October 7, 2017 by kaplanianreport

Volume 4 Issue 10 October 2017 The Kaplanian Report

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Expands Helena Site for 777X Parts Production

Boeing’s Helena, Montana, manufacturing site is set to install new machinery for manufacturing critical titanium parts for the 777X production. The new 90,000 sq.ft. expansion of Boeing Helena brings the site’s total footprint to over 257,000 sq.ft.

Machine parts for the 777X to be manufactured at Boeing Helena will include side-of-body chords and terminal end fittings which connect the wings to the fuselage, Boeing said. The site has become a vital part of Boeing’s commercial airplane supply chain, the company said, specializing in complex machining of hard metals for Boeing’s 737, 747, 767, and 787 aircraft models.

“Our investment in Boeing Helena…further positions our…Montana team of nearly 150 employees as key partner of Boeing Commercial Airplanes,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes VP and GM-Fabrication Kim Smith said.

Boeing purchased the former Summit Aeronautics Group facility in December 2010 and renamed it Boeing Helena. The facility is part of Auburn, Washington-headquartered Boeing Fabrication, a division of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and is one of 12 Boeing Fabrication sites located around the world.

Source : ATW/Boeing

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Delivers First U.S.-Produced A320 To Spirit Airlines

The first delivery of an A320 aircraft from the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility has taken place in Mobile, Alabama. The aircraft, delivered to Spirit Airlines, is the 37th overall delivery from the U.S. facility since production began in July 2015. The previous 36 aircraft were A321 aircraft, making this delivery another important milestone for Airbus.

Airbus commenced final assembly work on the A320 around May this year. The aircraft is fitted with International Aero Engines V2500 power plants. With this delivery Spirit’s all-Airbus fleet increases to 106 aircraft, says the carrier. Around half of its jets are A320s.

Today, the Family has won over 13,200 orders and more than 7,700 aircraft have been delivered to some 400 customers and operators worldwide.

Airbus announced its commitment to build a single-aisle assembly line in Mobile, Alabama, in July 2012, and broke ground for the $600 million facility in April 2013. Airbus anticipates delivering four aircraft per month from the Mobile plant by the end of this year.

Source : Airbus/Pictures Airbus

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

MRJ Test Fleet Grounded After PW1200G Flameout

Mitsubishi Aircraft has grounded its MRJ regional jet flight test fleet, following an engine “flameout” on one of its test prototypes on August 21.

The “uncommanded shut down” on prototype FTA-2 happened on the left Pratt & Whitney PW1200G engine during a flight test.

Mitsubishi would not say what tests the aircraft was conducting when the flameout occurred, but said the incident happened in training airspace over the ocean, about 170km (106 miles) west of Portland. Pilots were alerted to the issue only when the left engine shut down.

The Aircraft had taken off from Moses Lake at 14:00 local time and had to make an unscheduled landing at Portland International airport at 17:12 local time.

The FTA-2 Prototype has since returned to the Manufacturer’s test base at Moses Lake, after replacement of the troubled engine

Mitsubishi has since grounded its test fleet. It will decide when to resume flight tests after the cause of the incident is determined.(as of this writing testing has resumed.)

Source : Flightglobal/Mitsubishi

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

EASA has Granted Certification for The Trent 1000 TEN

Rolls-Royce has been granted full-flight certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for its Boeing 787 Trent 1000 TEN engine.

The Trent 1000 TEN, which will power all Boeing 787 variants, has improved Thrust and efficiency because of cross-over technologies from the Airbus A350’s Trent XWB power plant and Rolls-Royce’s Advance turbofan, a new engine program that was announced in 2014.

“This marks another critical step in our journey toward delivering additional capability and new technology for the Boeing 787,” Rolls-Royce chief engineer for Trent 1000, Dave Taylor said.

The certification came as Rolls-Royce delivered its first set of production engines to Boeing in Seattle, ready for entry into service later this year.

Source : Rolls-Royce

Qantas to Base Half of 787 Fleet In Brisbane

Qantas will base four of its upcoming 787-9s in Brisbane, complementing the four aircraft that will be based in Melbourne. Qantas says in a statement that the four aircraft earmarked for the Brisbane base will be delivered during the second half of 2018.

“We have said that initially our Dreamliners will replace the routes that our older 747s fly, but there are also new destinations we are looking at, given capability of the aircraft,” says Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce.

At present, Qantas’s only 747 services from Brisbane are to Los Angeles, Flightglobal schedules data shows, making that the likely

launch route for 787s from the Queensland Capital. The airline says, however, that the aircraft could potentially open up new services to destinations including, Seattle, Chicago and Vancouver.

Joyce adds that decisions on these new routes will be made in the coming months.

The Australian airline will take delivery of its first 787-9 in October, and will use the aircraft on domestic services for six weeks for crew training purposes. From December 15, the type will be used on Melbourne-Los Angeles services, and from March 2018 on the Melbourne-Perth-London route.

According to Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that Qantas has options on a further 45 787s, but it has given no indication if or when it may exercise those options.

Source : Qantas

Air Tahiti to Replace A340s in 2018

French Polynesian carrier Air Tahiti NUI is preparing for a major upgrade of its long-haul international fleet in 2018, when it will begin the replacement of its Airbus A340s with Boeing 787-9s.

The Carrier has four 787s on order, two leased and two purchased. These will replace four A340-300s it operates on flights to Auckland and Tokyo and a route to Paris via Los Angeles.

The 787-9s are scheduled to arrive between October 2018 and September 2019. The leased aircraft will enter service the fleet first, followed by the two purchased aircraft in 2019. Cabin configuration is still being finalized, and training is expected to begin next year.

CEO Michel Monvoisin noted the carrier is now making a positive contribution to the national budget, as its majority owner is the government of French Polynesia.

Source: ATW

LATEST NEWS

Rolls-Royce has secured European flight certification for the Airbus A350-1000’s power plant, the Trent XWB-97.

Southwest has become the first U.S. airline to receive Boeing’s 737MAX 8 aircraft. It is expected to take delivery of eight more this month.

Singapore has quietly parked the first Airbus A380 aircraft to enter commercial service.

Kish Air of Iran has signed an MOU with Boeing to purchase ten 737 MAX aircraft.

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE) has announced the delivery of an Airbus A320-200 aircraft to new customer, Flyadeal a subsidiary of Saudi Arabian Airlines group.

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is considering ordering the Airbus A321neoLR to operate on routes from Zurich to long-haul destinations in Africa.

Orion Airways is one of new Cypriot airlines to emerge following the demise of flag carrier Cyprus Airways in 2015. Its first aircraft, is a former Jordan Aviation Boeing 737-300.

Gol Airlines of Brazil announces sale and leaseback transactions with Ge Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) for seven aircraft, including five 737 MAX 8 aircraft and two 737-800 Next Generation (NG) aircraft. Additionally, the company signed the direct operating lease for five additional 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Egyptair takes delivery of the 7th of nine new Boeing 737-800s ordered as part of plans to upgrade its aging fleet on Thursday, August 31st.

EL AL Israel Airline took delivery of its first 787-9 leased through an agreement with Air Lease Corporation.

