Bombardier says most of the cabin interior trade studies for the CSeries are complete and validation and optimization of the design has started in the full-scale interior rig at the factory.
Now that Norwegian Air International (NAI) has its Irish operating certificate, the debate over the carrier’s application to serve the U.S. is coming down to interpretations of acceptable labor practices versus what constitutes excessive regulatory meddling under the U.S.-E.U. Open Skies agreement.
By Michael Huerta Aviation is a proud American invention. It was 110 years ago that the Wright Brothers completed their first flight at Kitty Hawk. Since then, aviation has grown to be our largest export industry. It accounts for $1.3 trillion in economic activity and 10 million U.S. jobs.
European researchers are entering a busy period as work on technology demonstrators ramps up under the Clean Sky program. Under the Smart Fixed Wing Aircraft program, modification of the Airbus A340-300 laminar-flow wing demonstrator is to begin in June. The outboard wing sections will be replaced with two different natural laminar-flow wing panels.
Airbus has reached an agreement with Pratt & Whitney on engine performance improvements that will lead to further fuel burn reduction of the PW1100G over time. The upgrades to the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G will reduce fuel burn of the Airbus A320neo to around 18% compared to the current model. The performance improvement package for the geared turbofan engine is set to be available by 2019, according to commitments made by the engine consortium. But it could be ready for introduction in 2018.
The Russian and Chinese aeronautics industries are firming up plans for a joint widebody that would enter service in about 10 years, probably pitched as an Airbus A330 replacement.
A new plant to be set up on a former Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) shipbuilding site will build wing skins and spars for the Mitsubishi Aircraft MRJ regional jet, while final assembly should be handled at another new factory that the company hopes to build.
While Boeing downplays reports of proposed 757 replacement study plans at the recent Singapore Airshow, the manufacturer acknowledges it is seeing “a lot of interest” for a potential new aircraft larger than the 737 but with less range than the 787. While theoretically occupying the seat capacity market niche once dominated by the out-of-production 757, the study aircraft would not be a direct successor to Boeing’s single-aisle twinjet, says Marketing Vice President Randy Tinseth.
European Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas recognizes that state-owned Gulf carriers and their rapid expansion in Europe are a formidable competitor for Europe’s legacy airlines, but asserts that the growth of Emirates, Etihad and Qatar is positive for the European aviation industry as a whole.
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Los Angeles - New York Kennedy, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Los Angeles - New York Kennedy, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Daily Each Way Departures Share ASKs (000) Share
Global air traffic demand is surging enough to sustain record production rates at Airbus and Boeing as well as a strengthening mid-life market—particularly among narrowbodies—that may be costing the manufacturers a few orders, Fly Leasing CEO Colm Barrington asserts. While Boeing 737NGs, and -800s in particular, have long been the leasing industry’s darling, the Airbus A320 family has rallied in the last year. Barrington, whose firm specializes in 737s and A320s, says A320 lease rates climbed a bit in 2013 and are up 15% on 2014 renewals.
Delaying the CSeries’ entry into service by at least 12 months has increased the development cost for the new narrrowbody airliner to $4.4 billion, Bombardier says. The previously stated figure was $3.4 billion, but was calculated under earlier accounting rules and so is not directly comparable, says CEO Pierre Beaudoin. Flight-testing delays have pushed back service-entry of the initial 110-seat CS100 to the second half of 2015, from mid-2014, with the 130-seat CS300 to follow six months later. Bombardier has firm orders for 201 aircraft.
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Bombardier plans to begin full fly-by-wire (FBW) flights of the CSeries in March. Since its first flight in September, the all-new narrowbody airliner has been flying in back-up “direct” FBW mode. The CSeries is Bombardier’s first fly-by-wire aircraft, and the company is moving cautiously. The full “normal” FBW control law, which includes envelope protection, is part of the Block 3 software build.
European budget carriers Ryanair and Wizz Air have become the latest airlines to relax restrictions on the use of personal electronic devices (PED) on takeoff and landing. Wizz Air rolled out its new PED policy on Jan. 28, followed by Ryanair on Feb. 6. Both carriers are allowing device use throughout all phases of flight, so long as they set to “flight mode.”
Click here to view the pdf Top Carriers: Los Angeles - San Francisco, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Top Carriers: Los Angeles - San Francisco, February 15-21, 2014, Ranked By Scheduled Seats Da
ExpressJet has the option to walk away from agreements that have 36 50-seat regional jets—about 9% of its fleet—flying under the United Express flag before 2016 if the regional operator fails to secure more favorable terms, an SEC filing by ExpressJet parent SkyWest Inc. (SI) reveals.
WestJet has tapped Panasonic Avionics to provide the airline’s next-generation inflight entertainment (IFE) system, including satellite-based Wi-Fi, the carrier reported Feb. 14. The system will feed content, including live television and the internet, to personal electronic devices (PEDs) that 75% of WestJet’s passengers already carry onboard, says WestJet VP Product and Distribution Marshall Wilmot. Tablets also will be available to rent.
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