Single Aisle News - May 29, 2017

May 29, 2017

Bombardier has delivered its first CS300 aircraft to launch customer Swiss International Air Lines.  The CS300 is the largest member of the C-Series family.
http://www.reuters.com/article/bombardier-cseries-swiss-internat-idUSL4N1IS4N1


Bombardier's Commercial Aircraft president Fred Cromer has gone on the offensive, emphasizing that the competitive pricing offered to Delta Air Lines for the C-Series was no different than similar discounts offered by Boeing or Airbus to gain market acceptance of new products.
http://atwonline.com/manufacturers/bombardier-s-cromer-defends-pricing-delta-s-cseries-order


Boeing's vice-chairman Ray Conner has complained that Bombardier's C-Series threatens the existence of Boeing's 737 MAX-7 aircraft.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/cseries-prices-threaten-737-max-7-viability-boein-437624/


United Airlines president Scott Kirby is attempting to convince the airline's pilots' union to relax the current restrictions on regional jets, which would allow the airline to field some of the newer regional jet models currently under development by Embraer and Mitsubishi.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/united-hopes-to-raise-regional-jet-scope-limits-437669/


India's Vistara has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 NEO, equipped with CFM International LEAP-1A engines.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/vistara-inducts-its-14th-aircraft-and-first-airbus-a320neo/articleshow/58827228.cms


Singapore lessor BOC Aviation has placed an order for four Airbus A320 NEO family aircraft, plus two A330-900 widebody jets.  All six aircraft are expected to be leased to TAP Portugal.
http://atwonline.com/airframes/boc-aviation-orders-six-a320neo-family-aircraft-two-a330-900s


Russia's Irkut MC-21 prototype successfully completed its first flight test this past week, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1400G Geared TurboFan engines.  The airplane reached an altitude of just over 3,000 ft during its 30-minute maiden flight.
http://money.cnn.com/2017/05/29/news/companies/russia-mc-21-first-flight/
http://atwonline.com/airframes/irkut-mc-21-makes-first-flight


Russia's United Engine Corporation has completed its second series of flight tests for its PD-14 engine, which will be offered as an alternative to the Pratt & Whitney PW1400G to power later variants of the MC-21 aircraft.
http://atwonline.com/engines/uac-completes-pd-14-second-stage-flight-testing-mc-21

Fighter Jet Times - May 25, 2017

May 25, 2017

The U.S. Air Force is accelerating its timetable for updating the threat library for the F-35's electronic systems to include emerging Russian and Chinese stealth aircraft.
http://www.scout.com/military/warrior/story/1780516-air-force-accelerates-f-35-threat-library


The U.S. Air Force is testing a lighter weight helmet system as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the F-35 stealth fighter.
https://defensesystems.com/articles/2017/05/18/f35.aspx


Lockheed Martin has proposed a plan to upgrade the stealth coatings on the F-22 Raptor fleet to make them more durable.
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/lockheed-pitches-new-f-22-mods-to-boost-the-life-of-its-stealth-coating


Officials at Dassault plan to pitch proposals to India in coming months, for delivery of additional Rafale fighters.  India had previously capped its planned Rafale purchase at 36 aircraft, and opened a competition for a new single-engine fighter to lower the costs of recapitalizing its fighter fleet.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/dassault-aviation-hopes-talks-in-2017-to-sell-more-rafale-to-india/articleshow/58776469.cms
http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/dassault-aviation-hopes-to-sell-more-rafale-jets-to-india-1696494


An Indian Su-30 fighter has gone missing near the border region with China.  No word has been received confirming the whereabouts of the pilot and navigator.
https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2017-05-23/indian-air-force-fighter-jet-missing-in-region-claimed-by-china
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/sukhoi-30-still-missing-five-facts-about-russian-origin-fighter-plane/story-clhQ9HDSJm5fpUg9pnLjWK.html


South Korean developers have turned to Israeli contractors to supply assistance in the development of an AESA (Active Electronic Scanned Array) radar for the KF-X stealth fighter now in the early stages of development.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20170523000869
http://www.janes.com/article/70731/south-korea-teams-with-elta-systems-for-kfx-radar


Russia expects to receive some 50 production-standard PAK-FA stealth fighters by the end of 2019.
https://sputniknews.com/military/201705241053927709-russia-t50-500/


Spiraling costs and disagreements on technology transfer have reportedly prevented India and Russia from closing a deal on continued development of an Indian version of the PAK-FA fighter.
http://www.defensenews.com/articles/steep-price-rise-hits-indo-russian-5th-gen-fighter-project
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indo-russian-multirole-transport-aircraft-programme-indian-air-force/1/959013.html


