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Kaplanian Report March 2019

On the Boeing Front             

    Boeing Partners with Aerion to Accelerate Supersonic Travel                                                 

On February 5th Boeing announced a partnership with Aerion, a Reno, Nevada-based company pioneering next-generation supersonic aircraft.

As part of the agreement, Boeing made a significant investment in Aerion to accelerate technology development and aircraft design and unlock supersonic air travel for new markets. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Boeing will provide engineering, manufacturing and flight test resources, as well as strategic vertical content, to bring Aerion’s AS2 supersonic business jet to market.

The AS2 is designed to fly at speeds up to Mach 1.4 or approximately 1,000 miles per hour. With the ability to fly up to 70 percent faster than today’s business jets, the AS2 will save approximately three hours on a transatlantic flight meeting environmental performance requirements. The aircraft is slated for first flight in 2023.

“Boeing is leading a mobility transformation that will safely and efficiently connect the world faster than ever before,” said Steve Nordlund, vice president and general manager of Boeing NeXt. “This is a strategic and disciplined leading-edge investment in further maturing supersonic technology.  Through this partnership and experience, we have the right team to build the future of sustainable flight.”

Founded in 2003 to develop new, more efficient aerodynamic technologies for supersonic aircraft, Aerion introduced its AS2 12-passenger business jet design in 2014.  The company unveiled the AS2’s GE Affinity engine design in 2018.

Source : Boeing/Picture Aerion

                     

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT

                                      Airbus Terminates A380 Program                                                     

While stressing it would continue to fully support the A380 customers that operate a total of about 230 of the four-engine jetliners, Airbus on February 14th confirmed enduring speculation it would end the program.  It was launched in 2000 as part of its goal to gain a share of the market Boeing had covered with 747.

Airbus CEO Tom Enders described the decision as “painful” but inevitable after Emirates Airline, by far the largest customer of the aircraft, reduced its outstanding A380 order by 39 aircraft.

Speaking Thursday during a fourth-quarter/full-year earnings presentation with analysts, Enders said the European OEM had “invested a lot of efforts lot of resources, and a lot of sweat” in the A380 program.”  But obviously we need to be realistic,” he explained. ”With the decision of Emirates to reduce their orders, our order backlog is not sufficient to sustain production beyond 2021 despite all our sales efforts with other airlines in recent years.” 

Airbus said it will produce just 17 A380s—14 for Emirates and three for All Nippon Airways—until it closes the type’s final assembly line. The last two, for  Emirates, will roll off the assembly line in 2021, when the Dubai airline will have taken delivery of 123 units. 

Source : Airbus,World Airlines,Photo Emirates       

        

REGIONAL/BUSINESS JETS

    Business Jet Deliveries To Middle East Are Expected To Total 200

This according to data from the Aviation Week Network, with 12 deliveries in 2019 rising to 20 in 2028.  The top deliveries through the 10-year period from 2018 through 2028 are expected to be the Boeing 737 MAX, with 23 deliveries, followed by the Gulfstream G650, with Bombardier Global 7500 and the Gulfstream G600 tied for third place.  At the same time, the business jet fleet in the Middle East is expected to grow to nearly 435 aircraft in 2019 and to 580 by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%, according to AviationWeek data.

Source : BCA

                         Pilatus Delivers PC-24 To Swiss Government            

                              

Pilatus has delivered a PC-24 to the Swiss government.  The aircraft was handed over during a dedicated ceremony in Berne on February 18th, and will replaced a similarly sized Cessna Citation XLS in service.

The eight-seat PC-24 will be used for government transportation “primarily around Europe, and operated by the Swiss Air Force”. 

Pilatus chairman Oscar Schwenk describes the latest addition as “the new Swiss Air Force One” and says he is “confident that other governments will adopt the PC-24 once they see the unrivaled opportunities and flexibility which it offers.”

The PC-24 is powered by the Williams International FJ44-4A with a range of 2,000nm(3,700km) and designed to take off from grass and gravel strips.

Source : Pilatus/Picture Pilatus                                                                                                                                             

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

                                   El AL Brings Its 767 Era to a Close                                                          

Israeli flag-carrier El Al has formally withdrawn the 767 from its fleet, following a final service from Milan to Tel Aviv on February 3rd.

El Al says it has used different variants of the 767 for 36 years, following the introduction of -200s in 1983, and that the type has logged over 100,000 flights with the airline.

