Recently in Paris Air Show 2009 Category
Working on a Super Connie, originally uploaded by flightblogger.
Flight deputy editor Max Kingsley-Jones interviews Paul Zitzer the pilot of the Lockheed L1049F-55 Super Constellation operated by Breitling.
PARIS -- Boeing's vice president of airplane programs, Pat Shanahan, suggested that the American airframer is nearing a decision on a second 787 production line and labor stability is a key factor in determining its location.
Shanahan called his company's decision on a second line "more mature and advanced than it was a year ago," emphasizing that Boeing is "not going to ponder [a decision on a second line] a long time."
Boeing has long entertained the idea of a second 787 production line to raise production rates beyond 10 per month to meet customer demand and make up for 22 months worth of program delays.
"The sooner you make a decision, the better. We won't be pressed into making a decision. [It will be] very measured. It won't be emotionally based," said Shanahan.
Though, despite some deferrals from early 787 customers, Shanahan says Boeing is still committed to ramp up 787 production to 10 aircraft per month by 2012.
"The demand is there. Obviously there are factors around things outside the demand like financing issues, but that's so far out there," he added.
Boeing has accumulated 865 order from 56 customers for the 787.
Shanahan added that Boeing is not even discussing the possibility of not meeting the 787 demand forecast.
"Two and a half years isn't that far away, it's just a lot of work and I think second guessing that at this point, would not serve any value now."
Shanahan declined to specify what locations were on the "short list" for a second 787 production line, but said there are "lots of geographical options...the real options are around 'how do you secure assurance of delivery?' And I think that's been a discussion topic around some of the disruption we've realized...at Boeing."
The disruption Shanahan referenced was the 57-day machinist strike that halted jetliner production at Boeing's commercial manufacturing facilities during September and October of 2008.
Likely candidates for a second 787 production line include Everett, Washington, current site of final assembly, San Antonio, Texas and Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is currently home to center fuselage integration by Global Aeronautica, as well as aft fuselage fabrication by Vought. San Antonio will host refurbishment and change incorporation operations for the six flight test aircraft and early production 787s.
"There are opportunities that we need to assess and I've worked there for 24 years, I like the people in Seattle, I grew up in Seattle, It's a great community, but when you have the customer telling you you're making it really hard to choose your product because when we buy it you can't give it to us," said Shanahan.
Sir Richard Branson, whose Virgin Atlantic Airways has 15 787-9 aircraft on order, discussed the disruption in February at the time of delivery of the first 777 for V Australia:
"If people in Seattle build our planes and deliver them on time and, to be frank, don't go on strike, then we'll continue to work with Boeing. If we have our airline completely messed up, with tremendous damage done to our own work force, then we'll go to Embraer or Airbus."
"We have a have a hard time explaining it to our shareholders how we're making some of these decisions," Shanahan added. "I think this is more the corporate responsibility piece is to evaluate all scenarios. I won't speak to specifics of those scenarios, but [it is] something we're evaluating, considering our options quite seriously and make a determination on a broad variety of criteria."
Shanahan cited "functional logistics" and access to "skilled labor...and high tech skills" as key criteria in any decision.
Shanahan called his company's decision on a second line "more mature and advanced than it was a year ago," emphasizing that Boeing is "not going to ponder [a decision on a second line] a long time."
Boeing has long entertained the idea of a second 787 production line to raise production rates beyond 10 per month to meet customer demand and make up for 22 months worth of program delays.
"The sooner you make a decision, the better. We won't be pressed into making a decision. [It will be] very measured. It won't be emotionally based," said Shanahan.
Though, despite some deferrals from early 787 customers, Shanahan says Boeing is still committed to ramp up 787 production to 10 aircraft per month by 2012.
"The demand is there. Obviously there are factors around things outside the demand like financing issues, but that's so far out there," he added.
Boeing has accumulated 865 order from 56 customers for the 787.
Shanahan added that Boeing is not even discussing the possibility of not meeting the 787 demand forecast.
"Two and a half years isn't that far away, it's just a lot of work and I think second guessing that at this point, would not serve any value now."
