Tag: FlightBlogger Archive

PARIS — Boeing has moved its second 787, ZA002, into the open air, while another key program milestone has been accomplished with the arrival of the final structural section for the first production Dreamliner ahead of the start of formal production.

Dreamliner Two, fully painted in launch customer ANA’s colors, moved to the fuel dock on June 15th and beginning its march to first flight, expected to follow within weeks after ZA001 takes to the sky.

Boeing says fuel testing began immediately on the aircraft, registered N787EX, and will follow with the first start of the Hamilton Sundstrand auxiliary power unit in the days to come.

Tucked into the back of the final assembly line, all the structural sections for the first production 787 (ZA100) have arrived. The last piece, an integrated center fuselage barrel from Global Aeronautica, landed in Everett after its cross country flight from Charleston, SC on June 14th.

As per Boeing tradition, sources say the aircraft is adorned with a banner reading “Building with pride, the first 787 for ANA“.

The wings for the first production 787 are currently in the join position in the Everett factory, and will be soon followed by the forward, center and aft fuselage sections, officially kicking off the first production body join of a majority composite commercial jetliner.

Japan’s All Nippon Airways is expected to take delivery of this airplane, the seventh flying 787, in the February 2010.

Photo Credit Boeing

***Editor’s Note: Boeing’s Pat Shanahan will be briefing the media with a formal 787 program update midday here in Paris.

I had a brief moment to wander through the hall today and had a chance to admire the extreme detail of the Airbus A350 XWB mini mockup. The aircraft, which is displayed in four classes (First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy) also has a fully detailed flight deck with lit up displays. Unfortunately, the scale forward fuselage section (including window design) doesn’t actually have a mock up inside of it (but rather a theater), so this will have to be the closest we get to the A350 XWB cabin at this year’s Paris Air Show.

Watch Max Kingsley-Jones and I discuss this morning’s Boeing briefing.

PARIS — Boeing is actively studying two new derivatives of its long haul products and a clean sheet design to create a competing product against the Airbus A350 XWB.

Speaking at his company’s Paris air show media briefing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief executive Scott Carson said that the double stretch 787-10, a re-winged 777 or an all new design are “potentially competing alternatives” to meet future customer needs.

The 787-10 would fill the spot currently occupied by the 777-200ER seating 305 passengers, while touting a comparable or longer range than the current offering of 13,890km (7,500nm).
Boeing is also exploring upgrades to its existing 777 with new cockpit technologies and fresh wing design for the large twinjet.

“We look at studies of all nature,” says Carson. “Some…studies could even include such things in the future as potentially re-winging the airplane. And while no commitments have been made, each study has become a vital part of how we extend the utility and increase the value of [the 777].”

“Both the -10 and a re-winged, upgraded, improved 777 can offer great utility for customers. The trick is to find the one that addresses the needs most broadly so we can have broad-based market success,” says Carson.

Carson says that the 787-10 and 777 re-wing are “not necessarily linked today ” but  adds that he and his company is actively working with customers to identify their requirements, find a product that will best address them and then exploring the feasibility of such a venture.

Carson also says that a third option, a clean sheet design, is being considered as well if the 777 re-wing and 787-10 are deemed to be lacking.

Carson declined to specify either a proposed cost for a re-winged 777 or a timeline to achieve such a goal, though Carson indicated that the development and definition of Airbus’s A350 XWB would be a key factor in the decision making.

“Certainly we pay attention to the capability of that airplane, and not only the capability which will be demonstrated as the airplane goes into flight-test and the way the airplane is being marketed because that creates marketing expectations and allows people to think outside the box about what the world will look like in the future,” says Carson.

Airbus plans to have the A350-900, which competes directly with the 777-200ER, flying by 2012, with an entry into service the following year.

Carson also declined to mention that if the green light is given to the 787-10 whether it would be the second or third 787 derivative after the stretched -9 or the short range -3.

Photo Credit Boeing

Qatar Airways buys 24 Airbus narrowbodies, originally uploaded by flightblogger.

Qatar Airways announced orders for 24 A320 family aircraft this morning at the Paris Air Show. The order is split between 20 A320s and four A321s. Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2010 and Qatar CEO Akbar Al Baker says the delivery slots were reserved as part of the
airline’s 2008 order at the Farnborough Air Show, not taken from another carrier’s deferrals. The 24 aircraft will be powered by IAE V2500 engines. The new narrowbodies will be deployed on Eastern Europe and south west Asia services.

Al Baker says it is ready to launch a low cost carrier in 90 days using an A321 if its market share is eroded by competitors.

