SINGAPORE: A350 and 787 set to face off

The rival latest-generation widebodies from Airbus and Boeing will go head to head at an air show for the first time at the Singapore air show, which kicks off on 11 February.
Southeast Asia is a key battleground for the contest between the A350 and the 787, with the Asia-Pacific region accounting for one-third of all sales of the two twinjets.

It will be the first full appearance at an air show by the A350-900. The aircraft’s last public appearance was a fly-past towards the end of the 2013 Paris air show, a week after making its maiden flight.
While the A350 – bearing registration MSN 003 – will take part in the flying display, it is not certain whether it will be joined by the 787. Boeing will only confirm that the Qatar Airways-liveried Dreamliner will be on the static display, although the US manufacturer did memorably return to air show flying at Farnborough  2012 after a 30-year hiatus with a Qatar 787.

All eyes will be on whether the airframers can secure further deals for their new types. Singapore Airlines has already split its loyalties. The city-state’s flag carrier has firm orders for 70 A350-900s, while it is also launch customer for the 787-10, with 30 on order.

Indonesia’s Garuda and Philippine Airlines are looking to the A350 or 787 as a possible replacement for A330s, while Malaysia Airlines is evaluating the A350 and 787 to replace 777-200ERs, although it may plump for the high-gross-weight version of the A330, according to Flightglobal’s Ascend advisory service.
While the Singapore show – held at the Changi Exhibition Centre near the island’s international airport – is unlikely to see the sort of eye-watering mega orders witnessed at Dubai in November, the continued buoyancy of the Southeast Asian market is likely to see plenty of activity for the main airframers.

Singapore Airlines may choose the show to announce an order for the Boeing 777X, joining the three big Gulf airlines which ordered the long-range twinjet at Dubai, as well as its Asian rival Cathay Pacific. Even if Singapore Airlines fails to place a commitment, other heavy hitters in the region may be keen to lock-in delivery slots.

We might see confirmation of an order for 20 A380s from new kid on the leasing block Doric – Airbus expects the contract to be signed in the first quarter. And Indonesia’s Lion Air could use the show to announce its engine choice for the hundreds of A320s it has on order.

On the defence side, Singapore has requested a major upgrade for its 60 F-16s. If the government decides to compete it, it could prompt a battle between original equipment manufacturer Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems to be lead contractor – and between Northrop Grumman and Raytheon to supply the latest-generation radar.

The island state is also a security co-operation participant in the F-35 programme, and its defence minister recently witnessed a flight demonstration of the short take-off and vertical landing B variant in the USA. Meanwhile, Singapore’s airlift requirements should also be interesting, with reports that the government is interested in the Airbus A330 MRTT and Boeing’s C-17.

Historic head-to-heads
There have been some memorable face-offs between competitor aircraft at air shows. Here are just some of them:
Paris 1969: A new era dawns as Europe’s rising supersonic star Concorde squares up with the USA’s just-flown jumbo, the Boeing 747
Paris 1971: A return for Concorde, this time a chance to compare it with its Russian counterpart, the Tupolev Tu-144
Paris 1973: Airbus emerges on the scene with the A300B. Not to be outdone, Lockheed’s L1011 TriStar joins it for one day
Farnborough 1986: Regional rivalry between the BAe 146 and the Fokker 100
Paris 1995: Widebody war as Airbus showed its A330 and A340, and Boeing its 777-200
Farnborough 2004: Boeing and Northrop Grumman unveil full-scale mock-ups of their competing Joint Unmanned Combat Air System (J-UCAS) demonstrators
Paris 2011: Battle of the big boys, with the Airbus A380 in the flying display and the Boeing 747-8 in the static.

Flight Global 

Latest Pictures of Air Canada's FIRST 787 (DreamLiner)

In these latest pictures from Boeing's hangar in Seattle, notice the oversized yellow boxes hanging from each wing of our first Dreamliner. Those heavy boxes are used as placeholders until the actual engines, which weigh more than 10,000lb each, can be installed. This way, the wing will keep it shape. Notice anything else that’s new? The landing gear, which are largely manufactured here in Canada, are also in place. More pictures to come next week. Stay Tuned! 

Photo Credit: Boeing Images

Photo Credit: Boeing Images 

Photo Credit: Boeing Images

Photo Credit: Boeing Images

Photo Credit: Boeing Images

Boeing/AirCanada 

Boeing Rolls Out First 787 Dreamliner at Increased Production Rate

• Program achieves 10 per month rate, highest ever production for a twin-aisle airplane

EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) has rolled out the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner built at the rate of 10 airplanes per month. The airplane, a 787-8 and the 155th Dreamliner built, will be delivered to International Lease Finance Corp. for operation by Aeromexico.

