Sichuan Airlines

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Kaplanian Report – March 2020

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Asia Pacific Customers Finalize Agreements for Boeing Digital Solutions to Enable Growth

On February 12, 2020, Boeing announced orders and agreements that will enable growth for multiple Asia-Pacific airlines in a rapidly developing region.  These digital solutions lower costs across fleets for regional and international operators, enhance airline crew situational awareness and increase operational efficiency.

New digital solutions orders and agreements include :

  • Vistara, an Indian and a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, signed an agreement for multiple services to support their entry into service of new 787-9 aircraft, including Boeing Maintenance Performance Toolbox and airplane Health Management tools.  Powered by Boeing Analytx, these tools provide real-time custom alerting, fleet data to enhance maintenance capabilities.  Vistera has signed a new five-year agreement to receive Jeppesen Crew Rostering and Boeing Alertness Model tools to improve operational efficiency and crew planning capabilities.
  • Air Tahiti Nui joins more than 100 international customers using Boeing Health Management by signing a multiyear agreement to access real-time maintenance and engineering data and support to enhance maintenance and operational decisions for their 787 fleet.
  • Bamboo Airways will integrate several digital solutions to support their new 787 fleet, with new agreements finalized for Jeppesen Flight Deck Pro electronic flight bag(EFB), Electronic Document Browser and Onboard Performance Tool capabilities. These digital tools enable flight crews to perform real-time weight and balance and takeoff and landing calculations to reduce maintenance costs, optimize payload capacity and streamline cockpit operations.
  • Sichuan Airlines has agreed to a multiyear contact for Jeppesen JetPlanner Pro services to enhance flight planning capabilities.  The tool generates optimized routes and efficient flight plans in complex airspace to achieve lower operating costs, using the industry leading flight planning engine.
  • Virgin Australia Group has signed a seven-year agreement with Jeppesen Flight Deck Pro electronic flight bag (EFB) and digital navigation chart services, to increase operational efficiency.

“We continue to work closely with our Asia-Pacific airline customers to understand their unique operating requirements, as they continue to expand in this dynamic region of the word,” said Ted Colbert, president and CEO,Boeing Global Services.

Source : Boeing

                      

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

             A330-800 Receives Joint EASA and FAA Type Certification

On February 13th The A330-800 has received joint Type Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency(EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration(FAA).  The aircraft’s certification flight-test campaign was successfully performed by aircraft MSN1888, which completed the program in 370 test hours and 132 flights since its first flight in November 2018.

Certified initially with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 242 tons for a range capability of up to 7,500 nautical miles, the A330-800 will typically seat 220-260 passengers in three classes, or up to 406 travelers in a single-class-density configuration. To date, the A330neo Family has won 337 firm orders from 22 operators.

The A330 has received over 1,800 orders from 120 customers with 1,400 A330s currently in operations today.  The A330neo is the latest edition to the Airbus wide family, which also includes the A350XWB.

Source: Airbus/Picture Airbus             

        

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                  KlasJet Introducing New Boeing 737-VIP to the Middle East Market

From the end of March this year, KlasJet, a European private and business charter carrier, will be operating a newly refurbished Boeing 737-VIP aircraft from Saudi Arabia .

KlasJet operates the largest Boeing 737-VIP fleet in Europe and is one of the most distinctive aviation companies worldwide that offers a one of a kind fleet and high quality service.  Each aircraft is different, allowing customers to choose a jet according to their needs and offer flexibility of having a flight available whenever the client needs it, wherever.

KlasJet is based in Vilnius, Lithuania, their fleet is composed of Boeing 737-300s and 737-500s and Bombardier CRJ-100series.

In addition to unique high quality service, the company also has a major focus on comfort. Extra leg space, the best quality seats and a stress-free journey—all makes a big difference when it comes to good performance at work.  Since most of KlasJet clients are sport teams, diplomatic envoys and corporate travelers, all aircraft have been refurbished recently, to provide the maximum comfort.

“When flying for business purposes, extra time to prepare, strategize and do research is significantly important.” explained Igor Borzov, Vice President of KlasJet Sales for the Middle East.

Source : KlasJet/Picture KlasJet

                                                                 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

            Fuselage of First Airline A380 Recycled Into Identity Tags 

A German company is using recycled fuselage parts from the first airline-operated Airbus A380 to create collectable identity tags, following the parting out of the aircraft by Tarmac Aerosave.

The ex-Singapore Airline A380 is one of two aircraft the airline has retired that are being broken for spares by recycling specialist Tarmac Aerosave in Tarbes, France.

Germany’s Aviationtag has launched a special series of 7,000 identity tags manufactured from the outer skin of MSN003.   A380 MSN003 first flew from Toulouse on May 7, 2006, and was delivered to Singapore Airlines on October 12, 2007.  It operated the world’s first A380 passenger service on October 25, 2007, from Changi to Sydney.  Singapore Airlines retired the aircraft in October 2017 and it was parted out by Tarmac Aerosave last year.

“Each of the limited edition tags sports the aircraft type, registration number, edition number and size,” says Aviationtag.

Source: Aviationtag/Pictures Flightglobal                                              

             ANA Announces Commitment for 15 GEnx-powered 787s


All Nippon Airways has committed to placing firm orders for 15 Boeing 787s to be powered by the General Electric GEnx-1B and not the Rolls- Royce Trent 1000 that powers its existing fleet.  The order will comprise of 11 787-10s and four 787-9s, says ANA.  In addition,  it will obtain options for an additional five 787-9s.

The GEnx-1B decision is a major engine change for the airline.  Cirium fleets data indicates that ANA has 71 in-service 787s, all powered by the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000.  The R-R power plant has had a troubled service life aboard the global 787 fleet.

Boeing says separately that “once the agreements are finalized, it will be ANA’s sixth order” for the 787.

Boeing adds that the deal is worth over $5 billion at list prices.  It also notes that of the four 787-9s in the order, three will come from Atlantis Aviation Corporation.  According to ANA, Atlantis Aviation is a special purpose company that is 100% owned by Japanese conglomerate Sojitz corporation.

Should the options be exercised, ANA’s fleet will grow to 100 examples.

