Bombardier’s Learjet 85 aircraft successfully completed its first flight, achieving a major milestone in a business aircraft development program that will redefine the midsize segment. This first flight marks the start of the Learjet 85 aircraft’s flight test program leading up to the first customer delivery. During its maiden flight which lasted approximately 2 hours
IAE International Aero Engines has signed an exclusive, 10-year V-Services Fleet Hour Agreement (FHA) with Cathay Pacific Airways to manage 48 V2500 engines operated by its wholly owned subsidiary Dragonair. The agreement will cover installed engines on 15 A320ceos and seven A321ceos, in addition to four spare engines.
Rolls-Royce has started assembly of the first higher-thrust version of the Trent XWB which will exclusively power the Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. The Trent XWB-97, a 97,000lb-thrust version of the engine, will run for the first time later this year, with first flight scheduled for the end of 2016 and entry into service in 2017. The
The new Airbus A350 XWB has made its first ever landing on British soil, visiting Cotswold Airport in Gloucestershire as part of routine certification tests. The aircraft, MSN3, was flown by London-born experimental test pilot, Frank Chapman, and is one of the four A350 test aircraft currently flying and undergoing rigorous testing in preparation for
IAE International Aero Engines has awarded Volaris, a low-cost airline based in Mexico, the Pure-V designation for V2500 engines currently powering its 46 A320ceo family aircraft. Volaris recently selected the V2500 engine to power its order for an additional 14 A320ceo aircraft. The order included engines, spares and aftermarket services. IAE also awarded Avianca the
Regional Express (Rex) has purchased 18 latest generation Saab 340Bplus aircraft which came off lease on March 25th, 2014. These aircraft were part of the 25 aircraft it had on lease and the other seven were purchased earlier at their lease expiry on July 1st, 2013. The acquisition was partly funded by Rex’s operating cash
MTU Maintenance is introducing new aftermarket services for mature aircraft engines under the name MTUPlus Mature Engine Solutions. The services are being launched in response to current market needs and are targeted at both airlines and lessors. MTUPlus Mature Engine Solutions are fully customized and can offer considerable savings potential. The modular set-up of MTUPlus
The V2500 engine program reached a new operational milestone when two first-run V2527-A5 engines powering TAM’s A320ceo aircraft remained on wing without a shop visit for nearly 20,000 cycles and 30,000 flight hours. The engines – V12339 and V12341, rated at 27,000 pounds of thrust, are estimated to have each flown in excess of 9.5
Skymark Airlines’ first A380 has successfully made its maiden flight, following completion of the airframe assembly and system tests in Toulouse, France. The carrier’s A380 will be entering the next phase of production, covering cabin installation and painting at Hamburg, Germany. Skymark Airlines will become the first A380 operator in Japan when it takes delivery
The establishment of a joint venture between MTU Aero Engines and Japan-based Sumitomo Corporation has now been approved by the relevant competition authorities. MTU Maintenance Lease Services B.V., based in Amsterdam’s World Trade Center, will provide airlines, MROs and lessors with comprehensive engine solutions which span the entire lifecycle of an aircraft engine with focus
