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Airbus and Boeing February 2016 O&D Roundup

ANALYSIS: America's hypersonic missile revolution beckons

Long before hitching a ride to the moon aboard Apollo 11, then US Air Force test pilot Neil Armstrong was zipping around in a rocket-powered North American X-15, which to this day remains the fastest manned, winged aircraft ever built. That flight record of Mach 6.72 or 7,274km/h was set by pilot Wi...

Iran invites Boeing to talk about plane purchases: State TV

Iran has invited U.S. planemaker Boeing Co to Tehran to discuss purchasing jetliners aimed at revamping its aging fleet hit by decades of sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic, state TV reported on Friday. In February, Iran's deputy transport minister Asghar Fakhrieh Kashan told Reut...

First U.S.-built A321 exits paint shop

Painting of the first U.S.-built A321 has been completed as it emerged from the paintshop in Mobile, Alabama in its JetBlue livery. This latest milestone shows that the first aircraft to be produced at the Airbus U.S. Manufacturing Facility is progressing well on its route to first flight and delivery in spring 2016. The aircraft painting was achieved by MAAS Aviation. The company is re...

Airbus chief discusses China production strategy

Airbus will spare no effort to be the dominant player in China, with its president and CEO pledging a personal commitment to the manufacturer's partnerships in the country. Speaking to the media ahead of the groundbreaking of its A330 completion and delivery centre in Tianjin, the manufacturer’s first outside of its European home ground, Airbus chief Fabrice Bregier says he first moot...

Finmeccanica AW109 Trekker helicopter performs first flight

Finmeccanica has announced the maiden flight of the new AgustaWestland AW109 Trekker light twin-engine helicopter. A prototype aircraft took to the air for the first time at the Helicopter Division’s Cascina Costa facility (Italy). The helicopter performed as expected during the flight which included an assessment of its general handling and basic systems. A total of...

Boeing Develops Self-Cleaning Lavatory

Boeing engineers and designers have developed a self-cleaning lavatory prototype that uses ultraviolet (UV) light to kill 99.99 percent of germs. The cleaning system can disinfect all surfaces after every use in just three seconds. Boeing believes this self-cleaning technology, combined with touchless features, will enhance the passenger experience on commercial flights. The lavatory uses...

Airbus Helicopters is taking care of its customers on every flight with HCare

One year following the launch of HCare, Airbus Helicopters continues to improve its HCare Customer Service offer, providing customers with the highest levels of service and support. Customer Service is an essential part of Airbus Helicopters’ offer and represents nearly half of the company’s yearly turnover. In the year since its creation, HCare has grown in each of the 5 domains that...

Singapore Airlines becomes new operator of the A350 XWB

Singapore Airlines has taken delivery of its first A350 XWB in Toulouse, France, becoming the fifth operator of the all-new widebody airliner. With its unrivalled passenger flying experience and operational efficiency, the A350 XWB will form the backbone of Singapore Airlines’ future mid-size widebody fleet. Singapore Airlines’ aircraft is configured in a premium three class layout...

The world's oldest airports

We make a flying visit to the world's 12 oldest continuously operating airports... 12. Albany International Founded: 1928 Annual passengers: 2,393,506 (2013) While an airport was established in Albany, New York, in 1909, with early aviation pioneers such as Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh stopping there, the airport was moved to the current site in 1928. 11....

Airbus’ China A330 Widebody Completion & Delivery Centre construction starts

Airbus has taken additional steps in the expansion of its global footprint and its strategic partnership with China as construction gets underway for the Airbus A330 Completion and Delivery Centre (C&DC) in Tianjin, China. The A330 C&DC will be co-located at the same site as the Airbus Tianjin A320 Family Final Assembly Line and the Airbus Tianjin Delivery Centre. “The ground b...

The rugged and economic H215 ready for the U.S. market

Airbus Helicopters’ H215, the twin-engine, versatile, economic and robust helicopter designed to meet for a wide range of utility missions, will embark on a US-wide demo tour following its appearance on static display at the 2016 Heli Expo international trade show. Beginning on March 4, the H215 will perform demonstration flights in Louisville (Kentucky), Huntsville (Alabama) and then on...

SIA collects first Airbus A350-900 plane on Thursday

The new model is said to be about 20 per cent more fuel efficient than existing models, and could help Singapore Airlines save costs amid heating competition with Gulf carriers. Singapore Airlines (SIA) has successfully completed the first maiden test flight of its first Airbus A350-900 in Toulouse, France - home of aircraft maker Airbus - and is set to pick up the keys on Thursday (Mar 3).&nbs...

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie: how was Nato's phonetic alphabet chosen?

An older version began with Apples and Butter, while soldiers in the First World War preferred Ack and Beer. Sixty years ago today, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) implemented the final version of the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet – known to most people as the Nato phonetic alphabet, or simply the Alpha, Bravo, Charlie alphabet. What is it for?...

Auckland welcomes world record passenger flight

Welcome aboard Emirates EK448 and congratulations, you're on the world's longest passenger flight. Weary but happy passengers at Auckland International Airport on Wednesday said they found out at the last minute they were on the world's first 16 hour-plus flight, from Dubai. Palmerston North expat New Zealander Cameron White said he got a message from his brot...

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