ON THE BOEING FRONT
GE Aviation’s GE9X Engine Begins Flight Tests
GE Aviation’s GE9X turbofan engine, which will power Boeing’s new 777X aircraft, completed its first flight test under the wing of GE Aviation’s flying testbed in Victorville, California.
GE said the first flight marks the start of a flight test campaign that is slated to last through most of this year. “Today’s flight starts the beginning of the GE9X flight test campaign that will last for several months, allowing us to accumulate data on how the engine performs at altitude and during various phases of flight” ,says GE program manager Ted Ingling.
The GE9X will power the Boeing 777-9 and 777-8, which are scheduled to enter service in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
The engine is the largest turbofan engine in history. The 105,000lb-thrust engine produces less thrust than the older 115,000lb-thrust GE90 for the 777-300ER; but has a larger diameter fan of 134in-diameter(340cm) vs the 128in-diameter fan(325cm) of the GE90-115. The number of blades was reduced from 22 on the GE90-115 to 16 composite blades made from 4th generation carbon fiber composite. The GE9X is 10cm(3.94in) wider. The additional width increases the bypass ratio to about 10.1, a key metric in GE’s plan to reduce fuel burn compared to the GE90-115 by about 10%.
The GE9X program also has completed icing tests at GE’s facility in Winnipeg, Canada. Cross tests are continuing at Peebles Test Operation in Ohio.
Source : ATW/GE Aviation/GE Aviation PictureEd’s Research
ON THE AIRBUS FRONT
First Airbus A350-900ULR Rolls Out in Toulouse
The First A350-900ULR has rolled out of the Airbus final assembly line in Toulouse. It went to the outdoor station for ground testing before installation of its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
The Airbus A350-900ULR features a redesigned fuel system and aerodynamic improvements that increase its range to 9,700 nautical miles.
Next, plans call for the aircraft to embark on what Airbus characterizes as a short flight-test program to certify the modifications to the standard A350-900 that will bring the ULR’s additional range capability. The test phase will also measure enhanced performance derived from aerodynamic improvements, including extended winglets.
The first ultra-long-range Airbus A350-900ULR is destined to be delivered to Singapore Airlines.
Source : Flightglobal/Airbus Picture
REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS
GE Renames ATP Engine ‘CATALYST” As Test Plans Pick Up Pace
GE Aviation’s Czech-built Advanced Turboprop (ATP) engine has been rebranded Catalyst, as the manufacturer readies the new design for critical certification tests relating to ice crystal icing this summer.
The Renaming comes more than three years after Textron Aviation selected GE’s 1,300shp (969kW) turboprop to power the Cessna Denali; a surprise break from the aircraft manufacturer’s long association with the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6.
“That is such an appropriate name because it is a catalyst for change,” Brad Mottier, vice-president and general manager of GE’s Business, General Aviation and Integrated Systems business, told reporters during a tour of the company’s facility for small turboprop engines in Prague.
Source : GE Aviation
Embraer to Deliver First E190-E2 to Wideroe
Embraer will deliver the first E190-E2, registered LN-WEA, to launch customer Wideroe on April 4. The air framer unveiled the aircraft on March 12, as it moves off the assembly line into flight testing.
Wideroe is Norwegian regional carrier, which has firm orders for three E 190-E2s, will take delivery of its second in May and third in June, Embraer has said.
Kazakhstan’s Air Astana is expected to be the second operator of the aircraft, and will take the first of five aircraft leased from AerCap in the second half of this year.
According to Flight Fleets Analyzer, Embraer has secured 74 firm orders for the E190-E2.
Source : Embraer/Flightglobal
OTHER AVIATION NEWS
SpiceJet, CFM Sign $12 Billion Engine, Service Deal
One of India’s fastest-growing airlines has signed a 12.5 billion with CFM international Inc. for engines and a 10-year services contract for an incoming fleet of more than 150 737 MAX aircraft.
SpiceJet Ltd. has agreed to buy the LEAP-1B engines and spare engines from CFM, which is a joint venture between France’s Safran Aircraft Engines SAS and General Electric Co.’s GE Aviation, the two companies said in a statement on March 10.The deal also includes a 10-year services contract for maintenance of the CFM engines, which will be billed on an hourly basis, the statement said. SpiceJet already deploys CFM engines in its current fleet.
“From what we have seen so far, the LEAP-1B is living up to its promises for efficiency and reliability,” Ajay Singh, SpiceJet’s chairman and managing director, said in a statement.
The deal was announced as French President Emmanuel Macron visited India and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Source : SpiceJet/CFM International
Virgin Cancels Long-Dormant A380 Order
Virgin Atlantic has finally cancelled it order for six Airbus A380s, the air framer’s latest backlog data shows. Airbus has listed a cancellation of six A380s in the figures covering the first two months of this year.
The carrier has been among the first A380 customers, originally signing for the Rolls-Royce Trent 900-powered jets in 2001.
But it has repeatedly postponed deliveries—the jets were supposed to have been handed to the airline in 2006—and Virgin Atlantic has since amended its fleet plans to include long-haul twinjets such as the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350-1000. Virgin Atlantic has confirmed the A380 cancellation.