AIR CARGO

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings Flying for Nippon Cargo

Purchase, New York-based air cargo operator Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings started operating a second Boeing 747-400 freighter for Japan’s Nippon Cargo Airline (NCA) on September 1 .

Atlas Air initiated its relationship with the Narita International Airport (NRT)-based cargo carrier in December 2016, launching flights for NCA in January. The two companies indicated additional aircraft may be added to their agreement in the future. As with the first 747-400F, additional freighters will fly transpacific routes connecting Asia and the US, Atlas Air said.

Atlas Air Worldwide president and CEO William Flynn said the move follows the “successful start of the first aircraft for NCA earlier this year and underscores our focus on fast-growing Asia Pacific market.”

Atlas Air’s transpacific routes flown for NCA fly an eastward trajectory between Narita (NRT), Ted Stevens Anchorage International (ANC) and Chicago O’Hare International (ORD).Atlas Air’s westward NCA flights operate in three trajectories: ORD-Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)-ANC;ORD-DFW-ANC-NRT; and a direct nonstop ORD-NRT flight.

Nippon Cargo operates a fleet of eight Boeing 747-8Fs (all leased) and five 747-400Fs (one owned by NCA, the remainder leased).

Source : ATW/Picture Atlas Air

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

Opinion: Uncertainties Abound In Engine Leasing Market

The commercial engine leasing market is growing, though entry of new models and OEM involvement in MRO are creating uncertainty.

Opinion is divided concerning the size and value of the engine leasing market. Some of the uncertainty comes from the involvement of OEMs and their large engine-lease pools that support their respective aftermarket maintenance packages. As a result, identifying the true market is difficult because so much trading and maintenance activity is ring-fenced.

However, both OEMs and operators potentially benefit from such arrangement via guaranteed cash flows through flight-hour agreements for the OEM and reduced risk for the operator.

The engine market is well-stocked, notably with much-talked-about CFM56-5B,CFM56-7B and V2500-A5, expected to have significant shop analyzing the outstanding order book for these types, forecasts that Pratt & Whitney PW1000 and CFM Leap engines will far surpass the quantities of the CFM56 and V2500 engines today. While OEMs seek to secure more maintenance agreements for engines, the overall number of engines is expected to grow and thus, by engine count, the OEM and independent leasing/MRO markets are expected to increase their stocks.

Further on, OEMs will still be very present in this market, for example, CFM spent $4 billion in research and development units latest Leap engine programs.

Capturing more of the maintenance market allows OEMs to invest more heavily in the next generation of engines and helps offset the discounts offered to airlines for the latest A320neo and 737MAX-family engines. Independents, tear-down entities and MROs all stand to lose out from this shift in strategy.

Source : MRO-Network.com

MRO Short News

Monarch Aircraft Engineering has a contract from Evelop Airlines, Spain, to provide base maintenance services, initially on an Airbus A330, out of Birmingham.

HEICO agreed to acquire Southern California-based Aeroantenna Technology.

Pacific Aerospace Resources and Technologies based in Victorville, California has retained Cloud Investment Partners and Tiger Group to sell company; bids were due on or before September 7 as a going concern, and auction of all assets was scheduled for September 21.

Certified Aviation Services (CAS) signed a service agreement with Boeing Global Fleet Care to provide MRO services in the US for Boeing’s aftermarket support system. Under the agreement, CAS will provide scheduled maintenance operations in support of the 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner.

Puzzler of the Month

ANSWER TO LAST MONTH’S PUZZLER

A Wet Lease means an organization (airline) or person who owns the aircraft will provide the lessor with the aircraft as well as one or more crew members to the lessee. Even more important, the lessor promises to conduct adequate maintenance & procure the insurance necessary to operate.

A Dry Lease means an organization (airline) or person provides the lessee the aircraft; however, without a crew and promises to conduct adequate maintenance & procure the insurance necessary to operate.

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

February 11, 2017 by kaplanianreport

Volume 4 Issue 2 February 2017 The Kaplanian Report

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Selects CTT for 777X Humidification Systems

CTT Systems has been selected by Boeing to provide the humidification systems for flight deck, crew rests and cabin zone A/B for the Boeing 777X aircraft. CTT will be tier-1 supplier to Boeing and the CTT products will be offered as supplier furnished equipment in the 777X catalog.

CTT Systems AB, headquartered in Nykoping, Sweden and listed on the Small Cap of OMX Nordic Exchange Stockholm AB, is the leading provider of aerospace products for active humidity control: inside the aircraft cabin-for increasing humidity-and in aircraft structures- for preventing condensation.

Selecting CTT enables Boeing to bring humidification capabilities and performance from the 787 to the 777X and migrate to premium passenger cabins (zone A and B). In total, the Boeing 777X aircraft can be equipped with five humidifiers.

The 777X will be the largest and most efficient twin-engine in the world, with 12 percent lower fuel consumption and 10 percent lower operating costs than the competition.

CTT’s humidifier maintains relative humidity in the human comfort zone, 20 percent Relative Humidity. A higher humidity on long-haul flights reduces dry air related problems (e.g. fatigue, jet-lag, red eyes, dry skin, spread of virus diseases) and improves wellbeing and sleep. The humidifier is baed on evaporative cooling technology and uses a method that effectively precludes the transfer of bacteria.

Source : Arabian Aerospace/Boeing

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Prepares Beluga XL Core for Integration

Airbus has assembled the basic core airframe of the initial BelugaXL high-capacity transport designed to replace the A300-600ST logistics fleet.

The airframes, based on an A330-200 freighter with reinforcements, was assembled in December of 2016; but has yet to be mated with its nose or tail sections.

These sections will be added this year, the manufacturer states, as an 18 month integration process commences. Beluga XL program head Bertrand George says the final integration will be “a series of small steps”.

“The Number of holes to be drilled and fasteners to be installed is far bigger than on any other Airbus aircraft”. He says. “Sticking to schedule at each step is the key to being ready for first flight in 2018.”

Over the initial 12 months of the assembly, the airframe will be completed and fitted with mechanical and electrical components. The final six months will involve transferring the aircraft to a new station for Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engine installation and Ground testing.

Airbus is renewing the logistics fleet with five Beluga XLs to meet demand for A350 assembly. The Beluga XL will enter service in 2019.

Source : Flightglobal/Airbus

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

MRJ Delay Confirmed; System Revision Cited

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the parent of Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp., has made official a further two year delay in the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) program.

Mitsubishi said on January 23, that the first delivery of the MRJ90 to Japan’s All Nippon Airways (ANA) would be pushed back to mid-2020 from mid-2018; meaning first delivery will be nearly seven years later than what was planned in the program’s original timetable.

Four MRJ90 flight test aircraft are currently flying, with a fifth slated to join flight testing this year.

The Latest delay is necessary because of “revisions to certain systems and electrical configurations on the aircraft to meet the latest requirements for certification,” “the design changes will not effect aircraft performance, fuel consumption of functionality of systems” Mitsubishi said.

MRJ certification is now targeted for the second half of 2019.The company aims to achieve world class commercial aircraft development through integrated work between global and Japanese experts.

Source : Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp./Photo Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp.

