May 9, 2015 by kaplanianreport

Volume 2 Issue 5 May 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Just Patented a “Cuddle Chair” that Could Revolutionize How People Sleep on Airplanes

You know that moment when you are deep into a long distance journey and you just cannot get comfortable enough to sleep? And you’d do just about, or pay just anything for some sort of bed, or sleep support for even a few hours.

Getting quality sleep on a plane can be a great challenge especially when you are stuck in the cramped quarters of economy class. But now upright sleeping seat patented by Boeing may just change things.

Though officially known as the “transport vehicle seat back with integrated upright sleep seat the “cuddle Chair”. The chair features a cushion, headrest, and strap system that could be a crucial development for forward-leaning sleepers, who would no longer have to suffer the indignity of snoozing on their tray table.

As airlines seek to fit as many people as possible into planes, manufacturers like Boeing and Airbus have had to explore some truly unorthodox seating mechanisms.

Source : Business Insider

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Upbeat on Jet Market, Still Studying A380 Upgrade

Airbus sees continued strength in the aircraft market and may increase production of its most popular jets above planned rates if the trend continues, the head of the European plane maker said On Friday April 17th.

Fabrice Bregier, chief executive of Airbus Group’s passenger jet division, predicated that Airbus would recapture the global crown from Boeing as deliveries of its new A350 model pick up while adding that market share was secondary to profitable growth.

Airbus expects to deliver 15 of the A350 planes this year told a group of journalists in Paris.

He reiterated that Airbus would not abandon the A380 after a period of weak orders, but would take careful look at the business case for the A380neo upgrade requested by the model’s biggest airline customer Emirates.

Airbus continues to expect more orders than deliveries in 2015, he also told members of the French AJPAE aerospace press association.

Source : Airbus/Yahoo Finance

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

MRJ First Flight Delayed Again

Mitsubishi Aircraft says the latest slip in the first flight schedule of its MRJ regional jet does not represent “major trouble” in the program.

In response to queries from Flightglobal, the Japanese manufacturer explains that in ground tests conducted thus far, ”a bug” has occurred in a portion of its software. Design changes also had to be made to some system parts.

As a result Mitsubishi has pushed back the first flight of its regional jet to September or October of 2015, from the second quarter.

In January, Mitsubishi started full-scale tests and also performed a first engine run on MSN 10001. It has since performed various ground tests including functional and performance tests for devices of its avionics, hydraulics, air conditioning, lighting and landing gear systems. It has also conducted vibration tests, electromagnetic tests, safety tests and taxi tests.

Source: Flightglobal/ Mistubishi Aircraft

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) to Buy More than 100 Aircraft

The board of the Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) has decided to increase the operations of the company under its five year plan from 2015-2020 by purchasing more than 100 new aircraft.

The airline is Saudi’s national flag carrier and director general Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said the plan is meant to strengthen operational efficiency as part of the continuous modernization of the fleet.

The airline previously ordered 90 aircraft from Boeing and Airbus and all but 12 have not been delivered according to a senior official under the condition of anonymity.

Jasser said the arrival of the aircraft within its growing domestic passenger requirements and expand the airline’s international operations.

The five-year plan includes the empowerment of the airline staffs and modernization of the airline infrastructures and strategic units.

The board noted that one of the challenges facing the company is the disruptions of its operations by sandstorms. Airlines have been obliged to delay or postpone their scheduled flights when airports are hit by it due to passenger and aircraft safety.

Many airports are affected by it in Saudi Arabia. Measures to reduce the effects of weather changes were discussed by the board.

Source: Middle East Confidential

Spain’s Air Europa Details Boeing 787 Plans

Spanish carrier Air Europa has launched scheduled flights between Madrid and Miami with its first Boeing 787 as it prepares to take 22 of the new twin jets.

Privately owned Air Europa is bringing in 22 787-8s and 787-9s to completely replace its Airbus A330 long-haul fleet. The airline has acquired the aircraft through two commitments, one for eight aircraft and a follow-on order for further 14, which was announced in January of this year.

Juan Jose Hidalgo, president of Air Europa parent company Globalia corp., previously said

the aircraft will grow the business by around 50%.

Air Europa’s first four 787s will arrive by the end of 2016, doubling to eight aircraft by 2018. ”The airline will have a total of 22 Dreamliners all operational by 2022, completely replacing its long-haul fleet of A330s,” Air Europa said in a statement.

It has been configured with 252 seats, including 18 in business and 21 in Air Europa’s newly introduced premium economy cabin. Air Europia, which has a hub at Madrid Barajas, serves 36 destinations in Europe and the Americas.

Source : ATW/picture Boeing

GTF Leads Pratt to Shift Business Model to Aftermarket Focus

With 80% of the more than 6300 geared turbofan (GTF) engines sold by Pratt and Whitney covered by a long-term maintenance service contract with the engine manufacturer, Pratt is shifting its commercial business model.

The PW1100G powering the Airbus A320neo will launch the GTF family of engines into the market when the re-engined narrow body enters service later this year.

But the transition to the GTF is about much more for East Hartford, Connecticut-based Pratt than the engine’s geared architecture that promises to provide a significant fuel burn improvement. ”We’re transitioning from a purely transitional market to a service market”. Pratt

president-aftermarket Mathew Bromberg told reporters during a briefing in East Hartford.

The sale of the engine is merely the starting point. Pratt now has long-term service agreements on about half of its in-service commercial aircraft engines, but in the future the vast majority of its engines-particularly in the GTF family- will be under such contracts. Pratt will collect “a staggering amount of data” from in-service GTF engines and use this information to manage engine performance for its airline customers, Bromberg said.

Source : ATW/Pratt&Whitney

ANA Reveals Star Wars Livery on Boeing 787-9

All Nippon Airlines (ANA) has unveiled a new “ Star Wars” livery on its latest Boeing 787-9 that marks the start of a five-year tie up with The Walt Disney Company (Japan).

Painted with the iconic R2-D2 character, the plane’s design was unveiled to fans of the popular science fiction franchise in the United States on April 16th.

ANA says the “Star Wars” painted aircraft will take to the skies in the third quarter of 2015, but the routes it will operate on have not yet been determined.

“We’re proud of the innovative R2-D2 design, and we look forward to witnessing the first-ever flight of a passenger aircraft featuring “Star Wars” character. We’re confident that “Star Wars” fans around the world will absolutely love the design,” says Kayleen Walters, vice president of marketing at Lucasfilm Ltd.

The launch of “Star Wars” livery also follows ANA’s earlier announcement that it will launch a Tokyo Narita-Houston service from june 12th, making the carrier’s tenth North American destination.

Source : Flightglobal/ANA Photo.

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

United Airlines has converted 10 firm orders for the Boeing 787 to the 777-300ER. The 777-300ER order is valued at $3.3 billion at list prices.

LAN CHILE has inaugurated its Boeing 787 service from Chilean capital Santiago to Auckland in New Zealand.

Boeing Business Jets announced that the company is studying offer ability of a BBJ Combi, allowing customers to have a split configuration of both passengers and cargo at the same time.

Azul Brazilian Airlines has renewed a maintenance agreement under which ATR will provide full aftermarket support to Axul’s fleet of nearly 60 ATR aircraft.

QantusLink will create a Boeing 717 heavy maintenance base in Canberra, creating up to 40 engineering jobs in the Australian capital.
Airbus has selected Korean Air Aerospace Division to supply the new Sharklet wingtip for the A330neo.

EasyJet took delivery of its 250th Airbus A320 family aircraft.

Airbus announced that it has surpassed 1,500 A330 orders with recent orders from Turkish Airlines for four A330-200Fs and ALC for 25 A330-900neos.

KLM has taken delivery of its 24th Boeing 777-300ER at Amsterdam Airport from Everett, Washington.

UTC Aerospace Systems was selected by Qatar Airways to supply wheels and Duracarb carbon brakes for 43 Airbus A350-900s.

Emirates Airlines announced a $9.2 billion order for Rolls- Royce engines as power plant to equip 50 Airbus A380s.