U.S. and Israeli warplanes participated in a joint training exercise in Israel over this past week.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-american-coalition-takes-on-enemy-aircraft-in-the-south/

Space Highlights - May 24, 2017

May 24, 2017

NASA has entered into an agreement with India's ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) to jointly place an Earth resources, radar mapping satellite into orbit in 2021 using India's GSLV rocket.
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/GSLV_Rocket_to_Launch_Nasa_ISROs_NISAR_Satellite_999.html


Rocket Lab's Electron small satellite rocket is expected to make its first orbital attempt later this week.  The new booster is aimed at the microsatellite market.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/05/20/small-satellite-launcher-set-for-first-orbital-test-flight/


The first microsatellite to be developed and built in Slovakia is expected to be launched on a Falcon 9 rocket in early June.
https://spectator.sme.sk/c/20540006/the-launch-of-the-first-slovak-satellite-set.html


Ireland's first satellite, developed by University College Dublin and Queen's University Belfast, is expected to be released as a piggy-back payload to the International Space Station.
http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/first-irish-satellite-to-be-launched-in-space-790875.html


NASA has released new images of Saturn's icy moon Enceladus, capturing the moon's polar regions in greater detail.
https://thespacereporter.com/2017/05/cassini-captures-new-images-enceladus/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4531040/NASA-reveals-stunning-new-Cassini-image-Enceladus.html


A new study canvasing data from the Cassini spacecraft has concluded that the geology of Saturn's largest moon Titan, with its river beds and lakes formed by liquid methane, resembles its counterparts on Mars more closely than its counterparts on Earth.
https://phys.org/news/2017-05-history-titan-landscape-resembles-mars.html
http://www.astrobio.net/comparativeplanetology/rivers-three-worlds-tell-different-tales/
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2131672-titans-riverbeds-show-a-terrain-built-more-like-mars-than-earth/


Researchers have now precisely mapped the orbits of all seven TRAPPIST-1 exoplanets - the outermost of which takes less than 19 Earth days to complete one orbit.
http://www.space.com/36962-earth-size-exoplanet-trappist-1h-not-habitable.html


Despite a wide range of exoplanets identified within the past decade, no consistent classificiation system currently exists for identifying the various bodies.
http://www.space.com/36935-planet-classification.html


Having failed to detect evidence for Axions, CERN's CAST detector has placed further limits on the sort of particles that might make up dark matter.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170523104335.htm

Wide Body Report - May 23, 2017

May 23, 2017

Luxury travel air carrier Deer Jet has added a second Boeing 787 to its fleet.
http://aviationtribune.com/executive-helicopters/deer-jet-add-second-boeing-787-dream-jet-fleet/


China's Hainan Airlines has signed a deal for the purchase of 19 aircraft from Boeing, including 13 Boeing 787-9s and 6 Boeing 737 MAX-8s.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/world/chinas-hainan-airlines-to-buy-19-boeing-jets-for-usd-42-billion/article9709624.ece


Kuwait Airways has received its 7th Boeing 777-300ER.  Its full fleet of 777-300ER aircraft will be delivered by the third quarter of 2017.
http://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/kuwait-airways-welcomes-7th-boeing-777-300er-full-777-300er-fleet-commercial-service-q3-2017/


General Electric has unveiled new details surrounding its new GE9X engine, slated for service aboard the Boeing 777X.
https://www.wired.com/2017/05/ge-turbofan-huge-jet-engine/


A threatened worker's strike at a supplier for key components in the Airbus A350 wing structure, has further jeopardized already late deliveries for the Airbus A350-900.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/strikes-could-hit-a350-wing-production-437361/


Singapore Airlines expects to phase out four of its oldest Airbus A380 superjumbo jets, in favor of new A350 aircraft that are expected to be delivered in the coming years.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/singapore-airlines-to-phase-out-4-airbus-a380s-2017-05-19

Single Aisle News - May 22, 2017

May 22, 2017

Malaysia's Malindo Air has received the first Boeing 737 MAX-8 to be delivered to a customer.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/05/22/malindo-air-receives-boeings-first-737-max-8.html
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2017/05/17/boeing-delivers-its-first-737-max/101784438/


Icelandair has arranged to sell the four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that it has on order, in a sale and lease-back arrangement.  The aircraft are expected to be delivered in 2018 through 2019.
https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/05/16/985359/0/en/Sale-and-leaseback-of-four-Boeing-737-MAX-aircraft.html


