China approves Boeing orders
Boeing says the Chinese government has approved orders placed by Chinese airlines for over 200 new Boeing airliners to be delivered over 2011-2013. The orders, for 737s and 777s, have already been placed and announced by various Chinese airlines, with contracts signed and deposits taken. The Chinese government’s announcement of its approval of the deals
American orders two 777-300ERs
American Airlines has become the first US carrier to order the Boeing 777-300ER in exercising two 777 options for the type. “These additional widebody aircraft will bolster our network strategy, particularly the international growth opportunities we expect from our joint businesses with oneworld partners in the transatlantic and transpacific markets,” said Tom Horton, president, AMR
New engineering VP for Piper
Piper Aircraft has named Michael C Hinderberger vice president of engineering. Hinderberger, who has a broad background in aircraft development programs, will lead a team of over 140 engineers to work on developing Piper’s new single-engine PiperJet Altaire, due to enter service in 2014. “Mike’s experience in the management of aircraft certification programs, production implementation
BAC staff raise $100,000 for flood appeal
Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) staff are set to raise almost $100,000 after voluntarily donating a day of their annual leave to the Premier’s Flood Appeal. The move comes after BAC itself made a $250,000 donation to the appeal, with the airport urging companies to follow the lead of Alliance Airlines staff which will also donate
A400M fatigue testing underway
Fatigue testing of A400M test airframe MSN5001 has begun on schedule in Dresden, Airbus Military reports. The test airframe will be subjected to a “punshing regime of loads” around the clock for an initial four week period. Airbus Military says 1665 simulated flights are required for EASA civil type certification for the aircraft, and that
Third quarter for first 787 delivery
Boeing says it now expects to deliver the first customer 787 in the “third quarter” of this year, after it has finalised assessing the impact on the 787’s certification and production program following last November’s inflight electrical fire on test aircraft ZA002. “This revised timeline for first delivery accommodates the work we believe remains to
