January 30, 2021 by kaplanianreport

Kaplanian Report – Feb. 2021

On The Boeing Front

Boeing Commits to Deliver Commercial Aircraft Ready to Fly on 100% Sustainable Fuel

Boeing has committed that its new commercial aircraft will be able to burn 100% sustainable aviation fuels by 2030. Boeing has previously conducted successful test flights replacing petroleum fuels to address the urgent challenge of climate change.

Boeing says it continues to study other carbon-reducing technologies, such as hybrid-electric and hydrogen propulsion systems.But it describes sustainable aviation fuel(SAF),which includes biofuel, as the prime means by which the sector can reach IATA’s goal of,2050 cutting airline emissions to half of 2005 levels.

“Our industry and customers are committed to addressing climate change and sustainable aviation fuels are the safest and most measurable solution to reduce aviation carbon emissions in the coming decades,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stan Deal. ”We are committed to working with regulators engine companies and other key stakeholders to ensure our airplanes and eventually our industry can fly entirely on sustainable jet fuels”.

Boeing has been a pioneer in making sustainable aviation fuels a reality, partnering globally with airlines, industry governments and research institutions to expand limited supplies and reduce the fuels’ cost. Boeing worked with airlines, engine manufacturers and others to conduct biofuel test flights starting in 2008 and gain approval for sustainable fuels in 2011. In 2018, the Boeing ecoDemonstrator flight-test program made the world’s first commercial airplane flight using 100% sustainable fuels with a 777 Freighter, in collaboration with FedEx Express.

Source: Boeing/Picture Neste

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Puts the Brakes on A320 Rate Increases

“Airbus will slow a planned increase in A320-family production as it reacts to further demand pressure created by the Covid-19 pandemic,” the company said on Thursday January 21, 2021. The expected gradual increase from the current rate of 40 A320s per month will now increase to 43 per month in the third quarter and 45 in the fourth quarter, compared with previously planned jump to 47 of the narrow bodies starting in July.

The Company’s A220 monthly production will increase from four to five aircraft per month starting at the end of the first quarter as previously planned. Wide body output remains at current levels. Airbus also said it will postpone a potential increase for the A350 and maintain its five-per- month rate. A330 will remain at two-per-month for the foreseeable future.

“Airbus continues to monitor the market closely,” said the company in a statement. ”With these revised rates, Airbus preserves its ability to meet customer demand while protecting its ability to further adapt as the global market evolves.

Airbus expects the commercial aircraft market to return to pre-Covid levels by 2023 to 2025.”

Source: Airbus/Picture Airbus

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

De Havilland Set to Pause Dash 8 Q400 Production

De Havilland Canada (DHC) is set to pause production once the current Dash 8-400 is completed the company indicated. Currently, De Havilland has 17 Dash 8-400 orders scheduled for customers in 2021. There are two more Dash 8s in the backlog without identified customers.

“We will continue to sell, deliver and support the Dash 8-400 while taking appropriate measures to safeguard our people and business,” said DHC in a statement to Aerotime News. ”Our manufacturing operations have capacity to produce aircraft at our Downsview facility into 2023. However, we will not be producing “whitetails” and market demand will guide our future production plans for the Dash 8-400 Aircraft.”

In October 2020, two Dash 8-400 aircraft were delivered to Ethiopian Airlines, including the airline’s 30th Dash 8-400 aircraft.

Source: De Havilland/Picture De Havilland

F/List To Develop Cabin Features for Aerion’s AS2 Supersonic Jet

Aerion has selected high-end interiors manufacturer F/List to supply the AS2 supersonic business jet. The agreement builds on a relationship that has been ongoing between F/List and Aerion since 2014. F/List already has provided Aerion with expertise in interior engineering, certification support, materials and process, and finishes.

Under the expanded agreement, F/List will work with Aerion to develop an ”innovative, ultra-luxury cabin experience” to include cabinets, liners, hard floorings, and baggage liners.

“The AS2 will be a step into the future for passenger experience and the cabin will link emerging technologies, new materials, visionary style, traditional craftsmanship to create the future of luxury,” said Tim Fagan, the director of industrial design for Aerion.

Source: Aerion/Picture Aerion

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Saudia the National Flag carrier of Saudi Arabia Introduces comprehensive Flight Guide in Braille

Saudia has become the world’s first airline to introduce a comprehensive flight guide in braille for visually-impaired and blind passengers. The airline features Braille entertainment options include audio descriptive movies.

Guests can select a Braille cuisine option at time of booking through a simple step while making a booking from the airline’s website or calling SAUDIA. The airline provides services such as elevators, special meals and menus, safety procedures and magazines printed in Braille for guests.

Chief executive officer of Saudi, Captain Ibrahim S. Koshy said: “Saudia is committed to being an inclusive airline, providing amenities, services and support for all guests. We take pride in making our very best efforts to provide a comfortable, welcoming and hospitable experience from each point of the journey.”

Source: Saudia/Picture Saudia

First UK Wedgetail Arrives for Conversion By STS

A former Deer Jet-operated Boeing 737NG will be modified into an E-7 Wedgetail airborne early warning (AEW) aircraft for the Royal Air Force (RAF); it arrived at its UK conversion site earlier last month.

Currently registered N946BC, the narrowbody arrived at the Birmingham airport facilities of STS Aviation Services on January 7th, following a 6 hour flight from Bangor, Maine, in the USA.

Cirium fleets data recorded the twinjet as having previously been operated in a 737-BBJ1 configuration with 29 seats. First flown in June 2010, before undergoing conversion for VIP operations, it was used by Deer Jet under registration B-5273-via China’s AVIC international leasing-before being acquired by Boeing in June 2019.

Boeing Defence UK managing director Anna Keeling describes the milestone as a “major accomplishment”. “While hundreds of people throughout the UK and around the world have been working on this program since the contract was signed, we now have the airframe that will become the RAF’s first Wedgetail in the country,” she notes.

The Other pre-owned asset scheduled to undergo conversion for the RAF as also originally ordered by Deer Jet, now registered as N947BC and first flown in June 2011, the platform saw use with Deer Jet’s sister operators Hong Kong Jet, and business Aviation services Guernsey, as well as Bermuda firm Longtail Aviation, Cirium fleet records show.

In addition to these two airframes, the UK will also field a trio of new build 737-700s, to complete its E-7 fleet. Ordered via $2 billion acquisition to replace aged E-3D Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft, the fleet will be based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland, alongside the Raf’s 737NG-based P-8A Poseidon MRA1 maritime patrol aircraft.

Source: Flightglobal/Cirium Fleets Data/picture Boeing Defence UK

Qantas to Revisit Project Sunrise at End of 2021: Alan Joyce

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce believes the carrier’s Project Sunrise initiative to launch ultra-long haul flights will be even more viable in the post-coronavirus world. Joyce adds that plan will be revisited at the end of 2021, potentially setting the stage to launch services from Melbourne and Sydney to London and New York.

As the Covid-19 pandemic grew more severe, in May, 2020, Qantas pressed pause on Project Sunrise. The initiative could have seen it order up to 12 Airbus A350-1000s. “We were pretty close…within a couple of weeks of placing orders for the aircraft,” says Joyce.

He adds that Airbus would have provided a “specially designed version” of the -1000 “to allow us to do these sectors economically and the business case looked really good.”

Joyce made the remarks during an interview on the Reuters Next virtual conference.

“I am optimistic that the Project Sunrise business case will still look good,”says Joyce, “But we’re obviously not going to put an order in for new aircraft until we see the international markets recovering.”

Source: Reuters/Picture Qantas

LATEST NEWS

Gulf Air is in talks with Airbus and Boeing to delay some aircraft deliveries as the pandemic continues to disrupt global travel.

WestJet of Canada returned the Boeing 737 Max to revenue service on January 21st with a flight from Calgary to Vancouver; becoming Canada’s first airline to fly the aircraft commercially following an almost two-year pause.

FedEx US cargo giant plans to retire its remaining MD-11s by 2023. Over the years, the MD-10s were the workhorse of FedEx’s fleet.

Alaska Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max on January 14th, it will mark the first of 68 units of the narrowbody to join the carrier this decade.

American Airlines continues to reactivate its 737 Max fleet post grounding, the airline on January 20th set to exceed 200 flights of the type. It is now operating up to 23 flights with the type each day.

China Aircraft Leasing(CALC) has placed an order for 30 Comac ARJ21 aircraft with an Indonesian airline, TransNusa in which CALC and two of its most senior executives have a 49% takes a co-buyer.

Frontier Airlines has selected Pratt & Whiney PW1100Gs to power 134 incoming Airbus A320neo family jets a move that will diversify its fleet way from complete reliance on CFM International power plants.

United Airlines revealed the first 12 routes that its Boeing 737 aircraft will fly. Starting with 24 daily departures, with that number quickly growing to 32.

Jordan Aviation has filed an application with the US Transportation Department ( Dot) to begin flights between Jordan and the US. The privately owned airline, which primarily provide wet lease services and charter flights, is seeking a foreign air carrier permit to start scheduled US flights from April 1.

Sources: United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Gulf Air, FedEx, Routes Online, Arabian AeroSpace, Flightglobal

AIR CARGO

Freighter Line Hands Boeing Advantage in Twin-Aisle Orders and Delivery Contest

While Airbus delivered far more aircraft overall than Boeing last year, Boeing freighter activity meant it was able to hand over a greater number of twin-aisle models.

Boeing’s freighter business contrasted sharply with that of Airbus, which has not sold a new-build cargo aircraft for nearly six years and whose diminishing freighter backlog was zeroed in December of last year with the cancellation of a long-dormant order.

Boeing benefited particularly from its freighter activity. The 46 deliveries comprised five 747-8Fs (all to UPS), 19 767-300Fs and 22 777Fs, and retains 96 freighters in its backlog.

While Atlas Air has agreed to take the final four 747-8Fs from the production line, Boeing still has commitments for 85 777Fs and 767-300 Fs.

Airbus’s last freighter order was recorded in March 2015 when Turkish Airlines agreed to take four A330-200Fs, the only new build cargo aircraft by Airbus.

The Cancellation of three outstanding A330-200Fs ordered by Turkey’s MNG Airlines means there is no current backlog for the type, the only new build freighter offered by Airbus.

