Boeing's revolutionary aircraft flies

by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 28 July 2007

BOEING Phantom Works, Boeing Aircraft Company's R & D unit, launched its research X-48B plane which featured a unique Blended Wing Body (BWB) design. The revolutinary craft took off on its maiden flight 20 July 2007 from California's Edwards Air Force Base.

During the successful flight, lasting 31 minutes, X-48B climbed to 7,500 feet.

The pilotless X-48B, measuring 21 feet wingtip-to-wingtip, looked like a giant stingray with three rear overhead-mounted engines. The engines' location meant less cabin noise and ground noise pollution during flight.

The BWB airframe design centred on both wings seamlessly fused with a broad flat fin-less fuselage. Radically different from the conventional wing-and-cylindrical fuselage, this resulted in more lift, less drag and therefore more fuel-efficient at cruising altitude.

A back-up X-48B is currently used for wind-tunnel studies.

Both X-48B craft, a collaboration among Boeing, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the USAF Research Laboratory, were built by Cranfield Aerospace in Bedford, England.

PHOTO: Boeing Aircraft Corporation Copyright © 2007 AIRMENews*. All rights reserved.

A380 mega private jet for the super-rich

by Derek Yeo - LE BOURGET - 21 June 2007

SALES Director John Leahy of Airbus SAS revealed yesterday, the third day of the International Paris Air Show, an order for what must be the "mother" of private jets for the rich and famous: an Airbus A380.

Mr Leahy, however, did not disclose the buyer's identity, who was believed to be Middle-Eastern.

Although the mega-jet's delivery date was unknown, fitting of the aircraft interior was estimated to take more than a year.

The standard A380, without cabin customisation, would cost the mysterious splurger more than a cool US$300 million. Its conversion work - inclusive of three bedrooms and a dining room - could add another US$150 million to its price-tag.

According to Lufthansa Technik, the German company specializing in customising big jets for personal use, some 20 Boeing B747s worldwide have been converted into private jetliners. Technik's Director of Communications Aage Duenhaupt said, "Buyers are rich individuals or governments and mostly situated in the Middle East.

Operating the massive A380, however, poses logistical challenges for private operators. Now, only a handful of airports around the globe are capable of handling the A380: Singapore's Changi, Paris Orly, London's Heathrow, Sydney's Kingsford-Smith, Frankfurt and San Francisco.

Copyright © 2007 AIRMENews*. All rights reserved.

Asia's largest airshow's on schedule

by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 12 June 2007

"BOEING is confident that the Singapore Airshow will continue Singapore’s proud tradition of hosting one of the world’s premier air shows. Based on the plans we have seen, we believe that the new state-of-the-art exhibition facilities in Changi will allow exhibitors to better showcase aircraft and other products while also provide greater accessibility for thousands of trade visitors. This can only raise the attractiveness of Singapore’s air show and help it to become more successful in years to come."

A STRONG endorsement, indeed, from Boeing Company's Vice-President (Asia-Pacific) Douglas Miller.

Eight months from now, the biggest airshow in Asia - the Singapore Airshow 2008 - will take off. The aviation extravaganza at a new purpose-built, 24-hectare venue is scheduled from 19 - 24 February.

The new Changi Exhibition Centre in Changi North off Changi Coast Road promises a bigger and better show than the last one, Asian Aerospace 2006.

Already, more than 90% of exhibition space for the 2008 event has been booked. Singapore Airshow's management expects all available slots left to be taken up by end 2007.

The joint-partners behind the biennial show, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Defence Science and Technology Agency, have the support of other partners and sponsors. Among the latter are some big names in the industry: the Boeing Company, Singapore Airlines, Breitling and Aviation & Space Weekly. Singaporean supporters include the Straits Times, Economic Development Board, International Enterprise Singapore and Spring Singapore.

As in previous shows, the anchor exhibitor - Singapore Technologies Aerospace - will showcase the best on the Singapore aviation scene.

The new show venue debuts with:

1. A static display park - 90,000 square metre in area - designed specially for aircraft display.
2. An indoor cooled exhibition hall - 40,000 square metre in area - equipped with the latest technologies.
3. An outdoor picnic park for spectators viewing aerial displays and aerobatics.
4. An improved registration and security check system to screen visitors and introduction of a secured buffer zone.
5. A new airport taxiway linking the static display park to the runways. This provides easier access for aircraft taking part in flight displays.
6. A 2000-lot carpark.
7. Two hundred chalets for exhibitors and their staff.
8. A viewing platform for aerial displays.
9. A display area for air and surface defence equipment.

In 1981,the first air exhibition in the present biennial series opened at Paya Lebar Airport. Since then, it has showcased the most advanced aerospace equipment and systems in the world's third largest airshow where international military and civilian aviation companies, equipment makers, suppliers and procurers meet and do business.

Perhaps Singapore Technologies Engineering's President and CEO Tan Pheng Hock best summed up the Singapore Airshow 2008 in these words:

"This is an important international air show held on homeground. As a Singaporean company, it is the perfect platform to showcase all our technologies and capabilities at one show, right here on our doorstep".

For, trade and visitor enquiries, please click on singaporeairshow.com.sg in the side-bar on the left. Alternatively, enquirers may email sales@singaporeairshow.com.sg or call +65 6542 8660 or fax +65 6546 6062.

LATEST! On 19 June 2007, Singapore Airshow Pte Ltd, the company managing Asia's largest airshow revealed that more than 95% of the total exhibition space has been booked. The company is considering increasing the space by another 2,500 square metres.

Copyright © 2007 AIRMENews*. All rights reserved.

US air force receives new Globemaster

by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 1 June 2007


THE UNITED States Air Force yesterday received its 165th C-17 Globemaster III from the Boeing Company.

USAF's 436th Airlift Wing, based at Dover in Delaware, plans to take delivery of the new airlifter - named the "Spirit of the Constitution" - at an official ceremony on 4 June 2007. General Duncan J McNabb of the USAF Air Mobility Command will officiate at the event, after piloting the C-17 to Dover from the Boeing's facility at Long Beach, California.

By 2008, another 12 Globemaster IIIs will join 436th Airlift Wing.

The Globemaster III is highly suited for operations in unprepared terrain in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq. It is designed for swift deployment under all weather conditions. Thus, making it the ideal means for the rapid movement of troops, supplies and equipment; and for humanitarian missions.


Copyright © 2007 AIRMENews*. All rights reserved.

Singapore's A380 pilots win pay arbitration

by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 25 May 2007

SINGAPORE Airlines' A380 pilots today received a big nod from the Industrial Arbitration Court, in their case against SIA's management for a higher salary than their B747-400 counterparts.**

Through their professional union, Airlines Pilots Association - Singapore, they had argued that the bigger capacity Airbus justified their case.

SIA disagreed. The airline argued that the Airbus pilots should be paid less because the A380 is easier to fly than the Boeing plane.

The court ruled in the union's favour; further, it determined that a A380 captain's minimum pay should be set at S$10,700 - S$700 more than that for B747-400 captains.

The court's ruling in favour of ALPA-S notwithstanding, the IAC neither backed the union's position nor the airline's stance. The court also hoped that the case would not damage the cordial working relationship existing between both parties.

A happy President of ALPA-S, Captain P James, expressed satisfaction over the verdict. Although the union had fought for a pay margin of $1000 between the Airbus and Boeing pilots, he was pleased with the S$700 awarded. It amounted to more than two-thirds of what the union asked for.

** Note: See commentary dated 29 April 2007 by DEREK YEO

Copyright © 2007 AIRMENews. All rights reserved.