Air Tahiti Nui (ATN), the major carrier of French Polynesia, has confined its order for two 787-9s.

Air Lease Corp. announced a long-term agreement with Aeromexico for one new Boeing 787-9.This aircraft is from ALC’s order book with Boeing is scheduled for delivery in the fall of 2016.

GE Aviation announced the GE90 engine, which was the first jet engine to utilize composite fiber polymeric material on the front fan blades 20 years ago.

AIR CARGO

Cathay Pacific Issues Latest Ban on Lithium Batteries

Cathay Pacific joined Qantas, Delta, United and Virgin Australia in banning the shipment of lithium-ion batteries on either freighters or in the bellies of passenger aircraft. The rule only applies to batteries being shipped in bulk, not those that are being used in laptop computers, mobile phones or similar devices.

747-400 BCF First Flight Takeoff

Cathay’s cargo director, James Woodrow, made the announcement to his staff in the carrier’s monthly newsletter. Woodrow is also the chair of IATA’s cargo committee, where lithium batteries, and their safe transport, were discussed in March at the World Cargo Symposium in Shanghai, and viewed as an industry challenge. The international Coordination Council of Aerospace industry Associations, which represents Boeing and Airbus, called for stronger packaging and handling regulations for batteries being shipped on freighters.

Tests performed by the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) concluded that lithium batteries consistently discharge explosive gases when they overheat or short-circuit. The build-up of gases, mostly hydrogen, can lead to explosions or fire. It’s common for tens of thousands of batteries to be packaged into one shipping container.

Source: Air Cargo World/Cathay Pacific

Atlas Air’s First Quarter Figures Soar From Extra Charters

That which did not sail by sea was sent by air in the first quarter of 2015, and Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings was there to reap the benefits. The Purchase, New York based charter airline and aircraft lessor reported net income of US$29 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $7.9 million during the same period in 2014. This is almost quadruple year-over-year results.

Atlas Air 747-8F Artwork

While commercial cargo demand was clearly boosted by the long-running port congestion problems on the West Coast of the United States in January and February, which led to spike on charter activity. Atlas also said it benefited from a major automobile recall and “better-than expected military cargo and passenger demand.”

The company reported free cash flow of $80.2 million in the first quarter, compared with $36.9 million in 2014.Operating income for the quarter also more than doubled to $57 million, year-on-year. ”We are off to a very good start in 2015 and look forward to a strong year,” said William J.Flynn, president and CEO.”As a result, we now expect our full-year results to increase significantly compared with 2014.”

Atlas said it expected airfreight demand to continue at between 4 and 5 percent, per year, through 2016,and commented that its customers are also performing at above market levels.

Source: Air Cargo World/Atlas Air/Atlas Air Picture

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

March 15, 2015 by kaplanianreport

Volume 2 Issue 3 March 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing, GE Define Performance Upgrade

Boeing’s new 777X flagship is due to enter service in 2020. This seems like tomorrow to the company’s manufacturing side as it prepares for assembly, but for the 777 sales team looking to fill the production line during the transition it could be an eternity.

To smooth the move at the end of the decade from the current 777 family to the 777X, Boeing needs to drum up more sales to keep the Everett assembly line ticking at, or close to the current 8.3 aircraft per month. There are currently 278 777-300ER and 777-200LRFs in firm backlog, representing just under three-years worth of production at current rate.

To help bridge the gap to the 777X, Boeing plans to inject additional life into the -200LR/-300ER by developing an upgrade package that will reduce fuel burn by 2% from 2016 onward. Boeing plans to reveal full details of the upgrade in mid-March.

General Electric, which is the exclusive supplier to the 777-300ER and the 777-LRF with the GE90-115B, expects to start initial tests of the engine-improvement element by the end of the year. ”We are targeting about a 0.5% specific fuel consumption improvement in the engine,” says Bill Millhaem, general manager of the GE90 program. The most significant single change in the engine upgrade is an improvement to the active clearance control system which cools the casing of the high-pressure turbine section, helping to minimize clearances between the tips of blades and shroud during cruise.

Source : GE Aviation/Boeing/BoeingPhoto

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Mobile on Track to Deliver First US-Built A321 to JetBlue in 2016

Construction on the Airbus Final Assembly line in Mobile,Alabama is moving forward and is on track to deliver its first A321 aircraft to jetBlue Airways in”late spring-early summer 2016” an Airbus spokesperson at Hamburg Finkenwerder Airport said.

Airbus started construction in 2013 on the&600 million US facility,where it plans to begin assembling narrowbodies this year for deliveries in 2016.The Mobile assembly will be one of four Airbus A320 assembly lines,in addition to Hamburg,Tianjin and Toulouse. Airbus expects to assemble four aircraft per month by 2018.

“We will start producing the first Airbus A321 variant in Mobile because there is demand for the Boeing 757 replacement ,especially in North America,the Spokesman said,adding the Mobile FAL will build the A32ceo.”Later on,from 2017 and when full production starts in 2018 we will deliver the A321neo,” he said. Airbus will also build the smaller variant of the A320 in the US facility in the future,the Spokesman added.

“This summer we will ship the first aircraft parts from Europe to the US by sea cargo,which takes about 22to 23 days for delivery,” he said

Source : ATW/Airbus Photo

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Pilatus Begins Engine Ground Runs on PC-24

Swiss airframer Pilatus is progressing towards the maiden flight of its new PC-24, the first business jet it has ever produced, with a prototype aircraft photographed performing ground runs at the company’s Stans facility on February 18th.

First flight of the Williams International FJ44-4A powered type is scheduled for May of this year, ushering in a two-year long certification campaign using three flight test aircraft.

Dubbed a “super versatile jet” by the manufacturer thanks to its proposed short runway performance, the PC-24 has already racked up over 80 sales, having sold out the first three years of production of the $9 million aircraft. The next available production slot is in late 2019.

Source: Flightglobal/Photo Pilatus

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

ALC Sees 757 Being Replaced Rather than Re-Engined

Air Lease’s chief believes Boeing is leaning towards a brand new Boeing 757 replacement with additional capabilities rather than a re-engined version of the type.

“We’re very, very intimately involved with Boeing…and based on everything we’ve seen, I think the re-engineing idea is not on the table at this time,” said Steven Udvar-Hazy during a fourth-quarter earnings call. “I think Boeing is looking at an airplane that is not only a 757 replacement but one that also could do things beyond that capability in terms of range and size, because this aircraft will be around for 35 or 40 years.”

He adds: “I think the focus is on an airplane that can replace the 757 as well as do other things even above that size.”

In January, ALC became the launch customer for the long range version of the Airbus A321neo with a 97 ton maximum take-off weight. First deliveries are planned for 2019.

However, Udvar-Hazy does not see the new long-range Airbus as a surrogate for the 757. ”I would not characterize the A321LR as a true 100% 757 replacement, but it does accommodate a significant portion of the 757 flying done by US and foreign carriers,” he says.

Source: Flightglobal

C919 Takes Shape in Shanghai

Final assembly work on the Comac C919 has kicked into high gear, with assembly of the first prototype airframe almost complete.

Pictures released to Flightglobal show an almost complete airframe joined from nose through to the tail. Wing-to-body join also has been done, with vertical and horizontal stabilizers already attached to the aircraft tail.

The aircraft is still resting on struts, although the main landing gear and forward gear appear to have been installed. The aircraft’s wingtip devices have also yet to be installed. No other aircraft are pictured in the final assembly center area.

Comac spokesman tells Flightglobal that no systems have been installed on the aircraft.

He adds however that major works such as the installation of the avionics, flight control and hydraulics systems still remain to be done. The various systems also have to be integrated and tested.

Source : Flightglobal/Comac pictures

Tyrolean Technik Set Up as Separate Company

Tyrolean Airways’ maintenance arm Tyrolean Technik was re-established as a separate company, effective March 1, as a result of the reorganization of Austrian Airlines Group. It is currently a fully owned subsidiary of Tyrolean Airways and specializes in the maintenance of Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft. Approximately 120 technicians are working at the Innsbruck facility.

