Leeham News and Analysis
There's more to real news than a news release.
Leeham News and Analysis
- Bjorn’s Corner: Air Transport’s route to 2050. Part 20. May 2, 2025
- Supplier Howmet exceeds expectations despite tariffs May 1, 2025
- Airbus 1Q2025 results: So far, so good, but US tariffs make future results unpredictable May 1, 2025
- Does an Airbus A220-500 need a new wing and engines? May 1, 2025
- Teamsters, Boeing have a new contract April 29, 2025
Bjorn’s Corner: Aircraft stability, Part 3
By Bjorn Fehrm
April 27, 2018, ©. Leeham News: In the last Corner we discussed the problems with the long term stability of an aircraft. The aircraft deviates gradually in pitch, roll and in a combined yaw and roll mode if left without pilot input.
To hand fly such an aircraft on long routes is tiresome (been there, done that). For these occasions, one needs an assistant, an autopilot.
Figure 1. Simple one-axis autopilot for small aircraft. Source: Genesys S-TEC.
Read more
Suppliers confirm Airbus, Boeing rate hike studies to 70/mo for single-aisles
April 26, 2018, © Leeham News: Two suppliers publicly confirmed what’s been whispered for months: 
Airbus and Boeing are checking with the supply chain about taking production rates of the A320 and 737 families to 70/mo.
Representatives of Crane Aerospace and Esterline confirmed the studies at the I-90 Aerospace Corridor conference today in Spokane (WA).
Airbus’ Ultra Long Range A350 starts flight test
By Bjorn Fehrm
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Introduction
April 26, 2018, © Leeham News: Airbus Ultra Long-Range version of the A350-900 took off for the first time Monday. The aircraft will conduct a short flight test program before being painted in Singapore Airlines’ colours and handed over after the summer.
Airbus touts the A350-900URL as an aircraft which can fly ultra-long routes with flight times up to 20 hours and distances of 9,700nm. So, what so different with this aircraft to the normal A350-900? We use our performance model to show where the differences are.
Summary:
- The A350-900URL has got a higher fuel capacity to extend its range when used as an Ultra Long Range aircraft when loaded with fewer than 250 passengers.
- At the passenger counts where Singapore Airlines will operate the aircraft, the additional range is about 1,000nm.
- For normal operations, there would be no gains.
Boeing to hike 767F production; may be only first of several
April 25, 2018, © Leeham News: Buried deep within Boeing’s first quarter earnings report is a single, seemingly innocuous sentence:
“Reflecting the strength of the cargo market, we now plan to increase the production rate on the 767 program from 2.5 to 3 per month beginning in 2020.”
There is more to this than meets the eye. It portends potentially big orders and this rate increase may be only the first to come.
Boeing 1Q earnings: cash flow, EPS guidance raised on strong results
April 25, 2018: Boeing today said its strong first quarter financial results means it has boosted cash flow and earnings per share guidance.
From its press release:
Is Long-Haul LCC viable? Part 4
By Bjorn Fehrm
April 24, 2018, © Leeham News: In the third article about Long-Haul LCC and if it’s a viable business, we described the operational costs for typical aircraft used by a Long-Haul LCC.
We now look at the revenue side of the equation, including how much revenue we need to cover our costs and what variations we have over the year.
AirAsia India looks to break-even, international flights
April 24, 2018, © Leeham News: AirAsia India is a newcomer to the Indian commercial aviation scene.
It began service in 2014 and, at Dec. 31, served just 17 cities with 14 Airbus A320s.
It had a 4.5% market share by the end of last year.
AirAsia Berhad holds a 49% stake in the airline. India’s Tata Sons holds 49% and the balance is held by Indian nationals which ties to Tata.
The AirAsia entities are tied to the AirAsia Group of Malaysia, the largest low-cost carrier in Southeast Asia.
Bangalore is AirAsia India’s headquarters.
Engine makers may face stiffer future ETOPS certification requirements
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Introduction
April 23, 2018, © Leeham News: Even before last week’s Southwest Airlines accident raised the focus on aircraft engines, industry officials were becoming worried that problems with engines powering the Boeing 747-8, 787, 737 MAX and Airbus A320neo may lead to stricter certification standards by regulatory authorities.
There is also emerging evidence that the issues with the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 on the 787s may negatively impact Airbus’ sales efforts with the A350. The A350 is
powered by an entirely different RR engine, the Trent XWB, which by all accounts has had a virtually trouble-free entry into service.
But it’s a Rolls-Royce engine and airlines affected by or watching RR’s response to the Trent 1000 problems are skeptical about the Trent XWB, LNC is told.
Summary
- How long will it take for the FAA and EASE to restore full ETOPS for the 787?
- Concerns emerge that regulators may be more restrictive of ETOPS for new engines powering new planes, with the Boeing 777X next up.
- Impact seen on reception of Rolls-Royce engines on Airbus A330neo and A350.
- What do the engine problems mean for the Boeing NMA?
Pontifications: Uncontained engine failures are rare but not unknown
By Scott Hamilton
April 23, 2018, © Leeham News: Last week’s engine malfunction on a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-700 was another in a rare, but not unknown, uncontained engine anomaly in recent years.
All recent similar failures didn’t cause a loss of life or serious injuries if the passengers were evacuated. Unfortunately, this accident caused one fatality and seven injuries.
Let’s put the context to this issue.
Boeing faces 787 deliveries slow down with Rolls-Royce problems; earnings call April 25
April 21, 2018 © Leeham News: On the eve of the Boeing first quarter earnings call Wednesday, the company faces a slow-down in 787 deliveries at a time when it is gearing to ramp up production to 14/mo next year.
The engine issues with Rolls-Royce, resulting in grounded 787s across the globe, has had the knock-on effect of new production 787s emerging from the Everett and Charleston assembly plants without powerplants. Huge, yellow weight blocks are hung where the engines should be to keep the airplanes from sitting on their tails.
Delayed deliveries
At least five 787s in airline colors are on the Everett flight line awaiting engines, airplane spotters tell LNC. At least one in colors and two more without airline liveries are on the flight line at Charleston, a local reporter tells LNC. (Update: a sixth 787, this one for Gulf Air, rolled out of the Everett factory Friday night without engines.)
Engines from new production airplanes are being diverted to Aircraft on Ground (AOG), sources tell LNC.
As of April 18, there are 45 RR-powered 787s scheduled for delivery this year, according to the Ascend data base. The number rises to 57 next year.
Production isn’t expected to slow, but deliveries are already being affected, LNC is told—with physical evidence clear from the Gliders now parked at Everett and Charleston.
