout the world, particularly passengers from Asia and the Middle East to Europe and the U.S. The strategy requires a fleet of long haul aircraft.

The service Emirates offers it passengers is what draws travelers to the airline.

Source : Ed’s Research/Forbes

 

 Alaska Airlines Increases Overhead Storage Nearly 50 Percent

Alaska Airlines increases overhead storage nearly 50 percent by featuring Boeing new space bins. Alaska will be the launch customer for these bins.

Each Space Bin stores six bags, two more than the current pivot bins installed on Next Generation 737s with the Boeing Sky Interior.

Alaska will take delivery of 34 Next-Generation 737s and one 737 MAX in the next two years and will also begin retrofitting 34 aircraft with the Boeing Sky Interior, primarily 737-900ERs (Extended Range),in 2016.

When open, the bottom edge of a Space Bin hangs about 2 inches (5 centimeters) lower, so travelers can lift carry-on bags more easily. The deeper bins allow more bags to be stowed and increase visibility into the back of the bins.

Alaska Airlines also reports that the Space Bins, designed without a flight attendant bin assist mechanism, are easier to close.

Alaska Airlines is installing Space Bins on all 737-900ERS and 737 MAX aircraft currently on order and by 2017 will have 69 aircraft, or 46 percent of its passenger fleet outfitted with Space Bins.

Source : Boeing/Boeing Pictures/Alaska Airlines

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • Air Europa has unveiled a new color scheme for its fleet ahead of delivery on its own 787s.
  • Boeing announced it has acquired Peters Software GmbH, a market leading provider of European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
  • Norwegian Air orders 19 787 Dreamliners for delivery between 2017 and 2020. It is the largest single order of 787s in Europe.
  • EVA Air Taiwanese carrier, has signed an agreement with BOC Aviation for two A330-300 aircraft on long- term lease.
  • EVA Air also announced its intent to purchase up to 24 787-10 aircraft and two additional 777-300ERs, which is valued at more than $8 billion at current list prices. 
  • United Airlines announced a new services contract program with Boeing that is expected to reduce costs and increase efficiency for the airline by providing high-value, mission-critical parts.
  • Mitsubishi Aircraft Japan’s  Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has given its approval for Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. to conduct the first flight of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ).

  • El Al Israel Airline signed a firm order for three Boeing 787s, it is finalizing a contract for another six of the type.
  • CFM International On October 29th CFM international has delivered the first Leap-1B engines to Boeing to power the 737 Max.

  • Jeju Air Korean low-cost carrier (LCC) will rebrand its operations prior to launching an initial public offering (IPO) by year-end.

 

AIR CARGO

 Volga-Dnepr Delivers an 11-ton Pump 

Volga-Dnepr airlines has delivered an 11-ton oil and gas pump right to the door of a customer in the town of Farab, Turkmenistan. The pump was transported from Maastricht Airport in the Netherlands for the airline’s customer, AgilityProjects Rotterdam. It was packed inside two wooden crates to protect it though out its journey on board one of the carrier’s Il-76TD-90VD freighters and by road on arrival in central Asia.

“Agility Projects Rotterdam asked us to not only organize the necessary permits for the flight to Mary International Airport, but to also arrange the transportation of the gas pump overland in Turkmenistan to Farab, where it is used,” said Alexander Kartashov, sales executive for Volga-Dnepr.

Azat Yakupov, senior engineer, dangerous cargo, at Volga- Dnepr said crews loaded the cargo using a trailer and special cradles developed by Volga-Dnepr’s engineers pull the cargo into the airplane, using the aircraft’s built-in rail system.

Source: Air Cargo World

 

MILITARY

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

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

The announcement came from Japanese defend minister Gen Nakatani on Friday October 23rd, and constitutes a significant win for Boeing after a tousled start to the next-generation tanker development program with the US Air Force.

The Pegasus tanker can almost see the end of its development phase, after achieving first flight on September 25th from Paine Field In Everett, Washington,following a roughly nine-month delay.

According to Boeing, KC-46 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 more 20.8 billion yen-about $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, so long as things proceed smoothly.

Boeing is building four 767-2C-based tankers in support of the USAF development effort and a low rate production decision is planned for 2016.

Despite delays and cost overruns, Boeing still aims to deliver 18 operational aircraft to the air force by August 2017.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

by

Volume 2 Issue 9 September 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Spirit AeroSystems Celebrate the Completion & the Delivery of the First Boeing 737 Max Fuselage 

Spirit AeroSystems announced it has completed the first fuselage as well as other components for the first Boeing 737 MAX.  Spirit delivers approximately 70 percent of the 737 structure to Boeing including the fuselage, pylon, thrust reverser and engine nacelle at its Wichita, Kansas facility and the wing leading edges at its Tulsa, Okla. facility.

maxfriday

BDN_5800-1024x683

The first 737 MAX fuselage has arrived at the Renton  site on Friday, August 21st.

Assembly of the first MAX is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2015 with the first delivery to customers scheduled for the third quarter of 2017.

The new 737 MAX will deliver 20 percent increased fuel efficiency to airlines versus the original Next-Generation 737. Boeing has already booked more than 2,800 firm orders with 58 different customers.

Source: Spirit AeroSystems/Boeing

Delta Retired  the Very First Boeing 747-400 Built for A Commercial Airline 

The wide body passenger jet (tail number N661) flew its final flight from Honolulu International Airport to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

delta-nwa-boeing-747-n661us-4*750xx2553-1436-300-300

While it was the first 747-400 Boeing built for Northwest, it was the third to fly for the carrier because Boeing held on it for longer testing.

The Boeing 747-400 was the biggest model of the 747 family when it was released and is the best-selling aircraft Boeing jet.  Boeing sold the first ones for about $150 million each.

Delta’s 747-400s were inherited by Delta, when the two airlines merged. It carries 376 passengers and cruise at about 560 mph, with a range of 7,400 miles.

Since it was delivered to Northwest Airlines it logged more than 61 million miles, enough to make 250 trips from the Earth to the moon.

It will move to Atlanta’s Delta Museum in early 2016.

Source: Minneapolis Biz Journal/Ed’s Research

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

A350-900 Makes Moscow Debut as Aeroflot Continues Review

Airbus has debuted the A350-900 at the 12th Moscow air show (MAK-2015) at least three years ahead of the first delivery to the type’s only customer in Russia.

