November 26, 2017 by kaplanianreport

Volume 4 Issue 12 December 2017 The Kaplanian Report

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Ceremonially Kicks Off 777-9 Assembly

Boeing marked the official launch of production activity for the first 777-9 test aircraft in a public ceremony on October 23. The company started building the wing spar in the newly-erected composite wing center in Everett, Washington, during the summer. The October 23 ceremony coincided with the drilling of the spar by an automated machine in another building on the campus. The ceremonial launch of production for the 777X family comes about 14 -17 months before the scheduled first flight of the 777-9 test aircraft in the first quarter of 2019. Entry into service with Launch customer should occur about a year after first flight.

Meanwhile, GE Aviation is continuing certification testing of the GE9x engine, while the second engine is to test running on a ground test stand since May.

Combined with GE Aviation GE9X engines, the 777X’s new wing will play a key part in delivering enhanced fuel efficiency. It has been increased in diameter by around 7m (23ft) over the current 777-300ER model, to 71.8m (235ft 5in) with a new wing-fold mechanism of 3.5m (11.4ft) on each side — to enable the twin engine jet to use the same airport infrastructure and taxiways as its predecessor.

Flight testing of the 777X is set to commence in 2019. Boeing expects to deliver the first 777-9 during 2020, with the longer-range -8 model to follow one year later.

“We see a good order backlog — much better than the -300ER had at this time, ahead of production,” Boeing Commercial Airplane chief executive Kevin McAllister told Flight global on September 26. I think you’ll see a very compelling value proposition on that airplane as we go forward.”

Boeing has secured firm orders for 336 of the aircraft—283-9s and 53-8s— since launching the program at the Dubai air show in November 2013 (the last order for 20-9s from Singapore Airlines was finalized in Washington, DC on October 23.)

Other customers include All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa and Qatar.

Launch customer will be Emirates.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing Picture

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

First A321neo With Revised Door Layout Assembled

The first Airbus A321neo equipped with a modified fuselage and additional cabin exits is nearing completion on the final assembly line in Hamburg. Dubbed the “Airbus Cabin Flex” (ACF) version, this first major variation of the A321 fuselage incorporates up to four over-wing exits instead of the main cabin doors immediately ahead of the wing on existing A321.

The pair of doors immediately behind the wing has also repositioned aft by four fuselage frames (with a deactivation option).

The changes increase in the twinset’s maximum seating from the current 230 passengers to up to 240. Other interior changes include slimmer seats, redesigned rear galley and lavatory module, and a new rating for exit doors.

The A321neo ACF is due to enter service next year and the changes it features will be incorporated into the extended-range A321LR version of the A321neo, which is due to enter service in 2019. This variant features increased weights and up to three auxiliary fuel tanks, to boost range by up to 500nm (925km) to 4,000nm.

Source : Flightglobal/Airbus Picture

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Boeing Business Jets Has Upped Its Sales For 2017

Boeing Business Jets tally for 2017 to 13 aircraft, adding six since the EBACE business aviation in May. In what new BBJ president Greg Laxton calls a “fast and furious” year to date. The orders include a second 737 Max 7, the only narrow body Boeing Business Jet able to fly 7,000nm (13,000km). Boeing secured its first customer for the Max 7 BBJ late last year—a variant Laxton describes as a “game-changer” as it gives the airframe a product with similar range to the Gulfstream G650 or Bombardier 7000.

Boeing also notched up orders for six wide body business jets—Three 747-8s and three 777-300ERs— in 2017, as well as two of BBJ Max 9s, two original BBJs ( 737-700s) and a pair of BBJ 2s (737-800s). There have been four deliveries of green aircraft: three 777-300ERS and one 787-8.

In total, Boeing has orders for the BBJ version of the Max, with first delivery to a completion center—a 737 Max 8—due in the second quarter of 2018.

Source : Flightglobal/BBJ

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Retirement of KLM Fokker Ends Era That Began in 1921

The retirement of KLM Cityhopper’s last Fokker 70, after final flight on October 28, marks the end of an era in Dutch aviation history.

It was all the way back in April 1921 that KLM put its first Fokker into service. KLM’s chief executive Pieter Elbers describes the exit of its last Fokker as “a sad moment”, but also highlights a new beginning for Cityhopper regional unit, which now operates a fleet composed of Embraer E-Jets.

“The replacement of the entire Fokker fleet began nine years ago with the introduction of the first Embraer 190 in November 2008,” Elbers recalls. ”it can be difficult to keep reliability high for the small Fokker fleet, but our maintenance team at Cityhopper has done a fantastic job.”

