Mitsubishi X-2 While Taxiing

The first flight of Mitsubishi X-2 will be remembered as a milestone in the journey of North Asia for the development of advanced combat jet fighter aircraft.

Although the X-2 experimental never be an operational fighter, it is the most visible part of a huge Japanese industrial effort, fully backed by the government, to develop the technologies needed for advanced fighters such as stealth, thrust vector control, electrical sensors and powerful jet engines.

This probably the most ambitious effort of Japan in Aerospace technology, developing program named F-3.

Mitsubishi X-2 First Flight

Experience suggests that the program will be both challenging and expensive. Japanese last jet fighter, the F-2, was developed with the help of the United States of America. There was a similar aircraft to the Lockheed Martin F-16 - but with 25% more wing area and three times the unit cost. This was closely to licensed assembling project and not a development project. No foreign fighter without advanced yet has a chance against national pride.

But Tokyo is not alone. The surplus in China and South Korea - an emerging power is observed with concern, if not alarm - combat two programs are underway. China currently on developing advanced jet fighter named J-20. In the other hand, South Korea with Indonesia are work together to generate fully non-western jet fighter for the first time.

F-35 of Royal Australian Air Force

F-35 of Royal Australian Air Force While Rotating Takeoff. The variant of this stealth jet fighter is base variant, the F-35A variant. The -A variant is the lightest and smallest, so its so agile in the air. In addition, the -A variant also has conventional takeoff and landing capability.

China Eastern Airlines Orders Airbus A350, pic: China Eastern Airlines Boeing 777-300ER

China Eastern Airlines Orders Airbus A350 and Boeing 787. The carrier has placed order for 20 Airbus A350-900 and 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. This effort is part of a modernization program of airline long-haul fleet.

The airline said in a filing to the Shanghai Stock Exchange, which is taking delivery of the A350 in batches from 2018 to 2022. China Eastern selected Airbus A350 series exclusively powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB.

Two aircraft will arrive in 2018, three in 2019 and two in 2020 before remaining 13 are introduced in 2021-22. China Eastern will receive 787-9 adds that during the period between 2018 and 2021. But the airlines did not specified what the engine type is.

The delivery schedule for Boeing are four 787-9s will be delivered in 2018, followed by six in 2019 and five in 2020-21.

The renovation restores a long-haul commitment to the 787 lost in 2011 when China Eastern abandoned an order for 787 of the 737. As part of the program of fleet upgrade, China Eastern Airlines to retire aged 12 Airbus A330 and Boeing 767 series in the near future.

The agreement worth USD 6 billion of Airbus A350 series and USD 3.9 billion for Boeing. Later both aircraft manufacturer to give discount for these two big orders.

China Eastern Airlines headquartered in Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport as well as become its main hub. In terms of number of passengers carried, the airline is the second largest in China. According to 2014 statistics, the carrier handled more than 83 million passengers worldwide.

Cathay Pacific Cargo Boeing 747-8 & Thai Airways A380-800 side by side on runway and taxiway

Cathay Pacific Cargo Boeing 747-8 & Thai Airways A380-800 side by side on runway and taxiway

Airbus Helicopter EC665 Tiger of German Army

Airbus Helicopter EC665 Tiger of German Army

Airbus A380-800 of Lufthansa at Frankfurt Airport

Lufthansa has canceled 895 flights scheduled for Wednesday from six German airports as government workers call strike in the short term in wage discussions before the end of this week period.

The airline said Tuesday its hubs in Munich and Frankfurt would further interruptions. Some 87,000 passengers would be affected due the strike.

It is expected that public sector workers who perform ground handling and security checks to quit work before wage talks Thursday with the government. The ver.di union (union worker) is seeking 6 percent of wage increment of its 2 million members, Lufthansa, which is not part of the negotiations, deployed practices used during strikes by its own employees to avoid long lines and chaos at airports. Flights before the start of the strike was canceled and urged passengers to check their flight status on Lufthansa official website LH.com.

Passengers with mobility limitations were warned staff to help them get through the airport would be limited and should consider re-booking with free of charge. Because of the canceled flights, 545 flights were to or from Munich, where the strike would last all day long. All intercontinental flights departing from or arriving were not canceled for Wednesday, the company said in its official press release.

Most international flights operate from Frankfurt, where the strike period would be from 4:30 am to 3 pm, local time. Flights within Germany or Europe, but Frankfurt was largely canceled.

Other affected airports are Duesseldorf, Cologne-Bonn, Dortmund and Hanover. Strikes are taking place on Tuesday in places like kindergartens and swimming pools. Many public services in Munich were also affected.

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt of US Air Force

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense on Monday responded to media reports that six aircraft of the US Air Force They carried out a flying mission "international airspace" in the vicinity of the Huangyan Island in the South China Sea on April 19 2016.

"We have noticed these reports, and it should be noted that the US is pushing the militarization of the South China Sea on behalf of "freedom of navigation", Information Office of the Ministry said in a official statement.

China is concerned and opposed to such actions that threaten the sovereignty and security of countries around the South China Sea and undermine peace and regional stability, he said.

Huangyan Island is inherent territory of China and the Chinese army will take all necessary measures to safeguard the sovereignty and national security, he added.

EasyJet Airbus A320-200

British budget airline EasyJet has announced plans to add 450 new pilots.

The airline said it is looking to recruit 400 cadets pilots and co-pilots and 50 captains experienced.

