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Airbus launches re-engined A330

A330neo to feature RR Trent power and a claimed 14 per cent fuel burn improvement

Airbus has used the 2014 Farnborough Airshow to formally announce the launch of a re-engined development of its bestselling A330 range.

Having the CEOs of three major airlines on the board, could make for a combustible mix. STEPHEN BARTHOLOMEUSZ

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Designated A330-800neo and A330-900neo, the new aircraft will be significantly enhanced versions of the current A330-200 short fuselage and longer -300 models respectively. They will be powered exclusively by new Rolls- Royce Trent 7000 engines, and feature aerodynamic enhancements including curved wingtips similar to those of the A350, and new cabin features. Airbus says it will offer a reduction in fuel consumption of 14 per cent over the current models and a 700km increase in range.

“We see strong market potential for the A330neo, and like its marketleading smaller sister, the A320neo, we are confident this new aircraft will be a success in the mediumhaul segment,” said Fabrice Brégier, Airbus president and CEO. “We are again leveraging a proven aircraft with a wide operator base and making it even more efficient with the latest innovations and technology developments. ” Airbus says most of the fuel burnreduction will come from new Rolls- Royce Trent 7000 engines, which will have a fan diameter of 112 inches and a bypass ratio of 10:1. The Trent 7000 brings together design elements from the current Trent 700 as well as architecture of the Trent 1000-TEN and the Trent XWB as used on the A350. It will be rated at between 68,000 and 72,000lb of thrust and will produce about half the noise of current A330 engines.

Rolls-Royce says that “first engine test run for the Trent 7000 isplanned for 2015 with certification expected in 2017, supporting an aircraft entry into service in Q4 2017”.

Other improvements include a 3. 6m wider wingspan and A350- style swept winglets which will increase lift and reduce drag.

Inside the aircraft, cabin improvements will include six to 10 additional seats with the same 18in/46cm seat width as the current model through the more efficient use of the cabin space, HD inflight entertainment system, LED mood lighting, A350 galley inserts, and a master flight attendant control panel for lighting, water, climate control, and PA. The flightcrew’s rest station will be relocated to the aircraft’s lower forward fuselage.

The A330neo will retain a high degree of operational commonality including a common pilot type ratingwith the current models, as well as 95 per cent common airframe spares.

Kiran Rao, Airbus’s Executive VP, strategy and marketing, claims the A330neo will offer lower cash operating costs than Boeing’s 787.

“The A330neo delivers a 14 per cent improvement in fuel per seat.

Fourteen per cent improvement will make us as efficient as today’s 787,” Rao said. “If we couple that with the lower maintenance costs and the higher passenger count of the A330 we have an airplane that will deliver lower cash operating costs than that of the 787 and lets not talk about price. But I can tell you that if we put everything together we will have a much better proposition to the airlines than the 787 has. ” Rao also promotes the passenger comfort benefits of the A330neo.

“Every passenger in economy class has an 18in seat, that is much more than you get in an 787. So if we take the cabin, you take the improvements that we will give to the lighting, the improvements we will give to the side-walls and the larger overhead bins, we will improve the crew rest areas for the pilots and cockpit crew . . . put all that together and we will deliver an airplane where the passenger is the real winner. ” However, unlike the largely carbon fibre composite 787, the A330neo retains the A330’s conventional aluminium fuselage design, and so won’t offer the 787’s larger windows, humidity and cabin pressure altitude advantages.

Lessor Air Lease Corporation became the first launch customer for the new Airbus A330neo, signing a memorandum of understanding for 25 A330-900neos that was announced at Farnborough the same day as the A330neo’s launch.

More orders quickly followed on day two of the show, including AirAsia X, which signed a MoU for 50 A330‑900neos. That deal, once finalised, would make AirAsia X the first airline to order the A330neo and also one of the first operators, with deliveries from 2018.

Aircraft financier and lessor CIT Group also signed a commitment to order 15 A330-900neos, while Irish lessor Avolon has also signed a MoU for 15 A330neos.

We are again leveraging a proven aircraft.

