The Aviation Blog
Today I came across of some amazing photo at Flickr. It’s showing an EVA Air Boeing 747-45EM taking off from runway 36L at Amsterdam - Schiphol (AMS / EHAM) (Netherlands). The great timing and angle just makes this shot, and the size of the 747, looking quite surreal. Just amazing if you ask me!
All credits go to Flickr User “Points1“. Visit his photo page to leave comments.
(Boeing) Boeing today announced a new rotorcraft program, the AH-6 light attack/reconnaissance helicopter.
Designed on a combat-proven platform with a heritage of successful service with U.S. Army Special Operations, the AH-6 is designed to meet the current requirements of international military customers while maintaining flexibility for future growth.
“Boeing has been approached by several potential customers seeking light attack and reconnaissance capabilities in a flexible rotorcraft platform,” Dave Palm, director of Boeing Rotorcraft Business Development, said today at the Association of the United States Army’s annual convention in Washington, D.C. “We believe this system is a perfect fit for those customers seeking long endurance, proven performance and 2,000-pound payload within an affordable helicopter.”
The AH-6 features an Electro-Optical/Infrared forward-looking sight system as well as a mount for weapons that have been qualified on the aircraft, including Hellfire missiles, the M260 seven-shot rocket pod, a machine gun and a mini-gun integrated with a sensor system. A communications package allows the AH-6 to connect to other aircraft and to ground stations.
Boeing will produce the AH-6 at its Rotorcraft Systems facility in Mesa, Ariz., and will draw on that organization’s existing secure supply base to ensure on-time, on-cost delivery.
Source: Boeing
Boeing today announced that an international consortium of 10 NATO members - joined by Partnership for Peace nations Sweden and Finland - signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Sept. 24 to acquire three Boeing C-17 Globemaster III long-range cargo jets. The agreement sets the stage for NATO’s first major defense purchase in 30 years.
Under the agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense and the NATO Airlift Management Agency, two of the advanced airlifters would be purchased from Boeing, while a third would be provided by the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft would be assigned to NATO’s Heavy Airlift Wing and jointly operated by the nations from Pápa Air Base, Hungary. Delivery of the first aircraft could take place as early as spring 2009.
Each participating nation would pay for a portion of a C-17 rather than an entire aircraft, allowing them to share a pooled fleet. The 12 countries participating in NATO’s Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) program are Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden and the United States.
The C-17 fleet will allow each nation to meet its airlift requirements to support sovereign and multinational mission requirements. NATO does not currently own a heavy airlift capability and frequently contracts with nations such as the United States and Russia for assistance with its heavy airlift requirements. The MOU calls for Boeing to establish a facility at Pápa Air Base to provide C-17 logistics support under the current Globemaster Support Partnership.
There are 192 operational C-17s worldwide - 178 with the U.S. Air Force; six with the Royal Air Force (UK); four with the Royal Australian Air Force, and four with the Canadian Forces. Boeing received a contract in July to provide the C-17 to Qatar, with deliveries starting in late summer 2009.
Source: Boeing
Photo: Flightstory.net
Boeing successfully completed a high-pressure test, known as “high blow,” on the 787 Dreamliner static test airframe at its Everett factory on Saturday. The test is one of three static tests that must be cleared prior to first flight. During the test, the airframe reached an internal pressure of 150 percent of the maximum levels expected to be seen in service - 14.9 lbs. per square inch (1.05 kilograms per centimeter) gauge (psig). It took nearly two hours to complete the test, as pressure was slowly increased to ensure the integrity of the airplane.
“We had every confidence going into this test because of the extensive work we’ve done on larger and larger pieces of composite - from small coupons to fuselage sections,” said Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. “Still, it’s very rewarding to see a whole airplane being tested and having the results we expected.
“I am so proud of the team that has worked on this program and the progress we are making.”
Photo: Boeing
Source: Boeing
Have you ever dreamed of living in an airliner? Soon you can book your own room in the world’s first Jumbo Hostel, located at Stockholm International Airport, Stockholm-Arlanda (ARN), Sweden.
The Boeing 747-200 at last operated by Transjet offers 25 rooms with 85 beds in total. One highlight will be the Cockpit Suite - the cockpit has been converted into a deluxe suite with parts of the original interior saved.
