Date & Time: 09/28/2008 02:03 Location: Boston, MA Aircraft Type: Boeing 757-251 Registration: N545US Operator: Northwest Airlines Flight: NWA60 Phase: Take-Off Damage: Unknown Injuries & Fatalities: None Description: Northwest Airlines flight 60, on takeoff reported number 2 engine pylon covering separated from the aircraft. The plane returned and landed without incident.
Date & Time: 09/27/2008 23:45 Location: New York JFK Aircraft Type: Boeing 777-300ER Registration: Unknown Operator: Emirates Flight: UAE202 Phase: Other Damage: Unknown Injuries & Fatalities: None Description: While pushing back from the gate, struck a catering truck
Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.
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.”
Today, Swiss pilot Yves Rossy, also called “Fusion man”, has successfully completed his solo flight across the English Channel using his single, jet-propelled wing.
Video:
Yves Rossy has served as a fighter pilot in the Swiss Air Force, flying Dassault Mirage IIIs, Northrop F-5 Tiger IIs and Hawker Hunters. He also flew Boeing 747s for Swissair and now pilots an Airbus for Swiss International Air Lines.
He developed and built the winged pack with rigid carbon-fiber wings with a span of about 8 feet (2.4 m), and four small kerosene-burning Jet-Cat jet engines under the wings. These engines are large versions of a type designed for model airplanes. He wears a heat-resistant suit similar to that of a firefighter or racing driver to protect him from the hot jet exhaust.
Embraer recently delivered the first E190 jet to Virgin Nigeria. The aircraft accommodates 96 passengers in a dual-class layout, with 12 first-class and 84 Elite seats, and also features a state-of-the-art In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system, with individual TV screens at each seat.
The EMBRAER 190 is the first E-Jet delivered to Virgin Nigeria, and it will assist the airline’s growing domestic and regional network, by providing the right capacity for current routes. The aircraft will also be used to develop international markets, feeding the Lagos hub for its long-haul operations.
Virgin Nigeria’s EMBRAER 190 is equipped with the new-generation i4500 satellite-based In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system supplied by Thales Avionics (USA). As the aircraft enters service, passengers flying short-haul routes will have the opportunity to watch movies, as well as Nigerian and foreign programs, or select from a wide range of music channels.
In November 2007, at the Dubai Air Show, Virgin Nigeria announced firm orders for seven EMBRAER 170s and three EMBRAER 190s, all of which are Advanced Range versions, plus options for six EMBRAER 190s and purchase rights for another eight E-Jets.
Date & Time: 09/22/2008 18:35 Location: Chicago, IL Aircraft Type: Boeing 757 Registration: Unknown Operator: American Airlines Flight: AAL268 Phase: Landing Damage: Unknown Injuries & Fatalities: None Description: American Airlines flight 268 reported an electrical problem, diverted, landed and stopped in the overrun area off the runway. The passengers deplaned via stairs, no injuries reported.
Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.
Bombardier Aerospace announced recently that Croatia Airlines has signed a contract to acquire two Q400 NextGen turboprop airliners. The airline has also taken options for an additional four aircraft. The transaction represents the conversion of two options taken for Q400 aircraft which was announced on June 4, 2007 when Croatia Airlines also placed a firm order for four Q400 aircraft. Two of those aircraft have already been delivered.
Croatia Airlines is the Croatian flag carrier and a Star Alliance member.
Australia’s flagship airline, Qantas, has received the first of 20 Airbus A380s on order, at a ceremony in Toulouse, France. The Rolls-Royce powered aircraft was handed over to Qantas Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Dixon and Qantas CEO-Designate, Alan Joyce by Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO and John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.
The aircraft - VH-OQA / MSN014 - is named in honour of “Nancy Bird Walton“, an female Australien aviation pioneer.
Qantas’ A380 cabin was created by internationally renowned designer Marc Newson. Typically the A380 seats 525 passengers in three-classes, however Qantas’ cabin is extra spacious with 450 seats (14 First, 72 Business, 32 Premium Economy and 332 Economy) (seat plan).
Qantas’ A380 will stop-over in Singapore before arriving in Sydney on September 21st at 9:00am local time. Qantas’ first commercial A380 services will be launched on October 20th from Melbourne to Los Angeles, and on October 24th from Sydney to Los Angeles. Later Qantas will also fly the A380 to Singapore and London.
El Pais said on its website that the video was recorded by cameras belonging to Spain’s airport authority.
Spanish authorities acknowledged the existence of the video shortly after the accident, but it had never before been made public.
