Boeing continues to Improve 737 MAX performance

By BA Staff

The Boeing 737 MAX program continues to make steady development progress since reaching Firm Configuration on the 737 MAX 8 in July.

Engineers have completed an assessment of the airplane's performance confirming an additional 1% fuel-efficiency improvement over the 13% already promised to customers.

Keith Leverkuhn, vice president and general manager, 737 MAX program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes said:

"Program and airplane performance just continues to improve. We have been very disciplined in our approach and continue to realize more benefit for our customers as we retire risk on the program and get further into development. This recent fuel-efficiency gain will widen the performance gap in the single-aisle market, reinforcing the 737 MAX's position as the value leader."

The 737 MAX will feature several new systems that will improve the management of maintenance information. For example, some Built-In Test Equipment (BITE) information will be brought into the flight deck. Today, maintenance technicians access this fault data in the forward electronic equipment bay of the airplane. By bringing this data up to the flight deck, maintenance issues can be resolved faster.

The MAX also will include an enhanced onboard network system comprised of a digital flight data acquisition unit (eDFDAU) and network file server (NFS). These systems will provide a centralized data collection system with more storage capacity, doubling the maintenance data available during flight. The system will be capable of connecting the airplane in flight to airplane operations on the ground enabling airlines to better prepare for potential dispatch issues.

Michael Teal, chief project engineer, 737 MAX said:

"We are enhancing the capability of the 737 MAX to meet the future needs of a digital world. Recognizing that the Next-Generation 737 is already the most reliable single-aisle airplane with 99.7 percent of flights departing on time, we are being very deliberate about any changes we make to the airplane systems on the 737 MAX to make the airplane even easier to operate and maintain. Through careful testing and selective application on the Next-Generation 737 before MAX enters service, we can ensure these systems are ready to enhance the management of our customers' fleets." 

Some of these systems such as the eDFDAU and NFS are under development for initial delivery on the Next-Generation 737 prior to the 737 MAX. Many of these systems were tested during the 737 ecoDemonstrator program last year, showing the value they will provide to airlines operating the 737 MAX.

Engineers continue to make progress on the detailed design of the airplane. Recently the team completed the Firm Systems Definition, which defines the hardware locations for the systems on the airplane.

Leverkuhn said:

"Throughout the design process we'll continue to look for opportunities to improve operational performance, schedule and cost for our customers. We are on track for first delivery of the 737 MAX in the third quarter of 2017."

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CFM commences A320neo LEAP-1A engine certification with test run

by BA Staff

In a major milestone for the Airbus A320neo (new engine option) family jetliners, CFM International, kicked off its engine certification programme for its LEAP-1A turbofan engine which will power the new aircraft.

CFM LEAP-1A turbofan for A320neo on the GE test rig. Photo courtesy Airbus S.A.S.

The engine conglomerate conducted the first run of the engine at GE’s Peebles, Ohio outdoor test facility. The engine performed as expected and reached full take-off thrust, during these initial evaluations.

CFM's LEAP-1A along with Pratt & Whitney’s PurePower PW1100G-JM Geared Turbofan are the two new engine options being offered for the new variant of the A320 narrow body family. Boeing offers the 737 MAX as competition.

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The Airbus A350 XWB journey - behind the scenes videos

by Devesh Agarwal

Ahead of the first flight of the Airbus A350 XWB a set of videos from Airbus which gives us behind the scenes explanations on some aspects of the aircraft design, development, testing, manufacturing, and hand-over to the flight testing crew who will fly the aircraft today.

Like the Boeing 787, the A350 XWB heavily relies on composite materials to lighten the airplane. This video explains the use of composites in the A350. It is largely in French so you will have to follow the sub-titles.



The Final Assembly Line (FAL) is where all A350 airframes are built including the MSN (Manufacturer's Serial Number) 5000 series which were used for static testing on the ground, and MSN001 which will fly later today, god willing, weather permitting.



Prior to any form of flight, the airframe is tortured using special static testing rigs. Observe how the wing is flexed to a deflection of over 5.3 metres (17.38 ft), that is almost two floors of a building.



The first flyable prototype MSN001 is fitted with the Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, the most powerful engine mounted on any Airbus airframe till date. Even more powerful than the Trent 900 engines on the A380; but then the A380 is powered by four engines, while the A350 is a twin jet.



The A350 XWB MSN001 is painted for flight.



After the first flyable prototype MSN001 is assembled, the manufacturing team turns the aircraft over to the flight test team, which accepts responsibility of the aircraft on behalf of the Engineering Division at Airbus. The flight test team then readies the aircraft and tests prior to the first flight.



MSN001 does not contain much of a passenger cabin. It is filled with mountains of test equipment.



The engines on MSN001 are powered up for the first time.



Fernando Alonso, who shares his name with the world champion Formula 1 Ferrari driver, joined Airbus in 1982 and is the head of Airbus Flight and Integration Test Centre. He will lead the flight test activities for Airbus.



Watch the A350 XWB first flight live.

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Video: First A350 XWB undergoes slow speed taxi testing, first Rolls Royce Trent XWB engine start-up

The A350 XWB program appears to be moving along well towards the first flight of this new aircraft soon.

Here is some video of the first taxi tests of MSN1. Below is an official video from the Airbus channel showing the first start of the massive Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines. The white smoke emanates from the engine as the protective layer of oil on various components is burnt off as the engine starts up for the first time and heats up.

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First Airbus A350XWB 'MSN1' enters functional testing

European air-framer Airbus S.A.S. has completed the main structural assembly and system connection of the first A350 XWB aircraft ‘MSN1’, which is also the first flight-test aircraft of this new series.

The aircraft pictured moved out of the main assembly hall (Station 40) at A350 XWB Final Assembly Line in Toulouse, France. It then entered the adjacent indoor ground test area (Station 30).

At Station 30, the programme will start by testing the aircraft's hydraulic system, followed by the full electric and hydraulic power-on of the aircraft which is expected to the completed by the end of this year, after which the airframe will start several weeks of comprehensive functional system testing.

After the A350 XWB MSN1 exits station 30, the aircraft will go through a series of extensive production and certification and development tests, be painted, and then have its massive Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines installed.

It is expected to be delivered to the flight-line and be readied for its first flight in mid-2013.

In related news, Qatar Airways, the launch customer of the A350XWB, has endorsed the larger versions of the aircraft and amended its the make-up of its existing firm order for 80 A350s, 20 A350-800s, 40 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s, to 43 A350-900s and thirty seven 37 A350-1000s.

As per Wikipedia, the A350-900 is the first A350 model and seats 314 passengers in a 3-class cabin 9-abreast layout. It has a standard design range target of 15,000 km (8,100 nm). The A350-800 will seat 270 passengers in a 3-class with a 9-abreast layout. It is designed to compete with the Boeing 787-9 and to directly replace the Airbus A330-200. The A350-1000 is expected to enter service after the -800. It will seat 350 passengers in a 3-class cabin 9-abreast layout, and is designed to compete with the Boeing 777-300ER and replace the Airbus A340-600.

The A350-1000 will feature a slightly larger wing than the -800/900 models; a trailing-edge extension increasing its area by 4%. This will extend the high-lift devices and the ailerons, making the chord bigger by around 400 mm, optimising flap lift performance as well as cruise performance.

What are your thoughts on the new A350XWB. We definitely like the new sharper nose, which is a sharp departure from the bulbous noses of the A320 and the A380.

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