FlightBlogger Archive 2007-2012

Blog

  • Good news, bad news: 787-9 delivery now set for early 2013

    ANZ787-9.jpgThe good news is that the Boeing’s 787 maintenance plan has been approved by the FAA, which is a major step towards gaining overall certification for the Dreamliner. The bad news is that Air New Zealand won’t be able to put it into action with its first 787-9 until early 2013, a year later than last informed and greater than two years from originally promised.

    “Boeing confirmed yesterday a further 12-month delay could be expected with
    the first 787-9 aircraft to be delivered to Air New Zealand in the first quarter
    of 2013,” the carrier said in a statement.

    Air New Zealand’s first 787-9, the 135th 787 to come out of Everett, was originally expected in January 2012, but is now set for early 2013. The twin 787-9 flight test aircraft (88 & 93) will likely take to the sky about six to eight months ahead of the first delivery to Air New Zealand.

    This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

    This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.

  • Report: 737 ‘Re-Generation’ in the works; new interior set for 2009

    The December – January issue of Aviation and the Environment features a look at what is now being dubbed the 737 Re-Generation, a half generation leap for Boeing’s venerable narrowbody with suite of new enhancements.

    The piece, authored by Scott Hamilton of Leeham & Co, draws together information from “nearly a dozen sources with knowledge on some level of the Boeing studies going forward and learned that Boeing is quietly – super quietly – studying how to improve the 737 Next Generation.”
    In the near term, Hamilton states that FlyDubai, which ordered 50 new 737-800 aircraft at the Farnborough Air Show in July, will be the launch customer for a new interior for the narrowbody, drawing on 787 features to remake the 737 cabin. Delivery was originally planned for September 2009, but Hamilton adds that it could be delayed by the Fall’s two-month IAM strike. 
    Boeing declined to comment on any specific 737 changes, but added that they are constantly working on improving the aircraft for customers.
    Much of the article draws on speculative planning for the future, but outlines key design improvement provisions that could be incorporated in future blockpoint changes in 2013 and 2015.
    Hamilton details that, “a new avionics system is likely, with a key feature making RNP standard.” Yesterday’s announcement by Southwest to retrofit 150 737-300s with new large panel avionics for RNP opens the door for speculation that the 15-inch glass displays could find their way into a 737 Re-Generation. 
    737gtf.gifMuch of the improvement in operating cost would be derived from the incorporation of new engines on a 737 platform. The two most likely candidates are CFM’s Leap-X and Pratt & Whitney’s PW1000G. Hamilton sees the timing of the 2013 and 2015 blockpoint changes as a potential indication of time lines for re-engining the 737. The PW1000G is expected to achieve certification in 2013 and the Leap-X in 2016.
    To incorporate the the larger diameter PW1000G on a 737 would require a new wing and wingbox, as well as taller landing gear which would be then have to be moved outboard. The Next Generation 737 family is powered exclusively by CFM engines, unlike the A320 with options for both IAE and CFM engines. 
    The business case for such planning, Hamilton’s sources believe, comes from an all-new 737 replacement being pushed out beyond 2020, giving a 737 Re-Generation a solid justification for implementation. 
    But is there demand for such half-generation leap in technology? Absolutely, says Mike van der Ven, Executive Vice President for Southwest Airlines:

    “We can’t wait 10 years [for fuel burn improvements],” says Mike van der Ven, executive vice president for Southwest Airlines. “I’m not comfortable waiting a decade for an improved engine. We’re very interested in a manufacturer improving engine economics.” 

    This suggests Southwest might be interested in a geared turbofan-powered airplane, although Van der Ven also notes that the LEAP-X holds great promise, and will be “very competitive” with the PW1000G.

    “From an operator’s perspective, you could have a firm choice by 2013 with 10 per cent improvements, and that’s meaningful,” he says. 2013 is the planned EIS for Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower 1000G engine on smaller jets being developed, but within the timeframe the company could develop one for the 737.

    A320E.gifAll of the planning for 737 improvements are paced by two key factors. The first, is the availability of engineering resources which are currently focused on the 787 and 747-8 programs. The second, and perhaps more importantly, is what Airbus chooses to do with its A320 Enhanced as the European airframer flight tests blended winglets and the PW1000G under the wing of an A340.

