First Production Boeing P-8A Completes First Flight

The first Boeing P-8A Poseidon production aircraft completed its first flight on July 7, taking off from Renton Field and landing three hours later at Boeing Field in Seattle. The P-8A is the first of six low-rate initial production (LRIP) aircraft Boeing is building for the U.S. Navy as part of a $1.6 billion contract awarded in January.

“This is the first P-8 that will go directly to the fleet in Jacksonville, Fla., so the aircraft’s first flight is an important milestone for the Boeing team and our Navy customer,” said Chuck Dabundo, Boeing vice president and P-8 program manager.

The Navy plans to purchase 117 of the Boeing Next-Generation 737-based P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.

“As the Navy’s replacement for the P-3 Orion, the P-8A Poseidon represents the next generation of maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft,” said Capt. Michael Moran, program manager for Naval Air Systems Command’s Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft program office.

This is the first P-8A to include a new CFM56-7BE engine configuration that is now standard on all delivered Next-Generation 737s. The configuration is an improved design that includes high- and low-pressure turbine modifications. Coupled with drag reduction improvements that Boeing started phasing into 737 production earlier this year, it will result in lower fuel consumption and maintenance cost savings.

Source: ASD News

AIRES 737-700’s crash land caused 1 fatality

Last Monday, an AIRES 737-700 plane crashed on landing at San Andres Island, leading to the death of one passenger.

The aircraft landed in the midst of a major storm according to the Aviation Safety Network. Photos of show the 737-700 aircraft split into three major sections but it appears that there was no extensive post-crash fire.

Pedro Gallardo, Governor of San Andres, said 130 of 131 passengers and crew survived with one passenger reportedly dying of a heart attack. While the governor’s comments and multiple reports placed the total number of passengers and crew at 131, the airline said the aircraft was carrying 121 passengers and six crewmembers.

According to AIRES, the flight took off from Bogota at 12:07 am and crashed at 1:49 am on the runway at ADZ. Thunderstorm activity was reported close to the airport at the time and Colombian Air Force Col. David Barrero said officials were investigating reports the aircraft had been hit by lightning.

According to the Aviation Safety Network, the CFM56-7B-powered 737 entered service in 2003 with EasyJet. AIRES took possession in March of this year. According to Reuters, Colombian Transportation Minister German Cardona told reporters that the plane had been inspected eight days earlier and found to be in good mechanical condition.

- atwonline.com

35 More 737s for American

American Airlines and Boeing announced that an additional 35 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft is being considered to be purchased by American Airlines.

A Boeing 737-800 of Ryanair

This is part of the ongoing fleet renewal plan by American Airlines. Their McDonnell Douglas MD-80s are going to be replaced with Next-Generation 737s. According to Boeing, the 737 is more fuel efficient on a seat-mile basis.

According to American Airlines Chief Commercial officer Virasb Vahidi, “The 737-800 provides additional amenities for our customers while helping to reduce our operating and fuel costs and lessen our impact on the environment.”  He added that “The 737 is a product that benefits all of American’s stakeholders and is a good fit for our current fleet renewal plans.”

McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft

The new orders build on an order for 84 737s which began its delivery in 2009. Currently, the airline expects to have a total of 195 737-800s in by the end of 2012.

The 737-800 is a stretched version of the -700 model. Aside from replacing  the MD-80, it is also used to replace the MD-90 and 727-200. This aircraft competes with Airbus’s A320.

Airbus A320 aircraft

-aviationnews.net

-wikipedia.org

Air China orders Twenty (20) 737-800s from Boeing

Last June 25, Air China has confirmed in a statement to the Shanghai Stock Exchange that an order for twenty (20) Boeing 737-800s will be delivered within 2013-2015.

It said the order is worth about $1.4 billion at list prices, but noted that it received “a significant price concession” from the manufacturer. The aircraft basic price comprises the airframe price, optional features prices and engine price. The aircraft basic price of the Boeing 737-800 in aggregate is about US$1.398 billion.

The aggregate consideration for the acquisition of Boeing Aircraft is payable by cash in installments.
The company said that the transaction will be funded through cash generated from its business operations, commercial bank loans and other financing instruments of the company.

Ryan Air's B737-800

The Boeing 737-800, the stretched version of the 737-700, was launched in 1994 and entered service in 1998. It can seat 162 passengers.

-atwonline.com

-rttnews.com

-wikipedia.org