EasyJet said the new cadets who perform training may also have the opportunity to apply all or part of their training credit - between £ 30,000 and £ 100,000 - to be borne by the airline, with an offer similar subscription to be made in the training of experienced pilots to increase their type rating.
The airline also hope to attract more women in the industry, with women now represents only six percent.

Captain Brian Tyrrell, chief easyJet flight operations, said: "This is an exciting time to join easyJet as we continue to grow and develop to maintain our position as the leading airline in Europe and we welcome the candidates in the near future. "

EasyJet is a British low cost airline based at London Luton Airport. It operates domestic and international scheduled services on over 700 routes in 32 countries. The carrier employs about 11,000 people, based throughout Europe, but especially in the UK.

Indian Air Force MiG-27 The Bahadur

Indian Air Force MiG-27 The Bahadur Full Throttle just after takeoff. Picture shown the landing gear were still outside then retracting inside the landing gear bay. The Bahadur was the nickname came from Hindustan Aeronautics as the licensed products of Mikoyan Gurevich of Soviet Union.

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner of Scoot

Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner of Scoot. Describing it as a "matter of urgent security", the Federal Aviation Administration has ordered specific changes in General Electric engines in some 787 Dreamliner due to a problem of icing could force the engines shut down during the flight.

"Airworthiness Directive" FAA Friday stems from an incident on January 29 aboard a 787 flying at about 20,000 feet. "Ice emerges from the fan blades ... causing the leaves rub against the fan housing, resulting in engine vibration," GE spokesman Rick Kennedy Aviation told CNN. That forced an engine off and the plane landed safely with its remaining engine.

According to the document from the FAA, "Susceptibility to Rubs blade heavy fan, if not corrected, could result in engine damage and possible loss of power can not be restarted in flight of one or both engines. "

"The potential for common cause failure of both engines in flight is an urgent security problem," said FAA document. The engine type is the GEnx-1B PIP2. The order affects about 176 Dreamliner to 29 airlines worldwide, according to the FAA document.

FAA Opinion

The mandate of the FAA covers 43 US Dreamliner in the US But because most other countries follow the example of the FAA, it is expected that other nations do the same. Boeing and GE have jointly investigated this problem and worked with the FAA on a plan to fully resolve, Boeing said Friday. GE recommends corrective measures for operators April 1. The work entrusted is underway, Boeing said, with more than 40 Dreamliner engine returns to work completed so far. The airworthiness directive FAA requires airlines to make recommendations to GE within 150 days.

"We are working with operators to avoid disruption plane," Kennedy said. "The process takes about 16 hours using a grinding machine fan. All work is done on the wings without moving the engine." For pilots who are flying 787 that have not been subjected to the restart, however, the FAA has ordered a method of removing ice during flight.

Whenever pilots suspect that the accumulation of ice above 12,500 feet - or when the indicator light is confirmed - the pilots to each engine revolution is recommended in 85% of the maximum acceleration every five minutes.

airworthiness directives of the FAA are not uncommon. They are issued as part of a long development of standards and safety specifications between aircraft manufacturers, operators and regulators. FAA said carriers in 2013 on storms which carry ice crystals that could be ingested engine thrust causing miss and possibly closed. Kennedy said the latter issue has nothing to do with it.

Swiss Global Air Lines Bombardier CS100 on Water Reflection

Fighter F-22 Raptor Flying Over Florida

Fighter F-22 Raptor Flying Over Florida Coast Line. The two F-22s were on duet in the sky. These jet fighters were part of Tyndall Air Force Base in Florida.

Honda Aircraft Delivers First HondaJet

Honda Aircraft delivers first HondaJet HA-420 to its German Rheinland Air Service (RAS)  European Honda's distributor.

The delivery comes just ahead of the validation of the European Aviation Safety Agency for the business jet of light, Honda expects to receive this quarter.

Speaking at a press conference on the occasion of the delivery of the aircraft $ 4.5 million - which gained US approval late last year - the president and CEO Michimasa Fujino said: "Europe is a very strong market for HondaJet , representing 20% of the 100- plus orders we have so far. "

Fujino, a rookie Aero says the plane RAS German registration D to be transferred after the validation of the EASA. two other European distributors of Honda, TAG Aviation of Switzerland and the United Kingdom Marshall Aerospace, are scheduled for each delivery of a HondaJet before the end of May.

"They will be used to promote the aircraft through their respective sales regions of southern Europe and north," said Fujino. "We expect to begin shipping to European customers in 2017, but could be earlier if there is a cancellation."

Honda's production line in Greensboro, NC, is currently building two to three aircraft per month, Fujino said, with a maximum of 40 units planned for 2016. "We have the capacity to manufacture up to 80 aircraft per year, but -rampa gradually to reach this number, "he said.

The first FAA-conforming HondaJet has achieved a maximum speed of 425 KTAS at 30,000 ft., surpassing Honda's performance guarantee of 420 KTAS for the production aircraft.

The AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat of Royal Navy

The AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat of Royal Navy

Airbus A330-300 of Garuda Indonesia

Garuda Indonesia, Indonesian flag carrier decided taking 14 Airbus A330neo instead of seven conventional Airbus A330-300 cancelled by the carrier.

The decision confirms the previously disclosed intention of the airline to opt for the type of change the engine.

