Month: January 2008

Safety Report – 01/31/2008

Date & Time: 01/31/2008 02:00
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Aircraft Type: Boeing 757-223 Registration: Unknown
Operator: American Airlines Flight: 1738
Phase: Unknown
Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: 6 people with unknown injuries (5 Crew + 1 Passenger)
Description: American Airlines Flight 1738 declared an emergency and diverted to Palm Beach Intl (KPBI) due to smoke in the cockpit and cabin. The aircraft landed without incident. 6 persons on board were transported to the hospital with unknown injuries. No fire was reported.

Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.

Atlantic Airways new customer for Airbus A319

Atlantic Airways, flag carrier of the Faroe Islands and based in Sørvágur, has signed a firm contract for one Airbus A319 plus one option, and becomes a new Airbus customer.

Atlantic Airways’ Airbus A319s will feature a comfortable single-class cabin layout. The aircraft will be operated on the airlines’ network between the Faroes and Denmark as well as to other growth destinations in Europe.

Source: Airbus

A380 Service to London starts on 18 March

paris07-a380.jpgSingapore Airlines (SIA) today announced that the first A380 flight to London will take off on 18 March, after the Airline takes delivery of the third A380 into its fleet by mid-March. The world’s largest passenger aircraft departs London later the same day for the return journey.

Customers on these flights will receive personalised certificates, exclusive premium giveaways and limited edition Singapore Airlines A380 souvenirs. They will also get to savour gastronomic treats created by two renowned chefs from Singapore Airlines’ International Culinary Panel – Sam Leong of the Tung Lok Group in Singapore and British culinary legend, Gordon Ramsay.

These flights mark the commencement of daily A380 services between Singapore and London and is also the first-ever A380 commercial service to Europe.

The first A380 flight to London, SQ 308, will leave Singapore’s Changi Airport on Tuesday, 18 March 2008, at 0900 hrs and arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport at 1505 hrs (all times local).

On the same day, the aircraft will return to Singapore, operating as SQ 319, departing Heathrow at 1855 hrs, arriving back into Singapore at 1535 hrs on Wednesday, 19 March 2008.

Thereafter, the Singapore Airlines A380 will commence regular scheduled services, operating SQ322 daily on the Singapore-London sector from the evening of Tuesday 18 March, and on SQ 317 for the return leg from 19 March.

Seats on A380 services, including the inaugural flights, are open for sale. Those who wish to be part of this landmark experience may purchase tickets via the Singapore Airlines website, singaporeair.com, or through their travel agents.

Customers who hold ticketed bookings on flights to be operated by the A380 will be automatically accommodated on the new aircraft without any change required to their tickets. Customers holding bookings, but not yet ticketed, may need to check if there have been changes to their fares as a result of the aircraft change.

SCHEDULE OF SINGAPORE AIRLINES A380 FLIGHTS TO/FROM SINGAPORE AND LONDON

Inaugural A380 flight – Tuesday 18 March 2008 only

Flight number Date Departure Time Arrival Time
SQ 308 Singapore-London 18 March 2008 0900 hours 1505 hours
SQ 319 London-Singapore 18 March 2008 1855 hours 1535 hours next day

Scheduled A380 services (Northern Winter 2007/2008)

Flight number Commencement date Departure Time Arrival Time
SQ 322 Singapore-London Daily from 18 March 2008 2320 hours 0525 hours next day
SQ 317 London-Singapore Daily from 19 March 2008 1100 hours 0740 hours next day

Scheduled A380 services (Northern Summer 2008)

Flight number Commencement date Departure Time Arrival Time
SQ 322 Singapore-London Daily from 30 March 2008 2330 hours 0555 hours next day
SQ 317 London-Singapore Daily from 31 March 2008 1155 hours 0745 hours next day

Airbus attends Singapore Airshow

Airbus S.A.S. Logo Airbus today announced that they will attend the Singapore Airshow, Asia’s largest Airshow, taking place in Singapore from 19th to 24th February. The manufacturer’s participation will feature an A380 development aircraft, which will take part in the daily flying schedule and will also be on view at the static display area throughout the week.

Visitors to the show will be able to find out more about the entire Airbus product line at the indoor stand of its parent company EADS, located in the main hall (H23) of the new Changi Exhibition Centre. The exhibit will feature scale models of the A380, new widebody A350 and the popular single aisle A320. Airbus executives will be present at the EADS chalet (row CD12 to CD18).

Airbus will hold a press conference on Wednesday 20th February, starting at 10h15, with Airbus President and CEO, Tom Enders and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers.

Visit singaporeairshow.com.sg for further information

Source: Airbus

MatlinPatterson orders 6 A330-200F

Airbus S.A.S. Logo MatlinPatterson Global Advisers LLC, the US investment fund, through an affiliate, has signed a firm contract for six A330-200 Freighter aircraft. The company intends for the aircraft to be used by certain of its airline portfolio companies, such as Varig Logistica in Brazil and Global Aero Logistics in the USA. With this agreement the two airlines will become new Airbus operators. This new contract brings firm orders for the recently launched A330-200F to 72 firm orders from eight customers, confirming the strong market demand in the Freighter sector.

The A330-200F is a derivative of the very popular A330 family operated by more than 60 operators worldwide. This will greatly facilitate the entry into service of the new all-cargo variant into existing A330 fleets. The A330-200F will also benefit from full operational commonality unique to Airbus thanks to the well recognised Airbus Fly-By-Wire technology, which also enables faster pilot transitioning to and from other Airbus aircraft, both passenger and freighter.

