Third Gulfstream G250 takes flight

(Photo by Gulfstream Corporation)

The third and final Gulfstream G250 (4X-WBJ) business jet has joined the 1,300h flight-test programme, six months after the campaign began.

The super-midsize aircraft made its first flight on 28 June at Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv, home of the G250's co-developer Israel Aerospace Industries.

During the 2h 56min flight the aircraft reached a maximum speed of 250kt (460km/h) and an altitude of 20,000ft (6,100m). The aircraft will be used for function and reliability testing joining serial number 1, which is focused on in-flight performance and handling, and serial number 2, which is dedicated to avionics testing.

Gulfstream says the G250 is on target for certification in 2011.

(Kate Starsfield - Flight Global News)

50-50 split for 787-8 / -9 orders Boeing predicts

Boeing expects orders for the 787 Dreamliner to be evenly split between the -8 and -9 variants, as airlines lean towards the bigger and more efficient variant.

Around 70% of the existing orders are for the -8, but Boeing expects the weight to shift towards the -9 in the long term.

"Ultimately, it will be around a 50-50 split," says Boeing's VP for marketing Randy Tinseth. With a 280-seat capacity compared to the -8's 240 seats, the -9 will be an aircraft with "absolutely fantastic economics", he adds.

In comparison, the -8 will be ideal as a replacement for 767s and Airbus A330s, and will allow airlines to enter new markets as it has a longer range than existing aircraft in the market, he adds.

Responding to indications that the 787-9 could be a replacement for the 777-200ER, given the similarities in the two aircraft's specifications, Tinseth acknowledges that the two models are "about 20 seats apart in terms of capacity".

"The airlines that already have a large fleet of 777s, if they need a 300-seat airplane, they are going to buy a 777. If you have committed to the 787 or you have not yet committed, you are probably going to sway on the side of the 787-9," he adds.

This is as Boeing expects future demand for its 777 passenger jet to centre around the -300ER variant as airlines seek to replace older high-capacity aircraft. The market for the 777-200ER will be "relatively small" going forward, says Tinseth.

"The core of the demand we'll see around the 777 will be around the 777-300ER as airlines replace older equipment as they grow. There's been a natural scaling down of size, the 747s are leaving the market," he adds.

Only a "handful" of 777-200ERs will continue to be added to the market, while the -200LR will continue to appeal to airlines operating niche long-range city pair connections, says Tinseth.

Boeing, however, expects sales of the 777 freighter to pick up as the cargo market continues to recover, he adds.

Sales of the 301-seat 777-200ER are flagging, compared to the similarly-sized in-development Airbus A350. Since the A350 XWB programme was unveiled in July 2006, Airbus has won 558 firm orders for the type, including 325 orders for the 314-seat A350-900.

In comparison, Boeing netted only 15 orders for the 777-200ER during the same period.

(Ghim-Lay Yeo - Flight Global / ATI News)

Domestic passenger load factors set July record

Delta DC-9-51 (48121/935) N781NC taxies into the gate at Milwaukee (MKE/KMKE). (Photo by Michael Carter)

The US Dept. of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics reported Friday that the July systemwide passenger load factor for US airlines was 86.9% (86.9% domestic and 86.7% international), the “highest recorded for any July.”

According to the report, US airlines carried 68.4 million passengers in July, a 0.4% increase compared to July 2009, but a decline of 3% versus July 2008. US airlines carried 0.6% fewer domestic passengers versus July 2009; however, the number of international passengers increased 7.5%.

Delta Air Lines carried the most passengers, transporting 10.8 million, up 63.8%, of which 2.25 million were traveling internationally, up 65.4%. The large percentage increases reflect the integration of Northwest Airlines. Southwest Airlines carried 10 million domestic passengers in July, up 4.7% year over year and the most domestic passengers of any US airline.

For the first seven months of 2010, passengers rose 1.1% over the year-ago period to 417.9 million. Airlines carried 0.5% more domestic passengers and 4.9% more international passengers in the first seven months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009.