Airbus had revealed an order for 14 aircraft A330-900neo for an undisclosed customer, earlier this year.

The airframer says Garuda will start receiving the A330neo in 2019. It is confirmed that the agreement "replaces and extends" its previous A330-300 order.

Garuda CEO, Arif Wibowo said the A330neo, which will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 7000 engines, "represents a more efficient future" for the airline.

Currently Garuda Indonesia operating nine A330-200s and 15 Airbus A330-300s, while there is another two A330-300s in the list order. Whilst, Airbus A330neo also known as A330-900 installed with new engine that promise fuel efficiency and performance.

Hong Kong Airlines Airbus A330-300

Hong Kong Airlines will launch a twice daily service between Hong Kong and Narita Airport in Japan, starting on July 2016. Tokyo will be the seventh destination of the airline in Japan area.

They complemented by the current two daily flights to Okinawa, daily flight to Okayama, weekly service five times to Sapporo, service three times a week to Kagoshima, two weekly flights to Miyazaki and Kumamoto, Hong Kong Airlines will operate a total of 47 weekly flights between Hong Kong and Japan begin in July First.

The new Tokyo route will be operated by A330-300 widebody two classes.

Li Dianchun, Commercial Director of Hong Kong Airlines, said: "As the capital of Japan and one of the major metropolitan cities in Asia, Tokyo has long been a favorite destination for the people of Hong Kong, both for travel business and leisure. we are pleased to add Tokyo (Narita) to our growing network in Asia, providing our passengers with a wider choice of travel options range, and strengthening the position of Hong Kong as one of major aviation hubs in the world ".

The Hong Kong-based airline, part of the fast-expanding HNA Group, will deploy a widebody Airbus A330-300 on the route, featuring a 32-seat Business Class cabin. The new service will introduce over 1,100 seats a day into a market that already has a supply of over 6,500 daily seats.

Hong Kong Airlines currently operating 29 aircraft, consisting of 23 passenger aircraft (five Airbus A330-300s, nine Airbus A330-200s, and ten Airbus A320s) and five freighters (Airbus A330-200Fs). Hong Kong Airlines is a full-service airline firmly rooted in Hong Kong.  Ever since then Hong Kong Airlines has grown to become an internationally-acclaimed carrier with its principal place of business in Hong Kong. Recognizing the warmth of its service and the quality of its onboard offering, Hong Kong Airlines has been awarded the highly-esteemed 4-star rating from Skytrax since 2011.

F-18 Hornet of Swiss Air Force

Stunning view of McDonnell Douglas F-18 C/D Hornet of Swiss Air Force just after takeoff. Picture shown the jet fighter is on retracting landing gear up then currently on climbing phase. The F-18 is one of the most successful multi-role jet fighter and widely used in many countries.

British Airways Airbus A320

Police are investigating the British Airways pilot's claim that his aircraft was hit by an unmanned aircraft when approached Heathrow airport.

The Metropolitan Police said contact Sunday afternoon was set by the pilot who safely landed the aircraft at Terminal 5. No one has been arrested, officials said.

The flight, BA 727, came to London from Geneva, carrying 132 passengers and five crew. British Airways said the Airbus A320 was examined by engineers and cleared to take off your next flight after the incident.

Steve Landells, specialist flight safety at the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) said: "Frankly, it was only a matter of time before we had a drone strike given the enormous number being flown around by fans who do not understand risks and standards. "There seems to be a serious damage was done this time, but what is clear is that while most drones are flown safely, sensibly and within the limits of the law is, it takes much more user education drone and compliance to ensure our skies remain safe from this threat. "

Earlier this month, the union of airline pilots called for an investigation into the possible effects of a drone strike on a aircraft after a report Airprox Council UK found that there were 23 about to collide drone and aircrafts in the six months between April and October last year.

Including one on September 22, when a Boeing 777 series that had just taken off reported that a manned aircraft not narrowly passed to the right of the aircraft. The researchers concluded that the unmanned aircraft was at the same height and a radius of 25 meters from the aircraft. A report was made to the police, but the operator drone was not tracked.

Days later, a drone was moved a few meters from Airbus A319 landing at Heathrow. The pilot told the Airprox Board UK, the drone may have been just 20 feet above and 25 yards on the left when he passed through the aircraft.

The jet was flying at an altitude of 500 feet and was on final approach, when it was discovered the drone. After that incident, Landells had discussed the possibility of engine failure in case of a drone surprising flatten. "You end up with very high bit rate of metals go anywhere you want. This could be through the fuel tanks through hydraulic lines and even in the cabin," he said.

"Losing the engine will not cause a aircraft to crash because they are designed to fly with one engine down. However, an engine failure will not be different each time. That could be very serious."

"The first thing we do is get a unmanned aircraft or at least the critical parts of a drone flying to a windshield of a aircraft. The indications so far with computer models are that you will end up with penetration a windshield. "One possibility is that the battery breaks the windshield and the inner layer of breaking the windshield and is finished with a lot of glass in the cabin, probably moving at very high speed. "As a driver, I do not want to be sitting there when what is happening."

Sukhoi Su-27 of Russian Air Force

A reconnaissance aircraft of the Air Force of the United States was intercepted by a plane SU-27 Russian in an "unsafe and unprofessional manner" while flying a route routine in international airspace over the Baltic Sea, he said on Saturday Pentagon.

