Single Aisle News - May 31, 2016

May 31, 2016

Boeing is reportedly studying the potential to use the larger CFM LEAP-1A engine on a stretched version of the 737 MAX, as an option to counter Airbus' dominance in this sector of the 737/A321 market.  The LEAP-1A engine is used on the Airbus A320 NEO family of aircraft, and features a larger, 78-in fan diameter compared to the smaller, 69-in fan diameter featured on the LEAP-1B installed on the 737 MAX.  The larger fan diameter gives the LEAP-1A an advantage in both thrust and fuel consumption.
http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/boeing-studies-using-airbus-leap-engine-737-max-stretch


Airbus executives are unconcerned over reports that Boeing may attempt to install the larger LEAP-1A engine from the A320 NEO on a stretched version of the 737 MAX, pointing out that the 737 would require a new wing with longer landing gear to install the larger fan diameter, and that such an installation would also reduce commonality between the different 737 MAX models.
http://atwonline.com/aircraft-engines/airbus-execs-scratch-heads-a320neo-engine-max-reports


Bombardier has rolled out the first C-Series aircraft in full customer livery, in preparation for delivery to SWISS in June.
http://centreforaviation.com/news/first-swiss-cs100-aircraft-gets-a-cosmetic-makeover-559374
http://www.air-journal.fr/2016-05-30-swiss-livree-prete-pour-le-premier-cs100-5163733.html


Embraer's E190-E2 prototype completed its first flight this past week, kicking off the flight test program for the new aircraft.  The E190-E2 uses the Pratt & Whitney PW1900G Geared TurboFan engine.
http://www.traveldailymedia.com/236973/embraers-new-passenger-jet-completes-maiden-flight/

Fighter Jet Times - May 26, 2016

May 26, 2016

Testing for the F-35's production-standard, Block 3F software is currently about a year behind schedule, with final testing expected to be completed sometime in 2018.  This delay will likely postpone the airplane's planned production ramp-up.
http://247wallst.com/aerospace-defense/2016/05/25/lockheed-f-35-production-delayed-until-at-least-2018/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/f-35-block-3f-test-schedule-slips-as-lot-9-10-contra-425713/


The first two Dutch F-35s touched down in the Netherlands for the first time this week.
https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/31680674/dutch-f-35-jets-touch-down-for-european-air-show-debut/


A third Australian F-35 pilot has completed his qualification training to fly the F-35.
http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/05/24/13/04/3rd-raaf-pilot-qualifies-to-fly-f-35


The U.S. DoD is investigating the "unsafe" intercept last week of a U.S. surveillance plane by two Chinese fighter jets over the South China Sea.  U.S. officials report that two Chinese J-11 (Su-27) fighters intercepted the EP-3 Aries aircraft in international air space, coming so close that the U.S. pilot had to take evasive action to avoid a collision.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/05/19/asia-pacific/fighters-came-50-feet-u-s-spy-plane-forcing-evasive-dive-south-china-sea-pentagon/


A new report on the "Dynamics of International Military Modernization" suggests that a growing push to develop domestic defense industries is likely to cut into U.S. and European global weapons sales during the next decade - citing emerging industrial powers in South Korea and Brazil among the new competitors.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/policy-budget/industry/2016/05/24/western-defense-industry-future-imperiled-local-programs-avascent/84861496/


South Korea is close to down-selecting between the Eurojet EJ200 and GE's F414 engine to power the Korean Fighter Experimental (KFX) stealth fighter program currently in the early stages of development.
http://www.janes.com/article/60466/south-korea-set-to-select-foreign-engine-for-kfx-fighter


In the latest turn in a prolonged saga, France has reportedly refused to provide government-guaranteed loans to fund the proposed sale of 36 Rafale fighters to India, potentially putting the sale in jeopardy.
http://www.ibtimes.co.in/rafale-deal-hits-roadblock-france-refuses-give-bank-guarantee-680065
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/05/20/bureaucratic-paralysis-hits-rafale-deal/84483312/


President Obama announced that the U.S. would be lifting its previous weapons embargo against Vietnam during a state visit this past week, leading to speculation that the communist government might soon be requesting F-16 fighters and P-3 Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft, as it seeks to strengthen its defenses in the shadow of its Chinese neighbor.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/international/asia-pacific/2016/05/25/vietnam-may-request-f-16s-p-3-orions-us/84904786/

Space Highlights - May 25, 2016

May 25, 2016

India's ISRO has conducted a successful, suborbital test of its unmanned spaceplane, demonstrating its autonomous control system and reentry characteristics.
http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/reusable-satellite-launch-test-its-all-about-lowering-the-cost-2815455/
http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/india-successfully-launches-reusable-launch-vehicle/article8635448.ece


