Will post photos of our museum visit and our time at PDX when I return home.
(Michael Carter)
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Greetings from Portland, Oregon
I am currently in Portland, Oregon attending Airliners International 2011. We have had a great time so far as we have visited the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum were we sat in the cockpit of the Spruce Goose and photographed many historical aircraft. We have also been shooting at Portland International Airport (PDX/KPDX) and have captured several of the Horizon Air DHC-8-400's which sport special liveries.
Will post photos of our museum visit and our time at PDX when I return home.
Will post photos of our museum visit and our time at PDX when I return home.
Boeing 787 recieves certification from FAA
Boeing received certification for the all-new 787 Dreamliner from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) during a ceremony at the company's Everett, Wash., facility.
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt presented the U.S. Type Certificate, which verifies that the 787 has been tested and found to be in compliance with all federal regulations, to 787 Chief Pilot Mike Carriker and 787 Vice President and Chief Project Engineer Mike Sinnett, both of whom have worked on the program since the day it began.
Babbitt presented the amended Production Certificate 700 to John Cornish, vice president of 787 Final Assembly & Delivery, and Barb O'Dell, vice president of Quality for the 787 program. The Production Certificate adds the 787 to the list of Boeing Commercial Airplane production systems that have been found to be compliant with all federal regulations.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh said, "Certification is a milestone that validates what we have promised the world since we started talking about this airplane. This airplane embodies the hopes and dreams of everyone fortunate enough to work on it. Their dreams are now coming true."
Patrick Goudou, executive director of EASA, presented Dan Mooney, vice president of 787-8 Development, and Terry Beezhold, former leader of the 787 Airplane Level Integration Team, with the European Type Certificate for the 787.
Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program for Boeing, wrapped up the event addressing the broad team of those who worked on the program.
"This is truly a great airplane. From the advanced materials and innovative technologies to the improved passenger experience and unbeatable economics, the 787 really is a game-changing airplane," Fancher said.
FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt presented the U.S. Type Certificate, which verifies that the 787 has been tested and found to be in compliance with all federal regulations, to 787 Chief Pilot Mike Carriker and 787 Vice President and Chief Project Engineer Mike Sinnett, both of whom have worked on the program since the day it began.
Babbitt presented the amended Production Certificate 700 to John Cornish, vice president of 787 Final Assembly & Delivery, and Barb O'Dell, vice president of Quality for the 787 program. The Production Certificate adds the 787 to the list of Boeing Commercial Airplane production systems that have been found to be compliant with all federal regulations.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Jim Albaugh said, "Certification is a milestone that validates what we have promised the world since we started talking about this airplane. This airplane embodies the hopes and dreams of everyone fortunate enough to work on it. Their dreams are now coming true."
Patrick Goudou, executive director of EASA, presented Dan Mooney, vice president of 787-8 Development, and Terry Beezhold, former leader of the 787 Airplane Level Integration Team, with the European Type Certificate for the 787.
Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program for Boeing, wrapped up the event addressing the broad team of those who worked on the program.
"This is truly a great airplane. From the advanced materials and innovative technologies to the improved passenger experience and unbeatable economics, the 787 really is a game-changing airplane," Fancher said.
(Boeing Communications)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
First Air 737-200 crashes at Resolute Bay, Canada
First Air 737-210C/ADV (21067/414) C-GNWN crashed today 08/20/2011 near Resolute Bay Airport (YRB/CYRB) Canada while operating a charter flight as "FAB6560" which originated in Yellowknife (YZF/CYZF) Canada. The aircraft had 15 souls onboard of which 3 survived the crash and are in critical condition. The photo above was taken on August 18, 2009 at Edmonton International Airport (YEG/CYEG) Canada.
(Photo by Michael Carter)
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Gulfstream action at Long Beach Airport
G550 (c/n 5324) N524GA returns at 15:50 PST following a customer acceptance flight.
IAI 1125A Astra SPX (G100) (c/n 122) N2HZ operated by Herzog Contracting Corporation rolls for take-off on Rwy 30 at 15:27 PST.
