Airbus and Boeing products running behind schedule

[bigdelta 46]

Formation flying

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Formation flying is the disciplined flight of two or more aircraft under the command of a flight leader.

 

 

Formation.....?

[jacko 8,813]

Formation flying

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Formation flying is the disciplined flight of two or more aircraft under the command of a flight leader.

I got 2 bugs doing it outside my window then!

[bigdelta 46]

That's called reproduction!

 

 

I got 2 bugs doing it outside my window then!

[BigDUSA 71]

Boeing works to take pressure off busy Everett 787 facility

 

 

Remember Boeing’s plan to have a single Dreamliner assembly line in Everett produce a new Dreamliner in just three days?

 

Just how wildly optimistic that forecast was is now becoming clear as Boeing expands its facilities in the Puget Sound area and elsewhere to handle the long-delayed 787 Dreamliner and the not-quite-as-delayed 747-8.

 

Consider these recent developments:

 

• Boeing acknowledged this week that it has leased a huge hangar at Aviation Technical Services at Everett’s Paine Field to install modifications on already built 787s and to finish work still undone on those planes waiting for the plane’s certification for delivery. That ATS hangar will have five stations, a post-assembly line assembly line of sorts where incomplete work and modifications will be done on the 26 Dreamliners now in storage at Everett.

 

• The company said this week that it will hire 800 temporary workers at its San Antonio maintenance facility to refurbish six Dreamliners and five 747-8s that are early production or test aircraft.

 

• The company’s new 787 Dreamliner assembly plant in Charleston, S.C., is nearing completion, with initial startup sometime this summer.

 

• A second 787 Dreamliner assembly line in Boeing’s Everett plant is under construction in space formerly occupied by the 767 assembly line. That production line will start early next year. The 767 production has been moved to another area.

That second Everett production line has been called a surge production line, but some aviation analysts suggest that line may become permanent as Boeing moves to settle an unfair labor practice complaint about its opening the South Carolina assembly line.

 

Those same analysts have said that Boeing is studying increasing production to as many as 17 787s a month to reduce the backlog of promised deliveries. The company is more than three years late in delivering its first Dreamliner. That delivery to All Nippon Airways is promised sometime in the third quarter.

 

John Gillie: 253-597-8663 john.gillie@thenewstribune.com

QUOTE

[BigDUSA 71]

As Boeing's 787 Dreamliner program creeps toward first delivery this year, managers are intensifying efforts to smooth production. But people working on the airplanes and others familiar with the state of the program say progress is painfully slow.

 

While Boeing may meet its deadline to deliver the first 787 to All Nippon Airways of Japan before Sept. 30, the production pace projected for 2011 appears out of reach.

 

Boeing executives told Wall Street analysts in January the company would deliver somewhere between a dozen and 20 Dreamliners this year.

 

"It isn't going to happen," said one mechanic working on the airplanes. "There are too many jobs to be done."

 

One job taking weeks per airplane is the painstaking removal of sealant from the interior of fuel tanks in the wings, then resealing them.

 

And because the computerized system that provides mechanics with data on parts isn't operating well, even simpler modifications take much longer than they should.

 

Boeing has leased extra space so it can work on multiple airplanes at the same time.

 

Managers last week held all-hands meetings aimed at galvanizing the work force, and formed employee committees to identify and solve the major holdups.

 

Tough questions ahead

 

On Wednesday, when Boeing releases its quarterly earnings results, executives no doubt will be questioned about the state of the 787 program.

 

Six Dreamliners are flying flight tests, while 29 more have rolled off the assembly line and are parked on the Everett flight line or at adjacent Paine Field.

 

Those planes await thousands of incomplete assembly jobs and modifications necessary because of design changes since they were built.

 

Boeing spokeswoman Lori Gunter conceded Monday that the rework is a difficult challenge, and she acknowledged the two specific problems raised by 787 insiders: the wing sealing and the computer data glitches.

 

Still, she insisted, there is a "very specific airplane by airplane plan" for completing the rework.

 

"Nothing we've seen ... is raising red flags for us," she said.

 

In an effort to come to grips with the extensive rework, Boeing is modifying one Dreamliner in Texas, two more inside the main Everett assembly plant, and five airplanes inside a large hangar at the south end of Paine Field leased from maintenance and repair company Aviation Technical Services (ATS).

