NAS Daily 03 APR 19

airtrainer 02 Apr 19, 22:30

News

Commercial

Boeing extends timeline for MAX software upgrade by ‘weeks’
Boeing’s proposed changes to its 737 MAX family flight-control software will undergo “additional work” and may not be in regulators’ hands for a final review for another six weeks.
FAA in an April 1 statement said Boeing needs time for more work “as a result of an ongoing review” of the software changes. FAA then plans a “rigorous review” of the proposed changes, which Boeing first detailed publicly March 27.
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Airbus upgrades ‘Day & Night’ first-class concept
Airbus has made a prominent change to its Day & Night first-class concept, the “night” area of which now looks like a two-person bedroom.
The idea, introduced last year, is to give the passenger both a seat and a private sleeping area. The small opening (displayed at last year’s show) that enabled two travel companions to communicate visually has been replaced with a larger one at this year’s show. A sliding door creates an aperture about the length of a person’s upper body.
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AIX Hamburg 2019: Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance formally launches
Four aircraft retrofit specialists—EAD Aerospace, Envoy Aerospace, Etihad Airways Engineering and Lufthansa Technik—have officially launched the Independent Aircraft Modifier Alliance (IAMA), firming up an MOU that was first announced in January.
IAMA aims to develop best practices for retrofit certification and promote the fact that independent modifiers are held to the same standards as original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) when designing modifications.
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Aireon launches space-based aircraft tracking
Principals of the Aireon joint venture on April 2 formally announced the launch of the company’s satellite-based air traffic control (ATC) surveillance system, a capability that for the first time provides a means of continuously tracking aircraft over oceans and remote regions of the world.
“It’s a live, fully tested, validated and fully operational system,” Aireon CEO Don Thoma told a press briefing in Washington DC.
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AIX: Bombardier prioritises accessibility and 'ease of travel'
Air travel, observes Patrick Baudis, is still a stressful experience for many people. So Bombardier’s head of marketing wants – indeed expects – to see “ease of travel” become a priority for the aviation industry over the coming years.
Speaking at the show as the new Atmosphere cabin enters service with Bombardier CRJ900 regional jets operated by and for Delta Air Lines and American Airlines, Baudis tells FlightGlobal that, despite efforts by airframers and airlines, anxiety and stress about comfort on board are still preventing many people from travelling.
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AIX: Airbus unveils lightweight lie-flat A320 business seat
Airbus is in the process of developing a simplified, lie-flat business class seat for A320-family aircraft, utilising existing economy-seat structures.
Dubbed "Settee Corner", the design features two, slightly offset seats combined in a single monument – like a sofa – with a flat, end-to-end seating area that can accommodate passengers of as much as 185cm (6ft) in height.
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AIX: Biometric testing tells airlines what passengers want
Neuroscience and biometric testing can help airlines understand what passengers want by tracking their emotional reactions to various scenarios, according to Stathis Kefallonitis, founder and president of brand management agency Branding.aero.
“We can use neuroscience to capture what the passenger or guest actually wants, likes or prefers through senses and emotions,” says Kefallonitis, detailing his company’s use of biometric devices that track what the wearer is looking at, and how it makes them feel.
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A330-800 certification on schedule for second half of 2019
Airbus is half way through the flight-test programme for the A330-800 and on course to receive certification in the second half of 2019.
The single test aircraft (MSN1888) made its first flight on 6 November 2018 and by late March had completed 149 flight hours in 44 flights.
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AIX: Boeing reveals design philosophy behind 777X cabin
The 737 Max grounding that followed two fatal air crashes has cast a shadow over Boeing's presence at AIX 2019. Even the unveiling of the manufacturer's new flagship – the 777X – on 13 March was a scaled-down viewing for employees, rather than the grand media occasion originally planned.
However, with the 777-9 due to fly in the second quarter, and orders for around 316 aircraft across the two 777X variants, the large twin is the focus of Boeing's presence at Hamburg, with the manufacturer giving attendees a glimpse of what the cabin will look like for the first time.
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Airlines