Airbus A350 test pilot Frank Chapman piloted the A350-900-MSN-001 from Toulouse,France landing on August 24th at the Ramenskoye airport that hosts the biannual air show.

The A350 arrives in Moscow as Russian customer Aeroflot continues to evaluate several details about its original order, including the timing and number of deliveries and current mix of 14 A35-900s and eight A350-800s.

yourfile

Airbus cancelled the A350-800 program last year, Aeroflot remains one of the few customers that have not decided what to do with its order. But Aeroflot has vowed not to cancel the A350-900 order in full. Last year, Aeroflot expected to take delivery of the A350-900s between 2018 and 2020, but not does not discuss a timetable for the aircraft.

Supporting the carrier’s decision likely figured large in Airbus’ decision to bring the A350-900 to MAKS for the first time.

Source : Flightglobal/Airbus

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Comac Working Toward November ARJ21 First Delivery Chengdu Airlines

Comac is working toward an internal target to deliver its first ARJ21-700 to launch customer Chengdu Airlines on November 28, 2015.

The  date holds significance for the Chinese airframe since it marks the day the indigenous regional jet took its first flight back in 2008.

yourfile

The Plan is for Comac to deliver two regional jets to Chengdu Airlines this year, which will then be put into commercial passenger service next February.

Vice Chief Designer at Comac said Comac is still working on making changes to the ARJ21 despite receiving type certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China(CAAC) last December.  He adds that while these issues do not relate to the safety of the aircraft, they could affect the operational efficiency of the jet.

Examples include changes that need to be made to improve how the aircraft’s anti-icing system functions in the event of a single-engine operation, as well as to the warning system to help enhance pilot’s operational awareness and help them better anticipate possible flying situations.

Source : Flightglobal/Photo Comac

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

 

WestJet Adds First Widebody to Fleet with Delivery of  Boeing 767-300 ER   

WestJet has taken delivery of its first Boeing 767-300ER, adding a wide body aircraft to its fleet for the first time.

 WestJet-Boing-767-300ERW

The Calgary-based low-cost carrier (LCC) has operated an all 737 fleet since its founding in 1996, and in 2013 launched a Bombardier Q400 regional subsidiary called WestJet Encore.  The airline is slated to take delivery of four 767-300ERs over the next eight months, with the fourth expected to arrive just before it launches 767 flights to London Gatwick in May 2016.

The first has arrived at WestJet’s base in Calgary and will be used on flights between Toronto and Calgary for several months, the carrier said.

The next two 767s will arrive this fall,and WestJet will launch 767 flights between western Canada and Hawaii and between Toronto and Montego Bay for its winter schedule in December.

The airline’s 767s will seat 262 passengers, including 24 in premium economy, but will have no first or business class seats.  The aircraft will be able to fly up to 11 hours.

Source : ATW/WestJet

Alaska to Take First 737 MAX 8 in 2017

Alaska Airlines 737-MAX8 Artwork K65759

Alaska Airlines plans to take delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max 8 early in late 2017.

The Seattle-based carrier will take delivery of its first 737 Max about six months after launch customer Southwest Airlines takes its first aircraft, says its vice-president of capacity planning  John Kirby at the Boyd International Aviation Forecast Summit in Las Vegas.

“Boeing has indicated that it maybe ready a little early,” says Kirby.

Alaska previously anticipated its first 737 Max 8 in 2018.  The airline has firm orders for 37 737 Max aircraft, including 20 737 Max 8s and 17 737 Max 9s.

Alaska operates a fleet of 143 737s, including 27 737-400s, 14 737-700s,61 737-800s and 41 737-900ERs.

Source : Flightglobal

 

 Vietnam Airlines Drops its A380 Order

The Vietnamese government has dropped all plans to confirm options on four Airbus A380s it signed up for in 2009.

The Vietnamese flag carrier Vietnam Airlines cited “increased pressure of arranging capital for aircraft purchases” as a key factor, along with slow progress on the planned Long Thanh International Airport at Ho Chi Minh City-the only Vietnamese airport with enough capacity to handle A380 aircraft.

Vietnam Airlines also has reportedly scaled down its original plan to boost fleet size to 150 aircraft over the next five years, and will instead grow to just over 120 aircraft.

The airline which is scheduled to take delivery of eight Boeing 787-9s and 10 Airbus A350 XWBs up to 2019 said that “ the world economic situation is more difficult,” and “fierce competition in the aviation market place” were both reasons for opting out of the A380 deal.

This latest cancellation comes as an added blow for Airbus’s A380 program,which has seen several cancellations in Asia, including a significant six- aircraft order from bankrupt low cost carrier Skymark Airlines.

Source : ATW

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • Jet2 Budget carrier Jet2 has signed an order with Boeing for 27 737-800 aircraft. The deal marks the carrier’s first direct order with Boeing.
  • Emirates takes delivery of the 65th A380. Emirates A380s serve 34 destinations and has a further 75 on order.
  • Philippine Airlines is considering the acquisition or lease of eight 787 Dreamliners or Airbus A350 XWB aircraft.
  • KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has switched an order for six Boeing 787-9s to the larger 787-10 to better fit with its network plans.

IMG_3584

  • Norwegian will lease two additional Boeing 787-9s, due for delivery in summer 2017, which it will use to extend its long-haul network.
  • China’s Bohai Leasing is in exclusive talks to buy Irish aircraft leasing firm Avolon for USD$2.64 billion, after raising its offer to put it ahead of a rival bidder.
  • Tyler  IATA  CEO and director general Tony Tyler will retire in June 2016 after serving five years in the position. Tyler’s retirement was announced on Aug.28 and the search for his successor has begun.
  • Malaysia  Airlines has been granted an air operator’s certificate (AOC) by the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation under its new name Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB).

malaysia-airlines-a330-300-rf

  • Mitsubishi Regional Jet( MRJ) test flight is scheduled for the latter half of October, Mitsubishi Heavy industries has announced.
  • Emirates and Boeing celebrated the simultaneous delivery of three 777s- two 777-300ERs and one 777 Freighter – marking the entry of the 150th 777into Emirates fleet.
  • Austrian Airlines  Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines is preparing to receive the first of 17 modified Embraer E-195s.
  • BoraJet Airlines Turkish regional carrier has taken delivery of three Embraer 195s from the Regional aircraft Group of GECAS, the leasing and financing division of GE.

