Friday 9 November 2012
Lufthansa. Tired TWITTER-ing in 2 language.
Airbus opens A350 plant to meet rising competition! B787 are going down with the first A350.
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European planemaker Airbus inaugurated a factory for its A350 jetliner today, sparking a new phase in the race for fuel efficiency and profits with US rival Boeing.
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault fought through fog and an air traffic control strike to fly to Toulouse, southwest France, to name the plant after “Father of Airbus” Roger Beteille, a pioneer of twin-engined long haul passenger jets.
Built in response to the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the A350 is Europe’s first contribution to a new generation of jets designed to cut airline fuel bills by using mainly lightweight carbon-composite materials instead of the heavier aluminium.
Airbus and Boeing expect total demand for more than 6,000 such mid-sized, long-range jets over the next 20 years and their arrival is leading to new routes bypassing crowded hub airports.
It is a market worth several hundreds of billions of dollars and is set to upstage the largest jetliners such as the Airbus A380 superjumbo and the latest version of Boeing’s 747.
But both firms face huge construction challenges for the revolutionary jets, woven and baked out of carbon fibre that is stronger and lighter than metal but costlier to produce. Neither the A350 nor the 787 is expected to make a profit for years.
Airbus says the A350 will take to the skies in the summer of 2013 and enter service in the second half of 2014, a year later than originally scheduled. Three different models of the aircraft will seat between 270 and 350 people.
The competing 787 went into service in Japan a year ago after complications with a ground-breaking production system and global supply chain delayed its first deliveries by three years.
Even before today’s inauguration, the 74,000-square metre Toulouse plant has been building the first A350 that will never fly but will be shaken apart in stress tests.
Full production will now begin in earnest ahead of next year’s maiden flight, rising to 10 planes a month by late 2018.
The factory ceremony comes as competition intensifies for the sales of jets to Asia and other fast-growing markets.
The largest model, the A350-1000, will also compete against Boeing’s 777 mini-jumbo, which boasts the world’s largest jet engines and dominates a lucrative market just below 400 seats.
Boeing lifted production of the 777 overnight in the wake of record sales and analysts say it is poised to launch a new stretched Dreamliner, to be called the 787-10.
That could slow a rally in sales of the older Airbus A330 which soared as airlines scrambled for capacity to cope with growing traffic, as 787 delays left them short of seats.
Boeing is due to publish third-quarter earnings tomorrow.
Airbus is also involved in disputes with the United States and even one of its founder nations, Germany, over the funding for the A350, whose development is estimated at US$15 billion (RM45.86 billion) The United States has accused Europe of ignoring recent World Trade Organisation rulings by subsidising the aircraft through development loans.Virgin Atlantic? Right decision to made??
APPLE product getting places in the Cockpit.
Apple’s iPad mini is likely poised to become the backup cockpit chart display device of choice for pilots, according to some aviation iOS app developers. The mini’s 7.9-inch (diagonal) screen is smaller than the 9.7-inch iPad, but the device contains the same A5 processor as the iPad 2 and tips the scales at less than half the iPad 2’s 1.5 pounds. Jeppesen has already concluded decompression testing of the newest iPad (fourth generation) and the mini, both of which started shipping earlier this week.The mini’s screen is smaller than the iPad’s and display elements thus are 18-percent smaller. “It’s not a huge reduction,” said Rick Ellerbrock, Jeppesen’s director for aviation strategy. “It’s something we don’t think is going to be a usability issue.” Approach plates are a bit smaller on the mini versus the iPad, he added, “but it’s surprisingly readable.”
Apple “turned out a fantastically light and usable device,” said Hilton Goldstein, founder of Hilton Software, the company that developed the WingX Pro 7 app. “I might be going out on a limb here, but I believe iPad mini will be more popular than iPad.” ForeFlight Mobile blogged about the mini during a test flight: “One-handed operation is great for reading, briefing approach plates and even panning sectional charts with one thumb. Also, yoke mounting is now a pleasure.”The mini’s screen is smaller than the iPad’s and display elements thus are 18-percent smaller. “It’s not a huge reduction,” said Rick Ellerbrock, Jeppesen’s director for aviation strategy. “It’s something we don’t think is going to be a usability issue.” Approach plates are a bit smaller on the mini versus the iPad, he added, “but it’s surprisingly readable.”