Bookings will start in December. Visit http://www.jumbohostel.com
Well folks, I’m back from holiday and to starting up the blog again, here is a short summary of the latest orders and deliveries announced by Boeing during last weeks.
EgyptAir announced an order for two 777-300ER (Extended Range) jetliners, with options for two additional airplanes, as part of the airline’s twin-aisle fleet upgrade for its long-haul service. Some time ago the airline announced its new, more modern livery, as shown below.
Brazil’s Varig Airlines got delivered two 737-800s. The 737-800s are equipped with Blended Winglets and Boeing’s special short-field performance package designed for short runways such as Santos Dumont in Rio de Janeiro.
Dubai-based airline Emirates celebrated the delivery of a 777-300ER (Extended Range) and a 777-200LR (Longer Range). These new 777s are the 62nd and 63rd of the model type delivered to Emirates. Representatives from the Emirates and Boeing team are pictured here prior to the airplanes’ departure for Dubai.
Istanbul-based airline Saga Airlines announced an order for two Boeing 737-800s with Blended Winglets. Saga Airlines has also secured two purchase rights for the same model.
Photos: Boeing
Boeing on Monday delivered EgyptAir’s third Next-Generation 737-800. The airplane is the airline’s first 737 to be painted in Star Alliance livery.
On July 11, EgyptAir celebrated its induction as the 21st member of Star Alliance, officially expanding its network to 1624 weekly flights to 69 destinations around the world. The Cairo Airport Authority is scheduled to open a dedicated Star Alliance terminal later this year, capable of serving 11 million passengers annually.
Photo Credit: Boeing
Source: Boeing
The first of 8 Boeing 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes ordered by TAM Airlines, Brazil’s largest airline, left Paine Field for Sao Paulo yesterday. TAM is the first Latin American airline to operate the 777-300ER, the world’s largest, long-range, twin-engine jetliner, powered by General Electric’s GE-90 Series engines. The delivery also marks TAM’s first acquisition of a new Boeing airplane.
The airline’s new 777s feature the Boeing Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag (EFB), a hardware and electronic data package used by pilots that replaces traditional flight manuals and provides operational and safety benefits. TAM is the first South American carrier to incorporate a Class 3 EFB, which is fully integrated into a commercial airplane’s avionics. The EFB features an Onboard Performance Tool, using sophisticated calculations to help the airline optimize its payload for airport and weather conditions and applicable regulations and policies.
TAM plans to operate its 777-300ERs on international flights within South America and connecting South America with Europe and North America.
Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing
Boeing recently completed work on the first BBJ 3 (Boeing Business Jet). The BBJ 3 is a new, larger business jet based on the Boeing Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range). The BBJ 3 has 1,120 square feet (104 square meters) of floor space, and provides 35 percent more interior space and 89 percent more luggage space than the BBJ 2. The BBJ 3’s range is between 5,435 nmi (10,066 km) and 4,725 nmi (8,751 km) depending on the number of passengers flown.
The airplane is now at DeCrane Aircraft in Georgetown, Del., where it will receive its long-range auxiliary fuel system and a Head-up Display. The fuel system, new for the model, will undergo a two-month certification process at DeCrane. The airplane’s final stop is at a completion center of the owner’s choosing, where it will receive a custom interior. The un-named customer will receive the completed airplane in 2009.
All BBJs are equipped with Blended Winglets (wing tip extensions), which reduce community noise, lower emissions and increase the airplane’s range.
The BBJ program focuses on features that help owners fly safely, efficiently, reliably and comfortably. Boeing currently is delivering BBJs with lower cabin altitude and Future Air Navigation System technology. Lower cabin altitude allows the cabin pressurization control system to regulate the cabin environment to equal a maximum cabin altitude of 6,500 feet so that passengers travel in greater comfort. Future Air Navigation System (FANS) streamlines communication between flight crews and air traffic controllers. FANS adds another layer of safety and efficiency to the global air transportation system, and allows BBJ owners to take more direct routes, shortening flight times and saving fuel.
See http://www.boeing.com/commercial/bbj/ for more information.
Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing
Boeing and American Airlines today announced an order for additional 26 Next-Generation 737-800s, airplanes that will help the carrier accelerate its fleet renewal plan.
Twenty of the 26 new orders are exercised options. The other six are incremental to American Airlines’ 2009-2010 fleet plan announced earlier this year.
