Embraer wins huge SkyWest E-175 order
SkyWest has placed a potential $8.3bn order with Embraer for up to 200 aircraft. The airline has ordered 40 Embraer E-175 aircraft in a firm contract, and will operate them under a capacity purchase agreement (CPA) with United Airlines. A further 60 firm orders are re-confirmable aircraft, which are subject to SkyWest being awarded CPA agreement contracts with US airline partners. The agreement also includes options for another 100 E-175s, taking the total order potential up to 200 aircraft. If all parts of the contract come to fruition, the list-price value would be $8.3bn. Delivery of the first aircraft is scheduled for the second quarter of 2014.
MRO Network News, 22nd May 2013.
GE advances technology in Delaware
GE Aviation plans to invest $27m and add up to 70 new jobs over the next five years at its Newark, Delaware facility. The facility manufactures advanced aircraft engine components made of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). The investment will enable GE to develop a 'Lean Lab' at the site, allowing for collaboration between engineering and manufacturing. Production technologies for CMC components will be developed and verified in Newark prior to transitioning to manufacturing facilities for mass production. CMCs aim to improve fuel efficiency, lower emissions and improve environmental performance in aircraft engines by allowing them to run at higher temperatures.
MRO Network News, 22nd May 2013.
GKN completes demonstration of OOA composite research program
GKN Aerospace has successfully completed a composite manufacturing and assembly research programme using of out-of-autoclave processes and materials and Pi-shaped woven preforms. The company says that these technologies have the potential to transform the future manufacture and assembly of large composite aerostructures and produce the performance gains the industry seeks in the next generation of airframes. The OOA Composite Processing Phase II programme used OOA materials to design, develop and manufacture an affordable, lightweight, blended aircraft wing box featuring integrally stiffened skins, complex contours and four stringer shapes. The manufacture of the parts used vacuum bag technology and the low-cost tooling that becomes practicable when curing outside the extreme autoclave environment. The wing box was then assembled using fastener-free, impregnated Pi joints.
CompositesWorld Weekly, 14 May 2013. http://tinyurl.com/a4ltx2t
Boeing rolls out first 787 at increased production rate
Boeing has reported that on May 9th it has rolled out of the factory the first 787 Dreamliner to be built at the increased production rate of seven airplanes per month. The airplane is the 114th 787 to be built overall and the 100th 787 to be built at the Everett factory. Boeing says its 787 programme is on track to achieve a planned 10-per-month rate by year-end. The production rate accounts for airplanes built at the Everett Final Assembly facility, the Everett Temporary Surge Line and Boeing South Carolina in North Charleston. To date, 50 787s have been delivered to eight airlines. The programme has more than 800 unfilled orders with 58 customers worldwide. (Item contains no further information.)
CompositesWorld Weekly, 14 May 2013. http://tinyurl.com/a2npja6