“Following a thorough review of our fleet we have taken the decision not to pursue our order for six Airbus A380,” says the carrier.
We believe the A350-1000 will best serve our customers and network, and will enable us continue reducing the carbon emissions from our fleet, through our ongoing investment in quieter, more fuel efficient aircraft,” it adds.
These take total A380 orders to 331 of which 222 have been delivered, leaving 109 still to be produced.
Source : Flightglobal/Virgin Atlantic
Turkish Airlines Finalize an Order for Up to 30 787 Dreamliners
Turkish Airlines finalized a firm order with Boeing for 25 787-9 Dreamliners with options for five more airplanes. The firm order will allow Turkey’s flag carrier to further meet the growing demand at its home airport, Istanbul’s third airport, and improve the flying experience for passengers.
First announced as a commitment in September 2017 Turkish Airline becomes the 71st customer to buy the 787.Together these customers ordered more than 1,300 Dreamliners.
Turkish Airlines has continued to expand its fleet of Boeing airplanes. Recently, the airline grew its stable of 777 jets with the purchase of three more 777 Freighters.
The airline also uses electronic charts and some other services from Boeing Global Services to further optimize its operations and operational systems.
Source : Boeing/Turkish Airlines
LATEST NEWS
- Hawaiian Airlines announced the purchase of 10 787-9 valued at $2.82 billion also has purchase rights for 10 additional 787s.
- Iceland Air took delivery of its first 737 MAX 8 on March 1st.Iceland air ordered 16 737 MAX 8s in 2013.
- Boeing rolled out the 10,000th 737 at its Renton, Washington plant the recipient of the aircraft a 737 MAX 8 will be Southwest Airlines.
- Aeromexico took delivery of the first of up to 90 737 MAX aircraft, to expand its network across the Americas.
- Indigo Airlines agreed to lease two new Airbus A320-200s from Air Lease Corp, for delivery in the 3d quarter of this year.
- China’s Air Guilin leased two new Airbus A320-200s from DAE Capital.
AIR CARGO
GECAS to Offer New Telair Flexible Loading System
Sweden’s Telair International has received certification for its new Flexible Loading System (FLS) for all current production and in-service Boeing 737 aircraft—and lessor GECAS will offer the system to its 737-800 freighter conversion customers on aircraft entering service this year.
Allowing 737 operators to carry containerized freight along with bulk-loaded bags in the lower hold of the aircraft, the FLS” improves loading efficiency and adds flexibility, especially for combination, express and e-commerce operators”, commented Richard Greener, senior vice president and manager, Cargo Aircraft Group, GECAS.
“The Flexible Loading System allows Telair’s containers to be preloaded and screened at the cargo sort and brought on board the aircraft using existing bulk loading equipment,” he explained.
New Telair containers have been designed specifically for use with Telair EDGE Sliding Carpet, an on-board conveyer system for loading and unloading bulk cargo, which is currently installed on the 737 MAX. The EDGE model is about 40 percent lighter than existing variants, Telair said, since it uses carbon fiber technology.
Source : air cargo technology news/GECAS picture
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News
Healthy Projections for The 787 Aftermarket
Being a new generation aircraft, it is a long-held brief that the 787 will be a lot less maintenance-intensive than some of the older predecessors. 
However, with the sheer number of 787s set to enter into service over the next decade, estimated to stand at 2,317 units in service by 2027 by Aviation Week’s Fleet & MRO Forecast, the aircraft will still see a healthy year on year compound annual growth rate for MRO of 18.9% annually.
While MRO demand is forecast to grow at a smaller rate than that of its competitor the Airbus A350(26.3%), the 787 is nevertheless estimated to have 1,000 more aircraft in service than the A350 by 2027. Among the largest operators by then will be Japan’s All Nippon Airways in Asia Pacific, Qatar Airways in the middle East and United Airlines in North America.
Engine maintenance is expected to account for the largest share of MRO work conducted on the aircraft, accounting for 28%($17 billion) of spend from now until 2027.
The Aftermarket ambitions of its manufacturer Boeing are well documented, with a $50 million play targeted over the next decade. So far, the OEM appears on the right track. In the most recent financial results published in late-January 2018, the company saw an estimated 3%-5% annual growth in the division, taking its overall aftermarket sales to $14.6 billion for the year.
Source : pro.network/Boeing Numbers
MRO Latest News
- Magnetic MRO was selected by Air Nostrum to provide Bombardier CRJ1000 line maintenance.
- Vallair the aircraft trading, leasing and specialist MRO organization, delivered a Boeing 737-400F to Ireland’s ASL Aviation Holdings.
- Turkish Technic was selected by Russia’s IKar Airlines to perform C Check on a Boeing 767-300ER.
- S7 Technics will paint 17 aircraft, Airbus A320s and Boeing 737-800s, for S7 Airlines into airline’s new brand livery.
- Tarmac Aerosave, a company specializing in aircraft storage, maintenance and dismantling a second Airbus A380 at its Tarbes, France facility for storage. Bringing the total of ex-Singapore Airlines A380s to be stored in Tarbes to four.
Researched and Compiled by :
Ed Kaplanian Commercial Aviation Advisor
Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com
Editor: Lee Kaplanian
KAPLANIAN REPORT 