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

GE9X Spools Up for Second Test Phase

Testing of the largest turbofan aircraft engine in history will enter a new phase later this year. Until now, GE Aviation has used the first engine to test (FETT) to validate design and performance assumptions.

With the second engine to test now in final assembly, GE is poised to begin a one -year cycle of trials required to earn airworthiness certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration.

Although based on the architecture of the GE90, the GE9X sets new boundaries for the industry in terms of size-notably its 134in (340cm) fan diameter-pressure ratio (a claimed 61.1 margin at top of climb) and application of new materials, including the spread of ceramic matrix composites (CMC) to turbine nozzle guide vanes and combust or liners.

It also improves on the strength of the carbon fiber construction of the fan blades, allowing GE to assign only 16 blades for each engine, despite a 6in wider diameter compared with the 22 fan blades found on the GE90.

Each new feature in the GE9X must be validated as being as safe or better than the proven engine technology already in service, while still meeting performance promises such as a 10% reduction in fuel burn against the GE90.

And it must be proved ready on a tight schedule: Boeing plans to begin deliveries of the first GE9X powered 777-9 by early 2020, which implies a system-level, Part 25 airworthiness certification in late 2019 and an engine-level, Part 33 certification in 2018.

Source : Flightglobal/GE Aviation

Southwest Jockeys with Norwegian for 737 Max Launch Title

Southwest Airlines chief executive Gary Kelly says the carrier will be the launch customer of the Boeing 737 Max “regardless of when we take the first delivery”, even as Norwegian prepares to be the first operator.

Kelly cites the Dallas-based carrier’s extensive involvement with Boeing on the development and testing of the latest generation of the venerable narrow body, as the rationale behind his comment during a quarterly earnings call today.

Southwest is the launch customer of the Max, placing the first order in December 2011. Norwegian placed its 737 Max order a month later in January 2012.

Southwest reaffirms that it will not debut the 737 Max 8 on scheduled flights until the end of the third quarter, when all its 737-300 and -500 aircraft, or classics, are retired. ”We don’t really need the 737 Max for flying until October 1,” says Kelly.

“Norwegian will now be the first airline to take delivery of the 737 Max, and will be the first airline in the world to operate this brand-new aircraft type,” spokesman for Norwegian says.

The jockeying between Norwegian and Southwest sets up a race between the two carriers to see who will take the first 737 Max, with the odds likely on the latter due to its placing the first order and heavy involvement in the program.

Lion Air, Norwegian and Southwest are all scheduled to take their first Max 8s in May, the Flight Fleet Analyzer shows. In addition,China Eastern Airlines, FlyDubai and WestJet are scheduled to take their first of the type before the end of September.

Source : Flightglobal

LATEST NEWS

Flynas, Saudi Arabia’s leading low-cost carrier, has signed an agreement with Airbus for 60 A320neo Family aircraft

Juneyao Airlines has announced an order for 10 Boeing 787-9s, comprising five firm orders and five options. The aircraft will facilitate the Shanghai-based carrier’s rapid international expansion.

SpiceJet sealed a deal worth $10 billion with Boeing for 100 737 Max aircraft.

Air Baltic, the Latvian carrier has received its second Bombardier CS300 aircraft after becoming the launch customer for the larger CSeries variant.

Trade Air, the Croatian Charter, carrier received its first Airbus A320, a former SATA international example.

Delta Airlines has taken delivery of its first US-built Airbus A321. The jet N314DN (c/n 7281),was delivered from Mobile, Alabama, plant to Minneapolis, St Paul last December.

Arik Air of Nigeria has scrapped a longstanding order for two Boeing 747-8Is, replacing it with a pair of Boeing 787-9s.

China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) signed a long term lease with Thai AirAsia for one Airbus A320, which is expected to be delivered this year.

Avolon, the Irish lessor, delivered one Boeing 737-800 to Malaysia-based Malindo Air. This is the forth Avolon aircraft on lease to Malindo.

Ukraine International Airlines has taken delivery of the first of six Boeing 737-800s, which are scheduled to join the fleet this year.

AIR CARGO

Crustaceans Crush 2016, Leading to 4.1 % Cargo Rise at Halifax

Thanks to a booming year for lobster, Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) saw substantial cargo growth in 2016, processing more than 33,000 tons of cargo, up 4.1 percent over 2015. An estimated US$187 million in seafood exports were shipped last year, an increase of approximately $40 million from 2015. As demand for lobster and other high-value seafood grows in markets such as Asia, Halifax Stanfield International Airport expects continued growth in seafood exports.

Yangtze River Express Airlines was the latest cargo carrier to add services to Halifax Airport and take advantage of the lobster export season earlier this month.

The Chinese carrier operated five 747-400 F cargo flights between Canada and China since the first of the 2016 calendar year.

Passenger numbers were up as well, and bellyhold cargo is an important part of the story. Compared to the previous year, the 2016 passenger numbers were up 5.6 percent, said Joyce Carter, Halifax International president and CEO. ”We are set to hit 4 million passengers in 2017.”

The airport is Atlantic Canada’s busiest full-service airport, with cargo connectivity to markets across Canada, the United States, the Caribbean Basin, Europe and Asia. The airport processes cargo worth more than $447 million each year.

Source : Air Cargo World

MRO NEWS

GECAS Asset Management Services Aquires 737NG Inventory

GECAS Asset Management Services has entered an agreement with Air Berlin to acquire the airline’s entire inventory of 737NG spares including both rotables and expendables.

“Most components will be available for immediate shipment to our customers,” says Stefan Hayes, global commercial leader for GECAS Asset Management Services.

“We will soon have everything,nose to tail,that an operator of this popular aircraft type needs.This purchase represents an exciting opportunity for GECAS AMS to continue our relationship with Air Berlin while bolstering our 737NG stock and increasing our service capability.”

The material will be located at Asset Management Service’s warehouse locations in the U.S.,UK and Singapore.

Source : MRO network.com

Qantas Unveils $30 Million Maintenance Hanger for Its A380s

Qantas Airways unveiled a new $30 million hanger at Los Angeles International Airport, big enough to hold and perform maintenance on its A380s.

The hanger, the only facility in the U.S. designed specifically to hold the behemoth plane, was touted as signaling the airline’s commitment to Los Angeles as well to travelers making long-haul flights between the US and Australia.

“This is a win-win opportunity,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the facility on Friday, January 27th.

The Hanger is 480 feet by 370 feet and 12 stories tall, big enough to hold four passenger jets.The facility replaces a smaller 1950s-era hanger.

Qantas flies 40 flights per week between Los Angeles and Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia, primarily using A380s and Boeing 747 jets.

Qantas Group Chief Executive Alan Joyce, said the new hanger will make maintenance 20% more efficient because it allows more planes to fit the facility at the same time. When Qantas wanted to work on an A380 in the old, smaller hanger, most of the plane would not fit inside, he said.

Joyce said that Qantas also plans to rent out the facility to other carriers at LAX.

Source : Los Angeles Times/ Photo Qantas

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

July 23, 2016 by kaplanianreport

Volume 3 Issue 7 July 2016

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Selects iPad-Like Touch Screens For 777X Flight Deck

Future Boeing 777X airline pilots will be able to interact with their flight information displays in the same way that they use their smart phones and tablets.

