37 minutes ago
Monday, February 8, 2010
Boeing 747-800F takes to the Skies
The Boeing Company's new "Next Generation" 747-8F took to the skies on her maiden flight today at 1239 pst from Boeings Everett facilities. "Boeing 501 Heavy," 747-8R7F/SCD (35808/1420) N747EX which will be delivered to launch customer CargoLux climbed into a clear but hazy Washington sky as an excited throng of Boeing employee's and special guests looked on.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Photo of the Day / Westjet 737-8CT
(Photo by Joe G. Walker)Our photo of the day comes to us from Seattle, Washington were Westjet Airlines took delivery of Boeing 737-8CT (37092/3165) C-GWSZ ex-N1787B yesterday, 02/05/2010. The aircraft sports a special livery - "Guarante" / "Care-Antee" and is captured as she departs Boeing Field (BFI/KBFI) on her delivery flight bound for Calgary (YYC/CYYC).
Friday, February 5, 2010
Boeing 787's take to the Skies
787 (ZA001) N787BA rotates as it departs at it's maximum gross takeoff weight.
ANA 787 (ZA002) N787EX rotates as it departs on another test flight.(Photos by Joe G. Walker)
Today for the first time Boeing had both 787 test aircraft in the air at the same time performing flight tests. The aircraft departed Boeing Field (BFI/KBFI) on the test flights under cloudy conditions.
Photo of the Day / Turkish Airlines Boeing 737-8F2 "FCBarcelona"
Turkish Airlines 737-8F2 (35738/2592) TC-JGY taxi's at Birmingham (Elmdon) (BHX/EGBB) sporting this special livery celebrating it's sponsorship of "Football Club Barcelona."(Photos by Gordon Stretch)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Copa Airlines Increases Flights at LAX
Starting June 30, 2010 COPA Airlines will add a second daily flight between Panama City (PTY/MPTO) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX). The flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft, the schedule is as follows;
CM 472 - PTY 11:48 / LAX 15:51
CM 473 - LAX 08:30 / PTY 17:48
CM 472 - PTY 11:48 / LAX 15:51
CM 473 - LAX 08:30 / PTY 17:48
Frontier Announces Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) Schedule
As reported previously on APF, Frontier Airlines officially announced it's new service to Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) which will commence on May 14, 2010. The carrier will operated two daily flights except Saturdays between Denver (DEN/KDEN) and Long Beach Airport. The flights will be operated with Embraer E190 aircraft provided by Republic Airlines, the schedule is as follows;
DEN - LGB: Depart 0840 - Arrive 1015
DEN - LGB: Depart 1810 - Arrive 1945
LGB - DEN: Depart 0645 - Arrive 1005
LGB - DEN: Depart 1100 - Arrive 1419
DEN - LGB: Depart 0840 - Arrive 1015
DEN - LGB: Depart 1810 - Arrive 1945
LGB - DEN: Depart 0645 - Arrive 1005
LGB - DEN: Depart 1100 - Arrive 1419
New C-17A Delivered to USAF
C-17A 08-8194 (F-217/P194) was delivered to the USAF this morning at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB). The aircraft departed Boeings C-17 facilities at approximately 0930 bound for it's new home at McChord AFB.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
2011 Defense Budget Doesn't look good for the C-17A
President Barack Obama strongly rejected continued funding for Boeing's C-17 in his proposed fiscal year 2011 budget Monday, calling future spending on the Long Beach-built jet "waste, pure and simple."
"We save money by eliminating unnecessary defense programs that do nothing to keep us safe," Obama said. "One example is the $2.5 billion that we're spending to build C-17 transport aircraft. Four years ago, the Defense Department decided to cease production because it had acquired the number requested - 180. Yet every year since, Congress had provided unrequested money for more C-17s that the Pentagon doesn't want or need. It's waste, pure and simple."
Boeing officials reacted to the statement diplomatically, saying they believe there is future need for the aircraft both domestically and internationally.
"While we do not comment on our lobbying activities, we can say that Boeing is focusing our efforts on the demand for affordable, reliable and capable airlift globally," said Boeing spokesman Jerry Drelling. "We intend to aggressively seek international sales of the C-17."