The integration of Tyrolean Airways and Austrian Airlines will take place April 1 when Tyrolean Technik becomes a fully owned subsidiary of Austrian Airlines.

Tyrolean Technik is responsible for the maintenance and repair work performed on 18 Austrian Airlines” Dash 8 Q400 turboprops; It hopes to further expand its third-party operations, which currently stands at 40% of the business.

“Tyrolean Technik is a regional company with an international reputation and recognition. We want to further expand upon this,” MD Bernd Meyer said in a statement.

Tyrolean Technik carries out Dash 8 base maintenance at the Innsbruck site, including A and C checks, as well as other maintenance, including replacing landing gear and related components, and engine, propellers and engine components.

Austrian Airlines, a 100% Lufthansa subsidiary, is the only Dash 8 Q400 operator within the Lufthansa Group.

Source : ATW/ Troylean Picture

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

Jetstar is due to go to an all 787 long haul fleet by September when the airline receives the delivery of three additional 787s.

Air Austral has bought two of the early built 787-8s .The Indian Ocean carrier is planning to operate the 787s from Reunion to Bangkok and Mayotte to Paris.

Elix Aviation Capital Limited based in Dublin has taken on three Bombardier Q400 NextGen aircraft previously ordered by an existing customer.

The Qatari Amiri Flight took delivery of its new 747-8i Business Jet.

Air Lease Corporation (ALC) has revealed plans to deliver eight new Boeing 777-300ERs on long term leases to six airlines during 2015 : Air France (1), Korean Air (2) , EVA Air (1), KLM (1) and Ethiopian (2). All eight aircraft are from ALC’s outstanding order book with Boeing that currently stands at 16 aircraft.

Silk Way West confirmed an order for three 747-8 Freighters valued at $1.1 billion based on list prices.

Thai Airways International Public Co.Ltd. has signed a 12 year ONPoint agreement for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of the airline’s GE90-115Bs on 14 Boeing 777-300ERs.

Air Explore Monarch Aircraft Engineering has secured a line maintenance technical handling agreement with Bratislava based Air Explore. Monarch will carry out line maintenance service up to and including A-checks on the carrier’s two Boeing 737-800s

AirBridge Cargo Russian freight operator is aiming to acquire another 747-8 F this year and introduce a 737-400 freighter.

Bombardier has flown the larger variant of the CSeries for the first time. The second CS300 is in production at Bombardier’s final assembly facility in Mirabel and is set to come off the production line later this year.

Air Cargo

Tricky Job Tackled by Volga-Dnepr

Volga-Dnepr engineers in Ulyanovsk, Russia, had to move quickly in late February in response to an urgent customer request. Their mission? to move 35 tons of pipeline, in 62-foot long sections from Scotland to Turkey.

Huseyn Mammadi, logistics executive with Volga-Dnepr, said the engineers developed a load plan and built a multi-purpose shipping cradle to load the unwieldy pipes for the oil production industry.

Manufacturing of the cradle was organized by a team at the U.K’s London Stansted Airport, while Volga-Dnepr’s engineering and logistics center arranged to rent cranes for the loading and a trailer to get the pipes to Prestwick Airport.

Extra loading equipment was brought in from Leipzig, Germany. Despite strong winds in Prestwick on the day of the loading, the technical crew on the IL-76TD-90VD aircraft was able to build the loading assembly for the huge pipe on the trailer and in the aircraft, fixing the pipes in the cradle and lifting it into the cargo hold.

The cargo arrived in Istanbul three days from the customer called. The equipment was delivered on behalf of DHL Global Forwarding to Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokeen International Airport for use in oil exploration on the Black Sea shelf in Turkey.

Source: CargoFact/ANA

Delivery of Cargolux 30th 747, 747-8 Freighter

Cargolux took delivery of their 30th 747, a 747-8 Freighter. Marking the milestone with a tribute to the man who started it all Joe Sutter. Cargolux decked out their newest airplane with a special decal honoring Joe as the Father of the 747. The delivery took place from the Future of Flight Aviation Center with a dinner commemorating the occasion.

Cargolux took delivery of the first 747-200 Freighter in the late 1970s and have been a loyal customer to this aircraft. Cargolux was the launch customer for the -8 Freighter.

Cargolux serves 100 airports worldwide with the 747-8 Freighter from the hub of the airline in Luxembourg.

Source: Air Cargo World

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

March 1, 2015 by kaplanianreport

Volume 2 Issue 2 February 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

GE Gears Up for Engine Tests of GE9X Parts

GE Aviation will shortly begin running a test engine equipped with a number of advanced-technology components that will feature on the GE9X powerplant destined for the Boeing 777X.

The parts include combustor liners, high-pressure turbine shrouds and nozzles made from ceramic matrix composite (CMC), next generation high-pressure turbine blades, and titanium-aluminide low-pressure turbine blades produced via additive layer manufacturing.

Set to get under way in the coming weeks at GE’s facility in Peebles, Ohio, the trials will be conducted using a GEnx test engine fitted with the new Parts.

GE is already utilizing CMCs for the high-pressure turbine shroud on the CFM International LEAP engines in partnership with Snecma, but the GE9X dramatically expands their deployment.

Meanwhile, tests will shortly commence on a second iteration of the compressor. These will be carried in Massa in Ital where GE has an oil and gas business and that is ready to fire up in the next week or so.

The CMC components are around 25% lighter than their metallic equivalents, says Matt Szolwinski head of the GE9X program, and additionally able to withstand much higher temperatures without the need for cooling.

First flight of the 105,000lb-thrust powerplant is scheduled for 2017 aboard GE’s 747-400 test aircraft.

Certification should follow around a year later.

Source : Flightglobal/GE Aviation

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

A New Attraction in Toulouse For Aviation Enthusiasts: The Aeroscopia Museum Opens

Aeroscopia is located adjacent to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, putting it in proximity to Airbus’ home location-including the company’s headquarters and its A380, A350XWB, A330 and A320 Family final assembly lines. This enables visitors to look at Airbus’ current production activity while exploring aviation history at Aerscopia.

The museum features a collection of iconic aircraft displayed in its exhibition hall and paved grounds, including an A300B the landmark widebody twin-engine jetliner that launched Airbus-a “Super Guppy” outsized transporter used by Airbus to carry aircraft components during the company’s early days, and an Aerospatiale-BAC Concorde supersonic passenger airliner.

“Airbus’ contribution to Aeroscopia reflects the company’s great fondness for celebrating its roots and different phases of aircraft development and production over the years,” said Jacques Rocca, Airbus’ Deputy Head of Media Relations and Heritage, who also is a member of the museum’s technical committee.

Manatour, the company that offers tours of Airbus’ final assembly lines in Toulouse, manages Aeroscopia as well, Rocca explained, proving an exciting “two-faceted” experience for aviation buffs- with all tours of Airbus’ Toulouse production facilities now starting at the museum.

Source : Airbus/Airbus Photo

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

NetJets Europe Cleared to Fly Phenom 300s from London City Airport

NetJets Europe has clinched approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority to Operate its Embraer Phenom 300 light cabin business jet at London City airport, in the heart of the UK’s financial community.

The Berkshire Hathaway-owned company is the largest operator at the site, responsible for over 50% of all business aircraft traffic. In 2014 alone, NetJET says it flew from City to over 370 destinations worldwide, with Paris Le Bourget one of the most popular routes.

NetJets placed an order in 2010 for 125 Phenom 300s-including 60 firm orders as part of a $17.6 billion order. The Operator has taken delivery of 35 of the seven-seat twinjets, five of which are based in Europe.

Source: Flightglobal/Photo Net Jets Europe

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Delta is Bringing the Boeing 717 Back Home to California

Delta is upgrading its fleet on the Los Angeles to San Francisco shuttle, one of the most competitive routes in the country, by replacing most of its regional jets with the Boeing 717, an aircraft that never quite caught on but seems well-suited to this particular market. In a sense, the 717s will be coming home to where they where originally built.