"The US aircraft was operating in international airspace and at no time crossed into Russian territory," said Laura Seal, a Pentagon spokesman.

The incident comes shortly after Russian planes repeatedly sounded the USS Donald Cook, last week, including an incident on Tuesday that a Russian Su-24 flew 9m above the ship in a "profile simulated attack" according to the European Command of the US Army.

Russia has rejected the action was reckless or provocative. "This intersection unsafe and unprofessional air has the potential to cause serious damage and injury to all crews involved," said the seal Thursday's incident.

"More importantly, unsafe and unprofessional actions of a single pilot have the potential to unnecessarily escalate tensions between countries."

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II of United States Air Force

Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II of United States Air Force captured on inverted flight maneuver. Whole weapons beneath seen, what an unique jet fighter aircraft.

Airbus A380-800 of Air France

Air France is set to resume flights from Paris to Tehran on Sunday after a row in which the cabin crew of the airline and female pilots opposed the standards of Iran who have to cover their heads whenever they are not board on aircraft.

Lifting sanctions, the French national carrier market is returning to Iran after eight years. The company said the female staff are allowed to refuse to work in Tehran route without suffering the penalty, but flying in Iran will have to follow the local Islamic law and wear a veil.

Iran Frequent travelers say about other companies that sudden placement of headscarves is a common sight as aircraft come in for a landing.

"Suddenly, all Iranian women seem different," said one European male visitor. "It's an amazing scene."

Many Iranian women are creative in challenging the obligation headscarf, in force since the Islamic Revolution of 1979, and cover as little as possible, but most foreigners passing completely hide their hair and body curves in the fear of punishment.

"The first time I flew to Tehran's Islamic looked all aboard Iranian Muslim women," said Catholic spouse of a Western diplomat in Tehran. "I had no makeup and wearing a large and largest shirt and pants handkerchief... And could not believe the contrast with Iranian women of fashion".

Although alcohol is banned in Iran, Air France plans to operate a full catering service, including alcohol, on board its flights three times a week. On the ground, the Islamic Republic is not strict about the application of the law against the use of alcohol, as long as you drink in private homes.

European airlines left Iran because of US tensions with the West over its nuclear activities, have gradually been coming since the centrist government of Hassan Rouhani came to power in 2013 and sought a policy of detente.

Austrian Airlines was the first to re-launch its services to Tehran in 2014 and British Airways will begin offering six flights per week to Tehran on July 14, Lufthansa and Alitalia never left Iran.

After the nuclear agreement Iran over milestone reached last year with six major powers - the United States, Britain, France, Russia, China and Germany - sanctions began to lift, and the Islamic regime made renewal of aircraft aging country one of its main priorities. It takes about 500 new aircraft, Iran's fleet has an average age of 25 years old and includes some aircraft that predate the 1979 revolution air disasters have cost about 1,200 Iranian lives since.

The first important agreement after the nuclear agreement was signed earlier this year with Airbus aircraft agreeing to sell 118 of Iran Air. No aircraft have been delivered and the Government of Mr. Rouhani is struggling to secure financing of $ 25 billion in aircraft.

Meanwhile, Boeing is the first US company since the revolution to publicly hold talks with Iranian officials in Tehran. Executives of American aircraft manufacturer visited Tehran last week, but some details have been released been released.

Iranian security of flights and increase in the number of foreign flights are crucial for Iran's ambitions to attract up to $ 50 billion a year investment.

Iran is hoping to boost tourism to its historic sites at a time when their relative safety in a volatile region has made some Middle East destinations - inaccessible for the foreseeable future - particularly Syria.

The new flights come at a time when Tehran is receiving many delegations from Western and Asian businesses looking to make Iran the newly opened market.

Passengers on an inaugural flight of Air France on Sunday consists of a number of dignitaries, including the chief executive of the airline Frédéric Gagey, French Secretary of State for transport, marine affairs and fisheries, Alain Vidalies, former minister French Huber Vedrin Foreign Affairs, according to a Western diplomat in Tehran.

The resumption of European flights will also make life easier for the expatriate community in the country, who have had to travel to Turkey, the UAE and Qatar for connections life. Iranian airlines are also benefiting from the lifting of sanctions, as they can now buy fuel in the west and not have to stop in Central Asia, Ukraine and Turkey to refill their tanks. "It was a delight to fly to Iran direct air from Heathrow to Tehran," Laila, a business woman said. "But he feared the plane of age and I can not wait for the new Airbus and Boeing aircraft to arrive."

Beechcraft 1900 of Eagle Airways

Beechcraft 1900 of Eagle Airways on approaching  landing at Auckland Airport.

Bombardier CS100 and CS300 Series

Delta Airlines is reportedly on the cusp of ordering up to 125 Bombardier CSeries commercial aircraft. The negotiations says that an agreement on firm orders for 75 aircraft and options on another 50 are expected to be completed by the end of April 2016, when the Atlanta-based airline has a board meeting.

Earlier on Thursday during a quarterly conference call with analysts earnings, Delta executives said they had no definite plans to announce yet about the renewal of the fleet of the company.

Delta incoming boss, Ed Bastian said the airline plans to provide more information on its fleet renewal plans an investor day on next May 16 then Bombardier refused to comment on the report.

This purchasement is the part of Delta plans, seeking new aircraft to replace its aging fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft.