The C-17 supports some 5,000 jobs at Boeing's production, sales and research plant in Long Beach.
The president had also suggested in 2009 that Congress not support additional dollars for the heavy airlift cargo plane. Despite his request, Congress funded 10 jets for the U.S. Air Force at a cost of $2.5 billion. The president's suggested budget is only a proposal, as Congress holds ultimate authority on spending, so his call to end C-17 production will need approval by both the House and Senate. Obama can veto spending projects approved by Congress, but federal law allows a presidential veto to be overridden by a two-thirds majority of both houses.
Area Congress members could not be reached Monday for reaction to the President's latest call to end C-17 funding, but California Sen. Barbara Boxer said in a statement that she strongly disagreed with Obama's assessment. "While I agree with President Obama's focus on job creation in his new budget, this is one area where we don't agree," Boxer said. "I will work to restore funding for this program that is important for so many of our military and humanitarian missions."
The plane has traditionally enjoyed strong support from lawmakers in California and the 44 states where suppliers are based. The C-17 has seen extensive use in Iraq, Afghanistan, and more recently, ferrying relief aid to earthquake-stricken Haiti. Along with the United States, C-17s are owned by Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and a NATO-led consortium based in Hungary. The Indian Air Force is also considering purchasing 10 of the jets.
But while Boeing looks for international orders, company officials believe domestic production is vital to keep the plant and its suppliers across the country operating. Boeing estimates it needs 12 to 15 orders annually to justify high production costs.
"U.S. orders will ultimately be needed in the future to keep the line open," Drelling said. "It is important to preserve this vital airlift program that is the only military wide-body manufacturing capability in the United States."
Currently, C-17 production is expected to end in mid- to late 2012, though Boeing has entered into formal negotiations with India for 10 planes, which could push production into 2013.
Other recent orders have come from the United Arab Emirates, which purchased six C-17s in early January and the United Kingdom, which added one to its existing fleet of six a few days later.
Increasingly, the C-17 has been used for humanitarian efforts. The plane has been used to haul tons of medical aid, food, water and personnel in the wake of such disasters as Hurricane Katrina, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the earthquake and tsunami that struck American Samoa and Tonga in September and most recently, the earthquake in Haiti.
The plane can carry up to 170,000 pounds of equipment and land on remote, unpaved runways as short as 3,000 feet, making it unique among the world's heavy-lift aircraft. The U.S. Air Force has a C-17 fleet of about 194 with roughly a dozen more on order. It was first introduced in the early 1990s as a more-efficient alternative to Lockheed's C-5 aircraft.
Last year, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., led a spirited attempt to strip funding for more C-17s in the federal defense budget, but his amendment was eventually voted down in a bipartisan 68-30 vote. And in October, over strong objections from the White House, the Senate and House jointly agreed to purchase 10 more C-17s.
The federal government estimates restarting the plant after closure would cost in excess of $1 billion. "Preserving this program provides an affordable option to the U.S. Air Force and Congress if they need to fill what we believe is a growing demand for airlift," Drelling said.
"We save money by eliminating unnecessary defense programs that do nothing to keep us safe," Obama said. "One example is the $2.5 billion that we're spending to build C-17 transport aircraft. Four years ago, the Defense Department decided to cease production because it had acquired the number requested - 180. Yet every year since, Congress had provided unrequested money for more C-17s that the Pentagon doesn't want or need. It's waste, pure and simple."
Boeing officials reacted to the statement diplomatically, saying they believe there is future need for the aircraft both domestically and internationally.
"While we do not comment on our lobbying activities, we can say that Boeing is focusing our efforts on the demand for affordable, reliable and capable airlift globally," said Boeing spokesman Jerry Drelling. "We intend to aggressively seek international sales of the C-17."
The C-17 supports some 5,000 jobs at Boeing's production, sales and research plant in Long Beach.