Special farewell flight between Heathrow and Amsterdam School was operated on the evening of October 28, becoming the last ever scheduled arrival of Cityhopper Fokker 70 at the Dutch hub. The aircraft (registered PH-KZU) was adorned with an image of founding father Antony Fokker on the tail and “Thank you” titles on the fuselage.

Source : KLM Press Room/KLM Picture

American to Say Good Bye to MD-80s in 2019

American Airlines has set 2019 as the year it will retire its MD-80 fleet, replacing the rear-engined aircraft with modern Boeing 737-800s.The MD-80 was the workhorse of American and other US carriers’ domestic fleets from the 1980s through the early 2000s making it an everyday sight at airports around the country. Fort Worth-based America plans to finish this year with 45 MD-80s in its fleet, shrinking to 26 by the fall of 2018. All the carrier’s MD-80s will be based at its Dallas/Fort Worth hub once the ST Louis pilot base closes.

American was the first major US carrier to commit to the MD-80 — if only tentatively at first — when it agreed to “rent” 20 from McDonnell Douglas in 1982.

The airframer essentially leased the aircraft to the airline under a deal that allowed it to return the aircraft after five years with no penalty, or earlier with a cancellation charge.

Initially, American planned to primarily use the MD-80 to replace Boeing 727-100s in its fleet, citing 37% better fuel efficiency for the former compared to the latter. Instead American opted to use the aircraft for growth when it placed what at the time was its largest order ever for 167 MD-80s, including 67 firm and 100 options, in 1984.

With the 1984 deal, American had “firmly pinned its future” on the MD-80.American’s fleet grew to 260 by 1993.

Source : Flightglobal/American Picture

LATEST NEWS

UTair Russian carrier has unveiled a refreshed livery and a slightly-modified Utair brand name.

Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of the first of two Boeing 787-9s on October 27th making it Africa’s first operator of the type.

Aeroflot sizes up Airbus, Boeing for a narrow-body order and considering a “sizable” order of the A320neo and 737 MAX.

Airbus delivered first A320neo assembled in Tianjin to Air Asia. The aircraft, powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines.

Textron Aviation delivered its 100th Cessna Citation Latitude. The delivery went to NetJets.

Emirates Airlines takes delivery of its 100th A380 at Airbus’ Hamburg facility on November 3.

The Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC) has flown its C919 aircraft for the third time—five weeks after its second flight, and 26 weeks after the first flight.

Comlux signs the first BBJ MAX 8 completion ever, the aircraft will go to Comlux Indianapolis facilities in the 4th quarter of 2018 for redelivery by the fall of 2019

Pratt & Whitney successfully tests next generation Pure Power Geared Turbofan (GTF) as part of the FAA Sustainability Program.

Emirates Airlines kicked off the Dubai Air Show by announcing a commitment to purchase 40 Boeing 787-10s valued at $15.1 billion at list prices.

Air China and Air Canada take delivery of their first 737 Max 8 aircraft. The latest hand-overs raise Boeing’s total count of 737-8s this year to at least 35.

AIR CARGO

Lockheed Flies Second LM-100J Cargo Transport.

The second LM-100 J has joined Lockheed Martin’s flight test program for the commercial freighter derivative of the C-130J military transport. The newly-built aircraft completed a first flight on October 11 from Lockheed’s final assembly plant in Marrietta, Georgia.

The first LM-100J started flying on May 25 to begin Lockheed’s campaign to receive a civil certification of the type from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The addition of the second aircraft “will accelerate our progress to deliver this unique aircraft’s capabilities to civilian operators around the world”, says Wayne Roberts, Lockheed’s chief test pilot for the LM-100J.

Lockheed has announced receiving 25 orders with a total value of $1.6 billion for the converted civil freighter. Externally, the most visible difference between the C-130 J and LM-100J is the absence of windows at the feet of the pilot and co-Pilot in the Cockpit of the commercial derivative. The LM-100J also lacks certain features of the military version, such as the capability to lower the cargo ramp door in flight.

Source : Lockheed/Lockheed Picture

EVA Air Takes First 777-200 LR Freighter

On November 10 EVA has taken delivery of its first Boeing 777-200LR Freighters part of its fleet modernization plan.

It will be put the aircraft was put into service between Asia and North America later that month. says the Taiwanese airline in a statement. It currently operates cargo services to North American points of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and Atlanta.

EVA adds that the General Electric GE-90 powered 777-200LR freighter allows it to operate to any North American destination from Taiwan, with a technical stop in Anchorage.

The carrier has another four of the freighters on order, all of which will be delivered by September 2019. With the deliveries, it will retire its five remaining 747-400 Freighters by the end of 2019.

