Airbus has its challenges, too

While headlines have understandably been focused on Boeing this week, Airbus has its problems, too. The Qantas A380 Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engine uncontained failure continues to generate news stories. The QF 32 flight details still are emerging, and… Read More

Another KC-X deadline passes

Today was supposed to be the day the KC-X contract was to get its go-ahead, but as has so often been the case, another deadline has come and gone. The USAF suggests it will be done this fall,… Read More

BOC Aviation orders A320s, touts ‘investment value’

Here is a story we did last week for Commercial Aviation Online: BOC Aviation and Airbus announced 3 November an order for 30 A320s, with the companies touting the “investment value” and residual value in a press release… Read More

Elections results and the KC-X

The election results could have a major affect on the KC-X tanker competition. The headlines are: The Republican takeover of the House means Norm Dicks (D-Boeing/WA) loses is chairmanship of the House Appropriations subcommittee on defense, a position… Read More

Boeing skeptical of CSeries, C919, MS-21 EIS

We wrote the following article for Commercial Aviation Online, which appeared yesterday. In case anyone wonders, there is no relation between John Hamilton and us. ********* The chief engineer of the 737 program is skeptical of the emerging… Read More

Boeing Sky Interior delivery today

Boeing is delivering its first 737 “Boeing Sky Interior” today to FlyDubai. The interior is inspired by the 787, which was also adapted to the 747-8. Here is a link to a feature story prepared by Boeing’s Corp… Read More

New delay likely in tanker competition

We have been told by two sources, including one that is very close to the competition, that the Air Force is likely to announce a new delay soon in evaluation and award of a contract in the long-running… Read More

New study on KC-X, and other news

There is a new report on the KC-X tanker situation, in this 16-page PDF. A hat-tip to Addison Schonland and IAG. Airbus and Boeing aren’t rushing to re-bid on India’s tanker program after the country previously canceled a… Read More

Air Force chief ambiguous on tanker selection timing

The Hill, a specialty publication reporting on matters of “the Hill,” aka Congress, reports today that the chief of the US Air Force won’t confirm selection of the winner for the KC-X program will be selected this year…. Read More

EADS reveals its analysis of tanker fuel use; says KC-45 is more efficient than KC-767

EADS reveals its study–countering two Boeing-commissioned reports–about fuel usage of the KC-45 vs the KC-767; EADS says it delivers more bang for the buck than Boeing; Flight Global has a good story detailing some of Boeing’s KC-767’s technical… Read More