The U.S. Commerce Department and the U.S. International Trade Commission have announced that they are launching formal investigations into Bombardier's sale of 75 C-Series aircraft to Delta Air Lines, in response to Boeing's complaints that Bombardier was "dumping" the aircraft to win sales.  Delta is the only U.S. carrier with a standing order for the C-Series.
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2017-05-18/us-investigate-bombardier-c-series-sale-delta-air-lines
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/us-opens-probes-into-boeing-dumping-claims-against-bombardier/article35025662/


In response to Boeing's complaints over supposed unfair competition from Bombardier, the Canadian government has announced that it will be re-reviewing all proposed government purchases of Boeing products - including the proposed purchase of Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets that had previously seemed likely under the current Canadian government.
https://www.skiesmag.com/news/facing-c-series-challenge-canada-threatens-review-boeing-military-procurements/
http://globalnews.ca/news/3465146/chrystia-freeland-there-will-be-consequences-for-boeing-amid-aerospace-trade-spat/


China's Comac is reportedly in talks with Canada's Bombardier over a possible plan for Chinese investment in the C-Series program.
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/chinas-comac-eyes-investment-in-bombardier/article35043525/


UK budget carrier EasyJet has converted 30 of the Airbus A320 NEO aircraft that it has on order to the larger A321 NEO model.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/easyjet-opts-to-take-a321neo-437248/


Air Lease Corporation's CEO John Plueger expressed the lessor's concern over continued delays in the deliver of Airbus A320 NEO aircraft, with four more aircraft deliveries having been pushed out into 2018.  ALC's internal analysis reportedly shows that the fuel efficiency of the PW1100G-powered A320 NEO is "a little bit better" than that of its CFM International LEAP-1A powered alternative, but that maintenance issues that continue to hound the Pratt & Whitney engine.
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2017/05/17/air-lease-corp-very-disturbed-with-airbus-and-pratt-whitney/


Iran has scrapped plans for the purchase of regional jets from Japan's Mitsubishi.  The Iranians had been negotiating to buy over two dozen regional jets as of last September.
http://www.eturbonews.com/155201/iran-scraps-plans-buy-passenger-planes-japans-mitsubishi


China's Comac expects to make its first customer deliveries of its new C919 airline beginning in 2020.  The aircraft entered flight test earlier this month.
http://aviationweek.com/awincommercial/comac-s-c919-first-delivery-target-place

Fighter Jet Times - May 19, 2017

May 19, 2017

The German government has requested a series of briefings on the F-35 stealth fighter, at a time when Germany is evaluating an eventual replacement for its Panavia Tornado strike jets.
http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/10362/germany-might-join-the-f-35-program
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-lockheed-fighter-germany-exclusive-idUSKCN18D13X


The U.S. Air Force has confirmed that the modifications package to fix ejection seat issues on the F-35 stealth fighter have now been validated and will begin entering service shortly.  The F-35's ejection seat had previously restricted the airplane from being flown by lighter weight pilots, due to the potential for neck injuries during the ejection sequence.  The new version of the ejection system is intended to adjust for the pilot's weight.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/15/politics/f-35-weight-limit-air-force-ejection-seat/


Oman has taken delivery of its first Eurofighter Typhoon fighter, out of a total of twelve on order.
http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/oman-receives-first-eurofighter-typhoon.html


Two Chinese fighters intercepted a U.S. WC-135 surveillance aircraft over the East China Sea this past week, in what the U.S. complained was an unsafe intercept.
https://www.ft.com/content/7bcaaf04-3c4f-11e7-821a-6027b8a20f23


Japan scrambled F-15J fighters to the East China Sea to escort a Chinese drone away from a series of disputed islands.
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201705191053762720-japan-scrimble-fighter-china-drone/

Space Highlights - May 18, 2017

May 18, 2017

A Russian-made Soyuz rocket launched the Boeing-made SES-15 communications satellite into orbit this past week from French Guiana.
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Arianespace_launches_SES_15_using_Soyuz_rocket_999.html


SpaceX launched the Inmarsat-5 F4 communications satellite into orbit aboard a FalconX booster this week.  This was the heaviest geosynchronous satellite launch yet made by a FalconX rocket, leaving no fuel remaining in the tanks to attempt a recovery of the booster's first stage.
http://www.space.com/36852-spacex-launches-inmarsat-5-f4-satellite.html


Satellite photos indicate that North Korea is upgrading its Sohae launch facility, possibly for another satellite launch or ballistic missile test.
https://sputniknews.com/military/201705191053769022-north-korea-sohae-launch-site/


NASA has released another batch of photographs as the Cassini spacecraft continues its ring-diving orbits around Saturn.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/solar-system/cassini-image-shows-saturn-heading-toward-solstice/


