A Pilot’s Blog
A blog about aviation, aviation news, and space.

In honor of those who have and are currently serving – in all branches. May God bless you.

Picture courtesy of Airliners.net.

The CH-47 Chinook helicopter, mentioned in the post below, is a very powerful machine. Here one is being used to transport a rather large jet aircraft currently serving as a “gate guard” (on display at the entrance to an airport apparently) to be cleaned and refurbished.

Picture courtesy of Airliners.net.

While browsing Google News this evening I noticed that Boeing picked up a couple substantial military-related orders today that are worth quite a bit.

The first is a deal with South Korea to sell them four AWACS-styled 737 surveillance aircraft by 2012, a deal worth ~$1.7 billion. South Korea currently uses US-operated AWACS flights based out of Japan for surveillance of their border with North Korea, so this deal will give them some measure of autonomy with those operations.

The second, and much more prominent, contract was awarded by the United States Air Force, and involved the ordering of one hundred and forty one modified CH-47 Chinook helicopters for use in their Combat Search and Rescue program. This deal is potentially worth over $13 billion. Boeing beat out both Lockheed and Sikorsky for this contract.

Are you a Sam’s Club member? Do you have an extra $2.7 million? If so, you can buy your own Cessna Citation Mustang! While this may just be a ploy to gain some free advertisment, I think it’s a pretty cool idea. I mean, the aircraft comes with a free lifetime Sam’s membership. After all, for 2.7 million, it should…

Citation Mustang Serial Number 510-0002 is the first Mustang built that will be available to the public. This historic light jet ushered in the month of September with a complete FAA Type Certificate. This jet has been showcased throughout the nation at a number of events and shows. To ensure the highest levels of performance and value, the aircraft will be delivered with new engines, and a fresh interior and exterior.

In the end nature may be all powerful, but man can still affect her in many spectacular ways.

Picture courtesy of Airliners.net.

In previous posts I have pointed out some order cancellations that Airbus is receiving due to the delays and mis-management of its A380 program. But what exactly is the cause of these problems? Today I came across a Popular Mechanics article that attempts to explain just that. It’s an interesting read.

Five years ago, the A380 was being hailed as a turning point in aviation history – a plane that would reinvent air travel and leave Airbus’s rival, Boeing, in its wake. Today, the program is two years behind schedule and $2 billion over budget. Airbus CEO Christian Streiff proposed drastic changes to put production back on schedule. Frustrated by corporate governance that impeded this strategy, Streiff resigned. In a project of this magnitude, holdups and design changes are expected. More than 35 years ago, the first 747 rolled out of the Boeing plant in Everett, Wash., with 5000-pound concrete blocks dangling from its wings because the engines weren’t ready. But the A380′s woes go far beyond the normal setbacks. Says aviation consultant Scott Hamilton of Leeham Co., “A delay this big is really rare this far into the modern jet age.”

Following yesterday’s announcement that FedEx Corp. will be canceling their A380F order, the possibility remains that UPS, which also ordered several A380F airframes, will also cancel their order. Airbus is apparently scrambling to prevent this and salvage the freighter variant of their struggling A380 program.

EADS Chief Financial Officer Hans-Peter Ring said Airbus’ 15 remaining freighter orders _ 10 from UPS and five from International Lease Finance Corp. _ still need to be “reconfirmed.”

All the freighter orders are now “in the cancellation zone,” he said. A spokesman for Louisville-based UPS Airlines said Tuesday the company was still reviewing its options.

Nearly identical to the 172s I had my flight training in. Best view in the world.

Picture courtesy of Airliners.net.

A classic shot from the most famous beach in the world, Maho Beach, on the island of St. Maarten. This picture was my desktop background for quite awhile.

Picture courtesy of Airliners.net.

In a statement released to the press today, FedEx Corp announced that they have entered into a contract with Boeing to purchase fifteen new 777F freighter aircraft from Boeing with an option to order fifteen more. In the same announcement, FedEx released that they have canceled their order for 10 A380 freighter aircraft from Airbus. The delays are finally catching up with them.

"Global demand for air cargo and express services continues to grow rapidly and FedEx has made significant investments in our network to meet customers’ needs and fulfill our business objectives. Therefore, it was necessary and prudent for us to acquire the Boeing 777 Freighter." said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and chief executive officer, FedEx Corp. "The availability and delivery timing of this aircraft, coupled with its attractive payload range and economics, make this choice the best decision for FedEx, its customers, shareowners and employees."