(Linda Blachly - ATWOnline News)

Photo of the Day / UTair Ukraine 737-4Q8 UR-UTG

UTair Ukraine Boeing 737-4Q8 (25377/2717) UR-UTG is captured arriving at Antalya (AYT/LTAI) on October 15, 2010. The aircraft has been operated by Turkish Airlines as TC-JEO "Anadolu" and Olympic as SX-BKT.

(Photo by Allan Huse)

Photo of the Day / China Cargo Airlines MD-11F B-2170

MD-11F (48461/475) B-2170 was delivered to China Eastern Airlines on 11/04/1991. In September 1994 the carrier created China Cargo Airlines and began converting it's passenger MD-11's into freighters though this aircraft was delivered to the airline as a pure cargo aircraft. This gorgeous "DAC" heavy is seen rotating from Rwy 28R at San Francisco International (SFO/KSFO) on September 6, 2008. The aircraft is now operating with Skylease Cargo as N950AR. (Photo by Michael Carter)

Boeings new "Sky Interior"

Boeing is currently installing the new "Sky Interior" on new build 737NG's with the first scheduled for delivery this month on a Fly Dubai 737-800. The following video shows the interior being installed and has a couple shots of the completed cabin, it looks pretty cool. Wish my airline would install these interiors!

http://www.boeing.com/videos/video.html?fr_story=74fcddd945d09c19e754cef2ac64d423dd0bcc68&rf=bm

Another airline to receive FAA fine over maintenance issues

Federal regulators on Wednesday proposed fining a feeder airline, Corporate Air, $455,000 for allowing a small airliner to carry passengers on 80 flights despite an engine that needed repair.

Separately, the Federal Aviation Administration also proposed fining an owner of a California parachute jumping operation $664,000 for flying a plane more than 2,600 times with critical equipment overdue for replacement and without making required inspections.

"The safety of the passengers and crew must be the top priority for any operator," FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt said in a statement. "All operators must comply with maintenance requirements."

Billings, Mont.,-based Corporate Air flew the Beech 1900C — a 19-passenger twin-engine turboprop plane — without repairing its right engine, which was consuming excessive amounts of oil, FAA said. Mechanics repeatedly added more oil when the plane landed despite directions in the engine manufacturer's service manual to make repairs, the agency said

Executives with Corporate Air didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has scheduled flights in eight states in addition to Montana: Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. It also operates six aircraft repair and maintenance facilities, according to a company website.

The FAA also said The Parachute Center of Acampo, in Northern California, operated a 20-passenger DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otter on more than 2,600 flights when critical parts were well past their life limits and without inspecting portions of the wings for corrosion.

(Joan Lowy - Associated Press / USA Today Travel News)

Gulfstream rolls out 300th G550

(Photo by Gulfstream)

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. recently rolled out the 300th Gulfstream G550 (c/n 5300) N300GA at its manufacturing facility in Savannah. The large-cabin, ultra-long-range business jet received its certificate of airworthiness from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), thereby completing its initial phase of manufacturing.

“This is a proud day for Gulfstream,” said Joe Lombardo, president, Gulfstream. “I want to thank our employees for their hard work and dedication in making this possible. Because of the G550’s performance, range and reliability, it continues to be the leader in the ultra-long-range segment.”

The 300th G550 is also nearly the 500th aircraft in the GV family, which includes the GV, G550 and G500. Gulfstream suppliers Fokker and Vought recently celebrated milestones for delivery of the 500th tail and wing, respectively, for the GV series of aircraft.

“This is a fantastic achievement,” said Pres Henne, Gulfstream senior vice president, Programs, Engineering and Test. “We have delivered 300 G550s, nearly 200 GVs and we’re still going strong. The production rate of the G550 has never been higher. The original estimate for this whole market segment was 300.”

From mid-October until late February, the aircraft will be painted in Savannah and outfitted at Gulfstream’s Brunswick, Ga., facility in preparation for its scheduled delivery to an undisclosed international customer in February.

The G550 along with its sister, the G500, were officially introduced Sept, 9, 2002, at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) convention in Orlando, Fla. The first G550 was delivered on Sept. 17, 2003. Later that year, the G550 development team was honored for its technological breakthrough with the National Aeronautic Association’s Robert J. Collier Trophy, the most prestigious aviation award in the United States.

