iscover
The Prototype Canadair Global Express Ultra Long Range Business Jet in the Final Stages of Assembly Bombardier says everything is on schedule for the first flight in September, with first customer deliveries in late 1997. The Global Express will have a range of 6500nm (12,040km) with four crew and eight passengers and will be able to cruise at up to Mach 0.88. (Bombardier)
Newsdesk — Commercial Aviation
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Commercial
Airbus/GE A340 Study
Airbus Industrie and GE Aircraft Engines have signed an exclusive agreement under which a joint team will study the engine requirements for a planned stretched version of the A340, the -600. The GE engine under study would have a thrust capability beginning at 51,000 lb (228.5 kN). The A340-600 is intended to carry 375 passengers in a three-class layout over a distance of 7,000 nm (13,000 km), 75 passengers more than the current A340-300 and over a similar range. The airliner would be a direct counter to the 777-300 and could be in service by 2000. GE’s association with Airbus goes back to the very beginnings of the European consortium with the CF6, the original powerplant of the A300. Rolls and Pratt & Whitney will also join in the study during 1997.
Airbus Boosts Production
Airbus Industrie is to increase the production rate of its airliners to meet a healthy number of orders placed so far this year. Up until mid-April, Airbus had received 129 firm orders from eight customers in 1996, comprising seven A319s, 70 A320s, 13 A321s, 22 A330s, and 17 A340s. Included is the first order for the A330-200 extended-range variant of the widebody twin. The orders have caused Airbus to revise its production rates. This year, 135 aircraft will be delivered – 56 widebodies and 79 single-aisle aircraft – while 1997 deliveries are planned to increase by more than a third to 185 aircraft comprising 60 widebodies and 125 single-aisle airliners. This will be the highest annual delivery rate yet achieved by Airbus. The previous best was 163 in 1991. A few days after announcing its increased delivery schedule, Airbus revealed that Northwest Airlines had placed a firm order for 20 A320s, adding to the 50 already in service. Northwest was the North American launch customer for the A320, placing its first contract in 1989. It is the world’s largest operator of the airliner. The new A320s will be delivered in 1998 and 1999 and will be joined by 16 A330s that Northwest also has on order.
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