Leeham News and Analysis
There's more to real news than a news release.
Bjorn’s Corner: Fly by steel or electrical wire, Part 12
October 11, 2019, ©. Leeham News: In our series about classical flight controls (“fly by steel wire”) and Fly-By-Wire (FBW or “fly by electrical wire”) we continue our discussion of pitch stability augmentation systems when we have a mechanical (“fly by steel wire”) pitch control system.
Figure 1. The typical pitch moment curve of a modern airliner. Source: Leeham Co.
Embraer’s E195-E2 or Airbus A220-300 under 150 seats? Part 4
By Bjorn Fehrm
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Introduction
October 10, 2019, ©. Leeham News: We have over the last weeks analyzed what aircraft to choose for the segment 120 to 150 seats, comparing Embraer’s E195-E2 with Airbus A220-300.
After looking at fundamental data, drag data and fuel consumption and other costs for the aircraft, it’s now time to summarize the series by looking at what route networks the aircraft are suitable for.
Summary:
- The E195-E2 and A220-300 address the segment market segment under 150 seats.
- They have similarities but also differences.
- These differences have made an early adopter operate both types over different types of networks.
Europe’s Regional airlines meet in Antibes, Cotes d’Azur.
By Bjorn Fehrm
October 9, 2018, ©. Leeham News, Antibes France: The European Airlines Association, ERA, gathered 44 of its 51 member airlines in Antibes France, today for the first day of its 2019 General Assembly meeting.
LNA participated in the event for the first time and we found an impressive gathering of airline and airport representatives, aircraft OEMs and support businesses discussing the challenges facing the European regional air transport market.
Norway’s Wideroe, the launch customer for Embraer’s E-Jet E2 is one of the airlines present.
Boeing’s 737 in another pickle, Part 2
By Bjorn Fehrm
October 8, 2019, ©. Leeham News: The FAA Air Worthiness Directive (AD) for high time Boeing 737 NGs regarding cracked rear pickle forks was issued Thursday last week.
Boeing had a call with 737 NG operators today giving the latest information regarding the cracks. Of the 500 first inspected aircraft, 5% had cracks. These aircraft are now grounded. Boeing is setting up repair lines with the US line starting work on the first NG this week. The expected repair time is three weeks for the first aircraft.
Figure 1. The rear pickle forks carrying the main loads from the wing to the fuselage crack near the rear wing spar. Source: Leeham Co.
Amazon, a new challenge for FedEx and UPS
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Now open for all readers.
By Vincent Valery
Introduction
Oct. 7, 2019, © Leeham News: Amazon’s moves into ACMI air service, a dramatic construction of an air freight operation and entering ground delivery services threatens FedEx and UPS.
Although UPS last week beat Amazon to the punch with approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for drone-based package deliveries, Amazon was first to advance the idea.
FedEx canceled its contracts with Amazon as the latter moved into ground delivery. FedEx revenues have fallen sharply in recent months.
Summary
- Growing Amazon footprint in delivery business;
- Leads to direct competition with FedEx and UPS;
- Drone delivery development;
- A threat to traditional delivery service business model;
- Trade slump exposes FedEx more.
Pontifications: Muilenburg’s departure wouldn’t go far enough
By Scott Hamilton
Oct. 7, 2019, © Leeham News: A recent call for Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg by my friend Ernie Arvai to resign or be removed has a litany of woes at the company that occurred under the CEO.
These mostly relate to the 737 MAX crisis, but also include the policy of returning free cash flow to shareholders rather than investing in new airplanes. Other issues are also cited.
Arvai makes many good points, but he doesn’t go far enough.
If Muilenburg deserves to go, so does Greg Smith, the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Enterprise Performance & Strategy.
The emphasis on cost control, which have become part of the focus of the MAX development, emanates from Smith. The strategy for new products ultimately falls under Smith, who vehemently opposes investment in the New Midmarket Airplane.
If these two deserve to go, so do the Board of Directors.
It’s the Board of Directors who set the shareholders’ value policy that Muilenburg carries out.
Bjorn’s Corner: Fly by steel or electrical wire, Part 11
October 4, 2019, ©. Leeham News: In our series about classical flight controls (“fly by steel wire”) and Fly-By-Wire (FBW or “fly by electrical wire”) we now discuss pitch stability augmentation systems when we need to improve the pitch characteristics of a mechanical (“fly by steel wire”) pitch control system.
Figure 1. The pitch moment curve of a modern airliner when circling before landing. Source: Leeham Co.
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Embraer’s E195-E2 or Airbus A220-300 under 150 seats? Part 3
By Bjorn Fehrm
Subscription required.
Introduction
October 3, 2019, ©. Leeham News: We have the last two weeks analyzed what aircraft to choose for the segment 120 to 150 seats, comparing Embraer’s E195-E2 with Airbus’ A220-300.
The first week we looked at fundamental data and last week we compared the drag data and by it the fuel consumption of the aircraft. Now, we analyze the other operational costs for the aircraft.
Summary:
- The fuel costs between the E195-E2 and A220-300 are close.
- We now analyze the other operational costs; Crew, Maintenance and Airway/Airport costs to see how these differ.
Boeing’s 737 in another pickle
By Bjorn Fehrm
October 1, 2019, ©. Leeham News: The FAA has issued an Air Worthiness Directive (AD) for high time Boeing 737 NGs, requiring immediate inspections for cracks in their wing attachments called pickle forks.
The cracks were discovered on high time aircraft which were torn down for conversion to freighters. The affected 737 types are NG only; the MAX and Classic have a different wing attachment design. The P-8 Poseidon, a derivative of the NG, also is unaffected.
EU can retaliate against Boeing immediately; old WTO win outstanding
Sept. 30, 2019, © Leeham News: An obscure and largely forgotten European win in a previous illegal subsidies case against Boeing and the United States before the World Trade
Organization (WTO) opens the door for immediate retaliation against Boeing if the Trump Administration levies tariffs against Airbus.
LNA yesterday revealed the European Union may retaliate immediately against US tariffs on Airbus or EU goods. The US will be free to do so as early as October.