    This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

    This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.

  • Southwest 737-300s to get new glass flight deck

    GE737-flightdeck.jpgSouthwest Airlines awarded a $40M to General Electric to retrofit its entire fleet of 737-300s with twin 15.4-inch SDS-6000 glass displays to enable RNP (Required Navigation Performance) operations across the overwhelming majority of its 737 fleet. 

    Boeing will be responsible for the design, installation and integration of the new hardware and software, as well as flight testing and certification. The first production model is expected to be delivered in early 2011.

    The integrated large area display suite and flight management system controls the aircraft track to an accuracy of 10 meters and the time of arrival to within 10 seconds to any point in the flight plan. Benefits include the ability to fly shorter flight paths and idle-thrust descents which reduces fuel consumption, thereby lowering emissions and community noise levels. Software and hardware updates provide the latest technology to continue to meet the needs of the world’s evolving airspace requirements, offering safe and efficient improvements to aircraft operations.

    According to Flight’s ACAS database, Southwest operates 186 737-300 aircraft, though GE says only up to 150 -300s will receive the upgrade.

    The 737-700 fleet are already equipped with the necessary hardware to carry out RNP operations, which are expected to launch on certain routes in the fourth quarter of 2009.

    Boeing spokesman Bob Saling declined to speculate if future customers were in the pipeline, but added that “as Southwest is a leader in the low cost model, I think this is something other airlines will be looking at.”

    In addition, Boeing said it “didn’t have any info at this point” if similar large glass displays would make their way into production standard Next Generation 737s in the form of a blockpoint change. Yet, as a narrow body replacement program moves farther to the right, a fresh flight deck (and a new engine) may serve as the basis for a 3 1/2 generation 737.

    Image Courtesy General Electric

    This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

    This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.

  • December 22 – Week Ahead Open Thread

    Well it’s winter and this is the final open thread of 2008.

    787 First Flight in April
    Geoff Thomas of ATW has the item this morning. He outlines the milestones coming up over the next few months. My timelines line up with what he’s hearing too and I’ll have more on this later today or tomorrow.

    NA-AU867_CRASH2_DV_20081221202414.jpg

    Continental Accident in Denver
    A wingletted 737-500 (CO1404) veered off runway 34R at DEN on Saturday at 18:18 local on its takeoff roll. Thanks to a well trained crew, a sound FAA safety structure, a solid aircraft design, and not a miracle, all 115 people survived the accident. Seven minutes later, a passenger twittered the only reaction one would expect in a situation like that. Early causes point to 30+ kt cross wind and/or brake issues. This appears to the be first commercial hull loss in the US since Comair 191.
    British Airways Books E-Jets
    BA announced earlier today that they are acquiring 11 Embraer E-170/190 jets for use on CityFlyer routes. One has to wonder how much KLM’s decision to go with E-Jets influenced BA’s fleet planning. Many saw the September 2007 A380 purchase as a reaction to Singapore, QANTAS and Emirates all preparing to serve LHR with superjumbos. 
    Going long haul
    The Open Skies Agreement between the US and Australia, which took effect over the summer, is really starting to bear fruit for open competition. In the last few months, the number of carriers operating between the two countries has doubled. United and QANTAS hold a duopoly on this route, but come late-February, V Australia (777-300ER) will connect the two countries, followed by Delta (777-200LR) in July. Ben Sandilands has an interesting take on what he calls “Delta’s Pacific Tsunami” and its potential impact on the legacy pacific carriers on that route. 
    In conjunction with this, the 2nd V Australia 777-300ER (VH-VPD) has shown up on the Everett flight line along with the first 777-200LR (A7-BBA) for Qatar Airways. Both were delayed by the strike and pushed back the start of new routes for both airlines to the US; Houston-Doha for Qatar and Sydney-Los Angeles for V Australia. 
    It begs the question: Would Delta be in search of Australian feeder traffic to fill its 777-200LR in the form of a carrier partnership on that side of the Pacific?
    Fuselage to Flight Line 
    Renton photographer, Andrew Sieber (a friend of this blog), captured two interesting photographs three weeks apart. The first is a 737-800 fuselage arriving on a rail car taken on November 23. The second is that same 737-800 fully assembled on the Renton flight line on December 15. The 737-800 is for Royal Air Maroc.
    The close of 2008
    What a year! Barring any unforeseen massive stories (famous last words) these are the top five most popular FlightBlogger posts of 2008. Expect more top fives as the week unfolds.
    Total page loads for 2008: 1,545,600+

    This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

    This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.

