Boeing last week delivered the 50th Boeing 767 jetliner, a 767-346ER (Registration: JA622J) to Japan Airlines (JAL), the fifth-largest 767 operator in the world.
The 767-300ER is the 404th Boeing airplane delivered to Tokyo-based JAL Group, a Boeing- and McDonnell Douglas-heritage customer since 1960.
Source & Photo: Boeing
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner that will fly later this quarter has moved to the flight line. Fuel testing – the first in the next phase of extensive checks the airplane must undergo – will begin in the next few days.
In recent weeks, the 787 (designated ZA001) completed a rigorous series of tests including build verification tests, structures and systems integration tests, landing gear swings and factory gauntlet, which is the full simulation of the first flight using the actual airplane. With Chief Pilot Mike Carriker at the controls, the simulation tested all flight controls, hardware and software. The simulation also included manual and automatic landings and an extensive suite of subsequent ground tests.
All structural tests required on the static airframe prior to first flight also are complete. The final test occurred April 21 when the wing and trailing edges were subjected to their limit load – the highest loads expected to be seen in service. The load is about the same as the airplane experiencing 2.5 times the force of gravity.
“We continue to analyze the data, but the initial results are positive,” Fancher said. On April 13, the leading edge of the wing was subjected to its limit load while the rest of the airplane was subjected to loads expected at cruise. And in September 2008, the “high blow” high-pressure test was completed on the static airframe. During that 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).
Ground vibration testing, which measures the airplane’s response to flutter, also concluded on the second flight-test airplane, designated ZA002, at the end of this week. All the necessary structural tests required prior to first flight now are complete.
Now on the flight line, ZA001 will undergo additional airplane power and systems tests as well as engine runs. After completing final systems checks and high-speed taxi tests, the airplane will be ready for first flight, which is on schedule for later this quarter.
Photos & Source: Boeing
Boeing today announced that seven airlines will be the first to incorporate the new, spacious 737 Boeing Sky Interior starting in late 2010.
The interior features soft, blue-sky-like lighting overhead.
Stepping aboard a Boeing Next-Generation 737 with the new 737 Boeing Sky Interior, passengers will notice that the new entry offers a welcoming transition from the jetway. Cove lighting and curved architecture create a distinctive entry and greater openness in the cabin.
Passengers will immediately sense a soft blue sky overhead, created with colored light emitting diode or LED ceiling lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness.
Drawing from years of research used to design the interior for the 787 Dreamliner, the 737 Boeing Sky Interior features new, 787-style modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals that draw passengers’ eyes to the airplane’s windows, giving passengers a greater connection to the flying experience. On a more practical note, the sidewall design integrates the air vent so that before-flight security checks go more quickly for maintenance staff.
The new design offers larger, pivoting overhead stowage bins that add to the openness of the cabin. The bins give more passengers room to store a carry-on roll-aboard near their own seat, adding both extra convenience and extra legroom.
Boeing redesigned reading-light switches so passengers can find them more easily and avoid accidentally pressing the flight-attendant call button.
Speakers are integrated into each row’s passenger-service unit to improve sound and clarity of public address operations, while the new integrated air vent and improved noise-dampening materials reduce overall cabin noise.
Changes to the Next-Generation 737 are more than cosmetic: Boeing is targeting a 2 percent reduction in fuel consumption by 2011 through a combination of airframe and engine improvements. Airplane structural improvements will reduce drag on the airplane, reducing fuel use by about 1 percent. Boeing’s engine partner, CFM, is contributing the other 1 percent fuel savings through hardware changes to its engine.
Continental Airlines will make a Next-Generation 737-800 available to Boeing to flight test the performance improvements.
Source: Boeing
Photos: Boeing
Boeing has completed major assembly of the first set of wings for the 747-8 Freighter. The new 135 ft 3 in (41.2 m) wings incorporate the latest aerodynamic technologies to fly farther and more efficiently. The advanced airfoil provides improved overall performance and greater fuel capacity. In comparison, the old Boeing 747-400 measures a wingspan of 211 ft 5 in (64.9 m).