 

Plenty of headaches

 

Yet, those close to the program say production headaches continue.

 

"The assembly process is still a mess," an engineer said.

 

"They are building airplanes in the final-assembly process that then have to be rebuilt in the pickup process, which is many times longer."

 

Parts that don't fit, including doors and control surfaces on the wings, still are arriving in Everett.

 

"The wings on the 787s aren't even close to being ready," the engineer said.

 

The employees spoke on condition of anonymity because Boeing doesn't allow them to talk about their work.

 

The latest airplanes rolled out to the flight line from the factory with about 1,600 jobs incomplete.

 

It has been taking on average about a month to complete 1,000 of these catch-up jobs, the 787 mechanic said.

 

"They are just digging the hole deeper every time they send one out with that many jobs on it," he said.

 

Gunter said she didn't have the information to comment on those numbers.

 

Sorting it all out is made much more difficult because of the balky computerized system that manages all the data about specific parts. Mechanics are spending hours trying to call up parts information and drawings before performing any rework or modification.

 

And individual jets have been reworked so often that engineers have a hard time just figuring out what is the particular configuration of parts and assemblies on a particular plane.

 

"Productivity has crashed," said another employee with knowledge of how the computer system is failing.

 

"A worker spends four hours a day on the computer just trying to pull up his work."

 

Boeing's Gunter said the company is working to improve the digital tools, which she admitted "could work better."

 

But she said that, even without that, productivity has been improving. "Our mechanics are doing a great job," she said.

 

Among the major rework that must be done on every jet built so far is the laborious resealing of the wings.

 

That's currently being done on two jets destined for Royal Air Maroc of Morocco, inside an empty bay of the main assembly plant.

 

As the engineer put it, the planes are "essentially getting gutted."

 

The wing seals are important not only to avoid fuel leaks but also to coat metal fasteners so as to prevent sparks inside the fuel tank during a lightning strike.

 

Gunter said Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which builds the wings in Japan, is not entirely at fault.

 

"The sealing that was done did not meet our expectations," Gunter said. "We worked together with MHI to identify the need for resealing."

 

At the root of the issue, she said, are "elements of both workmanship and design."

 

Nothing new

 

She added that this is "not a new discovery" and already was factored into the last schedule revision in December, which requires the first delivery by the end of September.

 

But first delivery may not matter as much as the smoothing of the production system, said the employee who spoke about the computerized data problems.

 

"They'll make some deliveries," that person said, "But does the assembly line work? Almost no one thinks so."

 

Among several people who work on or with the program, the most optimistic projection was that Boeing might deliver 10 Dreamliners to customers by year end.

 

Others predicted the number would be much smaller.

 

Inside the ATS hangar, Dreamliners Nos. 8 and 9 are being prepared to join the fleet of flight-test planes to speed up the certification process.

 

These jets will fly long flights to try to gain a certification known as ETOPS — Extended-range Twin-engine Operations — which an airplane needs to fly more than an hour from the nearest airport.

 

One Dreamliner, No. 23, flew to San Antonio last month.

 

That plane is having its wing tanks sealed there and also is being rewired. When it's done, it will fly back to Everett to have an interior installed.

 

More employees

 

Boeing has been hiring mechanics steadily to beef up its work force and by the summer plans to have 1,200 people working at the ATS hangar, which the work force has dubbed "Factory South."

 

"Boeing is throwing money and bodies at the problem," the mechanic said.

QUOTE

[bigdelta 46]

Boeing Begins 787 Dreamliner Pilot Training with Launch Customer ANA-Start of 787 flight training marks significant milestone toward first delivery

 

SEATTLE, April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE:BA - News) has started 787 Dreamliner pilot training with launch customer ANA (All Nippon Airways). Ten pilots from ANA began the training program with classroom instructions in Tokyo earlier this month. Training on simulation devices began April 23 at the Boeing Flight Services training campus in Seattle, Wash. First delivery of the 787 is scheduled for the third quarter of this year.

 

"The start of customer training is an exciting milestone on any new airplane program," said Sherry Carbary, vice president, Boeing Flight Services. "In the case of the 787 Dreamliner, we're seeing the results of a special working relationship between Boeing and ANA. We worked side by side with ANA for more than four years conducting simulator evaluations, curriculum reviews and cross-training so that each team learned from the other. It has truly been a collaboration between committed individuals dedicated to ensuring success," Carbary said.