The president had also suggested in 2009 that Congress not support additional dollars for the heavy airlift cargo plane. Despite his request, Congress funded 10 jets for the U.S. Air Force at a cost of $2.5 billion. The president's suggested budget is only a proposal, as Congress holds ultimate authority on spending, so his call to end C-17 production will need approval by both the House and Senate. Obama can veto spending projects approved by Congress, but federal law allows a presidential veto to be overridden by a two-thirds majority of both houses.
Area Congress members could not be reached Monday for reaction to the President's latest call to end C-17 funding, but California Sen. Barbara Boxer said in a statement that she strongly disagreed with Obama's assessment. "While I agree with President Obama's focus on job creation in his new budget, this is one area where we don't agree," Boxer said. "I will work to restore funding for this program that is important for so many of our military and humanitarian missions."
The plane has traditionally enjoyed strong support from lawmakers in California and the 44 states where suppliers are based. The C-17 has seen extensive use in Iraq, Afghanistan, and more recently, ferrying relief aid to earthquake-stricken Haiti. Along with the United States, C-17s are owned by Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and a NATO-led consortium based in Hungary. The Indian Air Force is also considering purchasing 10 of the jets.
But while Boeing looks for international orders, company officials believe domestic production is vital to keep the plant and its suppliers across the country operating. Boeing estimates it needs 12 to 15 orders annually to justify high production costs.
"U.S. orders will ultimately be needed in the future to keep the line open," Drelling said. "It is important to preserve this vital airlift program that is the only military wide-body manufacturing capability in the United States."
Currently, C-17 production is expected to end in mid- to late 2012, though Boeing has entered into formal negotiations with India for 10 planes, which could push production into 2013.
Other recent orders have come from the United Arab Emirates, which purchased six C-17s in early January and the United Kingdom, which added one to its existing fleet of six a few days later.
Increasingly, the C-17 has been used for humanitarian efforts. The plane has been used to haul tons of medical aid, food, water and personnel in the wake of such disasters as Hurricane Katrina, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, the earthquake and tsunami that struck American Samoa and Tonga in September and most recently, the earthquake in Haiti.
The plane can carry up to 170,000 pounds of equipment and land on remote, unpaved runways as short as 3,000 feet, making it unique among the world's heavy-lift aircraft. The U.S. Air Force has a C-17 fleet of about 194 with roughly a dozen more on order. It was first introduced in the early 1990s as a more-efficient alternative to Lockheed's C-5 aircraft.
Last year, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., led a spirited attempt to strip funding for more C-17s in the federal defense budget, but his amendment was eventually voted down in a bipartisan 68-30 vote. And in October, over strong objections from the White House, the Senate and House jointly agreed to purchase 10 more C-17s.
The federal government estimates restarting the plant after closure would cost in excess of $1 billion. "Preserving this program provides an affordable option to the U.S. Air Force and Congress if they need to fill what we believe is a growing demand for airlift," Drelling said.
(Kristopher Hanson - Long Beach Press Telegram)
Long Beach Airport Awards Available Slots
Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) received formal requests from JetBlue Airways, Delta, Allegiant and Frontier Airlines for six available carrier slots, according to Juan Lopez-Rios, airport leasing and business development officer. All four airlines submitted their requests by a 4 p.m. deadline on January 29. LGB is allocating one slot to Delta and one to JetBlue; Allegiant and Frontier will each have two slots. New LGB airlines have 90 days to begin service from March 1, Lopez-Rios says.
The airline must then operate service continuously for 180 days to finalize the allocation.“If any of these air carriers relinquish a slot, then we would go back to the other carriers that were interested in [additional] slots,” he adds. Alaska Airlines recently gave up five slots and United Parcel Service surrendered one of two. According to airport officials, this is the greatest number of available slots since JetBlue began service at LGB in 2001.
The airport uses various methods to determine allocation, depending on the available slots and total requests. The allocation process works in “rounds.” There is some preference to carriers new to LGB, Lopez-Rios says.“In the past there [have been] so many entrants, there aren’t enough to go around,” he says. “Then, in order to assign the slots, we go to a drawing.”For a drawing, the airport would designate a date so that representatives from each airline could attend.