  • Movie Monday – December 22 – 21st Century Jet – Part V

    The final chapter of the 21st Century Jet saga brings us to preparations for the 777s entry into service in May 1995. This episode details all of the hoops a new commercial aircraft must jump through as readies for its official hand off to United Airlines. As you’ll see, the first 777, LN7 – N777UA, had a few kinks (IFE) still left to be worked out as it entered service between London and Dulles. The most impressive part of this episode is watching the 777 as it qualifies for ETOPS (engines turn or passengers swim) certification at entry into service.

    In addition, the last of five parts also features the famous wing break of the static test airframe and the spectacular imagery that accompanied it.

    Episode V: Countdown to Delivery

    ▶ Video originally embedded here

    Google Video · Video ID: 245209640014350435
    This Flash-based video is no longer available.

    Watch the previous four episodes:

    Episode I: To Design a Plane

    Episode II: The Sum of Its Parts

    Episode III: A Plane Takes Shape

    Episode IV: Taking Flight

    This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

    This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.

  • Up close & personal with the QANTAS A380

    About a year ago I posted a link to a high-resolution interactive panoramic view of the inside of the A380 flight deck. The photographer, Giles Vidal, had produced several panoramic views from the delivery of the first A380 to Singapore Airlines, including tours of the cabin. Mr. Vidal is at it again with a look inside the cabin of the QANTAS A380 and a special walk around view of the massive aircraft. 

    WARNING: May significantly curtail your ability to get any work done.

    VH-OQA-Pano.jpgSpecial thanks to the reader who sent me this. 

    This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

    This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.

  • Boeing statement on 787 wing delamination claim

    Ben Sandilands, Australian aerospace reporter and author of Plane Talking, got an official statement from Boeing on the 787 wing delamination claim which was featured (and debunked) over the weekend. Apparently, when Ben asked Boeing about the claim, he was “repeatedly asked to use Ostrower’s subsequent determination of the rumor as having no substance in lieu of a Boeing statement.”

    Here’s what Boeing had to say:

    Our tests continue to confirm that the composite construction of the 787, including the wing, is sound. The 787, like every commercial jetliner, is going through a rigorous series of tests to verify the safety and certificability of its structure, systems and operations. The FAA will review the results of this compliance activity prior to certifying the airplane for commercial use.

    This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

    This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.

  • Airbus A320 flies with Aviation Partners blended winglets

    AIRBUS UNDERTAKES BLENDED-WINGLET EVALUATION ON A320
    Airbus has started flight-testing of Blended Winglet devices on an Airbus A320. The Blended Winglet technology, developed by Aviation Partners Inc. (API), has been specially adapted for these tests on the A320 Family.

    Airbus A320 – MSN001 – F-WWBA

    48289-224.jpg48289-241.jpg
    More photos of the wingletted A320 taking flight after the jump.

    This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

    This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.

  • Examined: China’s 2009 aircraft freeze

    With the global economy heading south, the Chinese Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) says it wants airlines in China to delay or cancel delivery of aircraft in 2009.

    The consequences of this recommendation, especially if it gains full implementation amongst the country’s airlines, could have far reaching consequences outside the borders of China. Airframers haven’t raised any kind of public panic about this choice, but this could further slide the industry downward.

    Backlog, Backlog, Backlog

    For the major airframers, this recommendation from the CAAC is all about sustainability of the record backlogs. Boeing and Airbus leadership have always stressed the importance of geographic diversity amongst its backlog, though growth in China has always factored 

    significantly in long term planning. In the short term, slowing aviation growth by China won’t impact plans that span two decades, but could leave a trail of white-tailed aircraft in its wake. 
    China Daily reported that China Southern, Air China and China Eastern were expecting 73 aircraft delivered from Airbus and Boeing in 2009.

