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A330-based Beluga to have larger cross-section
Airbus’s new A330-based high-capacity transport, designed to replace the A300-600ST Beluga fleet, will provide a 12% increase in payload. The airframer has given more details of the modified aircraft, which is scheduled to enter service in mid-2019. Airbus programme chief Didier Evrard, speaking in Toulouse, said the jet – currently designated the Beluga XL – would have a 1m (3.3ft) wider cross-section than its predecessor.
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Airbus combining A380 crew rests to fit additional seats
Airbus is developing a combined crew rest for the A380 as part of its efforts to increase seating capacity on the type. The airframer’s programme chief, Didier Evrard, detailed the plan during a briefing in Toulouse. Airbus has witnessed a “lot of diversity” in the A380 cabin layout, he says. “When you look at this, you can see a clear trend towards getting a more efficient cabin.”
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Boeing confident on Leap and 737 Max performance promises
Boeing's top salesman is confident the CFM International Leap-1B will meet its performance targets, ensuring that the 737 Max will satisfy all the promises made to customers about the re-engined twinjet's efficiency. CFM engine partner General Electric began the Leap-1B flight-test programme on its 747 flying testbed on 29 April at the company's operations centre in Victorville, California. The 5h 30min sortie launched a year-long program to complete certification in 2016, when the first 737 Max is scheduled to fly.
LinkAirlines
Air Canada, Air China ink pact for Montreal-Beijing route
Air Canada and Air China have announced an agreement for direct flights between Beijing and Montreal three times a week starting in September. The flights will be operated by Air China but also sold to travellers through Air Canada as the first step of a broader partnership.
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Air France Faces Safety Probe After Freighter Scare
Air France faces its second safety investigation in as many weeks after pilots were forced to recover in mid-takeoff after entering the wrong data into the computer of a cargo jet. The mistake over the plane's weight was discovered when the Boeing 777 freighter accelerated too slowly on the runway at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport on May 22.
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American Airlines is updating planes on its routes to Hawaii
American Airlines operates 10 flights a day from Los Angeles to Hawaii and plans to upgrade the planes on those routes to Airbus A321s according to a recent announcement. The planes will be modified and certified for extended range.
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Copa Expanding Despite Brazil Slowdown
Copa Airlines plans to expand its route network out of Latin America despite the challenges it currently faces in Brazil, the region's biggest market. The carrier sees further potential in a business model built on linking small and mid-sized Latin American cities with the United States through its Panama City hub. Copa is currently struggling in Brazil, however, where a rapidly weakening local currency and growing uncertainty over economic growth has cut Brazilians' leisure trips to the United States for theme park visits and shopping.
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Delta is turning its attention towards Asia
Delta is seeking out additional partnerships with Asian airlines to help grow its network of service on the continent. Delta currently serves 17 destinations with the help of Korean Air Lines.
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Delta receives first new Airbus since 2008
Delta Air Lines has taken delivery of the first of its new Airbus A330-300s, according to a recent announcement. The aircraft is 15%-20% more fuel efficient than the older aircraft that it will be replacing on Delta's trans-ocean routes. Delta has orders for 9 more A330s by 2017.
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Jet Airways Reports Smaller Full-Year Loss
India's Jet Airways made a net loss of INR21 billion rupees (USD$329 million) in the year ending March, about half the size of the loss it made last year. For the final quarter of the year, Jet said it lost INR17.29 billion rupees, down from last year's INR21.54 billion rupees, its worst-ever. The airline, 24 percent owned by Etihad Airways, has not made an annual profit since 2007, as tough competition and high operating costs in India's aviation industry make it difficult to turn a profit.
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United Airlines makes customer satisfaction its top priority
United is working hard to improve the customer experience, according to Chief Revenue Officer Jim Compton. He says that the airline is committed to getting passengers to their destination on time, and will continue adding amenities like onboard Wi-Fi and improved meal options.
LinkAirports
Airlines want to have a role in future Sea-Tac International
Seattle-Tacoma International is the fastest growing airport in the country and Alaska Airlines wants a say in its plans for expansion. "I think all that's happening at Sea-Tac Airport is that airlines are saying, 'we do want to grow, we care about the future, but we want to sit down and have a voice and have a role in what the future airport looks like,'" said Alaska Airlines CEO Brad Tilden.