The Opportunity rover has begun its descent into "Perserverance Valley," entering the rim of a giant Martian crater.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/solar-system/nasas-opportunity-mars-rover-begins-study-perseverance-valley/


NASA officials have revealed that the Curiosity rover was very nearly lost some six months after it had landed on Mars, due to a software glitch that could have permanently disabled the rover.
http://www.space.com/36841-mars-rover-curiosity-computer-glitch-60-minutes.html


NASA has released a new time-lapse video of the dwarf planet Ceres, as captured by the Dawn spacecraft.
http://www.space.com/36874-ceres-opposition-sun-movie-dawn.html


Researchers have identified a moon orbiting the third largest dwarf planet, 2007 OR10 in the outer reaches of the solar system.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/05/170518140249.htm


Researchers have successfully mapped the magnetic field lines of a giant exoplanet over 1000 light years away.  The planet, HAT-P-7b is nearly 80-percent more massive than Jupiter, and orbits its star every couple of days - leading to a very hot and active atmosphere.
https://phys.org/news/2017-05-variable-hot-giant-exoplanet-magnetic.html


Results released from the first trial run of the XENON1T, the most sensitive instrument yet devised to hunt for the existance of WIMPS (weakly interacting massive particles), has yet to find evidence for one of the hypothesized forms of dark matter.
https://phys.org/news/2017-05-xenon1t-sensitive-detector-earth-wimp.html

Wide Body Report - May 17, 2017

May 17, 2017

Singapore based low-cost carrier Scoot Airlines has taken delivery of its second Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/scoot-to-expand-long-haul-routes-collects-second-boeing-787-fitted-with-crew
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/05/12/budget-carrier-scoot-welcomes-new-787-dreamliner-aircraft.html


An ANA (All Nippon Airways) 787 Dreamliner made an emergency landing in Bratsk, Russia after reporting a problem with one of its Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines.  The airplane was en route from Tokyo to Dusseldorf at the time.  Another aircraft was dispatched to complete the flight.
http://atwonline.com/safety/ana-787-engine-problem-makes-emergency-landing-russia


Delta Air Lines plans to shrink its business class seating aboard its Boeing 777 airlines in favor of additional economy seating in coming years.
https://www.thestreet.com/story/14129004/1/delta-plans-on-reducing-business-class-on-777.html


Airbus' prototype A350-1000 has completed its first Early Long Flight with 310 passengers on board, including 10 Airbus flight test crew members, and 13 cabin crew members from Virgin Atlantic.  The airplane took off and landed in Toulouse after a 12-hour flight.  The Early Long Flight was intended to test out the passenger accommodations.
http://www.compositesworld.com/news/airbus-a350-1000-completes-early-long-flight


Delta has deferred delivery of 10 Airbus A350-900 aircraft from 2017-18 to 2019-2020.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-delta-air-orders-idUSKBN1871OK

Single Aisle News - May 15, 2017

May 15, 2017

Bombardier officials have reaffirmed that the manufacturer is on track to deliver 30-35 C-Series aircraft this year, despite a slow first quarter.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/bombardier-outlines-second-half-cseries-ramp-up-437133/


Bombardier chairman Pierre Beaudoin has agreed to give up his executive duties, but would retain his post as chairman of the board.  This compromise arrangement was announced in an attempt to diffuse recent calls for his resignation, made by the firm's largest outside shareholder.  The recent calls for his resignation revolve around executive compensation, at a time when the company has been laying off workers and seeking government loans to balance its books.  Beaudoin owes his special status to the dual-tier share system that allows Bombardier's founding family, of which Beaudoin is a member, to retain a voting majority in the company.
http://montrealgazette.com/business/local-business/aerospace/bombardiers-embattled-beaudoin-steps-down-as-executive-chairman
http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/bombardier-executive-chairman-steps-down-after-shareholder-outcry-over-pay-hikes


Mitsubishi Heavy Industries reported a 51% drop in its operating profit for 2016, partially due to increased development costs for flight test of the Mitsubishi Regional Jet.
http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003688544


Airbus has commenced assembly for the first A320 that is expected to be produced from its U.S.-based manufacturing plant in Alabama.  The initial aircraft will be CEO models, slated for delivery to Spirit Airlines over the summer.
http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/05/airbus_begins_production_of_ne.html


Boeing has temporarily grounded its 737 MAX flight test fleet, over a quality issue with the CFM International LEAP-1B engines which power the aircraft.  A quality problem was identified in the LPT disks provided by a supplier, leading to a temporary grounding order while the suspect parts are culled from the fleet.
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-grounds-737-max-test-planes-over-quality-issue-with-engine/
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-boeing-737max-engine-idUSKBN1862O9
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/a320neo-unaffected-by-leap-engine-grounding-on-737-m-437076/