Delta said it will introduce the 717s on eight of its 15 daily flights between California’s two biggest airports.

The 717s were the last commercial airplanes produced at the Long Beach, California plant that Boeing acquired when it merged with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing made 156 of them, closing out with a 2006 delivery to AirTran, which became the biggest customer for the 100 seat aircraft.

Delta announced in 2013 that it would take over the leases for AirTran’s 88 Boeing 717s from Southwest, which acquired AirTran but then decided it wanted to stick with a single fleet type, the 737. So far Delta has acquired 54 of the 717s.

Source: Ed’s Research

CFM Starts Leap-1A Flight Tests

CFM International has begun flight tests of its new Leap-1A engine destined for the Airbus A320neo narrowbody, the GE Aviation-Snecma venture confirms.

A modified Boeing 747-400 owned by GE is being used for trials of the 24,500-32,900-lb-thrust turbofan, which are taking place at Victorville, California.

It is the second of the Leap-series engines to take to the skies, following the maiden flight of the-1C for the Comac C919 in October 2014.

The -1B for the 737 Max will fly later this year, with assembly work on the initial flight -test engine under way at GE’s facility in Evendale, Ohio. Of the three Leap engines, the -1A and the -1C are broadly similar while the -1B is slightly smaller. The latter features a 69.5 in (176.5cm) fan with a 9.1 bypass ratio, against figures of 78 in and 11:1 for the -1 and-1C.

So far, CFM has conducted engine runs totaling 1,940h across 3,360 cycles using all three engine variants. It aims to have achieved 40,000h by service entry of the Leap-1A next year and 60,000h by the time the-1C enters service in 2018.

Source : GE Aviation-Snecma/Flightglobal

Scoot Takes Delivery of its First 787-9

Singapore-based low-cost carrier Scoot has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 during a ceremony held at Boeing’s delivery center in Everett.

Scoot is a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines. The aircraft, registered as 9V-OJA and named “ Dream Start” (MSN 37112), departed Everett on January 31st, arriving in Singapore on the Morning of February 2nd. It entered commercial service on February 5th flying from Singapore to Perth and Hong Kong.

Scoot’s 787-9s are configured with 375 seats, comprised of 340 economy-class seats and 35 premium seats. They are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines. The airline plans to take delivery of six 787-9s by August, which will replace its fleet of six 777-200s. In addition, it will take three 787-8s by the end of the year, and plans to have an all 787 fleet of 11 aircraft by March 2016.Thereafter, the carrier will take delivery of two or three aircraft per year until early 2019, when it will have received all 20 on order.

Scoot chief executive Campbell Wilson says that the new aircraft is a major benefit to the airline’s long term strategy.

Source : Flightglobal / Boeing Photos

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

COMAC (Commercial Aircraft of China) has received an order for 20 C919s from Huaxia Financial Leasing company.

Chorus Aviation Canadian regional carrier has placed a firm order for 13 Bombardier Q400 turboprops worth $424 million after signing an amended capacity purchase agreement with Air Canada.

Transavia Air France-KLM Group’s low-cost operator ordered up to 20 Boeing 737-800s and revealed a new livery.

Asiana Airlines has signed a letter of intent(LOI) with Airbus for the purchase of 25 A321neo single aisle aircraft as part of its ongoing fleet modernization program.

Bombardier has completed flutter, cold weather and passenger-evacuation testing as CSeries flight tests pass the 900-hour mark enroute to the 2,400 hours required for certification.

Korean Air has ordered five Boeing 777-200 LR Freighters in a deal worth $1.5 billion at List prices.

Luxair to acquire more Q400s under a fleet renewal plan to increase capacity.

Airbus has officially written off the order for the first, and so far only,VVIP 380. Saudi prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud placed the order in 2007.

Greenpoint Technologies has delivered the first BBJ 747-8, thus becoming the first outfitter to hand over an executive version of Boeing’s newest four-engine widebody.

Mitsubishi Aircraft has released pictures of its flight test fleet in various stages of final assembly.

AIR CARGO

ANA & United Form Trans-Pacific Cargo Joint Venture

On December 1st, 2014 All Nippon Airways (ANA) and Lufthansa Cargo launched their Europe/Asia joint venture with first flights from Japan to Europe. And with that deal under its belt, ANA has turned its focus to the trans-Pacific lane, signing a similar agreement with US-based United Airlines.

The two carriers have filed antitrust exemption applications with US and Japanese regulatory authorities for a set up similar to ANA’s Joint Venture with Lufthansa Cargo.

Commenting on the filing, ANA described the proposal Joint Venture with United as one that would “create a more efficient and comprehensive trans-Pacific air cargo business network”. The carrier went on to say that trans-Pacific cargo Joint venture-the first of its kind between The US and Asia-would generate substantial service benefits for freight customers, and that “it would also enable United and ANA to compete more efficiently with other airlines that maintain a significant presence in both markets.”

As with Lufthansa Cargo agreement, under the proposed United agreement the two carriers “will be able to jointly manage trans-Pacific air cargo business activities including scheduling, pricing and sales.”

Like Lufthansa and ANA, United is a member of the Star Alliance, and if the trans-Pacific venture gains regulatory approval it could start of a broader Star Cargo Alliance. It will be interesting to see what happens.

In addition to a long-haul passenger fleet that includes fifty-four 777s and thirty-three 787s (with more on order), ANA operates ten 767-300Fs intra-Asia regional service. United does not operate freighters, but has a large fleet of wide body passenger aircraft, including seventy-four 777s and thirteen 787s (with more on order).

Source: CargoFact/ANA

The Great French-fry Airlift

Never let it be said that the airfreight industry will back down from a daunting humanitarian challenge. From any region of the globe, heroic cargo carriers can step up when needed to transport emergency medicines, shelters, fuel, personnel and … French fries?

Well, it’s not exactly on par with the Berlin Airlift, but air cargo companies have helped the nation of Japan end a crippling McDonald’s French fry shortage that had ravaged the country’s super-sized appetite for three weeks. The shortage, which forced the 3,100 McDonald’s restaurants in Japan to ration its dwindling fry supply and offer only small-sized portions since mid-December, finally ended to thanks to an emergency shipment of about 2,600 tons of frozen French fries in late December 2014.

According to a statement from McDonald’s Japan, the shortage arose from the ongoing slowdown due to labor dispute at seaports along the U.S. West Coast, which caused lengthy delays in the shipment of the restaurant chain’s signature side-dish in late 2014.

McDonald’s Japan also said about 1,000 tons of fries were sent via airfreight from East Coast ports and another 1,600 tons were shipped by seafreight. Beginning on Jan. 5, 2015, the small-size limit was removed at all locations and customers are again free to order large portions.

No information was provided about which air cargo carriers were used in the “airlift” or how much the shortage has affected sales for the restaurant giant’s Japanese operations.

While the island nation also grows some potatoes on its own, most of those are prepared and eaten fresh, the Associated Press reported. Most of the 300,000 short tons of French fries consumed each year in Japan are imported in pre-cut frozen form.

While the restrictions have been lifted, McDonald’s Japan cautioned its customers that the emergency shipment may not be enough to meet demand. “We will continue to monitor the situation carefully to do our best to ensure stable supply of potato products,” the company added.

Source: Air Cargo World

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

January 4, 2015 by kaplanianreport

Volume 1 Issue 4 November 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Breaks Ground for 777X Composite Wing Center

On October 21st Boeing celebrated the groundbreaking of its new 777X Composite Wing Center in Everett, Wash. campus. Permitting for the new 1 million-square-foot facility was completed approximately seven weeks earlier than anticipated, allowing for an accelerated start to construction.

Boeing is investing more than one billion dollars in the Everett site for construction and outfitting of the new building.