The 787-10s will arrive in the fiscal year 2022-24 timeframe or between March 2022-25.  These aircraft will replace 777s now serving on domestic routes.  The 787-9, which are earmarked for international services, will enter service in the FY 2024-25 timeframe or between March 2024-26.

Source: Boeing/ANA

          American Airlines to Lease 22 787-8s from BOC Aviation

American Airlines has agreed to lease 22 Boeing 787-8s from BOC Aviation, the lessor discloses in a filing to the Hong Kong stock exchange.

The aircraft, which are on long-term leases, will deliver in 2020 and 2021.

Boeing Capital Corporation (BCC) was originally going to buy the aircraft and lease them to American Airlines.  However, BOC Aviation says it has entered into an agreement with BCC and the airline to buy the aircraft from the Boeing Company and leave them to American Airlines.

BOC Aviation had a fleet of 523 aircraft owned, managed or on order aircraft as of December 31, 2019.  Among these are 15 787 family aircraft, of which 11 are owned, with one in its managed fleet & three on order.

Cirium fleets data shows that the lessor currently has one 787-8 in its in-service fleet, on lease to Kenya Airways, and 10 of the larger 787-9s.

Source: Flightglobal/BOC Aviation

                        Boeing Starts ‘ Air Force One ’ Modifications of 747-8

Boeing has begun modifications to the first of two commercial 747-8 airliners which are to be turned into US Air Force (USAF) VC-25B aircraft.

Known by its “Air Force ONE” call sign when the US president flies aboard, two VC-25B are to operate as the USA’s top executive transports for the next 30 years.  Modifications are being done at Boeing’s San Antonio,Texas, facility, says the USAF.

“The first phase of aircraft modification involves cutting large skin and structure areas in both the forward and aft lower lobes of the aircraft and then installing two newly manufactured super panels,” says the service.  ”The superpanels contain structural upgrades and cutouts for the VC-25B lower lobe doors, including internal airstrips for mission requirements.”

The USAF is working to replace its current fleet of presidential aircraft, two 747-200-based VC-25A aircraft delivered in 1991, with two 747-8s originally built for Russian carrier Transfer, which filed for bankruptcy 2015 before it could take delivery. The Commercial airliners need extensive retrofits to be transformed into the VC-25B configuration.

The Commercial 747-8s have been stripped of many of its typical components as well, says the USAF.

“Boeing prepared the two aircraft for modification start by removing the commercial interiors, engines, auxiliary power units, and numerous secondary system components,” says the service.

“Additionally, Boeing placed a sophisticated jacking and crib mechanism under each aircraft to reduce structural stress for the initial modification phases.”

The V-25B is to be retrofitted so that the president of the USA can run the federal government, including commanding and controlling the US military, while in flight.  As such, detailed information about the aircraft’s components and capabilities are classified or tightly controlled.

“The VC-25B modifications to the 747-8 aircraft will include electrical power upgrades’ mission communication systems, medical facility, executive interior and autonomous ground operations capabilities,” says the USAF.

Boeing was asked to replace the existing auxiliary power unit (APU), usually a Pratt & Whitney PW901A/c on the commercial airliner, with two APUs from unnamed sources. According to the book Air Force One by Robert Door, a second APU was installed on previous presidential aircraft to ensure they were “self-sufficient on the ground”.

The two VC-25B aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by December 2024.

Source: Flightglobal/Boeing/Picture Boeing   

      

LATEST NEWS

  • Joramco, the Amman, Jordan, based MRO, announces an agreement with the engineering arm of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise; has announced that it has entered into first maintenance agreement with the operator, Avion Express, one of the largest narrowbody ACMI operators.
  • Boeing has just conducted the first taxi test of its Boeing 737 MAX 10. in Renton, Washington.
  • Aeroflot took delivery of its first Airbus A350-900, making the Russian carrier the 30th operator of the type.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   
  • European Aviation Safety Agency(EASA) UK government it will leave EASA on December 31, when the transition period ends for the country’s departure from the European Union (EU).
  • Boeing/Collins the downturn in aerospace stocks won’t holt Boeing and Collins Aerospace from investing in new commercial aircraft technologies.
  • SITA is accelerating innovation in air traffic control(ATC) communications as part of Boeing’s ecoDemonstrator program, alongside key industry partners including NASA and long-standing airline customer, Etihad.
  • AMAC Aerospace has announced that a Boeing BBJ 747-8 will undergo a re-configuration of the cabin and update of the whole interior to the latest level.                        

AIR CARGO

                         Air Cargo Essential to Fight Against COVID-19

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said it continues to support governments in their efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In a statement, IATA said : “Since the crisis began, air cargo has been a vital partner in delivering much-needed medicines, medical equipment (including Spare parts?repair components) in keeping global supply chains functioning for the most time-sensitive materials.

This has been done through dedicated cargo freighter operations, utilization of cargo capacity in passenger aircraft and with relief flights to affected areas.

Air cargo is also instrumental in transporting food and other products purchased online in support of quarantine and social distancing policies implemented by states.

“The dramatic travel restrictions and collapse of passenger demand have severely limited cargo capacity.  IATA calls on governments to take urgent measures to ensure that air cargo will be available to support the global fight against COVID-19.”

Source: Arabian Aerospace                                                                                                                      

OTHER NOTEWORTHY NEWS

                           The End is Near for the Airbus A380

The Airbus A380 is the largest passenger and most expensive airliner in the world. The aircraft has now been in service for more than a decade.

The A380 is too big, expensive, and inefficient for most operators.  Just over one year ago, Airbus announced it will end production of the A380 in 2021.  Meanwhile, the first few A380s have already been pulled from service, including a quiet retirement of an Air France jet in November 2019.

Things were much different back in 2007 when the Airbus A380 entered service to great fanfare. The gargantuan jet, dubbed superjumbo, was designed to take everything that made the Boeing 747 an icon and push it to the limits of modern engineering.

The A380 has not been the game changer Airbus had hoped it would become to help Airbus compete against the Boeing 747.  But in a cost-conscious market and with fluctuating fuel prices, the very attributes that made the plane stand out may have also doomed it.  Some say the A380 came two decades too late, while other say that with increasing airport congestion, the plane is ahead of its time.