Al Baker adds that the new airplanes will feature the latest Thales
IFE and eventually in-flight connectivity.

PARIS — According to multiple sources, Boeing has identified Tuesday, June 30th for 787 first flight.

However, program sources indicate that the timeline laid out by Boeing represent
a zero-margin plan to achieve first flight by the close of the month,
and say milestones could occur earlier than planned.

The June 30th target also represents the last day of Boeing’s quarter long window of achieving first flight, before it slips into the second quarter of 2009. 

The schedule has ZA001 preparing for the final gauntlet during the coming week, followed by at least two days of final gauntlet testing early next week.

At the conclusion of the final gauntlet, Boeing will further inspect ZA001 in preparation for the 787s first roll under its own power with taxi tests late next week and into the weekend. Once again, ZA001 will undergo its final top-to-bottom, wingtip to wingtip inspection before its first flight which is tentatively schedule for the last day of the month at 10 o’clock in the morning Pacific time.

On June 12, Boeing installed the trailing static pressure cone to calibrate the static air pressure error of the aircraft’s pitot-static system during flight. The cone generally trails the aircraft 1 to 1.5 times the length of the wingspan. The system is required by Part 91 of the FAR “where precision flight calibrations are used to quantify or verify altimetry system performance.”

According to Aviation Week, report that tests conducted this
past weekend were expected to include checks of the 787’s stall warning
system as well as the interface between the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 and
its electronic engine control (EEC) system. Adding that additional fuel system verification tests on ZA001 set for today.

PRODUCTION RAMP UPDATE

UPDATE: Boeing Commercial Airplane CEO Scott Carson said today that the first
flight window is now open and expects the first 787 to fly within the
next two weeks by the close of the month.

***Editor’s Note: Relocated Scott
Carson comment. Mr. Carson commented only that first flight would
happen by the close of the month and not during the Paris Air Show. Any
additional information comes directly from program sources.

Photo Credit Jim Larsen

Also known as: Rumors and Innuendos – Paris Air Show Style

PARIS — Day One has arrived at the Paris Air Show and despite a global economic downturn, spirits seem to be relatively high in anticipation for the aerospace industry’s largest gathering. The air show, like Flight International Magazine, celebrates its 100th birthday this year. (Little known fact: The first issue was a show report from Paris.)

There’s a sense that the industry is eager to get back to business as usual, remind the world that it is very much open for business. So much of this industry (and the economy at large) is driven by psychology and a collective morale boost is just what the doctor ordered. Though the trend in the media coverage so far tends to lean to the gloomy side of things.

The show appears weighted more than usual to the defense side of the business, which is not at the mercy of financing or civil passenger traffic, compared to 2007 which saw 6000 combined orders (actually 728 for Airbus & 125 for Boeing were announced, but still!)

I submit to you a series of rumors and innuendos (like last year) for the 2009 Paris Air Show.

Qatar Airways
The quickly growing Doha based airline is widely expected to announce an order on the first day for narrowbody aircraft, potentially in response to the recent launch of FlyDubai. Qatar unveiled a previous narrowbody order at Farnborough last year and this could be another in a series.

Air Asia
Why would an airline in Malaysia sponsor a football team in Oakland? Well, if you’d like to fly there one day AND raise your global brand awareness, you might be smart to do that. However, the distance between KUL and OAK is 7,371 nm, which is right up against the upper, upper edge of the range for the A340-300. Perhaps another long range aircraft type is in the cards?

Turkish Airlines
This could go either way. The airline’s recent 777-300ER order was a big boost in the direction of updating THY’s fleet. I don’t see it beyond the realm of possibilities if we see a mid-size or narrowbody selection. The airline is still taking delivery of new 737-800s, so I’d say it’s less likely than a mid-size purchase.

Continental Airlines
I’m going to throw out a wild card order for this week. What about Continental? I’d call it a long shot, but I’ve heard at least one credible rumor about some new planes. Then again, this is the pinnacle of grapevine blogging.

We already have engine selections from Etihad for its A380s, 787s and A320s and Air Nostrum upped its CRJ1000 order to 35 and confirmed its status as launch customer for the type. Moving forward from the civilian orders side, there may be a few more surprises, but I tend to think that the list above covers the likely candidates.

Stay tuned, I have a feeling this Paris Air Show might end up surprising everyone.

Airbus
Winglets. Winglets. Winglets. At the Innovation Days press event last month, AIrbus said they would reveal the results of its A320 winglet flight test program about the time of the Paris Air Show. This technology has the potential to leapfrog over the new 2% efficiency improvements set for 2011 EIS on the 737. If the A320 leaps too far for Boeing, could this accelerate the competition’s replacement narrowbody? Also, look for further discussion on A380 production and A350 XWB design.