Shanahan declined to specify what locations were on the "short list" for a second 787 production line, but said there are "lots of geographical options...the real options are around 'how do you secure assurance of delivery?' And I think that's been a discussion topic around some of the disruption we've realized...at Boeing."
The disruption Shanahan referenced was the 57-day machinist strike that halted jetliner production at Boeing's commercial manufacturing facilities during September and October of 2008.
Likely candidates for a second 787 production line include Everett, Washington, current site of final assembly, San Antonio, Texas and Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston is currently home to center fuselage integration by Global Aeronautica, as well as aft fuselage fabrication by Vought. San Antonio will host refurbishment and change incorporation operations for the six flight test aircraft and early production 787s.
"There are opportunities that we need to assess and I've worked there for 24 years, I like the people in Seattle, I grew up in Seattle, It's a great community, but when you have the customer telling you you're making it really hard to choose your product because when we buy it you can't give it to us," said Shanahan.
Sir Richard Branson, whose Virgin Atlantic Airways has 15 787-9 aircraft on order, discussed the disruption in February at the time of delivery of the first 777 for V Australia:
"If people in Seattle build our planes and deliver them on time and, to be frank, don't go on strike, then we'll continue to work with Boeing. If we have our airline completely messed up, with tremendous damage done to our own work force, then we'll go to Embraer or Airbus."
"We have a have a hard time explaining it to our shareholders how we're making some of these decisions," Shanahan added. "I think this is more the corporate responsibility piece is to evaluate all scenarios. I won't speak to specifics of those scenarios, but [it is] something we're evaluating, considering our options quite seriously and make a determination on a broad variety of criteria."
Shanahan cited "functional logistics" and access to "skilled labor...and high tech skills" as key criteria in any decision.
We're goofy, we're tired, we're over caffeinated and we're at the Paris Air Show. Mary Kirby and I bring you the second exciting installment of our (slightly off the wall) wrap up on the 2nd day the show. We discuss the big Air Asia order, MD-80s and the themes we are seeing this week.
By the end of this week, the outtake reel is going to be ridiculous.
Here's Tuesday's rundown:
- Qatar Airways issues stern warning to Boeing to quickly resolve 787 delay issues
- GEnx-2B for 747-8 close to completing testing
- Finmeccanica confident of M-346 contract 'this week'
- Boeing eyes further growth in India's defence market
- Low-cost mini UAV launches at Paris
- ATR boosts its -600 backlog
- Susi Air receives third PC-6
- Pratt urges single suppler strategy for JSF
- AirAsia X orders up to 15 A350s
- EADS chief engineer champions green technologies
- IAE wins new engine business from Air China
- Taiwan's AIDC invited to participate in Chinese aircraft programme
- Boeing mulls long-haul options
- ACG to partner on new Egyptian lessor joint venture
- Bell Boeing awarded $11 million to improve V-22 reliability
- ATR's new corporate focus
- CAE to help build virtual CSeries for total testing
- Bombardier eyes 2012 CSeries first flight as development picks up
- Airbus tests vegetable oils
- Air Nostrum orders up to 20 ATR 72-600s
- GE and ST Aerospace gear up for GEnx support
- Alenia doubles C-27J fleet to meet FAA cert schedule
- GEnx strip tease worth the wait
- F136 revs up thrust setting
- Antonov looking for An-70 revival
- Face the facts with Superjet International's Franzoni
- Can open rotor deliver?
- Pratt to begin detailed design of geared turbofan in July
- Raytheon demonstrates surface-launched AIM-9X
- Astrium restates commitment to suborbital flights
- Titanium nuts could save Airbus A350 XWB 100kg plus mass
- Hawker Beechcraft committed to playing it safe
- Boeing and GE partner on Bondtracer
- Aeronautics' Orbiter-3 to make first flight in August
- Dubai air show continues to grow
- How 'fusion man' flies like a bird
- Korean picks Advantage70 for A330s
- GE and NASA to evaluate open rotor fan-blade systems
- Airbus creates IMAX-style cinema inside A350 fuselage mock-up
- Visit the Flightglobal media lounge
- Top gongs for Flightglobal scribes
- Northrop/EADS rules out A330-200F for KC-X
- Face the facts with Giorgio Zappa
- One small step for unmanned aircraft, one giant leap for the Paris air show
- Atlantic Airways signs up for CFM56s
- Maritime, SAR markets face Viking invasion
- Society of British Aerospace Companies sounds industry warning
PARIS -- With 787 first flight targeted for the end of this month, Boeing and GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies are looking ahead to the entry into service of the first majority composite airliner with Bondtracer, a tool enabling ramp and flightline crews to evaluate damage to composite structure.
