Aircraft News

For more aircraft data, fleets and analysis, please go to: http://www.airguideonline.com/professional.htm Jun 5, 2006 Plane manufacturers scrutinize software. Software glitches are becoming a leading safety challenge in aviation.

It is more difficult to fix problems with the latest generation of jetliners because they use more than 5 million lines of software code. Older planes use just 1 million lines. May 30, 2006 Aeroflot, Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Aeroflot stockholders overwhelmingly approved the previously announced purchase of 30 new regional jets from Sukhoi Civil Aircraft. Sukhoi's 75/95-seat aircraft program has lined up an impressive list of partners including Honeywell, Parker, Thales and Goodrich, with Boeing serving in an advisory role. The company also is negotiating with Boeing for customer support, warehousing of spare parts and a joint-venture training facility based in Moscow. "Up until now it's been in the role of consultant," said Sukhoi representative Svetlana Issaeva at last week's Regional Airline Assn. conference in Dallas. She said Boeing does not have a financial stake in the program. Sukhoi is a member of US-based RAA. Jun 1, 2006 Air France, Boeing Air France this month will start deploying 777-300ERs on its routes from Paris Orly to the French Overseas Departments except French Guiana. Seven dash 300ERs in three-class configuration will gradually replace 747s, and by 2007 Fort-de-France, Pointe-a-Pitre and Saint Denis will have a dedicated fleet of 777s equipped with in-seat digital IFE. In the high season, AF operates up to 14 weekly flights between France and the French Caribbean and nine to Reunion. Some 1.4 million passengers travel on this network annually. Jun 2, 2006 Air France, Thales Air France Industries and Thales signed an MOU for maintenance, logistics, supply chain, repair and overhaul of the Top Series IFE systems for Air France A380s. The companies said they will "jointly explore innovative modes of cooperation to ensure cost-effective IFE maintenance and high level of IFE system reliability and availability." This cooperation will lead to a common support offer on a Paris CDG platform for other potential Thales TopSeries IFE customers. Jun 1, 2006 Airbus Airbus automation would help planes avoid crashes. Airbus is developing onboard computers that will automatically help the planes avoid collisions. Flight crews would rely on the system to avoid a crash with another airborne aircraft. Airbus has not yet announced plans for the computers. May 30, 2006 Airbus, Qatar Airways Qatar Airways is expressing caution regarding its order for 60 A350s valued at $10 billion given the uncertainty surrounding the likely redesign of the aircraft. Qatar, which signed a letter of intent for the A350s last year and is slated to be the aircraft's largest customer, is holding off on signing a definitive purchase agreement pending the redesign, which is expected to be completed this summer. CEO Akbar Al Baker told Reuters that the carrier will "review all options," adding, "So many things [about the A350] will change that the airplane that we signed for last September is not there anymore." Jun 2, 2006 ATR, Pakistan International Pakistan International Airlines took delivery of its first new ATR 42-500 yesterday, part of a $100 million order for seven signed in November. It will receive the next two aircraft in November and December and four more in the first five months of 2007. They will replace PIA's aging F27 fleet. Jun 1, 2006 B/E Aerospace, Korean Air B/E Aerospace said Korean Air selected its MiniPod lie-flat business class seats and a range of food and beverage preparation and storage equipment for its A380s and retrofit and new 777s. Korean also will install B/E food and beverage equipment on its A330s. Deliveries are scheduled to begin late this year. May 29, 2006 Boeing Aircraft subsidy spat could affect tanker contract. A dispute over aircraft subsidies could affect a contract for Air Force tankers. Boeing is competing against a team of Northrop Grumman and Airbus parent EADS for the contract. The U.S. and EU are at odds over aircraft subsidies, and the U.S. believes Airbus receives unfair government aid. Jun 2, 2006 Boeing Boeing not worried by lack of orders for new 747 passenger jet. The head of the team developing Boeing's larger, more fuel-efficient 747 says he's not worried the company hasn't yet won any orders for the passenger version of the jumbo jet. The plane manufacturer launched its 747-8 last November to put competitive pressure on rival Airbus and its A380 superjumbo. Boeing has won orders for 18 747-8 freighters from two cargo carriers so far. Jeff Peace, vice president and manager of the program, said he expects orders for the so-called Intercontinental passenger plane to come soon. Jun 2, 2006 Boeing Boeing began final assembly yesterday on the first 737-900ER, which will undergo a five-month flight test program later this year and eventually be delivered to Indonesia's Lion Air. Jun 1, 2006 Boeing Boeing faces stiff competition for tanker contract. Boeing will compete against a team comprised of Northrop Grumman and Airbus for a contract to build air-refueling tankers for the Air Force. Boeing workers on the 767 line are supporting their company's bid. Boeing's tanker would be based on the 767, which is facing declining production. Jun 1, 2006 Boeing, ALAFCO Aviation ALAFCO Aviation Lease and Finance of Kuwait said it purchased five new 737-800s valued at $250 million that it plans to lease to Turkish Airlines for 12 years. Jun 1, 2006 Boeing, Bulgaria Air Bulgaria Air will add four ex-United Airlines 737-300s, bringing its total fleet to 12 737-300/-500 aircraft. May 29, 2006