NewsCommercial
Pemco launches 737-700 freighter conversion
US MRO company Pemco World Air Services has created a Boeing 737-700 passenger-to-freighter conversion programme, with the first aircraft going to Dubai-based launch customer Chisholm Enterprises.
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Boeing improves Q1 profits as sales decline
Boeing improved operating profits in the first quarter despising falling revenues tied to the company’s shrinking defence business, the company announces on 26 April. Earnings from operations in the first quarter rose 13% compared to the same period last year to $2.02 billion. Boeing’s overall revenues declined over the same period by 7%, falling to nearly $21 billion.
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Bombardier CSeries 100 secures steep approach clearance
Lufthansa Group subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) will be the first carrier to operate the Bombardier CSeries CS100 into London City Airport (LCY), after the variant was granted steep approach certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada.
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MRJ certification requires extra hours, more jets
Mitsubishi Aircraft is reviewing the MRJ regional jet's flight test plans, and estimates that the programme will now require around 500 extra flight hours and up to two additional aircraft to achieve certification.
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Mitsubishi offers glimpse of MRJ production
Mitsubishi Aircraft opened the doors of its final assembly hanger to journalists for the first time on 26 April. The hangar, located near the manufacturer's headquarters at Nagoya, started operations last March. It is connected to a yet-to-be-opened MRJ Museum, where visitors will one day take tours to better understand the program.
LinkAirlines
Alaska reports ‘solid’ results in post-Virgin America acquisition 1Q
Alaska Air Group—the parent of Alaska Airlines, Virgin America and Horizon Air—reported a 2017 first-quarter net profit of $99 million, down 46% from a net profit of $184 million in the 2016 March quarter.
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Allegiant Air posts $41.6 million net profit in 1Q
Las Vegas-based Allegiant Travel Co., parent of low-cost carrier (LCC) Allegiant Air, reported first-quarter 2017 net income of $41.6 million, down 42.2% from a $72 million profit in 1Q 2016. First-quarter revenue rose 7.8% to $375.8 million, while expenses rose 33.2 % to $302.9 million, producing an operating profit of $72.9 million, down 39.8% from a $121.1 million operating profit in the 2016 first quarter. CASM increased 18.3% to 8.97 cents. CASM ex-fuel increased 11.6% to 6.46 cents.
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Israel’s Arkia selects CFM LEAP-1A engine for A321neos
Tel Aviv-based Arkia Israeli Airlines has selected CFM International’s advanced LEAP-1A engine to power its four new Airbus A321neos, in an order valued at $112 million at list prices. Arkia originally ordered the aircraft in July 2012 to be configured in a single all-economy class seating 220 passengers, the airline said at the time.
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Hawaiian Airlines, South African Airways announce interline deal
Hawaiian Airlines and South African Airways have entered into an interline agreement that enables customers to buy travel from both airlines on a single itinerary. "Our mutual customers will enjoy the warm traditional South African and Hawaiian Island hospitality throughout their journey from two award-winning airlines," SAA's Todd Neuman said.
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Japan Air Commuter begins ATR operations
Japan Air Commuter (JAC) operated its first ATR 42-600 flight on 26 April, deploying the aircraft on the return Kagoshima-Yakushima and Kagoshima-Okinoerabu services. The Japan Airlines subsidiary took delivery of the aircraft in January. It is also the second Japanese operator to operate the turbopro type after Amakusa Airlines.
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Pakistan International Airlines appoints new acting CEO
Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has confirmed that CFO Nayyar Hayat has become acting CEO, replacing Bernd Hildenbrand, the company said in a statement April 25, when Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Shaikh Aftab Ahmed visited PIA headquarters. Hildenbrand became PIA CEO in early 2016.
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Royal Jordanian selects NAVBLUE’s N-Flight Planning
Royal Jordanian Airlines has selected NAVBLUE’s N-Flight Planning Solution, expanding their technology partnership. NAVBLUE said its N-Flight Planning solution is a "multi-tiered and fully scalable flight plan optimization solution that helps create the safest and most cost-effective routes." According to NAVBLUE, it is a “very intuitive and user-friendly, cloud-based solution.”
