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Boeing Begins Certification Testing on 737 Performance Improvements

SEATTLE, Nov. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — A Boeing (NYSE: BA) Next-Generation 737-800 in the new United Airlines livery successfully completed its first test flight late last week, signifying the start of certification for a package of 737 performance improvements. Testing and certification will continue through April 2011. Aerodynamic and engine changes included in the package will reduce fuel consumption by 2 percent. Boeing is phasing the changes into production mid-2011 through early 2012.

One percent of the savings comes from reducing resistance as air flows around the airplane. The upper and lower anti-collision lights change from round to a more aerodynamic, elongated teardrop shape. Wheel-well fairings are re-contoured to smooth the air flow near the main landing gear. A redesign of the environmental control system, exhaust vent and streamlined wing slat and spoiler trailing edges round out the aerodynamic changes.

CFM is introducing the new CFM56-7BE engine enhancement program to coincide with Boeing’s airframe changes. Low- and high-pressure turbine modifications will result in a 1 percent reduction in fuel consumption. In addition, Boeing is optimizing the engine’s primary nozzle and plug. Together, the changes result in cooler-running engines that may provide up to 4 percent lower maintenance costs.

Watch video of the first certification test flight and learn how engineers came up with the design improvements here: http://bit.ly/a8T9oM.

Boeing’s continuous efforts to improve the Next-Generation 737 family have resulted in an accumulated 5 percent gain in fuel efficiency since the first airplane was delivered in 1998. The new improvements will give operators an airplane that is 7 percent more efficient than the first Next-Generation 737s delivered.

In late October, Boeing delivered its first two Next-Generation 737-800s with the new Boeing Sky Interior. The interior features new cove lighting and curving architecture that create a more open feel in the cabin. Updated sidewalls and window reveals add a modern feel, and larger stowage bins enable passengers to store more luggage while giving them more headroom. Deliveries to new operators continue each month.

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    Flight Attendant Stands in


    Click to view full size photo at Airliners.net
    Contact photographer Alejandro Ruiz

    What: American Airlines Boeing 767-300 en route from San Francisco to Chicago O’Hare
    Where: en route
    When: Jun 14 2010
    Who: 225 passengers and 7 crew
    Why: When the first officer became ill aboard 1612 from San Francisco, a fight attendant with a commercial pilots license stepped in as copilot (taking the first officer’s seat) for the landing.

    Ride ’em cowboy, American Airlines. Way to go.

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    Sunwing Airlines Plane makes Safe Landing in Greece after Technical Problems

    Sunwing Airlines flight BY-1526 made a safe landing at Corfu International Airport, Greece, on July 21st.

    The Boeing 737-800 flying from Belfast, Northern Ireland, had just taken-off when the crew some technical problems.

    The plane landed safely.

    All 186 people aboard remained safe.

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  • |

    Australia: flight safety checks

    Victorian aerodrome flight safety checks

    Special flight safety checks are being carried out at 18 Victorian aerodromes next week.

    There will be a series of low-level flights at each aerodrome to make sure flight paths continue to operate safely.

    A twin-engine Cessna Conquest aircraft will be used to conduct the safety checks within an area up to 35 kilometres from each aerodrome.

    The two pilots flying the aircraft will ensure navigation aids are operational and not suffering interference, as well as looking for any new obstacles that could be a danger to aviation safety.

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires these checks to be carried out every three years to maintain a high level of air safety at aerodromes.

    Low-level flying is an essential part of the safety exercise, with the aircraft down as low as several hundred feet at times.

    Local residents may notice an uncommon flying pattern, but this is to make sure obstacles are accurately marked on charts and no new obstacles exist. Obstacles can be towers, trees, masts or buildings that can be a danger to aircraft.

    The checks are scheduled to be carried out between Saturday 11 December and Sunday 19 December 2010.

    If poor weather or other factors do not allow the safety checks to go ahead on the planned days they will be carried out as soon as possible.

