Airbus and Boeing products running behind schedule

[bigdelta 46]

Because he lifted it straight from the net.

Exactly where you spend most of the time doing searches. indeed

[TheFiend 1,181]

Because he lifted it straight from the net.

 

Do you mean to say he is another plagiarist, just like BigBunky!!!

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Do you mean to say he is another plagiarist, just like BigBunky!!!

 

Nah, I think he's a Kafflik.

[bigdelta 46]

Air China upgrades Dreamliner order

Air China says to buy 15 Boeing planes for $3.2 bln

 

HONG KONG, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Air China Ltd (0753.HK) said it had agreed to buy 15 787-9 aircraft from Boeing (BA.N) for a total basic price of $3.19 billion to expand fleet capacity.

 

In a filing to the Hong Kong bourse late on Tuesday, Air China (601111.SS) said the new aircraft would replace 15 787-8 aircraft it agreed to buy in 2005 as Boeing had delayed delivery.

 

The deal will increase Air China's fleet capacity by about 11 percent based on available tonne kilometers of the company as of the end of 2009, it said.

 

The aircraft basic price comprises the airframe, optional features and engines, and the deal will be funded through cash generated from the company's business operations and commercial bank loans, Air China added.

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Orders are fine, but will the bugger ever fly?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Hi,

 

Orders are fine, but will the bugger ever fly?

 

There is no new order. The company has simply opted to take the bigger planes rather than those it originally ordered. They probably paid around 2/6d extra for each aircraft once the compensation for the delays was factored in.

[aussiechic 209]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-11148598

[TheFiend 1,181]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-11148598

 

Now I can fly A380 Manchester - Dubai - Bangkok.... certainly beating being crammed into a 777!!!

[bigdelta 46]

Hi,

 

Orders are fine, but will the bugger ever fly?

You're kidding,right?

 

 

 

There is no new order. The company has simply opted to take the bigger planes rather than those it originally ordered. They probably paid around 2/6d extra for each aircraft once the compensation for the delays was factored in.

Did anyone say there was a new order?

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Now I can fly A380 Manchester - Dubai - Bangkok.... certainly beating being crammed into a 777!!!

 

From the end of the month you can do the entire MAN-BKK-MAN trip on A380s with minimum stopovers in DXB when the DXB-BKK-DXB A380 schedule is amended.

[TheFiend 1,181]

From the end of the month you can do the entire MAN-BKK-MAN trip on A380s with minimum stopovers in DXB when the DXB-BKK-DXB A380 schedule is amended.

 

Exactly!!!

[bigdelta 46]

Oil Fire Suspected In Trent 1000 Failure-maybe they should just hang the RB211-524 on it and be done.RR got that right!

 

New details of last month’s Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 uncontained failure are emerging that have impacted the Boeing 787 delivery schedule once more.

 

Indicators point to a fault with the oil system which led to a fire developing inside the engine and damaged not just the engine, but also the infrastructure involved in the trial.

 

The Aug. 2 incident on a ‘Package A’ configuration engine later prompted Boeing to push back first 787 deliveries to launch customer All Nippon Airways to February 2011; the aircraft maker had planned to hand over the first aircraft by year-end under the latest of several schedule revisions.

 

Boeing says “the delivery date revision follows an assessment of the availability of an engine needed for the final phases of flight test this fall,” and subsequently confirmed that the affected shipset had been due to power 787 Line No.9, an aircraft added to the extended twin-engine operations performance standards (ETOPS) test effort.

 

Rolls says the failure specifically concerned the intermediate pressure turbine (IPT) but refuses to comment further on the incident which caused substantial damage to the engine maker’s ‘Bed 58’ indoor test site in Derby, U.K.

 

However, industry sources say an oil fire broke out within the engine during high-power runs. The heating is believed to have ‘softened’ the intermediate pressure (IP) shaft which subsequently failed. The unconstrained IPT then reached an over-sped condition and ultimately disintegrated; parts thrown loose penetrated the casing.

 

By coincidence, the FAA is poised to ratify a European Aviation Safety Agency airworthiness directive (AD) for the Airbus A380’s Trent 900 engine IP shaft which, if not performed, could result in similar issues to those experienced by the closely derived Trent 1000. The AD says wear beyond normal limits has been identified on the abutment faces of the splines on the Trent 900 IP shaft rigid coupling on several engines during strip.

 

As the shaft-to-coupling spline interface provides the means of controlling the turbine axial setting, the wear through of the splines would permit the IP turbine to move rearwards, it adds. This rearward movement “would enable contact with static turbine components and would result in loss of engine performance with potential for in-flight shut down, oil migration and oil fire below the LP turbine discs prior to sufficient indication resulting in loss of LP turbine disc integrity.”