Singapore Airlines grounds two 787-10s for engine blade cracks
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has grounded two of its nine Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners because of premature blade deterioration found on the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 TEN engines.
“As safety is our top priority, the SIA Group, in consultation with Rolls-Royce, proactively identified other Trent 1000 TEN engines in the group’s 787 fleet to undergo precautionary inspections. All of these engine inspections on SIA’s 787-10 fleet have now been completed, and a remaining check will be completed on a Scoot 787-9 by 3 April.
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China Southern halves 2018 profit on higher expenses
China Southern Airlines saw its 2018 annual profit shrink to CNY2.98 billion ($433 million), down 51% year-over-year (YOY), because of increased operating expenses and external economic factors. The Guangzhou-based carrier recorded a profit of CNY5.9 billion in 2017.
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Asiana Airlines’ restructuring plans include network changes
South Korea’s Asiana Airlines is considering trimming its operations as it looks to shore up the company’s financial stability and restore market confidence.
In a note to employees this week, the airline said a task force will be established to carry out restructuring plans. This could involve the sale of assets to boost liquidity, and a reorganization of routes to cut unprofitable flights. The number of aircraft operated by Asiana may also be reduced.
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Worldwide by easyJet gains strong momentum
UK LCC easyJet is seeing strong momentum for the Worldwide by easyJet connections service it launched in 2017, after a record month in December 2018.
EasyJet’s head of digital experience, Daniel Young, told ATW, “We’ve got really strong momentum. January, February and the first half of March 2019 have also shown much promise for the future of Worldwide. We’re seeing growth in particular for connections in Tegel, Geneva and London Gatwick. Chicago is now the most popular long-haul destination fed from Rome.”
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Wizz Air expects robust demand to lift FY net profit estimate
Central and Eastern European LCC Wizz Air expects its profit for the financial year will come in at the high end of its estimate, thanks to robust demand. The airline’s operational performance in March was good, with a decrease in cancellations.
The fast-growing Budapest, Hungary-based airline is scheduled to report results for the financial year to March 31 on May 31, and expects net profit in the “upper half” of the €270-€300 million ($303-$336 million) range.
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PICTURE: American introduces first A321neo in Phoenix
American Airlines introduced its first Airbus A321neo at its Phoenix Sky Harbor hub today, with plans to operate 17 of the narrowbodies by year-end.
The aircraft (MSN 8647) will operate a round trip to Orlando from Phoenix, flight AA682 eastbound and AA1022 westbound, today, the Oneworld Alliance carrier says.
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PICTURES: Virgin Atlantic replaces Flying Lady motif on A350-1000
The longstanding "Flying Lady" motif will not feature on Virgin Atlantic's incoming Airbus A350-1000s, as the UK carrier is instead adopting range of "Flying Icons" that reflect a focus on diversity and inclusion.
Virgin Atlantic says the move is part of a "pledge to tackle its gender pay gap and increase diversity and inclusion across the business", which extends to "the look and feel of the brand".
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Lufthansa to move vintage Ju 52 by road to Hamburg
Lufthansa is preparing to transfer its vintage Junkers Ju 52 from Munich, by overnight road transport, to the company’s Hamburg station.
The aircraft will be dismantled and its fuselage placed on a low-loader truck, while each wing will be carried on its own separate vehicle.
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AIX: American to upgrade cabins across its A321 fleet
American Airlines is to equip a total of 300 in-service and on-order Airbus A321s with enlarged overhead luggage bins, LED lighting and wi-fi sytems.
The US carrier is launch operator for Airbus's Airspace XL bin and will give its first A321neo a service debut today, flying the narrowbody from Phoenix to Orlando, American vice-president marketing Janelle Anderson said at AIX 2019 in Hamburg today.
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Airports

JD Wetherspoon to open new bar at London Stansted
JD Wetherspoon will open a new bar at London's Stansted Airport tomorrow.
The new 3,650 square foot Runway Bar is located on a new mezzanine level, at the back of the existing pub, and can accommodate 200 seated customers.
It has cost £1.3 million to develop.
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New lifestyle precinct unveiled at Sydney airport
Sydney Airport has unveiled a new lifestyle precinct at T2 Domestic featuring new brands and F&B concepts designed to create a fresh, relaxing experience.
Beginning at the recently revamped casual dining precinct and extending to the Jetstar and Tigerair gates, the precinct features a range of premiere airport brands including JB Hi-Fi, BONDS and the world’s most famous kids’ play brand, LEGO.
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Military

USAF stops Boeing KC-46 deliveries for second time after more FOD
The US Air Force suspended deliveries of Boeing KC-46A Pegasus tankers for a second time in about a month on 23 March after discovering foreign object debris (FOD) inside the aircraft.
The service previously halted delivery of the refueling tankers on 20 February after FOD, including forgotten tools, were discovered inside the aircraft’s airframe. It had resumed acceptance of the tankers on 11 March after Boeing agreed to a corrective action plan. It is not clear what debris was found recently to cause the latest suspension.
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PICTURES: Russia takes first Il-76MD-90A strategic transport
Ilyushin has handed over the first serial Il-76MD-90A transport to its Russian air force customer.
A previous example (MSN0108) was rolled out in 2015, says Ilyushin, but during the initial test phase Moscow’s requirements changed “which required substantial modifications to the design”.
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Aviation Quote

Of course risk is part of spaceflight. We accept some of that to achieve greater goals in exploration and find out more about ourselves and the universe.

- Lisa Nowak, STS-121 astronaut, a few days prior to launch, reported in the Houston Chronicle newspaper, 25 June 2006.