The Russian-built Irkut MC-21 began taxi tests this week, in preparation for its first flight.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/19286/Irkut_MC_21_Commences_Taxiing_Tests#.WRpbHNQrLs0

Fighter Jet Times - May 11, 2017

May 11, 2017

The U.S. Department of Defense has reversed its earlier decision, and announced that the F-35 will appear at this year's Paris Air Show.
https://www.dodbuzz.com/2017/05/08/f-35-will-fly-to-paris-air-show-after-all/


The Italian assembly floor in Cameri has rolled out its first F-35B, destined for the Italian Air Force.  Italy maintains the sole European assembly site for the F-35.
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/05/08/italy_f35b_faco_first_jet/


Russian officials continue to maintain that they are closing in on a deal with India for development of an Indian version of Russia's PAK-FA stealth fighter.  Indian officials, however, have been less commital, insisting that outstanding issues surrounding technology transfer must first be resolved.
http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/indo-russian-5th-gen-fighter-takes-shape-as-deal-on-design-to-be-inked-soon-117050700405_1.html


Rolls-Royce has unveiled a plan to set up a joint development effort with Turkey's Kale to develop a fighter engine for Turkey's proposed TF-X stealth fighter.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/19221/Turkey___s_Kale__Rolls_Royce_To_Produce_TF_X_Fighter_Jet_Engines


U.S. Air Force F-15Cs are expected to participate in a joint military training exercise at Israel's Uvda Air Base in the coming days.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/American-fighter-pilots-in-Israel-for-joint-drill-490117


The U.S. Air Force has released video footage from the Atlantic Trident 17 NATO exercise, demonstrating some of the capabilities that the fifth generation F-22 stealth fighter brings to the table as part of a larger fighter fleet.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/video-i-went-war-against-americas-f-22-stealth-fighter-lost-20511


The U.S. Air Force has formally designated the demonstrator engines for the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP) as the XA100 and XA101 - with the XA100 to be built by General Electric and the XA101 to be built by Pratt & Whitney.  The XA engine designation indicates the "adaptive" nature of this next generation of jet engine, in contrast to the XF engine development designations used for previous generations of turbofan fighter engines.
http://aviationweek.com/propulsion/sixth-gen-xa100-and-xa101-fighter-engine-studies-ramp

Space Highlights - May 10, 2017

May 10, 2017

The Indian Geosynchronous Satellite Launch communications satellite was placed into orbit this past week, linking India with its neighbors in South Asia.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/05/06/india-launches-satellite-linking-its-south-asian-neighbors/


Iran has announced plans to launch two satellites in the coming weeks, in what critics are describing as a cover for Iran's ballistic missile weapons program.
http://freebeacon.com/national-security/iran-launch-two-new-satellites-cover-illicit-icbm-program/


Vector Space has made its first successful launch of its microsatellite booster.
http://www.space.com/36710-vector-space-test-launch-success.html


The U.S. Air Force's miniature, unmanned space plane returned for a landing in Florida this past week, after spending nearly two years in orbit.  The purpose and details behind the X-37B's orbital missions remains classified.
http://www.defenseone.com/technology/2017/05/what-americas-secret-space-shuttle/137699/


NASA has released images of Titan's methane cloud cover, captured during the last close pass made by the Cassini spacecraft before it began its "ring diving" orbits last month.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2017/05/09/cassini-downlinks-view-of-titans-methane-clouds-on-third-loop-inside-rings/
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-4490106/NASA-reveals-stunning-image-clouds-streaking-Titan.html


Researchers have confirmed that the gap between Saturn and its rings really is the "big empty," after the Cassini spacecraft sent back data from its two initial ring-diving orbits where it passed between Saturn and its innermost ring.  Dust levels between Saturn and its innermost ring were much lower than what scientists had expected.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/nasa-cassini-saturn-rings-big-empty-grand-finale-images-pictures-video-footage-a7715011.html
http://astronomy.com/news/2017/05/cassini-and-the-great-empty


NASA has released a new video depicting images from Cassini's "ring diving" orbit, that took it between Saturn and its innermost rings.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/sciencetech/video-1458153/New-movie-shows-NASA-s-Cassini-spacecraft-dive-Saturn.html


NASA's Curiosity rover sent back photos of black sanddunes on Mars, as the rover began to take samples from a linear, active sand dune.
http://www.space.com/36738-mars-rover-curiosity-sand-dunes-photos.html
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/solar-system/nasa-curiosity-rover-samples-linear-active-dune-mars/