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Military
Boeing 767-2C tanker airframe resumes airworthiness flights
The first Boeing KC-46A Pegasus test tanker has returned to the skies over the US state of Washington with a four-and-a-half-hour airworthiness flight on Thursday and another flight late on Friday, the company says. The Boeing 767-2C, known as EMD-1, first flew in late December with a flight from Paine Field in Everett to Boeing Field in Seattle. Company spokesman Chick Ramey told Flightglobal today that the aircraft resumed airworthiness flight testing this week to assess the aircraft’s handling qualities and functionality.
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Marine Corps F-35Bs depart USS Wasp after carrier tests
Six US Marine Corps F-35B Joint Strike Fighters have departed the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp following a one-and-a-half-week trial that included 108 test sorties and an F135 engine delivery from a V-22 Osprey as the first combat fighter squadron stationed in Yuma, Arizona, prepares to declare initial operational capability this July. According to deputy commandant for Marine Corps aviation Lt Gen Jon Davis, each of the 10 F-35 pilots involved are now qualified for daytime carrier operations and another three have received their night-time flying qualifications.
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Aviation Quote
Joey, have you ever been to a Turkish prison?
— Captain Oveur, from the 1980 movie 'Airplane.'
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Editor’s Choice
Trivia
WW2 Luftwaffe
1. The JU-87 "Stuka" was not a pretty site to look at, all the less so when it was hurtling towards you at an 80 degree angle, but it was not pleasant to hear either. It had a siren on its port landing gear. What was the nickname the crews gave this device?
The Horns of the Reich
The Trumpets of Jericho
The Sirens of Jericho
The Trumpets of Victory
2. This out-of-date bomber was used for high altitude reconnaissance by Germany for a short period of time after the Battle of Britain. Which was it?
Junkers 88P
Junkers 86R
Dornier 217N
Dornier 23R
3. Germany shortly before WW2 is commonly believed to have had little interest in long range heavy bombers, but in fact it had one of the largest supporters of long range bombers from the get-go. Who was he?
Ernst Udet
Ernhard Milch
Kurt Student
Walter Wever
4. Many medium bombers that Germany had were converted into night fighters when the need arose. Which of those was unpopular with its crews?
Junkers 188
Junkers 88
Dornier 217
Messerschmitt 110
5. The He-177 was a great aircraft when it worked. What was one of the things the RLM (Reichsluftministerie) did that caused the 177 to go from a great bomber to a great disaster?
Elimination of the evaporative cooling system
Demands that poor French engines power the He-177
Demands that the He-177 be built out of wood
Underpowered BMW 132 Bramo engines
6. Which one of the three German Battle of Britain bombers could carry the most tonnage, and which could carry the least over a short distance?
Junkers 88, Junkers 87
Junkers 88, Junkers 87
Dornier 215, Heinkel 111
Heinkel 111, Dornier 17
7. This is the only bomber in World War II to have a top speed of over 460mph, what was it?
Arado 234
Heinkel 111P
Arado 232
Junkers 388K
8. The Junkers 287 was the intended replacement for the aging Stuka in 1944. With forward swept wings, two Junkers 003 turbojets and something interesting captured from the Americans, the JU-287 would have been a formidable ground attack/bomber aircraft. What was the American "contribution"?
Landing gear taken off B-24's
Rockets of P-47 wing racks
Guns off of P-51D fighters
Norden bombsights off of B-17's
9. Ground attack was a field of bombers in which the Germans excelled. Convinced that more armor was necessary to protect the pilots of ground attack aircraft Henschel came up with the HS-129, what was its nickname?
armored Panzer destroyer
The flying tank
The flying armored car
the flying assault gun
10. The Germans had originally decided to build one carrier known as the Graf Zeppelin. What were the two types of aircraft that were designed to be based on the carrier?
Fi-282, Do-215
He-115B, Bf-110E
Fi-167, Ju-87C
Ju-87T, Bf-109L
