Photos – 737 Boeing Sky Interior Unveiled

Boeing today announced that seven airlines will be the first to incorporate the new, spacious 737 Boeing Sky Interior starting in late 2010.

The airlines are:

  • FlyDubai – United Arab Emirates
  • Continental Airlines – USA
  • Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA – Norway
  • Malaysia Airlines – Malaysia
  • TUI Travel PLC – UK
  • GOL Airlines – Brazil
  • Lion Air – Indonesia

The interior features soft, blue-sky-like lighting overhead.

737 Boeing Sky Interior - Full Cabin Overview

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.

737 Boeing Sky Interior Cabin Entry

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.

737 Boeing Sky Interior Overhead Ambient Lighting

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.

737 Boeing Sky Interior - Windows

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.

737 Boeing Sky Interior - Overhead Stowage Bins

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.

737 Boeing Sky Interior - Integrated Air Vent

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 P-8A Poseidon Completes 1st Flight

The Boeing P-8A Poseidon test aircraft T-1 successfully completed its first flight April 25, taking off from Renton Field at 10:43 a.m. and touching down at Boeing Field in Seattle at 2:14 p.m. The P-8A performed a series of flight checks, reached a maximum altitude of 25,000 feet, and landed after three hours, 31 minutes in the air.

Prior to takeoff, the P-8A team completed a limited series of flight checks, including engine starts and shutdowns. During the flight, test pilots performed airborne systems checks including engine accelerations and decelerations, autopilot flight modes, and auxiliary power unit shutdowns and starts.
Boeing P-8A Poseidon First Flight
The integrated Navy/Boeing team will begin formal flight testing of the P-8A during the third quarter of this year. Before that, Boeing will paint the aircraft, install additional flight test instrumentation and conduct a series of ground tests.
The P-8A, a derivative of the Next-Generation 737-800, is built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems and GE Aviation. The team currently is assembling and testing the first five P-8As.

The Navy plans to purchase 108 P-8As to replace its fleet of P-3C aircraft. Initial operational capability is planned for 2013.

The Boeing P-8A Poseidon is intended to conduct anti-submarine warfare, shipping interdiction, and to engage in an electronic intelligence (ELINT) role. This will involve carrying torpedoes, depth charges, Harpoon anti-shipping missiles, and other weapons. It will also be able to drop and monitor sonobuoys. It is designed to operate in conjunction with the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle.

Source: Boeing
Photo: Boeing

Safety Report – 04/27/2009


Date & Time: 04/24/2009 23:30
Location: Orlando, FL
Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-3H4 Registration: N632SW
Operator: Southwest Airlines Flight: 595
Phase: Landing
Damage: Minor
Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: On landing struck two large birds


Date & Time: 04/26/2009 23:17
Location: Newark, NJ
Aircraft Type: Boeing 757-33N Registration: N77867
Operator: Continental Airlines Flight: 348
Phase: Take-Off
Damage: Unknown
Injuries & Fatalities: None
Description: On takeoff reported a left engine fire indication and a blown tire. The plane returned and landed without incident at Newark Liberty International Airport.

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

Video – Emergency Landing on Road

Yesterday, an engine failure forced the pilot of a home-built plane to make an emergency landing on a road in Winter Haven (Florida, USA). Cameras inside the plane’s cockpit and another near the engine captured the moments of the landing. Luckily nobody was injured.

Raw Video by AP


Video – The pilot describes the tense moments after the plane’s engine failed

FAA Opens Bird Strike Database

The FAA will make its entire Bird Strike database available for public this Friday, April 24. Portions of the database have been publicly available since the information was first collected in 1990, but the public will now be able to access all of the database’s fields.

The FAA is also withdrawing a proposal to protect the data, after a 30-day comment period closed earlier this week. The FAA has determined that it can release the data without jeopardizing aviation safety.

Over the next months, the FAA will make significant improvements to the database to improve the search function and make it more user-friendly.

The FAA also plans to work with the aviation community to find ways to improve and strengthen bird strike reporting.