Photo
The first 747-8 freighter is due to be delivered in late 2010, with the passenger model currently scheduled for 2011.
Photo: Boeing
On Thursday April 16, Boeing celebrated a special program milestone with the delivery of the 6,000th 737. The Boeing 737-800 (Registration LN-NOL) was delivered to International Lease Finance Corp (ILFC) which will lease the 737 to Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA. The airplane’s tail features a special decal denoting this milestone.
Norwegian Air Shuttle is the largest low-fare airline company in Scandinavia and has a route portfolio that stretches across Europe into North Africa and the Middle East. Norwegian has 39 737s in its fleet and an additional 42 on firm order with Boeing.
Boeing remains focused on continuous enhancement of the Next-Generation 737 family to ensure the airplane provides market-leading operational, economic and environmental performance to airlines and lessors around the world.
“It is exciting to deliver our 6,000th 737 to ILFC and Norwegian Air Shuttle, and we thank them for being among the hundreds of airlines, operators and leasing companies who have made the 737 the world’s most popular jet airliner,” said Mark Jenkins, vice president and general manager, 737 Airplane Programs. “Thousands of employees have supported the many 737 variations Boeing has introduced, including today’s all-new Next-Generation 737 family which is used in private, government and commercial service.”
Source: Boeing
Photos: Boeing
One of my Flickr friends spotted some unusual tail design at Toulouse Blagnac. An Airbus A330-200, to be the first A330-200 for US Airways (N279AY), is sitting there at the ramp, wearing a never seen color scheme on its tail.
Could this be part of a new US Airways livery? Or is it just a one-time special livery to celebrate their new A332?
Photo by a380spotter
Currently these pictures of a damaged CRJ-200 are making the rounds on the Internet. Unlike said in many forums and blogs, this damage was NOT caused by a lightning strike! Instead it was simply caused by a cockpit fire, probably due to an overheated electrical power relay.
Preliminary NTSB report:
ASA Airlines flight 5533, a Bombardier CRJ-200 – registration: N830AS, experienced a cockpit fire on the ground shortly after external power was applied to the airplane in preparation for flight. The captain and one flight attendant evacuated the airplane via an airstair without injuries. They were the only individuals on the airplane at the time. The fire department extinguished the fire after it had burned an approximate 18 inch hole through the left upper cockpit crown skin. The flight was to be flown from Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH), Tallahassee, Florida, to Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Atlanta, Georgia.
Photos: Unknown
Embraer now has another member of its E-Jets family, the EMBRAER 190, formally beginning its steep approach campaign to enable operations at London’s business airport, London City (LCY). This certification is expected to be earned by the end of 2009.
In December 2008, Embraer and British Airways signed a contract for 11 E-Jets, composed of six EMBRAER 170s and five EMBRAER 190s, to be operated by BA CityFlyer. The first EMBRAER 170, already certified for steep approach operations, will be delivered in the second half of 2009.
The EMBRAER 190 will perform the steep approach with the use of a software solution developed on the existing fly-by-wire system, which means better flight qualities and control, reduced pilot workload, and less aircraft weight and maintenance costs. When departing from LCY, the EMBRAER 190 range will reach more than 800 nautical miles (1,500 km), covering all current routes operated from this airport and bringing additional flexibility for airlines to add more important European business destinations. The steep approach capability will also enable operations at other airports that require equivalent procedures.
Source: Embraer
Photos: Embraer
After the Retro Uniform Week has gone by, Delta recently published photos of Northwest flight attendants wearing their new Delta uniforms for the first time. The new uniforms were designed by fashion designer Richard Tyler.
Photos [ More photos at Flickr ]
More at blog.delta.com
Matt Cawby over at http://kpae.blogspot.com is reporting that Boeing starts preparation for the 787 flight test. A instrumentation van and a wideband telemetry antenna was put in place at the runway.
Photos:
http://paineairport.com/kpae1858.htm
http://paineairport.com/kpae1857.htm
Last week the final of 6 Boeing 787 Dreamliner designated for flight test entered final assembly and the first flight test airplane, ZA001, got its paint job done. – Related: Boeing 787 Dreamliner for Flight Test Enters Final Assembly