 

Air Cargo

Air China Cargo Began Freighter Service to Canada 

Air China Cargo began its first scheduled freighter service between China and Canada on the 3rd of September, when Air China Cargo 777F touched down at Edmonton International Airport by the traditional gun salute, commemorating the carrier’s first scheduled stop at the western Canadian airport.

Air-China-at-EIA-2-300x200

Air China Cargo will serve Edmonton six times each week, with a Shanghai-Edmonton-Dallas-Edmonton-Shanghai routing.

This is the first Freighter route between mainland China and the Canadian province of Alberta, and a key step in connecting the two economies. It’s also the only freighter service between Alberta and Texas.

Edmonton estimates that this new service will boost the GDP of the region by $31 million per year. Edmonton is situated near two business centers-the Nisku Business Park and the Leduc Business Park.  It will provide opportunities for cargo businesses to work with Air China Cargo as well. The airport is also near major highways for easy truck transport.

Source : Air Cargo World/Air China

 

MILITARY NEWS

 

Northrop Delivers the 150th KC-10 Extender Aircraft to the US Air Force 

KC-10 Extender

Northrop Grumman has delivered the 150th KC-10 Extender air-to air refueling tanker aircraft to the US Air Force after providing major improvements.

The aircraft received product reliability improvements as part of its CF6-50 engine overhaul program,offering a 15-year high in engine fleet performance.

Northrop Grumman Technical Services weapon systems operations director Matt Emerson said : ”The delivery of the 150th KC-10 depot aircraft contributes to the critical mission requirements of the United States Air Force by ensuring that the KC-10 is operational when the customer need it.”

“ The aircraft was accepted with zero defects,further contributing to the company’s proven track record for helping the Air Force achieve the KC-10’s highest fleet mission capable rates in more than 16 years.”

The KC-10 Extender can refuel aircraft midair while transporting personnel,equipment and patients on overseas deployments and aeromedical evacuations.

Source : Airforcetechnology.com

 

  US Navy Orders 13 P-8As, with Four for Australia

Boeing has secured a $1.49 billion contract from the US Navy for 13 P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, including the first four examples for the Royal Australian Air Force.

The deal covers nine aircraft for the USN and four for the Royal Australian Air Force, the company says.

“By working together since the early stages of the P-8A development, the US and Australia have created one airplane configuration that serves the need of both countries,” says Capt. Scott Dillon, the former’s P8 program manager.  ”The Us and Australian P-8As will be able to operate with each other effectively and affordably for decades to come”, he adds.

In early 2014, Canberra approved an A$4 billion ($2.9 billion) allocation to acquire eight of the 737-derived aircraft, with options for four more.  This allowed Boeing to place long lead-time orders for parts for the first four aircraft.

The P-8A will replace the RAAF’s fleet of Lockheed Martin AP-3C prions currently in their fleet.

Source : Boeing

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

by

Volume 2 Issue 8


ON THE BOEING FRONT

The Roof is Almost Complete on the 777X Composite Wing Center in Everett. 

The progress over the past few weeks on the Composite Wing Center in Everett for the 777X has been phenomenal.

The roof over the massive 1.3 million square foot building is nearly complete, and the walls are also going up at a rapid pace.

A milestone was also reached, after completing the area where the autoclave vendor can start installation. The first of three giant autoclaves – some of the largest in the world – is also nearly completed.

The Composite Wing Center is on track to be finished in May of 2016. (see attached photos courtesy of Boeing)

Source : Boeing/Boeing Photos

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

Airbus’ Runway Overrun Prevention System (ROPS) Certified by EASA on A330 Family

Airbus has achieved EASA certification of Airbus’ Runway Overrun Prevention System (ROPS) technology on A330 Family aircraft. This on-board cockpit technology, which Airbus pioneered over several years, is now certified and available on all Airbus Families. ROPS is an alerting system which reduces exposure to runway overrun risk, and if necessary, provides active protection. Korean will become the first A330 operator to implement ROPS on its A330s in service in the coming months.

Runway excursion-meaning either an aircraft veering off the side of the runway, or overrunning the very end-remains the primary cause of civil airliner hull losses, particularly as other formerly prevalent categories of aircraft accidents have now largely been eliminated. Furthermore, various industry bodies including the EASA, NTSB, Eurocontrol and FAA recognize this and are fully behind the introduction of effective measures by commercial aviation stakeholders to eliminate the risk of runway excursions.

Source : Airbus/Airbus picture

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

CS100 Performs Minimum-unstick Test.

Bombardier has disclosed details of the minimum-unstick testing on the initial CSeries variant which it conducted at a regional airport in Kansas. One of the CS100 prototypes, FTV4, performed the tests at Saline airport during May.

The twin jet was fitted with a projecting bumper underneath the aft fuselage for the tests, which explore the minimum speed at which the CS100 can lift off at high nose altitude.

Minimum-unstick testing typically involves rapid acceleration to a threshold speed then reducing power while applying maximum pitch.

FTV4 has been fitted with cameras underneath the fuselage to monitor the bumper and the exercise also required simulation and modeling before being carried out.

Source: Bombardier/Flightglobal/Bombardier Photo.

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Boeing 787’s Improved Reliability Is Giving a Supplier Headaches

After early hiccups, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is turning into a stellar performer for airlines. That is creating an unexpected headache for the company that makes the plan’s cockpit displays.

The problem: Rockwell Collins Inc. finds itself with a bulge of unsold spare parts because the monitors used by pilots to track the jet’s radar and performance are proving more reliable than expected, Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg said on July 24th.

Dreamliner operators are stocking fewer replacements, contributing to a 4 percent drop in aftermarket sales in the quarter ended June 30, Rockwell Collins said.

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based company is tweaking forecasts for other new jets using the gear, such as Boeing’s 737 Max and the 777X, Ortberg said.

“I am not going to feel bad about building and designing a really good piece of equipment,” Ortberg said in a telephone interview. ”We’ll go adjust the reliability that we had originally predicted to more of what we’re actually seeing in the marketplace.”

The Dreamliner entered service in 2011 after more than three years of delays. With the plane’s all-new technology, Rockwell Collins had no track record on which to project a replacement rate for its spare parts, Ortberg said.

Now, the company will use the improved reliability to persuade operators of Boeing’s 757s and 767s to upgrade to new equipment. Jet kerosene at close to a six-year low is a lure for airlines to retrofit older planes they otherwise would have retired, Ortberg said.