The carrier has been introducing Boeing 787s to replace the 767.  It has eight 787-9s in its fleet.

Chief executive Gonen Usishkin, who opted to accelerate the withdrawal of the 767s, says the aircraft has featured in some high-profile roles for the carrier, including transport of the country’s prime ministers.

The 767 enabled the carrier to become the first airline to operate a twin-engined aircraft on the transatlantic commercial service.

Source : Flightglobal/Picture El Al                                                                                                         

                     Boeing Seeing More Airplane Buyers Paying Cash                                Financing than Ever Before

“We’re seeing more customers with near-term demand and in the ability to either finance or pay cash than we’ve ever seen,” Boeing Chief Financial Officer Greg Smith told FOX Business.

The company will now produce 57 737s a month (up from 52) and will increase production of its 787 Dreamliner to 14 per month (up from 12). The U.S. airplane maker has nearly 5,900 aircraft currently on backlog, valued at $490 billion.  Over the course of next 20 years, Boeing forecasts 8,800 airplanes will need to be delivered to airlines.

“When you look at assets that are in North America today…almost half are being replaced with much more efficient aircraft than those they are operating today,” Smith said, regarding operating costs. ”So that’s creating a lot of demand.”

“There’s lot of replacement opportunity there near term and long term,” Smith said. “There’s also more growth there, and that just goes to the fundamentals of what’s happening within their society and their economy; with the growth in middle class and a real desire to travel…within the region but also outside of the region.”

Source : Boeing/FoxBusiness

British Airways’ BOAC-Painted Boeing 747-400 Lands at London Heathrow

Monday, February 18, 2019—Large crowds gathered at Heathrow in the rain to watch the much-anticipated arrival of a British Airways Boeing 747-400; painted in the iconic design of its predecessor British Overseas Airways Corporation BOAC.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “The enormous interest we’ve had in this project demonstrated the attachment many people have to British Airways’ history. It’s something we are incredibly proud of, so our centenary year it’s a pleasure to be celebrating our past while also looking to the future. We look forward to many more exciting moments like this as our other aircraft with heritage designs enter service.” 

From the paint bay at Dublin Airport, the BOAC Boeing 747-400 flew directly to Heathrow on the aptly named BA100 touching down in the morning.  Its next flight on Tuesday February 19, when it departed for New York JFK operating as flight BA117.   This flight is particularly significant as it was the first route the Boeing 747-100 flew in BOAC colors.

The BOAC livery will remain on the Boeing 747-400 until it retires in 2023, to allow as many customers as possible to have a chance to see it. By this time, British Airways will have retired the majority of its 747 fleet, replacing them with new state-of-the-art long-haul aircraft.

Source : British Airways/Picture British Airways    

      

LATEST NEWS

  • Icelandair has taken its first Boeing 737 Max 9, which has been delivered from BOC aviation.                                                                                                                                         
  • US Bangla Airline has agreed to lease a Boeing 737 Max 8 from AerCap, making it the first Bangladeshi carrier to have committed to the re-engined variant.
  • Bahamasair takes first 737-700 purchased from AerCap and formerly operated by Alaska Airlines and Lucky Air.
  • EgyptAir plans to begin new service to Washington Dulles International in June. EgyptAir has six 787-9s leased from AerCap on order with all aircraft due this year.             
  • British Airways is ordering up to 42 Boeing 777-9s to modernize the UK flag-carrier’s long-haul fleet. Eighteen are firm orders complimented by another 24 as options.             
  • Rolls-Royce has pulled out of the competition to develop an engine for Boeing’s proposed New Mid-market airplane. The UK engine manufacturer says it is ”unable to commit” to the required timetable and ensure that it has a “sufficiently mature” power plant for the aircraft.
  • Lufthansa On February 19, Lufthansa revealed that the body sections of its first 777-9 have been joined on the assembly line in Everett, Washington. The Lufthansa aircraft is the first of 20 777-9s the German flag carrier has on order, with deliveries due from the summer of next year.
  • Bamboo Airways & VietJet Air have firmed up commitments to order 110 Boeing aircraft 10 787-9s for Bamboo and 80 Max 10s and 20 737Max 8s for VietJet Air             

Source : BOC Aviation, AerCap, Flightglobal, British Airways, Boeing                                                

AIR CARGO

            Pemco Launches Full Conversion Program for 737-700                                 

Pemco Conversions has launched a passenger-to-full-freighter conversion program for the Boeing 737-700, the first of which would enter service with Bahraini non-scheduled cargo operator Texel Air.  The Tampa-based maintenance, modifications, and engineering company announced it the first week in February.