Boeing has decided to integrate a multi-touch interface on the flight deck of the re-engineer wide body due to enter service in 2020, replacing a touch-pad based cursor control device (CCDs) mounted on the aisle-stand of the original 777, says Bob Feldmann, vice president and general manager of the 777X program.

The decision was made so recently that Boeing is not yet able to announce the supplier, as the contract had not been signed as of mid June, Feldmann says.

The new technology will be integrated as Boeing transitions from a standard layout of six displays in the 777 cockpit to the 787’s five display format in the 777X. ”We think we are the first Commercial airplane to really make something that is like all our customers are used to doing in their daily lives,” Feldmann says.

In discussions with our 777X customers, Boeing received a clear preference for making the transition to multi-touch screens, Feldmann says.

The next milestone for the 777-9 development program is a critical design review scheduled earlier next year. Production of the first test aircraft is expected to begin next June, with first flight following in 2018.

Cockpit touch screens are one of several key technologies Boeing is developing for the 777X. The most visible innovation on the 777X is perhaps Boeing’s plan to integrate folding wingtips, a feature normally found on fighters based on space constrained aircraft carriers.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Starting A330neo Final Assembly in October

Airbus is working through some high profile issues with the introduction of the A350 and the A320neo to market, but surely wishes those programs were low-profile as the A330neo. The reengineer A330 program, is progressing more quietly and without major problems that have kept Airbus in the news.

The A330-900, the first reengineer version of the family, is due to enter service by the end of 2017, followed by the smaller -800 a year later. Airbus hopes the program’s lower costs – combined with the fuel burn reduction the new engines are expected to provide and the new cabin designed to align it with the larger A350’s interior – will be sufficient to counter the Boeing 787.

Airbus is well on the way to producing the A330neo subassemblies. The first wing is essentially completed in the Broughton, England facility with only the sharklets missing, and the second is close behind. Along with engines and the new cabin, the wing has seen the most modifications of the major components. At 64 m(210 ft), the A330neo wingspan has grown by 4 m (13.1 ft) over the the A330ceo’s and has been structurally reinforced to accommodate the Neo’s heavier engines. The wing-to-body-juncture also has been redesigned.

In parallel, the first A330neo nose section is completed at the Saint-Nazaire plant in France. Airbus has a total of 186 orders for the two versions of the A330neo,10 for the A330-800 and the rest for the larger -900. Hawaiian Airlines has ordered 6 -800s and 4 for TransAsia Airways

Source : China Aviation Daily/Airbus Photo

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Mitsubishi Starts Final Assembly of First Delivery Jet

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is set to begin final assembly of the first customer aircraft for the MRJ regional jet program, with various sections of the fuselage having been delivered to the MRJ final assembly hanger.In a newsletter, Mitsubishi Aircraft says it will work through the final assembly process, with an eye on delivery to launch customer All Nippon Airways in mid 2018. The Japanese airframe also gave an update of the MRJ flight tests, which are ongoing using two test aircraft. It says valid results have been obtained from FTA-2, which started flying on May 31st, including the confirmation of emergency response measures – such as flying with one engine, activation of emergency power units and stall tests.

Various tests are also being carried out as the program prepares for ferry flight to Moses Lake, Washington State, this summer.

These include the expansion of its flight envelop to it’s design specifications of a maximum speed of Mach 0.78 and a maximum altitude of 39,000 ft, conducting instrument flights,plus checking on terrain awareness, warning system and collision avoidance system.

Its Moses Lake Flight Test Center meanwhile has been conducting flights using a small aircraft, rehearsing for the test missions ahead.

Mitsubishi adds that preparations are underway for FTA-3 and FTA-4 to take their first flights this summer.

Source : Flightglobal/Photo/Mitsubishi Aircraft

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

First CSeries Aircraft is Delivered to SWISS

Bombardier delivered the first CSeries aircraft to Lufthansa subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines(SWISS), at ceremonies in Montreal on June 29th.

The delivery marks an important milestone in an aircraft program beset with technical problems, delays and difficulty securing customers. Swiss originally ordered 20 CS100 and 10 CS300s, plus 30 options, but then converted five 100s to the 300 variant.

The handover should begin a process in which SWISS will receive nine aircraft by year end, taking one aircraft per month this month, August and September. After that, deliveries will increase to two aircraft per month. The first aircraft will enter service this month.

On June 23, Bombardier signed a definitive agreement with the Quebec government for $1billion investment in the CSeries program. The assets, liabilities and obligations of the program have been transferred to the CSeries Aircraft Limited Partnership(CSALP) of which 50.5% is owned by Bombardier and 49.5% by the provincial government through Investment Quebec.

The money will be used for cash-flow purposes, representing half of the $2 billion Bombardier says is required to take the CSeries program to cash-flow positive production in 2020.

The $2 billion includes funds to cover losses on discounted sales to marquee customers, including Air Canada and Delta Air Lines deals which Bombardier will record a $500 billion this quarter to cover “onerous contract provisions.”

The Canadian federal government, meanwhile, confirmed it is continuing negotiations with Bombardier about investing in the CSeries partnership.

Source : ATW/Bombardier Photo

Pratt & Whitney to Invest $65m in Georgia GTF Maintenance Site

Pratt & Whitney will invest $65 million in maintenance site near Columbus, Georgia, where the company maintains and overhauls PW 1000G geared turbofans (GTFs). The investment, which comes as the company embarks on massive GTF production ramp up, will help P&W ensure it has infrastructure in place to meet increasing maintenance demand, P&W said in a media release.

Also, later this year the company expects construction will begin on an additional engine test facility at the site in Columbus, which is about 90 miles(145km) south of Atlanta, P&W says.

The company has orders for more than 7,100 GTFs, executives have said. P&W will manufacture about 200 of the engines this year, but the company forecasts production will hit 400 in 2017, 600 in 2018 and 1,200 annually by 2020, executives have said.

The Columbus maintenance site is also where P&w is modifying a number of in-service PW 1100Gs to address a slow-engine-start issue, P&W aftermarket president Matthew Bromberg has told Flightglobal.

Source : Flightglobal/P&W

Air Lease Corp. Names New CEO; Udvar-Hazy to Be Executive Chairman

Air Lease Corp.(ALC) has appointed John Plueger as president and CEO, effective July 1, as current CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy assumes the role of Executive chairman of the board, a full-time officer role.

Steve Udvar-Hazy started ALC in February 2010, the company owns and manages 268 young and in-demand jet aircraft on lease to 88 airline customers around the world. It has an order book of 386 new jet aircraft to be delivered from Airbus and Boeing through 2023.

Plueger joined ALC as president, COO and board member in March 2010, shortly after the company was formed. Plueger has more than 30 years of aviation experience, 24 of which were with International Lease Finance Corp.

Udar-Hazy said, ”John and I have worked together for over 30 years and I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished in six short years at ALC. I look forward to continuing to partner with John in my new role”.

Source : ATW

LATEST NEWS

Emirates took delivery of its 80th A380 to join the Emirates the A380 fleet and the airline has another 62 on order including 21 to be delivered this year.