If confirmed, the order would be a major boost for the aircraft manufacturer based in Montreal struggling. It has booked orders and commitments for 678 aircraft of the C series, including 250 firm orders.

Airbus A320neo of Lufthansa Airlines

Airbus A320neo (new engine option) launch customer, Lufthansa has operated the re-engines commercial aircraft flew out of Germany for the first time.

On April 12 2016, the Star Alliance's airline member deploys its second A320neo (registration D-AINB) for a regional flight service from Frankfurt to London Heathrow.

Lufthansa says the flight was an isolated  flight, aimed to familiarizing the pilot with the new aircraft characters. The airline will continue to use its A320neos for German domestic flights. Since the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofans' extended warm-up times.

The airline states that they are considering similar flights to other European cities with one type fleet. The third A320neo is to be delivered during the summer this year. Lufthansa is scheduled to receive a total of five A320neos this year.

According to our database per April 2016, Lufthansa ordered 20 A320neos and 5 A321neo. Whole aircraft will be installed with Pratt & Whitney engine options.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 of Russian Air Force

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31 of Russian Air Force while touching down on runway with parachute brake system. This photo credit goes to Andrei Zinchuk.

Dassault Falcon 8X Taxiing

The Dassault Falcon 8X has made its first appearance on the show ABACE (Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition).

The business jet shown in the picture, register kept by F-WWQC, is the third Falcon 8X produced. It has installed a complete cabin and is in Shanghai as part of a world tour before its entry into service in late 2016 or early 2017.

So far, the Falcon 8X has a single buyer in China. general manager of China Dassault Falcon Jean Michel Jacob, however, says that Chinese customers prefer to see a aircraft before making a decision, therefore, the company made a great effort to bring the aircraft to the fair despite types ongoing test campaign. So visual judgement and impression is very important for them.

"It was difficult to get the test aircraft, but we have very high expectations for the 8X in China," he says.

Jacob believes the 8X, Dassault Falcon says you can connect city pairs such as Shanghai-Chicago, is very suitable for the China market, which prefers long-range, large-cabin private jets. Dassault says that technicians in its customer center in Beijing held a one-week course specific maintenance for the Falcon 8X. The support center also starts storing spare parts for Dassault's aviation products.

Short SC-5 Belfast The Heavy Lifter Aircraft

Short SC-5 Belfast The Heavy Lifter Aircraft

Airbus A380-800 Factory Livery

Airbus Group lost an order for two super jumbo jet Airbus A380s from Indian Ocean carrier Air Austral, which were intended to accommodate aircraft with seating arrangement largest capacity in the history of civil aviation.

The aircraft, whose planned to have 840 seats configuration had taken to be widely marked by the media as "flying sardine cans" were removed from the order book of Airbus in a monthly update published on Monday, confirming a cancellation that seemed Air Austral likely after repeatedly delayed delivery.

Based on the island of Reunion, Air Austral ordered two A380s in 2009, saying they had used for low-cost single class in the "route heavy traffic" in Paris. He did not reveal an exact seating plan - or specify how many need kitchens and bathrooms aircraft for its passengers.

While the A380 was certified for up to 853 people based on tests of evacuation, most airlines operating model with 450 to 550 seats in three or four classes, while Emirates, the largest operator of A380 introduce a version of 615 seats in two classes.

Even with the density that had been planned by Air Austral, the A380 still have wider seats and wider aisles in economy class Boeing 787 and 777X planned, Airbus said in statement.Airbus website also showed that new orders for two A380 superjumbo, although the identity of the operator was not revealed.

Emirates Airlines, which has ordered a total of 140 A380s, or about 40 percent of the Airbus A380 total population, has stepped in to take aircraft when other buyers have encountered problems in the past, supported the Gulf exchange of slots provided with Amedeo after the leasing company struggled to find for aircraft operators.

At the end of the first quarter, general order of Airbus, 2016 stood at just 10 aircraft, or less than one-tenth of the 122 aircraft sold by rival Boeing until April 5th on a net basis.

European company won contracts for 14 aircraft in March, but suffered 15 cancellations. Just as Air Austral A380, CSA Czech carrier dropped order for seven A320s narrow bodies and Taiwan's TransAsia Airways decided not to take six A320neos with new engines, according to its website.

Airbus delivered 125 aircraft in the first three months, nearly 70 percent of the 176 delivered by Boeing. The US aircraft manufacturer company was no. 1 for the third consecutive year in 2015, delivering 723 aircraft against 629 in Airbus.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Lifting Off

SpaceX on April 8 successfully recovered the first stage of a rocket Falcon 9 on the landing of an unmanned spacecraft floating in the Atlantic Ocean.

Along with the successful recovery of a platform propulsion Dragon 9 land on 21 December SpaceX has now demonstrated the basic feasibility of the recovery of the first stage of any rocket launch, if the payload is destined to be lofted the low earth orbit, geostationary orbit or proceed to the moon or another planet, like Mars.

"I think it's a good milestone for the future of space flight and another step toward the stars," says the founder of SpaceX, Elon Musk, addressing a press conference at the launch complex NASA in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

Musk mood was celebratory, but measured. He referred to the challenges and possible failures that are yet to come before the recovery of the orbital space launch vehicles becomes a case of routine. Although the first ocean recovery marked a historic achievement, the payload of the rocket - a dispensable habitat designed by Bigelow Aerospace - goes on a date with the International Space Station (ISS) on April 10.