Source: Flightglobal/Boeing/Picture DHL

BBAM Orders Another Six 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighters

Aircraft lessor BBAM limited Partnership has placed orders with Boeing for the conversion of six additional 737-800s into the Boeing Converted Freighter configuration.

San Francisco-based BBAM has also taken options with Boeing for an additional six 737-800BCF conversions, part of a deal reflecting the strength of the e-commerce market, Boeing says on January 19. With the deal, BBAM has ordered or taken options on 15 737-800BCFs. The company’s portfolio of jets includes 132 737-800s and two 737-800BCFs, according to its website.

Boeing has landed more than 150 737-800BCF orders and commitments, Boeing Says.

“The continued strong demand for the 737-800BCF demonstrates the critical role these converted freighters play in the growing express and e-commerce market,” says Boeing senior vice-president of commercial sales and marketing Ihssane Mounir.

Source: Boeing/Picture Boeing

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor: Lee Kaplanian

May 14, 2020 by kaplanianreport

The Kaplanian Report – May 2020

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Status of Boeing Strategy Concerning the 737 & 787

Boeing believes it will resume 737 Max deliveries in the third quarter of 2020, with chief executive David Calhoun saying the company is progressing well through certification work despite challenges posed by coronavirus.

“We currently expect the necessary regulatory approval to allow Max deliveries in the third quarter,” Calhoun says on April 29. ”We are very confident that the process will conclude with the certification.”

Boeing is now working through what Calhoun describes as “a mountain” of documentation work. He says the certification pace has been hampered by the coronavirus pandemic, which has forced staff to work from home.

Boeing expects to resume 737 Max production this year at “low rates”. It does not specify initial production volumes, but says production will “gradually increase” to 31 aircraft monthly in 2021, with additional increases to follow.

As to the 787, Boeing has no immediate plan to restructure its 787 manufacturing footprint despite announcing a major cut in production. However, Chief Executive David Calhoun says Boeing will have time to review it manufacturing strategy in the coming years, as 787 production further declines.

On April 29 Boeing announced it will reduce 787 production from 14 aircraft monthly to 10 monthly this year-end then to seven monthly by 2022.

“Certainly, both lines will be running during the initial phase of reducing production to 10 787 monthly.” Calhoun says. ”We have not made any decision on the 787 production locations,” he adds of production requirements after 2020.

“We will have plenty of time to figure out exactly the way to go.”

Source: Boeing

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Sees More Pain in Commercial Market Through 3Q 2020

Airbus does not expect to have clear visibility of full short-to medium-term impact of the Covid-19 crisis until June. In a briefing for financial analysts the morning of April 29 to announce diminished first-quarter results for 2020, Airbus indicated that it will likely defer decisions on steps to right-size the business for another two or three months. This will allow more time to reassess the situation of its airline customers and also get more complete guidance from governments on steps to ease lockdown restrictions.

Group CEO Guillaume Faury told analysts that the greatest Covid-19 impact so far has been on its commercial aircraft business. Its short-term reaction has been to scale back production rates by around a third to 48 units a month, including 40 A320s, 6 A350s and 2 A330s. The A220 production line in Canada is expected to return progressively to a monthly output rate of 4 aircraft.

“The industry is now facing the gravest crisis in its history and we have a strong focus on matching production to demand and also cash containment,” Faury said.

Earlier in April Airbus announced that it is tapping government-backed payroll protection support schemes. This has resulted in around 3,000 being furloughed on close to full pay in France and a further 3,200 in the UK.

Airbus is deferring further decisions on possible workforce reductions until June, when it expects to have a clearer idea of reduced demand for airliners.

Source: Airbus

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Supersonic Jet Maker Aerion to Build Manufacturing Site In Florida

Supersonic business jet company Aerion will manufacture its in-development AS2 transport aircraft at a new facility in the Florida city of Melbourne, in the heart of the state’s aerospace cluster.

The company, currently based in Reno, intends this year to begin constructing in Melbourne a “global headquarters and integrated campus for research, design, build and maintenance” of the AS2, Florida governor Ron DeSantis’ office said on April 24. Aerion’s media representative confirms the plan.

The $300 million project will create a facility called “ Aerion Park” in a region of Florida known as the “Space Coast”, says the governor.

The Company intends to begin manufacturing AS2 there in 2023, and the site will employ 675 people by 2026.

“ Having evaluated a number of potential locations for our new home, we are excited to partner with Florida and Melbourne community to create a sustainable supersonic future,” says Aerion chief executive Tom Vice. Aerion has said it hopes to complete first flight of the 12- passenger AS2 in 2024.

Source: Aerion/Picture Aerion

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

AvioInteriors Seating Innovation Addresses Covid Concerns

Italian aircraft seat and cabin interior supplier AvioInteriors has released a concept for new seating solution designed to theoretically allow airlines to fill their middle seats amid Covid-19 concerns. Calling it a “kit-level solution”, operators can install on existing seats to make close proximity safer, the company’s Glasssafe and Janus products feature transparencies to create an isolated volume around the passenger to avoid or minimize the spread of germs between occupants.

The Company can supply a Glasssafe retrofit kit in opaque material or with different degrees of transparency. AvioInteriors designed the application with various executions and fixing systems that allow easy installation and removal and to allow for traditional seat-back magazine pockets and tables.

The Proposal for the second product, called Janus, features a center seat of a three-abreast layout positioned in the opposite direction, while passengers seated on the side seats, aisle, and fuselage continue to face in the forward direction.

As in the Glasssafe applications high shield that prevents breath propagation surrounds each Janus seat. But another advantage of the Janus setup is the middle seat passenger has unobstructed access to both armrests.

If approved the AvioInteriors products would allow airlines to generate 33 percent more revenue if regulators call for middle seats to remain empty. In fact, International Air Transport Association director general Alexandre de Juniac warned of the likelihood of higher airfares due to empty middle seat requirement.

Source: ainonline

Southwest Delays Deliveries of 59 737 Max to Post-2021

Southwest Airlines, among the world’s top Boeing 737 Max customers, has pushed back deliveries of 59 Max aircraft in response to the travel downturn caused by the coronaviris pandemic.

Previously, Southwest anticipated receiving 107 Max jets from Boeing in 2020 and 2021, including 62 aircraft that had been scheduled for delivery in 2020 and 45 scheduled for 2021, securities filing shows.

The airline provides few details about how many 737 Max aircraft it intends to acquire in 2020 and 2021, other than saying it expects to receive less than 27 jets from Boeing this year.

Those 737 Max are aircraft Boeing manufactured for Southwest after regulators grounded the type in March 2019. Boeing continued manufacturing the jets after grounding, storing the airliners until the grounding lifts.

Southwest is “still working on specifics of how many we want to take between now and the end of the year,” chief financial officer Tammy Romo says, during Southwest’s first-quarter earnings call on April 28. “We have fleet flexibility.”

News of the deferrals came the day Southwest reported a first-quarter loss of$94 million, reflecting the collapse of travel demand during the pandemic.

While some Max customers have cancelled orders in recent weeks, Romo says Southwest still prefers to take new jets.”Our preference is to get new airplanes from Boeing,” she says.

Romo adds that “Max’s 14% fuel savings (compared to 737NGS) is still very meaningful and significant”, despite tumbling fuel prices, which have eroded the financial value of efficiency.

Source: Southwest/Flightglobal

Delta to Retire Its MD-88, MD-90 Fleets in June

Delta Air Lines will retire the McDonnell Douglas MD-88 and MD-90 aircraft earlier than previously planned, with both aircraft types exiting the fleet effective June 2020.

The accelerated retirement schedule of both aircraft is a result of the Covid-19 pandemic as the airline reduces capacity systemwide.

Delta cut its overall active fleet by about half, parking more than 600 mainline and regional aircraft in the last two months.

The 149-seat MD-88 was previously set to retire by the end of 2020. As of February this year, prior to the coronavirus-driven fleet reduction, there were 47 MD-88s and 29 MD90s operating. Both aircraft operated across much of Delta’s domestic network and have been workhorses for the airline.

Delta continues to evaluate its broader fleet plan and will consider additional aircraft retirement to focus on a modern, more simplified fleet going forward.

Source: World Airline News

LATEST NEWS

Airbus has backed out of a joint venture with Thai Airways to build a new MRO campus at Thailand’s U-Tapao airport.

El Al Israeli flag-carrier has reached a sale-and-leaseback agreement with an unidentified foreign company covering three Boeing 737-800s.

American Airlines sets a company cargo record on a Boeing 777-300, the flight on April 15 broke American’s all-time record for freight volume, removing 115,349 pounds(52,321 kilograms) of soybean seeds.On one of American’s cargo-only routes from Buenos Aires to Miami.

Lufthansa is prematurely phasing out six Airbus A380 as part of fleet cuts across the airline group.

Rolls-Royce says it is aiming to bring the number of Boeing 787s on the ground for Trent 1000 engine modification reasons down to fewer than 10 by the end of the second quarter.

Silver Air a private jet management and charter company has added a Boeing Business Jet (BBJ) with unrestricted charter access based in West Palm beach, Florida.

Boeing conducted a successful first flight of its second 777X airplane. Designated WH002 the second of four 777-9 flight test vehicles.

Qantas is putting Project Sunrise on hold, citing the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on air travel.

United Airlines will sell and lease back 22 planes to Bank of China(BOC) Aviation.The deal involves six Boeing 787-9s and 16 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft.

German Government First A350 Airbus has transferred the first of three A350-900s for the federal German government to Hamburg for outfitting at the Lufthansa Technik facility on May 7.

Sources: United Airlines, Flightglobal, Boeing, Qantas, Rolls-Royce, American Airlines, Lufthansa, Airbus, El Al.

AIR CARGO

Air Freight Market Goes Into Overdrive

Damian Brett, the editor of Air Cargo News, outlines how the freight sector has been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

While passenger airlines have heavily reduced their services over recent weeks, the air cargo market has gone into overdrive as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The sector is managing a huge capacity crunch as airlines have largely stopped operating the bellyhold services which make up roughly 50% of cargo capacity.

Consultant Seabury estimates that at the end of March, cargo capacity was down by around 35% compared with the year-ago figure.

The drop-off in demand lags the capacity reductions, as a result, freight rates have taken off.