“We’re excited with the progress being made on this new facility that will play a crucial role in bringing the 777X to market,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. ”We wouldn’t be in position without the support of our team-mates and partners throughout the Puget Sound region and in Olympia. We owe them a debt of gratitude.”

To date the 777X has accumulated 300 orders and commitments.

Source : Boeing/Boeing Pictures

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus A350 XWB, A330 Gains Common Rating for Pilot Training

The Airbus XWB and A330 have been approved for common type rating for pilots training to fly the aircraft.

The new regulatory approval means that pilots who are qualified and current on the A330 can start training to fly the A350XWB by undergoing “differences training” only.

Differences training does not require the use of ground-based full-flight-simulators and reduces pilot training time to just eight days-as much as 65% less than a standard transition course.

It also means that airlines operating both types of aircraft can create a pool of pilots able to fly both the A330 and A350XWB in a single-fleet flying(SFF) concept, allowing for increased scheduling flexibility and mobility.

Source : ATW/Airbus Photos

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Mitsubishi Aircraft Rolls Out First MRJ

Mitsubishi Aircraft has rolled out its first test aircraft for the MRJ program, in good time ahead of its planned 2Q 2015 first flight.

The Japanese airframer showcased aircraft 10001 before 500 guests consisting of government officials, customers and journalists at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Komaki South plant in Nagoya on October 18th. Mitsubishi also hosted a live webcast of the ceremony on its website.

The sleek regional jet bears Mitsubishi’s distinctive red, black and gold livery. Mounted on its wings are the Pratt & Whitney PW 1200G engines. This is Japan’s first commercial passenger aircraft to be built in over 50 years, since the NAMC YS-11 turboprop program terminated in 1973.

At a press briefing before the roll-out ceremony, Mitsubishi’s chief engineer Nobuo Kishi says the program’s second and third test aircraft are also in final assembly. The second flight test jet is undergoing wing to body join, while fuselage sections of the third aircraft are being fused.

Mitsubishi is using a fleet of seven test aircraft-five for flight tests and two for ground tests, for the MRJ program.

The MRJ order book stands at 375 aircraft: 191 firm,160 options and 24 purchase rights. Japan Airlines has also signed a letter of intent for 32 of the regional jets

Source: Flightglobal/ Mitsubishi Photos

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Silvercrest Flight Test Enters Second Phase

Flight tests of Snecma’s 11,000-pounds-thrust-class Silvercrest turbofan on a modified

Gulfstream II have entered a second phase in San Antonio, Texas.

The engine which is developed for Dassault’s large-cabin Falcon 5X and the super-midsize Cessna Citation Longitude, remain on track for FAA Part 33 certification at the end of 2015, says Francois Planaud, director general of Snecma’s commercial engine division. ”We are in the middle of the test program and have built up 1,300 test hours, mostly on the ground of course,” says Planaud. In all, eight Silvercrests are running, with the bulk undergoing ground runs in Villaroche and Istres in France.

Endurance tests are also under way at Safran’s subsidiary Techspace Aero in Belgium.

Source: Aviationweek

Greybull Capital Buys UK’s Monarch

British travel booker And airline company Monarch has been acquired by investment firm Greybull Capital which will invest $201 million as it turns itself into a low-cost budget airline.

Greybull took 90 percent stake in Monarch, with the rest passing to its pension scheme.

The agreement will help Monarch take on budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet.

The deal brings to an end the ownership of Monarch by the Mantegazza family. Greybull considers its ownership of Monarch to be a long-term investment, the statement said.

As part of its plan to shift a low-cost budget carrier from its current charter flights operation, Monarch is shrinking its fleet to 34 from 42 aircraft, ending long-haul and charter flights by April and focusing on core European routes.

On October 31st Monarch confirmed an order for 30 737-MAX 8s the order includes options for 15 additional 737 MAX 8s.

Source : Airwise/Ed’s Research

Virgin Atlantic Foresees Firming 787-9 Options and Possible -10s

Virgin Atlantic intends to exercise its Boeing 787-9 options and is looking at the -10 variant as a potential replacement for leased London Gatwick-based 747s.

Firming of the airline’s four -9 options would bring its 787 fleet to 21 aircraft by the end of 2018, notes chief executive Craig Kreeger. ”We have not exercised those last four options but we are communicating very clearly that we plan to,” he says.

Kreeger also discloses that a follow-on order for the largest 787 variant the -10, is being considered as the airline proceeds toward a decision on how to adapt its fleet after leases on seven Gatwick-based 747s expire in 2019.

While the-10, with 323 seats, is smaller than the other candidate aircraft, the 777 and Airbus A350, it offers the advantage of fleet commonality and the attendant efficiency in pilot training among other areas, he notes.

Source : Flightglobal

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

GE Aviation has opened a new indoor engine test facility at its Peebles, Ohio site. The $40 million facility will begin testing production engines by the end of this year.
United Airlines said it converted orders for 787-8 Dreamliners to 787-10 models, a move that defers the delivery date to 2022 and beyond from 2017 to 2018 currently.

Ryanair confirmed on October 24th that CEO, Michael O’Leary has signed a new 5 year contract which commits him to the company until September 2019.

Embraer has cut the first metal component for its E-Jet E2 family of regional jets at its factory in Evora, Portugal.

Monarch Airlines confirmed its order for 30 737 MAX 8s which was originally announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in July.

Air Canada announced on November 6th an order for two additional 777-300 ERs.

Sabena Technics is extending the scope of its activities to overhauls of Boeing 777 aircraft. Sabena will do checks, structural modifications, painting and cabin refurbishment of 777s.

China Aircraft Leasing Co.(CALC) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) covering 74 Airbus A320neos, 16 A320ceos and 10 A321ceos.

China Express Airlines has placed a firm order for 16 Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen regional jets.

SMBC Aviation Capital announced an order for 80 737 MAX 8s, valued at more than $8.5 billion at list prices.

Globalla has placed an order for 14 long-haul 787-9 to be placed with Air Europa of Spain. Globalla is the hospitality conglomerate that owns Air Europa. In Addition Globalia has entered talks with Boeing to acquire the 737 MAX.

American Airlines the first 787-8 for American Airlines has rolled out of the paint shop at Boeing’s Everett, Washington facility on October 31st.The first American Airlines 787 is line number 241 will become N800 AN (msn 40618) when delivered this month.

Air Cargo

Volga-Dnepr Deliver UN Helicopters to Sierra Leone

To assist with the ongoing Ebola virus outbreak emergency in West Africa, Volga-Dnepr Airlines used one of its heavy-lift An-124 Russian freighters to transport three United Nations helicopters from Moscow to Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The multi-purpose helicopters-Russian-built Mi-8’s,each weighing 7.3 tons empty-will be used to support the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER),which was established in late September to fight the outbreak of the virus.

For the October.14 trip, Volga-Dnepr ground handlers made some tricky maneuvers to squeeze all three Russian-built Mi-8 helicopters into the 33 m x 6.4 m x4.4 m cargo hold of the An124. First, they demounted the main lifting and tail rotors, vibration absorbers and fuel tanks. They also removed fluids from the shock struts and wheels, thus reducing the height of the helicopters so they would clear the 4.4 meter-high compartment ceiling. Finally, they aligned the demounted equipment alongside the three aircraft inside the vast main deck.

Source: Air Cargo World/Picture Volga-Dnepr

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

October 21, 2014 by kaplanianreport

Volume 1 Issue 3 October 2014

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Two Boeing Airplanes that Keep Creating History

Boeing has more than 12,000 commercial planes in service carrying passengers and cargo. Its strong portfolio includes the 737 family, 747 family, 767 models, 777, and the 787 Dreamliner.

The following are Boeing’s top two aircraft that played and continue to play a huge role in making the Boeing Company what it is today.

*The Narrow-Body 737

The fact that the 737 family is Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ highest-selling plane should come as no surprise.

But not so many know that the 737 is the first commercial jetliner to exceed the 10,000-order mark achievement in 2012.

The first 737-100 was delivered to Lufthansa in 1967, and it entered full service in 1968.

