CFM International

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Volume 5 Issue 2 The Kaplanian Report February 2018

On the Boeing Front


Customer Support is the Backbone to Selling Commercial Aircraft

One of the key successes of the Boeing Company Commercial Division in selling commercial jetliners beginning with the introduction of the 707 is the support for their aircraft. I thought it’s time to share with my readers the inside look at the operations of Boeing’s Spare Distribution Center  (SDC located very near to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.)

The 700,000 sq.ft. facility ships more than one million spare parts each year. It handles receipts, shipments and repairs of thousands of parts needed to keep Boeing Aircraft aircraft flying every day.

As an ex VP of spares in the car and Heavy Duty Truck industries, I took a detailed tour of the facility in 1996. The facility officially opened in 1993 and is one of five regional distribution centers for Boeing.  The other facilities are located in Atlanta, Beijing, Dubai, London and Singapore.

Open 24/7, The the SDC employs more than 245 workers to handle spares and the facilities MRO operations. Approximately 60% of the staff works first shift, which handles AOG  (airplane on the ground) and restocking parts. The remainder of staff (approximately 15%)  work third shift, which focuses on getting parts out the door.

Each day, the Seattle SDC handles around 600 receipts and ships 2,000-2,200 orders.  Annually,  the SDC has around 300,000 receipts and issues one million spare parts, including 400,000 AOG shipments.

The SDC has 150,000 sq.ft. bulk floor storage area which contains parts too large to store                   elsewhere  in the building. Boeing has packaging engineers in-house to design boxes,                                  which are made from heat-teated treated wood and shaped for the most efficient fit on cargo aircraft.

Each package leaving the facility includes a Boeing 8130—an FAA form stating that the part  is airworthy.  The SDC’s top priority is AOG. All AOG parts are ready to ship in four hours.  The facility’s mission is “right part, right place, right time.

Source : Personal notes and observations/ Pictures MRO online

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                                  Airbus Rolls Out Higher-Capacity A321neo 

Assembly of the first A321 neo ACF (Airbus Cabin Flex) has been completed in Hamburg,                               the  manufacturer confirms.

The CFM International Leap-1A powered narrow body will undergo ground tests prior to its  scheduled first flight Airbus adds.  It gives “mid-2018” as the time frame for the first delivery to a customer.

The variant’s exits are positioned immediately aft of the wing and can be removed to allow a higher-density seating capability. In the high-density single-class layout, with a space-saving aft galley installed, the aircraft can seat up to 240 passengers.

This total is attained by locating 102 seats ahead of the overawing exits, six at the exits                      themselves, with 59 in the cabin between the wing and repositioned aft exits and 73 in                                                the rearmost section.  Pegasus, Qatar Airways and VietJet are intending to take the A321neo ACF.

Source : Airbus/Picture Airbus

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Mitsubishi Aircraft Details Latest Organizational Changes

Mitsubishi Aircraft plans to undergo organizational changes that will see MRJ program                        director, Alex Bellamy, run what the company calls its new program management division which started on January 1, 2018.

The division was established to “reinforce the development and management of the MRJ                    program,”  the division encompasses the newly established integrated product team (IPT)                   execution department,  the governance management office, and the product strategy office.

In a recent interview with AIN, Bellamy reported that the program teams had flown four flight-test airplanes a total of some 1,500 hours, while production crews had attached wings and began painting the fifth flight-test airplane.  Bellamy detailed the status of the flight-test program at Moses Lake, Washington, where the four existing flight-test airplanes have completed more than 50 percent of their duties ahead of expected certification in late 2019.  Targeting first delivery to launch All Nippon Airways in mid-2020, program leadership now expects the MRJ flight-test airplanes to clock as  many as 3,000 hours, some 500 hours more than originally allocated.

Source : AIN/Photo Mitsubishi Aircraft

 

GE Completes First Ground Test of Advanced Turboprop Engine

Aviation completed the first test run of the new Advanced Turboprop (ATP) at GE’s Prague engine manufacturing facility in the Czech Republic. The first application for the 1,240-shp ATP is the Cessna Denali single-engine turboprop, which is scheduled to fly late this year. Engine certification testing begins this year.

With a 16:1 overall pressure ratio, the engine is expected to offer 20 percent lower fuel burn and 10 percent higher cruise speed compared with competing engines. Time between overhaul is set at 4,000 hours. The ATP is part of a family that will include engines in 1,000-to 1,600-shp range.

This new engine is also aimed at the Pilatus PC-12 and Daher TBM900.

Source : GE Aviation/ Ge Aviation Picture

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

            Alaska Airlines Set to Anchor Paine Field Opening Late this Year 

Seattle-based Alaska Airlines is looking to solidify an anchor presence at the redeveloped Paine Field-Snohomish County Airport in Everett, Washington with the January 16 announcement of 13 daily flights to eight cities set to launch in the fall of this year.

