Tag: wing (Page 2 of 5)

Textron Aviation introduces new interiors for Cessna high wing single engine piston lineup

July 17, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Wichita, Kansas (BUSINESS WIRE) – Textron Aviation (NYSE: TXT) announced today significant enhancements to its iconic Cessna high-wing piston aircraft lineup including the Cessna Skyhawk, Cessna Skylane, Cessna Turbo Skylane and Cessna Turbo Stationair HD. Coming in 2024, customers will enjoy a range of new high tech standard features and sleek interior design options including modern and comfortable seating, updated instrument panels and new exterior paint styles.

The first change that customers will notice is an enhanced level of comfort and functionality throughout the aircraft. With new power headset jacks and charging ports at every seat (USB A and C device compatibility), upgraded seats with additional support and padding, and a brand-new center armrest for the Cessna Skylane, Turbo Skylane, and Turbo Stationair HD models, customers will experience a whole new level of excellence in flight.

The lineup also offers exceptional style with top-notch performance. From the sleek black instrument panel to the new side panels, window locks and air vents, the aircraft is designed to make the flying experience even more exciting. Owners can select from a variety of modern standard paint schemes to customize their aircraft and make it their own. With decades of impressive performance, powerful capability and low operating costs, the Cessna piston lineup is the perfect choice for aviators — whether they’re taking their first solo flight or charting their next big adventure.

Customers and fans can experience the new interior for the first time when the company debuts the design in a Cessna Skyhawk at the upcoming 2023 Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Viva Aerobus signs Memorandum of Understanding for 90 Airbus A321neo aircraft

July 8, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Mexico City, July 8th, 2023.- Viva Aerobus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for 90 Airbus (OTC: EADSY) A321neo aircraft. This is the third order Viva has completed with the European manufacturer, thus maintaining a single fleet of A320 family aircraft. The airline’s order book has now reached 170 Airbus aircraft which provides flexibility to continue growing and renewing its fleet, upholding it as one of the youngest in the Americas.

The A321neo offers unparalleled range and performance. By incorporating new generation engines and Sharklets, the A321neo brings a 50 percent noise reduction, and more than 20 percent fuel savings compared to previous single-aisle generation aircraft, while maximizing passenger comfort with the widest single-aisle cabin and large overhead stowage space.

The GTF engine uses a revolutionary geared fan technology that allows each part of the engine to spin at optimum speed, delivering the highest fuel efficiency and lowest greenhouse gas emissions.

These 90 Airbus A321neo aircraft powered by GTF engines will drive Viva’s domestic and international growth plans. This is particularly important since Mexico is expected to recover the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Category 1 rating in the coming months. It is also very relevant given the commercial alliance Viva signed with US carrier Allegiant back in December 2021, which will give more people access to new non-stop air transport between Mexico and the US.

Cebu Pacific Receives its First Airbus A330neo

November 30, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Cebu Pacific has taken delivery of its first A330neo as it begins its widebody fleet modernization program. The aircraft is configured with 459 seats in single-class layout and will be operated by the airline on trunk routes within the Philippines and the rest of Asia, as well as on longer range services to Australia and the Middle East. The A330neo offers versatility for a wide range of routes from shorter regional services to medium and long haul operations.

Altogether Cebu Pacific has ordered 16 A330neo, and also has 16 A320neo and 22 A321neo outstanding to be delivered. The low-cost carrier currently operates 50 Airbus aircraft, comprising 43 A320 Family and 7 A330ceo.

The aircraft is powered by Rolls-Royce’s latest-generation Trent 7000 engines and features a new composite wing with increased span for enhanced aerodynamics.

The A330neo brings a step change in efficiency, consuming 25% less fuel than previous generation aircraft and a similar reduction in CO2 emissions. The outstanding efficiency of the A330neo also ensures compliance with current and future sustainability requirements in terms of noise and emissions

With an order book of more than 1,800 aircraft at the end of October 2021, the A330 remains the most popular widebody family aircraft of all time.

Spirit AeroSystems Europe Delivers First Set of A320 Family RTM Spoilers

August 31, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Prestwick, Scotland, Business Wire, Spirit AeroSystems (Europe) Limited (UK), a subsidiary of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: SPR], has successfully delivered the first set of new advanced composite spoilers to Airbus for the A320 Family. The spoilers are produced using Spirit’s pioneering Resin Transfer Moulding (RTM) technology and are the first to feature on a flying aircraft.

The redesigned spoiler is produced using a highly-automated advanced manufacturing, out-of-autoclave process, resulting in significantly improved manufacturing efficiencies, and reduced energy and costs compared to the original, more traditional design. Spirit is the first to industrialize this innovative composite technology in the UK aerospace sector.