SpaceX expects to make another launch and recovery attempt this week for its Falcon 9 rocket, when it attempts to launch the Thaicom8 communications satellite.
http://www.scienceworldreport.com/articles/40359/20160524/spacex-targets-thursday-afternoon-to-launch-and-land-falcon-9-with-thaicom8.htm


The EU has successfully launched satellites 13 and 14 in its Galileo system of geopositioning satellites.  The satellites were launched by a Russian Soyuz rocket, from a launch site in French Guiana.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36368063


Russia is delaying the launch of its next GLONASS navigation satellite by a week.
http://www.insidegnss.com/node/4951


Studies in galactic radiation suggest that many fossils left by early life forms on Mars - if such life forms existed - might be erased by the radiation that bombards the surface, making it more difficult to detect signs of primitive life forms that later went extinct.
http://www.space.com/32962-alien-fossils-mars-europa-radiation.html


Recent geological maps of Mars have uncovered evidence for at lease two "mega-tsunamis" on the northern plains of Mars - locations where giant 400-foot tidal waves left deposits along the shore of an ancient Martian sea.  Scientists speculate that the events could have been triggered by an asteroid impact.
http://www.psi.edu/news/marstsunami
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/20/science/mars-ancient-ocean-tsunamis.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=0


Cassini's final set of orbits, before it plunges into Saturn's atmosphere later this year, are providing fresh views of Saturn's polar regions.
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Cassini_goes_up_and_over_for_final_mission_tour_of_Saturn_999.html


Speeding away from Pluto, NASA has directed the New Horizons spacecraft to train its camera on a more distand Kuiper belt object, 1994 JR1.
http://www.space.com/32946-new-horizons-probes-object-beyond-pluto.html

Wide Body Report - May 24, 2016

May 24, 2016

China's Ruili Airlines has placed an order for six Boeing 787-9s.  First launched in 2014, Ruili currently operates a fleet of nine aircraft.
http://atwonline.com/airframes/china-s-ruili-airlines-orders-six-boeing-787-9s


According to the aircraft valuation firm Collateral Verifications, the market value of a new airline is typically around half of its official list price.  The firm places the market value of a Boeing 787-9, for example, at $142.8 million, a discount of 46% from the airplane's list price of $264.6 million.  Airlines are typically provided with discounts by the manufacturers, depending on the size of the order that they are placing.
http://247wallst.com/aerospace-defense/2016/05/18/how-much-does-a-boeing-787-really-cost/


Boeing has officially opened its new composite wing facility for the 777X in Everett, WA.  The 1.2-million-square-foot facility is expected to produce the largest composite wings in the world.
http://www.kiro7.com/news/north-sound-news/boeing-about-to-open-new-777x-wing-factory/295437397
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-shows-off-new-777x-wing-center/


Air China has received the first out of 15 Boeing 787s on order.  The Air China aircraft will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.
http://www.businessfinancenews.com/29053-boeing-7879-dreamliner-finally-lands-in-china-under-air-china-banner/


General Electric reports that 336 GEnX-1B Performance Improvement Package-2 (PIP2) engines, which power 168 Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 Dreamliners, will have to undergo mandatory repairs to prevent hard rubs between their fan blades and the fan case in the event of ice shedding.  The repairs were mandated by an FAA Airworthiness Directive (AD) which gives the airlines until October 1st to comply, and requires the airlines to grind out the inner fan case liner to increase tip clearances.
http://aviationweek.com/mro/faa-directive-requires-rework-boeing-787-genx-1b-engines


Oman Air has signed an agreement for the lease of two Boeing 787-9 aircraft from Air Lease.
http://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/newsoman-air-to-lease-two-boeing-787-9-aircraft-from-air-lease-4897989


Arctic Aviation Assets, a subsidiary of Norwegian Air, has signed a letter of intent with CIT Aerospace for the lease of two Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSASN0002AF


Crystal AirCruises has designated Fly Comlux to operate its single VIP Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.  Crystal Cruises specializes in luxury travel worldwide.
http://corporatejetinvestor.com/articles/crystal-aircruises-picks-fly-comlux-to-operate-vip-boeing-777-200lr-087/


Malaysia Airlines has exercised its options to lease two additional Airbus A350-900s from Air Lease Corporation.
http://airwaysnews.com/blog/2016/05/23/malaysia-airlines-exercises-options-for-two-airbus-a350-900s/
http://www.theedgemarkets.com/my/article/malaysia-airlines-adds-two-airbus-a350-900-planes-fleet


Cathay Pacific has confirmed that there will be no first class seating in its upcoming A350-1000 aircraft, choosing instead to extend its premium economy seating cabin.  The aircraft will feature a three-class seating arrangement, with business, premium economy, and economy seating.
http://www.ausbt.com.au/cathay-pacific-confirms-no-first-class-for-airbus-a350-1000?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=promobox&utm_campaign=latestnews-articleleft