The two guiding documents are the airport’s noise ordinance and the slot allocation resolution, says LGB Public Affairs Officer Sharon Diggs-Jackson.The noise ordinance currently caps commercial slots at 41 and commuter slots at 25. (Commuter slots are for aircraft less than 75,000 pounds.) Alaska’s subsidiary Horizon Air now operates at LGB, using commuter slots because of its smaller planes. There are still 16 commuter slots available.Airserv President Kevin McAchren says new airlines could translate into new business: “We could use the business,” he says. “It’s been terribly slow for us.”
The airline must then operate service continuously for 180 days to finalize the allocation.“If any of these air carriers relinquish a slot, then we would go back to the other carriers that were interested in [additional] slots,” he adds. Alaska Airlines recently gave up five slots and United Parcel Service surrendered one of two. According to airport officials, this is the greatest number of available slots since JetBlue began service at LGB in 2001.
The airport uses various methods to determine allocation, depending on the available slots and total requests. The allocation process works in “rounds.” There is some preference to carriers new to LGB, Lopez-Rios says.“In the past there [have been] so many entrants, there aren’t enough to go around,” he says. “Then, in order to assign the slots, we go to a drawing.”For a drawing, the airport would designate a date so that representatives from each airline could attend.
The two guiding documents are the airport’s noise ordinance and the slot allocation resolution, says LGB Public Affairs Officer Sharon Diggs-Jackson.The noise ordinance currently caps commercial slots at 41 and commuter slots at 25. (Commuter slots are for aircraft less than 75,000 pounds.) Alaska’s subsidiary Horizon Air now operates at LGB, using commuter slots because of its smaller planes. There are still 16 commuter slots available.Airserv President Kevin McAchren says new airlines could translate into new business: “We could use the business,” he says. “It’s been terribly slow for us.”
(Stacy Lawrence - Long Beach Business Journel)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Avient Takes Delivery of 2nd MD-11(F)
Avient has taken delivery of it's second MD-11(F) (48410/495) Z-BVT ex-N575SH. The aircraft which was originally delivered to Korean Air as HL7374 on June 20, 1992 was ferried from Miami (MIA/KMIA) to Liege (Bierset) (LGG/EBLG) on January 27. The MD-11(F) was most recently operated by VarigLog as PR-LGE.
Should Airlines Charge a "Fat Tax" for Obese Passengers?
Should airlines charge overweight passengers more if they need an extra seat? Yes, according to more than three-quarters of respondents in a poll.
A survey by travel website Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.net) found that 76 percent of people believe airlines should charge a "fat tax." Only 22 percent of the 550 people questioned disapproved of introducing extra payments for overweight passengers.
The poll was conducted in the wake of a heated debate that started after Air France was misreported earlier this month to be planning an extra charge for passengers unable to fit into a single seat. Air France has, since 2005, offered overweight passengers the option to buy a second seat at a 25 percent discount.
Skyscanner co-founder Barry Smith said a so-called "fat tax" was a very sensitive issue for airlines who would need to tread carefully so as not to alienate heavier passengers. "On one hand, it's not unreasonable for airlines to charge passengers extra if they occupy more than one seat. On the other, many would argue that it should be the responsibility of airlines to adjust their standard seat size, enabling them to comfortably accommodate all passengers," he said in a statement.
Some respondents to the poll said it was airlines' responsibility to make seats for all shapes and sizes of passengers while others suggested that the charge should be calculated on the weight of the passenger plus their luggage.
In the United States, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have a policy where "oversize" people need to buy a second seat and can claim a refund if the plane is not full. This followed complaints from neighboring passengers.
The Supreme Court in Canada ruled that obese and disabled people traveling on planes cannot be forced to buy a second seat.
A survey by travel website Skyscanner (www.skyscanner.net) found that 76 percent of people believe airlines should charge a "fat tax." Only 22 percent of the 550 people questioned disapproved of introducing extra payments for overweight passengers.
The poll was conducted in the wake of a heated debate that started after Air France was misreported earlier this month to be planning an extra charge for passengers unable to fit into a single seat. Air France has, since 2005, offered overweight passengers the option to buy a second seat at a 25 percent discount.