(Photos by Michael Carter)
Photo of the Day / Ports of Call - Denver Convair 990
Ports of Call - Denver Convair 990A (30A-8) (c/n 30-10-20) N8259C on the old National Guard ramp (now Signature) at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB). This aircraft was originally delivered to Varig as PP-VJG on March 1, 1963, later seeing service with Modern Air Transport as N5623 and finally with Ports of Call - Denver before being WFU and stored at Marana where it was broken-up in May 1986. Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Bumpy ride for American Airlines passengers and crew
Severe turbulence on Tuesday prompted an American Airlines pilot to divert a Washington-bound flight carrying 152 passengers to Charleston, South Carolina for safety reasons.
The Boeing 737-800 plane from Miami landed without incident at about 4:30 pm local time after encountering turbulence over north Florida, said American Airlines spokesman Ed Martelle.
"The turbulence was severe enough that the pilot's considered opinion was to get the airplane down safely," Martelle said.
He said one passenger and two flight attendants from Flight 734 were taken to a local hospital.
An airport spokeswoman said two ambulances transported six people to local hospitals.
The plane will be out of service until it is checked out and cleared by mechanics, Martelle said.
The airline was aiming to get passengers back on their way to Washington by 7 pm local time.
(Reuters)
The Boeing 737-800 plane from Miami landed without incident at about 4:30 pm local time after encountering turbulence over north Florida, said American Airlines spokesman Ed Martelle.
"The turbulence was severe enough that the pilot's considered opinion was to get the airplane down safely," Martelle said.
He said one passenger and two flight attendants from Flight 734 were taken to a local hospital.
An airport spokeswoman said two ambulances transported six people to local hospitals.
The plane will be out of service until it is checked out and cleared by mechanics, Martelle said.
The airline was aiming to get passengers back on their way to Washington by 7 pm local time.
(Reuters)
Boeing scores Singapore Airlines order
Singapore Airlines said on Wednesday it has agreed to order eight more Boeing 777-300ERs worth USD$2.3 billion at list prices to support its growth plans.
The aircraft will be operated on medium and long-haul routes and deliveries are scheduled to begin in the 2013/2014 financial year, the airline said in a statement.
(Reuters)
The aircraft will be operated on medium and long-haul routes and deliveries are scheduled to begin in the 2013/2014 financial year, the airline said in a statement.
(Reuters)
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
ANA's first 787 sports special livery
(Photo Boeing)
Boeing over the weekend rolled out the first 787 that will enter service with All Nippon Airways.
The aircraft is slated to be delivered to ANA in September following certification. It is the eighth 787 built by Boeing and sports a livery that the airline said reflects core elements of its service brand—"innovation, uniqueness and the inspiration of Japan." The livery will be applied to the first two 787s put into service.
The airline said it will use different 787 configurations depending on how the aircraft will be utilized: ANA Dreamliners flown on domestic routes will carry 264 passengers (12 business and 252 economy); those operated on long-haul international flights will have 158 seats (46 business and 112 economy); and those used on short-haul international flights will have 222 seats (42 business and 180 economy).
ANA's first 787, for crew training purposes, will be configured for short-haul international routes even though it will operate domestically.
ANA plans to first operate the aircraft next month on a charter flight from Tokyo Narita to Hong Kong, followed by several 1 hr.-NRT excursion flights and then it will be placed into service on the Tokyo Haneda-Okayama and HND-Hiroshima routes.
Mitsuo Morimoto, ANA senior executive VP-operations and airport services, said: "We intend to use the Dreamliner to expand our business, particularly our international routes. We are aiming to increase our revenues from international operations significantly and the 787 will play an instrumental role in this."
(Geoffrey Thomas & Aaron Karp - ATWOnline News)
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Certification flights now complete for 747-8F
Boeing on Wednesday said its new stretched 747-8 Freighter has completed its certification flight tests, a key milestone that paves the way for first delivery.
"We are in the home stretch in delivering this airplane to our customers," said Elizabeth Lund, Boeing's vice president and general manager of the 747, in a statement.
The 747-8 Freighter has flown more than 1,200 flights and 3,400 hours since its maiden flight in February 2010.