 

Although the AD, which requires inspection of the IP shaft coupling splines, appears to bear an uncomfortable resemblance to the Trent 1000 issues, industry sources maintain the two are unconnected.

 

The engines installed on the first four 787s are configured with ‘Package A’ improvements, devised to tackle part of the 4-5% specific fuel consumption shortfall identified in early development tests. However, a further series of improvements developed during the subsequent two-year program delay will be introduced in the so called Package B, which will be retrofitted to test aircraft ZA004 later this year. The delay to the start of 787 flight tests in 2009 meant some of the later ‘B’ improvements were sufficiently mature to be introduced during initial flight tests with units which Rolls described last year as “a hybrid version of the Package A” and “a robust engine to support the flight test program.”

 

Rolls-Royce’s Trent 1000 built to the improved ‘Package B’ standard is designed to bring performance to within 1% of Boeing’s original specification. Package B includes enhanced aerodynamics in the six-stage low pressure (LP) turbine, improved cooling flow for the IP turbine and changes to the secondary air system to take off sealing and cooling air at a lower pressure stage. The root-to-tip twist of the fan blade is also slightly altered to match changes in the pressure ratio caused by a concurrent reduction in nozzle area. Rolls has run at least three Package B performance engines and, when last reporting on progress, says all were in line with expectations. In March Rolls was flight testing the first Package B engine on its company 747 flying testbed ahead of delivering finalized engines to Boeing for installation on ZA004.

[TheFiend 1,181]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-11148598

 

And some photos

 

Around 10000 people turned up to see it arrive.

 

Shame about the Cathay Pacific dinosaur taxiing past the spectator viewing area just as the Emirates A380 was landing.

 

I noticed that they used A6-EDL, their newest A380 in service!!!

 

Using the A380 on the Manchester route give a big increase in capacity without having to add an extra daily flight. Well done Emirates!!!!

Edited September 2, 2010 by TheFiend

[TheFiend 1,181]

A350 Production has started!!!

 

Airbus said it began A350 XWB production in Germany with the launch of upper wing shell fabrication at its Stade plant, and reiterated that first delivery to Qatar Airways is on track for 2013.

 

President and CEO Tom Enders said Tuesday in Stade that the aircraft will be the "most economical and environment-friendly" in its class through the use of "advanced materials" such as "upper wing shells made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic." It will be made of 53% lightweight carbon fiber composites . Enders said achieving "a very high efficiency" in A350 production will be critical. The program will feature "an entirely new quality control system" and the "use of waterjet technology for edge trimming and a high-precision automated conveyance system in the production hall for large components."

 

The 30,000 sq.m.-Stade plantwill also be used to build the A350's vertical tailplane and CFRP fuselage shells. Airbus said 100 employees will be working at the plant by year end, expanding to around 500 "when production reaches full capacity."

 

Bernstein Research has forecast that A350 deliveries will slip into 2014 and Airbus will deliver just eight of the next-generation aircraft that year (ATW Daily News, Aug. 23) while the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation said in a report this week that "Airbus has already admitted it has eaten into some of the design buffers it has built into the A350 program." But company executives have maintained the delivery schedule remains unchanged.

 

I won't make a BigD prediction about when it will fly or when first delivery will be...... But it's nice to see production has started.!

[bigdelta 46]

Boeing Conducts Remote 787 Testing

Attn:wacmedia read the last sentence

 

EVERETT, Wash., Sept. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Four of the five Boeing (NYSE:BA - News) 787 flight test airplanes are conducting remote test operations this week. ZA005 continues testing from its base of operations in Seattle.

 

ZA001, the first 787, is taking a break from operations out of Edwards Air Force Base in California for a week's worth of testing in Roswell, N.M. This is ZA001's second visit to Roswell. Last month the airplane conducted wet-runway testing there. Testing in the days ahead will include rejected-takeoff conditions. ZA001 has been on remote deployment to Edwards Air Force Base for several weeks, with a focus on takeoff- and landing-performance conditions.

 

The second 787 is conducting high-latitude and cold-weather testing at Keflavik Airport in Iceland.

 

"We've been watching for the right weather conditions for some time," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "The team was happy to see the forecast in Iceland met our needs and we deployed to Keflavik earlier this week."

 

The hot weather in Yuma, Ariz., with temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), has provided the necessary conditions for another set of tests happening on ZA003. Its deployment is expected to last about another week.

