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SAA envisions new standards for ‘seamless’ inflight connectivity
The Seamless Air Alliance (SAA), which aims to simplify inflight connectivity with a standard system that allows myriad components to automatically and interchangeably connect with each other, expects to have specifications for the system by the end of 2020.
At that time SAS will also embark on the certification process for the system, CEO Jack Mandala said.
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UAC announces CR929 'soft orders'
The Chinese-Russian commercial aircraft consortium (CRAIC) CR929 widebody airliner program has gained its first, preliminary sales agreements, consortium partner United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) said, as it also announced a further slippage of first delivery timelines. First delivery may now occur as late as 2027, according to UAC. That would be two years later than the timing that the Chinese partner in the program, COMAC, mentioned in 2018.
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Boeing may have to rebrand MAX, says Al Baker
Boeing may have to rebrand the 737 MAX in the light of its two fatal crashes and possible passenger resistance to flying on the type when it is restored to commercial service, Qatar Airways Group CEO Akbar Al Baker believes.
Speaking at a roundtable on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show June 19, Al Baker said he had full confidence Boeing would find a fix for the system believed to be a factor in the two crashes and that regulators would certify the aircraft again, but passengers could be reluctant to fly the MAX.
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FAA announces upcoming rulemakings on civil supersonic flight
FAA has announced plans to initiate two rulemakings aimed at simplifying the regulatory barriers to supersonic commercial air travel. “The US Department of Transportation and the FAA are committed toward the safe and environmentally-sound research and development of supersonic aircraft,” FAA acting administrator Dan Elwell at the Paris Air show June 17.
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PARIS: Airbus ends show with over 240 A321XLR commitments
The new Airbus leadership team kicked off its first Paris air show with the launch of the long-range A321XLR twinjet which has ended the week backed by orders and commitments for over 240 aircraft.
During the Paris show week, Airbus announced 10 customers for its new variant, who have placed orders and commitments for a total of 243 aircraft through a mix of new contracts and the conversion of existing orders (see table).
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OPINION: How will Boeing respond to A321XLR launch?
Ask Airbus about the Boeing NMA and you might start to believe the acronym stands for No More Argument.
At least that’s partly the intention behind its launch of the A321XLR, the longest-range version of the A321neo, with which Airbus kicked off day one of its 50th anniversary at the Paris air show.
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PARIS: Airbus happy to play NMA waiting game
Airbus remains convinced that its two-pronged assault on the middle-of-the-market sector is sufficient and it will wait to see whether Boeing reacts with its New Mid-market Airplane (NMA).
The European manufacturer is offering its new 4,700nm (8,700km)-range, 244-seat A321XLR single-aisle along with the long-range A330neo widebody family to address the mid-market segment.
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PARIS: Airbus smooths A220 relationship with Leonardo
Airbus's A220 programme manager believes the airframer has improved its relationship with Italian supplier Leonardo, after a legal spat over aerostructures for the type.
Leonardo took legal action against Bombardier – when the A220 was still known as the CSeries – prior to Airbus's acquisition of the programme last July.
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VIDEO: How Boeing is ramping up 737NG cargo conversions
Boeing’s freighter conversion programme for the 737NG was in the news at this week’s Paris air show, with lessor GECAS announcing the placement of additional aircraft and the manufacturer securing orders for more conversions.
The latest 737-800 Boeing Converted Freighter (BCF) managed by GECAS and destined for Amazon’s Prime Air operation was on static display at the show.
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ANALYSIS: Airbus wins order race – but Boeing steals the show
Boeing won a key battle, if not the war, at this year's Paris air show. Airbus marked its 50th anniversary by disclosing more business than its Seattle rival, but the event will ultimately be remembered for a show-stopping order from IAG that is set to revive the grounded 737 Max programme.
The timing, scope and magnitude of the IAG commitment – and the fact it is a new customer for the type – clearly has wider implications for the success of the programme beyond the week in Le Bourget. But aside from the big statement that this order represented, the show was – as previously anticipated, given the fallout and continued contrition after the fatal crashes of the Max – a quiet one for order activity at Boeing.
LinkAirlines
US and non-US airlines avoid Iranian airspace after FAA ban
Passenger and Cargo airlines around the world are re-routing their flights into and over the Middle East after FAA issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) banning US-based civil aircraft from flying over the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, citing “inadvertent risk to US civil aviation operations and potential for miscalculation or misidentification.”
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Air France-KLM, AccorHotels offer dual-reward service
Air France-KLM and French hotel group AccorHotels are strengthening their partnership with a new dual-reward service they described as a first for the European travel industry. Under the Miles+Points service, as of June 20 members of Air France-KLM’s Flying Blue and AccorHotel’s Le Club loyalty programs will earn miles and points when using either companies’ services.