The first 747-8 Freighter is scheduled to be delivered to Cargolux in September after certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Boeing has taken 76 orders for the Freighter, which lists for USD$319 million. Boeing also is testing a passenger version of the plane called the Intercontinental.
Production of the new 747 has been delayed as has the mid-sized 787 Dreamliner, a carbon-composite plane, which represents a bigger leap in technology than the revamped 747-8.
The iconic 747 is Boeing's most recognizable plane and was the world's largest passenger plane until 2005, when Airbus unveiled its A380.
"We are in the home stretch in delivering this airplane to our customers," said Elizabeth Lund, Boeing's vice president and general manager of the 747, in a statement.
The 747-8 Freighter has flown more than 1,200 flights and 3,400 hours since its maiden flight in February 2010.
The first 747-8 Freighter is scheduled to be delivered to Cargolux in September after certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Boeing has taken 76 orders for the Freighter, which lists for USD$319 million. Boeing also is testing a passenger version of the plane called the Intercontinental.
Production of the new 747 has been delayed as has the mid-sized 787 Dreamliner, a carbon-composite plane, which represents a bigger leap in technology than the revamped 747-8.
The iconic 747 is Boeing's most recognizable plane and was the world's largest passenger plane until 2005, when Airbus unveiled its A380.
(Reuters)
Southwest Airlines and Airbus talking
Southwest Airlines and Airbus have begun a "warm" senior-level exchange, prompting hope at the European plane maker that Boeing's top buyer may no longer be out of its reach, sources close to the matter said.
The world's largest low-cost airline, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in June, has for decades flown only Boeing 737s and has usually shut the door to Europe's Airbus.
But after Airbus dominated June's Paris air show with sales of an upgraded A320 with fuel savings, Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly congratulated Airbus counterpart Tom Enders in what some see as a discreet but carefully calibrated overture.
"We are exchanging friendly correspondence which is a new dimension," a source close to Airbus told reporters.
A second source stressed that while evoking Airbus's success in marketing the A320neo, the letters did not address specifics or do much more than break the ice between the two companies.
As yet it is too early to talk of negotiations and no offers have been made or sought for Airbus jets, the sources said.
But the move is stirring interest as the industry closely watches Southwest to see which way it will move as Boeing and Airbus wrestle over tens of billions of dollars of new orders.
Airbus snagged an order for 260 narrow-body A320 planes from American Airlines, an all-Boeing customer, in July, and is jockeying for more sales as other US carriers look to refresh their fleets to drive down fuel bills.
The sources declined to be identified because the letters are confidential.
Airbus declined to comment, and a Southwest spokeswoman said, "we haven't heard any rumors of any Airbus talks".
The exchange came after the Paris air show at a time when Boeing was in flux over product strategy but before the pivotal American deal which forced Boeing to respond, the sources said.
Boeing is seen likely to go all-out to keep Southwest.
MOMENT TO STRIKE
Some industry experts have raised questions over how fully Southwest was kept in the loop on Boeing's sudden decision to offer American a version of its 737 featuring a new fuel-efficient engine to avoid getting locked out of the deal.
The surprise move won Boeing an order for 200 737s from American and split the USD$40 billion order with Airbus, which had already committed to fitting its A320 with a new engine. But it also may have annoyed Southwest, which built its business around the 737.
"This is definitely a moment for Airbus to strike because there may be bruised feelings at Southwest," said aerospace consultant Richard Aboulafia of Virginia-based Teal Group.
"Southwest played a key role in designing the 737 Classics and a very key role in the 737 Next Generation," he said. "Boeing's traditional way of developing airplanes is to get customers on board first, and this didn't happen."
An Airbus sale to Southwest, which has long preferred the simplicity and cost savings of owning one aircraft type, would be an even bigger coup.
Boeing declined to comment on the exchange of letters but said the company aims to please its "valued customer".
Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said earlier this year the carrier could one day add different types from other makers.
Canada's Bombardier said in June that it, too, had made a pitch to Southwest in hopes of gaining new business for its CSeries planes, but up until now there have been few public signs of exchanges between Southwest and Boeing's chief competitor Airbus.
Dallas-based Southwest, which acquired low-cost rival AirTran this year, is due to report second-quarter earnings later on Thursday.