Source : Bloomberg

 

SWISS Unveils the Cabin Product and Route Network for Its New Flagship Boeing 777-300ER

SWISS will be ushering-in a new era in the history of its long-haul aircraft fleet next January with the arrival of the first of its nine new Boeing 777-300ERs.

In SWISS configuration the new twin jets will seat 340 passengers. They will also offer a state-of-the-art cabin product in all three seating classes, including wireless internet connectivity. The 777 will be deployed on routes to and from Asia, South America and the US West Coast from the 2016 summer schedules onwards.

In SWISS configuration the Boeing 777-300ER will offer 340 seats: eight in First Class,62 in Business Class and 270 in Economy.  The totally redesigned cabin interior of the new SWISS flagship will provide comfort and aesthetics to meet the most discerning of demands in all three seating classes.

The SWISS First seat will be transformable into the occupant’s own private suite that includes a 32-inch screen, the largest in the industry. SWISS First guests will also enjoy electrically-adjustable window blinds and their own personal wardrobe.

SWISS Business travelers will enjoy an in-flight product that has been further enhanced and refined on the basis of customer feedback. The seating arrangement offers optimum privacy and freedom of movement, while the seat cushion’s firmness can be individually regulated. All the seats in the SWISS Business cabin can also be quickly and easily converted into a lie-flat bed .

The 777 will deliver 23% lower unit costs compared to the Airbus A340,” which especially helps on routes to Asia where we face tough competition mainly from Gulf carriers,” SWISS CEO Harry Hohmeister said.

Source : Swiss/Swiss Photos

 

CFM Delivers First Leap-1C to COMAC

CFM international has delivered the first Leap-1C engine to Comac for its in-development C919 narrow body program.

The engine, sent to the Chinese manufacturer’s first assembly center near Shanghai Pudong International airport, will be installed on the first C919 flight test aircraft. This pushes the first aircraft toward a roll-out by the end of the year, and a first flight in 2016.

The first Leap-1C engine completed a flight test program in late 2014 on a modified 747 flying testbed at Ge’s facilities in Victorville, California. The test program includes a comprehensive test schedule that looked at various functions including engine operability, stall margin and performance, and also validated advanced technologies incorporated in the engine, says CFM.

The engine maker adds that there are currently more than 30 Leap engines on test or in final assembly, and that the program has logged more than 4,730 certification ground and flight test hours totaling 7,900 cycles.

Comac has so far received commitments for 507 C919s, mostly from Chinese airlines and leasing companies.

Source: Flightglobal/Photo CFM International

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • Eva Air have finalized an order for five 777 Freighters. The order, valued at more than $1.5 billion at list prices.
  • Vietnam Airlines has signed an agreement with Boeing to collaborate on renewing its wide body fleet which could see the carrier adding eight 777-8X and eight 787-10 aircraft.
  • Airbus has resumed flying the PW1100G-powered A320neo flight test aircraft in Toulouse, France after three-month grounding.
  • Transaero Russian carrier has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321, which is being supplied under a leasing deal with Chinese finance firm ICBC.

  • GKN Aerospace is to acquire the Dutch aerospace firm Fokker Technologies in a deal worth more than $775 million.
  • Vietjet the Vietnamese low-cost carrier (LCC) has taken delivery of the first 230-seat Airbus A321 cabin, the delivery marks the 9000 Airbus aircraft.

  • Lufthansa Technik the Puerto Rico MRO facility at Rafael Hernandez International Airport in Aguadilla started operations on July 21 with its first overhaul line.
  • Xiamen Airlines has committed to purchase another four Boeing 787 Dreamliners to further expand its long-range fleet. Xiamen Airlines started its first ever European service to Amsterdam on July 26th using one of its 787-8s.
  • FedEx place a firm order with Boeing for 50 firm orders for 767 freighters and took options for 50 more.
  • GOL Brazilian carrier has unveiled a new livery bearing its new logo.

  • Airbus has contracted Saab Aerostructures to manufacture and assemble composite wing trailing edge falsework extension for the A330neo.
  • Air Lease Corp. announced a long-term lease agreement with Far Eastern Air Transport based in Taipei, Taiwan for one new Boeing 737-800.
  • Scoot has unveiled a special livery to mark Singapore’s 50th year of independence.

 

AIR CARGO

Atlas Air Brings Plane Out of Storage, Showing Confidence in Air Cargo Market

Atlas Air Worldwide has echoed Boeing’s optimism about the air Cargo market, saying it will bring a 747-400 out of desert storage and buy two 767 passenger aircraft to convert to freighters to go along with the 10th 747-8 freighter the operator will add to its fleet in November.

Cowen analysts say the decision to put the parked 747-400 back into service is the result of extra work created by the U.S. military bolstering its forces in eastern Europe.

Atlas Air’s additions also back up Boeing’s increasingly bullish view of the air cargo market, having announced several freighter deals at the recent Paris Air Show.

Source : seeking alpha/Atlas Air Worldwide Holding

 

MILITARY

Boeing Rolls Out First Australian Growler

Boeing has unveiled the first of 12 Australian EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft at a ceremony in St.Louis, Missouri, and the company officials the second example is already in flight testing.

Once the second aircraft delivers this month, the two examples will be delivered to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake where Australian pilots are currently training with their US Navy counterparts. Those aircraft will also visit the US Navy’s home of airborne electronic warfare at Naval Air Station Whidbey in 2016 before moving to Australia in 2017.

Delivery of the first aircraft, tail number A46-301, is a significant milestone for the Royal Australian Air Force(RAAF),which will soon be able to shut down enemy surface-to-air missile, radars, electronic transmissions, communications equipment across a wide area.

Daniel Gillian, Boeing Defense, Space and Security’s vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18G programs, says the Aussie Growler entered flight testing on July 13th and the second aircraft is fully assembled and flying. He says it is the 116th Growler delivered to date out of a165-aircraft program of record for the Navy and the RAAF.

Source : Flightglobal/Picture Boeing

 

Marines Retire Sea Knight after 51 Years In Service

After 51 years of service with the US Marines Cops, the Boeing-Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight flew for the last time on August 1st at a retirement ceremony in Chantilly, Virginia.

The Sea Knight which, made its combat debut in Vietnam, is being put on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia, but will eventually move to a new annex at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia.