 

The Boeing 787 flight training program uses an innovative suite of training devices including a full-flight simulator, flight training device and desktop simulation station to ensure that pilots are ready to fly the Dreamliner.

 

With the 787 pilot training courses, pilots can transition to the new airplane in five to 20 days, depending on pilot experience. Boeing 777 pilots can qualify to fly the 787 in as little as five days, given the high level of commonality between the two airplane types.

 

"This is a significant milestone for our company," said Hideyuki Shibuichi, senior vice president of Flight Operations for ANA. "Getting our pilots trained and prepared is essential to being ready to take delivery of the airplane later this year."

 

In order to bring training closer to customers around the world, Boeing has installed a network of eight 787 training suites at five global campuses: Seattle, Singapore, Tokyo, London Gatwick and Shanghai.

[BigDUSA 71]

CHICAGO (Reuters) – Boeing Co's (BA.N) quarterly profit rose 13 percent and beat expectations despite a slight decline in revenue as the company improved production efficiency on some key offerings such as the 737 and the 777.

 

The world's largest aerospace and defense company on Wednesday reaffirmed a full-year outlook that reflects a rebound in commercial airplane orders and resilience in the face of sagging defense budgets.

 

Boeing also reconfirmed plans to deliver the long-delayed 787 Dreamliner in the third quarter and said it would give clarity on the next version of the 737 later this year.

 

Shares gained on the report, which featured an order backlog of $329 billion -- up 2.5 percent from a year earlier.

 

"It's really just reaffirmation of the guidance," said Kenneth Herbert, an analyst at Wedbush Securities.

 

He said Wall Street also is pleased to see the high-profile 787 program finally on track for delivery and Boeing's "confidence in the development milestones."

 

"That's why people are fired up. We're getting close," Herbert said.

 

Speaking on a conference call with analysts and reporters, Boeing Chief Executive Jim McNerney said the tsunami and earthquake in Japan last month had not had a significant impact on the company's operations. He said certain suppliers were damaged and that Boeing was watching for problems.

 

RESULTS

 

Boeing's first-quarter profit was $586 million, or 78 cents per share, topping analysts' average forecast for 70 cents a share, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

 

In the year-earlier quarter, Boeing earned $519 million, or 70 cents per share. Revenue slipped 2 percent to $14.9 billion, partly because it delivered fewer 777s than it did a year ago.

 

Boeing has said it delivered 104 commercial planes in the first quarter, including 13 thirteen 777s. Aircraft manufacturers get paid on delivery.

 

The company said it managed to boost profits despite declining revenue because of efficient production methods and reduced flow times in core operations, Boeing said.

 

Boeing shares, a Dow component, closed up 57 cents, or 0.75 percent, at $76.12 on the New York Stock Exchange.

 

"I think people are getting comfortable with the valuation, and people are getting comfortable with the recovery," said Alex Hamilton, managing director of EarlyBirdCapital, a boutique investment bank.

 

"What is clear is that this recovery is ongoing," he said.

 

Boeing stood by its full-year 2011 outlook. It expects revenue of $68 billion to $71 billion and earnings per share of $3.80 to $4. In 2010, Boeing earned $4.45 per share on revenue of $64.3 billion.

 

Boeing, which competes with EADS (EAD.PA) unit Airbus, splits its business almost evenly between commercial airplanes and defense products. But its stock tends to track commercial airplane orders and deliveries more closely.

 

(For a Boeing earnings graphic, see http://r.reuters.com/dax29r.)

 

Boeing Commercial Airplanes' first-quarter revenue fell 5 percent to $7.1 billion on lower 777 deliveries. Its backlog totaled more than 3,400 planes valued at $263 billion.

 

Boeing Defense, Space & Security's first-quarter revenue was $7.6 billion, flat with a year ago. Earlier this year, Boeing snared a $30 billion Pentagon order for 179 U.S. Air Force refueling planes.

 

PROGRAM UPDATES

 

Boeing repeated that first delivery for the 787 Dreamliner was on track for the third quarter, to Japan's All Nippon Airways (9202.T).

 

Boeing has taken about 835 orders from 56 customers for the lightweight carbon composite aircraft, which is about three years behind its original schedule due to labor problems and snags in the global supply chain.