Numbers from Tac Index show that rates an services from China/Hong Kong to Europe increased by 156% from March 2 to April 6.

On China/Hong Kong to North America an increase of 90.5% as recorded during the same timeframe.

So what of the coming months? There are some early signs that the situation is easing as carriers have started to re-activate parked-up freighters aircraft, passenger aircraft are being utilized as ad hoc freighters and containership operations come into play.

Lufthansa Cargo chief executive Peter Gerber says that while it is impossible to predict what the future holds, it could be the case that there are several spikes in cargo demand over the coming months as production plants in various countries come back on line.

The prospect of this outcome was also posited by logistics and parcels giant Deutsche Post DHL in recent business performance update.

“While the development of the business situation in China has been quite promising in the last weeks, Europe and North America are still in an earlier stage of the pandemic,” DP DHL said.

Source: Air Cargo News/Picture Cargolux

OTHER NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Lessors see no ( one-size-fits- all ) solution to help airlines through crisis

While aircraft lessors are agreeing to a number of rental deferral requests to help airline customers struggling through the coronavirus crisis, leasing executives stress there is no one size-fits-all approach being sought by airlines.

Speaking on May 6 during the Leasing Leaders on Aviation Crisis webinar, organized by FlightGlobal in association with IBA Group. BOC Aviation chief executive Robert Martin notes rapid funding action- including measures from governments-means some airlines have been more interested in, for example, sale-and lease-back activity.

“Clearly a lot of our customers were immediately hit and have asked for help, but it’s not one-size-fits-all,” he says.” Some airlines didn’t need liquidity because they already have access to liquidity in other ways. So actually they were more interested in doing purchase-and lease-back business, and we have done $5 billion of that since Covid started.”

“As we have addressed these issues, it’s clear to us you can tell the experienced airlines who have been through something like this before,” he says. For example, editing the speed with which North American carriers acted to improve their liquidity and that Chinese carriers tapped their domestic bond market.

Another lessor leader panelist on the webinar, chief executive of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise Firoz Tarapore, concurs that there is no single response.

In publishing its first quarter results, the lessor says that at the end of April, it had granted rent deferral requests from 25 customers – an aggregate rent totaling 5% of annual revenue. It is also evaluating rent deferral request from 33 customers, the aggregate rent deferral for which totals 10% of annual revenue.

“It’s been a deliberate and corroborative approach to make sure we carefully balance the needs of our clients and our own needs to make sure we are here for our other customers tomorrow.” said Tarapore.

Separately another aircraft lessor, Avalon, in reporting its first quarter results said it has received requests for payment relief from more than 80% of its current owned and managed customer base.

Source: Flightglobal.com/webinars

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor: Lee Kaplanian

February 9, 2019 by kaplanianreport

The Kaplanian Report – February 2019

On the Boeing Front

Boeing Unveils 777X Cabin Design

Boeing has released images of its 777X’s cabin and disclosed design changes that will make the aircraft’s cabin more comfortable than the current-generation 777.

In addition, Boeing is giving 777X customers more flexibility in cabin layout by enabling them to choose from a greater variety of “cabin interior linings”, says the company. Linings include sidewalls, bins and ceilings, and encompass aircraft lighting.

“We have been able to… create a suite of options for airlines to actually customize aircraft without the typical customization headaches,” says Boeing regional director of cabin experience and revenue analysis Kent Craver. ”Those lining packages allow us to have multiple ceiling treatments, multiple bin options.”

Windows in the 777X will be 16% larger than those of the 777, and they will be slightly higher, giving passengers on the aircraft a better view of the outside. The top of the passenger cabin windows are about 2.6 in higher than the 777’s windows, Craver says.

The 777’X cabin draws influence from the 787s and the “SKY” cabin found in the newer 737s, Boeing says.

The 777X has enough storage to enable each passenger to stow a bag. Boeing redesigned the sidewalls so that the 777X cabin is 102 mm(4in) wider than the 777’s cabin.

The 777-8 will have an 8,700nm (16,110km) range and a capacity of 350-375 passengers, while the 777-9 will have 7,600 nm (14,075 km) range and the ability to carry 400-425) passengers, Boeing says.

Source : Boeing/Flightglobal)

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Takes Wait and See Response to Boeing’s Proposed NMA

Airbus’s incoming chief executive feels no pressure to scramble in response to Boeing’s concept for a New Mid-market Airplane (NMA).

Rather, Guillaume Faury describes Boeing’s NMA — which remains little more than a proposal—as a potential response by the US manufacturer to a market already controlled by Airbus.

“They are in the situation where they are losing this part of the market because they no longer have the right products,” says Faury of Boeing. “They believe they have to do something about it, and this is on them to make the next move”.

Faury, who spoke in Mobile in January, currently heads the Airbus Commercial aircraft division but is in line to succeed Tom Enders as Airbus CEO in April.

Boeing has taken a very different public approach, with executives saying they see a significant demand for an aircraft with 200 to 270 seats and range of 5,000nm (9,300km).

“This airplane is a big opportunity for us,” Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Kevin McAllister said last year.

Meanwhile, Airbus had made inroads by squeezing more range from its A321neo. The European company has developed a long-range A321LR and speculation abounds that even longer-range derivative, known as the “A321LRX”, might be in the works.

Fauey declines any comment about the XLR, but insists Airbus’s products already meet airlines’ needs.”We don’t have this gaps we don’t feel under pressure to react even before Boeing has moved. We will wait and see and observe,” he says.

Source : Airbus/Flightglobal

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

AMAC Secures Its First BBJ Max 9 Completion Contract

Swiss firm AMAC Aerospace has secured its first BBJ Max 9 completion contract and plans to take delivery of the re-engined narrow body at its Basel facility in September.

Bernd Schramm, AMAC chief operating officer, says the design team has already started work on a mock-up of the interior, which he describes as “very special and unique”.

The completed aircraft is scheduled for re-delivery to its unnamed customer in 2021.

AMAC is now working on three green completions projects in Basel—two narrow bodies and a Boeing BBJ 747-8I—and is preparing to accept its first BBJ Max 8 in the fourth quarter.

Boeing, meanwhile, holds 19 orders for the BBJ Max family: 12 Max 8s —the first

two units were delivered green in 2018—three Max 9s, and four Max 7s. Three orders remain on backlog for the original BBJ, based on the 737NG airframe. Boeing also holds an order for a BBJ 787-8 wide body.

Source : Boeing Business Jet /AMAC

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

JetBlue Sees Delays to A321neos, Pushes Out A220 Deliveries

JetBlue Airways expects delays to the delivery of up to seven Airbus A321neos this year-end and says it has postponed deliveries of its first A220-300s to allow more time for the airline to choose suppliers of the aircraft’s interiors.

The New York-based airline now expects to take six A321neos “minimum” in 2019, down from 13 deliveries previously, says chief financial officer Steve Priest in an earnings call on January 24. ”We’ve been officially notified by Airbus of widely-known delays in neo deliveries,” says Priest.

JetBlue continues to expect that its first A321neo will enter service in mid-year.

The airline has orders for 85 A321neos. In 2020, JetBlue will receive only one A220-300, instead of five it initially planned for. Priest says two of the four postponed deliveries will shift to 2021, the other two to 2025. An updated fleet plan shows the airline will take delivery of six A220-300s in 2021, up from four previously.

Priest says the order book changes have no impact on the airline’s capacity plans for 2019 and 2020, or cost guidance. The carrier expects first quarter capacity to grow 7.5% to 9.5%,and full-year capacity to rise 5-7%.

Source : JetBlue/World Airlines

British Airways will unveil BOAC 747-400 RetroJet

British Airways will unveil a Boeing 747-400 “retrojet” this month adorned in the colors of its predecessor airline BOAC, as part of the airline’s centenary celebrations.

The UK carrier says that one of its 747-400s—registration G-BYGC— will arrive at Heathrow from the printshop on February 18 in the BOAC scheme, and that will remain in place until it retires in 2023.

Tantalisingly ,it says that the 747 will be the “first aircraft to receive this design from British Airways’ past with more details of further designs to be revealed in due course”.

“So many British Airways customers and Colleagues have fond memories of our previous liveries, regularly sharing their photos from across the globes it’s incredibly exciting to be re-introducing this classic BOAC design,” says Alex Cruz, British Airways (BA) chairman and chief executive.

Source : British Airways/Picture British Airways

Trent 1000s Start Receiving Approved Redesigned Blades

Rolls-Royce has started installing a redesigned intermediate pressure compressor blade design on certain Trent 1000 engines, following approval from European and US regulators.

The new blades, for the Package C version of the Boeing 787 powerplant, have obtained European Aviation Safety Agency and US FAA certification.

Boeing and Rolls-Royce started issuing bulletins to customers in December 2018, Rolls-Royce adds. The Package C engines are fitted to some 170 Boeing 787s.

Rolls-Royce says the first engine to receive the new blades is “currently being serviced” at the company’s overhaul facility in Derby.

The blades have also been flown on an airborne testbed aircraft in Tucson.

“As testing proved the design, Rolls-Royce began making new sets of blades, ready for introduction, in anticipation of regulatory approval,” says the company.

It adds that the new blades are part of a program of activity intended to minimize disruption to 787 operators.

Source : Rolls-Royce

LATEST NEWS

Air Premia South Korean startup carrier has selected the Boeing 787-9 to form the basis of its fleet, with deliveries to start in 2020.
Saudia is to introduce Boeing 787-10 this year, the largest variant of the twinjet family.
Aeromexico will receive its first Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft this year, allowing the carrier to add seats at constrained airports with its network.
Cayman Airways has received the first of four Boeing 737-8s. The four Max 8s will replace the airline’s existing 737-300s.
American Airlines has taken delivery of its first A321neo, making it the latest US carrier to add the re-engined narrow body to its fleet.
United Airlines took delivery of their 1,600th brand new Boeing aircraft since deliveries first began with the 707 in 1959. The 737 MAX is the carrier’s 12th of the new fuel-efficient jet.
Qatar Airways converts 10 of its 50 Airbus A321neo on order to the longer- range Airbus A321LR.
Royal Air Maroc has signaled that it is preparing for an extensive fleet expansion possibly involving upwards of 50 aircraft.

