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Recently in Paris Air Show 2009 Category

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One of the highlights of Paris Air Show for me personally was the opportunity to join Max Kingsley-Jones for a guided tour of the Lockheed L1049F-55 Super Constellation (HB-RS). Stepping on board, you could immediately feel the history locked into the airframe. The aircraft once flew for the US Air Force as a troop transport during the Korean War for VIPs and wounded soldiers.

Max and I were like kids in a candy store, though we were able to keep straight faces during the tour. You'll see me floating around the background with my camera. The aircraft's flight engineer and pilot took us around the flight deck and provided us a detailed look at the flight operations of this aircraft. We took special care to examine the flight engineer's station (forward & upper panel), as well as overhead, pilots controls and throttle quadrant.

I hope you enjoy this four part video tour that really gives you a good view inside this incredible aircraft. For additional high-detail, up-close photos of the aircraft and its controls, feel free to visit my Flickr set devoted to the tour. Also, to make sure this airplane keeps flying, visit the Breitling Super Constellation website and consider supporting the Super Constellation Flyers to keep this amazing piece of history in the sky.

Special thanks to Jeff Decker for his filming and editing expertise.
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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.

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The Sukhoi Superjet took to the skies over Le Bourget in its first public flying display. The aircraft has had a very good week with firm orders from Avia leasing for 24 and a letter of intent for 30 from Hungarian flag-carrier Malev. Here are the show there are additional murmurs of more order announcements coming.
paris-header.jpg787FAL_800.jpgPARIS -- 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.
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Blue sky ahead for day three, originally uploaded by flightblogger.

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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:
paris-header.jpg bondtracer-unit_sm.jpgPARIS -- 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
paris-header.jpgairasiaairbusfernandes.jpgA350-airasia-lo-res.jpgTony 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:
PARIS 2009: AirAsia X orders up to 15 A350s
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.
Photo Courtesy Mark Pilling

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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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There was a veritable cornucopia of news coming out of Paris despite the notably slowed pace of aircraft order. Mary Kirby (Runway Girl) and I sat down together at the end of yesterday to discuss day one of the Paris Air Show. We were a bit punchy at the end of the very long first day, so you'll have to forgive our obvious fatigue.

I'll have a solid list of the day's big stories and interviews shortly.
***Editor's Note: The GE reference about first flight was about the GEnx. It will fly during the 3rd quarter with 787 first flight still set for June.

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