 

ZA004 has spent an extended time operating out of Victorville, Calif., conducting flight loads survey testing. This testing measures external pressure distributions throughout the flight envelope. ZA004 is set to do testing in Glasgow, Mont., after it wraps up its California testing.

 

Artificial ice shapes have been affixed to the leading edges of the wings and horizontal and vertical stabilizer of the fifth 787 to complete another group of tests required for certification. Ice-shape testing verifies the airplane's performance in the presence of ice. Natural ice testing has already occurred.

 

"Flight test is staying very busy," said Fancher. "We continue to be very pleased with the performance of the airplane. We're definitely putting it through its paces, subjecting it to the harshest environments and conditions to ensure it is ready for revenue service."

 

The 787 flight test fleet has conducted more than 1,650 hours of flying over more than 540 flights.

[bigdelta 46]

Second 787 Taxis For Flight Test

Second 787, ZA002, in ANA colors, taxis at Seattle's Boeing Field on a sunny, springlike day. In the background is the Seattle skyline.

Edited September 5, 2010 by LTGTR

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Surprise, surprise.

 

Boeing subsidies should be withdrawn says WTO

 

Boeing has always said that all US support was above board The World Trade Organization (WTO) has ordered more than $20bn (£13bn) in US government subsidies should be withdrawn from Boeing, according to agency reports.

 

A confidential interim report released on Wednesday is said to back European complaints over $17bn in research contracts from Nasa and the Pentagon.

 

Another $4bn tax breaks came from Washington state.

[bigdelta 46]

ATLANTA (TheStreet) -- In 2009, Delta(DAL) financed three 777s it bought from Boeing(BA), paying interest at 8.11% over nine and a half years. That same year, Emirates Airline bought three similar aircraft, paying interest at 3.4% over 11.9 years.

While the Emirates borrowing had a loan-to-value ratio of 50%, Delta's loan-to-value ratio was 40%. So Emirates' low-cost loan covered more of its purchase.

 

How can that be? The reason for the discrepancy is that Emirates and many other carriers can borrow at low cost for aircraft financing from the U.S. Export-Import Bank and similar agencies in Europe, Canada, Brazil and Japan, all aircraft exporters. But such financing is unavailable to U.S. and major European carriers.

"It's absurdly unfair to U.S. carriers that the U.S. government should be financing our foreign competitors with below market interest rates," said Ben Hirst, senior vice president and general counsel for Delta, in an interview. "It creates an unlevel playing field for U.S. airlines competing internationally, and it has led to [high] capacity levels in international markets that have been encouraged to develop regardless of market conditions."

U.S. carriers are speaking out now because this week, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of 33 developed countries, will meet in Paris to discuss extending a multilateral agreement called the Aircraft Sector Understanding, which codifies aircraft financing standards.

"We are particularly concerned that the damage to U.S. airlines caused by such export credits may be worsened by the outcome of the current negotiations," said Jim May, CEO of the Air Transport Association, in a recent letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

May noted that during the past decade, the Export-Import Bank provided guarantees backing $46 billion in financing for more than 800 Boeing aircraft. In fact, Boeing is the bank's principal beneficiary. In fiscal year 2009, aircraft financing accounted for $8.6 billion, about 40% of the bank's $21 billion in total export financing. "Given U.S. aviation's role as a major export factor and jobs source, it makes sense," said Boeing Capital Corp. spokesman John Kvasnosky.

But does it? The airline beneficiaries from the financing include nine of the ten most profitable airlines based outside of the U.S., France, Germany and the United Kingdom, May said. Among them: Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines and WestJet. They all "compete with U.S. airlines for U.S. passenger traffic," May said. WestJet, founded in 1996, has received nearly $1.7 billion in Ex-Im Bank financing since fiscal 2002 -- and has been able to take traffic from U.S. airlines as a result, he said.

Hirst said the use of Ex-Im financing has expanded dramatically in recent years, as international markets have grown, partially because the U.S has negotiated nearly 100 Open Skies agreements with airlines around the world. One result is that international carriers have continued ordering aircraft from Airbus and Boeing even during a recession, enabling many of them to have far younger fleets than U.S. carriers do.

What do the U.S. airlines want? Hirst said airlines from developing countries continue to need help, but in general, "there should not be export credit financing for airlines that have an ability to go to the commercial market on their own. The market ought to regulate aircraft financing, not the governments. We're pushing for a more market based outcome."

Meanwhile, Boeing called the questions raised by the U.S. carriers "legitimate" and said that "export credit, and in particular the Ex-Im Bank of the U.S., has been an important funding source for many of our overseas customers, especially during the recent economic downturn when commercial financing has been harder to obtain."