Alaska’s new point-to-point destinations from Paine Field will be Las Vegas; Los Angeles;                       Orange County, California; Phoenix; Portland; San Diego; San Francisco; and San Jose, California.    Alaska said it will detail flight frequencies and departure/arrival times in the year, pending  government approval.

Snohomish County is partnering with Propeller Airports to build a new passenger terminal at the  airport for a planned opening in the fall of this year. Paine Field, originally constructed in 1936, is the home for Boeing’s Everett Factory, the manufacturing plant for Boeing’s 747, 767, 777 and 787 aircraft.  The airport is also home to over 650 general aviation, business and historic aircraft.  Of the three runways at the airport, only one— Runway 16R/34L, at 9,010 ft in length and 150 ft. in width— is suitable for large aircraft.  Alaska said last year that it is planning to utilize Boeing  737 and Embraer E175s for the new routes.

United Airlines is also planning for commercial flights at Paine Field. In August 2017 the                      Chicago-based carrier said it will operate six daily flights from the airport to its hubs in Denver and San Francisco.

Source : ATW/Ed’s Research on airport information

 

GECAS Takes Delivery of its 394th—And Last—Next Generation 737  

Culminating a 20-year history of new orders for the type, GECAS has received its 394th and final skyline order of Boeing’s Next Generation 737.

With an initial order placed in 1996, GECAS’ NG order book accounts for roughly one of every NGs delivered to date. Surpassing other lessor’s skyline orders for the type,  GECAS’ placements of NG’s have been leased to 64 operators across 32 countries. Exclusively powered by CFM-56 engines, the narrow body has served the airline industry for decades and is ideally suited for both commercial passenger and cargo aircraft.

“An exceptionally valuable asset in our portfolio, the Next-Generation 737 has been incredibly reliable for our customers,” states Declan Kelly, GECAS Executive Vice President, noting “Much of our success since the 1990’s is in some way attributable to the NG and the relationship we’ve developed with the team at Boeing.”

The Next-Generation 737 has been an icon of the aviation industry for two decades,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President & CEO Kevin McAllister.

“It’s been a workhorse for the airlines and lessors alike and we’re proud to have delivered so many of these airplanes to GECAS. We look forward to beginning a new chapter of success together when   GECAS takes delivery of   its first 737 MAX this year.”

Source : GECAS/Boeing

 

 FAA Approves 787-10 for Airworthiness

Singapore Airlines can take delivery of the first Boeing 787-10 on schedule after the US Federal Aviation Administration approved an amended type certificate.

Boeing announced the entry into service for the 787-10 as broadly the “first half of 2018”, but the approval of the amended type certificate now means that the first delivery could happen by the end of the first quarter.

Four years after Boeing launched the third and largest member of the 787 family, the 787-10 with Rolls-Royce Trent 1000-TEN engines entered flight testing 10 months ago at Boeing’s factory in North Charleston, South Carolina. The smaller 787-8 and 787-9 models will continue to be assembled in North Charleston and Everett, Washington, and the 787-10 is exclusively assembled in South Carolina.

The 787-10 received approval from the FAA after completing about 900 test hours. The aircraft is 5m(16.4ft)longer than the 787-9, but the two aircraft are nearly identical with a few exceptions. To accommodate the longer fuselage on takeoff, Boeing installed a 777-300 ER-style semi-levered main landing gear.

Boeing also increased commonality by moving some design changes made for the 787-10 into the smaller 787-9. The latter is now produced using the stronger wing designed for the 787-10.The 787-9 also uses hybrid laminar flow control in the vertical tail only, after the same system was deleted from the vertical stabilizers in the 787-10.

Source : Boeing/Boeing Picture

   

  LATEST NEWS

  • Xiamen Air has committed to purchase 150 CFM LEAP-1B engines and MRO support for 20 engines at $2.05 billion. The engines will be used to power Xiamen Air’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

  • Ethiopian Cargo and Logistics Services has committed to lease the first two Boeing 737-800 freighters(737-800SF) converted by Aeronautical Engineers INC.(AEI) from GECAS, with the first delivery expected in June of this year.
  • Air Astana has taken delivery of the first Airbus A321neo. The aircraft, on lease from AerCap, is configured with 28 business class and 151 economy class seats.

  • Ukraine International Airlines took delivery of a Boeing 737-800 NG in December, completing its 2017 fleet expansion program.
  • Silver Airways Florida-based regional carrier has firmed its order for 20 ATR turboprops

  • KfW IPEX-Bank has financed two Boeing 787-9s, equipped with Rolls-Royce engines for Air New Zealand.
  • Irish Lessor AerCap firmed an order with Rolls-Royce to power 10 forthcoming Boeing 787-9s with Trent 1000-TEN engines. The transition is valued at $450 million at list prices.
  • Emirates Airlines has announced a $16 billion deal for up to 36 additional Airbus A380s.The Commitment is for 20 A380s and 16 options with deliveries to start in 2020.