Boeing is currently working on the 737MAX, the reengineered version of the 737, which has firm orders for more than 2,294 as of September 20th, (not counting the commitments). The MAX is due to enter service in 2017. Last year 69% of total Boeing orders and deliveries where 737s.

Boeing’s backlog on the 737 ending June 30th stood at 5,237 aircraft according to Boeing’s website.

*The Wide-Body 777

The 777, Boeing’s second highest selling airliner in the past 12 years, is extremely popular among airlines all around the world.

The 777 program’s roots go back to 1990, the year of its launch. The jet entered service in 1995,with United Airlines, the launch customer for the 777.

At present Boeing is developing the 777’s successor, dubbed the 777X, which would consume 12% less fuel compared with competing planes, with first delivery slated for 2020.

In terms of deliveries 2013 was the best in terms of volume, with 89 deliveries. As of June 30 Boeing has a firm backlog of 339 777s. The company’s website shows that Boeing received net orders for 219 777s in 2014 through July 22, which includes Emirates order for 150 777-9Xs.

Source : Various Sources / Ed’s Research

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

A320neo Makes Maiden Flight

On Sept. 25, 2014 the Airbus A320neo made its maiden flight, taking off from Toulouse at just past noon central European time.

Pratt&Whitney PW 1100G-JM powered MSN6101 carried a crew of five. The type also to be available with CFM International’s new Leap engine, promises to cut fuel burn by 20% compared to standard A320s, owing to the new generation engines and aerodynamic improvements including Airbus’s sharklet wingtip extensions according to Airbus.

Airbus aims to complete the flight-test program in about 2,800 flight hours, says A320neo program senior vice president Klaus Roewe. Around 1,600 are flown with A320neos, split evenly between PW1100G and Leap powered aircraft with the remainder being accounted for by the A319neo and A321neo derivatives.

“During the flight, which took the aircraft around southern France, the crew explored the aircraft’s flight envelope and systems operation, while the progress was monitored by experts on the ground in real time via a direct telemetry link,” adds the air framer.

The sortie kick-started a 3,000hr flight-test campaign which will involve eight aircraft variously powered by the PW1100G & CFM International Leap-1A turbofans.

Source : Airbus/Airbus Photos

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Dassault Falcon7X Set to Operate from World’s Highest Commercial Airport

Dassault Falcon 7X is poised to become the first traditional business jet to be granted approval to operate from the world’s highest commercial airport, following completion early in September of a two week flight test campaign at China’s Daocheng Yading airport in Sichuan province.

The airframer is hoping to receive Chinese civil aviation authority (CAAC) approval next year to operate from the airport in western China, which is located at an altitude of 14,500ft.

Daocheng opened one year ago and could become a popular destination, Dassault believes, for its critical customer base.

“In recent years China has emerged as one of the biggest aviation markets, and the Falcon line, led by the 7X, has seized a commanding share of this market,” the airframer says, ”Nearly 30 Falcon 7Xs are flying in the country, making China the second-largest market for the long range trijet after the USA.”

The approval will also pave the way for the 7X to take-off and land at elevations up to 15,000ft.

Source: Flightglobal/Dassault

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Etihad Unveils First 787-9 With New Livery

On September 28th Etihad Airways unveiled its first Boeing 787-9 in its new livery, and will deploy the aircraft on revenue service from December 1.

The aircraft, registered A6-BLA,will be formally delivered to Etihad in December. The airline had earlier the same week showed off the new livery on its first Airbus A380 in Hamburg, but Etihad says the 787-9 will be the first to operate with the new livery on revenue flights.

Dusseldorf and Doha will be the first Etihad destinations to be served with the 787-9 from Abu Dhabi followed by Washington Dulles and Mumbai in the first quarter 2015. From June, , Etihad will operate the 787-9 to Brisbane and Moscow.

“With the economics of the aircraft, the 787-9 will be one that will be very, central to our flying and future expansion,” says Etihad chief commercial officer Peter Baumgartner at the 787-9 livery unveiling at Boeing’s facilities in Everett, Washington.

Source: Flightglobal

TUI,TUI Travel Agree to Merge

Europe’s biggest tour operator, TUI Travel, and majority owner TUI have agreed to the terms of a merger, creating the world’s largest leisure and tourism group with a combined value of 6.5 billion Euros (USD $8.42 billion).

The deal is in line with details announced in June with TUI Travel shareholders receiving 0.399 new TUI shares for each TUI Travel share.

Investors have long expected a tie-up between the two since TUI Travel was created in 2007 from the merger of Britain’s First Choice and TUI’s travel business, which now owns around 55 percent of the London-listed firm.

The two confirmed that the deal would result in potential cost savings as they cut overlapping functions and delist shares from Germany, plus a tax benefit.

Source : Reuters/Photo Boeing

Structure Assembly of First C919 Aircraft Started

Airframe butt joint of the first C919 aircraft was officially started at the newly established Manufacturing and Final Assembly Center of Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd (COMAC) on September 19th, and butt joint of forward fuselage and mid fuselage was started in accordance with defined assembly process and flow. This indicates a milestone in the research and development of the C919 program.

It is reported that the airframe structure of the C919 aircraft mainly includes the sections and associated components of nose, forward fuselage, mid fuselage-center wing, outer wing, aileron, mid-aft fuselage, aft fuselage, vertical stabilizer, horizontal stabilizer and movable surfaces, which are designed by the Research And Development Center of COMAC, manufactured respectively by AVIC Chengdu Aircraft Industrial (Group) Co.,Ltd (CAC),AVIC Jiangxi Hongdu Aviation Industry (Group) Co.,Ltd.(HIG), Aerospace Research Institute of Special Materials and Processing Technology, and Zhejiang Xizi Aviation Industry Co., Ltd , and assembled by COMAC Manufacturing and Final Assembly Center.

As of this writing, the forward fuselage, mid fuselage-center wing, mid-aft fuselage and aileron of the C919 aircraft have already passed the airworthiness inspection of the Civil Aviation Administration Of China(CAAC)

Source : COMAC

KLM Celebrates 95th Anniversary in Amsterdam Style

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines celebrated its 95th anniversary on October 7th with the unveiling of a special “KLM 95 Years” logo on one of its MD-11 aircraft (pictured) and laying of the first stone for a new KLM lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The “95” logo will also, for the duration of KLM’s anniversary, appear on one aircraft of each type in the carrier’s intercontinental fleet, where passengers flying business class during the anniversary year will receive an exclusive on-board gift of a new KLM Delftware miniature house created for the occasion.

Chief executive Camiel Eurlings, who was joined by his Schiphol group counterpart Jos Nijhuis for the ceremonies, said: “Thanks to the efforts, expertise, and energy of our 33,000 employees, KLM is now the world’s oldest still operation under its original name, and it is important that we celebrate this landmark.

Source : Flightglobal/Picture KLM

CFM Starts Flight Tests of LEAP Engine

CFM International’s LEAP engine took to the skies for the first time on October 6 on a modified 747 flying test-bed at GE Aviation Flight Test Operations in Victorville, California, launching the next phase of testing for the advanced engine program.

The engine behaved well and completed multiple aeromechnical test points at various altitudes during the nearly three-hour first flight. Over the next several weeks, the engine will complete a comprehensive test schedule that will gauge engine operability, stall margin, performance, and acoustics. The LEAP 1A/-!C variants are on track for engine certification in 2015.

CFM is currently executing the most extensive ground and flight test certification program in its history. The total program, which encompasses all three LEAP engine variants, includes 28 ground and CFM flight test engines, along with a total of 32 flight test engines for Airbus, Boeing, and COMAC.

Source : Reuters/Picture GE Aviation

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

Eastern Air Lines has firmed up an order for 20 Mitsubishi Regional Jets(MRJ), following its

signing of a memorandum of understanding at July’s Farnborough air show.

Vietnam Airlines’ first A350-900 aircraft enters final assembly. It is slated for delivery in 2015.

EasyJet UK budget carrier exercises purchase rights on 27 more A320ceos.

