Milestone in aerial refueling: the unmanned KC-10

Very clever and creative flying, as reported here.

Qantas, Transaero buy Airbus; Hazy cool to 737RE

AirInsight just posted three pieces about aircraft developments. One concerns the big order from Qantas for A320/A320neos, another is about the Transaero deal for the A320neo and the third is our report referenced in the 777 post below… Read More

Bernstein assess 787 profitability

Bernstein Research issued a report today assessing the Boeing 787 program profitability. Highlights: It appears unlikely to us that Boeing will deliver a positive program gross margin over an initial accounting block of 1000 airplanes, if production inventory… Read More

Assessing the 777 upgrade

The “godfather of leasing,” Steven Udvar-Hazy, the CEO of Air Lease Corp., weighed in on the 737RE and the prospective improvements to the 777 during ALC’s earning’s call. And when Hazy speaks, the industry listens. Hazy, who favored… Read More

Narrowing the 737RE design

While the aviation world is waiting to see what the Boeing 737RE will be, information that has emerged publically from Boeing and information we’ve obtained gives, we think, a reasonable picture of what the airplane will look like…. Read More

Boeing comments on the 737RE

As the aviation world waits for Boeing to define the 737RE, it might be worth taking a close look at the July 27 earnings call discussion relating to the airplane, apart from the topic of where the aircraft… Read More

FAA funding gap won’t affect 747-8, 787 certification plans

As Boeing pushes ahead toward certification of the 747-8 and the 787, with goals for delivery of the 747-8F and the Dreamliner before the end of this quarter, Congress adjourned without funding the Federal Aviation Administration responsible for… Read More

Aviation Week has new twist on American Airlines Airbus-Boeing deal

Aviation Week has a story on the Airbus-Boeing deal–and says it isn’t really a firm order, likening it to the Boeing 787 of a few years ago.

Analysts opine on Embraer, Bombardier

Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan issued notes this week that give some opinions on rivals Embraer and Bombardier: Goldman Sachs: Embraer July 31: We believe Embraer remains the best, yet most ignored, story in our commercial aerospace coverage…. Read More

Boeing’s CAS works to trim P2F pricing

Boeing’s Commercial Aviation Services is part of the company’s strategy to broaden its business beyond “hardware” into services. CAS, which serves Boeing Commercial Aircraft and Boeing Defense, Space and Security, now comprises 15% of The Boeing Co.’s revenue…. Read More