The world's largest low-cost airline, which celebrated its 40th anniversary in June, has for decades flown only Boeing 737s and has usually shut the door to Europe's Airbus.
But after Airbus dominated June's Paris air show with sales of an upgraded A320 with fuel savings, Southwest chief executive Gary Kelly congratulated Airbus counterpart Tom Enders in what some see as a discreet but carefully calibrated overture.
"We are exchanging friendly correspondence which is a new dimension," a source close to Airbus told reporters.
A second source stressed that while evoking Airbus's success in marketing the A320neo, the letters did not address specifics or do much more than break the ice between the two companies.
As yet it is too early to talk of negotiations and no offers have been made or sought for Airbus jets, the sources said.
But the move is stirring interest as the industry closely watches Southwest to see which way it will move as Boeing and Airbus wrestle over tens of billions of dollars of new orders.
Airbus snagged an order for 260 narrow-body A320 planes from American Airlines, an all-Boeing customer, in July, and is jockeying for more sales as other US carriers look to refresh their fleets to drive down fuel bills.
The sources declined to be identified because the letters are confidential.
Airbus declined to comment, and a Southwest spokeswoman said, "we haven't heard any rumors of any Airbus talks".
The exchange came after the Paris air show at a time when Boeing was in flux over product strategy but before the pivotal American deal which forced Boeing to respond, the sources said.
Boeing is seen likely to go all-out to keep Southwest.
MOMENT TO STRIKE
Some industry experts have raised questions over how fully Southwest was kept in the loop on Boeing's sudden decision to offer American a version of its 737 featuring a new fuel-efficient engine to avoid getting locked out of the deal.
The surprise move won Boeing an order for 200 737s from American and split the USD$40 billion order with Airbus, which had already committed to fitting its A320 with a new engine. But it also may have annoyed Southwest, which built its business around the 737.
"This is definitely a moment for Airbus to strike because there may be bruised feelings at Southwest," said aerospace consultant Richard Aboulafia of Virginia-based Teal Group.
"Southwest played a key role in designing the 737 Classics and a very key role in the 737 Next Generation," he said. "Boeing's traditional way of developing airplanes is to get customers on board first, and this didn't happen."
An Airbus sale to Southwest, which has long preferred the simplicity and cost savings of owning one aircraft type, would be an even bigger coup.
Boeing declined to comment on the exchange of letters but said the company aims to please its "valued customer".
Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said earlier this year the carrier could one day add different types from other makers.
Canada's Bombardier said in June that it, too, had made a pitch to Southwest in hopes of gaining new business for its CSeries planes, but up until now there have been few public signs of exchanges between Southwest and Boeing's chief competitor Airbus.
Dallas-based Southwest, which acquired low-cost rival AirTran this year, is due to report second-quarter earnings later on Thursday.
(Reuters)
Honeywell Flight Test Convair 580 at Long Beach
Short final for Rwy 30.
A nice look at a gorgeous grand lady.
Smokes the mains on Rwy 30.On Saturday July 30, 2011, Honeywell Flight Test Convair 580 (c/n 2) N580HW arrived at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) from Paine Field (PAE/KPAE) at 16:16 PST. The aircraft operated with Frontier Airlines until being bought by Gem State Airlines on May 16, 1979 and re-registered as N116GS. In 1980 Gem State Airlines was renamed Golden Gate Airlines. In February 1984 the aircraft was bought by Aspen Airways and re-registered as N113AP. On March 25, 1991, the aircraft was sold to Renown Aviation who operated it for 10 months who then sold it to Allied Signal Inc. in January 1992. In November 1992 the aircraft was again re-registered as N580AS. Allied Signal operated this beautiful bird until February 2000 when it transferred the aircraft to Honeywell International which still operates this classic propliner.
(Photos by Michael Carter)
New G550 arrives in Long Beach
New Gulfstream G550 (c/n 5340) N740GA arrived from Savannah-Hilton Head Internatioanl Airport (SAV/KSAV) at 10:47 PST on Wednesday August 3, 2011.
(Photo by Michael Carter)
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Volga-Dnepr Airlines Antonov An-124-100 visits Long Beach
Nice 3/4 qtr front look at the An-124.
