Re: CN3 buys 292 A320neo series (01 Jul 22)

Interesting that China doesn’t seem to be throwing its weight behind the C919, and is instead placing huge Airbus orders. C919 seems close to certification, unless I’m missing something? They are being very cautious about ramping up production fast, imho. This makes sense, as fixes to any problems ...

Re: Updated: American Airlines Business & Finance Discussion

I'd be pretty surprised if AA filed in the next 12 months, barring a further global meltdown/additional pandemic etc. As everyone has stated long term debt is a problem, but it's not really that unmanageable. Cash flow they are able to sustain, and while stock price at $13 (under $10 billion in capi...

Re: Air Cargo (non Amazon/DHL) Thread - 2022

It sounds like, from the FG article anyway, Boeing is resigned to moving to a 787 freighter after 2027. https://twitter.com/flightglobal/status/1537314156751343618?s=21&t=P7C5PT2yN1aJqBBD9H8Wyw “Are we looking at different freighter platforms in that space? Absolutely,” Hermesmeyer says. He cal...

Re: Embraer KC-390 News and Discussion Thread

Could it alternatively be the case that KAI would look to build a wing for a quad variant C-390 derivative using locally built/license built turbofans in such a size?

Re: 787 MRTT

I don’t understand that Jay. Can’t a layer, even a very thin foil type of one, be added shielding the actual components that matter (basically in the tail/nose/empennage areas)? IF Boeing does launch a freighter version of the 787, as has been hinted at, to succeed the 767F, I’d think adding a boom ...

Re: Cathay Pacific to launch regional fleet renewal program

They may have that many A333’s, but it is in reality a shell of it’s former self. 4% load factors for pax vs. pre-pandemic as of May? C’mon. This is not a big passenger airline globally at this point. Leaving the politics aside, NO other major global airline is operating at this level at this point...

Re: Cathay Pacific to launch regional fleet renewal program

I've long since said that Cathay's impending regional replacement, will be "the A330NEO's last stand." If it can't crack this order, from an airline with 50+ A333s who LOVES the platform, then I'm not sure how it can continue to be taken seriously as a market competitor for 1st tier airli...

Re: AirInsight : Boeing’s pre-Farnborough market review June 2022

The interesting thing is that he is here…agreeing with Keesje about the smaller narrow bodies being the growth driver, implying that is what Boeing should focus on moving forward, vs. a direct/true A321NEO competitor-centered next generation product. I guess you will have to change your position on ...

Re: Embraer KC-390 News and Discussion Thread

Between Portugal, Czech, Hungary and the Netherlands I’d say Embraer is on a good roll in Europe right now. They’ve committed significant resources to a Polish order/campaign I believe as well I believe, and I’m not sure if Sweden ever made a decision. Really, the A400M bid might not have been very ...

Re: Embraer KC-390 News and Discussion Thread

Excellent news for an excellent aircraft. I think if most C-130 operators purchased the KC-390 they would prefer it for 99% of operations. The KC-390 is a great plane, I think it’s primary challenge is hitting a production/order rate to achieve some economies of scale/pricing advantages vs. the Herc.

Re: Air Cargo (non Amazon/DHL) Thread - 2022

It sounds like, from the FG article anyway, Boeing is resigned to moving to a 787 freighter after 2027. https://twitter.com/flightglobal/status/1537314156751343618?s=21&t=P7C5PT2yN1aJqBBD9H8Wyw The FAA’s proposal lays out emissions requirements and complex means of proving compliance. The agency...

Re: Could Boeing sell the commercial aircraft division?

This is what is going to happen -- forget about Leeham. No 737 successor, 787 deliveries stalled, -10 deadline not extended, X so late that nobody cares, BCA on quick path to bankruptcy, gets spun off somehow before it sinks the entire company. Engineers stage a successful coup. GE and MDD retreads...

Re: Norway to cancel NH90 contract with NH Industries (NHI)

So what will they buy instead? SH-60? Or more EH101? More 101’s would make the most sense to me, if just for commonality/training benefits. Maybe they don’t need 14 as they are bigger of course. I guess Sweden did turn to the blackhawks though, as I thought Australia did? The Scandinavians writ lar...

Re: Connect Airlines Firms Hydrogen Conversion Of 75 ATR 72s

How, exactly, will the hydrogen be created/transported to the airports? Joint R&D in Toulouse certainly sounds like Airbus is heavily involved, and the image shown in this tweet makes me think the ATR would have 40 or so seats max anyway. https://twitter.com/etnmagazine/status/150433192842586931...

Re: USAF VC-25B News and Discussion Thread

Meh, I like both paint schemes, and while I doubt dark paint on the underside really would have driven additional cooling needs downstairs, it’s not a hill to die on, and none of us expected the current administration to support that anyway.