"Reconciling all of the global perspectives and issues involved in export credit policy is a challenging task," the aircraft maker said, in a prepared statement. "However, we are committed to working through these complex issues with the goal of ensuring a level playing field both for airplane and engine manufacturers and for their airline customers."

-- Written by Ted Reed in Charlotte, N.C.

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

Good news for Airbus A380 and Brazilian company.

 

By Jonathan Buck and Jan Hromadko

 

Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG (LHA.XE) Wednesday named a new chief executive, as expected, and placed orders worth EUR3.5 billion for 48 new aircraft to meet growing demand.

 

Lufthansa ordered 40 planes from Airbus and eight from Brazil's Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica SA (ERJ, EMBR3.BR), known as Embraer, that will be shared between the flagship carrier and its Germanwings and Swiss subsidiaries.

 

"This order will allow our airlines to make targeted use of the growth opportunities that are resulting from the growing demand, and at the same time, it will allow us to preserve the necessary freedoms to always react to fluctuations in demand and changes in the market with the necessary flexibility," said Lufthansa Chairman and CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber in a statement.

 

The order comprises 20 A320 family aircraft and three A330-300s for Lufthansa, four A320 family aircraft and five A330-300s for Swiss and eight A319s for Germanwings, the German low-cost airline. Lufthansa Regional will get eight Embraer 195 aircraft.

 

Airbus, a unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co. NV (EAD.FR, EADSY), in a statement said the order it received from Lufthansa was worth $4.3 billion, or roughly EUR3.2 billion. The aircraft will be delivered after 2012.

 

Lufthansa already is the biggest operator world-wide of Airbus aircraft with 325 planes currently in service. Another 51 were on order, including 12 A380s, even before Wednesday's announcement.

[bigdelta 46]

UPDATE 1-Boeing takes orders for 10 planes in latest week

 

Thu Sep 23, 2010 11:47am EDT

 

* Boeing takes orders for 10 777s

 

* Orders potentially valued at $2.7 billion

 

* Cathay Pacific buys 6; 4 from unidentified customers

 

* Boeing shares down 0.9 percent

 

ATLANTA, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Boeing Co (BA.N) took orders for 10 wide-body 777s potentially worth $2.7 billion in the week ended Sept. 21, the plane maker said on Thursday.

 

Six of the orders for the plane were from Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways (0293.HK), while four were from an unidentified customer or customers.

 

Earlier this week, Boeing said the Cathay Pacific orders for six 777-300ER aircraft had an estimated value of $1.6 billion at current list prices.

 

Boeing has now logged net orders for 288 planes this year.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Six of the orders for the plane were from Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific Airways (0293.HK), while four were from an unidentified customer or customers.

 

Earlier this week, Boeing said the Cathay Pacific orders for six 777-300ER aircraft had an estimated value of $1.6 billion at current list prices.

 

Well done. A nice little order from Cathay.

 

Cathay Pacific Airways has firmed up its previously announced commitment for 30 A350s.

 

The purchase was finalized in Hong Kong Thursday by CX CEO Tony Tyler and Airbus COO-Customers John Leahy. Cathay will use the A350s on routes to Europe as it replaces its A340 fleet and grows its 777-300ER fleet, which is dedicated to longer-range US routes.

 

Tyler said at the signing: “I am delighted that we have now finalized this milestone deal for Cathay Pacific. The purchase of these new generation aircraft is an important step in our plan to grow our fleet to ensure that we stay at the forefront of the industry. The A350 fits perfectly into our operation. Its passenger capacity, flight range and operating economics are just right to become the backbone of our mid-sized long haul wide-bodied fleet."

 

Leahy responded by saying that Airbus was “extremely pleased to have finalized this order with one of the world's most prestigious and well-managed airlines."

 

The Cathay order is considered a warning shot to Boeing to move sooner than later on a 777 upgrade. Airbus now has 558 orders from 34 customers for the A350.

[bigdelta 46]

Boeing, Air China Announce Order for Boeing 777s

SEATTLE, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE:BA - News) and Air China today announced an order for four 777-300ERs (Extended Range), which have a total average list price value of $1.1 billion at current list prices.

 

"This is a great day in the history of our long and enduring partnership with Air China," said Marlin Dailey, vice president of Sales & Marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Today's order of 777s also underscores Air China's confidence in the world's most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane."

 

Air China, the flag carrier of the People's Republic of China, will use the airplanes to expand its international routes.

 

"The 777-300ER will be the backbone of our long-haul international fleet," said Fan Cheng, vice president of Air China. "The airplane's high efficiency and performance features will enable Air China to launch more direct long-haul routes to meet the increasing demand of our passengers."