The twin-engined, tandem-rotor aircraft flew in August 1962, and the first production examples was delivered in 1964 as a medium assault transport helicopter.

The CH-46 was replaced by the V-22 Osprey.

Source : Flightglobal

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

by

Volume 2 Issue 7 July 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing 757 ecoDemonstrator Embarks on Final Test Run 

Energy-harvesting windows, green diesel biofuel and a 3D-printed flight deck monument are three technologies that will be tested on the last series of flights of T U I  G r o u p – b r a n d e d 7 5 7 ecoDemonstrator; destined to be dismantled by the end of this month. Boeing has partnered with the  Aircraft  Fleet  Recycling  Association  to  disassemble the 757 at the conclusion of the tests.  In the pioneering spirit of the ecoDemonstrator program; however, the disassembly will serve as an opportunity to validate a variety of new options for recycling the various materials and systems.

yourfile

“We are going to recycle the heck out of the airplane”, says Jeanne Yu, Boeing’s environmental performance director, in a recent interview. “Boeing will look to recycle some components in the existing fleet or recycle pieces to be used in other ways on flying aircraft”, she says. Until then, the 757 ecoDemonstrator will continue a new series of flight tests after a first series concluded two months ago.

The 757 ecoDemonstrator follows a series of tests in 2012 on an American Airlines 737-800 and in 2014 a former 787 test aircraft. The first series of flights on the 757 focused on several drag-reducing technologies; such as an active flow control system mounted on a tail fin, bug “phobic” coatings on the leading edge of the right wing and a laminar flow-protecting Krueger flap on the left wing. Finally, the 757 ecoDemonstrator flight deck also features an aft aisle stand made using scrap carbon fiber material from the 787 production system.  A3D printer was used to transform the crap material into the aisle stand.

Source: Boeing/Flightglobal /Photo Boeing

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

Airbus A380 Shows Off Illuminated Decal Technology 

One of Airbus’s A380 test aircraft has demonstrated a new electro-luminescent display technology designed for external use on the aircraft.

yourfile

The technology developed by Safran division Aircelle, comprises thin markings which can be applied to the fuselage skin and engine nacelle to provide illuminated branding and logos using on-board electrical power.

Initial airborne tests using A380 MSN1 were carried out at night on June 8th, with the aircraft featuring an Airbus logo on its outboard left-hand Rolls-Royce tent 900 power plant.

Aircelle says the flight was able to demonstrate the “brightness, clarity and readability” of the marking in various lighting conditions.

Aircelle showed the development at the Paris Air Show last month, Aircelle says that the display can be placed “almost anywhere” on the aircraft, including the underside of the fuselage and the tail.

Source : Flightglobal/Picture Airbus

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Gulfstream Boosts Connectivity for G450 and G550 

Gulfstream has received Us Federal Aviation Administration approval for a modification that allows operators of G450 and G550 aircraft to benefit from enhanced connectivity.

Gulfstream_G450_G550

Covering the installation of the Satcom Direct Router, (SDR) the enhancement simplifies cabin communications on the two twin jets.

“This equipment elevates the airborne office to a new level,” says Mike West, vice-president product support sales and new business development, Gulfstream.

“The addition of a smart router allows for more communications options in the cabin, including Satcom Direct’s GlobalVT, which allows passengers to use their personal smartphones to call and text in flight.”

The SDR also supports mobile applications for onboard cabin services, including moving map and flight tracker, command and control of satellite links and real-time connection status reporting.

Installation of the SDR and accompanying software is standard on new G550 and G450 aircraft and available as a retrofit for in-service examples.

Gulfstream is pursuing similar supplemental type certificates from the FAA to add the enhancement to G650/G650ER, GV and GIV aircraft.

Source: Flightglobal/Gulfstream

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

 

Lufthansa Technik Partners with GE for GE9X and GEnx-2B Overhaul

Lufthansa Technik is building a joint-venture overhaul shop with General Electric to service the engines powering Boeing 747-8s and the in development 777X.

The two partners signed a tentative agreement at the Paris Air Show last month, though the closing of the deal will depend on regulatory approval, says the German MRO group. Lufthansa operates 747-8s and has 777Xs  on order, but third-party clients’ engines will also be supported from the European facility.

While the precise location of the operation has still to be decided, a 2018 opening is targeted.

Lufthansa Technik’s own engine overhaul facilities – except for regional aircraft power plants – have traditionally been at its base in Hamburg. It has a shop for CFM International CFM56s and international Aero V2500s; plus a separate facility for large legacy types such as the CF 6.

Capability to overhaul the 777X-powering GE9X promises to give the new joint venture access to a large party customer market, but there appears to be limited potential for services on the GEnx-2B, which equips the 747-8.

The site will form part of GE’s network of international repair facilities, and the two partners will cooperate on development of repairs and on-wing support services.

Source:Flightglobal/GE Aviation

 

Royal Jordanian Eyes North America After European Traffic Decline

Royal Jordanian Airlines is planning to expand its transatlantic network as traffic from Europe has declined as a result of political crises in the Middle East and North Africa.

The airline lost “most” of its tourist traffic originating from European countries because travel packages often combined Jordan with Syria and Egypt, fleet and network planning director Eyad Birouti told Flightglobal at the Connect conference in Killarney in Ireland.

Washington DC and Toronto could be served nonstop from Amman with the airline’s five Boeing 787 fleet. But 787-8 flights to Los Angeles, with full payload, would require a fuel stop in Europe, said Birouti. Amsterdam, Dublin and Vienna are among the cities being investigated as potential stopover points.

The carrier is also planning network expansions in Africa and Asia to compensate for declining traffic from Europe, said Birouti. Connecting flights to the Asia-Pacific region could be a way of filling aircraft on existing routes from Europe.

Source : Royal Jordanian

 

Rolls-Royce Makes Progress on Testing 787 Engine Upgrade

Rolls-Royce is close to completing a round of testing on the latest version of the Trent 1000 engine for the Boeing 787, according to the Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC) in the USA.

Since earlier this year, AEDC has hosted an R-R team performing altitude operability performance and icing tests on engine serial number 11003, one of several prototypes developed to certificate the Trent 1000-TEN upgrade.

The tests on engine 11003 have been “fantastically successful”, according to Tom Schmidt, a project manager for Aerospace Testing Alliance, which was overseeing the testing by AEDC.