But the goal of the ISS means that the recovered Falcon 9 booster was launched on a path of low Earth orbit. It was not until the second as the recovery of the story, but I needed to overcome much less speed and heat required for a path to a geostationary orbit. Although intended to be a simpler system test recovery of four engines, SpaceX engineers are still considered the odds of failure in about one out of three, says Musk.

The next two pitches in the Falcon 9 manifest involve payloads addressed to the geostationary orbit, says Musk.

Falcon 9 From Another Angle

The next challenge will come when SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket presents. The reinforcement 27 with central motor intends to launch the heaviest loads to geostationary orbit, or provide enough thrust to escape Earth's gravity for a trip to the moon or Mars. Musk says he plans to unveil detailed plans to establish a colony on Mars in September in Mexico at the International Astronautical Conference.

"We still take a few years for [recovery] soft and make it efficient. But I think it has shown that it can work," says Musk. "It will probably be some failures in the future. But we're going to get it ironed out to the point where it is usual".

Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) is a leading aerospace manufacturer services and transportation US space based in Hawthorne, California, USA. It was founded in 2002 by former PayPal entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla Motors, Elon Musk, with the goal of creating technologies to reduce transportation costs and allow space colonization of Mars. Has developed launch vehicle Falcon 1 and Falcon 9, both of which were designed from conception to become possibly reusable, and Dragon spacecraft is flying in orbit by the vehicle Falcon 9 launch to supply the Space Station International (ISS) with the load. A manned Dragon version is in development.

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress Bomber Aircraft

Boeing B-52H Stratofortress bombers landed at Al Udeid, Qatar, Air Base on April 9, a display marking its first area based on the US Central Command (Centcom) of responsibility in a quarter century.

The US Air Force released images showing a pair of bombers coming from Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, to support the campaign against militant Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Centcom is responsible for an area encompassing 20 countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. B-52 were stationed in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm, the campaign to oust Iraqi forces from Kuwait in 1991.

The heavy bomber was blown up last operationally during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2001, and for a exercise of Jordan last May, according to the Air Force. the B-1B Lancer bomber is replaced in the fight against Islamic State Inherent Resolve-operation.

The B-52 carries a payload of 70,000 pounds and can supply precision guided bombs, missiles, mines and cruise missiles launched from the air.

"The B-52 will provide continuous accuracy and deliver coalition airpower desired effects," said Lt. Gen. Charles P. Brown Jr., commander of the Central Command and the Combined Forces Air Component. "As a multi-function platform, the B-52 offers several capabilities, including precision weapons delivery and flexibility and necessary to support combatant commander's priorities and strengthen the resistance coalition team."

From April 5th US He has carried out 8,719 air strikes in Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Resolve inherent; coalition partners had made 2,679. participating nations in Iraq were: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom; Syria: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, France, Jordan, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE and UK.

Since the beginning of the "kinetic" operations on August 8, 2014, until February 29, the campaign against the Islamic State has cost $ 6.5 billion, according to the Department of Defense of the United States.

Tecnam P2006T While In Flight Over Farming Field

McDonnell Douglas KDC-10 of Royal Netherlands Air Force

KDC-10 tanker of the Royal Netherlands Air Force has been certified to refuel the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II after flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.

The Dutch Defence Ministry said this week that one of its two KDC-10 tankers, tail number 264, refueled the aircraft fifth generation fighter for the first time on March 31. Netherlands plans to acquire 37 F-35s, with the first eight due to arrive in the country in 2019.

Certification comes as the Ministry of Defence announced on April 7 that the F-35 will visit the Netherlands "in late May or June" for three weeks. demonstration flights are planned in Leeuwarden airbases and the RNAF Volkel.

KDC-10 Aerial Refueling F-35

The KDC-10 - built by McDonnell Douglas in the late 1970s - is likely to provide support during the test. You can pass 1,750 litre of fuel per minute for combat aircraft, according to the Ministry of Defense. Two Dutch aircraft are part of the test equipment integrated Joint Strike Fighter at Edwards AFB and are operated by RNAF Test and Evaluation Squadron.

In February, Italy got the first Atlantic crossing F-35 Italian aircraft manufacturing was helped by the ocean on the tank itself Boeing KC-767 in Rome. The KC-767 was certified last August, and the Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A completed its certification in December 2015.

Boeing Receives Four Boeing 747-8 Freighters Order

An unknown customer has ordered four 747-8 Freighters, Boeing on official statement on 8 April 2016. Sale first appeared as a weekly update on Boeing's online order and delivery of the database.

It is the first new order for the freighter aircraft variant registered since December 2015, when Boeing sold two aircraft to its aircraft financing unit.

Last year, AirBridgeCargo signed a commitment to purchase up to 20 747-8Fs. Currently, the Russian Cargo on Boeing 747 lease.

Total portfolio or also called backlog of Boeing for 747-8 program now stands at 23 aircraft, including 11 freighters. This based on Boeing's online database.

Later this year, Boeing plans to reduce the production rate of 0.5 per month 747-8s. Because of slowing demand of jumbo jet aircraft. In the next week, Boeing to celebrate 50 years of Boeing 747 Series. One of the most popular and legendary commercial aircraft.

TAP Portugal Airlines Airbus A330-900neo Rendering Image

TAP Portugal airlines and Airbus announced that the carrier will become the first A330-900neo operator or launch customer. The widebody aircraft will be equipped with the new cabin layout configuration, designed and developed by Airbus, called Airspace.