The new 10 per month rate is the highest ever for a twin-aisle airplane. The 787 program has now increased its production rate three times in just over a year, including to five airplanes per month in November 2012 and seven per month in May 2013.

EVERETT, Wash., Jan. 24, 2014 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has rolled out the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner built at the rate of 10 airplanes per month.
Pictured here is the airplane, a 787-8, which will be delivered to International Lease Finance Corp. for operation by Aeromexico.

"This rate increase reflects the continued strong demand for the 787," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager, 787 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "A disciplined approach that combined employee teamwork with technology was key to achieving the higher rate."
Boeing assembles and delivers 787s in two locations: Everett, Wash., and North Charleston, S.C.

"The entire 787 team is now focused on capturing efficiencies at this historic level of production, as well as meeting our commitment to increase the production rate to 12 per month in 2016 and to 14 per month by the end of the decade," Loftis said.

To date, 115 787s have been delivered to 16 customers. The program has 1,030 total orders from 60 customers worldwide.

This airplane will be the fourth 787 operated by Aeromexico and will be used on the airline's Mexico City - London Heathrow route.

Boeing Media

At the rate of 10 airplanes a month without any hitches or glitches in the production and manufacturing chain process, or yet, the quality assurance aspect which includes the current mechanical and electrical setbacks facing the 787 program, assuming everything is constant, which include

a. no more orders from customers
b. no cancelled or revoked purchase contracts
c. no addition, revision to existing contracts or any other event

Given this scenario,  it would take Boeing an estimated 91.5 months which is equivalent to 7 years, 8 months and 15 days to fully deliver. The 787 design has endeared a lot of negative setback, and while the positive outweighs the negative, I hope that Boeing lives up to expectation, and not in the bid to push out orders, quality is compromised.

Boeing Delivers First Next-Generation 737-800 to Iraqi Airways

Delivery marks milestone in Boeing's efforts to help rebuild Iraq's aviation infrastructure

SEATTLE, Aug. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered a Next-Generation 737-800 to Iraqi Airways, the first of 30 that the airline ordered in 2008, marking a milestone in its relationship with the airline.

"The Next-Generation 737-800 will play a key role in helping us modernize our fleet and integrate into the regional and international commercial aviation system," said H.E. Hadi Al Ameri, Iraq's Minister of Transportation. "Boeing has played a pivotal role in our growth plan and the Next-Generation 737 has earned an excellent reputation for reliability and operational efficiency."

With this delivery, Iraqi Airways currently has 39 Boeing airplanes on order, including 29 Next-Generation 737-800s and 10 787 Dreamliners.

"This is a historic milestone in our relationship with Iraqi Airways and a testament to the value that the Next-Generation 737-800 will bring to the airline's fleet," said Marty Bentrott, vice president for Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia. "Boeing is proud of the confidence that Iraqi Airways has in its products and we look forward to further strengthening this relationship to fulfill the airline's future commercial aviation needs."

The Next-Generation 737 family has won orders for more than 6,500 airplanes, while the 737 family has surpassed 11,000 orders to date. Boeing has delivered more than 7,600 737s – including more than 4,500 Next-Generation 737s – and currently has more than 3,400 unfilled orders for 737s (through July 2013).

Source - Boeing Corp.

Boeing, Transaero Airlines Finalize Order for Four 787 Dreamliner

Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Transaero Airlines of Russia recently signed an order for four 787-8 Dreamliners. The signing ceremony for the order, valued at $744 million at list prices, made history by being held onboard the 787 during a demonstration flight for Transaero's executives, employees and special guests.

"Our history with Boeing goes back to 1993 when Transaero became the first airline in Russia to fly with Boeing aircraft," said Transaero Airlines Chairman of the Board of Directors Alexander Pleshakov. "Following our innovative approach and our continuous efforts to enhance our product quality, we have chosen the state-of-the-art, highly-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It is very symbolic that our airline became a participant of the first order announcement ceremony conducted in the air on board the 787. Boeing 787s will perform flights on both Transaero's domestic and international routes."

Captain Evgeny Nikitin, Commander of Transaero's 767/777 flying unit, was co-piloting the 787 during the entire flight from takeoff to landing as the signing ceremony took place. Made primarily from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public.

