Is a refreshed A-330 in the Works?
Airbus has been lukewarm about reengining the A330 along the lines of the A320neo, even though many industry pundits believe such a step has merit. Now some high-level sources are saying the decision to proceed could be imminent.
With a total of 1,313 firm orders until the end of 2013, the A330 is by far the most successful widebody Airbus has built. That figure compares to 816 for the A300/A310 family, 812 for the A350, 377 for the A340 and 304 units for the A380. And even after Boeing launched the competing 787, the A330 continues to have remarkable market success: Airbus sold 534 A330s during the past five years; most were the larger A330-300.
A brand-new Can of Whoop Ass will soon be on Shelves
Source: DVIDS
AGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – After more than a year of modification maintenance, the newly created AC-130J Ghostrider took to the skies for the first time as a gunship here Jan. 31.
Re-learning To Fly The Same Plane Every Year
Sean D. Tucker comes in low from the left to cut three ribbons sequentially strung low across his flight path at air show center. His signature red Oracle Challenger III biplane weighs in at only 1200 lbs but has a souped up 400 hp Lycoming engine! At the end of each air show season, the Challenger III is near completely disassembled and scrutinized in a tear down and reassembly that takes over 2000 hours and costs over $200K. But when done, Sean gets a literally brand new aircraft that he has to familiarize himself with again as it will likely fly just a bit differently after each rebuild. He’ll spend 90 flights before the start of the season practicing his routine and learning the quirks of his rebuilt aircraft.
Civilian C-130J’s on the way?
While the C-130 has been a staple of Western military transports for decades, its civilian counterpart, the L-100, has been a niche airplane at best. Now Lockheed Martin is looking to sell C-130Js to companies and foreign governments. They are specifically targeting the energy and mineral industries.
Did you know? The A-319 and 737 have really similar engines?
With a large 737-800 fleet powered by the CFM56-7B, it was a no-brainer that American would select the CFM56-5B for their new A319s. Both engine types share a common core, where they differ is the fan- the -7B used on the 737NG is just a -5B with a smaller fan, but differences in the fan blade aerodynamics and engine software offset what would be a less economical engine due to its smaller fan. The fan on the -7B is 60.5 inches in diameter to fit the underwing 737 nacelle but the taller landing gear of the A319/320/321 means the -5B gets a 68.3 inch fan. There are some differences in the core, but many core parts are interchangeable between the two CFM56 variants.
The Only Thing Keeping the F-35 Lightning Relevant Is the F-22 Raptor
A disappointing comment by the Chief of Air Combat Command:
If I do not keep that F-22 fleet viable, the F-35 fleet frankly will be irrelevant. The F-35 is not built as an air superiority platform. It needs the F-22. Because I got such a pitifully tiny fleet, I’ve got to ensure I will have every single one of those F-22s as capable as it possibly can be.
Essentially the F-35 needs the F-22. Sigh… Things just never get better for the F-35. You can read the entire article here.
Squealing C-5 Turbofans Never Sounded So Good!
The Jumbo C-5 Galaxy’s engine has a unique whine that is quickly disappearing from the skies.
There is no sound like the C-5. The monstrous TF-39s are first generation turbofans that are ear piercing loud. The TF-39s paved the way for a new era of jumbo jet aircraft. The squeal of the engines is as unique as it is loud.
The unique sound is quickly disappearing from our skies. Most of the remaining C-5s in service are being converted to the C-5M. C-5A and C-5Bs are either being retired or converted. Soon, these video clips might be the only place where the unique sound can be heard. One word of caution, turn down your speakers before pressing play!
[youtube id=”nqZUjJdKtOw” width=”800″ height=”454″ position=”left”]
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