Some industry observers, such as the Teal Group analyst Richard Aboulafia, have gone so far as to call it the biggest mistake in the history of Airbus.  According to Aboulafia, the A380 is a poorly executed aircraft designed for a market that doesn’t really exist. As a result, the $25 billion that Airbus spent on the A380 program could have been better used elsewhere, like on a rival for Boeing’s next-generation 777X or on a true replacement for the aging Boeing 757, Aboulafia told business insider.

“It’s painful, but in the long run, it’s best,” Aboulafia said regarding the end of the A380 production run.

The plane is a polarizing machine, with some viewing it as an eye-sore, and others as a testament to marvels of modern engineering. 

Source: Business Insider 

                   

 

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

by

Volume 5 Issue 3 The Kaplanian Report


On the Boeing Front

                                              The 737 MAX Gains Momentum

On February 5th Boeing rolled out the first 737 MAX 7, the third member of the MAX family to come down the line in Renton.

The MAX 7 is slightly stretched compared to the 737-700, giving customers the capacity to fly 12 more passengers even farther. The airplane will have the longest range of any member of the MAX family at 3,850 nm. What’s most impressive about the MAX 7 is its ability to offer exceptional performance at high altitude airports and hot climate.

Global airlines holding orders for the 737 MAX 7, as of January 1, 2017 include Kunming Airlines of China for 10, Southwest Airlines for 30, WestJet of Canada for 23 and Jetliner of Canada for 5.

On February 16th the Boeing 737 MAX 9 has gained FAA certification, clearing the way for the second variant in the MAX family to enter commercial service.

The MAX 9 has a maximum capacity of 220 passengers in a single-class configuration, 10 more seats than the MAX 8.  The MAX 9’s maximum range of 3,335 nm is the same as the  MAX 8, although the -9 needs an auxiliary fuel tank to reach this range.

Boeing is now in the final stages of preparing the MAX 9 for its first delivery to launch customer Lion Air Group.

Finally, Boeing’s MAX 10 reached a major milestone as the MAX program completed firm configuration on the airplane.

Source : Boeing/Boeing Pictures

                     

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                   Airbus Has Commenced the Maiden Flight of the A321LR 

Airbus has commenced the maiden flight of its new long-range A321LR, the aircraft having lifted off from Finkenwerder airfield in Hamburg. It took off from the plant as weather conditions, including an overcast sky and rain, cleared sufficiently for the test.

The test aircraft, powered by CFM International Leap-1A engines, has a new fuselage door configuration which will enable customers to fit up to 240 seats.

The configuration will become the structural standard for future A321neo production.

The aircraft will have a 97t maximum take-off weight and optional additional fuel tanks, giving it the capability of operating on long-range routes up to 4,000nm.

The initial test flight lasted 2h and 30 min.

Source : Flightglobal/Pictures Airbus

        

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

                         Dassault Receives Orders for 41 Falcons in 2017 

Dassault Aviation reports receiving orders for 41 Falcon Jets in 2017, up from 33 in the prior year; the termination of the Falcon 5X program resulted in three cancellations.

The French airframer delivered 49 business jets last year, up from a forecast of 45. Meanwhile, the company’s backlog decreased from 63 to 52 and some Falcon 5X cancellations have yet to be entered in the books.

The business jet market has yet to recover from the global financial crisis of 2008.

Source : BCA/Picture Dassault

 

                         Bombardier Enters Final Phase of Global 7000 Testing 

Bombardier has entered the final phase of a 14-month-old airworthiness campaign after the fifth Global 7000 business jet entered flight testing on January 30th.  The debut for flight-test vehicle (FTV) 5 keeps the program on track for gaining type certification in the second half of this year. 

Bombardier has now logged more than 1,300 flight hours in the Global 7000 test campaign and completed fatigue testing on a full airframe, the company says.

The 7,400nm (13,700km) range of a Global 7000 with eight passengers sits between the 7,000nm range of the G650 and the 7,500 range of the G650ER.

The Global 7000 offers more room, with a cabin about 2.5m (8ft 2in) longer than the Gulfstream models.

Source : Bombardier/Bombardier Picture/Ed’s Research       

                                                             

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

                               Spirit AeroSystems Ships 10,000 737 Fuselage  

A train carrying the 10,000th 737 fuselage left Spirit AeroSystems’ factory in Wichita, Kansas on February 13, the supplier says. Spirit AeroSystems builds 70% of the 737, including the fuselage.  

The milestone was announced on February 14 by Spirit AeroSystems senior vice president and chief technology and quality officer John Pilla, a speaker at the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance conference in Lynnwood, Washington.

The milestone aircraft is a 737 Max 8 scheduled for delivery to Southwest Airlines, Boeing says.  

When that fuselage is integrated with wings, systems, engines and interiors in Boeing’s final assembly plant, the 737 will become the first aircraft of the jet age to achieve the 10,000th delivery milestone.

The first 737-100 entered service with Lufthansa 50 years and four days ago on February 10,1968. The type has progressed through four generations, including the original 737, classic, Next Generation and Max families. Southwest Airlines flew all variants with the exception of the 737-100.

Source : Flightglobal/Picture Spirit AeroSystems

Meridiana Relaunched As Air Italy   

Meridiana has been relaunched as Air Italy on February 19 in Milan by investors Qatar Airways and Alisarda. Akbar Al Baker pitches the “new airline” as a direct competitor to Alitalia, outlining a rapid expansion program involving several new domestic and international services. 

Air Italy will take 20 Boeing 737 Max 8s plus five Airbus 330s over the next three years, on lease from Qatar Airways “at market rate”. It will also take 20 787s, bringing its fleet to 50 aircraft. The airline will be based at Milan Malpensa airport.

The airline will offer business-class cabins along its economy offering. Qatar Airways took a 49% stake in Meridiana last year and the remainder is held by Alisarda.