Gulfstream G500 business jet program has reached another milestone with the completion of the ultimate load testing on June 16.

Irkut Corporation Russian aircraft manufacturer rolled out its MC-21-300 on June 8 at its factory in Irkutsk.

Chengdu Airline made its first commercial flight with China’s home grown ARJ21 on June 28 with 70 passengers on board. Chengdu is the launch customer for the ARJ21.

Alaska Airlines took delivery of a 737-900 painted in a special livery to celebrated Boeing’s 100th Birthday.

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has announced that an unidentified customer has signed a firm purchase order for 10 CRJ900 aircraft. The agreement is valued at $472 million at list prices.

HNA Group (Hainan Airline mother company) will become the biggest customer of both Airbus and Boeing aircraft within the next 10 years. Hainan Airlines welcomed its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on June 10.

Ethiopian Airlines took delivery of the first of 14 Airbus A350 XWBs on June 28, making it Africa’s first operator of the type.

Embraer E190-E2 has achieved first flight in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil, earlier than expected.

Xiamen Airlines will be the sixth airlines to fly from Seattle to China using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The three-times weekly service will connect to Xiamen, a city 360 miles to the northeast of Shenzhen.

Nile Air, Egyptian based carrier, began operations from Cairo to Al Ain international airport in Abu Dhabi located on the Omani border.

AIR CARGO

FedEx’s 270 Boeing Planes

Package delivery company, FedEx Corp, owned 582 airplanes at the end of May 2015 and leased another 65 for a total fleet of 647 planes. Of the planes owned,241 were manufactured by the Boeing Company or by McDonnell Douglas prior to its merger with Boeing in1997. Another 29 Boeing planes were leased, bringing FedEx’s total Boeing fleet to 270 planes.

The most popular Boeing aircraft in the FedEx fleet is now the 757-200, a dual-engine narrow body that Boeing configured as a cargo plane. The plane can carry 63,000 pounds of cargo with maximum range of 3,625 miles. The average age of these planes in FedEx fleet is nearly 25 years. Boeing sold more than 1,000 of the planes and delivered the last new 757 in 2004.(it went to Shanghai Airlines in China)

Boeing had also supplied FedEx with 21 767-300 cargo freighters at the end of May 2015 (the end of the most recent fiscal year for which the company has produced an annual report). FedEx ordered 50 more of the wide body planes last July with an option on 50 more. At list price of $199.3 million per plane, the order was valued at nearly $20 billion.

Why buy an old design? it is simple to replace even older ones and reduce the variety of planes in FedEx’s fleet. FedEx’s 767s average less than three years old. The 767 is also more fuel efficient and shares many parts with the 757s in the fleet; plus it is a great aircraft.

Because Boeing is building the Air Force tanker, The KC-46A, on the 767 airframe, FedEx is assured of spare parts for at lease another 40 years, the expected life of the tanker.

Finally, FedEx reported 27 Boeing 777 freighters in its fleet at the end of November 2015, and in January the company said it had committed to another 16 at a list price of $318.7 per plane,for an order totaling more than $5 billion.

Source : 24/7 Wall St/ Boeing Photo/Ed’s Research.

MILITARY NEWS

China’s New Y-20 Is the Largest Military Aircraft Currently in Production

The Y-20 is China’s version of the C-17 Globemaster. The first Xian Y-20 military transport aircraft was delivered to the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) on June 15. Developed by Xian Aircraft Corporation, the Y-20 has an empty weight of 110 short tons, making it the largest military aircraft currently in production – larger than Russia’s Ilyushin Il-76. Boeing’s C-17 Globemaster III is bigger than the Y-20, the C-17’s empty weight is about 60,000 pounds more than the Y-20. Its payload capacity is 25,000 pounds more, but production stopped in 2015, making the Y-20 the biggest that currently rolling out of factories.

The Y-20 has the official codename “Kunpeng” after a mythical Chinese bird, though it is nicknamed “Chubby Girl” for its appearance. The Y-20 is remarkably similar to the C-17. Currently the Y-20 uses four Russian made Soloviev D-30 turbofan engines; however, plans are to replace the engines with Chinese-made Shenyang WS-20 turbofans by 2020 to give the plane short takeoff capabilities and a greater range.

Source : Popular Mechanics/AIN Online

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

July 22, 2016 by kaplanianreport

Volume 3 Issue 5 May 2016

ON THE BOEING FRONT

The Latest on the Development of the 777X

The development of the 777X is quietly moving forward. German manufacturer Liebherr has delivered the first prototype of the actuation system for the 777X folding wing-tip.

The step will enable initial testing on a rig to begin in mid-year, the company’s Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg division states, revealing that proof-of-concept prototype was handed over at the end of February.

Liebherr says the delivery shows “substantial progress” has been achieved in developing a “compact and reliable” wing-tip actuator.

The 777X is to use a folding wing-tip in order to reduce its 235Ft (71.8) span by 7m when parking. Boeing selected Liebherr to develop the folding assembly, which uses motors and rotating actuator at the end of 2014.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing Photo

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

First Airbus A350-1000 Takes Shape

The first Airbus A350-1000, the stretched version of the A350XWB family aircraft, has emerged from the Roger Beteille Final Assembly Line (FAL) in Toulouse, France, moving on its wheels for the first time. (note the three wheel trucks on the main landing gears)

The Aircraft, MSN59, has spent one and a half months in Station 40 in FAL. On April 14th, the A350-1000 left its station 40 position and entered in the station number 30, where the initial ground testing of the aircraft systems takes place.

After that, the aircraft will be moved out of the FAL to undergo complementary tests, painting, engine installation, cabin fittings and it will be finally handed over to the Flight Test Center.

This aircraft, one of three flight test aircraft to be built, will take to the skies for its maiden flight before the end of 2016, with delivery expected to occur in mid 2017.

So far, Airbus has won 181 A350-1000 orders from 10 customers. Launch customer is set to be Qatar Airways, who also was the launch customer for the -900 variant.

Source : China Aviation Daily/Airbus Photo

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

MRJ FTA-2 Prepares for Flight This Month

Mitsubishi Aircraft says the second prototype for its MRJ regional jet program is undergoing engine tests, as it readies for its first flight.

In a newsletter, the Japanese manufacturer says FTA-2 will move forward with taxi tests this month, followed by flight tests.

This follows the completion of the first phase of flight tests for the FTA-1. On April 13th, FTA-1 started receiving “planned modifications” that will be completed in the middle of this month. It will also be fitted with instruments necessary for upcoming tests.

Mitsubishi says it has been conducting flight tests on FTA-1 on consecutive days since mid-March, whenever weather conditions permit. These tests include flying with only one engine and auxiliary power systems, as well as a functional check on the emergency power generation system.

The MRJ is scheduled for first delivery in mid-2018. Mitsubishi is using five test aircraft for the flight campaign.

Source: Flightglobal/Mitsubishi Aircraft/Photo

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Comair 737 Arrives at New St Helena Airport

South African carrier Comair has carried out the first large passenger jet landing at the new St Helena airport. The Carrier operated a Boeing 737-800 which touched down just after 12:00 noon on April 19th.

British Airways franchise partner Comair recently took delivery of the aircraft – painted in BA livery – which has been configured specifically to serve the Johannesburg-St Helena route.