Sources : Royal Air Maroc, Flightglobal, Air Lease, Qatar Airways

AIR CARGO

Delta Cargo, Virgin Atlantic Cargo to Move Into a New Facility at LHR

Delta Cargo, Virgin Atlantic Cargo are to move into a new purpose-built dnata City East, London Heathrow’s most state-of-art cargo facility.

The move to the new facility is scheduled for the second half of this year and will ultimately increase the size of Delta’s cargo and Virgin operation at Heathrow to 335,000 square feet, and see customers benefit from greater automation and faster truck and cargo handling times.

The Carriers’ facility at the off-airport data City Set building will be located opposite the Heathrow Cargo Terminal and adjacent to the airport’s southern perimeter road, which will provide quick access to the airport’s operational areas.

The Purpose-built facility will deliver the highest levels of service, security and automation.

The New location will also include temperature-controlled services for biopharmaceuticals and life science products, as well as a space for perishables and an enlarged center for live animals.

Source : AirCargoAirports/Delta Cargo

Lufthansa Salutes The Boeing 747

The 747 turned 50 on February 9th. Lufthansa salutes the aircraft by releasing a picture of one of their freighters a Boeing 747-230F, taken in 1972. Nickname:”Beetle Swallower”, as it had space for 72 VW Beetles.

Source: Lufthansa

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

Parts Providers Step Up 777 Teardowns

The Boeing 777 maintenance market will be worth north of $110 billion over the next 10 years; with about a quarter of that spend earmarked for components, according to Aviation Week data.

Accordingly, several parts suppliers are stepping up efforts to source 777 material, buying aircraft from carriers that are upgrading their fleets.

The latest example is GA Telesis, which at the end of January announced the consignment of four 777s from Cathay Pacific for disassembly in the U.S. and the UK. The first disassembly has already begun and the aftermarket company has committed to take five 777s in 2020.

A significant chunk of the components salvaged could be bound for Asia, which is forecast to account for more than a quarter of 777 maintenance demand over the next 10 years—the largest any region.

However, the Middle East carriers will operate the largest number of 777s by 2027, when it will be home to roughly 800 of nearly 2,000 77s in service by that year, according to Aviation Week data.

Across all regions, meanwhile, engine maintenance will be the most important part of the 777 aftermarket, generating more than a third of overall demand.

Source : MRO network/Aviation Week data

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor: Lee Kaplanian

November 23, 2018 by kaplanianreport

Volume 5 Issue 12 December 2018 The Kaplanian Report

On The Boeing Front

The GE9X for the 777X is Entering the Closing Stages Of its Certification

The GE9X is ready for flight test in its definitive production configuration, the 105,000-lb.-thrust engine for the 777X twin jet, is about to enter the closing stages of an intense and broad-range process that began with the core tests in late 2015. The effort will clear it for the start of flight tests of the 777-9, the initial 777X-family variant in March 2019, followed shortly by certification of the engine itself.

The flight-test engine is already attached to the 747-400 at GE’s Victorville, California, flight-test operations facility, one of eight GE9X development units in the baseline program. A further batch of eight compliance engines, plus two spares, are also under assembly, with the first expected to arrive at Boeing’s Everett, Washington, plant for completion with buildup units and accessories prior to installation on the first 777-9. More on the process of the detailed testing will appear in my January report.

Source : AVweek/GE Aviation

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus A330-800 Flies for the First Time

The first Airbus 330-800 took off on Tuesday, November 6, from Blagnac Airport in Toulouse for its maiden flight over southwestern France. The aircraft, MSN 1888, will perform the dedicated flight-physics tests required for the smaller variant of the A330neo family, launched in 2014 as a more fuel-efficient replacement for the A330-200.

Plans call for the Rolls-Royce Trent 7000-powered A330-800’s certification development to last around 300 flight-test hours allowing for planned EASA approval next year. Its sibling, the larger A330-900, recently completed its development testing and certification program, validating the A330neo family’s common engines, systems, cabin, and flight and ground operations.

An October 15 purchase agreement with Kuwait Airways for eight A330-800s gave Airbus a badly needed launch customer for the A330-800, whose previous initial customer, Hawaiian Airlines, canceled its commitment for six examples in favor of Boeing 787-9s in late February.

Firm orders for the A330neo topped 224 from 14 customers at the end of September, but all for the -900. Delta Air lines signed as a launch customer of the A330neo and TAP Air Portugal as a launch operator. Air Asia X remains the biggest customer. (as of this writing dated November 9) Air Asia X has yet to firm up a tentative order for 34 A330neo placed in July, and is considering switching some of those jets to narrowbody A321neos, the CEO of its Malaysian arm.)

A switch to narrow bodies would be a setback for Airbus’ A330neo program, which has been hit by a series of market losses to the rival Boeing Co 787.

Source : ainonline/picture Airbus.

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Embraer’s Bandeirante Marks Golden Jubilee of Flight

On October 26th, 2018, Embraer celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first flight of its Bandeirante turboprop twin—the company’s inaugural aircraft model. The ceremony recreated the October 26,1968, first flight of the regional turboprop from Brazil’s Sao Jose dos Campos Airport.

In two decades after entering production in 1969, Embraer manufactured 498 Bandeirantes. About 150 of these aircraft are still operating at airlines, air taxis, government entities, and air forces in the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

“The Bandeirante represented much more than an aircraft; it marked a new cycle of transformation for Brazilian industry. It represents a Brazil that is bold, capable of uniting competence, talent, and innovation,” said Embraer president and CEO Paulo Cesar de Souza e Silva. ”This commemorative date offers us an opportunity to be grateful and celebrate the pioneers of Embraer and of the Brazilian aeronautical technology. Embraer today is a company that competes on equal technological conditions with the world’s largest because 50 years ago a group of engineers, designers, and pilots dared to bring to life an aircraft that became a legend.

Source : AINonline

Delta Received the First A220

On October 26th, Delta Airlines received the first Airbus A220-100; the ceremony was attended by executives from Airbus, Bombardier and Delta, as well as local leaders, at the joint Airbus-Bombardier assembly line at Montreal’s Miracle airport.

Guillaume Faury, president of Airbus’ commercial aircraft division, says the delivery could not have happened without an international “partnership that spans the Canadian, American and European aviation sectors”.

The aircraft will enter service from the airline’s New York LaGuardia hub on flights to Boston and Dallas/Fort Worth on January 31,2019. It will roll out to five other markets, including Detroit, Houston and Salt Lake City, through August.

Air Canada will join Delta as a North American A220 operator in 2019, and JetBlue Airways in 2020.

Source : Flightglobal/Picture Delta Airlines

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Singapore Airlines to Fly Nonstop To Seattle/Tacoma

Seattle will become the fifth US city in Singapore Airlines’ route network and fourth to be served nonstop from Singapore when new flights are introduced next year.

The nonstop Singapore-Seattle/Tacoma flights are due to be launched on September 3, 2019. The airline will use the Airbus A350-900 on the route, fitted with 42 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy Class and 187 Economy Class seats.

The new Seattle flights will compliment Singapore Airlines’ existing services to the US cities of Houston, Los Angeles, New York (both JFK and Newark airports) and San Francisco.

Singapore Airlines will operate 53 flights to the US by December 2018, including 27 nonstop Singapore-US services. With the introduction of the new Seattle flights next year, total US frequency will increase to 57 flights per week.

Source : World Airline News/Picture Singapore Airlines

Boeing, Adient Joint Venture Advent Aerospace Starts Operations

In Mid October Boeing and Adient Aerospace announced their airplane seat joint venture is operational after securing regulatory approvals. The companies also appointed Alan Wittman as Chief Executive Officer and named the team that will lead Adient Aerospace in addressing the aviation industry’s need for more capacity and quality in airplane seating. Industry analysts forecast the commercial aircraft seating market to grow from approximately $4.5 billion in 2017 to $6 billion in 2018.

“ Adient Aerospace is now open for business, providing better customer and passenger experience with quality seats,” Wittman said. ”Our focus is comfort, craftsmanship and operational excellence that will differentiate our products and services, all while offering more choice and better meeting commercial airplane industry’s needs.”

Adient Aerospace CEO Wittman was most recently the director of Business Operations for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner program.

Source : Boeing

Virgin Australia on Track for 2019 737 MAX Delivery

Virgin Australia is on track to receive its first Boeing 737 Max aircraft in November 2019, and is not considering further delays to the deliver date.

In early 2017, the airline postponed the MAX deliveries, which were originally scheduled to begin in September or October of this year. The carrier now believes the revised 737 MAX timetable is appropriate and will not delay deliveries to boost its financial position, CEO John Borghetti said during a teleconference following Virgin’s annual general meeting.

The Airline is scheduled to receive 30 737-8s and 10 737-10s. The aircraft will primarily be fleet replacement, although some will also be for growth, Borghetti said.

The “economics…don’t make sense” to delay retirement of the airline’s 737-800s any, further, Borghetti said. The carrier does not want to be in a position of operating 25-year old aircraft and then facing a “tidal wave of capital expenditure”. Higher fuel burn and increased maintenance boost the cost of operating older aircraft, he said.

Regarding subsidiary Tigerair, Borghetti said the LCC’s transition from A320 to 737 will take three to four years. Tigerair operates 12 A320s, and four 737s have been transferred from Virgin Australia in 2016.

Source : atwonline/ Picture of 737 Max In Virgin Livery Boeing

LATEST NEWS

Switzerland-Based Vertis Aviation, the long-range charter specialist, has added a second Boeing Business Jet to its growing portfolio of large-jets available for international charter.

United Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-10, making it the third global operator of the largest 787 variant and the first in the Americas.
S 7 Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 on lease from Air Lease Corp., becoming the first Russian airline to fly the type.

AerCap took delivery of its first Boeing 737 MAX 8 and leased it to China Southern Airlines.

Shanghai Airlines took delivery of its first GEnx powered 787-9, its 100th aircraft.

American Airlines signed a firm order with Embraer for 15 E175 jets in a 76 seat configuration.

China Eastern Airlines took delivery of its first 787-9 Dreamliner. Previously the airline finalized an order for 15 787-9 Dreamliners.

Japan Airlines is planning to launch flights between Tokyo Narita International Airport to Seattle beginning March 31, 2019, its sixth North American west coast route.
Air New Zealand has taken delivery of its first A321neo, one of 20 of the re-engined A320neo family destined for the carrier.