 

AIR CARGO

 Aeronautical Engineers, Inc Delivers B737F to ASL 

Aeronautical Engineers, Inc, has redelivered a B737-400SF freighter to Irish based ASL Aviation – the company’s one hundredth conversion of this type.

ACL Aviation owns and operates a fleet of nearly 90 jet and turboprop aircraft, providing capacity for up to 147 passengers or 40 tons of cargo.

The delivery represents the thirteenth AEI B737-400 converted freighter that has been re-delivered to ASL over the last few years.

ASL currently has an additional four B737-400SF freighters, either undergoing conversion or scheduled for modification in 2018, at partner Commercial Jet’s Dothan, Alabama facility.

AEI president Roy Sandri said: “This milestone represents another important achievement in AEI’s history”.

“The AEI B737-400SF has been an exceptionally successful fighter for not only ASL, but all our leasing and operator customers worldwide.”

Source : aircargonews/ ASL Picture/Ed’s Research

 

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

Southwest Adds MRO Capacity 

Southwest Airlines is pressing ahead with plans to build a new maintenance facility at Houston Hobby airport.

The new 240,000sq-ft hanger will have space for six Boeing 737 aircraft and will include aircraft wash facilities on the apron outside, taxiway connections, parking and loading docks, as well as offices and parts storage areas. Work on the hanger should begin this spring to ready it for opening in late 2019.

Once the project is finished, SWA will have six maintenance facilities in the US, which should leave it less exposed to some of the mishaps that have resulted from outsourced MRO work in the past.

The new maintenance capacity is also needed to service a growing fleet. Southwest has roughly 200 Boeing 737 Max 7 and Max 8 narrow bodies on order, although it recently deferred deliveries of 23 Max 7s from the 2019-2021 period to 2023 and 2024. In December the airline indicated that it might use gains from proposed corporate tax cuts in the US to further invest in its fleet. Most of its backlog is for the larger Max 8 model, to which 40 more units were added in late December when SWA excessed options with Boeing.

Source : mro-network/Ed’s Research/Picture Southwest Airlines

 

MRO Latest News 

  • LATAM Airlines Group plans to build a maintenance center at Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport in the second half of this year to simultaneously service seven wide bodies or 19 narrow bodies.
  • Limco Airepair has a Korean Air contract to maintain aircraft heat exchangers.
  • Precision Aircraft Solutions redelivered three Boeing 757-200PCFs in December 2017: two to AF Airlines and the third to YTO. Haeco Xiamen, Ameco each modified one.
  • Bulgaria Air has awarded FL Technics a three-year deal to undertake base checks. Work has already begun on an initial Airbus A319.
  • Eva Air has extended its co-operation with Lufthansa Tecknik to cover component maintenance on its Boeing 777 Freighters. EVA Air took delivery of its first 777F in November 2017 and set to receive four more through September 2019.

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

P.S. To all my international readers, thank you for following my blog.                                                                 Your comments, questions and suggestions will be appreciated.

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Volume 4 Issue 11 November 2017 The Kaplanian Report

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Shanghai Completes Base Maintenance and Wi-Fi                      Modification for First Chinese Customer- Xiamen Air’s 787

Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services Co., Ltd (Boeing ShangHai) and Xiamen Air celebrated the completion of the first 787-8 base maintenance check, also known as a C-check and Wi-Fi modification at Boeing Shanghai’s hanger at Shanghai Pudong Airport.

A C-check is an extensive check of the airplane’s systems and components that can require several days to perform.

“The successful completion is a testament to Boeing Shanghai’s capability in the 787 maintenance and modification market. We are very grateful for the confidence Xiamen Air has placed in our team.” said Dermot Swan, CEO of Boeing Shanghai. ”Xiamen Air is an important and prestigious 787 carrier and we look forward to a long, mutually rewarding relationship with them.”

Established in 1984 and based in Xiamen, China, Xiamen Air operates scheduled passenger flights to major cities in Chin as well as international routes to Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and North America. Currently Xiamen airlines operates an all-Boeing fleet consisting of 9 787s, four 757s and about 140 Next generation 737s.

Boeing Shanghai is a joint venture between Boeing, Shanghai Airport Authorities and China Eastern Airlines.

Source : Boeing Shanghai Aviation Services

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Inaugurates Its A330 Completion & Delivery Center In China        

Airbus has inaugurated its A330 Completion & Delivery Center (C&DC) in Tianjin, China, taking additional steps in the expansion of its global footprint and strategic partnership with China. At the same time, the first A330 to be delivered from The C&DC was handed over to Tianjin Airlines.

