BOEING NEWS
[NYSE: BA] design enhancements that increase the short-field performance of the Next-Generation 737 earned certification this week from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration following a successful four-month flight-test program. European Aviation Safety Agency certification is expected to follow soon.
"Our ultimate goal is to help our customers succeed by offering them products that add value to their operations," said Mark Jenkins, vice president and general manager of 737 Airplane Production. "The 737's short-field performance enhancements will allow airlines to generate more revenue."
The 737 design enhancements allow operators to fly increased payload in and out of airports with runways less than 5,000 feet long. The design enhancements include a two-position tail skid that enables reduced approach speeds, sealed leading-edge slats that provide increased lift during takeoff, and increased flight spoiler deflection on the ground that improves takeoff and landing performance.
The short-field design package is an option on the 737-600, -700 and -800 and is standard equipment for the new 737-900ER. The enhancements increase payload capability for landing up to 8,000 pounds on the 737-800 and 737-900ER and up to 4,000 pounds on the 737-600 and 737-700. They also increase payload capability for takeoff up to 2,000 pounds on the 737-800 and 737-900ER and up to 400 pounds on the 737-600 and 737-700.
The short-field performance changes were developed starting in 2004. The flight-test program was conducted on a new 737-800 and began when the airplane made its first flight on Jan. 24, 2006.
Boeing will deliver the refurbished test airplane later this week to the launch customer, Brazilian low-cost carrier GOL Linhas Aereas S.A. The jet is the first of 67 737-800s ordered by the carrier.
To date 11 customers have ordered the short-field performance package for more than 250 airplanes. In addition to GOL, Alaska Airlines, Air Europe, Air India, Egyptair, GE Commercial Aviation Services (GECAS), Hapagfly, Japan Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Sky Airlines and Turkish Airlines are among some of the operators that have ordered the design package.
The Next-Generation 737s are 10 years newer and fly higher, faster and farther than competing models. Through June 2006, 97 customers have placed orders for more than 3,300 Next-Generation 737s; the program has 1,365 unfilled orders with a value of $91 billion at current list prices.
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS, a member of the Switzerland-based Liebherr Group, to supply the environmental control system for the new 747-8 airplane.
Liebherr's environmental control system will use outside air supplied by the 747-8's General Electric GEnx engines to supply the cabin. The system will condition the air, making it comfortable for passengers and crew.
"Having a robust environmental control system is critical for cabin safety and comfort," said Corky Townsend, chief project engineer, 747-8 program, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Liebherr has a proven track record in environmental control systems for commercial aviation. They also have proven to be a reliable supplier for The Boeing Company."
Liebherr will design and manufacture the environmental control system at its facility in Toulouse, France. Group members Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH and Liebherr-Elektronik GmbH also will participate in this project. Boeing expects the first hardware deliveries to begin late 2008.
"Our strong team and extensive knowledge of environmental control systems will be an asset to the 747-8 program," said André Benhamou, managing director of Liebherr-Aerospace Toulouse SAS. "We are excited to be part of the team working on the Boeing 747-8."
The 747-8 family, which includes the 747-8 Intercontinental passenger airplane and the 747-8 Freighter, was launched in November 2005 by Cargolux Airlines and Nippon Cargo Airlines. Since the program launch, Boeing has garnered 29 orders and commitments for the 747-8.
Additional Information
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has announced an agreement with Eaton Corporation's aerospace division to support the proposed HH-47 Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopter program for the U.S. Air Force.
"Boeing is proud of its HH-47 proposal and supplier network," said Rick Lemaster, Boeing HH-47 program manager. "Eaton represents the solid support and quality our suppliers regularly provide. Their proven performance reduces risk and contributes to our best value solution for the U.S. Air Force."
CSAR-X is a U.S. Air Force initiative to procure more capable and survivable aircraft able to recover isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory. The tandem rotor, heavy lift, high altitude HH-47 is based on the CH/MH-47 Chinook tandem rotor transport helicopter, with performance characteristics and capabilities that have been widely demonstrated in the ongoing war on terrorism and in numerous U.S. and international humanitarian relief operations.
"CSAR provides Eaton with an opportunity to continue production of critical components for the next 10 years for one of the best rotorcraft platforms in the world," said Bradley J. Morton, president of Eaton Aerospace.
Eaton Aerospace manufactures and supplies critical flight safety components for the CH-47 Chinook hydraulic system and specialized debris monitoring detection technology for the helicopter's engines and transmission system. Operations in Jackson, Miss; Costa Mesa and Glendale, Calif; Jackson, Mich.; Glenolden, Pa., Bethel, Conn. and Sarasota, Fla., support the production of these complex products.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Eaton Corporation is a leading manufacturer of system and component technologies of hydraulic, electro-hydraulic pump and generator products, and integrated systems; electric motors; aircraft door actuation; flight and flow control; fluid, fuel and air delivery products and systems; nose wheel steering systems; integrated control systems; cockpit controls and displays; power and load management systems; and pressure sensors, seals and fluid health monitoring products and systems. Eaton serves commercial and military aviation, aerospace, military weapons, marine and off-road markets worldwide.
The milestone delivery -- a 737-700 to Southwest Airlines -- occurred nearly nine years after Southwest received the first Next-Generation 737.
"This is a tremendous day for the Boeing team and our customers. The 737 family just keeps getting better and better, and this milestone is a reflection of the continued value our customers place on the airplanes and the people who design, build and support them," said Mark Jenkins, vice president and general manager of 737 Airplane Production.
Known for its versatility, reliability, fuel efficiency and economical performance, the Next-Generation 737 models have been selected by leading full-service airlines and low-cost carriers throughout the world. The Next-Generation 737 airplane family, which includes the 737-600, -700, -800, -900 and the new -900ER and -700ER, continues to be the company's best-selling airplane model.
Earlier this year, the current airplane family eclipsed order totals for Classic 737s. As of June 30, 2006, 97 customers have placed orders for more than 3,300 airplanes. The program has 1,365 unfilled orders with a value of $91 billion at current list prices.
So far this year, the Next-Generation 737 has won net orders for 399 airplanes. The order total represents 78 percent in units of all Boeing commercial airplane orders for the year.
