Aircraft News - North America.

Airbus, Boeing

Study supports Boeing, Airbus for tanker contract. A study found commercial transport planes from Airbus and Boeing are cost-effective candidates for conversion into Air Force aerial refueling tankers. The RAND Corp. study found the planes "provide the required refueling capability at the lowest overall cost." Mar 8, 2006

Airbus, JetBlue Airways 

JetBlue mulls slowing aircraft deliveries. JetBlue Airways may consider slowing deliveries of new airplanes, Chief Executive David Neeleman said. The airline might also consider issuing new equity. Mar 10, 2006

Boeing

Boeing may convince lawmakers to order more C-17s, executive says - The head of Boeing's defense business said the company may convince lawmakers to increase orders for its C-17 transport plane. The Air Force requested additional planes last week. James Albaugh said he thinks the company will produce more C-17s than the 180 already ordered. "Whatever the customer wants we'll support, and right now we are encouraged by the change in tone up on the Hill," he said. Mar 9, 2006

Boeing insiders suggest that the replacement for the 737 could be a twin-aisle composite aircraft. The company announced last week that it has formed a team headed by Mike Cave, Boeing Commercial Airplanes VP-aircraft programs, to evaluate a new design. Initial research has focused on the 100-200 seat category, but Embraer's 190 and 195 already are strong competitors at the bottom end of that market segment. At the same time, airlines are demanding 220 seaters for some LCC markets, thus the launch of the 737-900ER to match the A321. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Douglas touted the Advanced Technology Medium Range 175/180-seat aircraft designed to have two aisles with six-across seating in a 173-in. cross-section or seven-across in high-density seating. At the time, the model that became known as the DC-XX and then DC-11 was dropped despite Delta Air Lines' order for 100 when McDonnell Douglas Chairman James McDonnell balked at the financial commitment. Delta ordered 757s instead. Mar 8, 2006

Boeing hopes its 737 successor will fly in the 2012-15 timeframe but is understood to be ramping up efforts to have an aircraft to market before Airbus. Logically, a scaled-down 787 would seem to be the right course. However, features such as lower cabin altitude and higher humidity brought by the composite structure are not as important for short-haul flights, while the 787 engines have not been designed for the high-cycle utilization they would receive in short-haul operations. On the other hand, much of the technology and manufacturing development costs would be written off against the 787 program whereas Airbus has those costs in front of it. The cockpit is expected to be identical to the 787. Mar 8, 2006

Boeing books orders for 26 aircraft in February. Boeing received orders for 25 commercial transports and one BBJ in the period Feb. 1 to March 1 inclusive, bringing year-to-date orders to 65, according to information on the company's website.February orders included three 737s from Alaska Airlines, three from WestJet and 16 from an unidentified customer(s) for a total of 22. Unidentified customer(s) also ordered two 747s and one 767. In February 2005, Boeing booked orders for 30 commercial transports and four BBJs. The commercial portion comprised 14 737s, eight 777s and eight 787s. Commercial transport orders for January-February 2005 totaled 54. Mar 6, 2006

Boeing announced it has reached an agreement to acquire Carmen Systems, a Swedish company that provides crew scheduling and disruption management software for airlines and railroads. Carmen, which employs approximately 300 and also operates in Canada and Australia, will become a Jeppesen subsidiary. Details of the transaction were not provided. "Carmen Systems' crew scheduling and optimization, and disruption and recovery management products complement Jeppesen's existing aviation portfolio, bringing us new capabilities," said Boeing Commercial Aviation Services VP and GM Lou Mancini. Mar 6, 2006

Lightning poses challenge for 787 engineers. The composite airframe Boeing plans to use for its 787 will not conduct lightning away. Engineers are debating ways to protect the jetliner from lightning. Federal Aviation Administration rules say the design must limit the chance of lightning causing a fuel-tank explosion to less than one in a billion. Mar 6, 2006

Boeing, Goodrich Aerostructures

Boeing signed Goodrich Aerostructures Service Center Asia to perform nacelle component MRO services on 737NGs and 777s. GASCA is the fourth member of the airframer's Repair Network Service Center program. Mar 8, 2006

Boeing, Pegasus Airlines

Pegasus Airlines was identified by Boeing yesterday as the carrier that placed an order for six 737NGs earlier this year. The order is valued at $406.5 million at list prices and includes six options. Deliveries begin in 2008. Pegasus operates a fleet of 14 737s. Mar 10, 2006

General Dynamics

General Dynamics to expand business jet unit. General Dynamics will expand its Gulfstream Aerospace unit in Savannah, which builds business jets, to meet higher demand for its planes. "In the past four years we've seen strong, steady growth in our industry," Gulfstream President Bryan Moss said. MSN Money/Associated Press (3/6) Mar 7, 2006

Republic Airways

Republic Airways Holdings will set up a $21.4 million overnight maintenance facility and crew base at Pittsburgh International Airport to handle its growing fleet of Embraer 170s. Pennsylvania state officials, who said the new facility will generate some 140 jobs over the next three years, put together a $530,000 incentive package for Republic that includes tax credits and job training funds. The airline operates a fleet of 143 RJs, including 48 170s, as a Regional partner of United Airlines, US Airways, Delta Air Lines and American Connection. Mar 7, 2006

Textron

Textron issues additional engine safety alert. Textron has issued a safety alert covering 5,100 Lycoming propeller engines built for small planes. The warning affects engines built between 1997 and 2002. The latest warning more than doubles the total number of suspect Lycoming engines with crankshafts that may have potentially dangerous metal defects. Mar 6, 2006

UPS

UPS announced yesterday that it will retrofit much of its fleet with Boeing's Class 3 Electronic Flight Bag. The program will begin with 107 757s and 767s operated by the express package and expedited freight provider. UPS said the effort is believed to be the first of its type attempted by any airline, cargo or passenger, "and basically reflects our belief that this technology is ready and should be applied to jets now in service," according to VP-UPS Airline and International Operations Bob Lekites. The company said it intends to "quickly add a variety of software applications once the devices are installed, beginning with SafeRoute developed by Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems." SafeRoute uses ADS-B to provide pilots with enhanced situational awareness during taxi and in-flight. Mar 9, 2006