AIR CARGO

Turkish Cargo Adds Ho Chi Minh to Its Freighter Network

On November 5th, Turkish Cargo announced it is adding freighter routes from Europe to Ho Chi Minh airport to its flight network. The new routes will be flown by the airline’s 777 freighters. Turkish has acquired three of the freighters in December 2017, and has two more on order from Boeing.

Turkish Cargo first established its presence in Vietnam’s capital in 2015, via twice-weekly flights between Istanbul and Hanoi using A330-200Fs. The Airline now seeks to expand its flight routes to Vietnam, because of shifting cargo trends between Asia and Europe.

Vietnam is gaining attention from manufacturing companies seeking to move operations from mainland China; it is over fears of negative impacts from the trade war between the United States and China.

This trend, coupled withHo Chi Minh’s status as Vietnam’s largest city and pre-existing trade links with Europe, further increases the city’s high export and cargo traffic potential.

Source : Air Cargo World/Picture Turkish Cargo

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

Boeing Considering a 777-300ER Freighter

As one of its organic growth projects, Boeing is in the process of building a business case for a 777-300ER passenger to freighter conversion.

Boeing has invested in 215 organic projects to grow its services business, one of those is exploring a 777-300ER passenger to freighter conversion. ”We’ve been talking to customers about a market acceptance and pricing, and we’re in the midst of working the business case,” says Stan Deal, President and CEO of Boeing Global Services.

The robust global freight demand, and the subsequent need for cargo aircraft is “largely driven from an commerce explosion in the U.S.,Europe and China,” says Deal.

He says that around 2022, the 777-300ER “will be in a timeframe when it will be ripe for a conversion or a second life.”

Of the 215 organic projects, Deal says the 777-300ER Converted Freighter “is a big one.” The array of projects also spans upgrades to existing capabilities as well, such as the release of Jeppesen Flitdeck 4.0, which provides pilots, maps, charts and documents necessary for paperless flying.

Source: mro-network/ Picture Swiss

Continued Progress Under Boeing’s Predictive Maintenance Umbrella

Predictive maintenance is no single tool, but a set of tools and procedures aimed at a goal according to Boeing. ”For us, it represents an umbrella of activities to help operators turn unscheduled maintenance into scheduled activities,” summarizes Dawn Nozdryn-Plotnicki,

director of advanced analytics at Boeing. The analytics chief says “the approach is already well along, yet with new advances in bigger data, more powerful analytical methodologies and newer airplane designs, we continue to have more to do.”

Boeing’s predictive umbrella covers a range of actions: maintenance strategy; maintenance

planning, day-of-operations monitoring, execution, reliability analysis, maintenance and post-operations monitoring for feedback and improvement. Predictive maintenance alerts can influence both modification of aircraft design and scheduled maintenance, Nozdryn-Plotnicki notes.

There are many ways predictive maintenance can be achieved at individual airlines. For example, Boeing offers airlines self-service analytics, consulting services to address specific needs, digital solutions that include both analytics and expertise and turn-key maintenance, engineering, and supply chain program, Global Fleet Care.

The OEM has invested in further gains in designing the 737MAX and developing the 777X.

Another major investment is developing more algorithms and technology platforms to exploit

ever bigger and better aircraft data. Boeing’s predictive services are already widely used. For example, Airplane Health Management (AHM) conducts over two million calculations each hour for over 100 airlines flying 4,700 aircraft. And AHM is just one of the OEM’s predictive services.

Source : pro-network

Researched and Compiled

Ed Kaplanian Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor: Lee Kaplanian

October 22, 2018 by kaplanianreport

Volume 5 Issue 11 The Kaplanian Report

On the Boeing Front

Max 10 Maintains Family Ties Following Landing Gear Tweak Design

Boeing will introduce a levered main landing gear on the 737 Max10 to overcome the potential threat to commonality with the rest of the narrow body family posed by its longer fuselage. To Preserve commonality in the Max family, Boeing has long been studying different options for the largest member of the Max family, the fuselage of which, at 143 ft (43.8m),is 1.6 m longer than the Max 9.

Boeing picked the levered design which will enable the gear to extend 9.5 in (24.1cm) during takeoff rotation, says Gary Hamatani Max chief project engineer. “We have put in this new lever that extends down to 9.5 in, to provide us the rotation.”

The design is similar to that of the 777-300, in addition to the lever, the 737-10’s main gear has a steel “innovating shrinking mechanism”, dubbed a “shrink link”, which pulls the inner cylinder as the gear retracts, enabling it to fit in the same wheel well, Hamatani says.

“From a pilot’s perspective, there is absolutely nothing different the Max10 landing gear and the existing Max family,” Hamatani adds.

The Max 10 will carry 188 passengers in two-class layout and have a range of 3,300 nautical miles (6110km). The 737Max10 was launched at the Paris air show in 2017.

Source : Boeing /Flightglobal /Boeing Photo

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus A330-900 Gains EASA Certification

The Airbus A330-900 has received type certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), clearing it for first delivery to launch customer TAP Air Portugal. TAp’s first aircraft served as a demonstrator for route proving, during which it visited 12 countries. Including the two A330-900 flight-test aircraft, the certification campaign logged some 1,400 hours in the air since first flight on October 19, 2017.

Carrying an Airspace by Airbus cabin and powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, the A330neo family consists of the A330-900 and the smaller A330-800.

Airbus launched the A330-900 and -800 simultaneously in July 2014.The company stresses the negligible extra cost of developing the smaller -800 due to the fact that the variants share 99 percent commonality. Fuel efficiency benefits come from a switch from the A330’s Rolls-Royce Trent 700 to the new Trent 7000, the addition of sharklet wingtip devices and the use of composite nacelles.

According to Airbus a result of those changes, both the A330-900neo and the smaller, A330-800neo (based on the A330-200),deliver a claimed improvement of some 25 percent over older generation aircraft of a similar size.

While the fuselages remain unchanged, Airbus specifications show 10 more passenger seats, giving the -900neo a three- class capacity of 287 and the -800 a capacity of 257.

Firm orders for the A330-900 now stand at 224, while the A330-800 lost its sole remaining customer in May, when Hawaiian Airlines canceled its order for six airplanes. Tap Air Portugal has ordered 10 of the-900 and plans to operate a similar number on lease. AirAsiaX by far ranks as the largest customer, having placed an order for 66 A330-900s.(On October 16 Kuwait Airways became the newest customer of the A330-800 with an order for eight aircraft.)

Source : Airbus/Ainonline/Ed’s research

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Helvetic Airways Firms Up Its Order For 12 Embraer E190-E2 Jets

Helvetic Airways has signed a firm order of 12 E190-E2 jets. This agreement was announced as a letter of intent (LOI) at the recent Farnborough Air Show in July.

The firm order has a value of $730 million, based on current list prices and was included in Embraer’s 2018 third quarter. backlog.

The contract also includes purchase rights for a further 12 E190-E2, with conversion rights to the E195-E2, bringing the total potential order up to 24 E-jets E2s.

With all the purchase rights being exercised, the deal has a list price of 1.5 billion. The first E190-E2 aircraft will begin replacing Helvetic’s five Fokker 100s and seven E190s, starting in late 2019 and completing in autumn 2021.

The Purchase options for a further 12 aircraft (E190-E2 or E195-E2) will enable Helvetic Airways to grow according to market opportunities.

Source : World Airline News

Zunum Picks Safran for Developmental Hybrid-Electric Commuter

Boeing-backed US hybrid-electric aircraft start-up Zunum Aero has selected Safran Helicopter Engines to supply a turboshaft engine to generate electric power propulsion of its in-development 12-seat commuter aircraft.

Safran says it will supply a new variant of its 1,700-2,000shp (1,270-1,500kW) Ardiden engine family—designated 3Z— which will be capable of delivering 500KW in combination with an electric generator.

The 12-seater—internally dubbed ZA10— will also be equipped with battery packs to “supplement” electric power during “key stages of flight and over long ranges”.

The company has received financial support from Boeing’s HorizonX division, JetBlue Technology Ventures and the State of Washington Clean Energy Fund.

Source : Flightglobal /Safran/Safran Picture

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

ATSG Signed an Agreement to Acquire Omni Air International

US air cargo company Air Transport Services Group (ATSG) has signed an agreement to acquire Tulsa-based charter operator Omni Air International for $855 million in cash.

The move, which remains subject to regulatory approval, will significantly expand ATSG’s global reach and see the company acquire its first Boeing 777s, says Wilmington, Ohio-based ATSG on October 2nd.

ATSG anticipates closing the deal in the 4th quarter. It will fund the purchase with money borrowed through an existing line of credit, the company says in a media release.

In Business since 1993, Omni flies charters and operates wide bodies under aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance(ACMI) agreements. Its customers include the US government. Omni’s fleet includes 13 passenger-configured wide bodies—seven 767-300ERs, three 767-200 ERs and three 777-200ERs.

Acquiring Omni will expand ATSG’s(ACMI) work, diversify its revenue with new customers and enable it to expand globally thanks to the capability of Omni’s 777s, which have more range than anything in ATSG’s fleet the company said.

If the deal closes, Omni will continue operating from Tulsa as an ATSG subsidiary and will be headed by Current CEO Jeff Crippen.

ATSG’s fleet includes some 73 aircraft, including 767-200Fs, 767-300ERFs,757-200Fs and 737-400Fs. Acquiring Omni’s fleet will bring ATSG’s fleet to 90 aircraft.

Source : ATSG

The Jet Travel Era Began in Earnest—60 Years Ago

This year marks the 60th anniversary of a seminal moment in commercial aviation: the start of transatlantic jet services. While jet travel was nothing particularly new by 1958, the launch of services between the US and Europe in October that year by British Airways (formerly BOAC) and US airline icon Pan Am is a true legacy of what the airline industry represent today. Prior to 1958, the industry’s foray into jet services had been sporadic.

BOAC ushered in the jet travel in 1952 when it began services with the de Havilland Comet 1, powered by four of the company’s Ghost turbojets. The inaugural flight was a multi-hop service from London down through Africa to Johannesburg.