    The majority of China’s Boeing and Airbus orders are for 737 and A320 family aircraft. In many cases, it’s too late to waive off many of these orders that are already in production, but deliveries might be impacted for the 2nd half of 2009.
    Airbus

    Further complicating the situation for Airbus is the final assembly line now operating in Tianjin, southeast of Beijing. 
    The facility, which opened in September, is expected to produce four A320 family aircraft per month by 2011, and the accompanying
    airport is to add a second runway by May 2009 to enable it to handle
    test flights. 
    The first Chinese built A320 aircraft is due to be delivered in June 2009 to Sichuan Airlines.
    With an overall cut in production (irrespective of China) coming in 2009, a political dilemma may present itself when confronted with leaving the Tianjin line operating at one A320 per month rather than freeze the line completely while trimming the production workforce at Toulouse or Hamburg.
    Another wild card in this recommendation is the A380. 
    China Southern is set to get its first superjumbo (MSN031) in the fourth quarter of 2009. If it’s capacity you’re trying to cut, adding A380s to the fleet won’t help that. If anything, this raises a larger question about the need for A380s in a struggling global economy, but that’s a discussion for later.
    Boeing
    In the near term, 737s might be the early victim of this new policy, though China Southern is also an early customer for the 777-200LRF. The airline has six on order and its first unit is already in final body join in Everett.
    For the Chinese 787s, the program delays are a blessing in disguise. Deferred capacity growth, especially in long and thin markets, is definitely a bonus. 
    However, Of the lower production MTOW (219 t) 787s delivered (LN7-19), 10 will go to Chinese Airlines. Even with the 2010 slip, China might be keen to wait for the LN20 block point change to take advantage of higher MTOW 787s.
    Bombardier & Embraer
    The significant scaling back of overall Chinese growth leaves Bombardier without a firm launch customer for the CSeries. China’s AVIC I, which is building the fuselage for CSeries, was thought to be the first firm launch customer for the new narrowbody. 
    For Embraer, production of ERJ-145s in Harbin have been scaled back and the company is now revising delivery schedules with Chinese airlines. Grand China Air, the largest E-Jet Customer in China had received six (of 50) E-190s as of the end of September, and was reported to be re-negotiating deliveries back in October.

    This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

    This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.

  • December 15 – The Week Ahead Open Thread

    arikA340-500.jpgLondon Edition

    As you may’ve noticed yesterday, I’ll be in the UK all week working from the Flight home office. Had my first Terminal 5 experience at Heathrow this morning, I was quite impressed. 
    As for transatlantic flying, I’ve learned a very valuable lesson. With a choice between haivng your own row in World Traveller Plus or having you own row in World Traveller, I’ll take World Traveller any day of the week. “Why?” you ask. Well, in World Traveller the armrests actually go up.
    Arik@Heathrow
    I kept an eye out for it this morning, but I didn’t spot Arik’s new A340-500 which is set to begin Lagos-London service today. The aircraft has been christened ‘Our Lady Of Perpetual Help.’
    Azul Ascends
    According to our good friends at Wikipedia, David Neeleman’s brainchild Azul is set to launch today with Embraer E-190 and E-195s. 
    777th 777
    A little birdie told me that the 777th 777 will be a -300ER for Air France. In other 777 news, the first 777-200LRF for China Southern is in final body join in 40-25 right now.
     Also, showing up on the snowy Everett flight line is the 3rd 777-200LRF for Air France (F-GUOC) and 1st 777-300ER for V Australia (now VH-VOZ fmr. VH-VGA). Production and flight test on the 777 front are definitely picking up speed again, with first flights last week from Air Canada’s C-FIVQ, TAM’s PT-MUD, Qatar’s A7-BAO and Cathay Pacific’s B-KPJ.
    Speaking of Air France…
    In the next few weeks we should see MSN033 emerge from the A380 FAL for the flight line. First flight of Air France’s first superjumbo is slated for January currently. Air France will be the fourth A380 operator when it takes delivery of F-HPJA in October 2009.

    This post was originally published to the internet between 2007 and 2012. Links, images, and embedded media from that era may no longer function as intended.

    This post originally appeared at Flightglobal.com from 2007 to 2012.