Source : Flightglobal/Qatar Airways/Picture Qatar Airways

    Copa Airlines Plans to Expand Fleet in 2018 

Copa Airlines flag carrier of Panama plans to grow its fleet by 25% by 2020 with the first of 71 Boeing 737 MAX arriving in August of this year.

The airline should receive five 737 MAX aircraft this year, followed by 10 in 2019 and 22 in 2022, says Ahad Zamany, VP technical operations, speaking at the Aviation Week Network’s MRO Latin America event. The last of the 71 should arrive in 2025.  

Its Predominant fleet of 737-800s will cap out at 71 this year up from 69 in 2017.

To accommodate the expanding fleet, the Panama-based carrier broke ground on a new maintenance hangar in 2017 that should be finished in the fourth quarter of this year. 

Source : Aviation Week/Picture Copa Airlines   

 

LATEST NEWS

  • China Aircraft Leasing Group (CALC) placed an order with Airbus for 15 A320neos valued at roughly $1.7 billion.
  • Sichuan Airlines has ordered 10 Airbus A350-900s, on February 9; the aircraft will help facilitate a rapid international expansion plan.
  • Aviation Capital Group took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX in Seattle.The aircraft, a 737 MAX 8 variant on a long term lease to Aerolineas Argentinas.
  • BOC Aviation will lease seven Airbus A320neo aircraft to Chongqing Airlines, with all aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2018.
  • Oman Air has taken delivery of the first of 30 Boeing 737 Max 8s it has on order.
  • Qantas has released the first pictures of its latest aircraft to bear an indigenous-inspired livery, this time on its fourth 787-9 delivered on March 2nd.
  •   UPS  places an order for 14 Boeing 747-8Fs and four Boeing 767-300 Freighters.
  • Travel Service Airlines has received its first Boeing 737 Max 8, one of 10 the Czech airline is taking on operating lease from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS )
  • Lufthansa  Its new revised livery, first appeared on one of the fleets 747-8is
  • Subaru (formerly known as Fuji Heavy Industries) has completed production of the first Boeing 777X center wing box at the company’s Hanada factory.

AIR CARGO

Southwest Cargo Set To Begin International Shipments in May

Southwest Airline announced on February 19th that it will roll out its new Southwest Cargo Suite(SCS) point -of-sale system this month and will begin international cargo shipments to destinations in Mexico in May.

The carrier will kick off its shipments to Mexico, with destinations including Mexico City, Cancun, Cabo San Lucas/Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta, pending government approvals. Southwest Airlines senior director for cargo and charters, Wally Devereaux, stated at the Air Cargo 2018 conference.

The airline expects to add more routes in Mexico and the Caribbean through this year and build steadily on an international cargo business Southwest expects to be small — at first.

Southwest expects healthy trade units routes between the United States and Mexico, with northbound flights likely moving perishables to the U.S.,while flights to Mexico to transport a variety of cargo, including pharmaceutical products and e-commerce goods.

Source : Southwest Airlines

 

 MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL NEWS 

                                  GE Grows Parts Presence in Singapore 

GE Aviation plans to open a new GE9X components manufacturing facility in Singapore and will draw on ideas and concepts from its existing parts repair center in the city-state.

It will grow its engine components footprint in Singapore after announcing plans to establish a new center to manufacture parts for the GE9X engine powering the Boeing 777X.

Announced at the Singapore Air Show on February 5, the new 50,000 square foot facility located at the City-State’s Seletar Aerospace Park will specialize in high pressure compressor vanes for the wide body engine, which to date amassed 700 orders. In the Asia-Pacific region, Aviation Week’s 2018 Fleet & MRO Forecast has an order backlog of 82 units for the GE9X,a figure not taking into account this year’s Singapore Air Show.

With plans to implement digital and lean manufacturing concepts at the new facility, the engine maker said it will draw on ideas and concepts from existing Singapore repair center.

Investments at the component service center include research into new repair processes’ lean lab for advanced manufacturing and utilizing the latest robotic technologies to drive greater efficiencies. These Commitments were made in anticipation of growing regional demand from engine types such as the CFM LEAP, GEnx and the GE9X.  

Source : GE Aviation

 

                                     MRO LATEST NEWS  

  • Iberia Maintenance has signed a contract to inspect &repair the Rolls-Royce RB 211 535-E4 engines powering DHL Air UK and Blue Dart’s 757 aircraft fleet.
  • Tarmac Aerosave received a second ex-Singapore Airline’s Airbus A380 for storage at its Tarbes, France facility.
  • Triumph Aviation Services Asia was selected by Boeing to provide inspection, recertification and repair support on nacelle and flight control components in the Asia-Pacific region.
  • KLM UK Engineering has a Finnair contract for Embraer E190/Airbus A320 line maintenance at Edinburgh.
  • Spirit AeroSystems unveiled 20,000 sqft center of excellence at Wichita to focus on the fabrication of large, complex soft metal parts for fuselage, pylon and wing structures.
  • Safran Electrical & Power was selected by Boeing to equip its 2018 ecoDemonstrator (FedEX Express 777F) with an electrical channel that includes electric power generation and distribution systems, engine and aircraft wiring, and specific electrical loads (electric fans).

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact at  ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor –  Lee Kaplanian

 

by

Volume 3 Issue 10 The Kaplanian Report


On The Boeing Front

Boeing Major Change in Building the 787 Out of Composite          Could End Jet Lag As we Know it

While engineering of the composite airframe of the 787 has been a challenge, it’s a decision that allowed Boeing to make a major change to its aircraft that could greatly reduce the effect of jet lag on its passengers.

“The 787 Dreamliner has a composite fuselage and that allowed us to pressurize it at whatever altitude we wanted because the material is not susceptible to fatigue”, Blake Emery, Director of Differentiation Strategy for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, told Business Insider in an interview.

Currently, most airliners have cabin air pressure equivalent to that of an altitude of 8,000 feet, Boeing cut that down to 6,000 feet.

“To lower the cabin altitude, we actually increased the air pressure inside the cabin,”

Emery added. “It’s a bit counterintuitive for most people.”

In a study conducted by Oklahoma State University with the help of Boeing, “The research showed passengers’ bodies reacted at 6,000 feet similar to that at sea level,” Emery said. “So we decided to pressurize the Dreamliner at 6,000 feet.”