Sadly, the pioneering operations of the Comet 1 came to an abrupt halt within two years when the jet was grounded after a series of tragic accidents subsequently traced to metal fatigue proliferated by design error.

By the time this happened, Boeing was already well advanced with the development of its own jet transport that would become the 707, while de Havilland was working on larger and longer-range Comet variants powered by Rolls-Royce Avon turbojets.

During 1957 and 1958, as de Havilland raced to develop its improved Comet 4, incorporating changes resulting from the inquiry into the 1954 accidents, Boeing was surging ahead with its much more advanced model 707.The Boeing jet, was powered by Pratt& Whitney JT3C turbojets, flew on December 20,1957 with first production Comet 4 taking to the air four months later on April 27,1958.

Both types received their certificate of airworthiness in September that year and the race was on to be the first to inaugurate transatlantic flight, with BOAC championing the British Comet 4 and Pan Am flying the Boeing 707.

There was no turning back after those transatlantic jet inaugurals 60 years ago. While development of the Comet fizzled out after the Comet 4 series, the development of the 707 and its rival the Douglas DC-8 rapidly provided airlines with longer-range jet transports.

Source : Ed’s Research/Flightglobal/Flightglobal Pictures

LATEST NEWS

Air Tahiti Nui has received the first of four Boeing 787-9s it has on order, which will replace its aging Airbus A340-300s
BOC Aviation will lease three Airbus A320ceos for Saudia’s LLC subsidiary FlyDeal. All three aircraft will be delivered in 2018.

AirBaltic received its 12th Airbus A220-300; two more are expected by the end of 2018.

AviaAM Financial Leasing China delivered a Boeing 737-800 to China’s Okay Airways.

Airbus has named current Commercial Aircraft CEO Guillaume Faury to replace Tom Enders as chief executive of the entire entity.

United Airlines has ordered nine more Boeing 787-9s, bringing its backlog for the type to 13 aircraft.

Oman Air took delivery of the fourth of 30 new Boeing 737-MAX 8’s it has on order. By the end of 2018, Oman Air will have taken delivery of five new MAX aircraft and three 787-9s.

Scoot has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo out of the 39 jets it has on firm order with Airbus

Copa Airlines has unveiled its first 737 Max 9, featuring the first lie-flat seats in business class and new economy extra section

EVA Air took delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 leased from Air Lease. EVA will begin deploying the type on International routes this month.

Source: Ed’s Research

AIR CARGO

Atran Airlines to Lease two GECAS Boeing 737-800 Freighters

Atran Airlines, the scheduled express cargo carrier within the Volga-Dnepr Group, has signed a deal with GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) for lease of two passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversions.

The aircraft are scheduled to be phased in during the remainder of 2018 and the first half of 2019. The will provide additional capacity to supplement Atran’s all-cargo fleet of three B737-400 SFs.

Aircraft lessor GECAS noted that the B737-800 freighters are “perfectly suited to short and mid-range routes,” which form the basis of Atran’s scheduled network between Russia and Europe. The carrier also specializes in handling growing international e-commerce shipments. Paul Nolan, fleet development director at Cargo Logic Management (a UK-based Volga-Dnepr Group company specializing in management consulting services for international airlines) commented: “these newly converted 737-800 freighters will assist Atran Airlines in achieving its strategic objectives and serving customers in e-commerce and express services on Russia-China routes.”

Atran Airlines was established in 1942 and is among the oldest Russia-based airfreight carriers. It joined the Volga-Dnepr Group in 2011.

Source: Air Cargo News/GECAS

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

Southwest to Invest in New MRO Facility at Baltimore/Washington

Southwest Airlines will co-fund a new $130 million regional maintenance facility at Baltimore/Washington International airport, to better meet its needs at the second busiest airport in its network.

Construction of the (130,000 square feet) line maintenance facility will begin early next year, with completion in 2021. Southwest will invest 480 million, with the Maryland Aviation Administration contributing the remaining $50 million.

The three-bay hanger will be the first of its kind for Southwest in the northeast, complementing six maintenance hangers in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Orlando and Phoenix. The facility will include additional exterior parking spots for eight aircraft well as office space.

Construction of the hanger is expected to create 450 jobs, but will not significantly grow maintenance employees numbers at the airline. Southwest currently employs more than 120 technical operations staff at the airport, which is its largest line operation and has the most number of Southwest aircraft remaining overnight.

The new facility will provide shelter to these employees in inclement weather, and also provide more space for storage of parts according to Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly and another signal of the airline’s “serious commitment” to Baltimore/Washington.

News of the planned maintenance facility comes as the airline celebrates its 25th year of service at Baltimore/Washington. It employs more than 4,800 staff at the airport.

Source: Flightglobal/Southwest

MRO Latest News

Lufthansa Technik has a China Aviation Supplies Co. contract to provide Airbus A350 component support for Air China.

AJW Group was selected by Air Mediterranean to provide Boeing 737-400 component support.

Turkish Aerospace Industries signed a collaboration agreement with Airbus for research and development of secondary aircraft structures, such as movable parts, for Airbus commercial aircraft.

Turkish Technic was selected by India’s SpiceJet to provide Boeing 737 MAX component support.

Liebherr wins follow-up component supply deal for current 777s and the 777X.

Diehl Aviation cabin interior specialist has won a contract from Boeing to supply emergency lighting equipment for the 787 program.

Source : Ed’s Research

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor: Lee Kaplanian

June 30, 2018 by kaplanianreport

Volume 5 Issue 7 The Kaplanian Report

On the Boeing Front

Boeing Gets Approval for Folding Wings on 777X

Boeing’s 777X will become the first heavily used commercial airliner with the technology.

While the wings are common on smaller defense aircraft, the FAA had to institute new regulations for Boeing’s commercial plane to avoid mishaps like the wing flaps coming loose during high winds.

Boeing assured the regulator that a locking mechanism would make it impossible for the wings to retract while in flight. The FAA finally gave approval to the 777X on Friday May 18.

Airlines will be able to park the 777X at current gates despite its 235 feet wing, thanks to the 12-foot foldable section.

The wings are made from lighter carbon fiber composites instead of aluminum. ”This airplane will be the most efficient twin-jet overdeveloped in commercial history,” Terry Beezhold, the 777X’s chief project engineer called it “this beautiful wing” in a recent video made by the company. ”This airplane actually will be the most efficient twin-jet ever developed in commercial history.” Beezhold said.

Source : Bloomberg/Boeing

Boeing Marks 737 Max Anniversary with 130-Strong Fleet

Boeing has passed the one year anniversary of the 737 Max with a staggeringly large in-service fleet that has fulfilled promises of improved fuel efficiency. The company delivered 130 aircraft representing two versions of the 737 Max in the 12 months since the first delivery to Lion Air’s Malaysia-based subsidiary last May, the company says in an online blog post.

The deliveries might have been even higher, but engine supplier CFM International fell several weeks behind on a planned ramp-up of Leap-1B engine production, CFM plans to catch up on deliveries in the third quarter.

So far, the 28 737 Max operators have logged 118,006 hours on 41,797 flights that carried 6.5 million passengers, according to Boeing.

The fleet now stands at a mission dispatch rate of 99.4% and should improve to the 99.7% standard by the end of the year.

Boeing has sold 4,509 firm orders of the 737 Max family with the 737-8 version is by far the most popular.

Source : Boeing

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus BelugaXL on Track for First Flight

Airbus said the BelugaXL has passed the ground vibration test (GVT), a requirement for certification of the aircraft that paves the way toward its maiden flight this summer.

“The objective of this test is to measure the dynamic behavior of the aircraft and confirm theoretical models of various flight conditions, such as maneuvering, flying in gusty conditions and landing. This test data also helps clear the aircraft’s flight envelope,” Airbus said in a statement.

The BelugaXL was launched in November 2014 to address the transport and ramp-up capacity requirements for Airbus beyond 2019. The new oversize air transporters are based on the A330-200 Freighter, with large re-use of existing components and equipment. The first of five BelugaXLs will enter service in 2019.

Source : Airbus/Picture Airbus

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

Air Baltic Signs for 30 More CS300s

Latvian carrier Air Baltic has signed for 30 more Bombardier Series aircraft and taken options for 30 more of the type. Deliveries of the new aircraft are set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Air Baltic has already ordered 20 of the type, eight of which are in commercial service. “In 2017, we successfully executed our fleet modernization strategy, and are excited to further grow our fleet up to 80 CS300 aircraft while phasing out our other types in the next three years.”

The new aircraft will support the next stage of its business strategy, which targets significant route expansion in key Baltic markets Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.

“A critical part of this new strategy is the introduction of a larger and exclusive fleet of all CS300 aircraft, which are the most suitable aircraft for the markets in which we operate,” said chief executive Martin Gauss.

Source : Reuters/Picture Air Baltic

Boeing Business Jets Grows Order Book with New Sales

Boeing Business Jets have won four new orders in 2018 as elite customers continue to favor Boeing’s portfolio of ultra-large-cabin, long range airplanes, the company announced on May 28 at the European Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (EBACE).

The New Orders this year follow an impressive 2017 in which customers purchased 16 Boeing Business Jets. Two of the new orders this year are for the BBJ MAX airplane, adding to a backlog of 19 airplanes and making the BBJ MAX one of the best-selling business jetliners in history.

“The performance advantage of the BBJ MAX is a big sales driver,” said Greg Laxton, leader of Boeing Business Jets. ”The airplane is perfectly suited for discerning customers who want to fly further without stopping.”

Source : Boeing Business Jets Communications

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

SIngapore Airlines To Merge Regional Silkair Unit into Main Brand

Silkair’s Boeing 737 fleet will undergo a major cabin overhaul pending the unit’s merger with the main Singapore Airlines brand.

The full merger will take place after 2020, which gives the SIA Group time to upgrade the cabins aboard the regional carrier’s narrow body fleet, says SIA.

“The program will comprise investment of more than $100 million to upgrade the wholly owned subsidiary’s cabins with new lie-flat seats in business class, and the installation of seat-back in-flight entertainment systems in both business class and economy class”, says SIA. “ This will ensure closer product and service consistency across the SIA Group’s full-service network.

“Singapore Airlines is one year into our three-year Transformation Program and the announcement of May 18 of merging Silkair into Singapore Airlines is a significant development to provide more growth opportunities and prepare the Group for an even stronger future,” says SIA chief executive Got Choon.