Located at the same site as the Airbus Tianjin A320 Family Final Assembly Line and the Airbus Tianjin Delivery Center, The A330 C&DC covers the aircraft completion activities including cabin installation, aircraft painting and production flight tests well as customer flight acceptance and aircraft delivery. Some 150 Chinese staff members of the C&DC were trained by Airbus experts in Toulouse. The A330 C&DC in Tianjin will employ more than 250 people and is ready to deliver two aircraft per month by early 2019.

“The inauguration of our A330 C&DC in Tianjin, together with first of many deliveries, marks a new milestone for Airbus’ international footprint and underlines the strong spirit of cooperation with our Chinese partners,” said Fabrice Bregier, Airbus COO and President of Commercial Aircraft.

To date the A330 Family has attracted nearly 1,700 orders and over 1,300 Family aircraft are currently flying with more than 110 operators worldwide.

Source : Airbus

 

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

 India’s SpiceJet Firms Order for Up to 50 Bombardier 90-Seat Q400s

Indian LCC SpiceJet firmed its order for up to 50 Bombardier Q400 turboprops September 29,                 the largest single Q400 order to date, valued at $1.7 billion if all purchase rights are optioned.

Notably, the aircraft is in the Q400’s new 90-seat configuration, and on delivery will make SpiceJet the world’s first operator of a 90-seat turboprop.

SpiceJet signed its initial Letter of Intent (LOI) for 25 Q400s plus purchase rights for an additional 25 aircraft at the Paris Air Show June 20. At the time, the order was for the 86-seat extra-capacity NextGen variation of the Q400, which are being flown by Philippine Airlines (in a dual-class configuration) and Thailand’s Nok Air.

The Airline is looking to expand coverage of India’s domestic and international regional market and hopes the 90-seat Q400 will meet increasing passenger demand.

With SpiceJet’s order, Bombardier said the Q400 firm order total has reached 610 aircraft.

Source : ATW/Picture Bombardier

 

Bombardier Flies Fourth Global 7000

Bombardier’s Global 7000 program has taken another step forward, with the debut flight on September 28 of the fourth flight test vehicle (FTV$) —the first to be equipped with full production interior.

The ultra-long-range business jet serial number 70004, with registration C-GLBR made its maiden sortie from the airframes’s Downview, Toronto manufacturing plant.

Two days later, FTV$ made a 3 hour journey to Bombardier’s flight-test center in Wichita, Kansas, to begin certification testing.

The aircraft, dubbed “the Architect”, will be used to validate the Global 7000’s interior, and to confirm what Bombardier calls “its unparalleled comfort, connectivity and productivity”.

Bombardier launched the Global 7000 first flight-test campaign on November 4,2016 with the maiden flight of its first prototype. The aircraft is powered by GE Aviation Passport engine the fleet so far has flown more than 500h. The lead trio FTV1, FTV2 and FTV3 have been used to evaluate the Global 7000s propulsion, avionics, electrical and mechanical systems.

They will be joined in Kansas shortly by a fifth and final aircraft, FTA5, which will serve as the entry-into-service validation aircraft.

The Global 7000 remains on track for certification in the second half of 2018, says Bombardier. The aircraft is priced at $73 million.

Source : Flightglobal/Bombardier/Bombardier Photo

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

 Southwest Places Nine 737 MAX 8s into Service

Southwest Airlines launched the Boeing 737 MAX 8 into revenue service on its network Oct.1, flying from Dallas Love Field to Houston Hobby Airport for its first official flight with CFM international LEAP-1B-powered aircraft.

Southwest chairman and CEO Gary Kelly called the MAX 8 “the future of the Southwest fleet.” The Dallas-based carrier launched nine 737-MAX8s into service Oct.1 and will add five more to its fleet by the end of 2017.The airline plans to have a fleet totaling 707 aircraft by the end of 2017 comprised entirely of 737-700s,737-800s and 737 MAX 8s; all of its 737 Classics have been retired.

The airline’s 737 MAX 8s are configured with 175,32-inch pitch seats in a single-class layout.

Southwest, which Boeing has said played a pivotal role in helping design the aircraft, becomes the first North American airline to operate the aircraft, which entered service with Malaysia’s Malindo Air in May 2017.

Southwest has orders for 200 737 MAX aircraft, a combination of the 7 and 8 models.

Source : ATW

 

Hainan Airlines First Airline in China to Order                                                 Aviation Partners Boeing Split Scimitar Winglets

On September 14 Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) announced that Hainan Airlines has committed to install Split Scimitar Winglets on 36 of its fleet of Boeing Next Generation 737-800 aircraft.

Hainan was the first airline in China to operate with APB’s Blended Winglet technology, and now will be first airline in China to Operate with APB’s latest product, Split Scimitar Winglets.

Split Scimitar Winglets confirm Hainan’s commitment to providing exceptional value to its customers, through the implementation of efficient technology.

Hainan’s aircraft will be modified during routine maintenance visits at Hainan Airlines’ maintenance facility, HNA Technology, in Haikou.