Apple “turned out a fantastically light and usable device,” said Hilton Goldstein, founder of Hilton Software, the company that developed the WingX Pro 7 app. “I might be going out on a limb here, but I believe iPad mini will be more popular than iPad.”
ForeFlight Mobile blogged about the mini during a test flight: “One-handed operation is great for reading, briefing approach plates and even panning sectional charts with one thumb. Also, yoke mounting is now a pleasure.”
Flying in Bad Weather. Will YOU??
With the recent and unfortunate weather events in the North East, flights across the United States were cancelled, delayed and even experiencing some turbulence. We can’t control the weather while flying but we can definitely make a bumpy flight a little more comfortable. Here are some tricks to help you through the turbulent flight:
Be confident in your pilot: Your pilot has been flying planes for years; they are trained to fly a plane no matter what circumstances they are in. If your flight begins to get bumpy and scary just remember that your pilot is a professional. Pilots eat, breathe and sleep flying and know what they are doing. There are plenty of weather gadgets, gizmos and technology to help airlines keep you the safest.
Keep busy: Turbulence sometimes can last a few seconds or happen throughout the whole flight, the best way to keep calm is to keep busy. Read your book, crank up your music or watch the movie. If these things aren’t helping try talking to the person sitting next to you. Having human interaction can keep your mind off of what is going on and calm you. So get to know the person sitting next to you to get you through your worry.
Plan ahead: The day before and the day of your flight keep an eye on the weather in your departure and arrival city. Most airline websites will also have weather information posted online for their customers. Log on and check it out. Prepare yourself for bad weather by getting mentally ready. Relax before your flight leaves and if you are the few that have to medicate before flights be sure that you do so, as prescribed by your doctor.
Relax: Do your best to relax on your flight. Ask for a blanket and pillow. Take deep breathes and focus on happier thoughts. It is a mind game for most, put yourself at ease and do what you need to do to get there.
Listen and trust flight crew: Flight attendants practically live on planes and have been through turbulence more than anyone. They know exactly what to do and how to act during this time. If you are that nervous, talk to the flight crew to calm your nerves. Listen to everything they tell you and trust them. This too, is their job and their area of expertise.
2012 Aircraft Deliveries to MAS Group and AirAsia Group
Malaysia Airlines
MSN 078 Airbus A380-841 - Test Reg: F-WWSU First Flight: 20-10-2011 Reg: 9M-MNA Delivered:
MSN 081 Airbus A380-841 - Test Reg: F-WWAJ First Flight: Reg: 9M-MNB Delivered:
MSN 084 Airbus A380-841 - Test Reg: F-WWAD First Flight: Reg: 9M-MNC Delivered:
MSN 089 Airbus A380-841 - Test Reg: F-WWSO First Flight: Reg: 9M-MND Delivered:
MSN 094 Airbus A380-841 - Test Reg: F-WWAV First Flight: Reg: 9M-MNE Delivered:
MSN 1164 Airbus A330-223F - Test Reg: F-WWKG First Flight: 19-12-2011 Reg: 9M-MUC Delivered:
MSN 1180 Airbus A330-223F -
MSN 1281 Airbus A330-323X - Test Reg: F-WWKO First Flight: Reg: 9M-MTF Delivered:
MSN 1318 Airbus A330-323X - Reg: 9M-MTG
MSN 1336 Airbus A330-323X - Reg: 9M-MTH
MSN 1337 Airbus A330-323X - Reg: 9M-MTI
MSN 39323 Boeing 737-8H6(WL) - Reg: 9M-MLM First Flight: 19-12-2011
MSN 39324 Boeing 737-8H6(WL) - Reg: 9M-MLN
MSN 39325 Boeing 737-8H6(WL) - Reg: 9M-MLO
MSN 40135 Boeing 737-8H6(WL) - Reg: 9M-MXH
MSN 40136 Boeing 737-8H6(WL) - Reg: 9M-MXI
MSN 40136 Boeing 737-8H6(WL) - Reg: 9M-MXI
AirAsia Group
MSN 1321 Airbus A330-202 AirAsia X
MSN 1339 Airbus A330-202 AirAsia X
MSN 4980 Airbus A320-216 Thai AirAsia Test Reg: F-WWIZ
MSN 4989 Airbus A320-216 AirAsia Philippines Test Reg: F-WWDU
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