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Shenzhen Airlines evaluates connectivity options
China’s Shenzhen Airlines is about to kick off a working trial of Inmarsat and Cobham’s flight deck connectivity product, SwiftBroadband-Safety (SB-S), on its Airbus A320 fleet. SB-S, which uses Cobham avionics’ AVIATOR 300D hardware, is an inflight cockpit broadband service that allows secure communication of real-time safety, security and operational information during flight and ground time.
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United goes lie flat on Boston-San Francisco
United Airlines will offer all lie-flat premium seats on its flights between Boston and San Francisco from June, as competition grows for business passengers on transcontinental routes.
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United outlines plans for streamlining aircraft maintenance
United Airlines is focusing on streamlining processes to improve technical operations and gain flexibility. Mobile technology for front-line technicians and harmonizing maintenance of Boeing 777 aircraft are part of United's plans.
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WOW Air takes delivery of first Airbus A320neo
Icelandic low-cost carrier WOW Air has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320neo, sourced from US lessor Air Lease Corp. (ALC). “The new aircraft is the Icelandic airline’s 13th in a rapidly expanding, all-Airbus fleet and will be deployed on WOW Air’s routes to Europe and North America as of May 3,” the carrier said.
LinkAirports
New Airline Flying to Eastern Idaho?
Alaska Airlines could be headed to Eastern Idaho. KPVI confirms the Idaho Falls airport is talking with the airline, which could bring connections to Seattle and other destinations, as early as April of 2018. Alaska is promising the route if they can work out revenue guarantees, in case it can't book enough seats.
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Military
T-X competitive field could expand, Saab suggests
The Boeing/Saab team which is vying to win the US Air Force's T-X advanced jet trainer recapitalisation contest is on track to accumulate all required information by the end of this quarter, according to the Swedish manufacturer. "We will be able to fulfil all the flight-test data that's needed by the end of June," says Saab chief executive Håkan Buskhe, who hints that the competition could become more than a three-way fight.
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F-35 will not attend Paris Air Show
The Lockheed Martin F-35 will skip an appearance in June at the Paris air show, the joint program office confirms. With the event less than two months away, the JPO has not received an invitation to attend and is not aware of any F-35 participation in the show.
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Israel seeks automatic collision avoidance for F-16s
Israel's air force is negotiating the purchase of Lockheed Martin's automatic ground collision avoidance system (AGCAS) for its F-16 fleet. The system was developed to address the problem of accidents caused by distracted or incapacitated pilots flying into the ground in an otherwise fully functioning aircraft.
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Aviation Quote
As I write, highly civilized human beings are flying overhead, trying to kill me.
- George Orwell
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Trivia
General Trivia
1. A British pilot holds the world record for having flown the most different types of aircraft, 487. He also holds the world record for having made the greatest number of carrier landings, 2,407. Unfortunately, not enough pilots know this remarkable pilot's name. What is it?
2. A pilot knows the maximum cruise speed and climb performance of his airplane when flown at maximum gross weight. He is curious to know, however , how this performance could be affected if the gross weight by 25 percent. How can her determine this during flight without actually overloading the airplane?
3. What is the largest, heaviest, most-powerful, piston-engined airplane ever produced?
4. A pilot over the 48 conterminous states flies along a parallel of latitude until he reaches his destination, which is 10degrees of longitude east of his departure point. If the time of sunset at the departure airport is 0020 UTC, what is the time of sunset at the destination airport?
5. True or False, each of two major US airlines have had well-publicized, major accidents involving the same type of airliner on the same day?
6. A most inspiring radio report was transmitted by a World War 2liaison pilot on 23 FEB 45. He transmitted matter-of-factly, "Target Area One Two Three Peter. One flag. Red, white and blue." Where was this target area?