Re: Boeing manning up to Launch new aircraft? Leeham thinks so.

I agree 5,200 makes the most sense. The weight savings of a ‘Gen 2’ carbon fiber fuselage (lighter construction than the 787) should really ‘pay off’ in the range it affords. Of course, comparatively the A321XLR is a bit underwinged, yet a ‘wing of tomorrow’ on that would make up for such a differen...

Re: Trinational FCAS Programme News and Discussion Thread

Yes, it does sound like the M88 core is being used for both the FCAS/NGF and the Indian project/collaboration. This is great, as it minimizes risk, imho, and ensures sufficient funding/scale for the development. Safran is basically putting coatings on the HPT core, and I guess MTU is working on the ...

Re: Trinational FCAS Programme News and Discussion Thread

Dassault predicts decade of delay for FCAS fighter https://www.janes.com/defence-news/air-platforms/latest/dassault-predicts-decade-of-delay-for-fcas-fighter Will this mean more Rafales for France (and F-35's for Germany)? I’ve said all along 2050 is the more likely target for this project (and in ...

Re: Boeing E-4B Replacement News and Discussion Thread

tmu101 wrote:

How ironic would that be? New VC-25's being developed from repurposed 747-8i's meant for a defunct Russian airline and possible E-4 replacement using previously owned by a Chinese airline.

Re: Boeing manning up to Launch new aircraft? Leeham thinks so.

An A322 would be an easy development from the A321XLR and would be killer economics on short-haul, up to US transcon type distances. Effectively like the 787-10 is to the 787-9- a 'simple' stretch, trading range for capacity. I could see airlines like Delta or United taking on a good number to repl...

Re: German Heavy Lift Helicopter Replacement Program News and Discussion Thread

Djlorry3 wrote:

Akkording to the evening News show of German Radio station "Deutschlandradio" the price tag will be only be 4 billion Dollars.

Re: Boeing manning up to Launch new aircraft? Leeham thinks so.

RJMAZ 124, CFM were submitting something based on the LEAP architecture last time, I believe, in the just under 50K category. None of that conceptual e-VTOL hybrid stuff could survive certification hurdles. If that gas turbine goes down at a critical moment/engine out of take off (or landing), you h...

Re: Boeing manning up to Launch new aircraft? Leeham thinks so.

I just hope they finally launch something, and that they build it outside of the IAM751 footprint in Washington.

Re: Future of the Typhoon vs Rafale

The French have a pretty great track record, for over 50+ years, of supporting various Dassault Mirage generations globally to various customers, a key advantage long term to potential buyers vs. the Eurofighter consortium (whose customer base is essentially Europe plus the ME). Beyond the capabilit...

Re: Boeing Starliner News and Discussion Thread

What fuel does the Starliner use. Not the launch vehicle,but the actual capsule? (Googling does not reveal an answer.) Both commercial crew vehicles use hypergolic propellants, hydrazine fuel and nitrous tetroxide oxidizer. Crew Dragon has the 2 sets of Draco and Super Draco thrusters mounted in th...

Re: Boeing B-52 Re-engine News and Discussion Thread

Disappointing, but unsurprising, as this is a 10+ year program and inflation is…higher than it was in 2017. At some point, I hope they decide to also just replace the upper wing skin as part of this project, as I imagine that is really the limiting factor for airframe life now, and it has to be remo...

Re: Chinese aerospace experts slam NASA's chief for 'ridiculous and outrageous' allegations of 'stealing' technology

Other reasons are the expense of researching earlier patents, the limited protection they offer (China, for example, does not respect Western patent law), and the cost of litigation for infringement. Elon's view is that continuous innovation is a better protection overall. That substantively change...

Re: Chinese aerospace experts slam NASA's chief for 'ridiculous and outrageous' allegations of 'stealing' technology

I remember reading about or seeing a Youtube video with Elon Musk who said that SpaceX don't publish patents. The reasoning behind this was that their biggest 'rival' was a state sponsored space program who doesn't care for patents. And especially if they use them militarily you wouldn't find out. ...

Re: Lockheed reveals new LMXT refueling tanker

It may all be a moot point, anyway, with the Secretary of the Air Force commenting over the past couple of months that the demand for a KC-10 class replacement (KC-Z) is so low it might not be worth going forward with it. USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. has also noted that the KC-46A ...

Re: Lockheed reveals new LMXT refueling tanker

I think the E-3’s were new build. Some of the 707’s that the military has operated were acquired second hand I think after Boing finally shut the 707 line down. It is also true that the Tristar’s for the RAF started out at British Airways. The MRTT’s are all delivered to Spain for conversion, today,...

Re: Lockheed reveals new LMXT refueling tanker