The spoilers are produced in Spirit’s world-class manufacturing facility in Prestwick, Scotland, using the latest automation and robotics, which included investment from the Scottish Government in the development of the technology. Such cost-effective technologies and manufacturing processes will play a central role in the development of the next generation of aircraft programs, and help Spirit increase its competitive advantage in advanced manufacturing.

Navy and Boeing Complete First Unmanned Aircraft to Aircraft Refueling

June 8, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

PRNewswire/ — For the first time in history, the U.S. Navy and Boeing [NYSE: BA] have demonstrated air-to-air refueling using an unmanned aircraft – the Boeing-owned MQ-25™ T1 test asset – to refuel another aircraft.

During a test flight on June 4, MQ-25 T1 successfully extended the hose and drogue from its U.S. Navy-issued aerial refueling store (ARS) and safely transferred jet fuel to a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, demonstrating the MQ-25 Stingray’s ability to carry out its primary aerial refueling mission.

During the initial part of the flight, the F/A-18 test pilot flew in close formation behind MQ-25 to ensure performance and stability prior to refueling – a maneuver that required as little as 20 feet of separation between the MQ-25 T1 air vehicle and the F/A-18 refueling probe. Both aircraft were flying at operationally relevant speeds and altitudes. With the evaluation safely completed, the MQ-25 drogue was extended, and the F/A-18 pilot moved in to “plug” with the unmanned aircraft and receive the scheduled fuel offload.

The milestone comes after 25 T1 flights, testing both aircraft and ARS aerodynamics across the flight envelope, as well as extensive simulations of aerial refueling using MQ-25 digital models. MQ-25 T1 will continue flight testing prior to being shipped to Norfolk, Virginia, for deck handling trials aboard a U.S. Navy carrier later this year.

The Boeing-owned T1 test asset is a predecessor to the seven test aircraft Boeing is manufacturing under a 2018 contract award. The MQ-25 will assume the tanking role currently performed by F/A-18s, allowing for better use of the combat strike fighters and helping extend the range of the carrier air wing.

Airbus Signs Major Integrated Support Contract with Egypt for C295

April 15, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Getafe, 15 April 2021 – The Egyptian Air Force, the largest C295 fleet operator worldwide, has recently signed a five-year services contract with Airbus for the performance-based support of its fleet, composed of a total of 24 aircraft.

The Egyptian Air Force joins now the community of C295 operators that benefit from the provision of integrated and performance based services which ensure that all elements of support are in place where and when required, in order to optimize fleet availability and mission readiness.

The contract includes the provision of material services, on-site technical support as well as on-wing maintenance.

Since the delivery of the first aircraft in 2011, Airbus has been providing support through a wide service portfolio with the highest quality standards including both technical and personnel resources. In signing this contract, Egypt goes further by reaffirming and extending their trust in Airbus by implementing the first integrated support contract.

Cirrus Aircraft Launches Limited Edition to Commemorate 8,000th Delivery

February 6, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

Cirrus Aircraft today unveiled a new Limited Edition aircraft to commemorate the delivery of its 8,000^th SR Series aircraft later this year – the 8000 Limited Edition SR Series. Inspired by the company’s rich history of designing and building aircraft that inspire people to experience the world through personal aviation, the new design features bold colors and unapologetic accents on the exterior and interior.

Echoing the momentum of the runway lines as you prepare for take-off, the 8000 Limited Edition SR Series features an exterior that is impossible to miss. The design is accentuated by an industry-first Volt wing paint scheme, commanding attention on the ground and in the air. The unmistakable graphics and colors carry through into the interior with Volt stitching on the seats and embroidery on the door, and luxury perforated leather on the seats and throttle. In addition to the exciting new design, each of the limited run of eight (8) exclusive 8000 Limited Edition aircraft will be delivered along with a curated series of gifts and events for the new owners.

Cirrus Aircraft’s first high-performance SR Series airplane – the SR20 – was delivered in 1999 and transformed general aviation with intuitive avionics, game-changing performance and revolutionary safety systems, including the Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® (CAPS®). The SR Series has been the world’s best-selling single-engine piston for 18 years in a row, with a portfolio that includes the SR20, SR22 and the turbocharged SR22T. Later this year, the company will deliver its 8000^th SR Series aircraft and exceed 11 million flight hours in more than 60 countries around the world.

The sixth generation SR Series – G6 SR Series – quickly reaffirmed Cirrus Aircraft’s position as the industry leader and, once again, raised the benchmark for high performance, single-engine aircraft. The 2017 G6 SR Series launched the high-speed Cirrus Perspective+^TM by Garmin® flight deck, Cirrus Spectra^TM wingtip lighting, premium cockpit connectivity solutions and more. In the following years, the G6 SR Series was further enhanced with flight deck upgrades and new features in connectivity, including the Cirrus Aircraft mobile app powered by Cirrus IQ™ for access to real-time aircraft data from virtually anywhere in the world, flight data streaming and the ability to text or call contacts on the ground with FlightStream 510.