During the announcement during Interiors Expo aircraft (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, François Caudron, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Airbus he said the new cab airspace "will ensure that the booths Airbus remain the benchmark in the experience of airline passengers and value. "

The new concept has been developed around four key elements: comfort, ambience, service and design, intended to provide a sophisticated and flexible base on which airlines can improve their own brands.

Back in 2012, TAP signed a firm order for 53 widebody and single-aisle aircraft including 14 A330-900neo, and 39 A320neo Family aircraft (15 A320neos and 24 A321neos). As part of the agreement, TAP Portugal is replacing its previous order for 12 A350-900s with A330-900neo.

TAP and Airbus have a strong relationship and long-standing that began about three decades ago, when the flag carrier of Portugal took delivery of its first A310, which has been extended by the new majority owner of the Puerta airline Atlantic.

TAP Portugal is Portugal's flag carrier, based in Lisbon Portela Airport, which also serves as its hub. TAP is a member of the Star Alliance and operates about 2,000 weekly flights to 88 destinations in 38 countries worldwide.

Lufthansa Airbus A380-800 is being towed

The German airline, Lufthansa Airbus A380-800 is being towed on taxiway. This photo taken by Andreas Traxler at Franfurt Rhein-Main International Airport. Airbus A380-800 series also known as world's largest commercial aircraft in the world.

American Airlines Airbus A321

The first fleet of Airbus A321 of American Airlines, largest carrier in USA. Picture shown the aircraft has been completed paint job from painting facility of Airbus United States in Mobile, Alabama. This is the first Airbus which fully built and assembled in United States.

Kuwait has confirmed its order for 28 Tranche 3 Eurofighter Typhoons, making the nation the eighth Middle East customer for the jet fighter. The governments of Italy and Kuwait on April 5 ended contract, which will see the aircraft assembled at the plant in Turin Eurofighter partner company Finmeccanica, the commercial potential customer for the consortium agreement.

The 28 aircraft will be integrated with the Captor Euroradar E-Scan scanning electron active array radar. The contract also includes logistics and operational support, and training of Air Force flight and ground crews of Kuwait in relation to the Italian air force, which also operates the type. Typhoon land needed for infrastructure will also be installed in Kuwait.

Mauro Moretti, CEO of Finmeccanica, said that this is the biggest contract the company has ever received, and will benefit the consortium partners as well as smaller Italian companies. The 22 single seat variant and six two seats variant of Typhoons to Kuwait will undergo final assembly in Italy, but the manufacturing of the front fuselage and vertical tail of the aircraft 28 will be held in the UK by BAE Systems Eurofighter partners.

"We welcome the signing of the agreement today between Italy and Kuwait for the supply of 28 Eurofighter Typhoons," adds BAE. "The state of Kuwait will be the third country in the Middle East, and the eighth country in general to operate the aircraft. This confirms the position of the Typhoon aircraft as swing-role combat new and more advanced generation available today."

Eurofighter first revealed the selection of the Typhoon Kuwait in September 2015, three years after the previous order for the type of Oman. The other client Typhoon Middle East is Saudi Arabia, while Austria, Germany Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom also operate the jet fighter.

"This will allow Kuwait to benefit from the critical mass that developed in the Gulf and the many benefits it brings to an air force in terms of interoperability, training and support service."

Qantas Airbus A380-800

Qantas Airbus A380 aircraft on the route from Melbourne to Dubai has been forced to land in Sydney due to a mechanical problem. A Qantas spokesman told AAP that engine vibrations were higher than normal, prompting the decision to land in Sydney, where he was preparing a replacement aircraft.
The A380 landed at Sydney Airport about 6.50 am today.

QF9 flight left Melbourne Airport to 22:40 and turned over southern Australia. The plane was reported made circuits flight levels relatively low, below about 21,000 feet before making a landing well after curfew Sydney had ended in the longest runways north-south parallel.

A spokesman for Qantas said there had been a "slight vibration problem" with one of the Rolls-Royce aircraft engines.

"The pilots decided to return the plane to Sydney, where it is expected that passengers will be transferred on a replacement aircraft later this morning," the spokesman told Fairfax Media. There were 410 passengers on board.

A source told Qantas passengers News Corp Australia put on a different plane, which was scheduled to depart Sydney at 9am AEST.

This is not the first time Qantas has been forced to make priority of its A380 aircraft landings. In December 2014, a flight from Sydney to Dallas had to return to Sydney after the failure of the systems not related to safety on board.

Technical problems affected electric seat entertainment system on board and toilets. That same day, a Qantas A380 with an air conditioning system that does not work was forced to make an emergency landing at the airport in Perth.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-800

The parent company of Alaska Airlines has reached a deal to buy Virgin America, creating an airline focused on the West Coast. If approved by regulators and shareholders of Virgin America, the combined airline will be the fifth largest US operator, according to Alaska Air Group.

"By bringing them together, we are creating the first airline to people living anywhere on the West Coast," said Alaska Air Group CEO Brad Tilden in a statement.

The news of the USD 2.6 million comes after a heated war deals with JetBlue. According to The Wall Street Journal, "a person familiar with the just said it was" a ferocious back and forth between the two sides, with multiple bids for a number of days. "But ultimately, JetBlue put the pencil 'because the price had become too high".