As a result of innovative technologies, the airplane offers unparalleled operating economics, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. More than 850 787s are on order by 59 customers, a testament to the airplane's unique capabilities. Russia played an important role in creating this revolutionary airplane. Engineers from the Moscow Boeing Design Center participated in designing a number of key sections of the 787. Russian manufacturer VSMPO-AVISMA supplies titanium parts for the 787 Dreamliner.


"Boeing and Transaero enjoy an almost two-decades-long partnership and we are opening a great new chapter together with the 787 Dreamliner," said Marty Bentrott, vice president of Sales for Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We look forward to working with Transaero to offer the airline's passengers the unprecedented comfort of the 787 Dreamliner and our continued partnership with this great airline."

Transaero was the first private airline in Russia established in 1991. Transaero also was the first Russian airline to introduce a Boeing airplane to its fleet. In 1993 Transaero started operating its 737. Today Transaero is the second largest airline in Russia operating the 737, 747, 767 and 777 Boeing airplanes.


Boeing Media

Boeing Receives Certification for 787 Dreamliner With GE Engines

EVERETT, Wash., March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) received an amended type certificate today from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the 787-8 Dreamliner equipped with General Electric GEnx engines.

"This is a great day for our customers and for our team who worked tirelessly to ensure the Dreamliner offers breakthrough fuel efficiency, unprecedented performance and new levels of comfort," said Larry Loftis, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "We are pleased to accept the FAA's confirmation of the safety and reliability of this airplane."

The amended type certificate from the FAA formally recognizes that the 787 with GE engines has demonstrated compliance with rigorous federal regulations. The achievement caps off the most robust flight and ground test program ever conducted in the company's history.

"This milestone completes the certification of the 787-8 airplane, and allows airlines to now operate the GE engine-powered 787 with both the baseline Block 4 engine and the PIP1 engine upgrade," said Mike Sinnett, vice president and chief project engineer for the 787 program. "It also represents the success of a remarkable partnership with the regulatory agencies around the world."

"This is the culmination of extraordinary work by teams from GE and Boeing," said Chuck Nugent, general manager of the GEnx engine program for General Electric. "GE Aviation is honored to power the Boeing 787 Dreamliner with its new GEnx-1B engine, and we look forward to seeing the aircraft-engine combination flying the skies around the world."

Initial type certification of the 787 with Rolls-Royce engines took place in August 2011. Each new combination of an airframe type and engine requires additional certification to validate the integrity of the design. 60 customers around the world have ordered more than 870 Dreamliners.

Boeing Media

Boeing 787 Team Honored for Extraordinary Accomplishment With Aviation Week Laureate Award

EVERETT, Wash., March 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing's (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner team has been honored with a 2012 Aviation Week Laureate Award in Aeronautics/Propulsion. The award was bestowed by the editors of Aviation Week to recognize the team's extraordinary accomplishments.

"Boeing made a bold decision to combine advanced aerodynamics, new composite materials, more-electric systems, fuel-efficient engines and a totally new production paradigm," said Graham Warwick, Aviation Week senior editor, Technology, in presenting the award. "And now it's paying off for both the manufacturer and the operator."

For the past 55 years, Aviation Week has recognized pioneers and leaders in aviation, aerospace and defense with this prestigious award. Past winners in the Aeronautics/Propulsion category include the X-51A Waverider Hypersonic Vehicle Team and the Pratt & Whitney PW1000G geared turbofan development team.  

"On behalf of the men and women around the world who worked tirelessly to ensure the 787 Dreamliner is an amazing airplane that embodies our customers' and passengers' hopes and dreams, we deeply appreciate this prestigious honor," said Scott Fancher, who led the 787 program for more than three years and represented the team in accepting the award.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first airplane to provide both long distance capabilities with mid-size capacity, allowing airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. The airplane is 20 percent more fuel efficient than similarly sized airplanes. Sixty customers have 868 Dreamliners on order, making the 787 the fastest-selling widebody airplane in commercial aviation history.


Boeing Media

The Dreamliner Lands in Mexico City for World Tour Stop

MEXICO CITY, March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing's (NYSE: BA) 787 Dreamliner landed for the first time in Mexico City today as part of its World Tour. Over the next day-and-a-half, Aeromexico executives, employees, and special invited guests will get a chance to tour and experience much of the airplane's cutting-edge technological advancements.

Aeromexico was the first carrier in Latin America to commit to the Dreamliner when it announced it would lease three 787s from ILFC in June 2006 and then the first carrier in the region to order the airplane with a firm order for two Dreamliners in August of that same year.  This is the airplane's first visit to Mexico City - the world's third largest metropolitan area. Sitting higher than 7,300 ft (2,225 meters), Mexico City has always played an integral part in Boeing's flight test programs for high altitude testing.