    CASA has contracted the operation of the special check flights out to Radiola Aerospace Pty Ltd – a company with wide international expertise in these specialist operations.

    Naracoorte aerodrome flight safety checks

    Special flight safety checks are being carried out at Naracoorte aerodrome next week.

    There will be a series of low-level flights to make sure flight paths at the aerodrome continue to operate safely.

    A twin-engine Cessna Conquest aircraft will be used to conduct the safety checks within an area up to 35 kilometres from the aerodrome.

    The two pilots flying the aircraft will ensure navigation aids are operational and not suffering interference, as well as looking for any new obstacles that could be a danger to aviation safety.

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires these checks to be carried out every three years to maintain a high level of air safety at Naracoorte aerodrome.

    Low-level flying is an essential part of the safety exercise, with aircraft down as low as several hundred feet at times.

    Local residents may notice an uncommon flying pattern, but this is to make sure obstacles are accurately marked on charts and no new obstacles exist. Obstacles can be towers, trees, masts or buildings that can be a danger to aircraft.

    The checks are scheduled to be carried out in the week starting Sunday 12 December 2010.

    If poor weather or other factors do not allow the safety checks to go ahead on the planned days they will be carried out as soon as possible.

    CASA has contracted the operation of the special check flights out to Radiola Aerospace Pty Ltd – a company with wide international expertise in these specialist operations.

    Mount Gambier aerodrome flight safety checks

    Special flight safety checks are being carried out at Mount Gambier aerodrome next week.

    There will be a series of low-level flights to make sure flight paths at the aerodrome continue to operate safely.

    A twin-engine Cessna Conquest aircraft will be used to conduct the safety checks within an area up to 35 kilometres from the aerodrome.

    The two pilots flying the aircraft will ensure navigation aids are operational and not suffering interference, as well as looking for any new obstacles that could be a danger to aviation safety.

    The Civil Aviation Safety Authority requires these checks to be carried out every three years to maintain a high level of air safety at Mount Gambier aerodrome.

    Low-level flying is an essential part of the safety exercise, with aircraft down as low as several hundred feet at times.

    Local residents may notice an uncommon flying pattern, but this is to make sure obstacles are accurately marked on charts and no new obstacles exist. Obstacles can be towers, trees, masts or buildings that can be a danger to aircraft.

    The checks are scheduled to be carried out in the week starting Sunday 12 December 2010.

    If poor weather or other factors do not allow the safety checks to go ahead on the planned days they will be carried out as soon as possible.

    CASA has contracted the operation of the special check flights out to Radiola Aerospace Pty Ltd – a company with wide international expertise in these specialist operations.

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    Boeing, Air China Announce Order for Boeing 777s

    SEATTLE, Sept. 27 Boeing 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.

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  • Airbus Official Afriqiyah Press Release

    Airbus regrets to confirm that an Airbus A330-200 operated by Afriqiyah Airways was involved in an accident in Tripoli, Libya at 04:00 GMT, Wednesday 12th May. The aircraft was operating a scheduled service, Flight 8U771 from Johannesburg, South Africa to Tripoli, Libya.

    The aircraft involved in the accident, registered as 5A-ONG, was MSN (Manufacturer Serial Number) 1024, delivered from the production line in September 2009. The aircraft had accumulated approximately 1600 flight hours in some 420 flights. It was powered by General Electric CF6-80E1 engines. At this time no further factual information is available.
    Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft crashed short of the runway threshold during approach. According to available information there were 93 passengers and 11 crew on board.

    In line with ICAO Annex 13 international convention Airbus is dispatching a team of technical advisors to support the investigation authorities and the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) as accredited representative.

    The Airbus A330-200 is a widebody, twin-engine aircraft, which typically carries 253 passengers in a three-class, twin-aisle cabin on medium to long range routes of up to 7,250 nautical miles (13,400km). The A330-200 was first delivered in April 1998.

