Boeing 737 MAX: performance if engine has SFC shortfall

By Bjorn Fehrm Subscription required Introduction 14 April 2015, C. Leeham Co: There have been persistent reports that the CFM LEAP engines should be behind their fuel consumption targets. We commented on these rumors recently. It’s normal for… Read More

Pontifications: Wizz could be first face-off of 737 MAX 200 vs “A320neo 195”

April 13, 2015: A campaign that began last year between Airbus and Boeing for a large order of 100 airplanes at Europe’s Low Cost Carrier, Wizz Air, could be the first face off between the “A320neo 195” (our… Read More

Shake-up continues at Bombardier

The shake-up continues at Bombardier, with new CEO Alain Bellemare replacing Mike Arcamone, the president of the commercial aerospace unit, with the former president of mega-lessor International Lease Finance Corp., Fred Cromer. Bellemare also retained the consulting firm… Read More

Pratt & Whitney sees long-term aviation growth, airline profits

April 2, 2015: Paul Adams, president of Pratt & Whitney, provided an “state of the business” of PW during the second day of the Media Days. We follow our usual format of recapping his comments in paraphrased form…. Read More

Pratt & Whitney: Lean, automated manufacturing key to GTF ramp up

April 2, 2015: Lean principals and increased shifting to automated manufacturing are key to an aggressive ramp up for the Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbo Fan engine, according to officials. The first production engines for the Airbus A320neo… Read More

Bombardier CS300 analysis vs A319neo, 737-7

By Bjorn Fehrm Subscription required Introduction March 29, 2015, c. Leeham Co: Bombardier’s big bet in the aeronautics sector, CSeries, is well into flight testing, now more than half way toward the 2,400 hours required by Transport Canada… Read More

Guarantees, commitments and marketing claims

March 25, 2015: When the early Boeing 787-8s emerged overweight and falling short of the marketing claims, Boeing said that nonetheless the fuel burn and performance guarantees to customers would be met. When we revealed the first flight… Read More

Leahy gets lifetime achievement award; CSeries could be delayed again

March 23, 2015: John Leahy, Aviation Week Lifetime Achievement Award: John Leahy, the chief operating officer-commercial for Airbus, received the Lifetime Achievement Award from Aviation Week. It’s a well-deserved award. As the AvWeek write up details, Leahy has… Read More

Bjorn’s Corner: Intro, LCC long range and CFM’s LEAP

March 19, 2015: This is the first version of my Corner where I will comment on the aeronautical world as I see it. It will be a mix of tech things (I am an engineer) and my view… Read More

Rebuilding confidence at Bombardier

Subscription Required This week the Malay government announced an order for 20 CSeries CS100s. for a new airline. Introduction March 17, 2015: c. Leeham Co. Turmoil at Bombardier, both financial and with the departure of several key personnel,… Read More