Powered by enhanced Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan engines, the G550 has a range of 6,750 nm (12,501 km) at Mach 0.80 and a high-speed cruise capability of Mach 0.87. With its long legs, the G550 easily links Washington, D.C., with Dubai, London with Singapore and Tokyo with Paris.

The G550 fleet recently surpassed 404,000 flight hours. The G550 has a 12-month dispatch reliability rate of 99.89 percent. In addition, it has compiled 50 city-speed records, including one this year. On Feb. 17, a G550 reached a top speed of 532.19 mph in a flight from London to Tokyo.

The G550 is equipped with the Gulfstream PlaneView® cockpit, the most advanced flight deck in business aviation. The cabin aboard the aircraft combines productivity with exceptional comfort. It features up to four distinct living areas, three temperature zones and a choice of 12 floor plan configurations with seating for up to 18 passengers.

(Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation - Press Release)

TNT Airways to add 777F to it's fleet

Belgian-based TNT Airways is to lease three Boeing 777 freighters for its Asian routes, introducing the type to its fleet next year.

TNT Airways is to acquire the aircraft from Guggenheim Aviation Partners. The first will be delivered in July 2011.

Two more 777Fs will be brought into the TNT fleet by the end of the same year.

TNT already uses four Boeing 747-400ERFs on its Europe-Asia routes. Two of these aircraft are owned while the other two are taken on short-term lease contracts.

Atlas Air is wet-leasing 747-400ERF capacity to TNT, whose main operations are centred in Liege.

TNT says the 777F agreement will "reduce reliance on commercial line-haul and external short-term contract capacity".

It also points out that the twin-engined type will provide "near-equivalent" capability to its 747 operation.

"Its performances and versatility are just excellent for the type of long-haul service we operate," says TNT air network managing director Niky Terzakis.

(David Kaminski-Morrow - Flight International News)

Boeing 747-8I enters final phase of production

(Photo by Boeing)

Boeing announces the first passenger-carrying 747-8 Intercontinental has entered the last stage of the assembly process.

"We now have the first real look at the size and distinctive shape of the 747-8 Intercontinental," says Pat Shanahan, vice president and general manager of airplane programmes.

The step called final body join, which mates the fuselage and the wing, for the stretched 747-8I shows the aircraft is making progress in assembly slightly faster than the smaller freighter version.

Boeing workers started joining the fuselage and wing of the 747-8I about a month after the final assembly began on the forward fuselage. The 747-8F needed six weeks after forward fuselage assembly began to move to final body join last year.

The 747-8I, which features a 5.6m (18ft-4in) plug to accommodate 51 more seats in three-class configuration, is scheduled to be delivered in late 2011. The delivery schedule for the passenger version was not affected by a recently announced delay for the freighter programme, Boeing says.

First flight for the 747-8I could occur within seven months if the programme's history is any guide. The 747-8F moved from starting final body join in late June, 2009, to first flight on 8 February, or about seven and a half months.

Eight VIP customers and two airlines - Lufthansa and Korean Air - have ordered a total of 33 747-8Is.

(Stephen Trimble - Flight Internatioanl News)

Bombardier unveils new Global 7000 and 8000 business jets at NBAA

Bombardier has taken the wraps off its revamped Global family of large, ultra long-range business jets on the eve of this year's National Business Aviation Association annual convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

The Global 7000 and 8000 join the Canadian manufacturer's Global 5000 and Global Express XRS models.

"The Global 7000 and Global 8000 jets will give our customers the ability to reach more destinations non-stop than ever before, delivering unprecedented levels of performance, flexibility, and comfort," says Bombardier Business Aircraft president, Steve Ridolfi.

The Global 7000 features a four-zone cabin which Bombardier says will enable passengers to "enjoy 20% more living space than the cabin of the current industry leader".

The aircraft will have a top cruise speed of M0.90, and a range of 7,300nm (13,520km) at M0.85 carrying 10 passengers. Entry into service is scheduled for 2016.

The Global 8000 offers a maximum range of 7,900nm (14,631km) at M0.85, carrying eight passengers, and is due to enter service in 2017.