The initial operation to the island airport was an implementation flight to test the route, ground operations and handling, ahead of commencement of scheduled services.

“We did a few practice approaches just to make sure we understand the approach,” says the carrier’s operations director, Martin Louw.

“ Safety is always paramount”.

Source : Comair Limited /Flightglobal

CFM LEAP-1B Engine Receives Joint FAA/EASA Certification

The FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have awarded type certificates to CFM International’s LEAP-1B engine, paving the way for entry into commercial service in 2017. The LEAP-1B engine is the exclusive power plant for the Boeing 737 MAX.

“The LEAP-1B engine flew for the first time on the Boeing 737 MAX on January 29,” CFM International said in a statement. “Since then, two more aircraft have been added to the test program in March. To date, these three airplanes have logged a combined total of more than 100 test flights, including completing high altitude flight testing in La Paz, Bolivia, recently.”

CFM International EVP Francois Bastin said, ”Boeing is racking up an impressive number of flight hours with the test aircraft; initial indications are that engine performance is meeting expectations.”

“MAX looks like a very well-run program on the airframe and engine side; reinforced the possibility that maybe they will even be early,” said Teal Group analyst, Richard Aboulafia,

”They have been doing great. Their story is they learned a lot from the 787, that might well be true.”

Source: ATW/Ed’s Research/Boeing Picture

Airbus to Cut Output of Slow-Selling A380

European plane maker Airbus plans to cut production of its A380 from 2017 as it struggles to revive sales of the world’s largest passenger jet.

It has told its suppliers to slow production to support an assembly rate of 1.7 aircraft per month from next year, compared with production of just over two a month now. The exact month in which the slowdown would be felt in Toulouse assembly plant was not immediately clear. Airbus declined to comment on talks with suppliers.

The company does not publish production figures for its biggest model, but only targets deliveries. Sales of large four-engine airliners like the 544-seat A380 have been hit by improvements in range and efficiency of smaller two-engined models, which can be easier to fill.

Last year it delivered 27 A380s and has said it expects to continue to break even based on similar deliveries in 2016. It meanwhile continues to cut costs in an effort to lower the break-even point to as low as 20 aircraft a year.

In February Airbus Group Chief Executive Tom Enders said it had between 20 and 30 A380s on its delivery list in 2017.

At the end of March, Airbus had 135 aircraft on its books that have been sold and are waiting to be produced, mainly for leading customer Emirates which recently topped its order. But after deducting aircraft that are unlikely to be delivered, analysts say the order situation is weaker.

Air France Has canceled two and replaced them with A350s. Another 10 listed anonymously are believed to have been canceled by Hong Kong Airlines and 20 are allocated to leasing firm Amedeo, which are seen as unlikely to enter production until the lessor places them with airlines.

Analysts also say Qantas and Virgin Atlantic are unlikely to take a combined total of 12 of the jets. The Project received a boost earlier this year when Iran announced a preliminary order for 12 A380s as it emerges from sanctions, but doubts remain over how quickly the order can be finalized as Iran faces continued financial restrictions.

Source : Business Insider/ Photo Air France

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

CFM International has delivered the first ship set of LEAP-1A production engines to Airbus to power the A320neo.

Avianca Holdings, one of Latin America’s largest airline operators, said it has negotiated a ‘significant reduction” in aircraft deliveries from 2016-2019 with Airbus.

Avolon delivered one Boeing 787-800 to Thai Lion Air. This is the First Avolon aircraft on lease to Thai Lion Air.

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) delivered a leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft to its new Thai customer, NewGen Airways, to expand the carrier’s fleet.

Trident Jet (jersey) Ltd., a sister company of UK-based lessor Falko Regional Aircraft, has ordered four more Bombardier CRJ 900s for lease to Irish regional CityJet.

Avolon Ireland-based delivered one Boeing 787-9 aircraft to UK long-haul specialist Virgin Atlantic.

Airbus has rolled out the first US-built American Airlines A321 of the paint shop at Mobile, Alabama facility.

Horizon Air has ordered 30 Embraer 175 aircraft, with half earmarked for growth under the widely anticipated order. The deal is worth $2.8 billion at list prices including 33 options.

Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) has completed the construction of a facility to manufacture center wing boxes for the 777X at its Handa plant.

Honda Aircraft delivered the first Honda Jet in Europe with a ceremonial delivery at AERO 2016 at Friedrichshafen,Germany. Honda Aircraft’s exclusive HondaJet dealer for Central Europe, Rheinland Air Service, will become the first operator of the aircraft in Europe.

China United Airline has taken delivery of its 32nd Boeing 737 aircraft, which is also the 9000th 737 aircraft to be delivered by Boeing.

LATAM Airlines Group has unveiled new aircraft livery featuring its new branding. The Carrier’s updated livery features its new logo against an all-white fuselage, with its new corporate colors of indigo and coral on the tail.

AIR CARGO

Swiss WorldCargo Inks VA-Q-tec Container Agreement

Swiss WorldCargo recently signed a partnership agreement with container manufacturer Va-Q-tec to provide passive temperature-controlled ULDs for the transport of pharmaceuticals and other sensitive goods. The signing ceremony was held at the Zurich offices of Swiss WorldCargo’s parent company, Swiss International Airlines Ltd.

“Va-Q-tec has been requested by pharma customers to establish a partnership with Swiss WorldCargo to enable direct container rentals,” said Dominic Hyde, managing director of Va-Q-tec,LTD.” Many pharma shippers and forwarders see the cargo division of SWISS as a strategic partner for reliably transporting pharmaceuticals, they want the simplicity of ordering the Va-Q-tec containers through the airline directly.”

Va-Q-tec offers an advanced passive solution portfolio of hard-shell containers that can accommodate up to two pallets at once and maintain temperatures ranging from -70C to 25C. The containers can be delivered to their customers fully temperature pre-conditioned for one-way retail shipments for more than five days on global lanes.

Under the agreement, the global product launch will take place in June, with Swiss WorldCargo and Va-Q-tec continuing to serve existing customers.

Source : Air Cargo World/ Swiss WorldCargo

MILITARY

How the Very First Air Force One Was Saved-Columbine II, President Eisenhower’s Ride is Back in Action- Part II

Columbine’s number four engine was not airworthy anymore, so Brian Miklos borrowed a 3350 from another Lockheed Constellation which had recently flown and installed it on the airplane. The effort took a full year from March 2015 with a team alternating between three weeks in Arizona and two weeks at home in Virginia.

It was an intense effort,” says Brian Miklos. Finally, the Dynamic crew took off in Columbine II on March 21, 2016, for the first leg of the cross country trip to Mount Pleasant,Texas, then resumed the trip to Bridgewater, Virginia, the following morning.

The vintage Constellation logged about nine hours flight time and performed admirably.” At one point, we had 234 mph across the ground. The old girl was up and getting it done!” Miklos says.

Karl Stozfus plans to restore Columbine II back to its Air Force One configuration and return it to the air show scene. Fortunately, a significant part of its interior is still intact. Miklos says Dynamic as obtained a similar galley from another Constellation and has detailed information on how the aircraft looked in presidential service.