That echoes comments by R-R executives last month, who said the then-ongoing testing at AEDC had shown better fuel efficiency for the Trent 1000-TEN at higher altitudes.

The TEN upgrade migrates several features developed for the Trent XWB engine back into the lower-thrust engine for the 787. The new features include a rising-line compressor and a three-stage blisk at the front of the high-pressure compressor section.

Rolls-Royce has predicted that the Trent 1000-TEN upgrade will provide a 3% advantage on fuel consumption on short flights to 3,000nm; compared to the competing GE Aviation GEnx-1B engine.

Source : Flight Global /Rolls- Royce

 

GE Aviation, Woodward Form Fuel Systems Joint Venture

GE Aviation and Woodward Inc. have formed a 50/50 venture to design, develop, source, supply and service fuel systems for GE90,GEnx, GE9X and future GE large commercial engines.

GE Aviation president and CEO David Joyce said the joint venture will “further strengthen both companies’ capabilities and secure a high quality fuel systems supplier for GE’s record production volume on large commercial engines.”

According to GE Aviation, production rates for its jet engines and components have increased significantly over the last five years; with large commercial engine production more than doubling to close to 500 engines in 2015.

GE Aviation said that under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Woodward will receive $250 million in cash, and the parties will participate jointly in the operating results of respective programs.

Source : ATW/GE Aviation

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • United Airlines will spend $100 million to acquire a 5% stake in Azul Brazilian Airlines. The two carriers have entered into a strategic partnership that will include code-sharing and reciprocal loyalty program benefits.
  • GE Capital Aviation Services Limited (GECAS) has completed a purchase-and-leaseback transaction with Lion Group subsidiary PT Batik Air Indonesia for four new Airbus A320s.
  • Avolon delivered a Boeing 737-800 to Hainan Airlines. This delivery is Avolon’s first aircraft on lease to Hainan Airlines.
  • Bombardier has delivered its 500th Q400 turboprop aircraft to Calgary-based WestJet Encore.
  • Enter Air announced an order for two 737MAX 8s and two Next-Generation 737-800s.  It is the first direct order for Boeing from the Polish charter carrier.

  • Vietnam Airlines took delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, becoming the second operator of the type.

vietnamairlinesa350xwb-usethisone

  • Transaero Airline has expanded its European Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) certificate to include performing C checks on Boeing 737 Classic and 737NG aircraft.
  • Swiss International Air Line has confirmed that it will be the first operator of the Cseries, with service entry slated for the first half of 2016.
  • Embraer has secured firm orders from three airlines and one aircraft lessor for a total of 50 E-Jets, evenly split between the current generation and the E2 variants.
  • Saudia became the launch customer for the A330-300 Regional with a firm order for 20 of the aircraft plus a firm order for 20 A320ceos.

 

Air Cargo

CAL Cargo Air Lines to Transport Aircraft Engines

CAL Cargo Air lines has launched “CAL Express”, service specifically designed for the transportation of aircraft engines.

Under the new service, the carrier will transport every size and type of aircraft engines around the world, using 747-400s.  CAL is also qualified to deal with dangerous goods, so the carrier will be able to transport non-purged engines as well.

This new service also includes ground-handling, storage and road-feeder services.  In the case of aircraft on the ground, CAL is including expedited customs clearance and transit time, as well as charter options.

According to Eyal Zagagi, CEO of Cal Cargo Airlines, one of the reasons CAL Engines was created in response to a 25% per year increase in engine transport business over the last few years.

Source: Air Cargo World / CAL Photo

 

DHL Expands Global Reach with Cincinnati Upgrade

It is no surprise that DHL’s largest U.S. hub is in Cincinnati.  Its central location allows the express carrier to best reach the U.S. East and West coasts from a flight timing perspective.

Since its exit from the US domestic express market in 2009, DHL has set its sights on growing in international service to/from that country.  DHL invested US$108 million to upgrade and expand its American hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport (CVG).  Travis Cobb, DHL’s senior vice president, network operations Americas, said part of the investment would be for a new apron to accommodate an additional 18 aircraft. The remainder would be used for infrastructure, including warehousing and automation.

The Cincinnati hub is one of three global DHL hubs – the others are Leipzig,Germany and Hong Kong. Globally, Cincinnati is second in size and volume only the Leipzig hub, processing approximately 46 million international shipments annually.

Source:   Air Cargo World/DHL

 

                                         MILITARY

Boeing Shifts toward Full-Rate Production of Navy Submarine Hunter

Workers assembling Boeing’s biggest Puget Sound area military contract are preparing to lift its production rate; now that the first group of P-8A  submarine hunter aircraft have proved to be a good investment for the government.

The planned increase to 1.5 aircraft monthly will be dwarfed by the 42-monthly rate for the civilian version from the same Renton site.  It is a significant step for the P-8A.

The P-8A Poseidon is an important contract for Boeing’s military side, and it is also important for the Puget Sound area.

In February 2014, Boeing won a $2.4 billion contract for the first 16 of the full-rate jets. Eventually, the Navy wants 117.

The P-8A contract is important for Boeing and the region; partly because of the revenue it’s pulling in, partly because the program is running so smoothly.

Source : Puget Sound Business Journal

 

Canada Accepts First Six Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclones

The Royal Canadian Air Force has accepted delivery of its first six Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone maritime patrol helicopters, making a major step forward for the Sea King replacement program.

The Total value of the Cyclone acquisition is $7.6 billion,including $1.9 billion for development and production of 28 helicopters and$5.7 over 20 years for service contractor support.

The twin-engine, medium-lift Cyclone is derived from Sikorsky’s civil S-92 and is designed for shipboard maritime surveillance and rescue operations on Canada’s east and west coasts.

The cyclones will replace 27 long serving Sikorsky CH-124 Sea Kings that have been in constant operation since 1963 and are the oldest aircraft in the RCAF inventory.

Source : Flightglobal/Picture Canadian Armed Force

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

by

Volume 2 Issue 6 June 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Begins Extensive Engine Testing of the LEAP-1B for the 737 MAX

Boeing and CFM International announced that they successfully initiated flight testing of the LEAP-1B engine on April 29th on GE’s modified 747 flying testbed at GE Aviation Flight Test Operations in Victorville, California.