Qantas to cut more engineering jobs

Qantas will cut 167 jobs from its engineering division as part of the group’s ongoing efforts to turn around its flagging fortunes.

The job losses are part of some 5,000 jobs cuts the airline is implementing, and will come from Sydney and Melbourne and reportedly include front-line engineers and back office support staff. Media reports say 73 of the job cuts are licensed aircraft maintenance engineers, 36 are from support and admin positions, and 58 from components maintenance services.

“While any job loss is regrettable, we have worked with our employees and unions over the past five months to reduce the number of compulsory retrenchments through voluntary redundancies, job swaps and redeployment – and we will continue to do so where practical,” Qantas Domestic CEO Lyell Strambi said.

“We are working with our employees throughout this difficult time and will be providing as much support as we can, through career transition services and employee assistance programs. People will be provided with generous redundancy packages. ”

Qantas adds to & restructures Jetstar A320neo backlog

The Qantas Group has signed an order for 21 more Airbus A320neos to take its A320neo Family backlog to 99, but has deferred other orders until after 2016 and to as late as 2022.

The 21 aircraft order was placed in June and is on top of an order for 78 neos the airline placed in 2011.

The aircraft are ostensibly destined for Jetstar as older A320s are paid off and to cover growth, although the airline has refused to rule out operating the aircraft on Qantas mainline domestic services to replace 737s.

The order deferrals were flagged as part of the Group’s $2 billion restructure and reduction in capital spending announced in January.

The first A320neo was rolled out on July 1, and is expected to commence flight tests in September with a view to first service entry in late 2015.

Airline CEOs join Virgin Australia board

The CEOs of Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines have formally joined the board of Virgin Australia.

The appointments of Christopher Luxon, James Hogan and Goh Choon Phong are effective immediately, and reflect the shareholdings each of these airlines have in Virgin Australia.

“We are privileged to have such a strong and diverse group of leading international airlines as our major shareholders and it is with great pleasure that I welcome their nominated representatives to the Board,” Virgin Australia chairman Neil Chatfield said. “The new directors bring a wealth of global aviation experience which will further strengthen the Board. ” “We have put in place strong protocols in relation to confidential information and any conflict of interest.

The board will continue to ensure it serves in the best interests of all shareholders. The board will comprise of ten directors, four of whom represent the major shareholders including Air New Zealand, Etihad Airways, Singapore Airlines and the Virgin Group.

The remaining six directors include five independent directors and one executive director. ” How the new board works in practice will be closely watched. Notes business commentator Stephen Bartholomeusz on the businessspectator. com. au website: “Having the CEOs of three major airlines with competing aspirations and interests elsewhere on the board, as well as a representative of another airline group with its own interests to protect, could make for a combustible mix,” adding that, “There’s massive potential for conflicts of interest – and real conflict – around the new Virgin board table. ” The appointments come just a week after Air NZ increased its stake in Virgin Australia, taking it up to the maximum amount allowable by the Foreign Investment Review Board of 25. 99 per cent.

The minor increase from 24. 46 per cent maintains Air NZ’s position as Virgin’s biggest shareholder, ahead of Singapore Airlines’ 22. 4 per cent, Etihad at 21. 4 per cent, and Richard Branson’s Virgin Group’s 10 per cent.

Qantas to remain majority Australian-owned

Federal cabinet has reached a compromise agreement on the Qantas Sale Act which will see the airline remain majority Australianowned.

Although the Abbott Coalition government had wanted to open the airline up to foreign investment and has previously stated there was “no plan B” for the airline, the opposition and the minor parties stuck with their line to restrict foreign ownership of the airline to 49 per cent.

Individual foreign investors and international airlines will, however, no longer be restricted to 25 per cent or 35 per cent shares respectively as had previously been the case, with both limits rising to the whole 49 per cent.

Qantas extends GE CF6 engine support agreement

Qantas has extended its OnPoint support arrangement with GE Aviation for an additional seven years for its fleet of CF6-80E1 engines that power the airline’s Airbus A330- 200s and -300s.

The agreement is valued at US$340 million, and means GE will continue to provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the airline’s 65 CF6- 80E1 engines through to 2025.