“American Airlines continues to execute its fleet renewal plan to control costs while prudently reinvesting in the travel experience for customers,” said Tom Horton, AMR’s executive vice president of Finance and Planning and chief financial officer. “Replacing MD-80s with 737s at current fuel prices provides financial benefits while enhancing the customer experience.”
With today’s announcement, American has ordered a total of 36 Boeing 737-800s in 2008.
Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of American Airlines
Boeing and British Airways have signed an order for 2 Boeing 777-300ER jetliners valued at $529 million at list prices.
Boeing also announced that GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS) has purchased two 777-300ERs, airplanes that were previously listed as an unidentified order on the Boeing Web site. The airplanes are two of four 777s that BA has agreed to lease from GECAS including two 777s ordered in 2007 as part of its recent commitment to the 777-300ER.
British Airways also secured options for four additional 777-300ERs directly with Boeing.
The two airplanes GECAS ordered are valued at $529 million at catalog prices and raise to 25 the number of 777s (Freighters and 777-300ERs) that GECAS has purchased since November 2006. The 25 airplanes have been placed on long-term lease with six different carriers, including British Airways.
Source: Boeing
Photo Credit: Boeing
Boeing and Azerbaijan Airlines have finalized an order for two Boeing Next-Generation 737-900ERs and two 767-300ERs. The order is valued at $449 million at list prices. One of the 767s is a substitution for a previously ordered 787, as reflected today on Boeing’s Orders and Deliveries Web site.
Including today’s announcement, Azerbaijan Airlines has a total of 8 Boeing airplanes on order: 4 737-900ERs, 2 787-8s and 2 767-300ERs.
Azerbaijan Airlines, based in Baku, is the national airline of Azerbaijan.
“We are eager to build our Boeing fleet with these additional 737s and 767s to meet continued demand for air travel in our region,” said Jahangir Askerov, president of Azerbaijan Airlines. “Today’s order is yet another step forward in our strong relationship with Boeing. We look forward to operating the 787 and benefiting from its advanced performance features, however the 767-300ER is the economical and logical choice to fulfill our interim capacity targets.”
Source: Boeing
On Tuesday American Airlines Flight 31, a Boeing 757-200 (N192AN) from Los Angeles to Honolulu was diverted back to LAX and did an emergency landing after about an hour in flight because of an odor and possible haze in the cabin. The passengers were evacuated on the runway using the emergency slides.
Video by KNBC
Raw Video of the Emergency Landing by AP
Flightaware log: http://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL31/history/20080805/1600Z/KLAX/KLAX
Qantas flight QF30, a Boeing 747-438 (VH-OJK) from London via Hong Kong to Melbourne made an emergency landing in Manila (Philippines) today after a loud bang punched a hole in the plane’s fuselage at approximately 29000 feet, followed by a rapid decompression of the cabin. The crew were forced to conduct an emergency descent to 10000 feet and landed safely in Manila.
The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas said all 346 passengers and 19 crew disembarked normally and there were no reports of any injuries to passengers or crew. The flight crew had performed emergency procedures after oxygen masks were deployed.
The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have been notified of the incident and Qantas is sending its own engineers to Manila.
Raw video - Amateur video from inside Qantas QF30
Video by AP
Raw pictures by Reuters
Video by Reuters - Emergency landing for Qantas plane
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Further pictures: http://www.repubblica.it/2006/05/gallerie/esteri/aereo-manila/1.html
ATSB Report: http://www.atsb.gov.au/publications/investigation_reports/2008/AAIR/aair200804689.aspx
Air China orders 15 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 30 Next-Generation 737-800s
The Boeing Company has signed an order with Air China, the flag carrier of the People’s Republic of China, for 15 777-300ER (Extended Range) and 30 Next-Generation 737-800 jetliners.
“These airplanes are the most fuel efficient in their classes,” said Kong Dong, Chairman of Air China Limited. “The 777-300ER will be the backbone of our long-haul international fleet and the new 737-800 will support our hub build-up and our company’s domestic strategy.”
Air China operates international and domestic scheduled passenger and cargo services and will use the airplanes to expand its international and domestic routes. The carrier is based in Beijing, the home of the 2008 Olympic Games, and is the only Chinese airline selected as a 2008 Beijing Olympics partner. The airline is one of the latest air carriers to become a full member of Star Alliance.
Source: Boeing
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