Installation tasks can be performed concurrently with most maintenance activities, allowing for a very efficient shop visit. Once installed, the Split Scimitar Winglets can reduce lock fuel consumption by up to an additional 2.2% in addition to fuel savings and reduction carbon dioxide emissions.

Source : Aviation Partners Boeing/Hainan Airlines Photo

 

      GE Aviation Retired Their Veteran 747-100 Testbed

GE Aviation bids farewell  to their Boeing 747-100 testbed. The oldest jumbo in active service after making her final sortie at the engine company’s flight-test center in Victorville, California.

The aircraft rolled off the assembly line in October 1969 and made the first flight with Pan Am in March the following year. Named Clipper Ocean Spray, the aircraft flew in Pan Am colors for 21 years accumulating 86,000 flight hours before the engine maker acquired it in 1992.

After a series of modifications, removing seats, strengthening the left wing and tailwind installing data systems, the testbed began operations with GE in 1993.

The aircraft notes GE notes, provided flight data on 11 distinct engine models including the GE90,Leap and Passport engines. The aircraft was kept in impeccable shape for a testbed, I

had the privilege to go on board the aircraft, when GE was testing the GE90 engine the exclusive engine for the 777-300ER and 777-200LR .

In 2015, it got a new livery, with the old GE Aircraft Engines paint scheme being replaced with GE Aviation.

The 747-100’s place has been taken by a 747-400, acquired from Japan Airlines in 2010 and converted to GE’s Propulsion Test Platform.

Source : Ed’s Research/Picture GE Aviation

               

LATEST NEWS

  • Qatar Airways announced an order for two 747-8 Freighters and four 777-300ERs valued at $2.16 billion at list prices. The orders were previously unidentified on Boeing’s Orders & Deliveries website.(Picture Boeing)
  • SilkAIr Singapore Airlines’ regional arm has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8. The aircraft arrived in Singapore on October 1, with two more expected by year end.
  • Cathay Pacific is converting six of its Airbus A350-1000s to the smaller -900 and deferring delivery of five other-100s by year end.
  • Japan Airlines announced an order for four 787-8 Dreamliners. The order, which was previously listed on the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website.

 

  • United Air Lines conducted its last Boeing 747 flight on the 7th of this month from San Francisco to Honolulu.

 

  • CFM International continues to lead rival Pratt &Whitney in the race to power Airbus A320neo-family aircraft by 524 to 439 aircraft.

 

  • American Airlines took delivery of its first 737 MAX 8 late last month the first of four that American plans to take delivery of this year.

 

  • Gulfstream Aerospace Gulfstream Aerospace’s fleet of G280 super-midsize business jets has accumulated more than 100.000 flight hr in less than five years. The first model entered service in November 2012.

 

  • UPS took delivery of its first of 14 Boeing 747-8 freighters jets the shipper ordered a year ago, two more -8’s will arrive this fall in time for the peak holiday season starting at Thanksgiving.

  • Boeing has rolled out the first production version of the 787-10 a few months ahead of a planned certification milestone for the new aircraft and delivery to launch customer Singapore Airlines next year.(Picture Boeing)

  • Airbus the first A330neo took off from Toulouse for its first flight on October 19 for a 4 hour maiden flight.(Picture Airbus)

 

AIR CARGO

       SF Airlines’ Opens First Cargo Flight to Hanoi

SF Airlines’ made its first flight from Chengdu to Hanoi in late August, marking the first direct cargo flight from China to Hanoi, Vietnam. Operated by 767-300BCF freighter twice a week, the regular flight facilitates the transportation and communication between Chengdu and Vietnam.

SF Airlines affiliates SF Express. In recent years, the cargo carrier has been operating charter flights to Osaka, Inchon, Katmandu, Dhaka and Phnom Penh, completing its air logistics channels from China to other Asian countries.

The 767-300BCF, exclusive to SF airlines, suits the electronic product transport of its charter customer perfectly, which makes this cooperation quite profitable, meaning the opening of the new route enhances the air logistics between Chengdu and Hanoi and benefits the cargo distribution and trade communication between the two areas.

SF Airlines started in 2009 and right now its all-cargo aircraft fleets have outnumbered other domestic cargo airlines with 40 full-cargo airplanes and 37 national destinations.

Source : China Aviation Daily/Picture SF Airlines B767

 

 

 Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

Boeing To Broaden Vertical Integration, Canaccord Predicts

Boeing in-sourcing strategy likely will see the OEM continue to broaden its vertical-integration efforts into areas with substantial aftermarket upside, further pressuring large suppliers, analysts and Canaccord  Genuity believe.

“Considering the expectations for future cost reductions on the 787, and the growing focus on the commercial aftermarket, we believe Boeing will look to expand its vertical integration into other areas, and this is a major risk for the supply chain,” Canaccord analyst Ken Herbert wrote in a recent research note based in part on a Boeing investor event.