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Porter Dash 8's tires burst on landing after 'hydraulic issues'
All main landing gear tires of a Porter Airlines De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 burst during landing on 18 June at Hamilton, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).
The aircraft, registration C-GLQB, was operating Porter flight 458 from Montreal to Billy Bishop Toronto City airport when the "flight crew experienced hydraulic issues and declared an emergency", the TSB's aviation incident log says.
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Eva Air takes delivery of first 787-10
Taiwanese carrier Eva Air has received its first Boeing 787-10, an aircraft the airline intends to deploy on high-density inter-Asia routes this summer.
The widebody is one of a group of 20 787-10s ordered by Eva Air, which already operates four of the smaller 787-9s. according to Cirium's Fleets Analyzer.
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EVA Air estimates NT$250m loss as cabin crew strike persists
EVA Air is expecting revenue losses to the tune of NT$250 million ($8.04 million), a day after its cabin crew went on strike over pay and working conditions.
The Star Alliance carrier has already cancelled 56 flights between 20 June and 21 June, and says in a stock exchange disclosure that other impact costs are still being estimated.
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Malindo Air 737 in Bandung runway excursion
A Malindo Air Boeing 737-800 was involved in a runway excursion at Bandung Husein Sastranegara airport on 20 June.
The carrier states that the aircraft, registered 9M-LCK, was making a turn when it left the runway at around 14.25 hours local time. It was due to operate flight OD301 from Bandung to Kuala Lumpur.
LinkAirports
Kochi to close during day for four months for runway upgrade
Airlines flying into Cochin International airport during the day will have to adjust their schedules for a four-month period from November to March to accommodate runway resurfacing work.
The airport will close from 10:00 to 18:00 daily between 20 November and 28 March to allow its sole 3,600m long runway to be progressively resurfaced.
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New Zealand’s first autonomous shuttle debuts at Christchurch Airport
Autonomous, electric and in part 3D printed, the autonomous vehicle at Christchurch Airport reveals what the future of airport movement could look like.
The second stage of the ongoing Autonomous Vehicle (AV) trial on private roads at Christchurch Airport will now centre on the new vehicle, which has gone public at the airport.
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London Luton runway race raises £4,000 for charity
Running at the airport usually involves hot footing it to the gate to avoid missing your flight, but the mood was a little more relaxed at London Luton Airport today for the 200 runners taking part in its summer runway race.
Indeed, the only stress they were under was to be up before dawn to take part in the airport's largest ever Runway Race during the Summer Solstice.
LinkMilitary
PARIS: Eurofighter launches long-term enhancement programme
The long-serving Eurofighter Typhoon could soon see additional enhancements as part of a Long Term Evolution (LTE) effort, which aims to boost the platform’s capabilities until next-generation assets – such as the Franco-German New Generation Fighter revealed earlier this week – are brought into service.
At the show, Eurofighter, Eurojet Turbo and the NATO Eurofighter and Tornado Management Agency (NETMA), announced the signing of study contracts worth €53.7 million ($60.1 million) that will support the future development of the Typhoon platform.
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Aviation Quote
Houston, Tranquillity Base here. The Eagle has landed.
- Neil Armstrong
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Editor's Choice
Trivia
General Trivia
1. “I apparently was the first to pilot a heavier-than-air aircraft in controlled flight. I also was first to use the term, ‘aero plane,’ and even wrote a small book with that title. I died following a crash in an aircraft of my design, and my last words were, ‘How is the machine?’ Who am I?”
2. True or False? A pilot is about to land an airplane with the right landing-gear leg and nosewheel extended but with the left landing-gear leg stuck in its well. The ailerons are equipped with conventional trim tabs that are controllable from the cockpit. During landing and rollout, the right aileron tab should be deflected fully downward.
3. Why did some airmen training at Midland, Texas, during World War II have a higher incidence of black eyes than airmen training elsewhere?
4. How can you tell the difference between a U.S. Naval aviator and a traditional Naval officer who does not fly simply by looking at their feet?
5. A pilot wants to fly a perfectly rectangular pattern while in the left traffic pattern for Runway 36 when the wind is strong and from the northeast. This requires that the radius of all turns be the same with respect to the ground. Assuming a constant airspeed throughout the pattern, the most steeply banked turn will be required when turning from
a. base to final.
b. crosswind to downwind.
c. downwind to base.
d. upwind to crosswind.
6. True or False: Most of the American aircraft that took off from Oahu during the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor were shot down.
7. True or False: It is legal for a VFR-only pilot to fly extended distances in a small airplane above a solid undercast with no more than the instruments required for VFR flight.
8. Who was the first woman in the United States to become a licensed glider pilot?
