The composite technology, design and construction of the 787 was proven during a series of testing scenarios conducted beginning in late 2007 and concluding this week. The tests were performed on a composite fuselage test section and are part of Boeing’s certification efforts for the 787.
“The tests were very successful - they couldn’t have gone any better,” said Kevin Davis, 787 fuselage authorized representative and leader of the testing.
Boeing engineers proved the composite barrel design through a series of incremental tests that first took the barrel to limit load, a test condition that simulates the most extreme conditions expected to be experienced in the life of the airplane.
Next, the test article was taken to 150 percent of limit load - a condition called “ultimate load,” the level required for certification.
Finally, the team pushed the composite section past ultimate load well beyond ultimate load to a destruct-condition maneuver beyond two and a half times the force of gravity.
Testers observed audible indications of damage as the test progressed but the piece did not reach the level of destruction that had been anticipated. Boeing engineers now are performing an extensive inspection of the barrel and analysis of test results.
This robust test program is key to clearing the Dreamliner for first flight. Some testing on the composite barrel section will continue, but it is at Boeing’s option for additional learning. Additional static testing is required, and will be conducted, on a full airplane structure prior to first flight.
A user at forum.keypublishing.co.uk is reporting, that on 02/23/08 an American Airlines Boeing 767-323/ER (N386AA) did an Ermergency Landing at Manchester (UK).
The plane had lost all the fluid from the centre hydraulic system, therefore it landed without flaps and spoilers. Upon landing the bay doors were hanging open and she suffered a rather hard landing, resulting in two blown tyre’s. According to the source, she’d also had her brakes cease up due to the hard braking from the landing.
Date & Time: 02/24/2008 21:42 Location: Las Vegas, NV Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-3H4 Registration: N648SW Operator: Southwest Airlines Flight: 2809 Phase: Unknown Damage: None Injuries & Fatalities: 1 Crew & 5 PAX with unknown minor injuries Description: While inflight encountered Clear Air Turbulence (CAT), causing 6 persons on board to sustain minor injuries, 20 miles from Las Vegas, NV
Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.
A holiday flight from Manchester to Cyprus was forced to divert after the co-pilot collapsed and died during the flight.
The GB Airways Airbus A320, flight BA6826, with 156 passengers on board, was bound for Paphos but diverted to Istanbul on Sunday afternoon. The first officer became ill during the flight. The purser administered first aid while the captain diverted the aircraft to Istanbul. After landing the first officer was pronounced dead by the Turkish authorities.
Brasilian airline TAM recently introduced its new logo and corporate design.
The picture is showing one of TAM’s Airbus A320-232 wearing the new livery. Solely unique on this aircraft (PT-MZL) is a modified paint scheme, celebrating the new corporate identity with the signatures of TAM’s employees on the plane!
Date: 23-FEB-2008 Time: 10:30 Type: Northrop B-2A Spirit Operator: United States - US Air Force (USAF) Registration: 89-0127 C/n / msn: AV-12 Name: Spirit of Kansas Fatalities: Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 Airplane damage: Unknown Location: Andersen AFB, Hagatna - Guam Phase: Take-off Narrative:
The Spirit of Kansas crashed on the runway shortly after take-off. The aircraft was one in a flight of four B-2s that was returning to Whiteman AFB, Mo., following a deployment that began Oct. 5
Avianca took delivery of the first of three Airbus A320s (HK-4549) it has leased from CIT International, at a delivery ceremony in Toulouse, France. This paves the way to the subsequent delivery of 47 A320 Family aircraft (32 A320s and 15 A319s) the Colombian flag-carrier has directly ordered from Airbus as part of a complete fleet renewal programme. Avianca also has 10 A330-200s on order.
The A320s will help Avianca expand its network and open up new routes in the region. The aircraft will be able to accommodate 150 passengers in a spacious two-class configuration, offering passengers even more comfort with the increased personal space of the new state of the art A320 cabin. They will be powered by CFM International CFM56-5B engines.
The new cabin delivered to Avianca features the most modern design and technological innovations, derived from the A380. New smooth lines not only create an attractive ambience but also give more space at shoulder level. Increased Overhead Stowage offers 15 per cent more useable volume. The state of the art design gives a measurable noise reduction, while also decreasing the weight of the aircraft and thus making it more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.
BOC Aviation, the leading Asia-based aircraft leasing company, has signed a firm contract for five A330-200F cargo aircraft. The agreement was signed during the 2008 Singapore Airshow.
