America West ordered ten A320s and seven A319s, which firms up a commitment announced by the airline in May.  In addition, the airline will acquire an additional five A320 Family aircraft, four of which will be leased, and the other either purchased or leased.  All 22 aircraft will be powered by IAE V2500 engines.  Deliveries of the purchased aircraft begin in late 2005 and will run through 2006.  The airline currently operates 32 A319s and 53 A320s.  08-14-2004.

---

FAA Certifies Gulfstream G450

The FAA certified Gulfstream’s new long-range G450.  Deliveries to customers should begin in the second quarter of 2005.

The G450, like the ultra-long range G500 and G550, and the mid-range G350, will have Gulfstream's PlaneView cockpit that features an EVS (enhanced vision system) as standard equipment, and cursor control devices for its pilots to access the status of onboard systems and to update flight information.  08-12-2004.

---

Cathay Pacific will acquire eight used B-747-400s – from unannounced owners and operators – four of which will be converted into freighters.  Seven will be purchased and one will be leased.  Six of the eight will be powered by PW4056 engines and the other two by RB211-524s.  08-11-2004.

Delta AirElite Business Jets, a wholly owned subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, has added a Gulfstream G550 to its operating certificate.  08-10-2004.

---

Thales Will Supply Integrated Standby Flight Display for Boeing 7E7

Boeing selected Thales to supply the integrated standby flight display (ISFD) for its 7E7.  Thales' liquid crystal ISFD will display airspeed, altitude, heading and airplane attitude, as well as approach course and glideslope deviation data, in the highly improbable possibility that the aircraft’s redundant primary displays should fail.  08-10-2004.

---

FAA Certifies New Constant-Use Crew Rest Area on B-777

The FAA has certified a new overhead rest area for pilots on all B-777 models, to allow them to be occupied during taxi, takeoff and landing, which frees up seats in the main cabin for revenue passengers.

Aircraft such as the B-777 require additional pilots for relief purposes on some flights because of their very long duration.

Boeing says the new rest areas will allow 777-200ER and 777-200LR operators to save as many as four passenger seats and four cargo containers, while the 777-300ER saves up to seven seats and six cargo containers, which might translate into $4.9-to-$11.3 million in additional revenue over 20 years.  (Earlier crew rest provisions were located under the main floor in cargo areas.)

The new dedicated areas are located above the passenger cabin, and include two sleeping berths, two business-class seats and an area for optional amenities, such as a closet, sink or lavatory.  08-07-2004.

---