At 6,000 feet, the cabin air is more dense and has a greater level of oxygen saturation. As a result the body does not have to work as hard to oxygenate blood and sustain itself.

According to Emery, since there isn’t a perfect one-to-one correlation between altitude and jet lag, Boeing has taken the additional measures to mitigate the symptoms. These measures include an increase in cabin humidity as well as a new air-filtration system.

The 787 will not be the only Boeing jet to have a lower cabin altitude. The upcoming 777X mini-jumbo jet will also be pressurized at 6,000 feet, although it is primarily made of aluminum.

“Aluminum aircraft can be pressurized to 6,000 feet,” Kent Craver, Boeing Commercial Airplane regional director of passenger satisfaction, told Business Insider in an interview. ”In fact, most business jets are already pressurized to that level.”

Source : Business Insider/Boeing

                      

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Unveils New Livery on Second A350-1000 Test Aircraft 

The second Airbus A350-1000 flight test aircraft – the first to be equipped with full passenger cabin – was displayed September 23rd in a new carbon fiber-themed livery outside the manufacturer’s paint shop in Toulouse, France.

According to Airbus, the livery is inspired by the advanced composites technology incorporated in over 50% of the A350 XWB airframe.

As part of the aircraft’s certification campaign, Airbus will perform cabin and air systems tests on the test -1000 version. Early long flights and route proving evaluations will get underway in 2017, Airbus said.

The A350-1000 has the longest fuselage (243 feet) of Airbus’ A350 XWB family and seats 366 passengers. (This aircraft will compete with the 777-9X, which is 250 feet long and will carry 400 passengers).

As of August 30th, 195 A350-1000 aircraft are on order; customers include Gaudeloupe-based Air Caraibes, (three on order),Los Angeles-based Air Lease Corp., (nine on order), South Korea-based Asiana Airlines (10), British Airways (18), Japan Airlines (13), Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Air (26), Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways(22), Chile-based LATAM Airline Group (14),launch customer Qatar Airways(37), Chicago-based United Airlines (35) and UK-based Virgin Atlantic (eight).

Source : ATW/Airbus/Ed’s comments on passenger count and length.

    

    REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Cebu Pacific Takes First High Capacity ATR 72-600

Philippine low-cost carrier, (LCC) Cebu Pacific Air, has taken delivery of the first ATR 72-600 High Capacity aircraft.

Configured with 78 seats, this new ATR 72 option has 10 additional seats compared to the standard 68-seat configuration of the aircraft.

Cebu Pacific will progressively replace its current fleet of eight 72-seat ATR 72-500s with a fleet of 16 new 78-seat ATR 72-600s.

In June 2015,the LCC ordered 16 ATR 72-600 plus 10 options, which will be operated by Cebgo, it’s wholly owned subsidiary. Deliveries will run until 2020.

Source : ATW

Dassault Falcon 8X Makes its Debut

Dassault Falcon 8X Makes its Debut at the Latin American Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (LABACE) in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Falcon 8X makes its debut at (LABACE) as it seeks to drum up sales for the long-range tri-jet ahead of its validation by Brazilian certification authority in the fourth quarter of this year.

Dassault Falcon president and chief executive John Rosanvallon says the Latin American country “has shown strong demand” for the 8X since the program’s launch in 2014. ”Four of the first 20 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered there,” he says. “That’s a great sign of a Brazilian market that might be turning the corner for the better.”

The Falcon 8X secured US and European certification in early July, and first deliveries have already started.

In preparation for the 6,450nm (11,900km)-range 8X’s entry into service, Dassault has begun ramping up production at its Bordeaux Merignac final assembly plant in southwest France.

As of this writing, serial number 29 is now being manufactured at the facility, and 15 aircraft are being outfitted at Dassault’s US completion center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Source : Flightglobal/Dassault

                   

                      OTHER AVIATION NEWS

After 37 Years, Cathay Pacific Calls Time on the 747

Cathay Pacific is retiring its Boeing 747 passenger fleet after 37 years. Once a ubiquitous presence at major airports around the world, the aircraft approaching this age has now become a rare sight.

For aviation geeks gathered at the Hong Kong International Airport, soon they will only be able to spot the Hong Kong flag carrier’s passenger jet in a history book. The final 747 flight to Tokyo took off on the first of this month.

The original 747 was vital to Cathay’s development into a major global carrier. The airline received its first jumbo jet in 1979 when it was still a small regional carrier flying to a handful of Asian destinations and Australia. It only truly became global in 1980, when it started flying to London’s Gatwick with the second 747 aircraft in its fleet.

After October 1st, Cathay will continue to fly the jets in its cargo fleet, but it decided earlier not to adopt the new generation 747-8 for passengers.

But for Hong Kong plane spotters, it is hard to say goodbye to the Queen of the Skies. The association of Hong Kong Aviation Photographers said it is putting together a photo book to commemorate the occasion. Its member, Daryl Chapman, took an iconic photo of a Cathay 747 attempting to land at Hong Kong’s old Kai Tak Airport.

Source : Ed’s Research/China Aviation Daily

Las Vegas Lands First-Ever Airline Route to Mainland China

Hainan Airlines will begin flying from Las Vegas on December 2nd, launching three weekly flights to Beijing on Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The carrier announced its intention to operate the flights earlier this year, but received the needed regulatory approval in Mid September.

Hainan Beijing flights will give Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport its first-ever regularly scheduled nonstop route to mainland China.  It is a destination that accounts for one of the fastest-growing segment of visitors to Las Vegas, according to Las Vegas Review- Journal. The associated Press continues that theme, writing the new flights come as Las Vegas and Asian investors ”are going all in on Chinese tourism, as some of Las Vegas’ latest developments on an and off the strip target Chinese nationals and Chinese-Americans.”

The Beijing service becomes Las Vegas’ second regularly scheduled route to Asia. Korean Air also flies from Las Vegas to Seoul. For Hainan Air, Las Vegas continues a recent growth spurt for the carrier in the United States. The airline also has launched new routes from cities like Boston, Seattle and San Jose, California, the past few years.