Airbus has confirmed that an existing contract for the delivery of 22 A350s to Russia's Aeroflot remains officially in place, but that delivery has been deferred by the airline due to financial difficulties.
http://sputniknews.com/business/20160520/1039943508/airbus-russia-contract.html


Footage has surfaced of a British Airways A380 that recently had to abort its first landing attempt just feet away from the runway.  The airplane landed successfully on its second go-around.  Although an aborted landing is not altogether unusual, it does take on broader dimensions when it occurs aboard the world's largest commercial airline.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/travel_news/article-3596486/The-astonishing-moment-British-Airways-A380-aborts-landing-second-wheels-just-FEET-runway.html

Single Aisle News - May 23, 2016

May 23, 2016

Bombardier has removed Republic Airways' order for the C-Series from its official production schedule, citing ongoing bankruptcy filings by Republic Airways Holdings.  Republic Airways signed an agreement in February 2010 placing 40 CS300 aircraft on firm order, and another 40 on option.  The aircraft will still remain on Bombardier's official order book, pending the outcome of bankruptcy proceedings, but will no longer appear on the delivery schedule.
http://montrealgazette.com/business/local-business/aerospace/bombardier-cuts-republic-c-series-order-from-production-schedule
http://aviationweek.com/awincommercial/bombardier-removes-republic-c-series-schedule


Talks with Canada's federal government in Ottawa over a potential financial aid package for Bombardier have reportedly stalled over government insistence that Bombardier reform its two-tier share structure, that currently guarantees that a majority of voting rights remain in the hands of the company's founding family.
http://montrealgazette.com/business/local-business/aerospace/aerospace-especially-bombardier-hits-canadas-bulls-eye-finance-minister-says


More than 400 engineers and technicians from Mitsubishi Aircraft have arrived at Moses Lake, WA to prepare for flight test of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet.
http://www.columbiabasinherald.com/news/mitsubishi-engineers-arrive-in-moses-lake-from-japan/article_a5cde6e6-1d50-11e6-85c3-17d66a3db524.html


Mitsubishi Aircraft is preparing for the first flight test of the second MRJ prototype, expected to occur by the end of this month.
http://aviationweek.com/awinbizav/mitsubishi-readies-second-mrj-prototype-testing-0


Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet has placed an order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 200 aircraft - a high-density version of the airplane.  The deal was signed during a visit by President Barack Obama to Hanoi.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/vietjet-orders-100-boeing-737-max-200s-425618/


Low cost carrier IndiGo reports that the longer start-up time required by the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines on the A320 NEO is making it difficult for the airline to meet its ground-time and airplane turn-around targets.
http://aviationweek.com/commercial-aviation/indigo-impacted-a320neo-startup-time-issues

Fighter Jet Times - May 19, 2016

May 19, 2016

U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter has come out publicly opposed to restarting the F-22 production line, arguing that restarting the program would siphon money away from other needs.
http://www.pddnet.com/news/2016/05/secretary-defense-f-22-production-doesnt-need-be-revived
http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=2181


An F-22 was recently photographed in the UK, sporting "bomb" markings that appear to represent weapons dropped in Syria or Iraq.  The F-22 has accounted for roughly 2% of the bombs dropped in the war against ISIS during the past two years.
http://www.businessinsider.com/f-22-raptor-shows-battle-scars-2016-5
https://theaviationist.com/2016/05/16/f-22-raptor-stealth-fighter-sports-low-visibility-bomb-markings/


The Senate Armed Service Committee has pased a resolution that would disband the F-35 JPO (Joint Program Office) in 2019, citing the high cost of maintaining the centralized F-35 management center.  If the measure is approved by the House and Senate, each branch of the armed service would become responsible for their own F-35 maintenance and upgrade programs.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/senate-committee-votes-to-disband-f-35-jpo-425434/
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/05/13/mccain-looks-kill-f-35-joint-program-office/84323678/


Pilots and maintainers at Edwards Air Force Base, when quizzed about the F-35's features, praised its level of automation and how it reduced workload.
http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/air-space/2016/05/11/air-force-pilots-maintainers-f-35-pros-and-cons/84232332/


The first two Netherlands' F-35 fighters are expected to arrive in Holland next week.  The two aircraft had been conducting pilot familiarization flights at Edwards Air Force Base since their initial delivery from the Lockheed Martin assembly line.
http://www.nltimes.nl/2016/05/17/two-dutch-owned-f-35-joint-strike-fighters-arrive-week/


