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The A330/a340 Combination Continues To Sell Well. Seen Here As Part Of The Flying Display Is An Ilfc Purchased A330-300 In Part Mas Livery. Airbus Claims The Twin Engined A330 Combines The Lowest Operating Costs Of Any Aircraft Ever Designed With Maximum Flexibility For A Wide Range Of Route Structures, Covering Everything From Regional And Medium Range Services To Longer International Flights Now Available In Two Versions. The A330-300 Entered Service Early In 1994 And Typically Seats 335 Passengers In Two Classes Or 295 Passengers In Three Classes, And Is Designed For Flights Of Up To 5500nm/10,200km.
Farnborough Airshow Report
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The Enthusiasm and Confidence Perceived at the 1995 Paris Salon Was Bolstered by Farnborough to Unprecedented Levels as the Aviation Industry Continues to Surf the Crest of the Economic Wave
The biennial show was officially opened by Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister Mr Michael Heseltine and his speech had barely finished when the first cheque books opened. During the life of the show record orders exceeding $US12 billion were announced, the sales covering all sectors of the industry ranging from large commercial airliners to regional jets, business aviation, helicopters, powerplants and equipment. This phenomenal buying spree reflected a 300% improvement on the value of contracts announced at the 1994 show. Also at the opening ceremony UK Defence Secretary Mr Michael Portillo announced that the UK Government is committed to Eurofighter and he continued to say that this means Britain has become the first nation to declare unequivocal support for the EF2000’s transition from development to production. This is England’s largest current defence project and the RAF has been given the green light for the procurement of 232 aircraft.
The two commercial manufacturing giants Airbus Industrie and Boeing continued their notorious rivalry, each rigorously defending its current and future products. Sadly for spectators Boeing kept its 777 on static display only, defending its stance that low flying displays of its aircraft do not increase aircraft sales. Meanwhile Airbus wooed the crowds with excellent aerial demonstrations performed by its twin engine A330 and its long haul four engined A340. In addition Airbus had an A319 aircraft on show in the static park.
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During the course of the show Airbus reported several key sales. Asiana Airlines purchased 18 A321 aircraft, breaking a Boeing monopoly at the airline, a nine year old carrier now operating about 40 jets. Federal Express will increase its already huge fleet with an additional 11 A300-600F freighters and Cathay Pacific ordered another three A340-300s bringing its order total to nine of this particular type.
The European manufacturer has also further strengthened its commitment to build the all new twin deck A3XX. This all new design seating up to 650 passengers with a range of 7500nm (13,900km) could be in service by 2003. Meanwhile competitor Boeing announced new sales worth over $US7bn. Philippine Airlines ordered seven 747-400s adding to its 12 747 aircraft currently in service. Another significant order was 12 757-300s to launch customer Condor with another 12 optioned.
Closer to home Ansett Worldwide (AWAS) has ordered 10 new generation 737-700s (in place of an earlier 737 order), six 737-300s and nine 767-300ERs.
ILFC ordered five 757-200s, an equal number of 767-300ERs and five more 737s for its leasing fleet.
British Airways continues fleet expansion by ordering four 747-400s, three 777-200s and three 757-200s and as part of the deal revealed two previously unannounced 747-400 orders and reconfirmed an earlier order for 10 747-400s.
Another big winner was Embraer with its EMB-145 regional jet (refer photo caption).
Rolls-Royce launched the Trent 900 for the proposed Boeing 747-500X/600X subject to formal launch of the aircraft. The same 80,000lb (360kN) thrust engine would also be suitable for the proposed Airbus A3XX.
A comprehensive flying display was conducted each day. Northrop Grumman’s B-2 Spirit stealth bomber made a very brief appearance on one of the days by making two flybys and then returning to its US base, the two crew subjected to a 21 hour mission with the aid of inflight refuelling. What could be of concern to the USAF was that the RAF Regiment missile crews using the BAe Jernas thermal optical tracking system acquired and tracked the B-2 at a range of 6km which could indicate weaknesses in the bomber’s infrared heat suppression system.
Another favourite, when it flew, was Sukhoi’s Su-37. This latest development of the famous Su-27 Flanker has never been seen before in the west. It is equipped with thrust vectoring engine nozzles which give it startling manoeuvrability. In fact the pilot had to demonstrate his display routine on three separate occasions to the safety committee to acquire display approval which was finally given after a more subdued demonstration was performed at a greater distance away from the crowd line
Many who saw the B-2’s fleeting passes say that was the highlight of the show, some say Eurofighter and others the Su-37. Mine was meeting a living legend, Jim Lovell, commander of the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, a thorough gentleman and a very lucky man!
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