Arrives on a simply gorgeous morning here in SoCal and as you can see, the aircraft sports special "20 Years" markings celebrating the carriers years in service.
US Airways Express (Mesa Airlines) Canadair CL-600-2D24 Regional Jet CRJ-900ER (c/n 15013) N913FJ holds short of Rwy 30 as the massive An-124 arrives.
Smokes the mains on Rwy 30.
Volga-Dnepr Airlines Antonov An-124-100 "Ruslan" (c/n 9773054155101) RA-82043 arrived this morning from CFB Goose Bay Airport (YYR/CYYR) at 07:03 PST as "VDA1108."
(Photos by Michael Carter)
C-17A Dedicated to Medal of Honor recepients
Boeing joined the U.S. Air Force at Joint Base Lewis-McChord to help dedicate a C-17 Globemaster III airlifter to the members of the U.S. armed forces who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor.
A C-17 tail number 09-9211 was officially dedicated by Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., commander of Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., officially as Spirit of the Medal of Honor in a ceremony attended by several Medal of Honor recipients.
“It’s humbling to be here in the presence of America’s bravest patriots,” said Boeing C-17 Program Manager Bob Ciesla. “The Congressional Medal of Honor serves as a symbol of courage and military heroism in defense of America’s freedoms. Likewise, whenever this C-17 flying the insignia of the Spirit of the Medal of Honor lands, the spirit of America’s bravest will land with it, bringing hope, saving lives and preserving peace.”
The ceremony is part of an Air Force tradition to dedicate aircraft to significant people, events and places. Spirit of the Medal of Honor joins C-17s dedicated to groups including U.S. prisoners of war and troops missing in action; military families; Purple Heart recipients; and those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.
C-17s have been dedicated to individuals including former President Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope and Medal of Honor recipients Sgt. John Levitow and Col. Joe Jackson. The aircraft also have been named for places such as Long Beach, Calif., where the C-17 Globemaster is built.
A C-17 tail number 09-9211 was officially dedicated by Gen. Raymond Johns Jr., commander of Air Mobility Command, Scott Air Force Base, Ill., officially as Spirit of the Medal of Honor in a ceremony attended by several Medal of Honor recipients.
“It’s humbling to be here in the presence of America’s bravest patriots,” said Boeing C-17 Program Manager Bob Ciesla. “The Congressional Medal of Honor serves as a symbol of courage and military heroism in defense of America’s freedoms. Likewise, whenever this C-17 flying the insignia of the Spirit of the Medal of Honor lands, the spirit of America’s bravest will land with it, bringing hope, saving lives and preserving peace.”
The ceremony is part of an Air Force tradition to dedicate aircraft to significant people, events and places. Spirit of the Medal of Honor joins C-17s dedicated to groups including U.S. prisoners of war and troops missing in action; military families; Purple Heart recipients; and those serving in Operation Enduring Freedom.
C-17s have been dedicated to individuals including former President Ronald Reagan, Bob Hope and Medal of Honor recipients Sgt. John Levitow and Col. Joe Jackson. The aircraft also have been named for places such as Long Beach, Calif., where the C-17 Globemaster is built.
(Boeing)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Douglas DC-9-15 returns home to Long Beach
DC-9-15 (45797/51) N8860 operated by Scaife Flight Operations LLC arrived at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) from Garden City Regional Airport (GCK/KGCK) Kansas at 14:56 on Monday August 1st, 2011. The aircraft was original scheduled for delivery to Iberia as EC-BAX but was NTU instead being delivered to Northeast Airlines as N8953U on December 29th, 1966. The "Baby 9" later served with Delta Airlines until being sold to Richard Scaife on November 28th, 1971 who still owns the aircraft.
(Photo by Doug Kerr)
"Racy" RAF Tristar Manchester
Royal Air Force (RAF) L-1011-385-3-Tristar KC1 (500) ZD950 (193V-1164) is captured at Manchester International (Ringway) (MAN-EGCC) sporting her "Birthday Suit" as she waits to return to the paint shop at the Air Livery facilities.(Photo by Nik French)
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