Bombardier is confident the CSeries is back on track for service entry next year, following its

return to the air earlier in September.

Thomson Airways TUI Travel intends to boost to 10 the number of Boeing 787s it has

allocated to UK arm Thomson Airways, having raised its overall Dreamliner order by two to 15

Macquarie the leasing arm of Macquarie AirFinance has signed a firm order for 40 Bombardier

CS300 aircraft for delivery between 2017 and 2019.

Okay Airways has taken delivery of its 12th and final Xian Aircraft MA60 under a lease

agreement with AVIC International Leasing and the airframer.

Spring Airlines has become the first Chinese carrier to commit to retrofitting sharklet wingtips

on its fleet of Airbus A320s.

Garuda Indonesia announced an order for 50 737MAX 8s, valued at $4.9 billion at current list

prices.The order was previously accounted for on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries Web site,

attributed to an unidentified customer.

Embraer has just completed delivery of the first Legacy 500 business jet to an undisclosed

Brazilian launch customer. It concludes a six year-long process to introduce the first fly-by-wire

aircraft in the midsize category.

Chinese State Holding Firm signs for 70 Airbus A320s. The agreement coincides with a visit

to Berlin by Chinese premier Li Keqiang.

Air Cargo

Cargolux Completes Heavy Haul

Cargolux Airlines International recently arranged the transportation of its heaviest piece ever out of Switzerland: a 48-ton-rotor intended to equip a generator in South Korea. The massive shipment took 12 aircraft positions and required the dedicated attention of a full team of outsize specialists, including the airline’s dedicated Ground Engineering department as well as loadmasters, crane operators, truck drivers, handling agent LuxairCARGO in Luxenbourg and handling agent Asiana at the destination in Seoul.

“Carrying heavy, dense cargo is closed packages such as containers or crates requires extraordinary efforts to ensure safe on-aircraft tie-down: in forward, aft, left, right and up direction. We can only secure the outer package and have no influnence on what happens to content when exposed to dynamic accelerations,” said Okan Akpinar, Cargolux’ countery manager, Switzerland.

“While it would have been easier for us to lash the rotor directly, we were happy to accommodate the customer’s preference for flying this huge shipment as one single piece, including the lid of the rotor. Together with the customer, we were able to assess an adequate form-fit and force-fit inside the container; with the lashing applied to specifically designed tie-down lugs dedicated, reinforced outside locations.”

Cargolux uses a self-developed IT application to plan and calculate the correct loading and tie-down of heavy shipments, Akpinar said.

Source: Air Cargo World/Picture Cargolux

Researched and Compiled by:

Ed Kaplanian Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact Ed at ed@kaplanianreport.com

August 21, 2014 by kaplanianreport

Volume 1 No. 1 August 2014

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Beavers Away on 787-10 Dreamliner

Boeing has only just delivered its first 787-9 to launch customer Air New Zealand but the aircraft manufacturer has already begun detailed design work on the final member of the Dreamliner family, 787-10 ahead of its first flight in 2017.

The 787-10, which will be longer against the stretched 787-9 in order to carry around 320 passengers depending on how airlines configure the jet. “The -10 is a much simpler program” than its predecessors says Mark Jenks, Boeing’s vice president for 787 development.

“When you look at all the learning we had on the -8, all the improvements and new technology we’ve put on the-9, that was a big job” Jenks told Australian Business Traveller during the delivery flight of the world’s first Boeing 787-9 from Everett to Auckland for launch customer Air New Zealand.

“The -10 is very different” Jenks said.”We’ve had a team doing the up-front work on the 787-10 for the better part of a year now, it’s very simple stretch and very low risk.”

It’s so low-risk that while first 787-10 test flights are slated for 2017 ahead of delivery to its launch customer in 2018, this Dreamliner could achieve something few all-new airplane types have ever done, and delivered ahead od schedule, Jenks admitted.

Boeing is currently pushing 10 of the 787-8 and 787-9 variants a month, across three assembly lines, with the goal of taking this to 14 airplanes per monthly the end of the decade.

The 787-10 accumulated 132 orders, however Boeing has yet to reveal which airline will be the launch customer.

Singapore Airlines was the first airline to commit to the largest Dreamliner, signing up for 30 of the jets at list price of US$289 million each, Etihad Airways has placed an equal order alongside its order of 41 of the 787-9s.

Source : Australian Business Traveller/Boeing Photo

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Dissecting the A330neo

With much fanfare, the re-engined A330neo(new engine option) family was launched on the first day of the Farnborough Airshow with a memorandum of understanding (moU) from Air Lease Corporation (ALC) for 25-900neo aircraft, which alongside its smaller sibling-800neo succeed the 295-seat -300 and 253-seat-200, respectively.

Airbus chief executive Fabrice Bregier confidently proclaimed that the European plane-maker would garner 100 orders for the aircraft by the end of the week, which will have an entry into service in the fourth quarter of 2017, with potential orders coming from the likes of long-haul low-cost carrier Air AsiaX, lessor CIT and more.

The centerpiece of the upgrade is the 112-inch Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engine which is based on the Trent 1000-TEN (Thrust Efficiency and New Technology) powering the 787 Dreamliner and provides an 11% specific fuel consumption. While the Trent 7000 is considerably larger than the 97-inchtrent 772 engine on the existing A330, which along with strengthened engine pylons lead to increased weight and drag,thus creating a 2% and 1% respective fuel penalty. These are going to be offset by the 4% reduction in block fuel burn achieved by the installation of an A350-styled shark let and other aerodynamic clean-ups.

Monday’s launch immediately sparked a war of words between arch-rivals Airbus and Boeing, with the former saying the A330neo will be offered at a 25% lower capital cost than today’s A330 while featuring improved avionics, interior and share a 95% commonality; the latter claims the A330neo weighs heavier and cannot have the same fuel burn per seat as the 787 Dreamliner which is lighter, technically superior aircraft. The A330neo, Boeing asserts,is a deja vu of the original commonly know as the A350 Mk 1.

The A330neo serves as a useful indication that with significantly cheaper cost, the aircraft could have a feasible business case for few operators which clamor for fuel efficiency more readily available than the 787 Dreamliner whose production slots are sold out until 2019 and 2020 at the earliest. Though Boeing is undoubtedly going to contest this, with rising production rate to 12 a month by 2016 and 14 a month by 2020 improving its availability and delivering superior capability at every stage length.

Source : Aspireaviation/Ed’s Research/Airbus Photo

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

EASA Certifies the ATR’s New Pratt& Whitney Canada 127N Engines

The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has certified the ATR72-600 aircraft for the use of new PW127N engines. Following in the PW127M’s flight path with over 10 million hours of operation, the PW127N provides a 4.5 power increase of Maximum Take-off ratings, thus enhancing performance in hot and high operating conditions. The PW127N will be rolled out progressively to Avianca’s ATR fleet throughout 2014 and 2015.

The First ATR72-600 of Avianca equipped with the new PW127N engines has already been delivered in late June. This will enable the airline to get better performance at take-off on airports in altitude like their hub in Bogota, Colombia.

The new PW127 N engines recently obtained certification from Transport Canada(TC), the Canadian Airworthiness Authority and now the EASA certification as well.

Source: ATW

COMMENTARY

Farnborough Boeing/Airbus Orders – The Clear Picture

Following all the sales activity at the Farnborough Air Show last month, Boeing ended July with a commanding lead over European rival Airbus in both orders and deliveries. Boeing booked 324 orders in July, the largest sales figure it has ever booked in a single calendar month. This gives the jet maker a total of 823 net orders so far this year. But the disparity is greater than those top-line numbers suggest, because Boeing has an extensive lead in sales of bigger and much more expensive wide body aircraft. Boeing has booked firm orders for 273 wide body aircraft. That included two large orders from Gulf carriers Emirates and Qatar for a total of 200 of the new 777-9X (not counting options for another 100 options for both airlines)- orders that had been announced last fall at the Dubai Airshow, but were made firm only in July.