Source : China Aviation Daily

Rockwell Collins was Selected By Boeing                                              for the 777x Touchscreens

Rockwell Collins will supply touchscreen flight displays for the Boeing 777X cockpit, ushering the technology into scheduled commercial aviation when the 777-9 enters service in 2020.

Boeing announced in July that the re-engines and re-winged 777x family would be the first airliner to feature touchscreen displays for the pilots.

The move follows the introduction of touchscreen displays in general aviation and business jet cockpits, including in Gulfstream’s new G500 and G600 aircraft.

The 777x cockpit will share a similar lay-out to the 787 family with five displays, but the former will include multi-touch format screens, allowing both pilots to touch the same screen simultaneously.

Source : Boeing/Rockwell Collins/Flightglobal

Egypt Air Agrees to Buy Eight Boeing 737 NGs

Cairo-based Egyptair has inked a deal to purchase eight new Boeing 737NGs, with the first delivery expected in February 2017, according to Egyptair statement.  The aircraft will be financed by Dubai Aerospace Enterprise.

Egyptair Chairman and CEO Safwat Musallam said, “the deal will provide us the competitive edge to achieve our growth targets and help us strengthen our presence in a wider region”.

Egyptair currently operates 20 Boeing Next Generation 737s and the 8 new aircraft will comprise the largest single-aisle aircraft type in its fleet.  The airline also has six 777-300ERs and two 777-200ERs.

Source : ATW

LATEST NEWS

  • Jeju Air, South Korean budget carrier, has announced its intention to order three new 737-800s, in a deal which it says is worth $287 million.
  • Jet2, the UK leisure carrier, receives first of the 30 Boeing 737-800s. The aircraft were ordered in two batches, comprising an order for 27 737-800s that was finalized in September 2015 and further three were ordered in December 2015.

  • El Al the Israeli flag carrier has agreed to take another Boeing 787-9 from an undisclosed lessor; taking to 16 the number of Dreamliners it plans to operate starting next year.
  • China Airlines has taken delivery of its first A350-900 XWB, becoming the 9th airline to operate the type.
  • Sichuan Airlines has signed an agreement to lease three A350-900s from AerCap and one from Air Lease Corp.
  • Boeing is set to roll the 500th 787 Dreamliner. The 500th 787-9 Dreamliner has begun final assembly on September 26th, which is scheduled to be delivered to Air France on November 28, 2016.
  • LATAM  receives first A350-900 XWB under AerCap leaseback arrangement.
  • Monarch Airlines is set to buy 15 new Boeing 737s after a major investment from shareholders.  The extra 15 aircraft, added to the 30 it already ordered in 2014, would put the airline on a secure footing for the foreseeable future.
  • The Commercial Aircraft Corp of China (COMAC) delivered the second ARJ21-700 to Chengdu Airlines.

  • Xiamen Airlines launched its service from Shenzhen to Seattle on September 26th. The service will be operated with Boeing 787 Dreamliner, with three flights per week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

 

AIR CARGO

     Cargolux Takes Early Delivery of its Final 747-8F

It was not really an earth-shaking surprise, given the Luxembourg-based carrier has already taken delivery of thirteen of the type. But this one, number 14, is the last Cargolux had on order, and was delivered ahead of schedule.

Cargolux, for its part, had originally intended to take delivery of the aircraft in 2017, but in August of this year, made a decision to bring forward the delivery date. Cargo traffic has picked up recently, reassuring the carrier that now would be sensible time to add an additional aircraft to its permanent fleet.

Shedding a bit of light on recent traffic developments in North America, Pier Curci, Cargolux’s VP the Americas, noted strong transpacific demand – especially from the Hong Kong gateway.

Returning from the delivery, the evening of September 30th when LX-VCN took off from Seattle, it immediately entered revenue service. During its return to Luxembourg, Cargolux spared no time testing the features of its shiny new 747-8F. It was widely circulated that the aircraft would carry an aircraft engine on its maiden voyage.

Source : Cargofacts/Boeing Picture

  

                                MILITARY NEWS             

      Boeing Unveils Contender for Northrop T-38 Replacement

Boeing and Saab finally took the wraps off a purposefully designed jet trainer on September 13th to replace initially  the US Air Force’s fleet of more than 400 Northrop T-38s.

Showing off a design featuring twin, canted tails and a shoulder-mounted anhedral wing, the Boeing/Saab team will compete with a high-powered trainer with a 17,700-thrust GE Aviation F404-GE-402 with full afterburner.

“The team’s clean sheet design resembles Saab’s compact Gripen fighter and twin tails allow for more maneuverability at high angle of attack”, Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works Defense, told reporters. In its most recent draft request for proposals, the US Air Force called for 25 degree of high angle of attack.

“Typically, you grow tails extremely large for high angle of attack maneuverability and we chose to take a different path,” he says. ”Size relates to cost. The smaller and more compact, the more requirements you’re going to meet and the more affordable is.”

While Boeing focused on meeting the USAF’S requirements to keep costs down, their T_X offering allows for future growth potential, Davis says. That growth plan included the afterburner, which was not a USAF requirement, he says.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing picture

 

                         

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com

by

Volume 2 Issue 6 June 2015

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Begins Extensive Engine Testing of the LEAP-1B for the 737 MAX

Boeing and CFM International announced that they successfully initiated flight testing of the LEAP-1B engine on April 29th on GE’s modified 747 flying testbed at GE Aviation Flight Test Operations in Victorville, California.

The testing is the next major milestone in a two-year program that will culminate in engine certification in 2016 and delivery of the first Boeing 737 MAX in 2017.The engine performed well and completed multiple aeromechanics test points of various altitudes during the five-hour 30 minute first flight.

LEAP-1B-Ground009

“I continue to be really impressed with the LEAP,” said Chief Test Pilot Steven Crane, CFM International. ”These engines are demonstrating maturity that you do not always see in new products. I think our airline customers are going to be pleased with the engine.”

The LEAP-1B engine is the exclusive power plant for the Boeing 737 MAX family and is part of the most extensive ground and flight test certification program in CFM’s history. The first Leap-1B engine began ground testing on June 13, 2014, three days ahead of the schedule set when the program was launched in 2011.

