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ANALYSIS: How the NMA might prepare Boeing for a 737 replacement
Boeing's new mid-market airplane (NMA) concept may be much larger than a single aircraft programme.
Industry observers say Boeing may view the NMA, also dubbed the "797", as a means to initiate a broad business overhaul aimed ultimately at positioning the company to develop a 737 replacement.
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Soft offshore segment weighs on H160 helicopter ramp-up plan
Continued weakness in the oil and gas market has left Airbus Helicopters uncertain of how quickly it will be able to ramp-up output of its new H160 medium-twin.
In 2018, the airframer took 15 orders for the 6t-class helicopter, which was in line with its internal target. "Our objective was to sell more, but the difficult situation in oil and gas market impacted sales of the H160 last year," says head of the programme Bernard Fujarski.
LinkAirlines
VIDEO & PICTURES: BA outlines centenary celebration plans
British Airways’ celebration of its 100th anniversary got underway in style this week with the unveiling of the first of several aircraft to be painted in retro liveries.
The first aircraft, a Boeing 747-400 (registration G-BYGC), has been repainted in the BOAC scheme worn by the BA predecessor airline during the 1960s and early 1970s.
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PICTURES: BOAC 747 retrojet marks British Airways centenary
The first of a series of British Airways aircraft painted in retro colour schemes has made its debut today at the airline's London Heathrow base.
The Boeing 747-400 (registration G-BYGC), arrived from Dublin earlier today adorned in the BOAC scheme worn by the BA predecessor airline during the 1960s and early 1970s. The aircraft is one of an expected four aircraft that the airline is repainting during 2019 as it marks the 100th anniversary of airline operations in the UK.
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Lion Air 737 in runway overrun at Pontianak
A Lion Air Boeing 737-800 overran the runway as it was landing at Pontianak's Supadio International airport on 16 February.
The low-cost carrier states that the aircraft, registered PK-LPS, was operating flight JT714 from Jakarta when the incident occurred in poor weather conditions.
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Jet set to sell aircraft, continues work on loyalty stake sale
Jet Airways will move forward with aircraft sales as part of its proposed bank-led provisional resolution plan, while continuing to work on selling part of its stake in loyalty programme Jet Privilege in the longer-term.
Speaking during the airline’s 15 February earnings call, chief financial officer Amit Agarwal says that plans to sell or enter into sale-and-leaseback transactions on 16 aircraft in its fleet are expected to move forward.
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Bamboo Airways picks SIAEC for MRO services
Vietnamese start-up Bamboo Airways has selected SIA Engineering (SIAEC) to meet its maintenance needs.
The airline's parent company FLC Group says SIAEC will provide the airline with various maintenance services at domestic and international airports, inventory management, personnel training, and the supply and maintenance of spare parts on its in-service Airbus A320s as well as its incoming fleet of Boeing 787s.
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Virgin Australia extends Alliance wet-lease deal
Alliance Airlines will continue to operate aircraft on behalf of Virgin Australia until the end of 2021.
Under the expanded agreement, Alliance will continue to operate its Fokker 100 and 70 jets on a number of regional routes for Virgin, while it will also start to operate international services for the larger carrier.
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Loganair picks up routes from failed sister carrier
Scottish carrier Loganair is to preserve five routes previously operated by its sister airline BMI Regional.
Both carriers are owned by the Airline Investments group.
BMI Regional, which was operating services under the 'Flybmi' brand, ceased operations on 16 February.
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Iberia airlines to offer virtual reality in-flight entertainment
From the depths of the Red Sea to city travelogues, passengers can now experience a new type of in-flight entertainment with the help of virtual reality.
Iberia and Inflight VR, a company which specialises in applying virtual reality to the travel industry, have joined to incorporate VR technology on Iberia aircraft.
LinkAirports
London Stansted almost doubles size of seating areas in departure lounge
London Stansted Airport has almost doubled the number of seats in its busy Departure Lounge with the creation of three brand new seating areas.
According to the airport, the improvements as part of the ongoing £600 million Stansted Transformation Project, have created "a more attractive and comfortable seating area with room now for over 1,000 passengers in the main Departure Lounge area.
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New shopping experience awaits Hamburg Airport's passengers
Hamburg Airport is promising a new shopping experience for passengers when the redesigned retail area beyound security comes onboard in the next few months.
Hamburg-based company Gebr Heinemann is opening a handful of new shops in the airside passenger pier during March and April, which the airport reveals will bring a host of new brands and a fresh, modern design.
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Edinburgh Airport to employ new drop and go service for parking
New innovative technology will put valet parking at heart of Edinburgh Airport’s parking approach to use its space more efficiently.
Edinburgh Airport is investing £12 million in the new service which will see a dedicated facility being built on the current surface car park and an additional 5,000 parking spaces being provided by 2021.
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Drone sighting at Dubai International Airport temporarily suspends flights
More passengers have seen the effects of drone interference at airports, this time at Dubai International Airport, as drones halt operations for around half an hour.
Dubai International Airport (DXB) has become the latest in the long line of airports to reap the repercussions of drone sightings in airport airspace.
LinkMilitary
Leonardo opens Naples aerostructures R&D centre
Italian group Leonardo has opened a research and technology centre in Naples as part of an effort to boost the aerostructures business.
AeroTech Campus, the new facility at Leonardo's plant in Pomigliano d'Arco, is set to become the aerostructures division's technological innovation hub and conduct projects in collaboration with the University of Naples Federico II.
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Aviation Quote
My habit of attacking Huns dangling from their parachutes led to many arguments in the mess. Some officers, of the Eton and Sandhurst type, thought it was 'unsportsmanlike' to do it. Never having been to a public school, I was unhampered by such considerations of form. I just pointed out that there was a bloody war on, and that I intended to avenge my pals.
- Captain James Ira Thomas 'Taffy' Jones, RFC, 37 victories in 3 months WW1
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Trivia
General Aircraft Trivia
1. What is or was the Lufberry circle?
2. Elvis Presley was one of the first entertainers to own a “business jet.” What type of aircraft did he own?
3. True or False. The magnetic north pole is in constant motion and currently is moving toward the southeast at 20 kilometers per year.
4. True or False. The Boeing 314 Clipper, a 1936 flying boat used by Pan American Airlines, had a 14-seat dining room, a promenade deck on which passengers could stroll during flight and a honeymoon suite in the aft fuselage.
5. A pilot is flying a typical light airplane with a normally aspirated engine at a given gross weight. Which – if any – of the following indicated airspeeds vary (varies) with density altitude?
a. Best-glide speed
b. Best-angle-of-climb speed
c. Best-rate-of-climb speed
d. Wings level, 1-G stall speed.