Virgin founder Richard Branson America says in a statement, "Consolidation is a trend that unfortunately can not be stopped. ... I'd be lying if I did not admit sadness that our wonderful airline is merging with another." Branson added that because it is not a US citizen, "Department of Transportation requires taking some of my actions Virgin America shares without voting rights, which reduces my influence over any takeover. So no it was sadly nothing I could do to stop it. "

Airbus A320-200 of Virgin America

Under the terms of the agreement, Alaska will pay USD 57 in cash per share of Virgin America. Including existing aircraft leases and capital debt, it is expected to offer a total value of USD 4 billion. board of directors of both companies have approved the merger agreement.

The new company will be headquartered in Seattle, with a fleet of 280-plus aircraft, according to a fact sheet. Revenue is expected to increase 27 percent to between USD 7 billion per year as a result of the agreement, expected to close on January 1, 2017.

The Associated Press reports that Virgin America "went public in 2014 and although it has grown in Dallas and added a new service to Hawaii and Denver, the airline was having trouble getting enough slots for takeoffs and landings at airports busy from New York." In addition, according to the news service, "their limited size and schedule make it difficult for the company to compete with larger vehicles for lucrative business travelers."

All Nippon Airways Announces Boeing 737-700ER

All Nippon Airways (ANA) has withdrawn from the Boeing 737-700ER aircraft in its fleet. The Japanese carrier says the type retirement took place in line with plans to increase capacity on routes previously operated by aircraft for Boeing 787 Dreamliner. One of these routes includes broader Tokyo Narita-Mumbai route.

During the nine years, the Star Alliance member will use the aircraft, is used to launch new international services, such as Tokyo Narita to Guangzhou, Mumbai, and Yangon.

With his retirement, ANA plans to sell both aircraft. According to the database it indicates that ANA Boeing 737-700ERs had two operations since 2007, leading the JA10AN records (MSN 33879) and JA13AN (MSN 33880). Both aircraft had to be stored since March 27, 2016.

Each aircraft is equipped with a different configuration: JA10AN has 24 seats in business and 20 seats in the economy, while JA13AN is configured with 38 seats in business class of all.

Airbus A340-600

German Carrier planned introduction of the Airbus A350 in January 2017 to further reduce the ability of first-class airline, while the number of economy seats will increase.

The Airbus A350 is configured without first class on a design comprising 48 business class, 21 Premium Economy and 224 economy seats. But the aircraft that will replace - A340-600 - is equipped with eight first class, 56 business, 28 Premium Economy and 189 economy seats, according to Lufthansa website.

The airline plans to station 10 A350 in Munich, and has orders for 25 aircraft of the same type. Lufthansa says it will continue to operate A330 with first class seats from secondary school.

It adds that the A350 will be operated by the main line rather than a subsidiary CityLine regional unit. That division is working A340-300 from Frankfurt with a denser configuration cabin - no first class seats fewer business - under the brand of the main line. Currently Lufthansa has 20 A340-600s in service today, and they were built between 2003 and 2009.

Northrop B-2 Spirit Wing Section

Northrop B-2 Spirit Wing Section To Man Ratio. The Northrop B-2 Spirit the stealth bomber wing section area to man ratio. Shown in the picture, Tech. Sgt. of US Air Force during examines the wing surface. The B-2 aircraft is came from Nellis Air Force Base.

The stealth bomber aircraft is specially made for strategic bomber with low observable stealth technology. The B-2 able to carry heavy weapons, air-to-surface standoff weapons during stealth mission.

Boeing 767-300ER of Delta Air Lines at Brussels Airport

Delta Air Lines is suspending one of its two routes to Brussels amid the terrorist attacks of March 2016 there. Delta says its route between New York JFK and Brussels will remain in place, the resumption of "once at the airport provides space for international operations."

But Delta says it will suspend service between Brussels and Atlanta - Hometown airline and busiest airport - until March 2017. Delta said in a statement Saturday that made that decision "due to the continued uncertainty surrounding the reopening of Brussels airport and weakening demand. "

Flights at Brussels airport have been grounded since 22 March, when the airport was targeted in a coordinated series of terrorist attacks in Brussels. Apparently a limited flight plan could resume there on Sunday, but airport officials have already warned that it could be "months" until full capacity is restored to Brussels airport.

Despite setting service, Delta says it "remains committed to the Belgium market." The carrier adds to customers affected by the suspension of its Atlanta-Brussels route will their flights via New York or partners Air France and KLM.

Needless to say that terrorist attacks can greatly affect travel demand. I'm not just talking about the demand for travel to the city where there was an attack of this kind, but even the demand for travel in general, as some people are afraid to travel after the attacks in major cities.

For example, the terrorist attacks in Paris late last year cost an estimated 50 million Euro for Air France.

At the time of Brussels Airlines operates regional select flights out of nearby airports, while are operating their long-haul flights out of Frankfurt airport. I can not even imagine what a logistical challenge is, and how has affected them economically.

I suspect that the latest attacks in Brussels will have a more lasting impact both at the airport and tourism in Brussels in general. Since one of the bombing was in itself Brussels airport, the airport is still closed, and that could be a while before it reopens.

However, I suspect the impact will be much more durable than was in Paris, given the closure of Brussels airport and is more of a secondary market for aviation in Paris. It seems that airlines are beginning to respond to attacks from Brussels in more permanent forms.