Russian-Chinese wide-body: background and outlook

By Bjorn Fehrm Subscription required. Introduction August 21, 2016, ©. Leeham Co: The discussions around a joint Russian and Chinese development of a 250-300 seat wide-body has been going on for years. The project got a more concrete form… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: LED runway lighting causes problems

August 19, 2016, ©. Leeham Co: I described in my Corner from 5th of August how a forward looking IR camera could add Enhanced Vision capabilities to a pilot’s tools for safe landings. The camera can pick up the… Read More

Boeing receives first contracts for KC-46A production

Aug. 18, 2016: Boeing received the first two contracts for production of the KC-46A aerial refueling tanker, the company announced. From the press release:

ExIm remains blocked by one US Senator

Subscription Required Introduction Aug. 18, 2016, © Leeham Co.  The US Congress reauthorized the ExIm Bank after a long effort to kill the institution. But the Bank remains out of business for transactions for more than $10m. This… Read More

Weekly analyst report: Hold on Bombardier

Aug. 17, 2016: Bombardier’s first-half orders from Air Canada and Delta Air Lines for the C Series helped, but didn’t eliminate skeptics. Canadian securities firm GMP issued a note Aug. 5 (though we received it only Aug. 12)… Read More

WTO near decisions on Airbus, Boeing compliance

Reuters reports that the World Trade Organization (WTO) is nearing decisions on whether Airbus and Boeing complied with previous rulings to fix subsidies the WTO found were illegal in the production of their commercial airliners. In the meantime,… Read More

What’s happened to the VLA sector?

Subscription Required Introduction Aug. 15, 2016, © Leeham Co.: Boeing says it may discontinue the 747 program. Airbus put the A380neo on indefinite hold. Qantas Airways says it doesn’t want its last eight orders. The OEM will reduce… Read More

Pontifications: Mitsubishi ramping up flight testing for MRJ

Aug. 15, 2016, © Leeham Co.: Mitsubishi Aircraft Corp. (MAC) is about to dramatically ramp up its flight testing of the MRJ-90. Media has been alerted to an all-day event next month, complete with a tour of the… Read More

Boeing KC-46A cleared for production

Aug. 14, 2016: The Pentagon cleared Boeing’s KC-46A aerial refueling tanker for Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) after the aircraft completed Milestone C refueling tests. All that remains now is for the US Air Force and Boeing to… Read More

Bjorn’s corner; Runway safety systems

August 11, 2016, ©. Leeham Co: I recently wrote about the need for Synthetic Vision and other aids to increase the situational awareness of commercial pilots. I asked the OEMs what their plans were for such aids. One OEM… Read More