Commercial Aviation

  • Common Type Rating approved for A350 XWB and A330 pilot training

    Airlines and pilots will both benefit from the Common Type Rating pilot training on the A350 XWB and A330 jetliners, further extending Airbus’ concept of flight operational commonality between its fly-by-wire aircraft families. The new regulatory approval means that pilots who are qualified and current on the A330 can already commence their preparations to take…

  • A350 XWB Certification for up to 370 minute ETOPS

    The Airbus A350 XWB just became the first new airliner ever to be approved before EIS for “ETOPS Beyond 180 minutes” The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has approved the new A350-900 airliner for ETOPS (Extended-range Twin engine aircraft Operations) ‘Beyond 180 minutes’ diversion time. This achievement marks the A350 XWB as being the first…

  • Airbus reducing A330 production rate

    Airbus will be adjusting the production rate for its A330 Family from the current rate 10 to 9 aircraft a month in Q4 2015 as it transitions towards the A330neo. Since 2013, Airbus has been building 10 A330 Family aircraft each month, the industry’s highest ever production rate for this aircraft size category. “Our role…

  • Stunning Video About Zurich Airport

    This is one of those videos that are an absolutely “must-have-seen” for any aviation enthusiast! It features airport operations at Swiss Zürich Airport, including close-up landings and takeoffs, tarmac and pushback operations. Simply “WOW”! One of the best videos you’ll ever see!

  • Why Airliners end up at the Boneyard

    In many aviation online communities I see many of the same fundamental question: why did this one type of airliner outlast newer ones? Why did they get rid of this one type? When are they finally going to retire this plane? And so on. The reasons why some planes get sent sooner than others depend…

  • Airbus A350 XWB Route Proving to Hong Kong and Singapore

    Airbus’ MSN005 developmental A350 XWB travelled to Asia on the second trip of its global route-proving tour to demonstrate the aircraft’s readiness for airline operations. In this phase, the airliner flew from Toulouse, France to Hong Kong, and then operated multiple flights between Hong Kong and Singapore before returning to Toulouse. The Asian trip allowed…

  • BEA Trident Unusual 70s Seat Layout

    Back in the times of late 1960s, early 70s BEA (British European Airways) used some strange, backwards facing, seat layout in its Hawker Siddeley HS-121 Trident 2E.

  • Airbus A320neo Roll Out Photos

    Look at those huuuge engines! Airbus rolled out its first A320neo today after painting and mounting of the all new Pratt & Whitney PW1100G-JM engines was finished. MSN6101, which will be the first A320neo to fly, will soon start its ground tests to prepare for first flight. The flight test campaign for the Airbus A320neo…

  • Etihad A380 Private Multi-Room Residence – Exclusive Photos

    Etihad Airways Airbus A380 fleet will feature the world’s first private multi-room cabin on a commercial passenger aircraft. The Residence features a living room, double bedroom, separate ensuite shower room, and for the first time in the airline industry, a dedicated, trained Butler. Measuring 125 square feet in total area, The Residence will be located…

  • Photos – Condor Boeing 757 Aborted Takeoff FRA

    Today, a Condor Boeing 757-300 (D-ABON) aborted its takeoff from Frankfurt, Germany (FRA). Reason is still unknown but according to several eye witnesses (fellow spotter friends) it was pretty violent. Photos provided by retina-photo.net

  • MH370 hundreds of miles off course?

    While search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 continues, CNN reports, that the flight may have been hundreds of miles off course, traveling westwards in the opposite direction from its original destination. According to a Malaysian Air Force official, who wants to remain anonymous, the plane’s transponder apparently stopped working at about the time flight…

  • Video – Airbus A350 XWB visits Qatar

    Airbis A350 XWB flight test aircraft (MSN3) has made its premiere appearance at Doha’s new Hamad international airport, on its way to the Singapore Airshow. The visit is part of the Entry-into-Service preparations between Airbus and Qatar Airways, the A350 XWB launch customer, who will take delivery of its first A350 XWB in Q4 this…

  • The Simplest Things Could Make Airlines Better

    Author Bio: Chris Oquist of Banyan Pilot Shop prefers to fly his own planes. When he does travel on commercial airlines, he prefers the best experience possible. One of the things I love most about being a pilot is that I get to fly without having to deal with commercial airliners too much. Don’t get…

  • The Pros of Electric Aircraft

    Perhaps somewhat surprisingly electric aircraft have been around for over 40 years now. Granted, the early incarnations of the 1970s were simply experimental projects but the idea has been in the public consciousness as well as research and development for a good four decades now. An electric aircraft is defined by the use of electric…

  • Photos of A350 MSN2 with Special Carbon Livery

    On 2nd January 2014 Airbus rolled-out its third Airbus A350 XWB flight-test aircraft, MSN2 (F-WWCF), from the paint shop in Toulouse. The plane features a distinctive “Carbon” signature livery to reflect its primary construction from advanced materials. Benefiting from over 30 years of composite material experience, 53% of the A350 XWB’s airframe is made-up of…

  • Zhejiang Loong Airlines – First Airbus A320 (Photo)

    Zhejiang Loong Airlines became the latest Airbus operator in mainland China with completion of its maiden commercial flight using a leased Airbus A320. In addition the airline has signed its first purchase agreement with Airbus, for 20 A320 Family aircraft, including 11 A320ceo and nine A320neo. Photo – First Airbus A320 operated by Zhejiang Loong…

  • Delta Boeing 767 Runway Excursion Madrid (Photos)

    Delta Air Lines flight DL415, a Boeing 767-332ER (WL) (N182DN), taking off from Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD), Spain, bound for New York-John F Kennedy International Airport (JFK) suffered a tyre failure during takeoff. The airplane returned to land at Madrid were it went off the side of the runway. Runways 18R/36L were closed following the incident.…

  • Video – Last Flight of KLM MD11 “PH KCK”

    Last flight of KLM McDonnell Douglas MD-11 “PH KCK” to Victorville aircraft boneyard. The aircraft named after Swedish actress “Ingrid Bergman” started her duty at March 1997. KLM now operates a total of 3 remaining McDonnell Douglas MD-11. Last to be retired 25 October 2014.

  • First Flight of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner

    The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner took to the skies for the first time today, beginning a comprehensive flight-test program leading to certification and delivery in mid-2014. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines, the first Boeing 787-9 will be joined in flight test by two additional airplanes, one of which will feature General Electric GEnx engines.…

  • Video – First Flight of the Bombardier CS

    The all-new Bombardier CSeries successfully took of for its maiden flight today. The Bombardier CSeries family, comprising of the 110-seat CS100, and the 135-seat CS300 competes with the Boeing 737 Next Generation 737-600, 737-700, Airbus A318, Airbus A319 and Embraer 195. Video: Image: Bombardier

  • Schedule for Bombardier CS Maiden Flight

    Pending optimal weather conditions and aircraft readiness, the first flight of the Bombardier CSeries – Bombardier CS100 flight test aircraft FTV1 – is expected to take place on Monday, September 16, 2013. The first flight taking off from Bombardier’s Mirabel, Québec facility can be followed live via webcast at cseriesfirstflight.bombardier.com. The Bombardier CSeries family, comprising…