Herbert believes UTC products, such as wheels and brakes could be particularly vulnerable as Boeing sees as a lack of benefits from the proposed UTC Rockwell Collins union. He added Boeing’s ramping up of its avionics development is likely a preemptive strike along these lines, as avionics specialist Collins has been a sought-after target for some time.

Herbert noted that following UTC’s last major supplier acquisition-Goodrich, in 2012 Boeing pulled in nacelle production and changed 777 landing gear suppliers, costing Goodrich work.

The New gear supplier,  Horous-Devtek, will not see aftermarket revenues from 777 and 777X gear it supplies. Herbert also expects Boeing to make a “major” push into used serviceable materials, expanding an already formidable new-parts business.

“We believe Boeing proprietary parts are the highest margin piece of the BCS segment,” Herbert wrote. (as a long career parts Vice President with various car and heavy duty truck companies I concur with Mr. Herbert prognosis in this area) Ed .

Source : Canaccord Genuity

 

 MRO Short News

  • Lufthansa Technik was selected by NEOS to provide Boeing 787 component support.
  • Turkish Tecknic  was selected by Shaheen Air to perform S-checks on four A330s.
  • Airbus took delivery of the 50th shipset of major A320 family component assemblies, including fuselage sections, vertical/horizontal tailplane, and wings, at its US Manufacturing Facility in Mobile, Alabama.
  • HAECO was selected by Finnair for Airbus A350 heavy maintenance.
  • American Airlines was approved by Brazil for new $100 million aircraft maintenance center in Sao Paulo.
  • Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg has a flyby contract to provide E-Jet landing gear overhaul.
  • Stelia Aerospace delivered 3.1 ton cargo door for the first Airbus Beluga XL.
  • FEAM Aero has an Emirates Airlines contract to provide Boeing 777 line maintenance at Chicago.

 

Puzzler of the Month

Which airline uses or had used the slogan on its nose?      

                                The Magic Red Carpet

 

 

Answer to Last Month’s Puzzler:  UPS First 747-8 Freighter

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

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Volume 4 Issue 3 March 2017

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Launches New Nacelle & Flight-Control  Surface Exchange Program                             

On February 8th, Boeing announced the launch of a new Nacelle and Flight-control Surface Exchange Program. It provides airlines an integrated and economical solution, while building on Boeing’s successful history of exchange programs.

Under the program, customers can exchange nacelle and flight-control surface parts that need repair or overhaul from a certified pool that Boeing maintains throughout its global network. This eliminates the need for customers to contract, schedule, manage and own or lease these parts.

Parts distributed through the program represent all Boeing models and are updated to the latest configurations, incorporating all applicable service bulletins and airworthiness directives.

Another benefit of an exchange is that customers only need to take an airplane out of service once, reducing maintenance needs. When a similar part is leased, the plane must be taken out of service for both removal and installation.

Boeing is a leader in providing 24/7 support and service to the global aviation industry. Boeing’s parts portfolio is the most complete in the industry, with total stock of over 400,000 part numbers and over 10,000 parts shipped daily.

Source : Boeing Commercial Services

                      

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

A330neo First Flight Date is Still Not Set

Rolls-Royce is progressing with the assembly of the initial flight-test Trent 7000 engines for the Airbus A330neo, although a maiden flight date has yet to become clear.

The engine manufacturer, in its full-year financial presentation, gave the entry-into-service date for the aircraft as the first half of 2018.  TAP Portugal, the initial operator, has previously indicated that it expects to receive the first A330neo in the first quarter of that year.

Rolls-Royce has not clarified whether the difference in phrasing is indicative of a further slip to the schedule, but its use of “first half” for the entry-into-service timeframe is similar to that voiced by Airbus commercial aircraft chief Fabrice Bregier in January.

Bregier had mentioned that TAP planned services in “Spring 2018” and that the A330neo development effort was “compatible” with this.

Rolls Royce has already conducted ground tests of the power plant and says assembly of the first flight-test engines is continuing.

Chief Warren East stated, during a briefing on the company’s full-year results, that the Trent 1000-TEN for the Boeing 787 was on schedule for service entry in the second half of this year, as was the Trent XWB-97 engine on the Airbus A350-1000. As to the new A330neo with the Trent 7000 engine, that it is about six months behind.

The engine will not be installed on a testbed aircraft but fitted straight to an A330neo certification airframe.

Source : Airbus/Rolls-Royce/Picture Airbus           

        

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

G500 & G600 Flight Test Campaigns Progress As G650/ER             Gets Chinese Approval                                                 

The flight-test campaigns for Gulfstream’s clean-sheet G500 and G600 are progressing well, with both models on course to meet their certification and entry-into-service targets.