Silkair operates 34 aircraft. They comprise of five 737 Max 8, 17 737-800s, three Airbus A319s, and nine A320s. The A320 family aircraft are being phased out in favor of the 737s, of which Silkair has orders for 32 Max 8s.

Source : Singapore Airlines

GE9X Completes First Phase of Flight Testing

In early May, GE wrapped up the first phase of a two-stage flight-test effort on the 105,000lb-thrust GE9X. Phase 1 included 18 flights on board the company’s Victorville-based 747-400 flying testbed, GE9X program manager Ted Ingling said. The 105,000lb-thrust power plant was flown to Evendale, Ohio to prepare for phase 2, which is scheduled to begin in the third quarter.” It will be months of work to bring the engine down and back up again. The majority of the activities are around the instrumentation that we have on this vehicle. There’s over 1,600 pieces of discrete information through sensors that get bundled onto the engine routed into the aircraft,” Ingling says.

“We want to preserve that instrumentation for the missions that follow. As a result, what would normally be a quick turn-around for incorporation of the hardware changes takes us a much longer time to bring the engine down and back up and make sure all the instrumentation is working,” he adds.

The first phase of flight-testing with the GE9X kicked off on March 13, with engine designated as No.4 within the program lifting off in Victorville. In nearly two months, the 747-400 flying testbed logged 110 flight hours overall during the 18 flights.

“We are very encouraged about the engine. All indications from flight test is that the engine is doing exactly what we want it to do and we’re on track to meet our objectives on performance,” Ingling says. ”The engine is really performing well and we couldn’t be happier with that.”

Source : GE Aviation

JetBlue Founder Raising Funds for New U.S. Airline, Report Says

David Neeleman, who started JetBlue Airways Corp.with $100 million in 2000, is raising money to launch a new low-cast carrier focused on secondary airports in the U.S., according to Airline Weekly.

The airline, to be called Moxy Airways, has secured orders for 60 Bombardier CS300 aircraft, the trade journal, citing people familiar with the matter. The first would arrive in 2020, perhaps a ply on the word Moxie—meaning determination and pep—Moxy Airways reportedly aims to get of the ground in 2020.

The timeline coincides exactly with when Bombardier – and its new partner Airbus – intend to open a Series assembly site in Mobile, Alabama.

Moxy is designed to maximize the economic advantage of the C Series, along with the use of smaller, secondary airports such as Providence, Rhode Island, Forth Worth, Texas, Gary, Indiana and Burbank, California. Plus the Long Island cities of Islip and Farmingdale, Airline Weekly said. The advanced jetliner reduces fuel burn due to its modern engines and carbon-fiber fuselage.

With 60 CS300 orders, Moxy would become the second-largest C Series customer after Delta Airlines. Delta is acquiring 75 of the smaller CS100 model and plans to begin service with the plane next year.

Source : Bloomberg/Ed’s Research

LATEST NEWS

IATA downgraded its 2018 profit forecast for the global airline industry, projecting airlines will collectively earn $33.8 billion this year, down 12% from the $38.4 billion predicted in December 2017 as fuel costs rise.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar Al Baker has been appointed the chairman of ATA board of governors.
Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of its 100th aircraft, a Boeing 787 Dreamliner on June 6,2018, once again leading the way in fleet expansion and modernization in Africa.

LOT Polish Airlines is acquiring six more Boeing 737 MAX 8s as part of its fleet modernization plans.

United Airlines debuted its first passenger service utilizing a 737 MX 9 between Houston and Orlando International Airport on June 7.
BOC Aviation Limited delivered its first Boeing 737 MAX8 aircraft to its newest customer Corendon Airlines based in Turkey.
CDB Aviation Lease Finance delivered two Boeing 737-800 aircraft to Ukraine International Airlines. The aircraft delivered from CDB Aviation order book with Boeing.

AirAsia Group received shareholder approval to sell 55 Airbus A320 family aircraft and seven CFM56s on an operating lease to FLY leasing; deal includes options on another 20 A320neos.

Vistara the Indian affiliate of Singapore Airlines Ltd has opted for six 787s with an option to buy four more. Vistara is considering between the 787-9 and the 787-10 version.

Xiamen Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737MAX 8, expanding its fleet to 200 aircraft. The air carrier operates an all Boeing fleet of 737s,757s and 787s, with 31 consecutive years of profitability.
Royal Brunei Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo aircraft during an event in Toulouse, France.

Sources : Ed”s Research From Various Aviation Resources.

AIR CARGO

Lufthansa Cargo Introduces Twice Weekly B777Fs to Chengdu

Lufthansa Cargo has confirmed its latest capacity increase into Chinese cargo market by adding twice weekly B777 freighter services to the city of Chengdu.

Chengdu in western China has joined Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Hong Kong as Lufthansa Cargo freighter connections to the country.

Speaking at Air Cargo China in Shanghai, Frank Naeve, Lufthansa Cargo vice president Asia-Pacific, said: “The extension to our network will allow us to offer solutions for booming markets in the west of China”. “These new flights to Chengdu are strengthening our position in China. It is a further investment into the very important Chinese airfreight market,” he declared.

Lufthansa Cargo flew 240,000 tons of cargo from and into China in 2017.

In addition to this news, Lufthansa has ordered two Boeing 777Fs to add to its fleet of five B777Fs, to be delivered in February and March of 2019.

“The Boeing 777F is not only the world’s most powerful, efficient and environmentally friendly freighter, it is a visible sign of our modernization strategy,” said Peter Gerber, chief executive of Lufthansa Cargo.” He added: “With the growth of our B777 freighter fleet, an important milestone has been reached on our way to forming a company for the next generation.”

With a full payload of 103 tons, the B777F is able to stay in the air for ten and a half hours. It covers a distance of more than 9,000 kilometers ( 5592 miles) non-stop.

Source : Aircargonews/Lufthansa/Picture Lufthansa

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

Services May Justify Future Boeing Aircraft: Fitch

Boeing’s increasing emphasis on services and lifecycle revenue streams for its product is a “key development” for the company, says Fitch Ratings.

The credit rating agency had affirmed Boeing’s long-term rating at ‘A’ with a stable outlook, and says that Boeing’s 4.25 billion takeover of parts supplier KLX Aerospace Solutions—expected to close in the third quarter—will not affect this assessment.

Fitch broadly approves of Boeing’s aftermarket strategy, which it believes could drive growth and margin gains. It also increases the viability of clean-sheet aircraft programs by opening another revenue stream to recoup high development costs.

“Potentially greater services revenues through the life of a program could make some proposed programs more economically viable than if evaluated only on an original equipment basis,” Fitch states.

The obvious potential program in this regard is Boeing’s new midsize aircraft (NMA). Fitch questions whether Boeing’s current setup can provide a business case for the aircraft given development costs, but notes this might change with production system improvements and aftermarket gains.

“Key questions for Boeing over the next year will be whether it raises 737 rates further and whether the supply chain can support additional rate hikes”

Source: Fitch Credit Rating Agency

MRO LATEST NEWS

ST Engineering Aerospace opened a $46 million, 173,500 sq ft maintenance and overhaul facility in Pensacola, Florida. It’s the third facility in the US. They have signed UPS as launch customer for Boeing 757s.

Boeing & Safran agreed to form a joint venture to design, build and service APUs.

Skytech-AIC was appointed by Kuwait Airways to market for sale the airline’s single, low-time, GE-powered 747-400 Combi and its first A340-300 aircraft, delivered new to Kuwait Airways in 1994-1995.

Thai Airways & Rolls-Royce signed cooperation agreement over Trent Maintenance.

German Asset Manager Dr Peters, on June 5th, disclosed plans to part out two ex-Singapore Airlines Airbus A380s. Dr Peters executive, Anselm Gehling, estimates that the company can achieve a residual value of about $80 million per aircraft. This is done with $45 million from parting out airframe, about $4 million from leasing engines over the next 18 months, and $32-$33 million from selling the engines in 2020.

Researched and Compiled by :

Ed Kaplanian Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor: Lee Kaplanian

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

November 8, 2015 by kaplanianreport

Volume 2 Issue 11 The Kaplanian Report

COMMENTARY

What is the Cost of a Used Boeing 777?

When Delta Airlines CEO Richard Anderson said a few weeks back that his airline may be interested in acquiring used rather than new airplanes, shares of both Boeing and Airbus lost 4% of their value. The striking part of Anderson’s comment was a 10-year old 777 could be purchased for $10 million, compared with a new 777-200ER which carries a list price of $277.3 million and likely purchase price of about $194 million, assuming a 30% discount.

The day Anderson made his comments, my source found an eight-year old 777-200ER on offer for $68 million, a far cry from $10 million.

In a presentation last year, Ascend Advisory, a division of Flightglobal and leading appraiser of used aircraft, put a value of about $65 million on a seven-year old 777-300ER (a larger version of the 200ER with longer range).The list price for a new 777-300ER is $330 million(2014 price). It trails only a 747-8 as the most expensive plane Boeing builds and sells today.

A significant number of wide-body aircraft like the 777 and the Airbus 330 are coming off leases in the next few years. According to a press release from Delta, ”A large number of leased wide body aircraft are being returned to lessors and manufacturers, causing a glut in the market,”

Where is the truth? Probably somewhere between $10 million and $60 million for a used 777-200ER. The low-end is probably too low, just as the high-end is J P Morgan’s thinks a 10-year-old 777 is more accurately priced at around $43 million.

Now let us come to the crux of this matter. It is worth to note that Boeing and Delta have an uneasy relationship. The two companies have been at loggerheads over the U.S. Export Import Bank (Boeing in favor, Delta against) and Delta buys a lot of Airbus planes, recently ordering 50 new A330s and A350s, and I am sure they got them at a very nice price and financing.

Source : 247 WallSt/ Flightglobal Ascend Advisory / Ed’s Research

ON THE BOEING FRONT

Boeing Completes 737 Max 8 Power-up

Boeing has completed the power-on milestone for the first 737 Max 8 as the re-engined and updated single-aisle aircraft is pieced together on a new assembly line in Renton, Washington.

The power-on milestone activated a modernized cockpit featuring four 787-style multi-function displays supplied by Rockwell Collins.