The airplane, ZA003, was originally used for flight testing but has been elegantly refurbished to showcase the standard capabilities and features of the 787 including an interior that highlights the many passenger-preferred features of the airplane.

Made from composite materials, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the first mid-size airplane capable of flying long-range routes and will allow airlines to open new, non-stop routes preferred by the traveling public. As a result of innovative technologies, the airplane offers unparalleled operating economics, fuel efficiency and passenger comfort. More than 800 787s are on order by more than 60 carriers, a testament to the airplane's unique capabilities.


Boeing Media

Boeing Completes Awaited Flight Testing for Certification of 787s With GE Engines

EVERETT, Wash., March 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) has completed all flight tests expected to be required for type certification of the 787-8 Dreamliner with General Electric GEnx engines. This marks the end of all certification flight testing associated with the baseline model of the 787. Testing on engine and airframe improvements will continue as needed, as it does for all airplane programs.

Ground testing to complete certification requirements has also concluded.

"The last phase of testing focused on extended operations on-board a production airplane," said Mike Sinnett, vice president and chief project engineer, 787 program. "The airplane performed beautifully during this testing, further demonstrating its reliability." The final flight concluded late last month with the landing of the 35th 787 built.
Flight testing is one of many elements reviewed by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration before it certifies a new airplane type. Certification of the 787 Dreamliner with Rolls-Royce engines was completed in August 2011. Each new combination of airframe type and engine requires additional certification.

"I want to congratulate all of the men and women of Boeing and our partners who helped support our flight test program," Sinnett said. "They have completed the most robust, thorough flight test program in our history."
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner features a wide array of passenger amenities including larger windows, cleaner air, higher humidity and a lower cabin altitude.


Boeing Media

PICTURE: Diverted ANA 787 pays unexpected Heathrow visit

One of Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways' Boeing 787s has become the first of the type to arrive at London Heathrow after diverting from Frankfurt Main. The twin-engined aircraft, registered JA805A and operating flight NH203, touched down unexpectedly on 2 March.

ANA said the flight had been diverted "due to fog". It had been scheduled to land at Frankfurt at 05:25.
Meteorological data for Frankfurt at the time indicated fog, overcast skies and low visibility.
Similar conditions prevailed at other nearby hubs including Paris Charles de Gaulle and Munich.

The aircraft subsequently departed for Frankfurt ahead of operating the return NH204 service back to Tokyo Haneda. ANA has five 787s in service, all powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.

Flight Global

Boeing picks up awards for record-breaking 787 flight

Boeing has been presented with twin official records for the 787's December 2011 attempt to break the longest flight for an aircraft in its weight class and establishing an around-the-world speed record. The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) on 28 February presented Boeing with two certificates confirming its record flights.

ZA006, Boeing's sixth 787 flight test aircraft, fitted with General Electric GEnx-1B engines, departed Boeing Field, Seattle, US, on 6 December 2011 en route for Dhaka, Bangladesh, weighing 212t (467,375lb), including 103t of fuel, the volumetric shut-off limit for the aircraft.

Rod Skaar, assistant chief production pilot for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, called the flight "delightfully" boring, as was intended. "You don't want any excitement, you don't want any adventure, you don't want any drama," he said.

After flying 10,710nm (19,814km), ZA006 landed in Dhaka with 13.6t of fuel remaining. Boeing officially received credit from the NAA for 10,336nm flown. The distance record for the 200-250t weight class was held by an Airbus A330 that flew 9,127nm in 2002.

After 200 people toured the new twin-jet during a 1h 52min refueling stop on the ground in the Bangladeshi capital, the 787 departed Dhaka heading eastbound, having taken on 86t of fuel for the second leg of the journey.

The 787's lateral and vertical navigation modes (LNAV and VNAV) were used to fly the overwhelming majority of the record-breaking flights, said Mike Carriker, chief pilot for Boeing product development.
As NAA rules prohibit cutting a waypoint corner short, as the LNAV function is designed to do to optimize routing, the 787 was required to switch to heading select mode, overflying predetermined turn points in New York, Luxor, Egypt, and southern India before proceeding on course.

On its return leg to Seattle, the 787 landed with 9.08t of fuel remaining, even after accelerating the Dreamliner to Mach 0.88 for the final 6h of the flight. The global circumnavigation lasted 42h 26min.
Six pilots, on rotating 4h shifts throughout the flight, were among 13 people on board ZA006, including two NAA observers.