The five aircraft in the G500 program have flown more than 2,000h across 500 flights, Gulfstream says. Customer deliveries of the large-cabin, long-range aircraft are scheduled to begin shortly after airworthiness certification, which is slated for the fourth quarter.

The larger and longer-range G600 is pegged for service entry about 12 months later. Since making its maiden sortie in December 2016, the first, and so far only, flight-test aircraft has accumulated more than 100h.  It will be joined in the next weeks by two additional prototypes.

Announced in 2014, the G500 and G600 designed with Gulfstream’s widest-ever cabin, Pratt & Whitney Canada PW800 engines, fly-by-wire controls and an industry-first application of active control sidesticks in commercial aircraft.

Meanwhile, Gulfstream has secured certification for its flagship G650 and G650ER from the Civil Administration of China (CAAC), allowing the US framer to start delivering B-registered versions of the ultra-long range business jets.

Source : Flightglobal/Gulfstream/Gulfstream Photo

                                                                       

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

JetBlue Introduces Special Embraer E190 Livery

JetBlue Airways has rolled out a special Embraer E190 livery and new tail fin design that will appear on multiple aircraft this year. The New York-based airline said is introducing the new paint schemes as it celebrates its 17th anniversary last month.

According to a JetBlue statement, the carrier “has a long tradition of adding unique, special liveries to its Airbus A320 fleet and that tradition is expanding to the E190 fleet.” The paint scheme showcases the so-called “bones” of the 100-seat aircraft.

“Drawing upon the styles of various aviation, nautical and space exploration vehicle cutaway diagrams, the Jet Blue design team created a mechanical x-ray of sorts infused with some JetBlue fun,” the carrier said in a statement.

Source : JetBlue/JetBlue Embraer E190

 

CFM International Bookings up 25% in 2016

CFM International booked orders for 2,677 engines in 2016, a 25.4% increase over 2,135 engines ordered in 2015.

Total value for CFM’s 2016 orders neared $36 billion at list prices, a 33.3% rise over 2015.

In 2016, CFM reported orders for 1,801 LEAP engines, including commitments and spares, up 28.7% from 1,399 orders of the engine type in 2015.Orders for CFM56 engines from Commercial, military and spare parts customers totaled 876, up 19% from 2015.

The Ohio-based manufacturer said it produced 1,665 CFM56 engines and 77 LEAP engines in 2016, with the Leap-1A making its entry into commercial service on an A320neo with Turkey’s Pegasus Airlines in August 2016.

CFM’s LEAP-1A is an engine option for Airbus A320neo family aircraft: the LEAP-1B is the sole engine behind Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft: and the LEAP-1C is the sole Western engine for the COMAC C919.

To date, CFM is reporting more than 12,200 LEAP engine orders and commitments (excluding options), valued at over $170 billion at list prices.

Source : CFM International/Flightglobal

 

Air Lease Corp. 2016 Net Profit Up 48% to $375 million

Los Angeles-based commercial aircraft lessor Air Lease Corp.(ALC) posted a 2016 net profit of $374.9 million, up 48% from $253.4 million net income in 2015.  ALC’s total revenues for the year were $1.4 billion, up over $1.2 billion in 2015.

The company’s expenses totaled $838.8 million, up 1.1%; operating income was $580.2 million, up 47.7% over $393 million in 2015.

In 2016, ALC signed lease agreements for 122 aircraft with 39 customers, ending the year with a net book value of $12 billion in aircraft with a weighted average age of 3.8 years and weighted average lease term remaining of 6.9 years.

As of December 31, 2016, ALC’s fleet totaled 237 owned aircraft(three less than 2015), and 30 managed aircraft (up one from 2015).  During the year, ALC took delivery of 43 aircraft from its order book and sold 46 aircraft from its operating lease portfolio.

By the end of the year, ALC had sold all 19 of its remaining ATR 42/72-600 aircraft, plus 15 Embraer E190s and five E175s, to Danish regional lessor Nordic Aviation Capital(NAC) for $1.2 billion. The remaining five E175s will be sold to NAC during the first quarter of this year.

Source : ATW     

LATEST NEWS

  • Korean Air has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, making it the first airline in the country to operate the type.

  • Qantas has unveiled the new premium economy seat that will fitted on its Boeing 787-9s, which it says offers more recline and width over its current product.

  • China Eastern Airlines will add four Boeing 777-300ERs and seven Airbus A330-300s to its fleet this year.

  • China Southern has agreed to lease five Boeing 787-9s from Air Lease Corp.(ALC), the Los Angeles -based Lessor said.
  • Boeing Rolls Out First 787-10 February 23rd was a momentus day for Boeing. It has rolled out its first 787-10 from the paint hanger at Boeing South Carolina. The Dreamliner has booked 1,207 from 67 customers around the world taking only 13 years to do it. Over 140.2 million have flown the aircraft and opened 120 routes.