Over the next several weeks, the flight test program will encompass a comprehensive test schedule that will gauge engine operability, stall margin, performance, emissions and acoustics.

“The Leap engine has been incredibly well throughout a very rigorous ground and flight test program,” said Allen Paxson, executive vice president, CFM International. ”Results to date are right in line with what we predicted and where we wanted this engine to be.”

To date, the 737 MAX has accumulated 2,724 orders from 57 customers worldwide.

Source: Boeing/CFM International/Picture Boeing

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

Airbus Turns to Korean Manufacturer to Supply A330neo Sharklet

Airbus has selected Korean Air Aerospace Division, (KAL-ASD),the manufacturing division of Korean Air Group, to supply the new Sharklet wingtip for the A330neo.

KAL-ASD will manufacture the new composite wingtip devices at its Busan facility and supply them to Airbus’s Toulouse final assembly line.

a330-900neorrcourtesy-airbus

The Sharklets bear a strong resemblance to the aerodynamic devices carried by the A350 and the A330 versions will include a wingspan extension; overall span will increase from 60.3m of the A330ceo to 64m on the A330neo and provide increased lift while reducing drag.

Together with the A330neo’s Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the new wingtips plus other aerodynamic enhancements will give the aircraft a 14% reduction in fuel burn per seat compared with today’s A330ceos,Airbus said.

The first A330neos will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Source : ATW/Airbus Photo

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

Mitsubishi Releases New Photos of Flight Test Fleet

Mitsubishi Aircraft has released a series of photos of its fleet of five flight test aircraft for the MRJ regional jet program.

The pictures show FTA-1, also known as MSN 10001, and FTA-2 having both completed final assembly and with its Pratt & Whitney engines attached.

yourfile

FTA-3 with its landing gear attached, has completed wing-to-body join although engines have not been mounted. FTA-4 is still resting on struts and undergoing wing-to-body join. The picture shows that its engines, horizontal stabilizers, rudder, flaps, ailerons and wingtips have also yet to be installed.

yourfile

yourfile

The aft fuselage of FTA-5 meanwhile has not been fused. All five airframes have been painted, and FTA-5 appears to bear launch customer All Nippon Airway’ livery.

The Japanese airframe unveiled the pictures at the Regional Airline Association convention in Cleveland on May 12th.

yourfile

At the convention, it also announced that it has expanded planned flight test and engineering options in the USA with four more sites. Besides a flight test center in Moses Lake, Washington, an engineering center will also be opened in Seattle.

It will also perform high-altitude flight tests at Gunnison Crested Butte Regional airport in Colorado, special runway tests at Roswell International Air Center in New Mexico, and use the McKinley climatic test cell at Eglin AFB, Florida.

Mitsubishi has pushed the first flight of the MRJ to September or October of 2015,but committed to keep to its second quarter 2017 delivery schedule.

Source: Flightglobal/ Mistubishi Aircraft

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Alaska Airlines is the Launch Customer for the B737-700PF Program

Israel Aerospace Industries has launched a B737-700P2F (Passenger aircraft to Freighter) conversion program through its MRO and conversion arm, Bedek Aviation Group. According to Cargo Facts Alaska Airlines is the launch customer for the process with three firm orders plus one option. Bedek says that it expects certification to occur in mid 2016 with redelivery of the first converted aircraft due at the end of 2016.

The US carrier’s cargo fleet currently consists of one B737-400F and four B737-400Ms used on flights throughout rural Alaska as well as to the mainland United States.

Source: ch-aviation

 

Southwest Adds International Flights, Bigger Boeing Jets 

Southwest Airlines Co. is expanding the number of flights it makes to Latin America and changing its order with the Boeing Co. for 31 of the company’s 737-700 jets to the larger 737-800. All 31 planes are scheduled for delivery to Southwest in 2016.

The 737-800 includes 32 more seats than the 737-700 and carries a list price of $93.3 million compared with the list price of the $78.3 million for the smaller plane. Since placing its first order for the 727-200 in 1971, Southwest has ordered 941 new 737s from Boeing and taken delivery of 675.

Southwest claims to have the largest fleet of Boeing airplanes in the world, with currently in active service according to planespotters.net. Of those, 440 are 737-700s and 95 737-800s. By the end of 2016 Southwest expects its fleet to number about 715 aircraft, all some version of the 737.

For 2015, Southwest has 19 firm orders for the 737-800, and intends to take delivery of 19 pre-owned 737-700s. For 2016, the airline currently intends to take delivery of four pre-owned 737-700 aircraft.

The airline also has more 737-700s on order for delivery in 2017 and 2018.Those orders may also be changed to 737-800s depending on the airline’s needs according to CEO Gary Kelly. The last 737-700 that Southwest acquired new was delivered in December 2011.

Source : Wall street.com/Southwest.

 

TUI Group to Rebrand Five Airlines as “TUI”

TUI Group plans to rebrand its five airlines under a single “TUI” brand as part of its roadmap for growth initiative to be achieved by 2018.

Beginning in the fall 2015, the TUI Group said it will use single branding for its airlines. TUI currently operates around 140 medium-and long-haul aircraft in various markets under different brand names – TUIfly

(Germany), Thomson Airways(UK), Arkefly (Netherlands), Jetairfly (Brussels) and TUIfly Nordic(Sweden).

tuifly-737-800-kh-lowres

Each carrier will maintain its separate air operators certificate(AOC) and will remain responsible for its own crew and flight planning, but will operate under “one central organization.” Also, maintenance should be concentrated under one organization.

According to a company statement, crew and fleet would be more efficient when switched between different bases and nations, depending on demand. This should increase effectiveness of the airlines. TUI hopes to deliver operational efficiency improvements worth $57 million per annum by 2018.

TUI Group said the strategy generate more synergies by joining business units and would raise shareholders value.