 

"There is very strong demand for this airplane," McNerney said on the conference call.

 

"The profitability will not be high at the beginning," the chief executive said, adding "there are significant opportunities to increase the profitability of it."

 

Of the narrow-body 737, he said Boeing was still debating whether to redesign the hot-selling narrow-body or simply put a more fuel-efficient engine in the current model. A redesigned plane would take longer to bring to market but would offer greater fuel efficiency.

 

The company has delayed making that decision for months even though Airbus has already said it would re-engine its competing A320. Many industry watchers had expected Boeing to announce a decision last year. More recently, Boeing has said it may share its direction by mid-year.

 

"I'm not trying to signal any change here," McNerney said. "This is the year where we've got to harden up our plans to give our customers and our suppliers the direction they need."

 

He repeated that Boeing was leaning toward a redesign.

 

"I'm a little concerned about the lack of any proactiveness on the single-aisle (redesign or re-engine only) replacement strategy," said Richard Aboulafia, aerospace analyst at The Teal Group. "But they might surprise. They might have something up their sleeve."

 

Boeing said delivery of the first 747-8 Freighter is still planned for mid-2011.

 

(Reporting by Kyle Peterson; Editing by Derek Caney, John Wallace, Gary Hill and Bernard Orr)

QUOTE

[TheFiend 1,181]

PROGRAM UPDATES

 

Boeing repeated that first delivery for the 787 Dreamliner was on track for the third quarter, to Japan's All Nippon Airways (9202.T).

 

Boeing has taken about 835 orders from 56 customers for the lightweight carbon composite aircraft, which is about three years behind its original schedule due to labor problems and snags in the global supply chain.

 

"There is very strong demand for this airplane," McNerney said on the conference call.

 

"The profitability will not be high at the beginning," the chief executive said, adding "there are significant opportunities to increase the profitability of it."

 

So things like the fastener problems, wing problems and a electrical cubicle fire hasn't had anything to do with the continuing delays???

[BigDUSA 71]

The Boeing Co. remains on track to deliver as many as 20 of its delayed 787 jets this year, company officials said Wednesday.

 

Boeing chief executive Jim McNerney said he's "confident, very confident" in the company's ability to hit its 787 delivery target, despite a massive amount of rework needed to be done on 787s that already have been built.

 

McNerney's comments came as the company reported a first quarter profit of $586 million, which topped analysts' estimates. The aerospace giant said its earnings per share rose 11 percent in the first quarter to 78 cents per share from 70 cents per share in the first quarter last year. Analysts had expected Boeing to meet last year's performance at 70 cents per share.

 

The company said its profit and earnings expectations for 2011 are unchanged. Boeing estimates full-year earnings per share at $3.80 to $4.

 

McNerney reaffirmed the company's plan to deliver the first 787 in the third quarter. The mostly composite Dreamliner is running three years behind schedule due to problems with Boeing's global supply chain and problems that Boeing found in flight testing. The company's test 787s have accumulated more than 3,500 hours of flight in nearly 1,300 trips.

 

In order to hit its 12 to 20 delivery target this year on the 787, Boeing will deliver a combination of recently built Dreamliners and those that were built early on but need rework, which includes replacing fasteners throughout and adding a different sealant in the jets' wings.

 

"These are things that we've all taken into account and are part of the plan," McNerney said.

 

To incorporate the changes that Boeing has made in the 787 over the course of flight testing, Boeing has leased an additional facility at Everett's Paine Field. McNerney described the rework operation as a "second production area" which will be needed through next year.

 

"There is a significant amount of work on the initial airplanes," he said.

 

Boeing is still working its way through negotiations with 787 customers and suppliers for the jet's tardiness, said James Bell, Boeing's chief financial officer. He expects to wrap up talks this year as the first jet is delivered. Bell and McNerney declined to say how much the delays have cost the company. The company will give an estimate as to when the 787 will be profitable after first delivery.

 

In the long term, Boeing is eyeing other versions of its 787 to boost profitability, said McNerney, who didn't elaborate. Boeing is introducing the 787-8 first, with the 787-9 to follow.

 

With the first delivery apparently on schedule, Barclays Capital analyst Joseph F. Campbell Jr. said he believes executives are turning their attention to speeding up production. Boeing is producing two 787s monthly with a plan to go to 10 monthly by 2013.