    The concerns and sympathy of the Airbus employees go to the families, friends and loved ones affected by the accident.

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    Dassault Falcon Focuses on the Growing Market in India as the Company Strengthens its Position in Emerging Markets Worldwide

    BANGALORE, India, February 4, 2011 — Dassault Falcon is presenting its Falcon fleet of large cabin, long range business jets at Aero India 2011, starting on February 9th in Bangalore. The Falcon range of aircraft will be on display alongside the Dassault Rafale fighter, which will perform in the air display. Dassault Falcon’s share of the Indian market is strong and growing as the benefits of business aviation are recognized by an increasing number of Indian companies and private owners. Private investment in India’s aviation infrastructure and support by the Indian authorities are making this dynamic market even more attractive.

    Dassault Falcon currently has over 60% share of the Indian market for large cabin/long range aircraft and is rapidly consolidating its position with an increase in local customer support and parts services. An Authorized Service Center is also under consideration, in addition to the existing Dassault liaison office in New Delhi which serves both the Indian military and Falcon operators.
    More than 20 Falcon aircraft are currently operating from airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Another 15 aircraft are on order for delivery to Indian customers within the next two years. Almost half of the new aircraft orders are for the Dassault flagship Falcon 7X, the first business jet certified with a fully-digital flight control system.

    In 2010, Dassault Falcon reinforced its position in key markets such as India and South America – where the company has the largest market share in its segments – and Asia, specifically China, where aircraft sales are growing quickly. In India, Dassault built its reputation for advanced technology and efficient aircraft from its first military sales. Today, the Indian military operates 50 Mirage fighters. In the business aviation sector, Dassault Falcon’s success has been driven by new models with exceptional performance, comfort and fuel economy such as the Falcon 2000LX and the Falcon 7X.

    “We have been encouraged about the potential for long term growth in business aviation in India,” said John Rosanvallon, President and CEO of Dassault Falcon. “Business jets are now seen in the region as a powerful tool to enable quick and convenient access to customers within the country, and worldwide. The dramatic growth of the economy and the experience of travelling on commercial airlines have all contributed to the expansion of the market over the last few years. The worldwide crisis did not impact our regional sales as severely, and the second half of 2010 was much active for us.”

    The performance of the Falcon fleet is especially valued in India, where short airfields, elevated runways and high temperatures are common. The Falcon aircraft are also more economical to operate and more environmentally responsible than any other large cabin aircraft. Their efficient design and technological optimization means less weight, 20-60% less fuel consumption and lower emissions than other airplanes in their class.

    Dassault Falcon aircraft are very well suited to the Indian customer, offering long range – the Falcon 7X can connect Mumbai to Cape Town, Bangalore to the challenging London City Airport in the heart of the City and is the only jet in its category to meet the demanding performance requirements of the airport with its steep approach and noise restrictions.

    “With their exceptional performance and fuel efficiency, I have no doubt that the Falcon fleet is positioned for long term success in the region and that we will maintain a high level of market share, ” concluded John Rosanvallon.

    To support its growing fleet in India and the increased number of transient airplanes, Falcon Customer Service has based a Customer Service Manager and opened a spares distribution center with DHL in Mumbai. Dassault Falcon has already authorized service centers nearby in Dubai, Jeddah and Singapore.

    About Dassault Falcon
    Dassault Falcon is responsible for selling and supporting Falcon business jets throughout the world. It is part of Dassault Aviation, a leading aerospace company with a presence in over 70 countries across five continents. Dassault Aviation produces the Rafale fighter jet as well as the complete line of Falcon business jets. The company has assembly and production plants in both France and the United States and service facilities on multiple continents. It employs a total workforce of over 12,000. Since the rollout of the first Falcon 20 in 1963, 2,000 Falcon jets have been delivered to 67 countries worldwide. The family of Falcon jets currently in production includes the tri-jets-the Falcon 900EX, 900LX, and the 7X-as well as the twin-engine 2000LX.

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