Texel’s parent company, Chisholm Enterprises, collaborated with Pemco to develop the conversion for use out of Bahrain International Airport.  Chisholm also served as the launch customer for Pemco’s 737-700 FlexCombi converted freighters supplemental type certificate for which remains pending.

“As we developed the 737-700 FexCombi conversion, our understanding of their requirements grew, allowing us to implement comprehensive solutions that enhance our vision of the 737-700 full freighter.  This made Chisholm the ideal launch customer for the conversion,” said Pemco director for conversion programs Mike Andrews.                                     

Pemco plans to receive a 737-700 for full freighter modification at its headquarters in Tampa during the second quarter of this year. The Company plans to amend its pending application with the FAA for the 737-700 FC STC to accommodate the full freighter conversion in an effort to streamline the approval process.  After gaining FAA approval, Pemco plans to certify both 737-700 conversion programs with the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

When the aircraft is delivered to Texel Air, it will join two 737-300 converted freighters in Texels fleet.

Source : ainonline/Picture Texel Air                                                                                                        

Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul News

                          United Breaks Ground on a New                                             Technical Operations Center at LAX

United Airlines and Los Angeles World Airports(LAWA) broke ground on February 28 on a state-of-art Technical Operations center (TOC) at Los Angeles International Airport(LAX) that will enable the airline to provide exceptional service for all its aircraft fleets. The new facility will include two connected buildings-a ground service equipment and facilities maintenance building and a line maintenance hanger, including an engine support shop that will focus on the aircraft’s Dreamliner fleet.

The commencement of this $352 million TOC pushes the airline’s investment at its Los Angeles hub to nearly $1 billion in recent years.

The new TOC will consolidate two facilities that United currently operates at LAX that are located a half mile apart, improving efficiency with not only moving aircraft around the airport .With this new facility, transporting employees, parts, tools and other supplies-ultimately leading to more efficient operation for customers.

The TOC will be located near the airline’s terminal and stand at 407,408 square feet. The facility’s hanger will be able to accommodate up to six narrow-body and two wide body aircraft at a time, supporting United’s 150 flights that depart from LAX every day.

Source : United Airlines

                         

 

 

Researched and Compiled by : 

Ed Kaplanian    Commercial Aviation Advisor 

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com

Editor:   Lee Kaplanian 

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Volume 2 Issue 8


ON THE BOEING FRONT

The Roof is Almost Complete on the 777X Composite Wing Center in Everett. 

The progress over the past few weeks on the Composite Wing Center in Everett for the 777X has been phenomenal.

The roof over the massive 1.3 million square foot building is nearly complete, and the walls are also going up at a rapid pace.

A milestone was also reached, after completing the area where the autoclave vendor can start installation. The first of three giant autoclaves – some of the largest in the world – is also nearly completed.

The Composite Wing Center is on track to be finished in May of 2016. (see attached photos courtesy of Boeing)

Source : Boeing/Boeing Photos

 

ON THE AIRBUS FRONT 

Airbus’ Runway Overrun Prevention System (ROPS) Certified by EASA on A330 Family

Airbus has achieved EASA certification of Airbus’ Runway Overrun Prevention System (ROPS) technology on A330 Family aircraft. This on-board cockpit technology, which Airbus pioneered over several years, is now certified and available on all Airbus Families. ROPS is an alerting system which reduces exposure to runway overrun risk, and if necessary, provides active protection. Korean will become the first A330 operator to implement ROPS on its A330s in service in the coming months.

Runway excursion-meaning either an aircraft veering off the side of the runway, or overrunning the very end-remains the primary cause of civil airliner hull losses, particularly as other formerly prevalent categories of aircraft accidents have now largely been eliminated. Furthermore, various industry bodies including the EASA, NTSB, Eurocontrol and FAA recognize this and are fully behind the introduction of effective measures by commercial aviation stakeholders to eliminate the risk of runway excursions.

Source : Airbus/Airbus picture

 

BUSINESS/REGIONAL NEWS

CS100 Performs Minimum-unstick Test.