 

"In order to get this plane to quit losing money, they can't build two a month. They need to move in the direction of 10 or 12 or 14," Campbell said

 

Other program updates

 

Besides the 787, Boeing hopes to deliver the first freighter and passenger versions of its 747-8. Both versions of the upgraded jumbo jet are in flight testing. McNerney said the company is still on track to deliver the first 747-8 freighter mid-year.

 

Boeing gave few new details on the future of its Renton-built 737. The company continues to lean towards an all-new replacement for the single-aisle jet, McNerney said. But Boeing won't make a decision on that jet until later this year.

 

"This is the year we have to harden up our plans," McNerney said.

 

The company's 777 line in Everett could be in store for another increase in rate. The 777 already is moving up to a pace of 8.3 aircraft monthly. But Boeing is "looking hard" at going higher, McNerney said.

 

As a result of recent production increases and the 787 rework, Boeing will continue its hiring spree in the Puget Sound area and in South Carolina, where the company plans to open a second 787 production line this summer.

 

In other Boeing news, the Federal Aviation Administration is increasing oversight at Boeing's manufacturing sites in Everett and Renton, paying attention to the steps Boeing takes to prevent foreign object debris in jets. The move comes after Boeing disclosed to the FAA an incident on April 21 in which debris was discovered in a 767-300 fuel tank.

 

The company's shares closed up 57 cents at $76.12 after hitting a 52-week high of $77.31 in early trading Wednesday.

 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

QUOTE

[TheFiend 1,181]

To incorporate the changes that Boeing has made in the 787 over the course of flight testing, Boeing has leased an additional facility at Everett's Paine Field. McNerney described the rework operation as a "second production area" which will be needed through next year.

 

"There is a significant amount of work on the initial airplanes," he said.

 

Boeing is still working its way through negotiations with 787 customers and suppliers for the jet's tardiness, said James Bell, Boeing's chief financial officer. He expects to wrap up talks this year as the first jet is delivered. Bell and McNerney declined to say how much the delays have cost the company. The company will give an estimate as to when the 787 will be profitable after first delivery.

 

In the long term, Boeing is eyeing other versions of its 787 to boost profitability, said McNerney, who didn't elaborate. Boeing is introducing the 787-8 first, with the 787-9 to follow.

 

With the first delivery apparently on schedule, Barclays Capital analyst Joseph F. Campbell Jr. said he believes executives are turning their attention to speeding up production. Boeing is producing two 787s monthly with a plan to go to 10 monthly by 2013.

 

"In order to get this plane to quit losing money, they can't build two a month. They need to move in the direction of 10 or 12 or 14," Campbell said

 

What a load of twaddle Boeing come out with........ the first delivery is not on schedule... it is years late!!!

 

The 7LATE7 will take very long time to reach profitabilty due to all the cheap deals they offered in order to attract orders for it.

[Hub 203]

What a load of twaddle Boeing come out with........ the first delivery is not on schedule... it is years late!!!

 

The 7LATE7 will take very long time to reach profitabilty due to all the cheap deals they offered in order to attract orders for it.

Financial analysts would disagree I thiink, the stock was up around 5% last week and made my 401K acount happy happy.

[BigDUSA 71]

What a load of twaddle Boeing come out with........ the first delivery is not on schedule... it is years late!!!

 

The 7LATE7 will take very long time to reach profitabilty due to all the cheap deals they offered in order to attract orders for it.

 

Boeing has so many orders for this plane they will reach profitability way before Airbus does with the A380. Assuming Airbus ever turns a profit with this plane. Looks like the EU taxpayer will get .

[BigDUSA 71]

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) -- Boeing will deliver its first 787 jet in third-quarter 2011 and roll out two of the long-delayed new planes each month after that, a company executive said Tuesday in the Chilean capital.

 

Latin America is an important market for Boeing, with 11,000 company jets flying in the region and requests pending for 3,400 more. Chile in particular is a hot spot, as Chilean airline LAN merges with Brazil's TAM airline to become the region's dominant carrier. The merged company, LATAM, has ordered 26 of the big new 787s, which are the company's biggest, said Boeing's Vice President for Marketing Randy Tinseth.

 

Boeing's manufacturing delays have caused difficulties for the world's biggest airlines, Tinseth acknowledged, but he said the deliveries should help the aircraft maker's credibility recover. In all, Boeing has received 835 requests from 56 companies for its 787s, he said.

