FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1989
1989 - 0402.PDF
American order secures MD-ll's future by David Learmount, Air Transport Editor McDonnell Douglas is now in no doubt that sales of its MD-11 airliner will exceed the break even point, originally set at 120 aircraft because the trijet is a DC-10 derivative. The five new customers and one reorder announced last week added just 21 firm sales to the existing 67-aircraft order- book, but MDC is confident that the 57 accompanying options will be taken up. MD-11 commitments (conditional orders, options, and reserva tions) now cover 253 additional aircraft. The order with most influ ence on the MD-ll's future is American Airlines' agreement to acquire 50, with deliveries beginning in early 1990. Ameri can has been able to acquire aircraft early by taking some of those originally ordered by British Caledonian. The US carrier will use the MD-11 throughout its international and transcontinental route network, but particularly the Pacific. American's engine choice has given General Electric the largest single commercial aircraft engine sale in its history—about $2 billion worth of CF6-80C2s and Els. Ameri- American Airlines wanted early delivery of its MD-lls Latest MD-11 orders American Air Europe Finnair Aero Lloyd ZAS Airline of Egypt Air Zaire Total Orders 8 6 2 (2 already ordered) 2 1 2 21 Options 42 12 0 2 1 0 57 can has negotiated the ability to acquire up to 200 of these engines as appropriate for MD-lls, Boeing 767s, and Airbus Industrie A300s and A330s. If the airline buys all the engines, it will own about 600 GE powerplants. Simultaneously, American has taken options on another 100 MD-80 twinjets, taking its potential fleet of McDonnell Douglas twinjets to 350. Air Europe's order for six MD-lls has enabled Rolls-Royce to launch the 65,000-80,0001b-thrust RB.211-524L, and will put the UK company's engines back on to Douglas commercial aircraft after a gap of some 24 years. The British airline agreed last December to lease two GE- powered MD-lls from Mitsui so it can begin operations in the middle of 1990. The R-R- powered aircraft will begin to be delivered in early 1993, and Air Europe's chief, Harry Good man, plans to have 18 of the type flying longer-range pack age tours. Among new MD-11 sales (see table), Finnair has added two aircraft to the two firm orders and two options already placed, German independent Aero Lloyd is making the MD-11 its first widebody purchase, as is ZAS Airline of Egypt, which has ordered MD-11 Combis, both purchased by ADO Finance of Switzerland. The MD-11 is offered in four versions: the standard aircraft, which is 11 • 6ft longer than the DC-10 and is available in freight and combi versions; and the stretched aircraft, which is 35ft longer than the standard MD-11. Douglas plans a "super-stretch" variant, the same length as the stretched MD-11 but with increased maximum take-off weight and the same 7,000- n.m. range as the standard aircraft. MD-11 launches Rolls-Royce big fan Air Europe's order for six Rolls- Royce-powered McDonnell Douglas MD-1 Is "is the launch of the RB.211-524L, and not just on this type," says R-R chairman Sir Francis Tombs. "We will get orders to power the Airbus Industrie A330. We are in a unique position, having the ability to go to 80,0001b thrust." Tombs confirms that Rolls- Royce is applying to the UK Government for engine launch aid, but says the -524 will be launched whether or not the aid is granted. The -524L is due to be certif icated in 1992, and should see service either late that year or early in 1993, providing 65,0001b of take-off thrust in its initial version. Rolls-Royce will be able to provide the full 80,0001b thrust potential "quite rapidly", says Tombs, "but the market will decide when it needs it". The Air Europe order for six An RB.211-524L mockup has been completed aircraft is likely to expand to 18 according to airline parent company the International Leisure Group. ILG chairman Harry Goodman has booked the delivery positions for six MD-lls in spring 1993, and six spring deliveries each for the Rolls-Royce RB.211-S24L Initial thrust at take-off Growth potential Fan diameter Weight Length Pressure ratio (take-off) Bypass ratio 65,0001b 80,0001b 97-5in 13,5891b 150in 35:1 5-1:1 two following years. The aircraft are intended for use, not just by Air Europe, but also by Airlines of Europe, the multinational inclusive-tour airline group. The launch order for -524Ls is apparently for 54 engines plus spares. Sir Francis believes that Rolls-Royce has a good chance of getting its engine on to more MD-lls which have already been sold. The largest engine in the RB.211 series is presently the 58,0001b-thrust -524G. The new -524L is designed to have a much improved thrust/weight ratio by using lighter materials and increasing the bypass and pressure ratios. A new four- stage, three-dimensional-CAD- designed low-pressure turbine is being introduced to drive the larger-diameter wide-chord fan. Earlier versions of the RB.211 have three-stage LP turbines. The intermediate-pressure compressor in the new engine also gets an additional, eighth stage. High-pressure com pressor design owes much to that of the V.2500, with improved tip clearance control for greater efficiency. HP turbine blades will be single- crystal. The integrated nozzle, as used on the -535E4, gives improved propulsive efficiency, lower noise, and better reverse thrust, says Rolls-Royce. 8 FLIGHT INTERNATIONAL, 18 February 1989
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