The A330-200F can carry up to 64 metric tonnes of cargo over 4,000 nautical miles/7400 km in its standard version. When selecting the optional payload mode the aircraft can carry 69 metric tonnes up to 3,200 nautical miles/5930km. These range and payload capabilities will enable operators to grow their business by opening up or extending cargo routes currently operated. Thanks to an optimized fuselage cross-section, it has the interior flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes for maximum interlining capability, offering 30 percent more volume than any freighter in its class.

Source: Airbus

Boeing Begins Major Assembly of First New 777 Freighter

Boeing mechanics began major assembly of the new 777 Freighter at the company’s Everett, Wash., facility today. The 777 Freighter will fly farther and provide more capacity than any other twin-engine cargo airplane.
“We are excited to begin production of the 777 Freighter so we can put the airplane into service with our customers,” said Larry Loftis, vice president, 777 Program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 777 Freighter’s unmatched range, efficiency and capacity as a twin-engine cargo airplane will significantly enhance our customers’ ability to deliver freight.”
Workers took the first step in major assembly for the new 777 Freighter by loading its 97-foot-long wing spar into a tool that automatically drills, measures and installs more than 5,000 fasteners into the spar. The spar is the internal support structure that runs through the full length of the wings and provides support to the wing.
The first 777 Freighter will be delivered to launch customer Air France in the fourth quarter of 2008. To date, Boeing has sold 80 777 Freighters to 11 customers, accounting for more than 20 percent of the 777 Program’s current backlog.
The 777 Freighter is based on the 777-200LR passenger airplane and will be built along the same production line as all other models of the 777. Some of the changes in manufacturing for the 777 Freighter include installation of items such as the main-deck cargo door; a new monolithic aluminum floor; an enhanced, lightweight cargo-handling system with built in test equipment that continually monitors the operational health of the system; and a rigid cargo barrier located in the forward section of the airplane.
Other design changes to the 777 Freighter include the strengthening of certain airplane structure, a maneuver load alleviation system to help distribute the load on the airplane in flight and the removal of certain passenger-related items such as windows and doors.
The 777 Freighter will have a range of 4,885 nautical miles (9,045 km) with a full payload and general cargo market densities. With a maximum takeoff weight of 766,000 pounds (347,450 kilograms), the 777 Freighter will have a revenue payload capability of more than 226,000 pounds (103 metric tons).
The 777 Freighter is the sixth and newest model of the 777 family of airplanes. The airplane will be powered by the GE-90-110B1L engine.

Source: Boeing

Safety Report – 01/28/2008

It seems that I missed this year’s official “Day of the Tail Strike” 😀


Date & Time: 01/26/2008 15:49
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 Registration: N784NC
Operator: Northwest Airlines
Phase: Take-off
Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: On departure reported possible tail strike – Continued on to KDFW


Date & Time: 01/26/2008 10:13
Location: Moscow, Russia
Aircraft Type: Boeing 767-332/ER Registration: N177DN
Operator: Delta Air Lines Flight: DAL47
Phase: Take-off
Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: On departure from Moscow, Russia, encountered a tail strike and returned safely to UUWV
Pictures at: http://aviaforum.ru/showpost.php?p=276495&postcount=523

Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.

AeroLogic orders Boeing 777 Freighters

Boeing today announced that Deucalion Capital VII Limited (“Deucalion”), a company advised and managed by DVB Bank AG, has purchased eight Boeing 777 Freighters for lease to AeroLogic, a new joint venture airline formed by Lufthansa Cargo and DHL Express.
This news is no surprise. DHL & Lufthansa Cargo already stated in September last year, that “the new cargo carrier will operate Boeing 777-200LRF aircraft”.

The eight 777 Freighters were ordered by Avion Group of Iceland in 2005. Avion Group terminated its order and the airplanes were picked up by Deucalion in late 2007.
Deucalion will lease the freighters to AeroLogic, the joint venture first announced by Lufthansa Cargo and DHL Express last year, for cargo services on European-Asian routes. AeroLogic will operate out of Leipzig/Halle, Germany.
“The 777 Freighter’s twin-engine fuel efficiency, low noise and overall capability are perfectly suited for our new cargo service out of Leipzig,” said AeroLogic Managing Director Dr. Thomas Papke. “Its combination of long range and maximum payload make it a highly economical and profitable freighter. I can’t imagine another freighter that would work as well as the 777 Freighter in meeting our demanding environmental and performance targets.”
The 777 Freighter will be capable of flying 4,885 nautical miles (9,045 kilometers) with a full payload, making it the world’s longest-range freighter.
The 777 Freighter will feature unmatched capacity and range for a twin-engine freighter and is designed to facilitate seamless interlining with the 747 freighter. With a maximum takeoff weight of 766,000 pounds (347,450 kilograms), the 777 Freighter will have a revenue payload capability of more than 226,000 pounds (103 metric tons). In addition, the 777 Freighter will meet QC2 noise standards for maximum accessibility to noise-sensitive airports.

I can’t wait to see them flying 😉

Source: Boeing

Iraqi Mig-25 Foxbat found in sand dune

An Iraqi Air Force Mikoyan Mig-25 Foxbat in advanced reconnaissance version was dug out of a massive sand dune near the Al Taqqadum airfield (Iraq) by U.S. Air Force recovery teams. According to sources, this version, not being from the Gulf War era, was never seen before in the West and is equipped with sophisticated electronic warfare devices.
The Mig was one of over two dozen Iraqi jets buried in the sand, like hidden treasure waiting to be recovered at a later date.

View all photos at:
http://www.flightglobal.com/AirSpace/photos/mig25/default.aspx