Two new Saturn-sized exoplanets have been identified by researchers.  The planets orbit red dwarf stars.
http://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/14802/20170510/two-new-exoplanets-orbiting-red-dwarfs-discovered-to-have-saturn-like-mass.htm
https://phys.org/news/2017-05-saturn-mass-exoplanets.html

Wide Body Report - May 9, 2017

May 9, 2017

Canada's low cost carrier, WestJet has placed an order for 10 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with options for up to 10 more.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/flights/todayinthesky/2017/05/02/westjets-deal-boeing-dreamliners-signals-global-ambitions/101193520/
http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/westjet-to-purchase-boeing-787-9-dreamliners-620981043.html


Vietnam Airlines has received its 11th and final Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
http://english.vietnamnet.vn/fms/business/177948/vietnam-airlines-receives-11th-boeing-dreamliner.html


Aviation Capital Group has announced a lease agreement with El Al Israel Airlines for two Boeing 787-9s and two 787-8s.
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170504005234/en/Aviation-Capital-Group-Announces-Lease-Agreement-EL


Air India has announced plans to commence flights connecting Delhi to Chennai using a Boeing 777 airliner - greatly enhancing its available passenger volume across this route.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/air-india-to-launch-boeing-777-flights-on-delhi-chennai/articleshow/58574827.cms


Footage has emerged depicting the aftermath of an Aeroflot Boeing 777 flight that ran into clear air turbulence during en route from Moscow to Bangkok.  At least 27 passengers had to seek medical attention following the turbulent flight.
http://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/new-footage-shows-aftermath-of-turbulent-aeroflot-flight/news-story/6d3e78dd976871fac044ed1296070531


The first prototype Airbus A350-1000 has completed its fuel and engine tests in the UK, as part of its type certification test program.  This past week also marked the first visit of the A350-1000 prototype to the UK.
http://www.deeside.com/airbus-a350-1000-successfully-completes-fuel-test-campaign-wales/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/a350-1000-undergoes-fuel-flow-tests-in-the-uk-436920/
http://www.deeside.com/airbus-a350-1000-lands-uk-first-time/


Ethiopian Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 from Ping An Leasing, as part of a sale and lease-back arrangement.
http://www.financial-news.co.uk/41101/2017/05/ethiopian-airlines-takes-delivery-of-airbus-a350-900xwb/

Single Aisle News - May 8, 2017

May 8, 2017

China's C919 prototype took to the air for the first time this past week.  The C919 is powered by a version of the same CFM International LEAP-1A engine that also powers the Airbus A320 NEO.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1045587.shtml
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/chinese-rival-to-boeing-737-and-airbus-a320-set-for-first-flight/


A growing number of analysts have been pointing to Boeing's decision to accuse Bombardier of "dumping" the C-Series at below-market value as being ill-conceived. The C-Series is only a minor competitor for Boeing products, and Boeing is likewise guilty of the industry-wide practice of selling early copies at a loss to promote airline acceptance for new aircraft.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/boeings-protectionist-push-would-be-felt-by-consumers-and-carriers-across-the-world/article34887431/
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/opinion-boeings-cseries-trade-complaint-lacks-cred-436886/


Embraer warned investors that profit margins for 2018 were expected to be down as the manufacturer transitioned to the new E-Jet E2 family of aircraft.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/embraer-warns-on-e-jet-e2-margins-deliveries-in-201-436783/


Early production and reliability problems with the Airbus A320 NEO, most of them centered around the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G Geared TurboFan engines, has led to a rough service entry for the aircraft.
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2017/05/03/growing-pains-of-pratt-powered-a320neo-present-more-challenges/


Air Lease's chief executive John Plueger has expressed disappointment in delivery delays for the Airbus A320 NEO and A350 aircraft.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/air-lease-disappointed-with-a320neo-and-a350-delays-436904/


Latin America's Avianca has converted five orders for the Airbus A319 NEO to the larger A320 NEO model.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/avianca-converts-batch-of-a319neos-to-larger-variant-436960/


Boeing has released an outline of its plans to market military derivatives of its 737 MAX airline.
http://aviationweek.com/combat-aircraft/boeing-reveals-737-max-military-derivative-study


Irkut has moved its first MC-21 prototype to its flight test center in Irkutsk.
http://aviationweek.com/awincommercial/mc-21-moves-flight-test-center