  • Juneyao Airlines has finalized its order for five 787-9 Dreamliners valued at about $1.32 billion at current list prices.The order also includes options for five more 787-9s.

  • CFM International named Gael Meheust president and CEO, from Feb.1. The Ohio-based commercial engine manufacturer is co-owned by GE and Safran Aircraft Engines.
  • Singapore Airlines has announced its commitment to purchase 20 777-9s and 19 787-10 Dreamliners.
  • Airbus A380 two of Airbus’s A380 test aircraft are to be transferred to museums  along with two other testbeds including the first A320.

 

AIR CARGO

   Asia-Pacific Air Cargo Markets Start 2017 on Strong Footing

Preliminary January traffic figures from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) showed strong traffic volumes in both international air passengers and air cargo markets. International air cargo demand, measured in freight ton kilometers (FTK), grew by 4.7 percent.  Offered freight capacity expanded by 3.8 percent, resulting in a 0.5 percentage-point rise in the international load factor to 59.4 percent for the month.

That said, January cargo traffic is an unreliable indicator of larger trends, the combined January/February results will be better indicative of underlying demand.

Andrew Herdman, AAPA’s director general said, ”The year started on an encouraging note for Asian carriers, with both international air passenger and cargo markets growing strongly, boosted by the timing of the lunar New Year holidays.”

Herdman also noted that the outlook for the rest of the year looks “broadly positive, against a backdrop of renewed optimism”.

Source : Air Cargo World

 

Lockheed Rolls out First LM-100J Super Hercules Commercial Freighter

On February 9, 2017, Lockheed Martin officially the world to the latest member of the C-130J Super Hercules family: the LM-100J commercial freighter.

Employees who designed and built the aircraft celebrated this new Super Hercules with a traditional “rollout” ceremony held at the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics facility located in Marietta, Ga. Team members walked the LM-100J out of the building that is the home to the Super Hercules production line. The  next stop for this milestone Super Hercules is the flightline, where it will prepare for its first flight this spring.

Lockheed Martin announced its intent to manufacture and market the LM-100J in February 2014. Lockheed Martin has filed for an FAA civil type certificate update and this first LM-100J will participate in flight test activity to support this process.

The LM-100J is the updated version of the L-100 Hercules, which was built by Lockheed Martin from 1964-1992.  More than 100 L-100s were delivered to both commercial and government operators, supporting cargo delivery requirements in almost every operating environment in the world. At the Farnborough Airshow in 2014, ASL Aviation Group signed a letter of Intent with Lockheed Martin to order up to 10 LM100J Super Hercules commercial freighters.

Source : Lockheed Martin/Lockheed Martin Photo

       

 

       MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, OVERHAUL

A European First For Icelandair

Icelandair has become the first airline in Europe to install and operate Aviation Partners Boeing’s Scimitar Blended Winglets (SBWs) on Boeing 757-200s.

Icelandair is retrofitting the SBWs to its 757-200s as an enhancement to the 757-200 blended winglets which are already installed on its aircraft.

The Carrier expects the new winglets to increase savings in block fuel, to reduce engine maintenance, to improve take-off performance and reduce engine emissions, as well as to provide other benefits, according to Aviation Partners Boeing (APB), which is the Seattle based joint venture of Aviation Partners Inc. and The Boeing Company.

Icelandair is now working on its fourth Scimitar Blended Winglet modification and plans to have a total of 17 aircraft in service with the new mods retrofitted before the 2017 summer season.

Source : MRO Network/Icelandair Photo

Safran Nacelles Establishes MRO Center of Excellence

Safran subsidiary, Safran Nacelles, has established an MRO Center of Excellence at its Pont-Audemer facility in the Normandy region of France. It will strengthen its expertise in and capabilities for maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of complete nacelle systems and nacelle components.

The New Center of Excellence will be responsible for managing Safran Nacelles’ global network of MRO facilities. It will serve as the company’s operational reference for repair procedures and MRO industrialization for all of Safran Nacelles’ facilities.

The MRO Center of Excellence’s expertise will cover complete engine nacelle systems, including complex structural repairs, line replaceable units, engine sub-assemblies, outlet guide vanes and on-site support, according to Safran Nacelles.

Behind UTC Aerospace Systems, Safran Nacelles is the world’s second largest supplier of aircraft engine nacelles, boasting more than 17,000 nacelle systems in service, which accumulate more than 100,000 flight-hours each day.

Source : Avweek.com

 

MRO Short News

  • STS Repair and Modification was formed by STS Aviation Group and Cannon aviation to provide aircraft structural repair and modification services.
  • Lufthansa Technik and MTU Aero Engines finalized a previously announced deal to set up a joint venture for PW1000G(GTF) maintenance, repair and overhaul starting in 2020, at a yet-to-be announced location.
  • Magnetic MRO acquired an AirBaltic contract to provide Bombardier Q400/CS300 wheel and brake maintenance.

          

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