Yesteryear

A decision regarding full-rate production is due in March.

Boeing announced on January 13 that it will cease production of the 717 airliner in 2006.

The 717 has been currently produced at a rate of 12-per-year and orders for 169 have been received with 137 delivered by the end of 2004.

The company said that the overall market for the 717 did not support the continuation of production beyond delivering current commitments.

Boeing announced on January 28 that it has given the 7E7 twin-engined long-range airliner the official designation of 787 Dreamliner, revealed in conjunction with the announcement of an order for 60 787s for six Chinese airlines.

The deal, which is yet to be finalised, is valued at US$7.

2 billion at list prices.

On January 25 Embraer announced the formal launch of new Advanced Range (AR) versions of the 190 and 195 models in its new E-Jet range of four models.

The 1,000th CRJ200 was rolled out by Bombardier on January 19.

By the end of 2004, 1,424 CRJ family aircraft had been ordered with 1,191 delivered.

Production will be reduced this year from 98 to 43 aircraft as a result of the impact from competing aircraft and reduced demand in the regional jet market.

Australia has become the launch customer for the Airbus A330-200 air-to-air refuelling tanker with the signing of a $1.

4bn contract by the Department of Defence with EADS CASA for the supply of five aircraft for delivery to the RAAF with deliveries to commence in late 2008.

The A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) will replace the Boeing 707 operated by 33 Squadron.

25 years ago

The Boeing 737 became the world’s most numerous airliner, surpassing the company’s 727, when the 1,833rd example came off the Renton, Washington production line on February 19.

The 737 will be owned by the Ansett Worldwide leasing company and leased to British Midlands.

The maiden flight of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11, N111MD, developed from the DC-10 took place from the company’s Long Beach, California facility on January 10, reaching speeds up to 300kt and 25,000ft altitude.

To date commitments have been received for 340 aircraft from 30 customers, of which 134 are firm orders.

Dan-Air marked the retirement of the Avro 748 from airline service when it flew G-ARAY, the oldest surviving example of the type, on a recent one-hour flight over Northern England from Manchester.

On board were 42 enthusiasts and staff from the airline, Manchester Airport and British Aerospace.

General Electric has announced the Lockheed F-117A Stealth fighter is powered by two GE F404-GE-F1D2 non-afterburning engines, derived from the F404-GE-400 powerplant fitted to the McDonnell Douglas F/A‑18 Hornet.

The first combat action undertaken by the F-117A took place in Panama in December 1989.

During 1989 Airbus Industrie received firm orders for 410 aircraft worth about US$29 billion plus options and purchasing intentions for another 159 aircraft, while 105 aircraft were delivered.

Milestones during the year were the 1,000th order on February 28 and the 500th A320 order on June 9.

The company has now received a total of 1,331 firm orders since it was formed.

American Airlines commenced Douglas DC-10-30 services to Sydney on February 2 and to Auckland on February 4.

50 years ago

The first Douglas DC-9, N9DC, had its maiden flight from Long Beach, California on February 25.

The aircraft proceeded to Edwards AFB, California where further testing will be carried out.

Orders have been received for 114 DC-9s plus a further 96 options.

Boeing will proceed with production of the short-haul 737 airliner following the receipt of an order for 21 from Lufthansa on February 19.

The 75-100 passenger 737 will have the same body width as all the larger Boeing airliners.

The two wing-mounted powerplants will be 14,000lb st Pratt & Whitney JT8Ds.

Qantas took delivery of VH-EBN City of Parramatta, the first of six Boeing 707-338Cs on order, at Seattle on February 13.

This version has a gross weight of 328,000lb compared with the 258,000lb gross weight of the present Qantas 707‑138Bs.

The first executive jet aircraft in Australia, Hawker Siddeley HS.

125 Series 1B VH-CAO, arrived in Melbourne on January 20 at the end of its delivery flight.

It was handed over to the Department of Civil Aviation on January 28 for use by the Department for a variety of tasks including navigational aid surveys and to give jet experience to DCA examiners.

The Boeing 727’s introduction into Australian airline service required the Department to have an aircraft which could fly on routes at representative speeds and heights.

The Minister for Defence, Senator Shane Paltridge, signed a defence agreement with US Defense Secretary, Robert McNamara, in Washington on February 10.

Included in the statement was a breakdown of equipment costs involving major aircraft purchases for the RAAF including 12 Lockheed C-130E Hercules – £14,732,157, 10 Lockheed P-3A Orions – £17,857,160, and for the RAN, 14 Grumman S-2E Trackers – £12,500,012.