Boeing and ANA to Conduct 787 Service Readiness Validation in Japan

-The first time the 787 will fly to Asia and Japan

TOKYO, May 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and ANA today announced how the two companies will work together to help prove the 787 Dreamliner's readiness to enter service on a commercial basis. Using the second flight test aircraft, known as ZA002, they will simulate in-service operations across several airports in Japan in a service ready operational validation. The validation is expected to take place the week of July 4. Anticipated city pairs include trips between Haneda Airport in Tokyo and airports in Osaka (Itami and Kansai), Okayama and Hiroshima.

This will be the 787's maiden appearance in Japan. ANA is the launch customer for the aircraft and has 55 Dreamliners on order. The 787, which will be deployed across the ANA route network, is an integral part of ANA's strategy to strengthen its position and support its growth and expansion plans.

"ANA is eager to introduce the innovative 787 Dreamliner to Japan," said Shinichiro Ito, ANA president and chief executive officer. "Giving our employees the opportunity to gain experience with the airplane will help ensure a smoother entry into service later this year."

"We've put the airplane through its paces in a rigorous flight test program," said Scott Fancher, vice president and general manager of the 787 program. "Now, as we get closer to first delivery, we'll prove out its capabilities and reliability in a revenue-like environment."

ANA's maintenance crews also will practice maintenance and servicing of the 787 during the validation. This will include typical ground servicing activities, fit checks of airplane jacks and maintenance hangar stands, towing and refueling the airplane, and other routine maintenance operations. Watch this video to see how Boeing and ANA are planning for the validation.

Similar service ready validations have been conducted with great success on previous Boeing programs, including the 777, 737NG and 757-300.

Boeing plans to deliver the first 787 to ANA in the August to September timeframe.

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First Airbus Military A330 MRTT leaves on delivery flight to Australia

The first Airbus Military A330 MRTT new generation tanker/transport for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has left Madrid at 10h00 local time on its ferry flight to Australia.

Designated the KC-30A in RAAF service, the aircraft is scheduled to arrive at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland on Monday 30 May, and to be formally handed over to the customer in the next few days.

On its ferry flight, the A330 MRTT is being flown by Airbus Military and RAAF crews, and will transit via McCarran (Nevada) and Hickam (Hawaii) in the USA.

The aircraft is the second converted by Qantas Defence Services in Brisbane, which was returned to Madrid for painting and finishing. It will be joined by the second aircraft for the RAAF in June, and two further aircraft later in the year. The fifth and final aircraft ordered by the RAAF, which arrived in Brisbane for conversion a few days ago, will be delivered next year.

The arrival of the aircraft at RAAF Amberley follows an extensive development and test programme for what is the world's only certified and flying new generation tanker/transport aircraft. Civil Supplemental Type Certificate was obtained in March 2010, and the military certification in October.

In RAAF service the A330 MRTT will be equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, the fly-by-wire Airbus Military Aerial Refuelling Boom System (ARBS), and a Universal Aerial Refuelling Receptacle Slipway Installation (UARRSI) enabling it to be refuelled from another tanker. It is powered by two General Electric CF6-80E engines. It is equipped with a comprehensive defensive aids suite (DAS) and fitted with 270 passenger seats.

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El primer A330 MRTT de Airbus Military parte a Australia en vuelo de entrega

(Nota de prensa de Airbus Military, 27 de Mayo 2011)

El primer Airbus Military A330 MRTT, un avión cisterna de transporte de nueva generación destinado a la Real Fuerza Aérea de Australia (RAAF), ha despegado hoy de Madrid en vuelo de entrega rumbo a aquel país a las 10.00 horas, hora local.

Está previsto que el aparato -cuya designación de tipo por parte de la RAAF es KC-30A- llegue a la base de la RAAF de Amberley (Queensland) el lunes 30 de mayo y que su entrega formal al cliente tenga lugar pocos días después.

El vuelo de ferry hará escala en los EE.UU., en la base de McCarran (Nevada) y de Hickham (Hawai). Su tripulación está compuesta por miembros de Airbus Military y la RAAF.

Este avión es el segundo convertido por Qantas Defence Services en Brisbane, que volvió a Madrid para trabajos de pintura y acabado. En junio se le unirá el segundo avión para la RAAF y unos meses más tarde, en este mismo año, dos aviones más. El quinto y último aparato encargado por la RAAF -que llegó a Brisbane para los trabajos de conversión hace unos días- será entregado en 2012.

La llegada de la aeronave a la base de Amberley es el resultado de un exhaustivo programa de desarrollo y pruebas del único modelo de cisterna/transporte de nueva generación que ya está certificado y volando. El Certificado Suplementario Civil de Tipo se obtuvo en marzo de 2010 y la certificación militar en octubre del mismo año.

En la RAAF, el MRTT irá equipado con dos góndolas de reabastecimiento bajo las alas, con la pértiga de repostaje en vuelo (ARBS) de Airbus Military y con un receptáculo universal de reabastecimiento (UARRSI) que le faculta a su vez para recibir en vuelo combustible de otro avión cisterna. El aparato está propulsado por dos motores General Electric CF6-80E. Asimismo, está equipado con un exhaustivo Conjunto de Ayudas Defensivas (DAS), además de asientos para 270 pasajeros.