“The plan is to restore it to just as it was when President Eisenhower was using it. We have incredible drawings and documentation to support that, right down to color codes and manufacturer’s original materials.”

Source : Popular Mechanics/Photos Ed’s Research

Finally the UK Decided To Go For the P-8A Poseidon

Boeing seems to be racking orders for military aircraft and it is not done yet. In late March, the US Defense Security Coorperation Agency (DSCA) — the Pentagon arm for coordinating sales of military equipment to our allies — notified Congress of an impending sale of military aircraft to the United Kingdom.

According to DSCA’s March 24 notification to congress, the British government has requested permission to buy nine of Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, plus related “major defense equipment, associated training and support,” for a grand total of $3.2 billion.

The UK was looking at different platforms to replace its last retired Nimrod and in the end it appears the UK bit the bullet and decided to buy the Cadillac of maritime sub-hunting aircraft, Boeing’s P-8A Poseidon.

Source : Boeing/Boeing Picture

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

June 19, 2016 by kaplanianreport

The Kaplanian Report – June 2016

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing and GE work Together to Ready the 777X Engine for Flight Tests

Designing, building and ground testing the world’s largest turbofan is challenging enough, but the challenge is how to safely put this large engine through the rigors of flight testing on the wing of an aircraft for which it was not designed is another again.

That is a key question General Electric and Boeing engineers face as they wrestle with the mechanics of flying the GE9X engine for the 777X on GE’s 747-400 flying testbed in 2017.

Although rated at 105,000 lb. thrust, less than the GE-90-115B, so far the world’s largest engine, the drive for efficiency and higher bypass ratios means the GE9X is physically much larger.

With a bypass ratio of 10:1 and fan diameter set at an unprecedented 134 in., the overall size of the GE9X nacelle has grown to 178 in. The GE90-115B, which has a fan diameter of 128 in., was the previous record-holder.

To fly the engine on the testbed, the internal wing structure was strengthened; with the GE9X in mind when the 747-400 was modified for the test role starting in 2014.

Further modifications are also planned to reduce the chances of aeroelastic interaction between the extended wing of the 747-400 and the GE9X mounted on the inboard left strut. GE has already removed the standard winglets because these add unnecessary weight and maintenance burden to the aircraft’s flight test role.

More about the testing in my upcoming reports.

Source : Avweek/GE/GEPhotos

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

The Airbus Beluga XL: New Transport Based on the A330 Takes Shape

The first of Airbus’ five new BelugaXL air lifters will begin to take shape early next year, initiating the creation of a new jetliner fleet to transport complete sections of the company’s aircraft from production sites around Europe to final assembly in France, Germany and Spain.

Beluga XL’s lower fuselage will be the same as the freighter version of the Airbus A330-200 jetliner and is to be built on the A330 final assembly line adjacent to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport in southwestern France.

The Beluga XL’s other aerostructure-specific components are provided by external suppliers, including the significantly enlarged upper fuselage, the modified forward section with a lowered nose and cockpit, a large forward cargo door allowing “roll-on-roll-off” loading directly onto the main deck and a pair auxiliary vertical tailplane end-fins.

Once a lower fuselage for Beluga XLs is completed on the final assembly line, it will be moved to Building L34 at Airbus’ Lagardere industrial zone adjacent to Toulouse-Blagnac Airport, where the build-up process into the outsized airlifted will take approximately 12 months per aircraft.

The five Beluga XL aircraft will join the existing fleet of five A300-600ST Super Transporters-which are based on the A300 jetliner.

Source : Airbus/Airbus Picture

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Gulfstream’s G650ER Blazes Trail from Sydney to Los Angeles

Gulfstream’s G650ER recently set another city-pair record on a trip from Sydney, Australia, to Los Angeles, the Savannah, Ga.-based aircraft manufacturer announced on May19th. The G650ER travelled 6,620nm in 12 hours and 40 minutes, departing Sydney Airport at 7:11 a.m. local time on March 11 and landing at Los Angeles International Airport at 1:51 a.m. local time on March 11. It averaged a speed of Mach.86 during the trip

The U.S. National Aeronautic Association has approved the record, the trip is pending approval by Federation Aeronautique Internationale in Switzerland for recognition as a world record. This city pair will join the more than 55 world records established by the G650 and its longer-legged G650ER sibling. The 650ER is designed to fly as fast as 7,500 nm at Mach 0.85 and 6,400 nm at Mach 0.90. The aircraft has a maximum speed of Mach 0.925.

Source : Business Aviation/ Photo Gulfstream Aerospace

Lufthansa Technik Bags VIP 787 Modification Deal

Lufthansa Technik has won a modification and support contract for a Boeing 787 that will be completed as a VIP aircraft.

The new agreement covers not the VIP completion itself, but rather modifications based on a service bulletin issued by the airframe, says Lufthansa Technik.

This includes the aircraft’s galleys and crew rest compartments plus adjustments to the IFE and Communication systems.

Lufthansa Technik adds that the 787-8 will arrive as a “green aircraft” at the MRO provider’s Hamburg headquarters in early autumn; the project is scheduled to be completed over the course of two months.

In addition to modifications, the MRO specialist will provide technical services for the undisclosed operator.

Source : Flightglobal/Lufthansa Technik

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Eight Asia-Pacific Low-Cost Carriers Form Alliance

Eight Asia-Pacific low-cost carriers (LCCs) have formed a new standards-based collaborative marketing group, using IATA New Distribution Capability (NDC) digital interoperability standard.

The group, called Value Alliance, comprises Philippines – based Cebu Pacific, Korea-based Jeju Air, Thailand’s Nok Air and Japan’s Vanilla Air. It said it is already talking to several other LCCs about expanding membership.

The Value Alliance covers more than 160 destinations in the region with combined fleet of 176 aircraft. It offers a web side allowing passengers to book tickets and extra services, such as additional baggage and meals across the group’s airlines, according to a statement.

Scoot CEO Campbell Wilson said the grouping will offer “a wider choice of destinations and flights – at the most competitive airfares – all in one go.”

Membership in the Value Alliance is by invitation only. In 2015, its member airlines collectively served more than 47 million travelers from 17 hubs.

Source : ATW

Qantas Talking to Boeing On 777X

Qantas said it will keep its Airbus A380s in service beyond 2020 as it conducts talks with Boeing on its next generation 777X jets.

“The A380s do a great job on the markets that they operate,” said Garth Evans, head of the company’s international business. Qantas currently operates a fleet of 12 A380s.” They are big units on big thick routes like Los Angeles and London, flying into slot-constrained airports.” said Evans. ”You want to have a fleet

that is simple, but you need to have vehicles that do the right job for you.”

While an order is not imminent, Evans said conversations with Boeing revolve around the “scope and Capability” of the 777X. It will have two variants, a 777-8 that will have a longer range, and the 777-9 that will be able to carry more passengers but have a slightly shorter range.

“It does look interesting though because of its range capability, said Evans. ”When you are an airline that is based in our part of the world, those are things that are important to you, an aircraft that can reach major cities around the world out of Australia is attractive.”

