Boeing today unveiled its answer to the best-selling Airbus A320 NEO, a new engine variant called Boeing 737 MAX. The new family of aircraft consists of the 737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9. The new 737 family will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines optimized for the 737. Like the A320neo, that will be powered by CFM International LEAP-X or Pratt & Whitney PW1100G PurePower engines, the 737 MAX will deliver big fuel savings that airlines will need to successfully compete in the future. According to Boeing, airlines will benefit from a 7 percent advantage in operating costs over the A320neo and lower maintenance requirements. The 737 MAX will also feature the 737 Boeing Sky Interior. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2017. Image: (c) Boeing

Sept. 26 will be the beginning of a new era of aviation. On that day the very first Boeing 787 Dreamliner will be delivered to Japanese carrier ANA (All Nippon Airways). “The airplane is ready. ANA is ready. And, Boeing is ready,” said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “This airplane begins a new chapter in aviation history.” ANA’s 787 will arrive in Tokyo on Sept. 28, following a Sept. 27 departure from Everett, Wash., and will be greeted by ANA employees, media and Japanese partners. Many of the events will be webcast live, allowing people around the world to participate in the celebration. Shinichiro Ito, president and CEO of ANA Group, said, “As launch customer, we are delighted to be taking delivery of our first 787 Dreamliner. This aircraft will enable us to offer new standards of service and comfort to our passengers and will play ...

Boeing today announced that the plane maker delivered a B737 with the new Boeing Sky Interior to RwandAir, making it the first African carrier to own and operate the innovative interior. The delivery is the first direct-purchase 737 in RwandAir’s fleet. Operating from Kigali as its hub, RwandAir’s fleet includes two Boeing 737-500s, two Bombardier CRJ200s and a Dash8-200. As part of Boeing’s Humanitarian Delivery Flights program, Boeing partnered with RwandAir and Operation USA on this delivery flight to deliver 1,500 science and other educational books to the Rotary Club of Kigali. The science books will be accepted by Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and distributed to high schools and universities throughout the country. The remaining books will be distributed to the Kigali Public Library – Rwanda’s first public library. Operation USA is an international relief agency that helps communities around the globe overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic ...

According to ASN an Afriqiyah Airways Airbus A300B4-620 (5A-IAY) was destroyed at Tripoli International Airport, Libya during battle between rebels and Libyan troops. The Airbus burned out completely. 5A-IAY conducted its first flight in 1984 and also was in service with Abu Dhabi Amiri Flight and Fly International Airways. Video by Reuters

Delta Air Lines today announced an order for 100 Boeing 737-900ERs. The order is part of Delta’s fleet renewal effort to replace its older, less efficient single-aisle fleet. (MD-90 / MD-88) The Boeing 737-900ER is the newest member of the Next-Generation 737 airplane family. It also is the highest capacity, longest-range airplane in Boeing’s single-aisle fleet. New aerodynamic and structural design changes allow the airplane to carry up to 180 passengers in a typical two-class layout. All of the airplanes will feature the new Boeing Sky Interior. Source: Boeing Image: (c) Boeing

China Eastern Airlines received its first Next-Generation 737-700 that has been configured for high-altitude/high-temperature airport operations. The new plane additionally features the new Boeing Sky Interior. The aircraft will be operated at the high altitude airports in western China. This special feature package provides the Boeing 737-700 with a new engine thrust rating that allows additional payload capability at high altitude airports and hot conditions. The package also includes an extended duration oxygen system and equipment to utilize the enhanced enroute navigation requirements to and from high-altitude airports. The Boeing Sky Interior introduces new lighting and curving architecture that create a distinctive entry way. Passengers enjoy a greater sense of spaciousness in the cabin in an environment simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The new interior also features decorative sculpted sidewalls and newly improved and expanded pivot stowage bins. Source: Boeing Photo: (c) Boeing

According to Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) a first prototype of the T129 “P6″ attack helicopter successfully conducted its first flight. The ATAK Program was initiated with the aim to meet the Attack/Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter requirements of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLF) by the integration of high-tech avionic equipment, hardware and software which will be developed in Turkey. The first flight of the P6 prototype marks an important milestone in the ATAK Program such that; being the first of a total of three T129 prototypes to be assembled in Turkey. In the ATAK Helicopter Program, Turkish Aerospace Industries is the prime contractor with AgustaWestland and ASELSAN being TAI’s subcontractors. The TAI/AgustaWestland T-129 (AgustaWestland designation AW729) is an enhanced version of the Agusta A129 Mangusta. The T-129 will carry 12 Roketsan-developed UMTAS anti-tank missiles (Turkish indigenous development similar to Hellfire II) and it will use the more ...