The new Global models feature an all-new, high-speed transonic wing and will be powered by 16,500lb-thrust General Electric TechX engines. The aircraft also have enlarged windows, with 80% more surface area than the existing Global models, says Bombardier.

The Global 5000 and XRS models are equipped with Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofans.

(Andrew Doyle - Flight International News)

Gulfstream G650 passes another key phase towards certification

Gulfstream says its first prototype G650 business jet has successfully passed high-speed flutter testing, a key hurdle in meeting the planned certification of the 7,000nm (13,000km) range, fly-by-wire, Rolls-Royce BR725-powered twinjet next year.

Flutter testing uses exciters to input disturbances ranging in frequency from 2Hz to 58Hz to the wings, tail and flight-control surfaces with the aircraft flying at various altitudes, speeds, weights and centre-of-gravity conditions. Aircraft are designed so that the components naturally dampen out the oscillations without actions by the pilots.

In the most recent flutter tests, which are ongoing, Gulfstream test pilots pitched S/N 6001's nose down to as much as 18° below the horizon to reach a speed of Mach 0.995 with the exciters activated. "The demonstrated flutter margins met or exceeded our expectations out to maximum speeds," says Pre Henne, Gulfstream's senior vice-president of programmes, engineering and test. "That's a good sign." The G650 is set to be the world's fastest production business jet, with a maximum cruise speed of M0.925.

Senior experimental test pilot Thomas Horne says aircraft control was predictable. "It's easy to control and to get precise control at those speeds," says Horne. "The airplane response has matched the expectations of our engineers, and we've been able to easily fly the test conditions and march through the test plan."

As of late August, Gulfstream had four of the eventual five flight-test aircraft flying, accumulating 575h of the 1,800h of flight testing scheduled for the certification programme. S/N 6001 is dedicated to envelope expansion, air data calibration, flutter, in-flight performance and flight controls, while S/N 6002 is being used to evaluate the aircraft's systems as well as take-off and landing performance.

S/N 6003 is being used for avionics tests, in-flight load measurement and ice protection systems operations. S/N 6004, a cabin test aircraft, has joined the fleet but is being outfitted with a full interior. S/N 6005, which has completed initial phase manufacturing and begun engine testing, will be used for reduced vertical separation minimum (RVSM) testing upon completion.

Gulfstream also reports that it has developed a web-based system to reduce the time required to attain a US Federal Aviation Administration letter of authorisation needed to fly business jets at RVSM altitudes - above 29,000ft (8.850m).

The company says the capability is only used internally for Gulfstream aircraft, but may later be made available to customers. Gulfstream says electronic process can reduce the authorisation time from two weeks to "just a few days".

(John Croft - Flight International News)

Severely disabled passenger removed from U.S. Airways flight

A motivational speaker with cerebral palsy said he was humiliated when he was kicked off a U.S. Airways flight after being told he was too disabled to fly alone.

"I was raised to believe I could grow up doing what I wanted to do and it didn't lead me to any entitlement," Johnnie Tuitel, 47, told The Grand Rapids Press for a story Saturday. "By them denying me the ability to fly, I couldn't do my job."

Tuitel, 47, of Grand Rapids Township, Mich., said he has flown over 500,000 miles to give motivational speeches, but he missed one because of the Sept. 23 incident at Palm Beach International Airport.

After helping him into his seat aboard a flight from West Palm Beach to Kansas City, a U.S. Airways gate agent returned and wheeled Tuitel back to the terminal, he said.

"He told me I could fly on U.S. Airways if I could find a companion to go with me because I was a danger to myself and others if something went wrong," Tuitel told WZZM-TV. "Trust me, they made a mistake."

Tuitel flew solo two days later on another airline, but by then he had missed the speech he was scheduled to give at the 2010 National Self Advocacy Conference.

U.S. Airways spokeswoman Valerie Wunder said the gate agent was following company policy.

"The airline requires that the passenger has to be physically able to assist himself or herself in the event of an emergency. If the passenger can not, the airline requires that someone else travels with the passenger who can provide assistance in the event of an emergency," she told the television station.

Tuitel said he has contacted U.S. Airways officials and plans to meet with them in coming weeks to discuss his concerns with the company policy.