The 737 Max electrical system was adapted to support the improved cockpit systems, as well as the addition of electronically controlled spoilers.

Boeing plans to roll the first 737 Max 8 powered by CFM International Leap-1B engines off the Renton assembly line by the end of the year, with first flight scheduled for early next year.

A photo of the first aircraft on the line reveals much progress since the first 737 Max fuselage arrived in Renton in August. The aircraft is installed in the first position of a newly created, first assembly line dedicated for 737 Max flight test aircraft.

The first 737 Max 8 is shown in the picture with wings mated to the fuselage. A tail cone is visible in the picture, but not installed. (The writer has physically seen the aircraft on the line.) (The horizontal stabilizer has been painted but not installed yet).

Source : Boeing

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

Airbus Launches New Ultra-Long Range Version 0f the A350-900

Singapore Airlines SIA) has selected Airbus’ newly launched Ultra-Long Range version of the A350-900 for non-stop flights to the US. Under an amendment to the carrier’s existing order for 63 A350-900s, seven of the aircraft will now be delivered with an Ultra-Long Range capability for flights of up to 19 hours. In addition, the carrier has placed an additional order for four A350-900s, taking its total firm orders for the A350 XWB Family to 67.

Optimized for non-stop flights to the US, the aircraft, designated A350-900ULR (Ultra-Long Range),will include a modified fuel system to increase the fuel carrying capacity, an increase in Maximum Take-Off Weight, plus aerodynamic improvements, enabling service to the US West Coast, as well as to New York.

The all-new A350 XWB entered commercial service earlier this year. To date, Airbus has recorded a total of 783 firm orders for the A350-XWB from 41 customers worldwide.

Detail Specifications :

The A350 -900ULR incorporates a number of necessary changes over the standard A350-900.These include higher capacity fuel system within the existing fuel tanks, increasing fuel capacity from 141,000 liters to 165,000 liters.

The A350-900ULR has an MTOW of 280 tons. The extended range capability is achieved without installation of additional fuel tanks and the aircraft can be reconfigured easily to the standard A350-900 long haul specification, according to Airbus.

Source : Airbus Industrie

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

E190-E2 Takes Shape in Brazil

Embraer has released pictures of the first prototype of its E190-E2, which is in final assembly at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil.

The aircraft, bearing the registration PR-ZEY, is seen resting on struts, with its fuselage join and wing-to-body completed. Painted in Embraer’s blue, yellow and grey livery, the aircraft is without its Pratt & Whitney PW1900g geared turbofan engines. The horizontal stabilizer is also yet to be attached.

Embraer was showing the aircraft to more than 50 airlines and leasing companies, as well as 40 suppliers and trading partners.

Source : Flightglobal/Embraer Pictures

A Detail Glimpse of the Gulfstream G650

The $65 million Gulfstream G650 is the world’s Top Private Jet. The G650 is the biggest, fastest, and overall best private jet money can buy.

It also takes a lot of patience to get your hands on one. If you want one, you will have to wait years for delivery after you place an order. The plane can fly faster and higher than any commercial jet. The G650 is in a class of its own.

The G650 is the largest purpose-built private jet on the market, and has the tallest, longest, and widest cabin in its class.

At its maximum takeoff weight, it can climb to 41,000 feet (above bad weather and crowded commercial jet routes) in just 22 minutes.

Its range is more than 8,000 miles. Powered with two Rolls-Royce engines, the plane has a top speed of Mach .925 – nearly the speed of sound, and much faster than commercial jets.

Big windows in the cockpit allow the pilots to see the tips of the plane’s wings, helping for navigating on the ground. A camera under the plane’s nose helps them see what’s below the plane.

Source : Business Insider/Gulfstream Pictures

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Advanced Material for GE Aviation GE90X Engine Have Passed Initial Endurance Testing

Ceramic matrix composites destined for use on General Electric GE90X engine have passed the first phase of endurance testing with no red flags, despite a surprise exposure in an unplanned engine surge.

Boeing expects the 777-9X to enter service in 2020 with two GE90X engines offering 10% lower specific fuel consumption than the GE90-115B engines that power the 777-300ER. Part of that fuel efficiency gain is achieved by raising pressure levels inside the engines, which increases internal temperatures beyond the practical reach of metal alloys.

So GE is relying on CMC’s in several key engine components, including the inner and outer combusted liners, the shrouds around the stage 1 high-pressure turbine and the nozzles for the stage 1 and stage 2 HPT.

CMCs are lighter than metal and can survive in hotter temperatures, but have been rarely used because of concerns about durability, thermal shock and the cost of production.

GE plans to start building the first GE9X core for testing next year, so the engine maker believed it was essential to verify that the CMC materials work as promised.

I will be writing about this subject in my upcoming reports.

Source: Flightglobal/GE Aviation

The Boeing 777 Has Enabled the Growth of Emirates

Dubai has grown rapidly into the biggest international airline in terms of revenue passenger miles (or revenue passenger kilometers), Dubai-based Emirates has relied primarily on the Boeing 777, and secondarily on the Airbus A380. It is the world’s biggest operator of both.

Two months ago, Emirates took delivery of three 777s in a single day, bringing its total to 150 including 13 freighters (The cargo fleet also includes two Boeing 747s)

Of the 777s, 107 are 777-300ERs seating 354 to 427 passengers. As of September 3rd,Emirates’ 777s had flown 859,053 flights.

The carrier also has 65 Airbus A380s. Additionally, it has orders for 196 Boeing 777s that include the 777-9X and 73 A380s.The Emirates strategy has been to establish a global hub in the Middle East to connect passengers from throughout the world, particularly passengers from Asia and the Middle East to Europe and the U.S. The strategy requires a fleet of long haul aircraft.

The service Emirates offers it passengers is what draws travelers to the airline.

Source : Ed’s Research/Forbes

Alaska Airlines Increases Overhead Storage Nearly 50 Percent

Alaska Airlines increases overhead storage nearly 50 percent by featuring Boeing new space bins. Alaska will be the launch customer for these bins.

Each Space Bin stores six bags, two more than the current pivot bins installed on Next Generation 737s with the Boeing Sky Interior.

Alaska will take delivery of 34 Next-Generation 737s and one 737 MAX in the next two years and will also begin retrofitting 34 aircraft with the Boeing Sky Interior, primarily 737-900ERs (Extended Range),in 2016.

When open, the bottom edge of a Space Bin hangs about 2 inches (5 centimeters) lower, so travelers can lift carry-on bags more easily. The deeper bins allow more bags to be stowed and increase visibility into the back of the bins.

Alaska Airlines also reports that the Space Bins, designed without a flight attendant bin assist mechanism, are easier to close.

Alaska Airlines is installing Space Bins on all 737-900ERS and 737 MAX aircraft currently on order and by 2017 will have 69 aircraft, or 46 percent of its passenger fleet outfitted with Space Bins.

Source : Boeing/Boeing Pictures/Alaska Airlines

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF

Air Europa has unveiled a new color scheme for its fleet ahead of delivery on its own 787s.

Boeing announced it has acquired Peters Software GmbH, a market leading provider of European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

Norwegian Air orders 19 787 Dreamliners for delivery between 2017 and 2020. It is the largest single order of 787s in Europe.

EVA Air Taiwanese carrier, has signed an agreement with BOC Aviation for two A330-300 aircraft on long- term lease.

EVA Air also announced its intent to purchase up to 24 787-10 aircraft and two additional 777-300ERs, which is valued at more than $8 billion at current list prices.

United Airlines announced a new services contract program with Boeing that is expected to reduce costs and increase efficiency for the airline by providing high-value, mission-critical parts.

Mitsubishi Aircraft Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has given its approval for Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. to conduct the first flight of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ).

El Al Israel Airline signed a firm order for three Boeing 787s, it is finalizing a contract for another six of the type.

CFM International On October 29th CFM international has delivered the first Leap-1B engines to Boeing to power the 737 Max.

Jeju Air Korean low-cost carrier (LCC) will rebrand its operations prior to launching an initial public offering (IPO) by year-end.

AIR CARGO

Volga-Dnepr Delivers an 11-ton Pump

Volga-Dnepr airlines has delivered an 11-ton oil and gas pump right to the door of a customer in the town of Farab, Turkmenistan. The pump was transported from Maastricht Airport in the Netherlands for the airline’s customer, AgilityProjects Rotterdam. It was packed inside two wooden crates to protect it though out its journey on board one of the carrier’s Il-76TD-90VD freighters and by road on arrival in central Asia.

“Agility Projects Rotterdam asked us to not only organize the necessary permits for the flight to Mary International Airport, but to also arrange the transportation of the gas pump overland in Turkmenistan to Farab, where it is used,” said Alexander Kartashov, sales executive for Volga-Dnepr.

Azat Yakupov, senior engineer, dangerous cargo, at Volga- Dnepr said crews loaded the cargo using a trailer and special cradles developed by Volga-Dnepr’s engineers pull the cargo into the airplane, using the aircraft’s built-in rail system.

Source: Air Cargo World

MILITARY

Japan Chooses Boeing KC-46, Halting Airbus Tanker Winning Streak

Just months after being rejected by South Korea and weeks after first flight, Boeing’s KC-46A has been selected by Japan to supplement the nation’s KC-767 tanker fleet.

The announcement came from Japanese defend minister Gen Nakatani on Friday October 23rd, and constitutes a significant win for Boeing after a tousled start to the next-generation tanker development program with the US Air Force.

The Pegasus tanker can almost see the end of its development phase, after achieving first flight on September 25th from Paine Field In Everett, Washington,following a roughly nine-month delay.

According to Boeing, KC-46 is particularly attractive to Japan as it will be capable of refueling the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s planned fleet of Bell-Boeing MV-22 Osprey helicopters.

Japan intends to procure three tankers for fielding in the 2020 time frame, at a cost of more 20.8 billion yen-about $173 million per tanker.

Japan has funding for the tanker acquisition in its fiscal 2016 budget, and Boeing expects to receive a contract next year, so long as things proceed smoothly.

Boeing is building four 767-2C-based tankers in support of the USAF development effort and a low rate production decision is planned for 2016.

Despite delays and cost overruns, Boeing still aims to deliver 18 operational aircraft to the air force by August 2017.

Source : Flightglobal/Boeing

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

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