Jetstar launches Melbourne to Uluru flights

Jetstar commenced services between Melbourne and Ayers Rock Airport (Uluru) on June 29, with the inaugural flight JQ 664 departing Tullamarine with a full load.

The services from Melbourne operate every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with a flight time of three hours and 20 minutes.

Departure time from Melbourne is 9:30am with a 12:20 arrival, and the return flight departs Uluru at 1:00pm and lands at 4:05pm.

Air NZ to allow gate-to-gate electronics use

Air New Zealand passengers will be able to use their handheld portable electronic devices in non-transmitting mode for the entire duration of their flights from July 16 after approval was granted by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority.

The airline says it will allow the use of tablets, smartphones, e-readers and mp3 players during all phases of flight, provided the devices remain in flight mode. Previously all these devices had to be switched off during taxi, takeoff and landing.

The option will initially be available on domestic and international services operatedby Airbus A320, Boeing 787‑9, 777-200ER and 777-300ER aircraft, while the airline plans to include its 767-300ER and regional turboprop fleets at a later date.

“We are living in a digital age where the majority of our customers use electronic devices while travelling,” Air New Zealand’s general manager customer experience Carrie Hurihanganui said.

“Today’s announcement will give customers further freedom to use their handheld devices to take photos, listen to music or watch pre-loaded movies gate-togate.

“Air New Zealand prides itself on being a leader in innovation and technology and continues to actively explore what can be done to make the travel experience easier and more enjoyable for our customers. ”

Qantas pulls out of Nhulunbuy

Qantas will withdraw its services to Nhulunbuy in eastern Arnhem Land from August 17 due to “decreased travel demand” following mining giant Rio Tinto’s decision to close its Alcan refinery at Gove.

QantasLink chief executive John Gissing told the NT News that: “The decision was not taken lightly, but after a thorough review of the route, it was found to not be viable to continue operating. This coincides with the closure of the Rio Tinto aluminium refinery. ” Local carrier Airnorth immediately stepped in the breach by saying it will commence a daily Darwin- Nhulunbuy-Cairns service using 76-seat Embraer E170s from August 18. As a result, Qantas and Airnorth will extend their codeshare agreement to include Airnorth’s new services between Darwin and Cairns via Gove.

. . . but returns to Hamilton Is

Qantas began direct Sydney- Hamilton Island flights on July 2, its first services to the Queensland resort island in almost a decade. The airline has launched three times weekly return flights during peak season – July, plus September- January – and twice weekly return flights during offpeak times. The flights, QF866 (SYDHTI) and QF867 (HTI-SYD), are operated by 737-800s.

The new services coincide with the relaunch of the exclusive resort on nearby Hayman Island as One&Only Hayman Island, while in June Qantas subsidiary Jetstar announced it was suspending direct Brisbane- Hamilton Island flights.

Etihad to launch Brisbane 787-9 flights

Etihad has announced plans to operate daily non-stop flights between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi from June 2015 using Boeing 787-9s.

The non-stop flights, which will begin on June 1, will replace the airline’s existing daily one-stop flights to Abu Dhabi which operate via Singapore with Airbus A330-200s.

“The introduction of the first ever daily non-stop service between Brisbane and Abu Dhabi enables us to build on the route’s robust performance by offering our strongest customer proposition yet – an enhanced onboard experience, shorter travel times, and the convenience of one-stop connectivity to popular destinations in the Middle East, Africa and Europe,” Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan said.

“Etihad Airways’ first Boeing 787 will enter the fleet in December 2014 and Queenslanders will be among the first in the world to experience the aircraft’s next generation product and service offering. The brand new First Suites, Business Studios and Economy Smart Seats were five years in the making and I am confident that they will be game-changers for the Brisbane market. ” The airline’s 787-9s will seat 235 passengers, comprising eight in first class, 28 in business and 199 in economy class. The current A330‑200s are configured in a two-class, 262-seat configuration.

As such the 787 services will also introduce first class on the route.

Etihad began three times weekly Brisbane-Singapore services in September 2007. It has operated daily flights since February 2013.