Fighter Jet Times - May 5, 2017

May 5, 2017

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense is expected to formally declare its intention to purchase the F-35 stealth fighter this coming July.  The previous two U.S. administrations had rejected Taiwanese proposals to purchase additional warplanes.  It remains to be seen as to whether the Trump administration will reverse that stance.
http://thediplomat.com/2017/05/taiwan-pushes-for-sale-of-f-35-fighter-jets/


Israel Aircraft Industries is proposing that the IDF employ its Bedek overhaul facilities as the in-country maintenance site for Israel's F135 engines.  Unlike other F-35 customers, which intend to utilize centralized regional maintenance sites, the IDF insists that it be able to maintain the F-35 - including its engines - in-country in times of war.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/iai-targets-engine-support-work-on-f-35-436811/


Israel's F-35 fighters were featured in the nation's Independence Day parade for the first time this year.  Israel's first two F-35s arrived in December, and a further three were added this past month.
http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/israel-shows-off-f-35-stealth-fighters-cost-110-million-each-1688690


The Royal Air Force recently utilized this year's Atlantic Trident 17 war games, which took place in Langley, VA to experiment with how best to integrate the F-35 with its existing 4th generation fighter fleet.
http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/i-saw-close-why-britain-will-love-the-f-35-stealth-fighter-20436


The Pentagon has begun to round up interest in an international, multiyear block-buy of the F-35 stealth fighter, in an effort to lower the unit cost for the aircraft.
http://aviationweek.com/awindefense/dod-kicks-f-35-international-block-buy


Russian officials announced at a recent news conference that they expect to begin flight trials for the new engine for their PAK-FA stealth fighter later this year.  All PAK-FA aircraft flown to date have used derivatives of the AL-31F engine, which originally powered the Su-27 fighter in the 1980s.
http://www.defenseworld.net/news/19191/New_Engine_Developed_For_Russia_s_PAK_FA_T_50_5th_Gen_Fighter_Jet#.WQsCLdQrLs0
https://sputniknews.com/military/201705031053233273-russia-pak-fa-t-50-new-engine/


Officials at China's Shenyang Aircraft Corporation have reportedly begun to market the enlarged J-31 stealth fighter, now under development, to the Chinese air force as a potential replacement for China's J-10 fighter - produced by the competing Chengdu design bureau.  The Chinese armed forces had previously shown little interest in the J-31, which was developed as a lightweight export fighter.  An enlarged version of the J-31 began flight test this past December.
http://www.chinatopix.com/articles/113887/20170502/chinas-improved-j-31-stealth-fighter-jet-ramps-up-test.htm


North Korean officials have warned that recent over-flights of South Korea by U.S. strategic bombers, which were carried out as part of joint U.S. and South Korean military drills, were pushing the Korean peninsula to the brink of nuclear war.
http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/01/s-korea-says-u-s-strategic-bombers-flew-over-korean-peninsula-in-joint-drill.html

Space Highlights - May 3, 2017

May 3, 2017

SpaceX successfully launched a U.S. spy satellite into orbit, its first such launch on behalf of the National Reconnaissance Office.
http://www.space.com/36666-spacex-launches-first-spy-satellite-nails-landing.html


Iridium plans to launch four more batches of next generation communications satellites later this year.  Each batch is launched in a cluster of 10 Next satellites that will eventually form a global network.
http://spacenews.com/iridium-plans-to-launch-four-more-sets-of-next-generation-satellites-this-year/


The Brazilian government expects to have its first military communications satellite launched later this week, following delays at Arianespace's launch facility in French Guiana, due to a workers' strike.
http://www.zdnet.com/article/brazilian-satellite-attempts-launch/


The Cassini spacecraft has completed its second "ring dive" orbit, passing between Saturn and its innermost ring.  The new orbit is expected to end in a finale in a few months time, as the spacecraft, having nearly exhausted its fuel, crashes into the gas giant.
http://www.space.com/36693-saturn-big-empty-cassini-second-ring-dive.html


NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured images showing sedimentary rock layers in part of the Valles Marineris canyon system.
http://www.ibtimes.com/water-mars-nasas-mro-snaps-image-sedimentary-rock-layers-valles-marineris-ganges-2531833


NASA's Dawn spacecraft, currently in orbit around the dwarf planet Ceres, has lost its remaining reaction wheels - which are used to help orient the spacecraft during complex maneuvers.  It is expected that the spacecraft will be able to complete its mission from its current orbit, but future orbital maneuvers are unlikely without the precision control that the reaction wheels would have afforded.
http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/solar-system/nasas-dawn-spacecraft-experiences-reaction-wheel-malfunction/