GE partnered with Boeing to build on the US airframer's Ramp Damage Checker for inspecting composite structure in the event that it is struck by ground handling equipment, as often happens during the normal course of airline operations.
The Bondtracer is designed for use on the 787, but can also be used for any aircraft with composite structure and will accommodate the Airbus A350 XWB in the future.
Damage to carbon fibre is often difficult to determine because the surface often reflects no visible harm. However, beneath the skin of the aircraft sub-surface delamination of the fibre can be difficult to see with the naked eye and can undermine aircraft structural integrity if left unaddressed.
"Carbon fibre composites require different processes for evaluating impact and performing non-destructive inspection," says Thierry Laffont, Aerospace Segment Manager at GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies.
"Our goal with Bondtracer is to provide ramp crews with a simple device to quickly determine when more extensive inspection is required. The solution allows airlines to ensure safety while increasing efficiency and productivity," Laffont adds.
Boeing received US Federal Aviation Administration approval for the 787's maintenance plan in December 2008.
GE likens Bondracer to a common stud-finder, with a green light indicating consistent undamaged thickness and a red light indicated an unanticipated change in thickness. The tool is designed for ramp personnel with no non-destructive training or certification.
The 787 will enter service with Japan's All Nippon Airways in the first quarter of 2010.
Image Credit GE Sensing & Inspection
GE partnered with Boeing to build on the US airframer's Ramp Damage Checker for inspecting composite structure in the event that it is struck by ground handling equipment, as often happens during the normal course of airline operations.
The Bondtracer is designed for use on the 787, but can also be used for any aircraft with composite structure and will accommodate the Airbus A350 XWB in the future.
Damage to carbon fibre is often difficult to determine because the surface often reflects no visible harm. However, beneath the skin of the aircraft sub-surface delamination of the fibre can be difficult to see with the naked eye and can undermine aircraft structural integrity if left unaddressed.
"Carbon fibre composites require different processes for evaluating impact and performing non-destructive inspection," says Thierry Laffont, Aerospace Segment Manager at GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies.
"Our goal with Bondtracer is to provide ramp crews with a simple device to quickly determine when more extensive inspection is required. The solution allows airlines to ensure safety while increasing efficiency and productivity," Laffont adds.
Boeing received US Federal Aviation Administration approval for the 787's maintenance plan in December 2008.
GE likens Bondracer to a common stud-finder, with a green light indicating consistent undamaged thickness and a red light indicated an unanticipated change in thickness. The tool is designed for ramp personnel with no non-destructive training or certification.
The 787 will enter service with Japan's All Nippon Airways in the first quarter of 2010.
Image Credit GE Sensing & Inspection
Tony Fernandes announced his order with a little help from twitter, but here's the flash from Flight. Look for a lot more on this story from our team later. Air Asia has got big plans for these aircraft.
Via Air Transport Intelligence:
Via Air Transport Intelligence:
PARIS 2009: AirAsia X orders up to 15 A350sPhoto Courtesy Mark Pilling
Paris (16 Jun 09 15:33 GMT)
AirAsia X has ordered 10 Airbus A350-900 aircraft and placed options on five more.
The Malaysian low-cost long-haul carrier disclosed the agreement at the Paris Air Show today.
First deliveries of the aircraft are due to take place in the first quarter of 2016.
AirAsia X had been weighing up the A350 against the Boeing 787 but earlier this month indicated it had settled on the Airbus twin-jet.
A350s are currently available only with the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engine.
Boeing's Shanahan Briefs Media, originally uploaded by flightblogger.
Pat Shanahan stands in front of a composite image of ZA001's flight deck as it will look on its takeoff roll at KPAE.
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