Boeing
Briefings with Scott Carson on Monday morning and Pat Shanahan on Tuesday will make for some interesting news on many fronts, not the least of which is 787. Look for clarity on first flight and the likely opening of a two week window to the maiden sortie, as well as an update on 747-8, P-8A and Tanker. It will be important for Boeing to address further questions about the production ramp up (re:2010 customer demand) and flight test plan and to expand on the lessons learned during the intermediate gauntlet and its public plans for certifying the 787.

What about Vought? The company is notably absent from the show. The same murmurs of a deal with Boeing keep getting louder and louder and gain more and more clarity. This is something to keep an eye on as the week progresses. This could be the sleeper story of the show.

Embraer
Does a five year old airplane need an upgrade? The E-Jets have had an excellent run these last few years and market satisfaction with the product appears very high. Though, is the status quo enough to sustain the E-Jets? Look for the comments of Embraer leadership for guidance on what to expect from the company in the coming years to stave off threats from CSeries and MRJ. PW1000G? New aerodynamics?

Bombardier
The Canadian airframer stole Farnborough last year with its early announcement of the launch and its first letter of interest for CSeries. With firm 50 orders this year booked, Bombardier may have more to share about its new narrowbody as the show goes on, I wouldn’t bet on Qatar Airways to grab a batch any time soon. Also, we should be getting updates on CSeries design, as well as CRJ1000 certification.

PARIS — Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways has completed engine selection for the large aircraft order placed at the Farnborough Air Show in 2008, a source close to the order confirms to FlightBlogger.
 
The airline has selected the General Electric GEnx for its 35 Boeing 787s, the Engine Alliance GP7200 for its 10 Airbus A380s and International Aero Engines (IAE) V2500s for its A320s.
 
The engine order is valued at about $6.7 billion, potentially making it the largest order of the show by value.

Etihad was originally to take four test A380s which would have been delivered with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.

But when it increased its order to 10 A380s the carrier opted for all-new aircraft, opening the door for Engine Alliance to flip the engine order in its favour.
 
The order marks a significant blow to Rolls-Royce which offers the Trent 900 and 1000 engines for the A380 and 787 respectively.
 
Engine Alliance is a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney and GE while International Aero Engines (IAE) is a partnership between Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney.
 
Etihad’s order at the 2008 Farnborough Air Show comprised firm purchases of 35 787-9s and 10 777-300ERs from Boeing and 20 Airbus A320s, 25 A350 XWBs and 10 A380s.
 
The airline also holds options on a further five A320s, five A380s, 10 A350s, 25 787s and purchase rights for 15 A320s, 15 A350s, five A380s, 10 787s and five 777s.
 
Boeing’s 777-300ER and Airbus’s A350 XWB offer a single choice of engine.

David Kaminski-Morrow also contributed to this report.

Photo Credit Boeing

PARIS — The roar of jet engines or the sheer size of a super jumbo is enough to draw an eye to the sky, but the makers of the AT-3 trainer hope their tiny trainer can grab the attention of those on the ground below.

The two-seat AT-3 Rotax piston-powered aircraft is manufactured by Warsaw based Aero Ltd. and will be the smallest manned aircraft in this year’s flying display. The aircraft is used as a basic trainer for flight schools or flying clubs.

Jacques Thomas, a 20,000-hour retired Air France Captain, will take the AT-3 into the skies over Le Bourget. Captain Thomas is an instructor at the Air France Aero Club, which owns six of the type based at Toussus Le Noble Airport southwest of Paris.

Marc Hemery, Aero Ltd. sales representative for France and the Middle East, says the company has delivered 50 aircraft to European customers under certification by EASA as a very light aircraft since 2005. Aero also manufactures the AT-4, the US FAA light sport certificated version of the AT-3, which currently has about 60 aircraft in service.

The two-seat aircraft will be on display during the show between the Piaggio and Dassault static stands.

Photo Credit Billypix

Spotted: A350 with landing gear, originally uploaded by flightblogger.

This might be news getting picky, but is this the first photo of the final A350 design with the landing gear extended? It’s the first I’ve seen of it. I spotted it on the ATK Chalet. First air show appearance should be Farnborough 2012.

Arrived in Paris this morning and now the whole Flightglobal.com team is getting set up here at Le Bourget for the very busy week ahead. The weather is beautiful (we’re told it won’t last) and we’re enjoying it while we can (indoors). The video above provides a sense of the scale of the show. Nothing here is subtle. Very special thanks to Steve Trimble for capturing the video above. Make sure you watch it with the sound on.