Bombardier has disclosed details of the minimum-unstick testing on the initial CSeries variant which it conducted at a regional airport in Kansas. One of the CS100 prototypes, FTV4, performed the tests at Saline airport during May.

The twin jet was fitted with a projecting bumper underneath the aft fuselage for the tests, which explore the minimum speed at which the CS100 can lift off at high nose altitude.

Minimum-unstick testing typically involves rapid acceleration to a threshold speed then reducing power while applying maximum pitch.

FTV4 has been fitted with cameras underneath the fuselage to monitor the bumper and the exercise also required simulation and modeling before being carried out.

Source: Bombardier/Flightglobal/Bombardier Photo.

 

OTHER AVIATION NEWS

Boeing 787’s Improved Reliability Is Giving a Supplier Headaches

After early hiccups, Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner is turning into a stellar performer for airlines. That is creating an unexpected headache for the company that makes the plan’s cockpit displays.

The problem: Rockwell Collins Inc. finds itself with a bulge of unsold spare parts because the monitors used by pilots to track the jet’s radar and performance are proving more reliable than expected, Chief Executive Officer Kelly Ortberg said on July 24th.

Dreamliner operators are stocking fewer replacements, contributing to a 4 percent drop in aftermarket sales in the quarter ended June 30, Rockwell Collins said.

The Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based company is tweaking forecasts for other new jets using the gear, such as Boeing’s 737 Max and the 777X, Ortberg said.

“I am not going to feel bad about building and designing a really good piece of equipment,” Ortberg said in a telephone interview. ”We’ll go adjust the reliability that we had originally predicted to more of what we’re actually seeing in the marketplace.”

The Dreamliner entered service in 2011 after more than three years of delays. With the plane’s all-new technology, Rockwell Collins had no track record on which to project a replacement rate for its spare parts, Ortberg said.

Now, the company will use the improved reliability to persuade operators of Boeing’s 757s and 767s to upgrade to new equipment. Jet kerosene at close to a six-year low is a lure for airlines to retrofit older planes they otherwise would have retired, Ortberg said.

Source : Bloomberg

 

SWISS Unveils the Cabin Product and Route Network for Its New Flagship Boeing 777-300ER

SWISS will be ushering-in a new era in the history of its long-haul aircraft fleet next January with the arrival of the first of its nine new Boeing 777-300ERs.

In SWISS configuration the new twin jets will seat 340 passengers. They will also offer a state-of-the-art cabin product in all three seating classes, including wireless internet connectivity. The 777 will be deployed on routes to and from Asia, South America and the US West Coast from the 2016 summer schedules onwards.

In SWISS configuration the Boeing 777-300ER will offer 340 seats: eight in First Class,62 in Business Class and 270 in Economy.  The totally redesigned cabin interior of the new SWISS flagship will provide comfort and aesthetics to meet the most discerning of demands in all three seating classes.

The SWISS First seat will be transformable into the occupant’s own private suite that includes a 32-inch screen, the largest in the industry. SWISS First guests will also enjoy electrically-adjustable window blinds and their own personal wardrobe.

SWISS Business travelers will enjoy an in-flight product that has been further enhanced and refined on the basis of customer feedback. The seating arrangement offers optimum privacy and freedom of movement, while the seat cushion’s firmness can be individually regulated. All the seats in the SWISS Business cabin can also be quickly and easily converted into a lie-flat bed .

The 777 will deliver 23% lower unit costs compared to the Airbus A340,” which especially helps on routes to Asia where we face tough competition mainly from Gulf carriers,” SWISS CEO Harry Hohmeister said.

Source : Swiss/Swiss Photos

 

CFM Delivers First Leap-1C to COMAC

CFM international has delivered the first Leap-1C engine to Comac for its in-development C919 narrow body program.

The engine, sent to the Chinese manufacturer’s first assembly center near Shanghai Pudong International airport, will be installed on the first C919 flight test aircraft. This pushes the first aircraft toward a roll-out by the end of the year, and a first flight in 2016.

The first Leap-1C engine completed a flight test program in late 2014 on a modified 747 flying testbed at Ge’s facilities in Victorville, California. The test program includes a comprehensive test schedule that looked at various functions including engine operability, stall margin and performance, and also validated advanced technologies incorporated in the engine, says CFM.

The engine maker adds that there are currently more than 30 Leap engines on test or in final assembly, and that the program has logged more than 4,730 certification ground and flight test hours totaling 7,900 cycles.

