Australian magazine profile on KC-30A delays

Update, Feb. 15: at the request of the magazine, we have delinked the article. Here is a synopsis; the magazine reports: The delay is now 27 months, with deliveries hoped for in March; Writing comprehensive technical manuals for… Read More

Odds and Ends: Leahy staying, not going; tanker and other things

We posted an item Friday that normally would have waited until this edition of Odds and Ends, but the news that John Leahy might leave Airbus next year couldn’t wait. Aviation Week broke the story. But we spoke… Read More

First 747-8I rolled out

Boeing rolled out the first 747-8I Sunday (Feb. 13) in pomp and ceremonies that were foregone with the rollout a few years ago of the freighter version. Here is some of the news coverage: Seattle Times Seattle PI… Read More

Leahy may leave Airbus next year

This is too good to hold for our Odds-and-Ends Monday. Aviation Week reports John Leahy may leave Airbus next year. Update, Feb. 13: The link is dead but here is the relevant portion of the article; the cached… Read More

Slow down on “797” launch

The news agencies are buzzing with stories that Boeing CEO gave the go-ahead for a new replacement for the 737. This isn’t what we said and what he did say is not new. Do a Google News search… Read More

PNAA: Split buy is only solution for tanker buy

Day 2 of the PNAA conference: Richard Aboulafia, consultant of The Teal Group, said that a split buy is the only way the USAF will be able to procure the KC-X tanker. Aboulafia said the decision no longer… Read More

PNAA conference: EADS likely to win tanker contest

We’re at Day 1 of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance conference in Lynnwood (WA) and at the Defense Focus Day co-organized by the Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition, consultant Michel Merluzeau of G2 Solutions (Kirkland, WA) predicted EADS will… Read More

Budget impasse hits tanker funding

We wondered about this months ago and sure enough, there is yet another twist in the KC-X competition: Congressional dithering on the budget means there isn’t (as yet) funding for the tanker procurement that is needed this year…. Read More

Odds and Ends: 787 production up to 15/mo

It’s the best-selling airliner in decades before launch, but the it became an embarrassment of riches for Boeing once the delays for the 787 kicked in. Customers face delays of more than three years for delivery and Boeing… Read More

Boeing suggests long life for 767

Boeing rolled out the 1,000th 767 Wednesday (Feb. 2) and BCA CEO Jim Albaugh suggested there is a longer life for the airplane even if the USAF doesn’t choose the KC-767 for its next tanker. Dominic Gates has… Read More