New Boeing 777X Completes Successful First Flight


The new Boeing (NYSE: BA) 777X jetliner took to the skies today, entering the next phase of its rigorous test program. Based on the popular 777 and with proven technologies from the 787 Dreamliner, the 777X took off in front of thousands at Paine Field in Everett, Washington, at 10:09 a.m. local time for a three hour, 51 minute flight over Washington state before landing at Seattle's Boeing Field.

"The 777X flew beautifully, and today's testing was very productive," said Capt. Van Chaney, 777/777X chief pilot for Boeing Test & Evaluation. "Thank you to all the teams who made today possible. I can't wait to go fly your airplane again."

Capt. Chaney and Boeing Chief Pilot Craig Bomben worked through a detailed test plan to exercise the airplane's systems and structures while the test team in Seattle monitored the data in real time.

"Our Boeing team has taken the most successful twin-aisle jet of all time and made it even more efficient, more capable and more comfortable for all," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Today's safe first flight of the 777X is a tribute to the years of hard work and dedication from our teammates, our suppliers and our community partners in Washington state and across the globe."

The first of four dedicated 777-9 flight test airplanes, WH001 will now undergo checks before resuming testing in the coming days. The test fleet, which began ground testing in Everett last year, will endure a comprehensive series of tests and conditions on the ground and in the air over the coming months to demonstrate the safety and reliability of the design.

The newest member of Boeing's market-leading widebody family, the 777X will deliver 10 percent lower fuel use and emissions and 10 percent lower operating costs than the competition through advanced aerodynamics, the latest generation carbon-fiber composite wing and the most advanced commercial engine ever built, GE Aviation's GE9X.

The new 777X also combines the best of the passenger-preferred 777 and 787 Dreamliner cabins with new innovations to deliver the flight experience of the future. Passengers will enjoy a wide, spacious cabin, large overhead bins that close easily for convenient access to their belongings, larger windows for a view from every seat, better cabin altitude and humidity, less noise and a smoother ride.

Boeing expects to deliver the first 777X in 2021. The program has won 340 orders and commitments from leading carriers around the world, including ANA, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines. Since its launch in 2013, the 777X family has outsold the competition nearly 2 to 1.

About the Boeing 777X Family

The 777X includes the 777-8 and the 777-9, the newest members of Boeing's market-leading widebody family.

Seat Count:                             777-8: 384 passengers
(typical 2-class)                       777-9: 426 passengers

Engine:                                    GE9X, supplied by GE Aviation

Range:                                    777-8: 8,730 nautical miles (16,170 km)
                                                777-9: 7,285 nautical miles (13,500 km)

Wingspan:                               Extended: 235 ft, 5 in. (71.8 m)
                                                On ground: 212 ft, 8 in (64.8 m)

Length:                                    777-8: 229 ft (69.8 m)
                                                777-9: 251 ft, 9 in (76.7 m)    

For more information, please visit www.boeing.com/777X.


UAVOS's Robinson Unmanned Helicopter Extends Application Range


UAVOS has announced that it has unveiled its converted Robinson manned helicopter into unmanned aircraft R-22 as a cargo and farthest range delivery drone. It features a payload capacity of 180 kilograms or 400 pounds and a travel distance of up to 1020 km.

R-22 unmanned helicopter is designed for both cargo delivery and humanitarian / disaster relief applications. Failure to deliver vital equipment under austere operating conditions and timelines can incur substantial fiscal costs, making Robinson's all weather capabilities particularly valuable. This also opens up new possibilities for safely and efficiently transporting goods in a variety of industries.

Another is the disaster relief mission – where R-22 can bring food, fuel, water, supplies, medicine, communications and even electrical power to areas that are hard-hit by natural or man-made disasters.

The specific advantages that heavy-lift cargo R-22 unmanned helicopter represents:
  • Due to its long endurance capability (6 hours), and ability to operate in harsh weather conditions, in both land and maritime environments, the R-22 is a perfect solution for delivery missions;
  • ability to operate in high winds, during weather-related disasters, and night operations;
  • carry a cargo load of up to 180 kilograms or 400 pound;
  • cargo dropping at specified location. R-22 can be used in numerous missions and scenarios requiring cargo delivery such as providing lifesaving measures (communication device, a bottle of water, floating device, etc.) in search and rescue (S&R) missions, dropping of essential material such as drugs in an epidemic situation, etc.;
  • cargo delivery to the most remote parts of the Earth.
  • transporting goods taken from a large cargo aircraft. That allows for a "pop-up" distribution center at an airport, where our R-22 can land, cargo handlers can unload the cargo and then R-22 backs haul cargo to the main logistics base transporting goods taken from a large cargo aircraft;
  • all terrain capable.

Specifications of the Robinson UAS platform include:
Takeoff and landing: fully automatic
Level surface: 15x15 m
Maximum cruising speed: 160 km/h
Payload with full fuel tank: 40 kg
Max. takeoff weight: 635 kg
Operational range: 1020 km
Endurance: 6 h
Service ceiling: 4200 km



Related:

EASA Set To Publish Accepted Means of Compliance Proposals for eVTOL Certification

In mid-February, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) expects to publish proposals on the accepted means of compliance for new electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft aiming for type certification under its new Special Conditions VTOL rules. At the same time, it will begin a public consultation on a Special Condition regulation for electric and hybrid propulsion systems used by these aircraft. continue reading…
https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2020-01-24/easa-set-publish-accepted-means-compliance-proposals-evtol-certification

Saab Starts Production in Support of U.S. Air Force T-7A Programme



Saab started assembly production on January 10, 2020 of its section of the T-7A aircraft, the advanced trainer developed and produced together with Boeing for the United States Air Force.

Saab is responsible for the development and production of the aft fuselage section for the advanced trainer, with seven aft units being produced in Linköping, Sweden for final assembly at Boeing's U.S. facility in St. Louis, Missouri.

 "In little over a year since we signed the EMD contract, we are starting production of our part of the T-7A jet. This achievement is possible due to the great collaboration between Saab and Boeing, and it is an honour to be part of this programme for the United States Air Force," says Jonas Hjelm, head of Saab business area Aeronautics.

The work is being performed in Linkoping, Sweden, after which future production of Saab's part for the T-7A will be moved to our new U.S. site in West Lafayette, Indiana.

The Saab facility in West Lafayette is an important part of Saab's growth strategy in the United States, creating strong organic capabilities for the development, manufacturing and sales of its products.

Boeing is the designated prime contractor for the T-7A advanced pilot training system acquisition by the U.S. Air Force. Saab and Boeing developed the aircraft with Saab as a risk-sharing partner. Saab received the EMD order from Boeing, on September 18, 2018.


An Iranian passenger plane skidded off the runway onto a city street-- and nobody was hurt

An Iranian passenger plane skidded off the runway onto a city ...

CNN International-
Photos and videos from the scene on Monday in the Iranian city of Mahshahr show the Caspian Airlines plane grounded in the middle of the ...
Plane skids off runway in SW Iran, no injuries
International-Mehr News Agency - English Version-