 

Boeing also is coming out with new 747s for cargo and passenger travel this year, he said.

QUOTE

[Hub 203]

Boeing has so many orders for this plane they will reach profitability way before Airbus does with the A380. Assuming Airbus ever turns a profit with this plane. Looks like the EU taxpayer will get .

 

I think it has probably been stated on here before, but the only way you can have proof of your statement is to know what each plane is costing BA and what they are selling them for. Since BA is still in negotiations with their customers over late delivery discounts, I don't think you have that information.

[TheFiend 1,181]

I think it has probably been stated on here before, but the only way you can have proof of your statement is to know what each plane is costing BA and what they are selling them for. Since BA is still in negotiations with their customers over late delivery discounts, I don't think you have that information.

 

BigDoosa doesn't understand the concept that the fact that with the 7LATE7 being so far behind schedule the cost to Boeing increases with each passing day..... and they still have to deliver to customers whose orders were won by giving massive discounts.... then there is late delivery penalties.... It will take quite a while for Boeing to start making a profit on the 7LATE7..

[wacmedia 277]

Hi,

 

I'm glad the Indians have ordered European. I think the Eurofighter got the contract in the end.

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-28/i...-saab-says.html

 

Europe Wins, U.S. Loses in India Contest for Top Fighter Order in 15 Years

 

India’s Defence Ministry opted for European over American warplanes for the world’s biggest fighter-jet aircraft order in 15 years, snubbing the lobbying efforts by President Barack Obama.

 

The U.S. is “deeply disappointed” after India told it this week that Boeing Co. (BA) and Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) “were not selected for procurement” for the warplane, the American embassy in New Delhi said in a statement, citing Ambassador Timothy Roemer. India’s Defence Ministry will not comment on reports it has shortlisted the aircraft of France’s Dassault Aviation SA (AM) and the European Aeronautic, Defence & Space Co., ministry spokesman Sitanshu Kar said by phone today.

[CheshireTom 1,377]

I think it has probably been stated on here before, but the only way you can have proof of your statement is to know what each plane is costing BA and what they are selling them for. Since BA is still in negotiations with their customers over late delivery discounts, I don't think you have that information.

 

You can go with BigD's xenophobic rants, or you can lean towards more credible industry views ...

 

DATE:17/03/11

SOURCE:Flight International

 

Boeing needs to sell 1,500 787s to break even: Udvar-Hazy

By Jon Ostrower

 

Industry icon Steven Udvar-Hazy has given his assessment of the profitability potential for Boeing's 787, saying the US airframer will need to sell at least 1,500 twinjets to break even after more than three years of delays.

"The breakeven point for the 787 has moved far, far to the right," the Air Lease chairman and chief executive said during the International Society of Transport Aircraft Trading conference in Scottsdale, Arizona earlier this month. "You can imagine their [research and development] cost has skyrocketed compared to the original projection."

Boeing has earned 843 orders for the new majority composite twinjet, although the programme has struggled with supply chain and design issues.

"This means the number of aircraft they'll have to sell will be significant and my guess is at least 1,500. But then again, that's a 30- to 40-year production cycle," says Udvar-Hazy. Boeing estimates the market for 787-sized aircraft is more than 3,300 units, with an expectation to capture at least half of the market over 29 years.

[BigDUSA 71]

Hi,

 

I'm glad the Indians have ordered European. I think the Eurofighter got the contract in the end.

 

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-28/i...-saab-says.html

 

Europe Wins, U.S. Loses in India Contest for Top Fighter Order in 15 Years

 

Win some, lose some. Good luck with the contract.

[bigdelta 46]

Airbus Jet Operators to Check Fuselage Nuts After Cracks Found

 

Operators of Airbus SAS narrowbody planes were ordered to check the nuts on fuselages and fuel tanks after some of the parts were found to have cracked.

 

Operators will check about 170 A318, A319, A320 and A321 jetliners for the faults, the European Aviation Safety Agency said in airworthiness directives published yesterday.

 

Airbus found the cracks during production of the aircraft, the directives said. Tests found no immediate action is necessary. The location of the nuts, on “primary structural elements,” means they must be inspected, and replaced if necessary.

 

“This condition, if not corrected, could impair the structural integrity of the affected airplanes,” the regulator said.