Skyscanner co-founder Barry Smith said a so-called "fat tax" was a very sensitive issue for airlines who would need to tread carefully so as not to alienate heavier passengers. "On one hand, it's not unreasonable for airlines to charge passengers extra if they occupy more than one seat. On the other, many would argue that it should be the responsibility of airlines to adjust their standard seat size, enabling them to comfortably accommodate all passengers," he said in a statement.
Some respondents to the poll said it was airlines' responsibility to make seats for all shapes and sizes of passengers while others suggested that the charge should be calculated on the weight of the passenger plus their luggage.
In the United States, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines have a policy where "oversize" people need to buy a second seat and can claim a refund if the plane is not full. This followed complaints from neighboring passengers.
The Supreme Court in Canada ruled that obese and disabled people traveling on planes cannot be forced to buy a second seat.
(Reuters)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Photo of the Day / Emirates A380-861 A6-EDH
Emirates A380-861 (cn 025) A6-EDH arrives at London-Heathrow Airport (LHR/EGLL) sporting special "6000th Airbus Aircraft" markings just aft of the fwd cabin entry door. (Photo A.J. Best)FedEx Panda Express
(Photo FedEx)FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) and the world's largest express transportation company, is donating its logistical services to transport two giant pandas from the United States to China on February 4, 2010. Working in conjunction with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and Zoo Atlanta, FedEx Express will fly the pandas non-stop from Washington’s Dulles International Airport to Chengdu, China.
Tai Shan, a 4-and-a-half-year-old male panda born at the National Zoo, and Mei Lan, a 3-year-old female panda born at Zoo Atlanta, will travel onboard a custom-decaled FedEx Express 777 Freighter (777F) – known as the “FedEx Panda Express.” “FedEx is uniquely qualified to make this special delivery given our long history connecting the U.S. to China and our extensive global experience in shipping precious cargo, from packages to pandas,” said David J. Bronczek, president and CEO, FedEx Express. “It is a privilege to serve as the trusted carrier of these rare pandas, and we are proud to support the preservation efforts of this endangered species.”
Currently, conservationists estimate that only 1,600 pandas remain in the wild. Both Tai Shan and Mei Lan are part of global, giant panda conservation programs.
FedEx Express will fly Mei Lan from Atlanta to Washington, D.C., where she will join Tai Shan in preparation for the trans-Atlantic flight. Onboard the 777F aircraft – which is solely dedicated to the pandas’ journey – Tai Shan and Mei Lan will travel in two custom-built transport containers provided by FedEx Express. The pandas will depart Washington, D.C. late morning on February 4 and arrive in Chengdu late afternoon on February 5, approximately 14 ½ hours between take-off and landing.
The pandas’ flight will be shorter than ever before possible as a result of the fuel-efficient 777F aircraft, the world’s largest twin-engine cargo aircraft and the newest addition to the FedEx global fleet. In early January 2010, FedEx launched the 777F into international service with a direct connection from Shanghai to the U.S.
In addition to donating all the necessary air transportation, FedEx Express is also providing ground and logistical support in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. In both cities, caravans of FedEx vehicles will deliver the pandas to the airport. Local law enforcement will be on hand to ensure a smooth ride for the pandas. FedEx pilots and drivers selected to transport the pandas are some of the company’s most seasoned team members.FedEx Express, the National Zoo, Zoo Atlanta and the China organizers in Chengdu have worked collaboratively to ensure all necessary precautions have been taken to provide a safe and comfortable flight for the pandas. Animal care experts from both zoos have been granted special flight privileges to accompany the pandas onboard the aircraft.
Upon arriving in Chengdu, Tai Shan will be received by the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens will take delivery of Mei Lan. Tai Shan will reside at the China Conservation and Research Center’s Wolong Nature Reserve in Sichuan, China and Mei Lan will reside at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.
(Source - FedEx)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Nice Westwind at Long Beach
(Photos by Michael Carter)Israel Aircraft Industry (IAI) 1124 Westwind (cn 329) N124HS (ex N7HM, N711SE) operated by HSL LLC is captured at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) Thursday 01/28/2010 as she departs on a gorgeous afternoon in SoCal.
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