First sharklet A321 takes flight
Airbus has begun flight testing its first A321 fitted with fuel-saving ‘Sharklets’. The aircraft took to the air in Hamburg, joining the ongoing certification program for the new wingtip design. Jetstar Asia will be the first Singapore-based Airbus operator to begin using sharklets on its new A320s. Qantas claims the devices will save the airline
777 production hits 8.3 a month
Boeing has begun building the first 777 at the increased rate of 8.3 per month, the highest production rate ever for a twin-aisle airliner. The production rate represents a 20 per cent increase over the previous seven per month rate, and has been made possible through the employment of additional staff and new equipment such
Hawker Beechcraft ends Chapter 11 – but without bizjets?
Wichita-based Hawker Beechcraft plans to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the first quarter of 2013 as a standalone company after a potential deal with Chinese partner Superior Aviation Beijing Co fell through. The two companies failed to agree terms. The future focus for Hawker Beechcraft will remain on high performance single and twin engine
Boeing and Samsung team on IFE and comms
Boeing and Korea’s Samsung have agreed to conduct joint research and development on inflight entertainment and communications systems. The companies will initially start development of lighter weight advanced displays and wireless networking that offer more capabilities for onboard entertainment and air-to-ground communication. The memorandum of understanding is seen as an initial step towards greater cooperation.
A350 XWB vertical tail plane liveried
The 10 metre vertical tail plane of the first flyable A350 has been painted up at the manufacturer’s facility in Germany. This is the first component of the A350 to be painted in Airbus’s distinctive livery, using environmentally-friendly, chromate-free primer paint. Mating of the fuselage components will be complete by the end of November, with
Ambidji Group wins Fiji ATC contract
Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) has appointed The Ambidji Group to support the introduction of the next phase of Fiji’s air traffic management development program. AFL is leading the use of multi-sensor surveillance technology for use in terminal area control at Nadi Airport. The new system determines aircraft positions by triangulating aircraft transponder signals at multiple