The database can be accessed through http://wildlife-mitigation.tc.faa.gov/

Photo – First Set of 747-8 Wings

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

First Set of Boeing 747-8 Wings

The first 747-8 freighter is due to be delivered in late 2010, with the passenger model currently scheduled for 2011.

Photo: Boeing

Swiss Receives Its First A330-300

Zurich based Swiss International Air Lines has received its first new A330-300. The aircraft is the first of nine A330-300s ordered in September 2007 to expand the Swiss’ medium to long haul network.

Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 772B EP engines, the carrier’s first A330-300 is fitted in an all-new, comfortable three-class layout with a total of 236 seats (183 seats in Economy, 45 in Business Class and 8 in First Class).

Swiss International Air Lines Airbus A330-300

“We are more than pleased to introduce the eco-efficient A330-300 into our fleet. Its true wide body cabin combined with our all-new, high-class product increases passenger appeal, comfort and style, while its outstanding performance strengthens our competitiveness and reduces the environmental impact at the same time,” said Christoph Franz, CEO of Swiss.

By adding A330-300s to its Airbus fleet, Swiss will fully benefit from the advantages of the unique Airbus commonality, allowing to use the same pool of pilots, cabin crews and maintenance engineers. This gives Swiss more operational flexibility and will result in significant cost savings.

“We are proud to see Swiss expanding their services with the unrivalled A330 aircraft. Through state of the art technology and outstanding economics, the A330 is a ‘first class’ aircraft for a ‘first class’ airline. Swiss and Airbus make a perfect fit,” said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer Customers.

Source: Airbus
Photo: Airbus

Flybe Receives Its 50th Bombardier Q400

Bombardier Aerospace announced today that U.K. airline Flybe has taken delivery of its 50th Bombardier Q400 turboprop airliner. The aircraft is equipped with the 1000th installation of Ultra Electronics’ Active Noise Control (ANC) system which is called the Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS) system on Q400 and other Bombardier Q-Series aircraft. Since the introduction of the ANVS system to Bombardier’s Dash 8 aircraft in 1996, the aircraft have been known as Q-Series airliners, signaling a new era in turboprop passenger comfort. The “Q” means quiet.

Flybe Bombardier Q400

Flybe, previously known as Jersey European, placed an initial order for four Q400 airliners in March 1999. Subsequent orders were announced in 2003, 2005 and 2007, confirming Flybe as the largest operator of the aircraft type. Flybe which operates 190 routes in 13 countries, carried 7.5 million passengers in 2008 and is now the largest regional airline in Europe.

“The Bombardier Q400 airliner has been the dominant factor in our growth and success,” said Jim French, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Flybe. “It has excellent operating economics, amazing performance, and the ANVS system contributes significantly to its outstanding passenger comfort.”

“Flybe operates the largest fleet of the world’s most technologically advanced turboprop,” said Gary R. Scott, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. “The Q400 airliner is optimized for short-haul service and Flybe’s successful experience with our high-speed turboprop’s capabilities in European markets has set a standard which other airlines around the world can follow.”

Firm orders for the Q400 airliner have reached 347 aircraft, with 233 having been delivered as of January 31, 2009.

Source: Bombardier
Photo: Bombardier

Boeing Delivers 6000th 737

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.

6000th Boeing 737 - Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (ILFC)
6000th Boeing 737 - Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA (LN-NOL)

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

Embraer Launches KC-390 Program

Yesterday, Embraer signed a contract with the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) for the KC-390 military transport aircraft program.

The existence of a study regarding this military transport aircraft was presented two years ago, at LAAD 2007. The jet will have a cargo bay equipped with an aft ramp, to transport a wide variety of types of cargo, including armored vehicles, and will be outfitted with the most modern systems for handling and launching cargos.

Embraer KC-390 Military Transport Jet

The new jet can be refueled in flight and can be used for in-flight or on-ground refueling of other aircraft. The cargo bay will allow configurations for Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) missions. The technical advances of the KC-390 include fly-by-wire technology and the capability for operating on short and rustic runways.

Source: Embraer
Image: Embraer