He said he hopes the company will change its policy to include a personal discussion with each person who buys a ticket so they know what to expect and eliminate any embarrassment.

(The Associated Press)

New Gulfstream G550 arrives in Long Beach

Short final to Rwy 30.

G550 (c/n 5301) N901GA arrives from Savannah-Hilton Head (SAV/KSAV) still wearing it's "ambertech" coating. (Photo by Michael Carter)

USMC Harrier's at Long Beach Airport

AV-8B(R) (c/n 294) 165422 "Harrier II+" of USMC "VMA-513."

The past two days USMC AV-8B(R) "Harrier II+" aircraft of VMA-513 have been performing training sorties at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB).
(Photos by Michael Carter)

New C-17A takes to the skies

Taxies on "Lima" towards a Rwy 30 departure.

Rolling on Rwy 30.

C-17A (P-204) 08-8204 destined for Charleston AFB accelerates down Rwy 30 as it departs on a pre-delivery test flight. (Photos by Michael Carter)

Aeromexico goes "Green"

Aeromexico 737-752 (33788/1439) XA-GAM departs Los Angeles International Airport (LAX/KLAX) on a lovely winter afternoon.

(Photo by Michael Carter)

Aeromexico said it operated its first "green flights" aboard a 737-700 between Mexico City and San Jose, Costa Rica, aiming to save 555 kg. of carbon dioxide emissions on the roundtrip.

It also launched several eco-initiatives onboard the aircraft during the Oct. 12 flight, including eliminating "vita film" plastic and aluminum tops, utilizing new lightweight carts, separating organic and inorganic waste, reducing the amount of onboard printed materials and using biodegradable bags and hand soaps.

The flight also saved 300 kg. of CO2 emissions on the ground at MEX and 180 kg. on the ground at SJO, the airline stated. It attributed the flight's success to "the training of the pilots, flight attendants and ground personnel along with close coordination with vendors and entities in the air traffic control." It said the emissions savings achieved were owing "to the techniques and procedures used on land and in air," though it did not provide specifics.

"With these initiatives, the airline seeks to become the pioneer in the industry in Mexico and become a proactive partner of the efforts being made worldwide to improve the quality of the air and prevent climate change," the airline said in a statement.

(Christine Boynton - ATWOnline News)

Boeing receives orders for 30 737's

Boeing took orders for 30 737 planes in the week that ended October 12, the plane maker said on Thursday.

The orders were from unidentified customers.

The 737 is the company's best-selling model, and is priced at USD$51.5 million to USD$87 million each, based on 2008 figures from the company's website.

Boeing has logged net orders for 422 commercial planes this year.

(Reuters)

jetBlue A320-232 (c/n 2671) N633JB "Major Blue" is seen at Long Beach Airport (LGB/KLGB) on October 12, 2010 sporting the carriers new "Barcode" tail livery.

(Photo by Michael Carter)

Southwest Airlines and pilots union reach tentative agreement on adding -800 to fleet

The decision to bring the Boeing 737-800 into the Southwest Airlines fleet moved yet another step closer to reality today as the Board of Directors for the Southwest Airlines Pilots' Association (SWAPA), representing more than 5,800 Pilots, unanimously approved a tentative agreement reached with the Company. The tentative agreement will now be presented to the full SWAPA membership for a ratification vote.

"Two months ago, we initiated discussions with both our Flight Attendants and Pilots as part of our contractual requirements to operate the -800," said Mike Van de Ven, Southwest Airlines Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "Today, I want to congratulate both SWAPA and TWU 556, the Union that represents our Flight Attendants, for recognizing the potential longterm benefits associated with adding the -800 to our fleet. We are still evaluating the needs for training, scheduling, aircraft configuration, and other regulatory considerations, but this is an important step in the due diligence process."

If approved by a majority vote of the Pilots, their current contract will be extended by one year, becoming amendable August 31, 2012, and also include the potential for wage rate increases based on the Company's financial performance.

Last month, the Executive Board of the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 556, representing more than 9,700 Southwest Flight Attendants, unanimously approved a tentative agreement reached with the Company. The tentative agreement is currently being presented to all members of TWU 556 for a ratification vote.

(Press Release - Southwest Airlines)