Separately, Etihad has taken delivery of its 100th and 101st aircraft in a simultaneous handover ceremony at Finkenwerder in Hamburg on June 29.

The aircraft, an Airbus A321 and A320 respectively, were handed over to the airline and flown to Abu Dhabi where they entered service the following week.

Sydney Airport’s GBAS launched

Sydney Airport’s Ground Based Augmentation System – GBAS – has been commissioned into service, clearing the way for operational use of the technology which ultimately promises GPS-augmented precision guidance approaches to CAT III mimima standards.

Sydney Airport’s GBAS system was launched on Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss as well as Airservices acting CEO Mark Rodwell, Honeywell Aerospace’s VP for Airlines Asia Pacific Brian Davis, Qantas chief financial officer Gareth Evans and Sydney Airport CEO Kerrie Mather, after it received CASA certification on May 29.

The ‘SmartPath’ GBAS system provides precision approaches by broadcasting error-corrected GPS positioning data to a suitably-equipped aircraft’s flight management system via a radio datalink from a groundbased transmitter. It is capable of providing up to 26 simultaneous instrument approaches within a 42km radius from the airport and promises to reduce maintenance and provide more efficient calibration than traditional instrument landing systems, Airservices says.

Qantas and Airservices had been trialling Sydney Airport’s Honeywell SLS-4000 GBAS since December 2012, and subsequently more than 750 approaches were flown by 737-800s and A380s.

That followed on from an earlier prototype system installed at the airport which was in trial use between 2006 and 2010.

Compared to ILS GBAS requires only a single installation per airport (rather than at each runway end), is less expensive to maintain, and is not susceptible to noise signal interference. GBAS approaches can also be designed “to avoid terrain, shorten track miles, and reduce noise and emissions while improving traffic throughput”, according to Honeywell.

Currently GBAS, which has demonstrated accuracy of less than one metre in both the horizontal and vertical axes, is certified to CAT I minima levels. As well as Sydney Honeywell’s SmartPath system is also operational at Newark, Houston, Charleston and Moses Lake in the US and Bremen, Germany.

ATSB reports on Virgin Australia ATR structural damage

The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released a preliminary report into structural damage suffered by a Virgin Australia ATR 72 on a flight from Canberra to Sydney on February 20.

The aircraft – registered VH-FVR – was operating a RPT service into Sydney when the crew experienced a possible over speed event while on descent which resulted in a pitch-disconnect of the horizontal stabiliser and differential control inputs from the operating flightcrew. Upon landing in Sydney, the aircraft was grounded for inspection, which was carried out by torchlight at night, but no trace of any structural damage was found at that time.

On February 25 – after the aircraft had flown 13 more sectors – the pilot reported a possible birdstrike while on descent into Albury, and ordered an inspection of the aircraft upon landing.

During this inspection structural damage to the horizontal and vertical stabiliser fairing was noted, and a subsequent inspection linked the damage to the February 20 differential control event. ATR engineers inspected the aircraft and found broken carbon plies, cracked joint sealant, deformations, and minor damage to the rudder, all of which it said were consistent with an overstress condition, and recommended replacement of the horizontal stabiliser, elevators, and vertical stabiliser.

In a brief statement, Virgin Australia said: “The safety of our guests, crew and aircraft is our number one priority at Virgin Australia and we have strong protocols in place to ensure the safety of our operations is maintained to the highest standard. While this is an isolated issue, we are working with the ATSB, the aircraft manufacturer and our maintenance provider to identify what has occurred. As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment in any further detail at this stage. ”

Matt Hall Racing-led consortium settles at Belmont/Pelican

A consortium of companies led by Matt Hall Racing has settled its acquisition of the former Belmont/Pelican Airport site on Lake Macquarie near Newcastle. The consortium is led by former RAAF pilot Matt Hall’s Red Bull Air Race, aerobatic and corporate flight business, and also includes Hunter-based companies Airborne, Newcastle Helicopters and Skydive the Beach. Contracts for the sale were exchanged with former owner Mirvac in May, and the June 30 settlement means the consortium now owns the site. No new development applications have been submitted for the site as yet, although the consortium hopes to redevelop the site into a thriving recreational aviation hub.

