Mitsubishi formally launched the Mitsubishi Regional Jet family in March 2008. Two basic models are planned: the 78-passenger MRJ70 and 92-passenger MRJ90. Both are powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney PurePower PW1200G geared turbofans. Extended-range and long-range versions of each basic model are envisioned, while a 100-seater dubbed the MRJ100X is also being considered. First flight of the MRJ is scheduled for 2012. Service entry is planned for 2014. Some 214 MRJs are forecast for production in 2011-20.
Launched in 2007, RUAG Aerospace's Do 228NG (Next Generation) is an updated version of Dornier's original turboprop Do 228. The aircraft is powered by 776-shp TPE331-10 engines and features other improvements such as a new glass cockpit, five-blade propellers and aerodynamic changes to the wing. The first Do 228NGs were delivered in 2010 and 74 are forecast to be built in 2011-20.
The Tu-204-100 short/medium-range, narrowbody commercial transport aircraft is powered by a pair of Aviadvigatel PS-90A turbofans, while the Tu-204-120 variant has two Rolls-Royce RB211-535E4 engines. The Tu-214, also known as the Tu-204-200, has a higher maximum takeoff weight (244,155 lb.) than the Tu-204-100. It retains the PS-90A powerplants of the -100 but carries additional fuel. The Tu-204's first flight occurred in January 1989. Through 2010, 79 Tu-204s (in all versions) were produced.
Viking Air owns the manufacturing rights to a number of out-of-production de Havilland aircraft, including the DHC-6 Twin Otter non-pressurized, high-wing, twin-engine turboprop utility aircraft. In April 2007, Viking Air launched a program to restart production of the 19-passenger Twin Otter. The updated Viking Air Twin Otter Series 400 incorporates more than 800 changes to the Series 300 and is now powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-34s or optional PT6A-35s.
The MA60 twin-turboprop transport aircraft is a stretched version of the Xian Y7-200A, in turn a variation of the Antonov An-24. Accommodation can be provided for 52-60 passengers. The aircraft is powered by two 2,750-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127J engines. Initial flight and delivery of the MA60 took place in 2000. A freighter version, called the -500, is also marketed. In May 2010, a new variant, the MA600, was awarded certification by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
Xian is developing a twin-turboprop regional airliner dubbed the MA700. This aircraft is not an MA60 variant, but rather a clean-sheet design. Features include six-blade propellers, a T-tail and an unswept, high-mounted wing. Two versions are envisioned: with 70-plus and 90-plus seats. A dedicated freighter variant has also been considered. The MA700 effort is in the design phase, with formal launch tentatively planned by year-end. Negotiations are under way with Pratt & Whitney Canada regarding supply of an engine and may be ongoing with Rolls-Royce.
A wave of new aircraft programs is under way that will help define the next era of the global airline industry. The first of these aircraft types are entering revenue service, and will accelerate the phase-out of some iconic current-generation commercial aircraft models. Boeing in particular will look back at 2011 as a transitional year. The first Boeing 787 was finally delivered on Sept. 26 to launch customer All Nippon Airways (ANA), which is flying its initial 787-8s on short-haul routes.
The Moon might have been nudged aside by U.S. policymakers in favor of a near-Earth asteroid as the next destination for human explorers, but it remains a focus for internationally sponsored missions and entrepreneurs drawn to a deeper scientific understanding of the celestial neighborhood—as well as to the potential for profits from resources mined from the lunar surface.
Nov. 28-30—Airports Council International-Europe/Asia's 2011 Airport Exchange. Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center, United Arab Emirates. Also, Power of India: “New Horizons for Airport Commercial Revenues. Novotel, Hyderabad. See www.aci.aero Nov. 29-Dec. 1—Certification Together International Conference. Pierre Baudis Congress Center, Toulouse. See www.certification-together.com
The remarks that I have prepared are tough—they are not the remarks that I wish I could deliver, praising our successes and focused only on the future. But I hope that there will be some demonstrable benefit to my sharing a blunt assessment of where I think we stand as an aviation community.
As part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, its director declassified troves of data on the KH-9 Hexagon, a first-of-a-kind satellite blending the resolution of 2 ft. (at the time considered high) with wide-area coverage.
I find it curious that Southwest Airlines was showcased as an “early adopter” of required navigation procedure (RNP) operations (AW&ST Oct. 17, p. 44). My employer, Alaska Airlines, has been conducting RNP approaches for years and pioneered the technology. Southwest is a Johnny-come-lately by comparison. Bellevue, Wash.
Has anyone in the Air Force or other services thought about fuel savings via replacement of the B-52's eight engines with four of the type of that power the C-17? The combined thrust would be slightly higher while conserving tons of fuel annually, and engine maintenance costs would be halved. Also, winglets could be added as is being contemplated for the C-130 and C-5, and the fuselage's tail cone could be flattened and squared off (similar to those on MD-11s and 777s) to reduce drag.
Reading “Shapely Solutions” (AW&ST Oct. 17, p. 43) brought an early equivalent invention to mind. In 1951, U.S. Patent 2,576,981 “Twisted Wingtip for Airplanes” was granted to Richard Vogt, a renowned aircraft designer.
Homaid Al Shemmari has been named chairman of the Mubadala Aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul network, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Zurich. Other recent appointments are: Jeremy Chan executive vice chairman; James Stewart group CEO; Abdul Khalid Saeed president-Middle East and North Africa; Andre Wall, president-Europe; Abdulla Mohamed Shadid, chief commercial officer; and Pierre Steffen, chief supply officer.
Kevin Healy has been named senior VP at Campbell-Hill Aviation Group, Alexandria, Va. He was senior VP-marketing and planning at AirTran Airways. Also from AirTran is Campbell-Hill's new research manager Benjamin C. Lewis, who was a strategic planning analyst and revenue management analyst at the airline. Erik K. Ford has signed on as VP. He has held management positions at Oliver Wyman and Eclat Consulting.
Christopher Cook has been appointed global aerospace business development manager for Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings, Andover, Kan. He was director-acquisitions and business development for the automotive international division. Anthony Arzave has been named account executive for the Western U.S. Karen O'Hara moved up to global aerospace sales manager after a tenure as account executive for the automotive division original equipment interiors business.
Kevin Watassek (see photo) has been named director of engineering for Odyssey Aerospace Components, Denton, Texas. He was owner and a partner in B&D Design Services.
William “Danny” McCutchen has become VP and general manager of New York-based Argosy's Logistical Services. He was VP of the parent company's supply chain management operations.
Alan Weakley has been named president of CSC Aerospace and Defense's North American Public Sector Defense Group, Falls Church, Va. He was president of ATG military services.
Gavin Baiera and Richard Buccarelli have joined the board of directors of New York-based Travelport. Baiera is managing director of Angelo, Gordon & Co., while Buccarelli is a managing director at JPMorgan Chase.
Dewey Houck has been appointed VP and general manager of Boeing's Information Solutions Organization, Arlington, Va. He was VP of its Intelligence Systems Group.
Kevin Michaels, David Stewart and Hal Chrisman have joined Fairfax, Va.-based ICF International as VPs. Michaels and Stewart are the co-founders of AeroStrategy, and Chrisman has held aerospace consulting and executive positions.