In contrast, because in the past two months Emirates canceled 70 Airbus A350 wide bodies and Skymark of Japan canceled six A380, Airbus’s net tally of wide body aircraft orders so far this year is negative-a deficit of 27 orders.

At Farnborough, Airbus launched the A330neo, and announced commitments(Memorandums of Understanding)from airlines and leasing companies to buy 121 of them.(These are not confirmed orders yet).When these orders are confirmed, they will help Airbus win back some ground in the widebody-sales race.

In another boost for Boeing, data released on Thursday, August 7th, by the company, show that United traded up a previous order for seven 787-8s for seven of the larger, more expensive 787-10s.

Based unreal market pricing data from aircraft-valuation firm Avitas, that switch is worth nearly $200 million to Boeing.

In the narrow body aircraft sector, both plane makers plan upgrades to derivative models with more fuel-efficient engines. Airbus customers have canceled orders for 113 of the current narrow body A320 aircraft so far this year. Boeing has had 54 cancellations of its corresponding 737 aircraft family .

In 2014. Boeing commitments from China totaled 205 so far. These include 25 737s from Donghai Airlines, 50 737s; from Shandong Airlines; 50 from Nine Air and 80 from China Eastern Airlines. In addition to these commitments Monarch Airlines committed to order 30 737s at the Farnborough Airshow which have not been confirmed yet.

In summation, there is a big difference between gross and net orders; the key to orders taken by Airbus and Boeing are the net orders. They are not the gross orders, which many financial analysts on Wall Street use to distort facts.

Source : Ed’s Research

Other Aviation News

Mitsubishi Mounts Engines on First MRJ Test Aircraft

Mitsubishi Aircraft has mounted the Pratt & Whitney PW1200G engines on its first MRJ regional flight test aircraft. This comes shortly after the Japanese airframer completed the wing-body join of the regional jet.

Installation of other equipment, wiring and piping works are being carried out, says Mitsubishi. The MRJ is scheduled to take its first flight in the 2Q 2015.Mitsubishi has also rolled out its first ground test aircraft in preparation for static strength tests.

Source: ATW/Ed’s Research

Emirates Tops World for First Class Business Capacity

Emirates Airlines is the number one airline for premium capacity measured in international seat kilometers, clocking 876 seat kilometers per week, according to flight data firm OAG.

OAG said popularity of the Dubai-based airline’s Business and First Class cabins is primarily due to long haul nature of Emirates fleet deployment.

Earlier this month, the airline received delivery of its 50th A380, configured with 90 First and Business seats. Thus further adding to Emirate’s average weekly capacity of over 191,000 premium seats.

Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airlines said: “When we signed up for the A380, we had a clear vision of how we would deploy these aircraft. At the same time we also saw a tremendous opportunity to take the flying experience to whole new levels”.

Over 27.5 passengers have flown on Emirate’s A380s since 2008, with premium overall seat factors on the A380 fleet consistently outperforming the network.

Globally, Emirates’ First Class capacity grew by six percent over the last year, while First Class passenger traffic increased by eight percent.

Across the network, First Class demand is strong, particularly on routes to Europe, Africa and the Middle East, recording consistently high load factors of over 70 percent.

Emirates is in advanced stages of developing a new First Class “bedroom concept” for its A380 and now new Boeing 777 fleets. Customers can expect fully enclosed rooms and all the touches and amenities common to luxury hotels and yachts, including room service.

Emirates operates the world’s largest fleet of A380s,with 50 in service, and another 90 pending delivery. It also operates the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 777s with 139 in service and another 205 on its order books. It recently received the 500th 777 produced by Boeing.

Source: Aviation Business /Ed’s Research

Budget Carrier Jin Air Makes Inroads into Long-Haul Market

South Korea’s budget carrier Jin Air, a subsidiary of Korean Air, announced in June that it will become the country’s first low-cost carrier. It is due to start budget long-haul service as early as the end of this year, armed with wide-body aircraft and newly allocated international air routes.

The carrier will also double the size of its passenger jet fleet from 11 to 20 by the end of 2015.

Top management of Jin Air unveiled the growth strategy at a press conference in Seoul to mark its sixth anniversary.

To offer long-haul flight services at affordable prices, Jin Air will acquire a 777-200 wide body that can fly from Seoul to parts in Europe and North America in December. Then two more of the model next year for its new long-haul venture.

The firm plans to have a fleet of 20 aircraft by the second half of next year by adding nine aircraft, including a 777-200 ER and 737-800. By the second half of this year, Jin Air will increase its flight routes to 17 from 13 with at present with new routes to China, Japan and Malaysia.

The 777-200Er aircraft will be used initially for flights to Guam and Hong Kong, with services to destinations like Hawaii to be offered after the second batch of wide body aircraft arrive.

Source : The Korea Herald

MTU Aero Engines Takes Stake in GE9X Engine Program

MTU Aero Engines will take a 4% workshare in General Electric GE9X program. MTU will manufacture and assume design responsibility for the engine’s turbine center frame. Take over the life of the program, the workshare will be worth around $5.5 billion in revenue for MTU.

The new engine will be designed to exclusively power the Boeing 777X, which is slated to enter service around 2020. Thee hundred aircraft are already on order plus options. The contractual details still need to be finalized between the parties to the deal. MTU will participate in the engine’s sales and profits in proportion to its program share.

“Our stake in the GE9X program gives us significant market share in one of the most important next generation engines in the upper thrust category. At the same time, it helps us further balance the mix of our product portfolio,” MTU CEO Reiner Winkler said. “ Some 30% of today’s active aircraft have MTU modules on board. We are going to increase this share in the worldwide engine fleets appreciably over the next five to ten years”

Source : ATW

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

The Japanese Government plans to obtain two Boeing 777-300 Er aircraft to replace a pair of 747-400s used for the VIP transport mission.

Leap-1A the first Leap-1A engines for the A320neo enter production.

Vistara Airlines Tata SIA Airlines has announced that its New Delhi based carrier will be named Vistara,with the carrier scheduled to start operations in October.

Ethiopian Airlines has added its ninth Boeing 787 Dreamliner to its expanding fleet

KLM has signed a long-term contract with Air Lease Corp.(ALC),covering a pair of new build 777-300ERs.

ANA finalized an order for 40 wide body Boeing aircraft comprised of 20 777-9Xs, 14 787-9s and 6 777-300ERs.

Scoot the wholly-owned low-cost,long-haul subsidiary of Singapore Airlines,has selected UTC Aerospace Systems to provide asset management & repair services on its 787 aircraft.

Air Cargo

Summer Brings Cherries Jubilee for Some Cargo Carriers

Virtually all phrases that incorporates the word “cherries” donate something happy and positive. That is certainly the case this summer for cargo carriers serving the Pacific Northwest, as the banner cherry crop has been the cherry on top of the sundae.

This has been especially true for cargo carriers serving Seattle’s Sea-Tac International Airport and Vancouver International Airport in British Columbia.

Tom Green, senior manager for air cargo operations and development at Sea-Tac International Airport, says when the last cherry is picked in a few weeks. It will likely be the second strongest crop on record for the region. The crop is running ahead of forecasts and is huge compared to last year, when poor weather resulted in reduced tonnage. Cherries are the top perishable cargo shipped out of Sea-Tac.

It has been a bonanza for air cargo carriers, both those with freighters in their fleets and those who only carry the sweet fruit in their bellies. It has become the summer of the Cherry charter at Sea-Tac. China Eastern and Nippon Cargo have both added weekly charters, while Polar Air Cargo has flown three weekly charters. In addition EVA has added three weekly flights, Asiana has added two flights, China Airlines has added six and Korean Air five weekly flights.

Seven of the carriers with freighters serve Asian destinations, while Cargolux brings Washington cherries to Europe. Air Canada is another belly-cargo carrier benefiting from the cherry bounty with flights from both Seattle and Vancouver, British Columbia.

Source: Air Cargo World

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact Ed at ed@kaplanianreport.com