 

The Boeing 777 is the world's most successful twin-engine, long-haul airplane. The 777-300ER extends the 777 family's span of capabilities, bringing twin-engine efficiency and reliability to the long-range market. The airplane carries 365 passengers up to 7,930 nautical miles (14,685 km).

 

Boeing incorporated several performance enhancements for the 777-300ER, extending its range and payload capabilities. Excellent performance during flight-testing, combined with engine efficiency improvements and design changes that reduce drag and airplane weight, contributed to the increased capability.

[wacmedia 277]

HI,

 

Some more support for Airbus.

 

Sept. 24, 2010, 4:23 a.m.

 

 

EADS raised to overweight at J.P. Morgan

 

FRANKFURT (MarketWatch) -- Aerospace and defence giant EADS /quotes/comstock/24s!e:ead (FR:EAD 18.77, -0.28, -1.44%) was upgraded on Friday to overweight from neutral at J.P. Morgan Cazenove. "EADS offers the best growth in the sector and yet it continues to trade on one of the most lowly ratings," the broker said in a note to clients. It lifted its target price to 23.73 euros a share from 18.55 euros previously. The broker said an increase in Airbus deliveries can be achieved and will support growth.

Edited September 29, 2010 by wacmedia

[bigdelta 46]

And some for Boeing too:

Boeing Receives Multi-Year Contract from US Navy for 124 F/A-18 and EA-18 Aircraft

 

ST. LOUIS, Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing Company (NYSE:BA - News) has been awarded a new multi-year procurement (MYP) contract from the U.S. Navy for 124 F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft.

 

The new contract is valued at $5.297 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, Boeing will deliver 66 Super Hornets and 58 Growlers to the Navy from 2012 through 2015.

 

"The men and women of Boeing are honored to provide the Super Hornet's advanced, combat-proven multirole capability and the EA-18G's unmatched airborne electronic attack capability to the American warfighters serving their nation around the world each day," said Boeing F/A-18 and EA-18 Programs Vice President Kory Mathews. "Procurement of these 124 aircraft through a multi-year contract takes advantage of the full efficiencies of Boeing's production and supplier operations, which will generate more than $600 million in cost savings for U.S. taxpayers."

 

The new contract is the third multi-year agreement between Boeing and the Navy for production of the F/A-18E/F, the Navy's frontline strike fighter, which delivers forward-deployed air combat capability around the world from the decks of 11 Navy aircraft carriers, including ongoing missions in Afghanistan.

 

The EA-18G, the United States' newest combat aircraft, conducts advanced airborne electronic attack (AEA) missions to support Navy and joint force requirements. The EA-18G is scheduled for its first combat deployment later this year.

 

"Boeing and its Hornet Industry Team suppliers have delivered every Super Hornet and Growler on schedule to the warfighter and on budget for the taxpayer from the first Super Hornet delivery," said Mathews. "The first two F/A-18E/F multi-year contracts generated more than $1.7 billion in savings for the United States. We look forward to continuing to provide unmatched capability and value through this contract."

 

Boeing delivered 210 Super Hornets to the Navy during the initial F/A-18E/F MYP, which spanned fiscal years 2000 through 2004. Boeing was then awarded a second MYP that included aircraft procurement during fiscal years 2005 through 2009. Aircraft deliveries under that contract continue through 2011 and total 257 aircraft.

 

The Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is a multirole aircraft, able to perform virtually every mission in the tactical spectrum, including air superiority, day/night strike with precision-guided weapons, fighter escort, close air support, suppression of enemy air defenses, maritime strike, reconnaissance, forward air control and tanker missions. Boeing has delivered more than 430 F/A-18E/Fs to the U.S. Navy.

 

The Boeing EA-18G Growler is the only air combat platform that delivers full-spectrum AEA capability along with the targeting and self-defense capabilities derived from the Navy's frontline fighter, the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet. A derivative of the two-seat F/A-18F Block II, the EA-18G's highly flexible design enables warfighters to operate either from the deck of an aircraft carrier or from land-based airfields. It is replacing the Navy's current AEA platform, the EA-6B Prowler, which has been in service since 1971. The EA-18G joined the Navy's aircraft fleet in 2008, when it was introduced to fleet training squadron VAQ-129.

 

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security (www.boeing.com/bds) is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $34 billion business with 68,000 employees worldwide.

[wacmedia 277]

And some for Boeing too:

Boeing Receives Multi-Year Contract from US Navy for 124 F/A-18 and EA-18 Aircraft

 

Hi,

 

Dammit man. More military no competition business.