Flight Global

Fuselage issue prompts Boeing to inspect Dreamliners

Boeing Co. has discovered a flaw in fuselage sections that may affect 55 of its new 787 Dreamliner jets and slow some deliveries, James Albaugh, Boeing’s chief executive officer of commercial airplanes, said Wednesday.

The Dreamliner is an all-new commercial jet that is largely made of lightweight carbon composites rather than sheets of aluminum. The plane made its first passenger flight with All Nippon Airways in October, but it was more than three years late because of design problems and supplier issues.

The latest problem, called “delamination,” occurs when laminated composite materials begin to separate.
“It’s something we can address in a short period of time and it will impact some short-term deliveries,” Albaugh told Bloomberg News and other reporters  Wednesday in Singapore. The Dreamliner is a twin-aisle aircraft that seats 210 to 290 passengers. Chicago-based Boeing says the jet offers airlines savings because of new fuel-efficient engines and composite structure.

Through January, Boeing has taken 870 orders for the Dreamliner from airlines and aircraft leasing firms around the world. The company has delivered five of the aircraft. At the round table, Albaugh said that the delamination problem was fixable and that it shouldn’t affect overall deliveries this year. “In terms of the number of deliveries for the year, it shouldn’t have any impact at all,” he said.

Aviation News Daily

Virtual reality supports the A350 XWB’s design and development

Airbus Leading in Aerospace Technology and Innovation 

Innovation has always been at the forefront of Airbus’ leadership, and the company is now gaining further benefit from innovative concepts that originate within its EADS parent company.

One example displayed at the Singapore Airshow is the RHEA (Realistic Human Ergonomic Analysis) development tool, which was conceived by EADS Innovation Works – the research and technology organization at EADS.  RHEA results from more than a decade of EADS work in creating virtual 3D environments that enable engineers to interact with computer-generated mock-ups, which are increasingly used in the aerospace sector.

RHEA enables operators to “enter” and interact with a full-scale 3D digital model by wearing special goggles, helmet-mounted displays, or even as an avatar artificial figure with human dimensions.

Following the successful introduction of RHEA at the Eurocopter helicopter business unit of EADS, this software was put into service by Airbus in supporting the A350 XWB’s design and development at French plants in Toulouse and St. Nazaire, as well as Hamburg, Germany.

The deployment of RHEA’s virtual reality world was further expanded at Airbus with its application at St. Nazaire to help train production workers as they move the A350 XWB into production.

Airbus Media

The Airbus 350 XWB (Extra Wide-Body) is a STRONG competitor to the Boeing 787  dubbed "The Dreamliner". These airliners are similar because the fuselage and wings from both are made from reinforced carbon composite materials as opposed to sheet metal which results to less weight, thus making it more fuel-efficient and more environment friendly. 

You can read more at Boeing and Airbus Websites

The Dreamliner FINALLY arrives Singapore for its tour debut

SINGAPORE, Feb. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing's (NYSE:BA) new mid-size passenger airplane, the 787 Dreamliner, touched down here today for the Singapore Airshow. The airplane will be on static display Feb. 14 -17.

The Dreamliner demonstrated its long-range capabilities a few days ago, flying nonstop from Seattle's Boeing Field to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport -- a distance of 7,679 miles (12,358 km).
The 787, the first new airplane type of the 21st century, has garnered more than 800 orders from airlines around the globe. Singapore Airlines has 20 of the higher capacity 787-9s on order.

Made from lighter composite materials, the 787 is the first mid-size passenger airplane capable of flying nonstop to many more distant cities without having to go through a hub airport. That capability for a mid-size jet pleases not only passengers who would no longer need to detour to a hub airport, but also airlines who can establish long-haul routes previously served only by jumbo jets requiring many more passengers to be profitable.

The Dreamliner is in the midst of a six-month Dream Tour taking it around the world so customers and partners can experience the revolutionary jet first hand. The Dream Tour airplane, test plane ZA003, is outfitted with the 787's special cabin features including a welcoming entryway, dramatically larger dimmable windows, bigger bins and dynamic LED lighting. The airplane is configured with a luxurious business-class cabin, an overhead crew rest compartment and an economy class section.

 Aviation enthusiasts can follow the progress of the 787 tour at www.newairplane.com/787/dreamtour.

The Boeing 787, dubbed the "The Dreamliner"

• Is the first passenger airplane made from composite materials on a Southeast Asia on Dream Tour.
• Ability to fly long distance, point-to-point routes appeals to passengers wanting to avoid hub airports

Pictures are property of the Boeing company