 

“This is a proposed directive, for consultation, and there’s no immediate cause for concern,” Justin Dubon, an Airbus spokesman, said by phone.

 

Airbus, based in Toulouse, France, is a unit of European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Co. Airbus has delivered more than 4,600 narrowbody aircraft.

 

To contact the reporter on this story: Howard Mustoe in London at hmustoe@bloomberg.net.

 

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Benedikt Kammel at bkammel@bloomberg.net

[BigDUSA 71]

Boeing and Aerospace News

China Southern orders six Boeing 787s

 

China Southern Airlines Monday agreed to buy six Boeing 787 Dreamliners for subsidiary Xiamen Airlines, the carrier said in a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

 

The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2014 and 2015. They cost $1.1 million at list prices, although China Southern said Boeing, as usual, granted significant concessions.

 

This is Boeing’s first 787 order this year, to go with 2011 cancellations of orders for 12 of the composite wide bodies.

 

Read more aerospace news. Visit seattlepi.com’s home page for more Seattle news.

QUOTE

[BigDUSA 71]

Boeing and Aerospace News

 

Boeing 787 engine certified for extended operations

 

 

A Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engine on Boeing's first 787 Dreamliner. (Boeing)

 

The engines for the first Boeing 787s to be delivered are now certified for extended flights far from airports, engine maker Rolls-Royce announced Monday.

 

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration granted ETOPS certification for jets with two Trent 1000 engines to fly 330 minutes from the nearest airport, allowing long-range ocean and polar routes. This marks an important milestone toward delivery of the first 787 to launch customer All Nippon Airways, scheduled for the third quarter, although Boeing must still get its own ETOPS certification for hte 787.

 

“We have produced the quietest and lightest engine for the aircraft, with the lowest fuel burn over the lifetime of an engine, contributing to the 787’s target of delivering 20 per cent less CO2 than previous generation aircraft,” Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 Program Director Simon Carlisle said in a news release. “We now look forward to supporting Boeing’s own ETOPS program and to powering the 787 Dreamliner’s entry into service with All Nippon Airways.”

 

Rolls-Royce noted that it has delivered the Trent 1000 engines for the first 787 set to be delivered.

 

Boeing also offers GEnx engines on the 787. Japan Airlines is the launch customer for the GEnx 787.

 

Read more aerospace news. Visit seattlepi.com’s home page for more Seattle news.

QUOTE

[TheFiend 1,181]

Boeing and Aerospace News

China Southern orders six Boeing 787s

 

China Southern Airlines Monday agreed to buy six Boeing 787 Dreamliners for subsidiary Xiamen Airlines, the carrier said in a filing with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

 

The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2014 and 2015. They cost $1.1 million at list prices, although China Southern said Boeing, as usual, granted significant concessions.

This is Boeing’s first 787 order this year, to go with 2011 cancellations of orders for 12 of the composite wide bodies.

 

Read more aerospace news. Visit seattlepi.com’s home page for more Seattle news.

QUOTE

 

Oh dear, another massively discounted deal for a huge order of 6 planes..... if Boeing keeps doing deals like this to win orders the 7LATE7 will never make a profit....

[bigdelta 46]

And I suppose Airbust hasn't/doesn't discount their Hindenburg.

 

 

Oh dear, another massively discounted deal for a huge order of 6 planes..... if Boeing keeps doing deals like this to win orders the 7LATE7 will never make a profit....

[jones 5]

i work for airbus and the 380 is THE BEST PLANE ever made and will far surpass the dreamliner which has not

even been in the air yet so get alife and when the 350 comes into flight next year will be the next airbus to

wipe the arse of boeing who need to get there act together, boeing is a big joke who takes lotes of money from the usa goverment .as for the jumbo 747 it,s a thing of the past and will never complete with airbus 380 and 350

so you yanks have not got a clue

[BigDUSA 71]

i work for airbus and the 380 is THE BEST PLANE ever made and will far surpass the dreamliner which has not

even been in the air yet so get alife and when the 350 comes into flight next year will be the next airbus to

wipe the arse of boeing who need to get there act together, boeing is a big joke who takes lotes of money from the usa goverment .as for the jumbo 747 it,s a thing of the past and will never complete with airbus 380 and 350

so you yanks have not got a clue

 

How many A380 have been sold?