Category: Aircraft & Engines

Air France-KLM Group has announced the definitive end of Air France’s Airbus A380 operations. Initially scheduled by the end of 2022, the phase-out of the Airbus A380 fleet is beginning with immediate effect and fits in the Air France-KLM Group fleet simplification strategy of making the fleet more competitive, by continuing its transformation with more modern, high-performance aircraft with a significantly reduced environmental footprint. Five of the Airbus A380 aircraft in the current fleet are owned by Air France or on finance lease, while four are on operating lease. The global impact of the Airbus A380 phase-out write down is Read more

Delta’s MD-88s and MD-90s will depart on their last scheduled revenue flights on June 2, as Delta officially retires the “Mad Dog” jets from the fleet.  In a nod to the T-tail jet’s name, Delta Flight 88, a McDonnell Douglas MD-88, will depart on its last scheduled revenue flight on the morning of Tuesday, June 2, from Washington-Dulles International Airport to Delta’s hub in Atlanta. Earlier that same morning, Delta Flight 90, operated by an MD-90 aircraft, will fly from Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston to ATL. Once on the ground in Atlanta, the aircraft will join several other MD-88s Read more

Textron Aviation has reported the successful first flight of its new utility twin turboprop aircraft, the Cessna SkyCourier. The milestone flight is a significant step toward entry into service for the clean-sheet aircraft, and it kicks off the important flight-test program that validates the performance of the Cessna SkyCourier. The Cessna SkyCourier took off from the company’s east campus Beech Field Airport, piloted by Corey Eckhart, senior test pilot, and Aaron Tobias, chief test pilot. During the 2-hour and 15-minute flight, the team tested the aircraft’s performance, stability and control, as well as its propulsion, environmental, flight controls and avionics Read more

As part of Rolls-Royce’s IntelligentEngine vision, the company is further expanding the use of immersive Virtual Reality technology for customer training. The latest addition to the remote training programme is an instructor-led distance learning course, providing a comprehensive overview of the construction, design and operation of the Rolls-Royce BR725 engine that powers Gulfstream’s current flagship G650 business aircraft family. After completion of this comprehensive two-day training course, participants will be able to service the engine and undertake non-routine maintenance. While not intended to completely replace practical training, Rolls-Royce see the value Virtual Reality adds for customers, such as higher flexibility Read more

The Gulfstream G600™ has earned type certificate approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), enabling aircraft registrations and deliveries to begin for EU customers. At its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90, the G600 can carry passengers 5,500 nautical miles/10,186 kilometers nonstop — enough range to travel from London to Los Angeles or from Paris to Hong Kong. At its long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85, it can fly 6,500 nm/12,038 km. Its maximum operating speed is Mach 0.925. The aircraft, which entered service Aug. 8, 2019, has already earned 23 city-pair speed records. Among those records was a Read more

BOC Aviation has signed a purchase-and-leaseback agreement with Southwest Airlines for ten Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. All ten aircraft are powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines. Robert Martin, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, BOC Aviation, said: “We are delighted to be working with Southwest Airlines once again, building on a long-term relationship that dates back to 2008. This is the sixth major aircraft investment that we have announced this year, which reflects our company’s ability to provide innovative financing solutions for large-volume transactions and our commitment as a global partner to our airline customers.”