One more of those fantastic Ilyushin 76s got lost 🙁 According to ASN an Ilyushin 76TD operated by Sun Way crashed shortly after take-off from Karachi-Jinnah International Airport (KHI), Pakistan. The flight was bound for Khartoum, Sudan. No one of the 8 crew members survived.
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Last week NASA has awarded two contracts for studies designed to identify advanced concepts for commercial airliners that could enter service in 2025. Main goal of the new airliners is that they need to be quieter, greener and more fuel-efficient.
Lockheed Martin (Skunk Works) was selected for a contract worth $2.99 million.
Northrop Grumman was selected for a contract worth $2.65 million.
Both teams will define a preferred system concept for an aircraft that can fly up to 85 percent of the speed of sound; cover a range of approximately 7,000 miles; and carry between 50,000 and 100,000 pounds of payload, either passengers or cargo.
Both contracts have a performance period of 12 months, beginning in November.
The NASA project is working to develop technology that would enable future aircraft to burn 50 percent less fuel than current models; reduce harmful emissions by 50 percent; and shrink the geographic areas affected by objectionable airport noise by 83 percent.
Earlier this year MIT already presented its own vision of future commercial planes to NASA. This research contract was sponsored by NASA with $2.1 million.
Source: NASA
Image: MIT/Aurora Flight Sciences
Referring to the uncontained engine failure of an Qantas Airbus A380 on November 4, the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) today issued an Airworthiness Directive for all Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines.
This applys to RB211 Trent 900 series engines, variants RB211 Trent 970-84, RB211 Trent 970B-84, RB211 Trent 972-84, RB211 Trent 972B-84, RB211 Trent 977-84, RB211 Trent 977B-84 and RB211 Trent 980-84, all serial numbers.
According to EASA, analysis of the preliminary elements from the incident investigation shows that an oil fire in the HP/IP structure cavity may have caused the failure of the Intermediate Pressure Turbine (IPT) Disc.
This airworthiness directive requires repetitive inspections of the Low PressureTurbine (LPT) stage 1 blades and case drain, HP/IP structure air buffer cavity and oil service tubes in order to detect any abnormal oil leakage, and if any discrepancy is found, to prohibit further engine operation.
While Qantas is committed to bringing its A380s back into service as soon as possible, the Australien flag carrier updated its schedule for its international network to ensure minimum disruption to passengers after the grounding of its Airbus A380 fleet.
Boeing 747s have been replaced by Airbus A330s on the Sydney to Narita route and A330s have been replaced by B767s on Perth to Singapore services. B747s have also been replaced by A330s on the Sydney to Hong Kong route. These changes will enable Qantas to operate 747s on long-haul international services previously operated by the A380.
Sources: EASA, Qantas
After a fire on one of the 787 Dreamliner test planes, Boeing has grounded all 787s until they investigated the cause of the incident.
On Tuesday a Boeing 787 test flight was forced to do an emergency landing at Laredo, Texas after a fire broke out in the electrical-equipment bay, which is located underneath the passenger cabin. The plane, Dreamliner No.2 (ZA002), was evacuated via emergency slides, nobody was injured.
According to Seattle Times, the fire affected the cockpit controls – the plane lost its primary flight displays and its auto-throttle.
Update: Boeing today confirmed that the plane lost its primary electrical power as a result of the fire. The Ram Air Turbine (RAT) has been successfully deployed.
It’s not known how long the suspension will last.
The Boeing 787 program is already three years behind schedule.
Source: Seattle Times
Update November 12 2010:
Boeing today released further information about this incident. Investigation has determined that a failure in the P100 panel led to a fire involving an insulation blanket. The insulation self-extinguished once the fault in the P100 panel cleared. The P100 panel on ZA002 has been removed and a replacement unit is being shipped to Laredo. The insulation material near the unit also has been removed.
Damage to the ZA002 P100 panel is significant. Initial inspections, however, do not show extensive damage to the surrounding structure or other systems.
The P100 panel is one of several power panels in the aft electronics bay. It receives power from the left engine and distributes it to an array of systems. In the event of a failure of the P100 panel, backup power sources – including power from the right engine, the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), the auxiliary power unit (APU) or the battery – are designed to automatically engage to ensure that those systems needed for continued safe operation of the airplane are powered.
Source: Boeing
Qantas today announced that their Airbus A380 fleet remains grounded for at least another 72 hours and will not return to service until the engine issues have been identified and resolved.
Qantas is continuing an intensive inspection program on all Rolls-Royce engines in its A380 fleet. As part of their investigation, Qantas engineers have removed a number of engines to undertake further examination. The focus of the investigation has been narrowed to the possibility of an oil leakage in the relevant turbine area.
These inspections are taking place in Sydney and Los Angeles with Qantas engineers working closely with Rolls-Royce, as well as Airbus and Australian regulators.
Qantas has scheduled extra services from Los Angeles to ensure passengers affected by the suspension of A380 operations are returned to Australia as soon as possible.
The backlog of passengers in Los Angeles is expected to be cleared by last departure from Los Angeles on 8 November with all passengers accommodated on specially chartered relief flights and across scheduled services. A Special Assistance Team has been deployed to Los Angeles to assist.
Hotel accommodation, meals and international phone calls have been provided for passengers impacted by the A380 disruptions. Qantas will provide compensation for customers who have experienced delays.
