Programmes – Page 41
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News
Airbus shapes A321XLR systems layout with low-tech and hi-tech mock-ups
One of the Airbus A321neo fuselage sections previously intended for delivery to South American operator LATAM has instead been supporting the A321XLR development programme as a system integration platform. Originally a standard A321LR centre and aft section, the fuselage of MSN8531 was withdrawn from the Hamburg Finkenwerder production line and ...
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News
MNG opts for A330-300 freighter conversions after dropping A330-200Fs
Turkish carrier MNG Airlines has signed up for two Airbus A330-300 converted freighters, having previously abandoned orders for new-built A330-200Fs. MNG Airlines has contracted with joint-venture conversion specialist EFW for the two passenger-to-freighter aircraft, the first of which has been newly inducted to EFW’s Dresden facility for modification. This aircraft, ...
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News
Mid-2030s zero-emission aircraft horizon 'credible': Airbus chief
Airbus chief Guillaume Faury insists a 2035 entry-into-service horizon for zero-emission aircraft is “credible”, given the advancing work on hydrogen power. Six months ago the airframer unveiled proposed designs for zero-emissions aircraft, including a blended-wing body concept alongside more conventional twinjet and turboprop configurations. “We think it’s going to happen,” ...
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News
United Aircraft restarts flight-testing of Il-112V military transport
Source: VASO Flight-testing of the light military transport resumed at Voronezh on 30 March
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Interview
How the RAF’s former chief intends to marshal a post-Brexit CAA
While the UK’s decision to leave EASA remains a source of contention, the CAA’s new chair Sir Stephen Hillier is determined that the agency can rise to the challenge and demonstrate its status as a “world-class regulator”.
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News
Safran switches seat models on A220
Safran is replacing the passenger seat models it provides on the Airbus A220 as the sole supplier-furnished equipment (SFE) manufacturer.
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News
Finnair signals interest in up to 20 of Heart’s ES-19 electric aircraft
Finnair has signed a letter of interest through which it could acquire up to 20 electric-powered regional aircraft under development by Heart Aerospace. The 19-seat aircraft project, the ES-19, was unveiled by the Swedish-based manufacturer in 2019. Heart Aerospace is aiming to put the aircraft into commercial service in 2026. ...
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News
EASA clears 90-seat Dash 8-400 for European operations
European operators of the De Havilland Canada (DHC) Dash 8-400 could soon be carrying up to 90 passengers in the twin-turboprop after the bloc’s regulator approved the modification.
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News
MC-21 transferred to northern Russia for natural icing test flights
One of the Irkut MC-21-300 test aircraft has been flown to Arkhangelsk in northern Russia to undergo natural icing certification tests. The aircraft, number 73051, is the same jet that was involved in a runway excursion at Moscow Zhukovsky in January while it was performing simulated single-engine approaches. Arkhangelsk is ...
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News
Cryogenic tank among features tested for Russian 50-seat proposal
Characteristics of a proposed Russian 50-seat twin-engined turboprop are being refined after a series of windtunnel tests which to explore configurations including a potential external cryogenic fuel tank. The light convertible aircraft – intended to operate with both passenger and freight layouts – has been subjected to a series of ...
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News
Airbus extracts more range from A220-300 with further weight increase
Airbus is to offer a further range increase on the A220-300 towards the middle of this year, with a 1t hike in the twinjet’s maximum take-off weight. It will take the MTOW of the -300, the larger of the A220 variants, to 70.9t from the current 69.9t and will provide ...
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News
France’s Aura Aero unveils 19-seat electric aircraft development plan
French aerospace firm Aura Aero is intending to develop a 19-seat electric-powered regional aircraft, as it looks to certify its two-seat Integral R light single. Aura Aero says the 19-seat project, to address the embryonic low-carbon transport sector, is supported by the Occitanie region. It unveiled the plan as it ...
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News
Zig-zag microrelief on wings could reduce stall risk
Russian researchers are testing a wing surface modification with vortex generators aimed at reducing the risk of airflow separation and stall at high angles of attack. The work is being conducted at Moscow’s Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute and centres on surface microrelief featuring a zig-zag of vortex generators manufactured from polymer ...
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News
FAA tightens regulatory scrutiny of 787 programme
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has tightened scrutiny on Boeing’s production of its 787 widebody, by stripping the airframer of its authority to sign off four newly-produced jets.
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News
Final production Airbus A380 departs Toulouse for Hamburg outfitting
Airbus has flown the last production A380 from Toulouse to its Hamburg Finkenwerder plant for completion ahead of its delivery to Emirates. The flight of the aircraft, MSN272, took place on 17 March a little more than two years after Airbus opted to cease production of the double-deck type. Airbus ...
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News
CR929 windtunnel tests focus on twinjet’s wing-tip configuration
Aerodynamic analysis of the Chinese-Russian long-haul CRAIC CR929 twinjet is progressing, with windtunnel tests to examine wing designs for the type. Models of the CR929 have undergone windtunnel testing at the Moscow Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute, with previous studies looking at cruise characteristics of different wing options and the effects of ...
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News
Vietnam mulls airspace permission for 737 Max
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) is proposing to allow the Boeing 737 Max transit through the country’s airspace, paving the way for a possible lifting of the aircraft’s grounding.
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News
A350-900s to remain exclusively Trent-powered until at least 2030
Rolls-Royce has secured an exclusive position on the Airbus A350-900 for the remainder of the decade, ruling out any immediate prospect of a rival engine manufacturer entering the market for twinjet. The agreement means the Trent XWB will remain the sole powerplant on the A350 until at least 2030. Rolls-Royce ...
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News
Wideroe and Rolls-Royce pursue all-electric aircraft based on Tecnam design
Norwegian regional carrier Wideroe has linked up with Rolls-Royce and aeronautics firm Tecnam to develop an all-electric passenger aircraft within the next five years. The aircraft would be suited to the commuter air transport market and enter service in 2026. Wideroe has previously expressed interest in electric regional aircraft projects ...
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Airline Business
Which airlines have returned the Boeing 737 Max to service?
Two years since its grounding and nearly four months since the FAA cleared the type for a return to the skies, thirteen carriers are now flying the Boeing 737 Max on revenue services, including Alaska Airlines, which debuted operations with the type at the start of March.