Cebu Pacific to Sydney from Sep

t Philippine low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific has announced plans to operate services between Manila and Sydney from September. The airline says it will commence services on September 9 using new Airbus A330-300 equipment configured in a very high-density, nine-abreast, all-economy, 436-seat layout. Flights will initially operate four-times-a-week.

Pentagon works with industry to reduce F-35 price

The Pentagon has revealed a plan to reduce the production and acquisition costs of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of July’s Farnborough Airshow in the UK, JSF Program Office (JPO) head LtGen Chris Bogdan said the JPO has signed ‘The Blueprint for Affordability’ agreement with prime contractor Lockheed Martin and subcontractors NorthropGrumman and BAE Systems to implement cost-reduction initiatives to lower the production costs of the F-35.

“This is a significant change in business approach within the F-35 program,” Gen Bogdan said. “Industry partners will make an upfront investment into cost-cutting measures that the government and taxpayers will reap benefits from by buying F-35s at a lower cost. By 2019, we expect that the F-35 with its unprecedented 5th generation capability will be nearlyequal in cost to any other fighter on the market, but with far more advanced capability. ” Lockheed Martin’s executive vice president and general manager, F-35 program, Lorraine Martin added: “We are taking these unprecedented measures in support of our customers’ affordability challenges.

We have total faith in the F-35 to support the US and our allies’ future defence needs. Our industry team knows what is at stake given the current budgetary and global security demands to reach these cost milestones. ” During a visit to the Avalon Airshow in 2013, Gen Bogdan told media he was confident the price of the F-35A would be between $80 and $85 million by the time full-rate production kicks in from 2018.

The agreement was a fillup for the program giving the aircraft was grounded at the time due to an engine fire in a USAF F-35A at Eglin AFB on June 23 which caused the aircraft to abort its takeoff and for the pilot to evacuate the aircraft.

The fire resulted in a grounding of the fleet for checks, and the fire has reportedly been declared a ‘Class A’ accident which means more than $2 million damage was caused, and has potentially resulted in the aircraft being declared a write-off.

The Pentagon subsequently announced a partial lifting of flight restrictions on the F-35 fleet after engine inspections revealed no systemic issues with the aircraft’s P&W F135 engine.

Flight restrictions including Mach 0. 9 speed and -1/+3g limits have been imposed, and engines must be inspected every three flight hours by borescope until the root cause of the engine mishap has been identified.

Initial investigations point to a low pressure stage blade rubbing on the engine’s casing as the cause of the fire.

The limited flight envelope and inspection regime dashed any chance of the planned deployment of four F-35Bs to the UK for the Farnborough Airshow in July.

New Zealand DCP released

The New Zealand government released a Defence Capability Plan (DCP) in late June which outlines several new capabilities it wishes to explore in the coming decade in order to upgrade its capabilities.

“It is the second Capability Plan to follow the Defence White Paper 2010, which comprehensively stated the Government’s Defence policy goals and matched these to the future strategic environment,” Minister of Defence, Dr Jonathan Coleman writes in the DCP’s pre-amble.

“While New Zealand’s fiscal environment has been challenging, significant progress has been made. ” One project currently being studied is the Future Air Mobility project which is due to commence this year and which will result in a strategic airlift capability to replace the RNZAF’s C-130 Hercules and Boeing 757-200 transports between 2018 and 2025.

The DCP says the “project will consider all options to maintain the current range of capabilities including strategic and tactical transport of people and cargo, airdrop, low-level and highlevel missions, aeromedical evacuation, and backup search and rescue capabilities. ” Also under consideration is a further upgrade to the RNZAF’s six P-3K-2 Orions to provide an enhanced “underwater ISR capability…to find and track underwater objects. ” The DCP says this project “complements the completed [K-2] Mission Systems Upgrade, which focused on the over water and over land domains. ” New Zealand will also embark on a study as to whether “Remotely Piloted Vehicles could be acquired to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support of ground forces and surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone. ”

DSTO F-35 iron bird commissioned

Model to be used for electromagnetic interference testing

The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) has commissioned a full-scale F-35A replica ‘iron bird’ designed to test the effects of electromagnetic compatibility and interference on the aircraft.

