Flightblogger

777F Flight Test Preview

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 22:52:51 GMT

MULTIMEDIA EXTRA: Listen to Chief 777 Test Pilot Suzanna Darcy-Henneman provide an audio briefing on the 777F flight test program from May 21, 2008 - 20 minutes. With 777F first flight just days away, Chief 777 test pilot Suzanna Darcy-Henneman and right...(read more)

Alenia North America Statement on ZA004

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:22:26 GMT

In full: A contractor performing work on behalf of Alenia Composite (an Alenia Aeronautica Company) at the Global Aeronautica facility in South Carolina failed to follow proper procedure. The contractor was an experienced aviation mechanic not local to...(read more)

Exclusive: Boeing delays Dreamliner Four in Charleston after structural damage

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:20:11 GMT

Delivery of the fourth 787 flight test aircraft has been delayed indefinitely due to damage sustained to the center fuselage at the Global Aeronautica facility in Charleston, SC, Boeing has confirmed. Sources in both Everett and Charleston tell FlightBlogger...(read more)

Bombardier Unveils new CSeries Variant

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:46:12 GMT

My colleague Mary Kirby got a huge scoop today on the specifications for Bombardier's CSeries. ( initial details ) The full story should be running at flightglobal.com soon. The new variant gives good indication of customer interest if Bombardier...(read more)

June 30 - The Week Ahead Open Thread

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:00:00 GMT

777F to the sky! Boeing has narrowed its 777F first flight from June 27 to July 9 . The heart of that window is this week and sources point to July 3 as the likely date for the new freighter to fly for the first time. This, of course, depends on the weather...(read more)

World Premier: Pratt & Whitney's GTF Trailer

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:29:39 GMT

In dramatic fashion, Pratt & Whitney has produced a video previewing its upcoming flight test program for the new Geared Turbofan engine. The company graciously given FlightBlogger the trailer for its world premier here on the blog. Some more background...(read more)

Spiroid Wingtip Technology: The best kept secret in aviation?

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 18:39:51 GMT

EXTRA: Listen to the IAG Podcast with Aviation Partners CEO Joe Clark Imagine an improvement in aerodynamics that might just have the potential to transform aviation. Joe Clark, CEO of Aviation Partners, believes he's got just the thing. Spiroid tipped...(read more)

Fuel Bites

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:39:56 GMT

I'm working on a bunch of differing things this week that will be rolled out in the coming days and weeks. We're also working on a new design for the blog I think you'll really like. I finished up the new header yesterday and added gave representation...(read more)

June 23 - The Week Ahead Open Thread

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:42:52 GMT

Boeing's Goings On Boeing launched its power-on feature at newairplane.com . It gives a good rundown of the power-on process, as well as some of the first shots of a very alive ZA001 flight deck. Also, it looks as though the first sections of LN7...(read more)

After power-on, what's next for 787?

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:22:37 GMT

Image Courtesy The Boeing Company The completion of the 787 first power-on sets the stage for the next phase of the Dreamliner's march toward first flight. The milestone was met to the day according to sources familiar with the schedule. The initial...(read more)

Boeing Achieves 787 Power On

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:29:20 GMT

EVERETT, Wash., June 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) has completed the Power On sequence for the first 787 Dreamliner, marking the completion of the next major milestone on the path to first flight later this year. Power On...(read more)

BYOIFE

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:53:36 GMT

Bring Your Own In-Flight Entertainment Who needs in-flight movie selections when you can hook up to iTunes movie rentals at 30,000 feet for $3.99? Count this blogger in for a connected flight! Read More......(read more)

The Non-Merger Merger

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:05:56 GMT

With oil spiraling towards $150, Continental a found the 4th way to survive the fuel crisis. In conjunction with the retirement of the Classic 737s , the airline is joining up with Star Alliance and apparently abandoning Sky Team and Delta-Northwest in...(read more)

Breaking: GAO Sustains Boeing Tanker Protest

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:23:43 GMT

This is a breaking story and will be updated as details become available. GAO Statement "We recommend that the Air Force reopen discussions with the offerors, obtain revised proposals, re-evaluate the revised proposals and make a new source selection...(read more)

777-300ER - Then and Now

FlightBlogger - Aviation News, Commentary and Analysis — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:54:23 GMT

I've been working on two new features for the pre-Farnborough issue of Flight, one on 777 and the other on the 747-8. While researching yesterday, I came across a very interesting fact. With the help of the Way Back Machine , the historical archive...(read more)