Programmes
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NewsA320neo ‘gliders’ frustrate Airbus but rate of production ‘into 60s’: Scherer
Airbus has nearly 40 A320neo-family jets awaiting engines at its facilities, but commercial aircraft chief Christian Scherer says the underlying single-aisle production performance is trending upwards. The airframer delivered 189 of the single-aisle models in the five months to the end of May, compared with 208 last year. But speaking ...
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In depthAirbus prepares to start certification work on 160-seat A220
Airbus is aiming to start certification work on a 160-seat version of its A220 this year, part of a continuing effort to improve the twinjet’s capabilities. Such a version had previously been pitched by Bombardier, who developed the aircraft as the CSeries before Airbus took over the programme in 2018. ...
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In depthAirbus looks at transferring XLR wing to earlier A321neo variants
Airbus is looking to use the A321XLR’s wing on earlier models of the A321neo, to improve performance and simplify its industrial system. The long-range A321XLR – which entered service last year – features a number of aerodynamic changes including a single-slotted inboard flap design. Airbus originally developed the A321 with ...
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In depthA350F will deliver ‘best balance’ for freighter market, Airbus says
Airbus is making progress on its dedicated A350 freighter, with workstations in Toulouse now adapted and deliveries scheduled to take off in just over two years.
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NewsAirbus chief supports counter-tariffs on Boeing but not US aerospace subsystems
Airbus is seeking to reduce its potential exposure to US tariffs on aircraft, but chief executive Guillaume Faury is opposed to a sweeping European Union retaliation. While Faury supports the EU’s considering tariffs on US aircraft imports, he believes extending them to components and subsystems would be counterproductive. “We are ...
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NewsExecutive order instructs US FAA to repeal ‘outdated’ overland supersonic ban
President Donald Trump has ordered the US FAA to take steps to repeal a long-standing prohibition on overland supersonic flight within six months. Trump has issued the executive order to rescind “outdated and overly-restrictive regulations” – originally imposed in 1973 – banning civil flight at speeds exceeding Mach 1. It ...
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NewsAirbus completes wings for initial A350 freighter flight-test airframe
Airbus has completed the initial wing set for the A350 freighter at the manufacturer’s UK production facility in Broughton. The wings for the twinjet cargo aircraft, designated the A350-1000F, will be shipped to Bremen for system installation before being transferred to the Toulouse final assembly line. Airbus is constructing two ...
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NewsGermany’s Deutsche Aircraft shows off initial prototype D328eco
Deutsche Aircraft has shown off its initial D328eco prototype, rolling out the twin-turboprop at its facility in Oberpfaffenhofen. The airframe, designated TAC1, has been created by combining two Dornier 328 – mating the centre fuselage of one with the nose and empennage of the other. “This milestone represents our transition ...
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NewsInitial MC-21 and SJ-100 deliveries unchanged by government budget cuts: Rostec
Russian state technology firm Rostec insists that it will commence deliveries of Yakovlev MC-21 and SJ-100 aircraft to customers next year. The company’s reassurance follows indications that the government intends to cut the budget allocation to aircraft and helicopter production. Rostec states that such measures will not affect its production ...
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News2Excel to modify 737-800s under follow-on oil spill response contract with OSRL
2Excel Group has been awarded a follow-on contract by OSRL to deliver continued aerial oil spill response services, with the UK company to replace a pair of aged Boeing 727s with modified 737-800s.
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NewsDeutsche Aircraft nears roll-out of initial prototype D328eco
Deutsche Aircraft is preparing to unveil its first flying prototype of the D328eco turboprop, which will be rolled out from the company’s Oberpfaffenhofen facility at the end of May. The prototype, designated TAC1, has been constructed by using two Dornier 328 airframes to create a stretched fuselage. It comprises the ...
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NewsChallenge Group could operate up to 10 777-300ER freighters
Cargo specialist Challenge Group indicates that it could operate up to 10 converted Boeing 777-300ER freighters, as preparation commences on its first example. Challenge Group has transferred the first airframe from its previous owner to the facilities of Israel Aerospace Industries, for modification under its 777-300ERSF programme. The company adds ...
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NewsVertical stresses confidence in VX4 as it prepares for public-airspace flight test
Vertical Aerospace remains on track to carry out crucial piloted wingborne flight tests of its VX4 eVTOL in the second quarter, and expects to conduct initial transition flights this year.
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NewsVertical yet to elaborate on hybrid-electric operation of long-range VX4 variant
Vertical Aerospace is giving away little technical detail about the long-range hybrid eVTOL which it has been quietly developing alongside its all-electric VX4. But it will use its third VX4 prototype – currently undergoing final assembly at its Cotswold facility – initially to support flight-testing of the all-electric version, before ...
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NewsSaudi lessor AviLease seals first direct order with batch of 737 Max jets
Saudi Arabian lessor AviLease has disclosed that it is ordering up to 30 Boeing 737 Max 8 twinjet, its first direct agreement with an airframer. Deliveries of the jets are set to take place up to 2032. Boeing says the agreement covers 20 firm aircraft plus options on a further ...
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NewsUK’s RVL poised to launch cargo flights with ZeroAvia hydrogen-electric Caravan
UK-based charter and services specialist RVL Aviation is intending to operate flights with Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft retrofitted with the hydrogen-electric powertrain being developed by propulsion specialist ZeroAvia.
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NewsVertical to offer hybrid-electric propulsion on long-range VX4 variant aimed at defence
Vertical Aerospace is developing a longer-range version of its VX4 eVTOL which will rely on hybrid- electric propulsion rather than the all-electric power of its predecessor. The UK-based specialist says the hybrid variant would be capable of 1,000nm range, some 10 times that of the current VX4, and have the ...
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NewsModified MC-21 flown to Moscow for certification test flights
United Aircraft has flown a modified Yakovlev MC-21 to Moscow Zhukovsky airfield to commence flight-testing following installation of Russian-built systems and equipment. The aircraft is the first of two which will participated in the test programme. United Aircraft carried out the initial flight with aircraft 73055 – which has been ...
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NewsKlein Vision unveils production prototype of convertible AirCar
Slovakian-based development firm Klein Vision has unveiled a production prototype of its AirCar, a road vehicle capable of converting to an aircraft. The AirCar – which has been granted a certificate of airworthiness – has conducted over 170h of flight testing, including more than 500 take-offs. It is able to ...
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NewsQatar Airways identified as launch customer for Mammoth 777-200LR converted freighter
Qatar Airways’ cargo division is to be the launch customer for the Boeing 777-200LR freighter conversion programme established by US-based Mammoth Freighters. The disclosure follows the initial test flight of the prototype converted aircraft (N705DN), designated the 777-200LRMF, following its modification at Aspire MRO in Fort Worth. Mammoth says it ...