The causes of the crash is not yet officially announced. Leaked extracts of the official report say the plane’s wing flaps were not properly extended when it attempted to take off, causing it to lose altitude and crash. The pilots were not aware of the problem until it was too late because a warning alarm failed to work.
Embraer announced the sale of the first EMBRAER 195 jet to Montenegro Airlines, today. The agreement with the airline from the Republic of Montenegro also includes purchase rights for two more aircraft of the same model.
The EMBRAER 195 for Montenegro Airlines will comfortably seat 116 passengers in a singleclass layout and delivery is expected in 2009. The company plans to use the new airplane for key markets on the European continent, including routes to cities like London and Moscow.
Last June, Embraer delivered the first EMBRAER 195 to Montenegro Airlines through a leasing operation carried out by GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS). This leasing contract includes another aircraft of the same model for delivery next year that will increase the airline’s fleet to three EMBRAER 195s by mid-2009.
French Caribbean carrier Air Caraïbes has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for three A350-1000 aircraft, and is with this purchase decision becoming the European launch customer for the largest version of the A350 XWB.
The aircraft will be operated on the airline’s network from Paris to the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique and soon to French Guyana. They will be configured in three classes with a total of 440 seats.
Air Caraïbes already operates a young all Airbus long haul fleet of two A330-200s and one A330-300, with three more aircraft of the same type (A330-300) on order. As the airline continues to add capacity on their popular long haul routes, the A350-1000 will become the backbone of the fleet.
Air Caraïbes operates approximately 20 flights per week out of the Paris hub, serving Guadeloupe and Martinique and from there an extensive inter-Caribbean islands route network including, Santa Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Bartholomew, the Dominican Republic, as well as routes to Costa Rica and Panama. The airline distinguishes itself by offering extra comfort with individual TV screens and on demand video systems in all classes.
An Aeroflot-Nord (Aeroflot’s regional airline) Boeing 737-505 (VP-BKO), flight 821 bound from Moscow to Perm (Russia) crashed as it was preparing to land early Sunday. According to news sources radio contact was lost during approach at 1,100 metres (3,600 feet). The wreckage was later found outside Perm, which is located near the Ural mountains. The plane burned on the ground for two hours before fire crews extinguished the blaze. All 88 people aboard have been killed.
AP is reporting that eyewitnesses described hearing an explosion and did see that the plane was on fire when it was “still in the air and it looked like a rocket and crashed near the building”.
Russian officials say passengers included nationals from Azerbaijan, Ukraine, France, Switzerland, Latvia, the United States, Germany, Turkey and Italy.
I’ve ever wondered how the rich and well-heeled may travel and how the premium lounges actually look inside. Malaysia Airlines provided some shots from inside the Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge at Kuala Lumpur KLIA (KUL).
Date & Time: 09/11/2008 18:39 Location: Atlanta, GA Aircraft Type: McDonnell Douglas MD-88 Registration: N922DL Operator: Delta Air Lines Flight: 1738 Phase: Climb Damage: Unknown Injuries & Fatalities: None Description: Delta Airlines flight 1738, on climbout struck several birds damaging number one engine. The plane returned and landed without incident.
Source: FAA
Correctness of this posting is not guaranteed & completeness not intended. This posting is just for informational purpose.
(AP) The Defense Department has again delayed plans to award a $35 billion contract for Air Force refueling planes, handing a victory to defense contractor Boeing Co. and leaving the politically charged decision for the next president.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates told lawmakers Wednesday that he ended the current round of bidding on the tankers because the Pentagon’s plan to pick a winner by the end of the year no longer seemed possible given the complexity of the project and the rancor between Boeing and rival Northrop Grumman Corp. He said a delay would provide a “cooling off” period.
“We can no longer complete a competition that would be viewed as fair and objective in this highly charged environment,” Gates said in statement prepared for testimony before the House Armed Services Committee.
The decision represents a major win for Boeing in its lengthy and bitter struggle with Northrop for the lucrative contract for 179 planes that could eventually include the right to build many more. Boeing recently threatened to back out of the bidding, saying the Pentagon’s timeline and terms unfairly favored the larger plane proposed by Northrop.
Boeing welcomed the Pentagon’s decision, saying it will allow “the appropriate time for this important and complex procurement to be conducted in a thorough and open competition.”
French Caribbean carrier Air Caraïbes has signed a Memorandum of Understanding for three A350-1000 aircraft, and is with this purchase decision becoming the European launch customer for the largest version of the A350 XWB.
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