The U.S. Department of Defense has released its latest annual report China's military, as mandated by Congress.  The report cites considerable progress made in advancing Chinese air power, and noted that the PLAAF (People's Liberation Army Air Force) “is rapidly closing the gap with western air forces across a broad spectrum of capabilities.”
http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2016-05-17/chinese-airpower-poses-serious-threat
http://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/2016%20China%20Military%20Power%20Report.pdf


The U.S. Congress has pledged to block funding for the supply of additional F-16s to Pakistan - a move that has led Pakistan to reportedly explore other weapons suppliers.  Pakistan's military chief is visiting Beijing, with speculation that China may ask for naval basing rights in Pakistan in return for broader access to Chinese weaponry.
http://www.dailyo.in/politics/pakistan-usa-f-16s-bob-corker-sartaj-aziz-ashraf-ghani-taliban-china/story/1/10599.html
https://next.ft.com/content/eb02bb06-1c06-11e6-a7bc-ee846770ec15


President Obama is reportedly considering U.S. weapons sales to communist ruled Vietnam for the first time.  Vietnam currently is reliant on Russia for jet fighters and naval warships, but has grown increasingly uneasy with its Chinese neighbor to the north.
http://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/article78154377.html

Space Highlights - May 18, 2016

May 18, 2016

China's first Long March 7 booster has been delivered to China's new satellite launch center at Wenchang for preparation for launch.  The Long March 7 is expected to supercede the Long March 2F medium booster, and will serve along side the Long March 5 heavy booster and Long March 6 lightweight booster.
http://www.satprnews.com/2016/05/16/long-march-7-delivered-to-wenchang-satellite-launch-center/
http://english.cri.cn/12394/2016/05/16/4101s927842.htm


A Chinese Long March 2D booster successfully placed the Yaogan-30 remote sensing satellite into orbit this past weekend.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/earth-science/long-march-2d-successfully-launches-yaogan-30-remote-sensing-satellite/


The SpaceX Falcon 9 first-stage booster recovered aboard a sea-based barge last week suffered significant damage during the landing, and will not be a candidate for reuse.  Reentry temperatures for the high-speed launch and recovery charred the booster across most of its length.
http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/spacex/2016/05/16/landed-spacex-rocket-suffered-max-damage/84454230/


India's ISRO will launch India's first, experimental, reusable space plane next week.  The unmanned vehicle will test out its control and thermal protection systems.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/isros-reusable-launch-vehicle-to-take-off-next-week/article8608302.ece


A group of researchers at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science in Seattle, WA have posited evidence that the Earth's atmosphere 2.7 billion years ago - shortly before the "great oxygen event" that transformed Earth's atmosphere to resemble its current composition - may have been much more thin than previously assumed.  Relying on evidence from gas bubbles trapped in ancient volcanic rock, a group of researchers are now proposing that the Earth's atmosphere was only half as thick at this time than it is today - most likely due to biological activity that converted the atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium, allowing it to be dissolved into water and trapped in soil and rock.
http://www.space.com/32858-early-earth-atmosphere-was-half-as-thick.html


After having completed two full Martian years on the red planet, NASA has concluded that the mysterious spike in methane that was observed by the Curiosity rover in late 2013 and early 2014 was not a normal, seasonal event.  The event has still not been fully explained, with theories ranging from volcanic out-gassing to microbial activity.
http://www.space.com/32871-mars-methane-spike-curiosity-rover-mystery.html
http://www.astrobio.net/also-in-news/second-cycle-martian-seasons-completing-curiosity-rover/


NASA has released a new mosaic captured by the Opportunity rover, depicting a Martian dust devil.
http://www.space.com/32617-mars-opportunity-rover-dust-devil-photo.html


The Cassini spacecraft has taken one last, close look at Saturn's small moon, Epimetheus - before its mission ends in September.
http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2016/05/11/cassini_s_last_close_look_at_epimetheus.html


Astronomers have confirmed that the dwarf planet 2007 OR10 is one of the largest dwarf planets yet discovered beyond the orbit of Neptune.  Scientists had originally thought the object to be much smaller.
http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/228332-red-dwarf-planet-beyond-neptune-confirmed-as-third-largest-in-the-solar-system


NASA's Kepler space telescope has added a batch of another 1,284 confirmed exoplanets to its trove of discoveries, including 9 which are within the habitable zone of their parent stars.  Since its launch in 2009, Kepler has identified over 2,300 exoplanets, including 21 in the habitable zone of their star system.
http://www.networkworld.com/article/3068494/security/nasas-plant-hunter-spots-record-1-284-new-planets-9-in-a-habitable-zone.html
http://www.hngn.com/articles/199110/20160510/nasa-discovers-1284-alien-planets-9-sustain-life-like-earth.htm