The model was officially commissioned by Defence Minister Senator David Johnston at DSTO’s facilities at Edinburgh in SA, and will be tested under simulated electromagnetic conditions during the acquisition and through-life sustainment of the F-35.

“The United States Joint Strike Fighter Program Office asked the DSTO to undertake this research, based on its world-class expertise in investigating electromagnetic environmental effects,” Senator Johnston said. “The impact of these interferences needs to be well understood and appropriately managed. The data captured during DSTO testing will help in providing potential reductions in the cost of owning the JSF fleet and enhancing the aircraft’s capability. ” The DSTO test methods are designed to provide a costeffective means of assessing and monitoring the F-35’s ability to withstand electromagnetic exposure and minimise any impact on its systems and performance, and will play a key part in supporting the compliance and airworthiness certification for the aircraft.

Former head of the DMO’s New Air Combat Capability office, AVM Kym Osley, was honoured by having his name painted on the Iron Bird’s canopy rail in recognition of his contribution to the program.

AVM Osley will retire from the RAAF in August.

Challenger 350 enters service

The first Bombardier Challenger 350 business jet has entered service with worldwide launch customer, NetJets.

The milestone follows Transport Canada and US FAA certification being awarded in June, and marks the official service entry for the new type.

The Challenger 350 is a development of the familiar Challenger 300, and offers new Honeywell HTF7350 engines with 7,323lb of thrust each, upgraded avionics, larger cabin windows, increased wingspan with new canted winglets, and a range of 3,200nm.

Citation X+ certified

Cessna has received US FAA certification for the Citation X+, allowing the first customer delivery of what it promotes as the “world’s fastest civil aircraft” to businessman Gerry Buchheit.

Certification of the X+ allows Cessna to wrest the ‘world’s fastest civil aircraft’ crown from the Gulfstream 650. The X+ has a certified top speed of Mach 0. 935 (or 536ktas), compared to the G650’s Mach 0. 925. The earlier Citation X (top speed Mach 0. 92) held the mantle from the retirement of the Concorde in 2003 until the G650’s certification in 2012.

Compared to the Citation X, the X+ features winglets, dual FADEC-controlled Rolls-Royce AE3007C2 engines, a 38cm cabin stretch, and Garmin G5000 avionics.

First RNZAF T-6C flies

The first RNZAF Beechcraft T-6C advanced trainer has made its first flight from Beechcraft’s Wichita facility in Kansas on June 10.

The aircraft – NZ1401 – made the flight with a Beechcraft company crew at the controls and lasted two hours, and saw functionality checks such as flight performance and handling characteristics conducted. It will carry the US civil registration of N2824B while the initial flight test program is completed.

New Zealand ordered 11 T-6Cs in January to replace CT-4E trainers in the basic course, and elements of the advanced course currently conducted by the King Air. The first six RNZAF qualified flying instructors are due to commence their conversion to the T-6C in August, and the first four aircraft will be delivered by the end of this year.

CAE has also announced it has been awarded contracts to provide the RNZAF’s T-6C ground-based training system (GBTS) and services. GBTS is an integrated training system that includes two T-6C operational flight trainers (OFTs), computer-based classroom training systems, and courseware customised for RNZAF pilot training.

To this end, CAE has established CAE New Zealand to provide long-term training support and maintenance services at RNZAF Base Ohakea for the 11 T-6Cs.

The OFTs will include a high-fidelity replica of the T-6C cockpit with a fully-enclosed 270 degree by 70 degree field-of-view display system, and the CAE-developed common database which is an open database architecture that enhances the ability to correlate and rapidly update databases to support training and mission rehearsal requirements.

The T-6C GBTS will be delivered to Ohakea in 2015 and will be based alongside the aircraft. Pilot training at Ohakea is scheduled to commence in mid-2015 by which time all 11 aircraft will have been delivered.