The airline’s executive vice-president of corporate planning Albert Liao tells FlightGlobal that the carrier’s cargo strategy is to utilize the five 777 freighters as well as the belly hold of its 34 777-300ER aircraft to ensure a “sustainable” cargo in “ good and bad Times”.

Source : Flightglobal/EVA Picture

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

Leap Negotiates Teething Problems

The engine manufacturers predict around 450 Leaps will be produced in 2017. With all the attention paid to Pratt & Whitney’s problems with the geared turbofan this year, some have overlooked the early hiccups with its rival, The CFM LEAP.

“We have observed a premature loss of coating on the high-pressure turbine shroud which is made by our partner in CFM GE on some engines,” said Safran CEO Philippe Petitcolin in a recent earnings call.

Following a problem with LEAP 1B low-pressure turbine(LPT) discs that has nearly been resolved, CFM is now dealing with premature loss of the thermal coating on high-pressure turbine discs on the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B.

However, Petitcolin, says that “most of this issue is really now behind us” and that coating problems should be fully resolved by 2018.He also stresses that the additional headwind is a conservative estimate, and that the extra technical support may not be needed. One question for next year is the production split between CFM56 and LEAP engines, given ongoing strong sales of former powerplant.

Source: mro-network .com

MRO Short News

FedEx orders up to 50 new-build ATR freighters and will become the launch customer for the line-produced ATR 72-600 Freighter, after placing a firm order for 30 aircraft, plus 20 options.

Boeing Asia Pacific Aviation Services has a Singapore Airline Cargo contract to provide fleet engineering services for 747-400Fs via customized solutions from Global Fleet Care portfolio.

Airbus forecasts MRO business in Asia will grow 4.5% annually through 2036(vs global growth of 3.9%) and be worth $ 660 billion over the next 20 years.

Swiss AviationSoftware was selected by Boeing to support its Global Fleet Care services with AMOS MRO software; Norwegian is first customer to use the AMOS-supported service.

HEICO secured $1.3 billion unsecured revolving credit facility to principally fund acquisitions.

Answer to Last Month Puzzler:

TAM of Brazil

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

September 15, 2015 by kaplanianreport

Volume 2 Issue 9 September 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Spirit AeroSystems/Boeing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Minneapolis Biz Journal/Ed’s Research

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

A350-900 Makes Moscow Debut as Aeroflot Continues Review

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

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

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

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

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

Source : Flightglobal/Airbus

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Comac Working Toward November ARJ21 First Delivery Chengdu Airlines

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

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

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

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

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

Source : Flightglobal/Photo Comac

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source : ATW/WestJet

Alaska to Take First 737 MAX 8 in 2017

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

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

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

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

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

Source : Flightglobal

Vietnam Airlines Drops its A380 Order

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

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

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

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

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

Source : ATW

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

Jet2 Budget carrier Jet2 has signed an order with Boeing for 27 737-800 aircraft. The deal marks the carrier’s first direct order with Boeing.

Emirates takes delivery of the 65th A380. Emirates A380s serve 34 destinations and has a further 75 on order.

Philippine Airlines is considering the acquisition or lease of eight 787 Dreamliners or Airbus A350 XWB aircraft.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has switched an order for six Boeing 787-9s to the larger 787-10 to better fit with its network plans.

Norwegian will lease two additional Boeing 787-9s, due for delivery in summer 2017, which it will use to extend its long-haul network.

China’s Bohai Leasing is in exclusive talks to buy Irish aircraft leasing firm Avolon for USD$2.64 billion, after raising its offer to put it ahead of a rival bidder.

Tyler IATA CEO and director general Tony Tyler will retire in June 2016 after serving five years in the position. Tyler’s retirement was announced on Aug.28 and the search for his successor has begun.

Malaysia Airlines has been granted an air operator’s certificate (AOC) by the Malaysian Department of Civil Aviation under its new name Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB).

Mitsubishi Regional Jet( MRJ) test flight is scheduled for the latter half of October, Mitsubishi Heavy industries has announced.

Emirates and Boeing celebrated the simultaneous delivery of three 777s- two 777-300ERs and one 777 Freighter – marking the entry of the 150th 777into Emirates fleet.

Austrian Airlines Lufthansa subsidiary Austrian Airlines is preparing to receive the first of 17 modified Embraer E-195s.

BoraJet Airlines Turkish regional carrier has taken delivery of three Embraer 195s from the Regional aircraft Group of GECAS, the leasing and financing division of GE.

Air Cargo

Air China Cargo Began Freighter Service to Canada

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

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

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

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

Source : Air Cargo World/Air China

MILITARY NEWS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source : Airforcetechnology.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source : Boeing

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

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