The week of May 11th TUI Group placed a firm order for a single Boeing 787-9, plus one option, and has switched two of its smaller 787-8s already on order for the larger variant

Source: ATW/ Picture TUIfly Boeing 737-800

 

Eastern Air Lines Takes Flight from Miami Again with First Revenue Flight 

Eastern is back in business at Miami International Airport. The well-known carrier with the hockey stick logo resurrection of the airline that called Miami home for decades lifted off for its first revenue flight on May 28th.The destination for Eastern flight 3145 was Havana, in partnership with HavanaAir Charters.

Eastern Air Lines announced last week that it had signed an agreement with Miami-based HavanaAir to provide lift for the operator’s charter flights to Havana, Santa Clara and Camaguey.

The airline’s Boeing 737-800 will fly twice daily to Havana from Miami and weekly to other destinations, with plans to add service to Cuba from other gateway cities in the U.S. over the next couple months.

Henry Harteveldt, travel industry analyst at Atmosphere Research in San Francisco, called the contract a “great win” for Eastern that will give the start operational experience, revenue and attention.

“It’ll be good for Eastern in terms of giving it a lot of frequencies and it’s also a high-profile market,” Harteveldt said. ”It’s great visibility for the airline”.

The earlier Eastern filed for bankruptcy protection in 1989 and stopped flying in 1991.The new airline is not affiliated with the original carrier but acquired its intellectual property; shareholders from the old airline also received rights to buy a stake in the new company.

The company has set up shop at Miami International Airport’s Building 5A, the former Eastern operations center. Community appreciation for the airline was evident in December, when the first aircraft arrived and crowds of politicians and former employees gathered to welcome it with cheers.

Source : Miami Herald

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • Azul Linhas Aereas have a final agreement for 30 firm orders for the E195-E2 jets. The contract, announced as a Letter of Intent (LOI) during the 2014 edition of the Farnborough International Airshow.
  • HAECO Component Overhaul has been appointed by Umbra Cuscinetti as its exclusive provider of Authorized Repair Station services in mainland China.
  • Pratt & Whitney has teamed with Bombardier to develop and implement a data management service for the CSeries, part of the Bombardier Aircraft Health Management System(AHMS) capable of transmitting real-time and recorded data from the aircraft. 
  • Turkish Airlines has taken delivery of the 125th Boeing aircraft-a Next Generation 737-900ER- one of 12 aircraft to be delivered to the Turkish flag carrier this year.
  • Vietnam Airlines’  new 787-9 has rolled out of Boeing’s paint shop at Paine Field in its new livery.It is now undergoing preflight testing.
  • Hainan Airlines and Air lease Corp.(ALC) have inked a long-term lease agreement covering a pair of Boeing 787-9s.The aircraft will be sourced from ALC’s current order book, which comprises 46 787-9s and 787-10s due for delivery from spring 2016.
  • Easy Jet has become the latest airline to commit to a higher-density Airbus A320 layout with the decision to fit 186 seats in the type.
  • Ruili Airlines has signed an agreement with Minsheng Financial Leasing and AVIC Leasing for 60 Boeing Max aircraft. The agreement was signed on May 18th, which also marks the airline’s one year anniversary. Of the 60 jets, 30 will come from Minsheng and 30 from AVIC.
  • Transaero On May 2nd Transaero took delivery of it’s Next Generation 737-800.The airplane was sporting a new livery. Transaero was the first private airline in Russia, established in 1991.

Transaero+737800_med

  • Qatar Executive has firmed up its earlier memorandum of understanding for 20 Gulfstream business jets and added an extra 10 aircraft to the order.
  • Sichuan Airlines has taken delivery of its 100th aircraft. The all-Airbus operator was handed over its latest jet, an A321, in Hamburg on May 22nd.

yourfile

  • Vietnam Airlines  confirmed the first of its new Boeing 787-9 has completed its first B1 test flight The newly painted Dreamliner took off from Paine field in Everett.
  • Dassault has rolled-out its falcon 5X at a ceremony at its 60-year old final assembly in Bordeaux-Merignac, southwest France. The ceremony took place on June 2nd.

  • Nimgxia Cargo Airlines received preliminary approval from the Civil Aviation of China (CAAC) to conduct operations from its base at Yinchuan Hedong Airport in the Ningxia Autonomous Region,900 Km west of Beijing.

 

AIR CARGO

Emirates Sky Cargo to Start Service to Rickenbacker Columbus Regional Airport.

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates airline, announced on May 27th that it will begin weekly cargo service to Rickenbacker Columbus Regional Airport.

Fellow cargo companies Cargolux and Cathay Pacific currently fly from Hong Kong to Rickenbacker.

Columbus is “an alternative port to Chicago, where shipments originating or destined to the Midwest can be trucked much more efficiently.” said Nabil Sultan, Emirates divisional senior vice president, Cargo, in a statement.

Products expected to fly into Rickenbacker on Emirates flights include apparel, pharmaceuticals and electronics, but not all manufactured in the United Arab Emirates. Columbus is Emirates’ 48th destination for air cargo and sixth in the United States, according to the company.

“The new service extends Ohio’s reach into critical market and provides yet another global asset that makes it easier and more profitable to do business within the Columbus region,” said Kenny McDonald, chief economic officer of Columbus 2020, in a statement.

Source: The Columbus Dispatch

 

Chapman Freeborn, Ruslan offer Support for Armenian Centennial 

Heavy, outsized broadcasting equipment cargo from Tianjin, China, was delivered to Yerevan, Armenia, for television coverage of Armenia’s centenary commemorations .The equipment was a gift from the people of China to the people of Armenia.

Air charter specialists Chapman Freeborn’s team in China commissioned the flight and chose to work with Ruslan International, which was formed through a joint venture between Antonov Airline and Volga-Dnepr Airlines. The carrier specializes in outsize and heavy cargo, employing a fleet of 17 Antonov An124-100 aircraft.

The 40 tons of cargo in this shipment consisted of three outside  broadcast equipment including a large generator. The height of one of  the vehicles was a challenge, but with the use of special flat extension ramp it was loaded smoothly.

“All the loads we carry are important, but this cargo has particular significance due to its role in helping the people of Armenia commemorate the centenary of such a defining moment in their history,” said Alexander Kraynow of Ruslan International.

Source:   Air Cargo World/Picture Ruslan International

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ed@kaplanianreport.com