A few days ago Boeing delivered three F-15K Slam Eagles to the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). Boeing delivered the first six of 21 F-15Ks it is producing under the Next Fighter II contract in 2010, followed by two in April and two more in May. The remaining eight aircraft will be delivered through April 2012. Six of the new F-15K Slam Eagles are scheduled to participate in an advanced aerial combat training exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., in late January 2012. The F-15K is an advanced variant of the F-15E. Equipped with the latest technological upgrades, it is extremely capable, survivable and maintainable. The aircraft’s service life is planned through 2040, with technology insertions and upgrades throughout its life cycle. Boeing completed delivery of 40 Next Fighter I F-15K aircraft to the ROKAF in October 2008. Source: Boeing Photo: (c) Boeing

Boeing has received a $1.64 billion contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to provide 14 new CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The new-build CH-47 Mark (Mk)-6 Chinooks are part of the MOD’s Strategic Helicopter Vision to modernize its helicopter force structure, and will expand the RAF fleet to 60 Chinooks. “From the Falkland Islands to Iraq and Afghanistan, the RAF has operated Chinooks magnificently for many years in the most demanding environments,” said UK Secretary of State for Defence Liam Fox. “These additional helicopters will significantly enhance our existing heavy-lift helicopter capability. This fleet will support our frontline troops in current and future operations for decades to come.” The new aircraft will be produced at Boeing’s recently renovated Ridley Township facility near Philadelphia and are scheduled for delivery from 2013 through 2015. The CH-47 Mk-6 Chinook has a new, machined monolithic airframe with UK-specific avionics, forward-looking infrared radar, a rescue ...

Did you always want to have a look inside one of Mr. Trump’s planes? Here’s his newest one! He recently sold his Boeing 727 (VPBDJ) to buy a larger Boeing 757 (N757AF). One of his staff gives you an inside look into his bedroom, office, onboard theatre, dining area and bathroom. Of course, much of the interior is 24k gold plated. Video – Tour of Mr. Trump’s Boeing 757

This nicely photographed LAN Airlines Airbus A340-313X (CC-CQF) sitting at Frankfurt/Main Airport (FRA / EDDF), Germany, is the new winner of our Flickr Photo of the Week contest. LAN Airlines and its affiliates LAN Peru, LAN Ecuador, and LAN Argentina are the leading international airline alliance in South America providing nonstop and connecting flights to Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Dominican Republic and Bolivia from the United States and Europe. Every member is part of oneworld global airline alliance providing an extensive network to and within every major city in South America. (c) Photographer: Jan Jasinski Did you know that your photo could be featured here, too? Just enter the Flightstory Flickr Photo Contest.

EADS announced that Turboprop aircraft manufacturer ATR has celebrated the delivery of the first two ATR 72-600s. Royal Air Maroc will be the first operator of the new ATR “-600″ series. The 70-seater aircraft will allow the Moroccan national airline to reinforce its domestic and its nearest international network. In 2009 the airline ordered four ATR 72-600s and two ATR 42-600s, for a total of over US$ 125 million. These ATR 72-600s of which the first aircraft was on exhibit at the 2011 Paris Air Show, are the first ones to be equipped with the new “Armonia” cabin, specially designed for ATR by the Italian company Giugiaro Design. It includes new seats that are both lighter and more comfortable, providing passengers with more room, as well as more spacious overhead compartments. These are also the first ATR aircraft to be equipped with the new avionics suite developed by Thales. The ...

By Ed Curran (FM News 101.1 Chicago) It’s Chicago Air and Water Show time again and, combined with AirVenture, it’s my favorite time of year! I’m an aviation enthusiast and love aerobatics. Being a reporter, I’ve been fortunate to fly with many different people over the years. I’ve done loops while standing on the wing of Gene Littlefield’s Stearman, four-point rolls in a Blue Angels F/A-18 and I’ve jumped with the Army’s Golden Knights. I just got the ride of my life from an aerobatic champion. Rob Holland introduced me to “tumbling” and you’ll see it in this video, combining the view from wingtip and cockpit cameras. Video

For the first time Sukhoi has demonstrated its new 5th generation jet fighter on a public airshow. The Russian Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 appeared on MAKS Airshow today to conduct a 10min flying display. The test plane still uses older engines based on the Su-35 without thrust vectoring. When finished, the final engine will feature full 3-D thrust vectoring along all three aircraft axes. Video – MAKS Airshow Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 The aircraft’s maiden flight took place on 29 January 2010. On 14 March 2011, the aircraft achieved supersonic flight at a test range near Komsomolsk-on-Amur in Siberia. When fully developed, thet Sukhoi PAK FA T-50 is intended to be the successor to the MiG-29 and Su-27 in the Russian inventory and to serve as the basis of the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA being developed with India. As fifth generation jet fighter, it is designed to directly compete with the ...

Airbus announced that Qantas has selected Airbus A320 aircraft for its new premium airline to service routes to/from Australia and the Asian region. In addition, Jetstar Airways – a subsidiary of Qantas – has selected the Airbus A320 to continue its growth in Australia and Asia. The commitment to order consists of 110 A320 Family aircraft including 78 A320neo. “We are delighted to be investing in Airbus’ fuel efficient A320 Family, including the new A320neo as part of Qantas’ international transformation plan and Jetstar’s pan-Asian expansion.” said Alan Joyce, Qantas CEO. “The A320 Family’s outstanding operational efficiency and comfort, paired with its environmental credentials, make it the right choice for Qantas.” The A320neo is a new engine option for the A320 Family to enter service in 2015. It incorporates latest generation engines and large “Sharklet” wing tip devices, which together will deliver 15 percent in fuel and CO2 emission ...