Related: Photos & Videos – Qantas A380 Uncontained Engine Failure
Source & Photo: Qantas
If you’re in Europe, you might get a chance to see the Boeing 787 Dreamliner next week. From November 4-6, Boeing’s sixth flight-test 787, ZA006 is scheduled to visit Amsterdam and Paris. According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, the visit is part of a marketing trip to win an order from Air France KLM Group for up to 100 planes.
United Continental Holdings, Inc. formerly UAL Corporation, announced today that a wholly owned subsidiary has merged with Continental Airlines, Inc., and that Continental Airlines and United Air Lines, Inc. are now wholly owned subsidiaries of United Continental Holdings, Inc.
“We are delighted to announce the successful completion of this merger. With great people, an unparalleled global network, the best new aircraft order book among U.S. network carriers and a commitment to superior products and services, United is well positioned for a bright future,” president and chief executive officer Smisek said. “I look forward to working together with my co-workers around the globe as we begin our journey to create the world’s leading airline that delivers best-in-class customer service, increased opportunities for employees, meaningful profitability and sustainable long-term value for our shareholders.”
Continental and United, operating under United Continental Holdings, Inc., will immediately begin the work to fully integrate the two companies. In the near term, customers can expect to interact with each carrier as they always have. Customers flying on Continental will continue to check in at continental.com, or at Continental kiosks and ticket counters, and to be assisted by Continental employees, and customers flying on United will continue to check in at united.com or at United kiosks or ticket counters, and to be assisted by United employees. Customers will continue to earn and redeem frequent-flier miles through the respective loyalty programs of Continental and United until those programs are combined. The company expects that travelers will begin to see a more unified product in the spring of 2011, as the carriers integrate key customer service and marketing activities to deliver a more seamless product.
The new company’s corporate and operational headquarters will be in Chicago, with a significant presence in Houston, the company’s largest hub.
Together with United Express, Continental Express and Continental Connection, the new United operates a total of approximately 5,800 flights a day to 371 destinations throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia from our hubs in Chicago, Cleveland, Denver, Guam, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington, D.C. United and Continental are members of Star Alliance, which offers more than 21,200 daily flights to 181 countries worldwide through its 28 member airlines.
Photo: United Continental
via PRNewswire
Boeing announced a delay for the 747-8 Freighter with first delivery now expected mid-year 2011.
The company previously indicated that as a result of recent flight-test discoveries/problems, there was a high probability the first 747-8 Freighter delivery would move into 2011. The new delivery schedule follows a thorough assessment of the impact of these discoveries, which include a low-frequency vibration in certain flight conditions and an underperforming aileron actuator. While neither issue requires structural changes to the airplane, they have led to disruptions to certification testing, which the program was unable to offset within the prior schedule.
As a result of this delay, Boeing is going to add a fifth airplane to the flight-test fleet.
Photo: Boeing
Source: Boeing
In case you haven’t notice yet, after 41 years Airbus recently changed its logo!
If you ask me, it looks quite immature, way too Web2.0-ish. Nothing to represent an established 40 year old company. The old one was far more confiding. I don’t like it at all.
Airbus unveiled this new branding a few days ago. The new logo retains the original ball-shaped symbol that denotes its expertise as world-leading aircraft manufacturer, while incorporating the modernised typeface adopted by the company’s EADS corporate parent.
This marks the first updating of Airbus’ logo since the company’s creation in 1969, and provides a fresh look as it prepares for the future, according to Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders.
“We have retained many of our logo’s original features – such as the iconic ball and the deep blue that characterise Airbus and which have helped build the brand into a global household name, with over 90 per cent awareness among the travelling public and a reputation as a leader in innovation and leading-edge technology,†Enders said. “But we also have modernised our identity to reflect tomorrow’s design era and marketing needs.â€
The ball-shaped logo is composed of two sets of three curved lines that join at an imaginary horizon line, which represents the unification of Airbus’ founding companies to create what has become one of the world’s top providers of commercial jetliners and military airlifters.
Airbus’ new brand identity will be introduced in a phased approach, beginning with brand collateral that includes its Website and advertising.
Source: Airbus
Cathay Pacific, one of the world’s most prestigious airlines, has firmed up a commitment for 30 ÂAirbus A350 XWB aircraft. The purchase agreement was finalised in Hong Kong on 16 September by Tony Tyler, Chief Executive, Cathay Pacific Airways and John Leahy, Chief Operating Officer Customers, Airbus. The aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.
Cathay Pacific will operate the A350 XWB across its route network, principally on non-stop services to Europe. Featuring an all-new design, the aircraft will represent a step change in operational efficiency, burning significantly less fuel than existing aircraft of a similar size and offering a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions. For passengers, the extra wide cabin will offer the highest standards in in-flight comfort, with a spacious interior design, new, wider windows and the latest state-of-the-art amenities.
Mr Tyler said: “I am delighted that we have now finalised this milestone deal for Cathay Pacific. The purchase of these new generation aircraft is an important step in our plan to grow our fleet to ensure that we stay at the forefront of the industry. The A350 fits perfectly into our operation. Its passenger capacity, flight range and operating economics are just right to become the backbone of our mid-sized long haul wide-bodied fleet.”
The A350 XWB (Xtra Wide-Body) Family is an all-new mid-size long range product line comprising three basic passenger versions (A350-800, A350-900, A350-1000) seating between 270 and 350 passengers in typical three-class layouts. Scheduled for entry-into-service in 2013, the A350 Family has already received a total of 558 firm orders from 34 customers worldwide. One unit costs between $208 million and $270 million.
Source: Airbus
Image: Airbus