The testing is the next major milestone in a two-year program that will culminate in engine certification in 2016 and delivery of the first Boeing 737 MAX in 2017.The engine performed well and completed multiple aeromechanics test points of various altitudes during the five-hour 30 minute first flight.

LEAP-1B-Ground009

“I continue to be really impressed with the LEAP,” said Chief Test Pilot Steven Crane, CFM International. ”These engines are demonstrating maturity that you do not always see in new products. I think our airline customers are going to be pleased with the engine.”

The LEAP-1B engine is the exclusive power plant for the Boeing 737 MAX family and is part of the most extensive ground and flight test certification program in CFM’s history. The first Leap-1B engine began ground testing on June 13, 2014, three days ahead of the schedule set when the program was launched in 2011.

Over the next several weeks, the flight test program will encompass a comprehensive test schedule that will gauge engine operability, stall margin, performance, emissions and acoustics.

“The Leap engine has been incredibly well throughout a very rigorous ground and flight test program,” said Allen Paxson, executive vice president, CFM International. ”Results to date are right in line with what we predicted and where we wanted this engine to be.”

To date, the 737 MAX has accumulated 2,724 orders from 57 customers worldwide.

Source: Boeing/CFM International/Picture Boeing

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

Airbus Turns to Korean Manufacturer to Supply A330neo Sharklet

Airbus has selected Korean Air Aerospace Division, (KAL-ASD),the manufacturing division of Korean Air Group, to supply the new Sharklet wingtip for the A330neo.

KAL-ASD will manufacture the new composite wingtip devices at its Busan facility and supply them to Airbus’s Toulouse final assembly line.

a330-900neorrcourtesy-airbus

The Sharklets bear a strong resemblance to the aerodynamic devices carried by the A350 and the A330 versions will include a wingspan extension; overall span will increase from 60.3m of the A330ceo to 64m on the A330neo and provide increased lift while reducing drag.

Together with the A330neo’s Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the new wingtips plus other aerodynamic enhancements will give the aircraft a 14% reduction in fuel burn per seat compared with today’s A330ceos,Airbus said.

The first A330neos will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Source : ATW/Airbus Photo

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Mitsubishi Releases New Photos of Flight Test Fleet

Mitsubishi Aircraft has released a series of photos of its fleet of five flight test aircraft for the MRJ regional jet program.

The pictures show FTA-1, also known as MSN 10001, and FTA-2 having both completed final assembly and with its Pratt & Whitney engines attached.

yourfile

FTA-3 with its landing gear attached, has completed wing-to-body join although engines have not been mounted. FTA-4 is still resting on struts and undergoing wing-to-body join. The picture shows that its engines, horizontal stabilizers, rudder, flaps, ailerons and wingtips have also yet to be installed.

yourfile

yourfile

The aft fuselage of FTA-5 meanwhile has not been fused. All five airframes have been painted, and FTA-5 appears to bear launch customer All Nippon Airway’ livery.

The Japanese airframe unveiled the pictures at the Regional Airline Association convention in Cleveland on May 12th.

yourfile

At the convention, it also announced that it has expanded planned flight test and engineering options in the USA with four more sites. Besides a flight test center in Moses Lake, Washington, an engineering center will also be opened in Seattle.

It will also perform high-altitude flight tests at Gunnison Crested Butte Regional airport in Colorado, special runway tests at Roswell International Air Center in New Mexico, and use the McKinley climatic test cell at Eglin AFB, Florida.

Mitsubishi has pushed the first flight of the MRJ to September or October of 2015,but committed to keep to its second quarter 2017 delivery schedule.

Source: Flightglobal/ Mistubishi Aircraft

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Alaska Airlines is the Launch Customer for the B737-700PF Program

Israel Aerospace Industries has launched a B737-700P2F (Passenger aircraft to Freighter) conversion program through its MRO and conversion arm, Bedek Aviation Group. According to Cargo Facts Alaska Airlines is the launch customer for the process with three firm orders plus one option. Bedek says that it expects certification to occur in mid 2016 with redelivery of the first converted aircraft due at the end of 2016.

The US carrier’s cargo fleet currently consists of one B737-400F and four B737-400Ms used on flights throughout rural Alaska as well as to the mainland United States.

Source: ch-aviation

 

Southwest Adds International Flights, Bigger Boeing Jets 

Southwest Airlines Co. is expanding the number of flights it makes to Latin America and changing its order with the Boeing Co. for 31 of the company’s 737-700 jets to the larger 737-800. All 31 planes are scheduled for delivery to Southwest in 2016.

The 737-800 includes 32 more seats than the 737-700 and carries a list price of $93.3 million compared with the list price of the $78.3 million for the smaller plane. Since placing its first order for the 727-200 in 1971, Southwest has ordered 941 new 737s from Boeing and taken delivery of 675.

Southwest claims to have the largest fleet of Boeing airplanes in the world, with currently in active service according to planespotters.net. Of those, 440 are 737-700s and 95 737-800s. By the end of 2016 Southwest expects its fleet to number about 715 aircraft, all some version of the 737.

For 2015, Southwest has 19 firm orders for the 737-800, and intends to take delivery of 19 pre-owned 737-700s. For 2016, the airline currently intends to take delivery of four pre-owned 737-700 aircraft.

The airline also has more 737-700s on order for delivery in 2017 and 2018.Those orders may also be changed to 737-800s depending on the airline’s needs according to CEO Gary Kelly. The last 737-700 that Southwest acquired new was delivered in December 2011.

Source : Wall street.com/Southwest.

 

TUI Group to Rebrand Five Airlines as “TUI”

TUI Group plans to rebrand its five airlines under a single “TUI” brand as part of its roadmap for growth initiative to be achieved by 2018.

Beginning in the fall 2015, the TUI Group said it will use single branding for its airlines. TUI currently operates around 140 medium-and long-haul aircraft in various markets under different brand names – TUIfly

(Germany), Thomson Airways(UK), Arkefly (Netherlands), Jetairfly (Brussels) and TUIfly Nordic(Sweden).

tuifly-737-800-kh-lowres

Each carrier will maintain its separate air operators certificate(AOC) and will remain responsible for its own crew and flight planning, but will operate under “one central organization.” Also, maintenance should be concentrated under one organization.

According to a company statement, crew and fleet would be more efficient when switched between different bases and nations, depending on demand. This should increase effectiveness of the airlines. TUI hopes to deliver operational efficiency improvements worth $57 million per annum by 2018.