These and many other great aviation cartoons can be found in the newest edition of cartoon books published by retired KLM pilot Martin Leeuwis. The new title called “Please wait to be seated” comprises 160 pages with over 350 cartoons. You can find the contributions of 30 aviation artists from all over the world including USA, Australia, Belgium, Germany, France, United Kingdom, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands. For the first time, almost half of the book is in full-colour and the subjects range from balloons to jet fighters, helicopters and airliners. The book can be ordered from www.goodlanding.nl and only costs €12,50 plus postage.

This week first major components of the all new Airbus A350 XWB have been delivered to Airbus Saint-Nazaire manufacturing site. Today Airbus Nantes has delivered the keel beam. The exceptional convoy, over 25 metres long, left the Nantes site for the Loire, to be loaded onto the barge that transported it to the Airbus Saint-Nazaire site. The keel beam provides structural continuity to the fuselage at the landing gear compartment. The A350 XWB programme is the first programme in which the keel beam and the aft lower shell have been combined to form a single major component. This immense part, made out of 70% composites, is 16.5m long and 4.3m wide and weighs 1.2 tonnes. Its assembly in the Nantes factory required the use of 10,000 fasteners to join 2000 parts. Photo – First Airbus A350 XWB Keel Beam Already on August 8th the first Airbus A350 XWB centre wing ...

Embraer delivered the first Embraer E190 jet to China’s CDB Leasing Co., Ltd. (CLC). The aircraft will be operated by China Southern Air Holding Xinjiang Company, a branch of China Southern Airlines, which is the largest airline in China and the third largest in the world, in terms of traffic volume. CLC has ordered a total of 30 Embraer 190s, including 20 firm orders and ten options, all of which for China Southern Airlines. The aircraft will fly in China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Xinjiang’s civil aviation industry has made significant progress in recent years and is now one of China’s most developed regions, in terms of regional route networks. As the Chinese Central Government furthers economic development in western China, the rapid development of the Xinjiang regional economy requires its air transport industry to enter a new phase. Based on the current plan, another six EMBRAER 190s will be ...

Thai Airways International (THAI) has signed a contract with Airbus covering the firm order of four A350-900s and five A320 aircraft, becoming a new customer for both aircraft types. The Airbus A350 XWB is set to operate on long haul services to Europe and the A320s on domestic and regional routes. In addition to the aircraft ordered from Airbus, the airline is also leasing eight additional A350-900s and six more A320s from third party lessors. THAI is one of Airbus’ longest standing customers and currently operates a fleet including the A340, A330 and A300-600. In addition to the recent order, the airline is also set to become a new operator of the A380 in the second half of 2012. Source: Airbus

Date: 08/05/2011 2:05 p.m Location: Chicago O’Hare Int’l Aircraft Type: Boeing 767-300 Registration: Unknown Operator: American Airlines Flight: AAL41 Phase: Landing Level of Damage: Unknown Injuries & Fatalities: 8 passengers injured American Airlines flight AAL41, on landing in Chicago the right main gear caught fire. The crew reported a fire on brake No. 7. The plane exited onto a taxiway and passengers were deplaned via slides. Source: FAA

Boeing today announced that the first Boeing 787 Dreamliner that will enter into service with launch customer ANA rolled out of the paint hangar. The airplane (JA801A) bears a special livery signifying the core element’s of ANA’s service brand – innovation, uniqueness and the inspiration of Japan. ANA’s first Boeing 787 Dreamliner features a short-haul international interior design with business- and economy-class cabins. Boeing plans to deliver the first 787 to ANA in September. ANA will operate its first 787 revenue flight as a charter international flight from Tokyo to Hong Kong. Source: Boeing Photo: Boeing

Date: 07/30/2011 1:35am Location: Georgetown, Guyana Aircraft Type: Boeing 737-8BK(WL) Registration: 9Y-PBM Operator: Caribbean Airlines Flight: BW523 Phase: Landing Level of Damage: Written off Injuries & Fatalities: No fatalities, some unknown injuries Caribbean Airlines flight on landing overshot the runway and broke in half Date: 07/29/2011 Location: San Francisco, CA Aircraft Type: Boeing 747-422 Registration: N173UA Operator: United Airlines Flight: 888 Phase: Climb Level of Damage: None Injuries & Fatalities: 1 flight attendant sustained unknown injury United flight 888 encounted severe turbulence during climbout – one flight attendant injured Date: 07/30/2011 Location: Chicago, IL Aircraft Type: Airbus A319-114 Registration: N332NB Operator: Delta Air Lines Flight: 2207 Phase: Taxi Level of Damage: Unknown Injuries & Fatalities: None Delta Airlines flight 2207, while at the gate, wing was struck by a Delta MD80 wing Source: FAA