The 8000 Limited Edition SR Series was imagined and designed by the Xi Design Studio – Cirrus Aircraft’s talented in-house personalization team. The Limited Edition continues to expand the Xi Design Studio’s ability to incorporate luxury automobile-inspired details, handcrafted finishes and customization defined and inspired by the owner’s imagination.

Aircalin Takes Delivery of First A320neo

January 14, 2021 / WIL BALDWIN

New Caledonia’s Aircalin has taken delivery of its first A320neo. The aircraft joins two A330neo already delivered under the carrier’s fleet modernisation plan.

With its new fleet the airline benefits from the lowest operating costs in the respective size categories, as well as the unique commonality between variants of the Airbus Family.

Aircalin’s A320neo is powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1000 engines and configured in a single class layout with 168 seats.

With the A320neo, Aircalin will be able to increase capacity on its flights and open new routes across the Pacific region.

The A320neo Family offers the widest single-aisle cabin in the sky and incorporates the latest technologies, including new generation engines and Sharklets, delivering a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption, as well as 50 per cent less noise compared to previous generation aircraft.

At the end of November 2020, the A320neo Family had received 7,455 firm orders from over 120 customers worldwide.

These Pods Could Provide a Blueprint for Future Hydrogen Aircraft

December 15, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

Twinjet, s-duct, winglets, contra-rotating propellers: the aviation industry has developed numerous configurations over the last five decades that have enabled aircraft to fly higher, faster and longer. Now, Airbus engineers are unveiling a new configuration as part of the ZEROe programme that could enable a passenger aircraft to fly farther than ever without emissions.

The innovative approach consists of six, eight-bladed “pods” mounted beneath the aircraft wing. While the “podded” engine is not a new concept in aviation, these “pods” are not designed to be driven by any ordinary propulsion system: hydrogen fuel cells are among the key components.

“The ‘pod’ configuration is essentially a distributed fuel cell propulsion system that delivers thrust to the aircraft via six propulsors arranged along the wing,” explains Matthieu Thomas, ZEROe Aircraft Lead Architect. “Hydrogen fuel cells have very different design considerations, so we knew we had to come up with a unique approach.”

Indeed, hydrogen fuel cell technology has yet to be scaled up to a passenger-size large commercial aircraft. Smaller experimental hydrogen aircraft, comprising up to 20 seats, can rely on a traditional fixed-wing configuration with two propellers. But more passenger capacity and longer range require another solution. This is why Airbus is studying a variety of configurations, including “pods,” to determine which option has the potential to scale up to larger aircraft.

Click the link below to read the full story!

https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/stories/hydrogen-pod-configuration.html

Boeing, U.S. Navy to Demo Future Ramjet Missile Technology

October 20, 2020 / WIL BALDWIN

– The demonstrator will help the Navy determine technical requirements for future carrier-based weapons systems

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Navy will demonstrate advanced missile technologies that will make carrier air wing strike fighters more lethal against threats into the next decade.

Boeing has been awarded a $30 million contract from the Navy to co-develop the Supersonic Propulsion Enabled Advanced Ramjet (SPEAR) flight demonstrator with the Navy’s Air Warfare Center Weapons Division. The contract award comes after the Department of Defense requested information from the defense industry to help the Navy determine technical requirements of future carrier-based land and sea strike weapons systems.

“The SPEAR flight demonstrator will provide the F/A-18 Super Hornet and carrier strike group with significant improvements in range and survivability against advanced threat defensive systems,” said Steve Mercer, Boeing’s SPEAR program manager. “We have a talented team of engineers to meet the challenging technical demands and schedule timeline that the SPEAR program requires. We look forward to working with Navy experts to advance technologies for the Navy’s future capabilities.”

Boeing and the Navy Air Warfare Center Weapons Division plan to fly the SPEAR demonstrator in late 2022. Prior successes by Boeing in developing supersonic and hypersonic technologies include the X-51 Waverider test vehicle in 2010 and the Variable Flow Ducted Rocket propulsion system under the Triple Target Terminator program in 2014.

Boeing is the world’s largest aerospace company and leading provider of commercial airplanes, defense, space and security systems, and global services. As a top U.S. exporter, the company supports commercial and government customers in more than 150 countries. Building on a legacy of aerospace leadership, Boeing continues to lead in technology and innovation, deliver for its customers and invest in its people and future growth.

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