Shopping in grocery stores across the US you are likely to hear this question at check out from the guy whose task it is to place your purchases in your preferred kind of bag (plastic or paper..?). In a way, airframe manufacturers are asking a similar question: plastic or aluminum? The implications are tremendous. Composite… Continue reading Paper or plastic?
Category: The aircraft we fly
News and views about the aircraft we fly
No new 737 from Boeing. The 737NE is coming instead
When Airbus announced the decision to re-engine the A320 family, as opposed to building an all-new replacement, everyone was looking at Boeing to see how the American giant would respond. Managers and engineers mulled over the issue in Seattle and Chicago while Airbus booked a hefty 1000 orders for the 320NEO (New Engine Option). Initially… Continue reading No new 737 from Boeing. The 737NE is coming instead
Wouldn’t you love to know…
Did you ever wonder where the new car you just ordered was being built and even more, when the wonderful process of parts coming together to grow into an automobile, your automobile, started. Not to the hour but at least to the day. I guess if you order a Rolls-Royce or some other exclusive car,… Continue reading Wouldn’t you love to know…
Boeing wins $35 billion tanker contract
It looks like the longest running and possibly most controversial procurement process in US Air Force history has finally come to an end with Boeing being awarded the $35 billion contract to build the USAF’s next generation airborne refueling platform. Boeing is basing this on the 767 and the contract has given the 767 line… Continue reading Boeing wins $35 billion tanker contract
737 successor is coming!
Although officially Boeing maintains that they are still only evaluating their options concerning the future of the 737 (re-engining versus an all new aircraft), CEO Jim McNerney, speaking at the Cowen and Company Aerospace and Defense Conference in New York, basically confirmed that they will build an all new narrowbody to counter Airbus’s A320NEO. Well,… Continue reading 737 successor is coming!
The Airbus NEO is coming
It is definite now, the Airbus 320 family will get new engines, proper winglets and other enhancements so that it may stand on its own in the face of competition from, among others, the Bombardier CSeries and the Boeing 737NG. NEO stands for New Engine Option and one of the new engines will of course… Continue reading The Airbus NEO is coming
New engines for old favorites?
There used to be a time when the big aircraft makers were churning out new types with astounding regularity. In the wide-body arena, there was a choice between the Tri-Star from Lockheed, the DC-10 from McDonnell Douglas and of course the 747 from Boeing. Narrow-bodies also came in a nice variety from the DC-9 through… Continue reading New engines for old favorites?
Northrop will not bid for US Air Force tanker contract
It has just been announced that Northrop/Airbus will not bid for the multi-million dollar Air Force new tanker contract quoting the USAF’s latest selection criteria which clearly favours Boeing’s smaller offering. Originally, Northrop/Airbus were offering a tanker based on the Airbus 330 and Boeing on the 767. The new tanker is to replace the current… Continue reading Northrop will not bid for US Air Force tanker contract
Boeing 787 Dreamliner takes to the air
Late by 28 months but finally in the air! 15 December 2009 will no doubt be a memorable day for Boeing and the whole industry for that matter: the 787 has finally taken to the air, its maiden flight hopefully bringing an end to the series of problems the program had to contend with over… Continue reading Boeing 787 Dreamliner takes to the air