The 52-60-passenger MA60 twin-turboprop transport aircraft is a stretched version of the Xian Y7-200A, which in turn is a variation on the Antonov An-24. 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, the MA60-500, is also marketed. In May 2010, a new variant, the MA600, was awarded certification by the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
In 2010, the hope was that by 2015 private aircraft would be widely usable in China. As of 2014, little progress has been made for propeller-driven aircraft, although helicopter operations are making progress.
This single-turboprop-powered utility/passenger aircraft first flew in December 1982. Through 2013, Cessna produced 2,319 Caravans of all types. Designed with the small-package delivery segment in mind, Caravan models in production include the Caravan 675 and 208B Grand Caravan. Both are powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A turboprop engine rated at 675 shp. Also in production is the upgraded Grand Caravan EX model, featuring a more powerful PT6A-140 turboprop engine. The EX achieved certification in January 2013. Cessna is forecast to deliver 988 Caravans in 2014-23.
Mitsubishi formally launched the twin-engine Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) family in March 2008; rollout was late last month. Initially, two basic models are planned: the 78-passenger MRJ70 and 92-passenger MRJ90. The MRJ70 is powered by 15,600-lb.-thrust Pratt & Whitney PW1215G engines, while the MRJ90 is powered by 17,600-lb.-thrust PW1217Gs. Extended- and long-range versions of each model are envisioned, while a 100-seater dubbed the MRJ100 is being considered. First flight is planned for the second quarter of 2015, with service entry slated for 2017.
Xian’s parent firm Avic formally launched full-scale development of the new MA700 turboprop airliner in December 2013. Program plans call for preliminary design review by the end of this year, first flight in 2016, Chinese certification in 2018 and service entry in 2019. Certification from the European Aviation Safety Agency or the FAA also will be pursued, achievement of which would enable the MA700 to penetrate markets beyond those currently served by the MA60 or MA600.
Initially, the new ARJ21 regional jet from Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (Comac) is to be available as the ARJ21-700 78-90-seater, while later introduction of the 98-105-seat ARJ21-900 is a possibility. Power is provided by two GE CF34-10A turbofans producing 18,500 lb. thrust each. Rollout of the first ARJ21-700 occurred in December 2007, followed by first flight in November 2008. Six ARJ21s were built through 2013, and 86 additional examples are forecast for production through 2023. The ARJ21 faces competition from Bombardier and Embraer.
Currently in development, the A350 is a twin-engine, widebody jetliner intended to compete with Boeing’s 787 and 777. The A350 is powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines rated in the 75,000-97,000-lb.-thrust range, and will have a cruise speed of around Mach 0.85. Three basic versions are being marketed: the -800, -900 and -1000. Depending on the version, the A350 seats 276-369 passengers, and will have a range of 8,100-8,500 nm. The maiden flight occurred in June 2013. Type certification is expected in late 2014, -900 service entry in the same timeframe.
This pressurized, single-turboprop-powered, corporate/utility transport aircraft first flew in May 1991, and received Swiss and U.S. certification in 1994. It has seating for nine passengers in its standard layout. Portugal’s OGMA assembles green aircraft and manufactures some components. The current PC-12 production version, the PC-12 NG (Next Generation), is powered by a 1,200-shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67P turboprop engine. Some 1,231 PC-12s, including 443 PC-12 NGs, were built through 2013. Production of 846 units is expected in 2014-23.
Beech launched the King Air series of 8-12-seat, twin-turboprop aircraft in 1963. Since then, numerous variants have appeared. Total production amounted to 6,449 aircraft through 2013. Beechcraft, which Textron acquired last March and operates along with Cessna in a new segment called Textron Aviation, markets the King Air C90GTx, King Air 250 and King Air 350i. The C90GTx is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-135s producing 550 shp each.
There is little doubt that SESAR opposition efforts will continue. Flights will be cancelled, delays will persist and travel chaos will plague thousands. However, these efforts will merely delay, not halt SESAR in its tracks.
Qantas has deployed an interim solution to problems with water leaks on its A380 fleet while Airbus develops a permanent fix, an ATSB incident report reveals.
The airline industry is more global than ever; the EU has to balance its requirements and need of EU nationals control of its airlines and the foreign investment in these airlines.
In contrast to Tokyo’s Narita and Haneda airports, Kansai has been able to use its greater available capacity to draw new flights from Japanese and foreign airlines. It is positioning itself well to take advantage of an increase in overseas visitor numbers. This has been particularly evident with LCCs, as Japan’s new budget airlines establish bases and grow their networks at Kansai. In addition, several foreign LCCs have launched service to Osaka, and more plan to follow.
Many of Europe’s legacy airlines, Austrian Airlines among them, are experiencing bitter disputes with employees about cost cuts. But now that Austrian seems to have found a compromise with labor, management attention is shifting to fleet renewal and a sustainable model.
Indian LCC IndiGo has given Airbus its largest single order to date, for 250 new A320neos. A successful IPO in a still tumultuous air transport market will be key to fund the order—and it would cement IndiGo’s position as India’s leading domestic airline.
A quiet battle likely will simmer at Chicago Midway as a startup provider of anti-overrun technology takes on the heretofore uncontested ruler of engineered materials arresting systems.