Source : Airwise

China’s Ruili Airlines Orders Six Boeing 787-9s

Kunming-based Ruili Airlines has ordered six Boeing 787-9 aircraft in a deal valued at $1.54 billion at list prices. The aircraft will be used for international expansion. A delivery schedule was not released.

Launched in May 2014, Ruili operates a fleet of nine aircraft on 16 domestic routes with 46 daily departures.

The carrier plans to expand its fleet to 11 aircraft by the end of this year and to 80 aircraft by the end of 2025.

In 2015, Ruili committed to buy 30 737-MAXs with a financial support of AVIC International Leasing at the Paris Air Show.

Other Chinese carriers have also ordered Boeing 787-9 aircraft: Air China ordered 15 787-9 aircraft and received its first one on May 18, China Eastern has ordered 15 787-9s and Hainan Airlines has 30 787-9s on order.

Source : China Aviation Daily/Picture Ruili Airlines/Boeing

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

The Airbus A350-900 has gained extended-range twin-engine operations (ETOPS) approval from FAA for routes that require beyond 180 minutes diversion time.

VietJet, Vietnam’s low-cost carrier, signed an order for 100 Boeing 737 Max 200, making it the second customer to commit to the high-density variant after Ryanair.

GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) revealed the delivery of a new leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft powered by GEnx engines to Air Canada as part of a purchase and leaseback transition with the airline.

Lithium Ion Batteries will be installed on A350-900 aircraft delivered to customers by the end of the year.

Leap 1A powering the A320neo has been granted type certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Air China took delivery of its first Trent !000 powered 787-9.

Xiamen Airlines took delivery of its 15th 737-800; with the delivery of this aircraft Xiamen expanded its all Boeing fleet to 154 aircraft.

Pratt & Whitney obtained certification from the FAA for its PW1400G-JM engine to power Russian aircraft manufacturers Irkut’s MC-21 Aircraft.

J-Air Corp Japan Airlines Subsidiary has introduced its Embraer E190 jet in Japan.

Mitsubishi Aircraft second prototype of the MRJ regional jet conducted its first flight on May 31st.

United Airlines launched its nonstop service between San Francisco International Airport and Singapore’s Changi Airport. Measured by distance, the new route will be the longest scheduled 787 Dreamliner flight operated by any airline, covering a distance of 8,446 miles.

AIR CARGO

Two of the World’s Top Three International Cargo Carriers Have Joined Forces

Lufthansa and Cathay Pacific rank second and third, respectively, among all airlines in international cargo traffic, training only Emirates. So their formation of a joint network to connect Hong Kong to Europe is an interesting move.

Regarding the agreement itself, the carriers said it would take the form of “a highly integrated bilateral corporation.” Lufthansa and Cathay say they “will work closely together on network planning, as well as sales, IT and ground handling.” Further, customers will be able to access the entire joint network through either of the partners’ booking systems or the two carriers will offer joint handling at their hubs in Hong Kong and Frankfurt.

The agreement covers 140 direct flights per week between Hong Kong and thirteen cities in Europe. Cathay’s Director of Cargo, said: ”Cathay Pacific’s large number of direct connections to multiple European destinations fits perfectly with Lufthansa’s strength in Frankfurt, the most important air freight hub in Europe through its dense feeder-network.” Peter Gerber, CEO of Lufthansa Cargo pointed out that the deal would give customers more flights to choose from with a combination of feeder and direct flights.”

Implementation of the partnership is still some way off. The first shipments covered by the agreement will not fly until 2017, then only westbound from Hong Kong to Europe. Eastbound shipments will become available in the course of the year.

Source : Air Cargo World/Photos Lufthansa & Cathay Pacific

MILITARY NEWS

The C-130 Just Never Dies

Lockheed Martin started building its latest civilian version of the iconic C-130 Hercules in Marietta, Georgia in late April.The company’s new LM-100J will bring its advancements of the C-130J Super Hercules to civilian operators such as the United Nations.

The C-130 just never dies. Because almost no other aircraft can do what the Hercules does best: reliably haul outsized loads into and out of short, rough airstrips in the middle of nowhere.

“They obviously did its design right,” says Tom Wetherall, director of LM-100J Business Development for Lockheed Martin. ”It’s been in production for 60 years.

It’s got a high-wing. It’s a turboprop. The engines and propellers are out of harm’s way. The straight wing yields the efficiency to get in and out of dirt runways, to get the weight off the wheels as soon as possible. The fuselage is low to the ground at truck-bed height, which combines with rear loading capability. It’s a configuration that is second to none”

The first C-130 rolled out in 1954. Since then, Lockheed has built more than 2,500 at it’s Georgia assembly plant. More than ten variants of the airplane, including AC-130 gunships and WC-130 weather reconnaissance aircraft, serve U.S.and global militaries.

In 1965 Lockheed started making a dedicated civilian version of the Hercules, the L-100, cranked them until 1992. About 115 L-100s have flown with commercial operators, delivering spare parts and bringing in disaster relief. But these old planes are nearing the end of their useful lives, and companies that fly them are looking for a new airplane – a new Hercules, according to Lockheed.

The LM-100J is based on the C-130J-30, an extended version of the “J” that shares the same length as the L-100. Like the military Super Hercules, the LM-100J gets new Rolls-Royce AE 2100 D# turboprop engines and six-blade Dowty R391 Propellers. The airframe features a new center wing-box. The cockpit comes with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) which eliminates the need for a flight engineer, a significant cost savings.

Lockheed Martin planes to roll out the first LM-100J this September. Flight testing begins early next year and the first delivery is slated for the first quarter of 2018.

Source : Popular Mechanics/Photo Lockheed Martin

Boeing has Received a Seven Year, $319 Million Contract to Continue Maintenance and Support Work for the U.S. Air Force’s C-32A and C-40 BC

On May 17th Boeing announced that it was awarded a $319 million to continue maintaining and supporting the U.S. Air Force’s C-32A and C-40BC executive aircraft.

The Air Force uses the C-32A and C-40BC, which are based on the Boeing 757 and 737 passenger planes, to transport the vice president, cabinet members and military commanders among others. Boeing has supported the aircraft since first delivery in 1998 and 2001.

The C-32 and C-40 are among the many military derivatives of commercial airplanes that Boeing has built for the U.S. and international customers, offering affordable adaptations of proven airframes and existing worldwide support for military missions.

Source : Boeing/Photo Boeing

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

January 4, 2015 by kaplanianreport

Volume 1 Issue 4 November 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Breaks Ground for 777X Composite Wing Center

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

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

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

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

Source : Boeing/Boeing Pictures

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus A350 XWB, A330 Gains Common Rating for Pilot Training

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

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

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

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

Source : ATW/Airbus Photos

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Mitsubishi Aircraft Rolls Out First MRJ

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Flightglobal/ Mitsubishi Photos

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Silvercrest Flight Test Enters Second Phase

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

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

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

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

Source: Aviationweek

Greybull Capital Buys UK’s Monarch

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source : Airwise/Ed’s Research

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

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

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

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

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

Source : Flightglobal

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Air Cargo

Volga-Dnepr Deliver UN Helicopters to Sierra Leone

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

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

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

Source: Air Cargo World/Picture Volga-Dnepr

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com