A newly discovered exoplanet has been identified some 13,000 light years away.  Although the planet is believed to be similar in size to the Earth, its orbit would render it an icy, frozen world.
http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/us/ice-world-exoplanet-discovery-trnd/


A recent experiment conducted by CERN - using a special telescope focused on the sun - has failed to turn up evidence for axions - one of the leading candidates for the missing "dark matter" of the universe.  Axions, if they exist, are predicted to interact with magnetic fields, making it possible to detect axions that might be emitted by the sun.  The absence of evidence for Axions further narrows the field for what dark matter particles might exist.
http://www.ibtimes.com/cerns-cast-experiment-limits-dark-matter-possibilities-not-finding-solar-axions-2533242


Observations of distant galaxies being conducted by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory suggest that a "fuzzy dark matter" model - which calls for the mass of dark matter particles to be much lower than most theories currently in favor - may better match the observed early galaxy formations.
http://www.astronomy.com/news/2017/05/testing-dark-matter-theories

Wide Body Report - May 2, 2017

May 2, 2017

A total of 25 passengers were injured when an Aeroflot Boeing 777 ran into clear air turbulence near Bankok.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/aeroflot-boeing-777-hits-clear-air-turbulence-near-bangkok-25-n753111


Iran Air has missed an opportunity to take early delivery of its first Boeing 777-300ER after Turkish Airlines, the original customer for the aircraft, refused the proposed delivery swap.  Turkish Airlines had previously deferred delivery of the aircraft, due to lower than expected passenger volumes.  Boeing still plans to deliver its initial batch of airplanes to Iran, however, early next year - as part of an 80 aircraft order comprising a variety of aircraft models.
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-boeing-delivery-idUSKBN17T2XZ
http://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-says-its-moving-ahead-on-delivering-first-jets-to-iran-next-year/


Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has finalized arrangements for delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 in April 2018.
http://aviationtribune.com/airlines/middle-east/gulf-air-gears-arrival-first-boeing-787-9-dreamliner-aircraft/


Oman Air has taken delivery of its sixth Boeing 787-9, the second to be delivered in 2017.
http://www.arabnews.com/node/1090786/corporate-news


Airbus has closed a deal with China Southern for 20 A350-900 aircraft.  First deliveries are scheduled for 2019.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-04-26/airbus-wins-6-billion-order-from-china-southern-for-a350-jets

Single Aisle News - May 1, 2017

May 1, 2017

Boeing has petitioned the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate whether Bombardier engaged in "predatory pricing" due to Canadian government assistance in the development of the C-Series.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/bombardier-boeing-struggle-1.4091401
https://www.ajot.com/news/bombardier-fires-back-at-boeing-in-fracas-over-c-series-sales


The Bombardier CS100 has obtained steep approach approval European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Transport Canada, allowing Lufthansa subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines to become the first to operate the C-Series out of London City Airport later this year.
http://atwonline.com/airframes/bombardier-cseries-100-secures-steep-approach-clearance


Iceland's WOW air has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 NEO, delivered by an agreement with Air Lease Corporation.
http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12329835/wow-air-acquires-first-airbus-a320neo


Airbus has delivered 35 A320 NEO aircraft so far this year, bringing the total number of NEO aircraft delivered to 103 since January of last year.
http://www.businessinsider.com/r-airbus-reaches-35-a320neo-deliveries-for-2017--sources-2017-4


Airbus' finance director Harald Wilhelm has suggested that "we still need to see proof coming through" demonstrating that Pratt & Whitney's repairs to the Geared TurboFan engine would fully correct the engine's reliability issues.
http://www.reuters.com/article/airbus-results-cfo-idUSL8N1HZ161


Spirit Airlines has deferred its scheduled 2018 deliveries of the Airbus A320 NEO to 2019, to provide more time for reliability problems with the airplane's Pratt & Whitney Geared TurboFan engines to be sorted out.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/spirit-sheds-a320neo-deliveries-in-2018-after-engine-436707/


Boeing is reportedly preparing its suppliers to accelerate production of the 737 MAX from one a month this year to more than 50 per month two years from now.
http://www.heraldnet.com/news/suppliers-say-boeing-plans-to-accelerate-737-max-production/


Mitsubishi Aircraft is expecting to showcase its Mitsubishi Regional Jet (MRJ) aircraft at this year's Paris Air Show for the first time.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/mitsubishi-plans-mrj-debut-at-paris-air-show-436549/


Mitsubishi Aircraft is relying heavily on foreign experts to help pave the way for certification for its MRJ aircraft, now in flight test.
https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/mitsubishi-banks-on-foreign-experts-for-mrj-develo-436609/