Previously known as Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise, BOC Aviation is headquartered in Singapore, with representatives based in Europe and the US. The company is wholly owned by the Bank of China.
BOC Aviation’s portfolio is one of the youngest in the leasing business and already includes the popular A320 Family and A330 passenger aircraft.
The A330-200F can carry up to 64 metric tonnes over 4,000 nautical miles/7400 km in its standard version. When selecting the optional payload mode operators can carry 69 metric tonnes up to 3,200 nautical miles/5930km.
On 02/18/2008 Delta Air Lines flight 1877, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88 (N935DL), reported a bird strike while decent into Austin, Texas. FAA reported that an inspection after landing revealed substantial damage to the aircraft. (Report)
Today I optained several photos and a small report from a passenger on this flight. Thanks again!
The damage can be clearly seen on the pictures below. The collision with the bird caused a huge hole in the nose of the McDonnell Douglas MD-88.
Passengers report:
The bird strike felt like the front landing gear suddenly dropped - we felt a slight jolt and then the captain came on the PA and nonchalantly (to his credit) told us that we’d just hit a bird and that we’d be continuing our descent and land in about 10 minutes. The only inkling I had that it might have been a big deal was when I noticed that we landed far away from everything and two huge firetrucks raced to either side of the plane.
Delta remade its In-flight Safety Video to be more fresh, modern, and human. According to Delta, also all the people you see are real Delta employees.
I think it’s a pretty nice video but I find it a little bit too long to draw the attention till the end. Over time it gets pretty boring. Also the “no smoking part” is a bit odd. Pretty video though.
Korean Air is expanding its A380 order with the purchase of three more A380 aircraft. This firm order is in addition to the five A380 aircraft ordered by Korean Air in 2003.
Starting in 2010, Korean Air will introduce the A380 on high density traffic routes from Seoul to the US west coast, with subsequent destinations likely to include cities on the US east coast and Europe. Deliveries to Korean Air for the three additional aircraft are scheduled to take place in 2012 and 2013.
With Korean Air’s additional order, Airbus has 192 firm orders, from 16 customers for the A380 programme.
Boeing and Indonesian carrier Garuda Indonesia recently announced at the Singapore Air Show that the airline has ordered four 777-300ER (Extended Range) airplanes.
Additionally, Garuda confirmed a previous unidentified order for seven Next-Generation 737-800s placed in 2007, and announced that it has converted 18 of its existing 737-700s on order to 737-800s and six 777-200ERs on order to 777-300ERs.
Garuda originally placed an order for six 777-200ERs in 1996 and 18 737-700s in 1999, which were recorded on Boeing’s order books. With recent announcement, Garuda’s total order now stands at 25 737-800s and 10 777-300ERs jetliners. Additionally, the airline acquired purchase rights for an additional 25 737-800s and 10 777-300ERs.
Indonesian carrier Lion Air, the largest low-cost airline in Asia, orders 56 more Next-Generation 737-900ER (Extended Range) airplanes. This order brings Lion Air’s combined orders for the 737-900ER to 178. Additionally, the airline acquired purchase rights for an additional 50 737-900ERs.
Lion Air is the world’s largest operator of the 737-900ER. Lately in December they announced an order of 22 737-900ER.
Boeing today delivered the first Japan KC-767 Tanker to the Itochu Corp., for Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF). It is the first aerial refueling aircraft in Japan’s history.
The 12-hour non-stop flight to Gifu, Japan, near Nagoya, originated in Wichita, Kan., near Boeing’s tanker modification center, following a final review by Japan Ministry of Defense (MoD) Air Staff. Itochu will deliver the KC-767 Tanker to the MoD following in-country acceptance processes.
The tanker already made history Jan. 26 when it successfully did a refueling of a U.S. Air Force F-15E at night - the first nighttime refueling ever accomplished on a KC-767.
Japan has ordered four convertible freighter 767s, providing flexibility in carrying cargo or passengers while maintaining its primary role as an aerial refueling tanker. It features Boeing’s advanced aerial refueling boom and Remote Aerial Refueling Operator (RARO II) system. Boeing will deliver the second Japan tanker immediately following acceptance of this first Japan delivery.
Additionally, Boeing is building four tankers for Italy with delivery of the first two aircraft planned in 2008. The KC-767 also is Boeing’s offering in the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X competition for its next-generation tanker aircraft.
BOC Aviation, the leading Asia-based aircraft leasing company, has signed a firm contract for five A330-200F cargo aircraft. The agreement was signed during the 2008 Singapore Airshow.
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