TUI Group said the strategy generate more synergies by joining business units and would raise shareholders value.

The week of May 11th TUI Group placed a firm order for a single Boeing 787-9, plus one option, and has switched two of its smaller 787-8s already on order for the larger variant

Source: ATW/ Picture TUIfly Boeing 737-800

 

Eastern Air Lines Takes Flight from Miami Again with First Revenue Flight 

Eastern is back in business at Miami International Airport. The well-known carrier with the hockey stick logo resurrection of the airline that called Miami home for decades lifted off for its first revenue flight on May 28th.The destination for Eastern flight 3145 was Havana, in partnership with HavanaAir Charters.

Eastern Air Lines announced last week that it had signed an agreement with Miami-based HavanaAir to provide lift for the operator’s charter flights to Havana, Santa Clara and Camaguey.

The airline’s Boeing 737-800 will fly twice daily to Havana from Miami and weekly to other destinations, with plans to add service to Cuba from other gateway cities in the U.S. over the next couple months.

Henry Harteveldt, travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research in San Francisco, called the contract a “great win” for Eastern that will give the start operational experience, revenue and attention.

“It’ll be good for Eastern in terms of giving it a lot of frequencies and it’s also a high-profile market,” Harteveldt said. ”It’s great visibility for the airline”.

The earlier Eastern filed for bankruptcy protection in 1989 and stopped flying in 1991.The new airline is not affiliated with the original carrier but acquired its intellectual property; shareholders from the old airline also received rights to buy a stake in the new company.

The company has set up shop at Miami International Airport’s Building 5A, the former Eastern operations center. Community appreciation for the airline was evident in December, when the first aircraft arrived and crowds of politicians and former employees gathered to welcome it with cheers.

Source : Miami Herald

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • Azul Linhas Aereas have a final agreement for 30 firm orders for the E195-E2 jets. The contract, announced as a Letter of Intent (LOI) during the 2014 edition of the Farnborough International Airshow.
  • HAECO Component Overhaul has been appointed by Umbra Cuscinetti as its exclusive provider of Authorized Repair Station services in mainland China.
  • Pratt & Whitney has teamed with Bombardier to develop and implement a data management service for the CSeries, part of the Bombardier Aircraft Health Management System(AHMS) capable of transmitting real-time and recorded data from the aircraft. 
  • Turkish Airlines has taken delivery of the 125th Boeing aircraft-a Next Generation 737-900ER- one of 12 aircraft to be delivered to the Turkish flag carrier this year.
  • Vietnam Airlines’  new 787-9 has rolled out of Boeing’s paint shop at Paine Field in its new livery.It is now undergoing preflight testing.
  • Hainan Airlines and Air lease Corp.(ALC) have inked a long-term lease agreement covering a pair of Boeing 787-9s.The aircraft will be sourced from ALC’s current order book, which comprises 46 787-9s and 787-10s due for delivery from spring 2016.
  • Easy Jet has become the latest airline to commit to a higher-density Airbus A320 layout with the decision to fit 186 seats in the type.
  • Ruili Airlines has signed an agreement with Minsheng Financial Leasing and AVIC Leasing for 60 Boeing Max aircraft. The agreement was signed on May 18th, which also marks the airline’s one year anniversary. Of the 60 jets, 30 will come from Minsheng and 30 from AVIC.
  • Transaero On May 2nd Transaero took delivery of it’s Next Generation 737-800.The airplane was sporting a new livery. Transaero was the first private airline in Russia, established in 1991.

Transaero+737800_med

  • Qatar Executive has firmed up its earlier memorandum of understanding for 20 Gulfstream business jets and added an extra 10 aircraft to the order.
  • Sichuan Airlines has taken delivery of its 100th aircraft. The all-Airbus operator was handed over its latest jet, an A321, in Hamburg on May 22nd.

yourfile

  • Vietnam Airlines  confirmed the first of its new Boeing 787-9 has completed its first B1 test flight The newly painted Dreamliner took off from Paine field in Everett.
  • Dassault has rolled-out its falcon 5X at a ceremony at its 60-year old final assembly in Bordeaux-Merignac, southwest France. The ceremony took place on June 2nd.

  • Nimgxia Cargo Airlines received preliminary approval from the Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) to conduct operations from its base at Yinchuan Hedong Airport in the Ningxia Autonomous Region,900 Km west of Beijing.

 

AIR CARGO

Emirates Sky Cargo to Start Service to Rickenbacker Columbus Regional Airport.

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates airline, announced on May 27th that it will begin weekly cargo service to Rickenbacker Columbus Regional Airport.

Fellow cargo companies Cargolux and Cathay Pacific currently fly from Hong Kong to Rickenbacker.

Columbus is “an alternative port to Chicago, where shipments originating or destined to the Midwest can be trucked much more efficiently.” said Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice president, Cargo, in a statement.

Products expected to fly into Rickenbacker on Emirates flights include apparel, pharmaceuticals and electronics, but not all manufactured in the United Arab Emirates. Columbus is Emirates’ 48th destination for air cargo and sixth in the United States, according to the company.

“The new service extends Ohio’s reach into critical market and provides yet another global asset that makes it easier and more profitable to do business within the Columbus region,” said Kenny McDonald, chief economic officer of Columbus 2020, in a statement.

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

 

Chapman Freeborn, Ruslan offer Support for Armenian Centennial 

Heavy, outsized broadcasting equipment cargo from Tianjin, China, was delivered to Yerevan, Armenia, for television coverage of Armenia’s centenary commemorations .The equipment was a gift from the people of China to the people of Armenia.

Air charter specialists Chapman Freeborn’s team in China commissioned the flight and chose to work with Ruslan International, which was formed through a joint venture between Antonov Airline and Volga-Dnepr Airlines. The carrier specializes in outsize and heavy cargo, employing a fleet of 17 Antonov An124-100 aircraft.

The 40 tons of cargo in this shipment consisted of three outside  broadcast equipment including a large generator. The height of one of  the vehicles was a challenge, but with the use of special flat extension ramp it was loaded smoothly.

“All the loads we carry are important, but this cargo has particular significance due to its role in helping the people of Armenia commemorate the centenary of such a defining moment in their history,” said Alexander Kraynow of Ruslan International.

Source:   Air Cargo World/Picture Ruslan International

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com