The Boeing 737 Max program has reached the development stage known as “firm concept,” following months of study into changes to the original design needed to effect a 13-percent operation cost improvement over the existing 737NG.
Aerospace Industry
News and issues concerning aerospace companies, including formations, acquisitions, mergers and financials; and announcements of significant aircraft sales, delivery statistics and personnel appointments.
November 13, 2012 - 11:21am
Boeing has agreed to help Aviation Industry Corporation of China (Avic) to expand the state-owned company’s ability to supply interiors commodities such as passenger seats, galleys, lavatories and in-flight entertainment systems for commercial airplanes.
November 13, 2012 - 9:35am
Comac has received 50 more commitments for its new C919 narrowbody airliner. Three contracts announced on the first day of Airshow China 2012 in Zhuhai call for 20 each of the twinjet to go to Chinese carriers Joy Air and Hebei Aviation, with 10 more signed for by leasing group Gecas. But the first flight of the C919 now seems likely to be pushed back again due to a new delay with Comac’s ARJ21 regional airliner development.
November 13, 2012 - 8:50am
Bombardier now sees China as second only to North America in terms of anticipated regional airliner sales. Andy Solem, the Canadian airframer’s vice president for China and North Asia, told a November 13 press conference at Airshow China 2012 in Zhuhai that it sees demand for as many as 2,200 single-aisle airliners [100 to 149 seats] in the Chinese market over the next 20 years.
November 12, 2012 - 12:06pm
Boeing employees last week rolled out the first 787 Dreamliner built at the new production rate of five airplanes per month, the company announced today. The 83rd Dreamliner ever built, the airplane marks the passage of yet another milestone in Boeing’s quest to raise its production rate to 10 per month by late 2013.
November 12, 2012 - 12:00pm
Delayed delivery of certain critical components leading to a need to “reharmonize” integration tasks has forced Bombardier to delay first flight of its new CSeries CS100 until at least the end of next June, roughly six months later than the most recent target. If all goes according to the latest plans, the smaller of the two-variant narrowbody series will consequently enter service in the middle of 2014.
The timeline for the larger of the pair–the CS300–remains unchanged, added Bombardier, meaning it still expects that airplane to enter service by the end of 2014.
November 7, 2012 - 9:42am
Bombardier’s new CSeries CS100 will not fly until at least the end of next June, roughly six months later than the most recent target, according to the latest schedule published by the Canadian airframe maker. If all goes according to the latest plans, the smaller of the two-member narrowbody family will consequently enter service in the middle of 2014.
November 5, 2012 - 9:30am
The ever-increasing use of composites in aerospace has given rise to technological advances not only in aerodynamics but in so-called green disciplines. Engineers have studied different processes for decades, and recycled composites from Boeing 787s have already found their way onto recreational products such as kayak paddles.
November 1, 2012 - 1:00pm
The Lindbergh Foundation chose the first day of the 2012 NBAA Convention to award its prestigious Corporate Award for Balance to Aviation Partners Boeing, a joint venture between Aviation Partners (API) and Boeing created in 1999 to equip Boeing aircraft with API’s blended winglet technology. The winglets have saved billions of gallons of jet fuel and significantly improved the performance specifications of Boeing jetliners.
November 1, 2012 - 11:26am
Although it has long been a well known name in helicopter circles, Kaman Aerospace made its debut as an NBAA Convention exhibitor this year. A manufacturer with facilities throughout the U.S. as well as in Mexico, the UK, Germany and India, Kaman exhibited a carbon monolithic lightweight door structure, a winglet, an aileron for new business jets, and the company’s flight-control bearing products.