Comac has so far received commitments for 507 C919s, mostly from Chinese airlines and leasing companies.

Source: Flightglobal/Photo CFM International

 

LATEST NEWS IN BRIEF  

  • Eva Air have finalized an order for five 777 Freighters. The order, valued at more than $1.5 billion at list prices.
  • Vietnam Airlines has signed an agreement with Boeing to collaborate on renewing its wide body fleet which could see the carrier adding eight 777-8X and eight 787-10 aircraft.
  • Airbus has resumed flying the PW1100G-powered A320neo flight test aircraft in Toulouse, France after three-month grounding.
  • Transaero Russian carrier has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321, which is being supplied under a leasing deal with Chinese finance firm ICBC.

  • GKN Aerospace is to acquire the Dutch aerospace firm Fokker Technologies in a deal worth more than $775 million.
  • Vietjet the Vietnamese low-cost carrier (LCC) has taken delivery of the first 230-seat Airbus A321 cabin, the delivery marks the 9000 Airbus aircraft.

  • Lufthansa Technik the Puerto Rico MRO facility at Rafael Hernandez International Airport in Aguadilla started operations on July 21 with its first overhaul line.
  • Xiamen Airlines has committed to purchase another four Boeing 787 Dreamliners to further expand its long-range fleet. Xiamen Airlines started its first ever European service to Amsterdam on July 26th using one of its 787-8s.
  • FedEx place a firm order with Boeing for 50 firm orders for 767 freighters and took options for 50 more.
  • GOL Brazilian carrier has unveiled a new livery bearing its new logo.

  • Airbus has contracted Saab Aerostructures to manufacture and assemble composite wing trailing edge falsework extension for the A330neo.
  • Air Lease Corp. announced a long-term lease agreement with Far Eastern Air Transport based in Taipei, Taiwan for one new Boeing 737-800.
  • Scoot has unveiled a special livery to mark Singapore’s 50th year of independence.

 

AIR CARGO

Atlas Air Brings Plane Out of Storage, Showing Confidence in Air Cargo Market

Atlas Air Worldwide has echoed Boeing’s optimism about the air Cargo market, saying it will bring a 747-400 out of desert storage and buy two 767 passenger aircraft to convert to freighters to go along with the 10th 747-8 freighter the operator will add to its fleet in November.

Cowen analysts say the decision to put the parked 747-400 back into service is the result of extra work created by the U.S. military bolstering its forces in eastern Europe.

Atlas Air’s additions also back up Boeing’s increasingly bullish view of the air cargo market, having announced several freighter deals at the recent Paris Air Show.

Source : seeking alpha/Atlas Air Worldwide Holding

 

MILITARY

Boeing Rolls Out First Australian Growler

Boeing has unveiled the first of 12 Australian EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft at a ceremony in St.Louis, Missouri, and the company officials the second example is already in flight testing.

Once the second aircraft delivers this month, the two examples will be delivered to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake where Australian pilots are currently training with their US Navy counterparts. Those aircraft will also visit the US Navy’s home of airborne electronic warfare at Naval Air Station Whidbey in 2016 before moving to Australia in 2017.

Delivery of the first aircraft, tail number A46-301, is a significant milestone for the Royal Australian Air Force(RAAF),which will soon be able to shut down enemy surface-to-air missile, radars, electronic transmissions, communications equipment across a wide area.

Daniel Gillian, Boeing Defense, Space and Security’s vice president of F/A-18 and EA-18G programs, says the Aussie Growler entered flight testing on July 13th and the second aircraft is fully assembled and flying. He says it is the 116th Growler delivered to date out of a165-aircraft program of record for the Navy and the RAAF.

Source : Flightglobal/Picture Boeing

 

Marines Retire Sea Knight after 51 Years In Service

After 51 years of service with the US Marines Cops, the Boeing-Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight flew for the last time on August 1st at a retirement ceremony in Chantilly, Virginia.

The Sea Knight which, made its combat debut in Vietnam, is being put on display at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, Virginia, but will eventually move to a new annex at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, Virginia.

The twin-engined, tandem-rotor aircraft flew in August 1962, and the first production examples was delivered in 1964 as a medium assault transport helicopter.

The CH-46 was replaced by the V-22 Osprey.

Source : Flightglobal

 

Researched and Compiled by : Ed Kaplanian

Commercial Aviation Advisor

Contact – ekaplanian@msn.com