Fleet Changes

January  2004

PSA Will Use Rockwell Collins Aviation Services to Support CRJ Avionics

PSA Airlines will use Rockwell Collins Aviation Services (CAS) to provide service and support for the Collins avionics on their fleet of CRJ200s.  Under the agreement, called Dispatch 100, CAS will provide PSA with spares at multiple bases, logistics management, maintenance repair, technical training, and on-site technical support under a single per flight hour price.  01-30-2004.

New Partners Named to Eclipse 500 Supplier Team   

Eclipse Aviation says it has signed contracts with Autronics, Crossbow Technology, FreeFlight Systems, Harco Laboratories, Hispano-Suiza and Meggitt Avionics to become the latest members of its Avio system supplier team.

Avio is Eclipse Aviation’s name for an integrated suite of avionics and aircraft systems that the company says previously has been available only in advanced military aircraft and commercial airliners. This “total aircraft integration,” as Eclipse Aviation calls it, was designed to have integral, redundant computer systems, which monitor and control all aspects of the aircraft from engine controls to avionics to fuel system management to cabin reading lights on its new Eclipse 500.  

The new suppliers will provide following:  

• Autronics – the aircraft computer system (ACS).
• Crossbow Technology – the attitude and heading reference system (AHRS).  
• FreeFlight Systems – GPS along with wide area augmentation system (WAAS) capability.
• Harco Laboratories – the aircraft’s air data computer with RVSM (reduced vertical separation minima) capability.
• Hispano-Suiza – the aircraft’s FADECs (full authority digital engine controls).  
• Meggitt Avionics – the digital autopilot.

According to Vern Raburn, Eclipse Aviation’s president and CEO, “Avio provides the pilot with fully-integrated electronic control of major aircraft systems, not just avionics.  This total aircraft integration provides a major step forward in safety and reduced pilot workload.”  

The new suppliers will join existing Avio partners Avidyne and General Dynamics and replace components previously contracted to BAE Systems. Avidyne provides the pilot interface to Avio, including the dual primary flight displays and multi function display, keyboard, autopilot control panel, and navigation and communication radios.  General Dynamics provides the power distribution system, as well as the starter generator.

Avio’s integration spans virtually all other Eclipse 500 systems, as well, including the aircraft’s trim motors, flap actuators, landing gear, climate control, lighting, trim, cabin pressurization control, fuel system, and ice protection.  Even the Eclipse 500's new proximity switches – which are considered more accurate and reliable than are traditional micro switches – are part of Avio, and are used wherever practical throughout the aircraft.

Eclipse Aviation’s strategy and goal for 500 is to build  “one of the most advanced aircraft in the world at a cost of $950,000.”  01-30-2004.

Mesa Air Group has converted 20 Bombardier CRJ700 and CRJ900 regional jet options into firm orders.  The mix of models will be determined at a later date.  Mesa still has 20 further options available with Bombardier.  The U.S. regional carrier currently operates 43 CRJ200s, 15 CRJ700s and 11 CRJ900s.  In addition, 11 more CRJ200s will soon join its fleet from Midway Airlines.  01-29-2004. 

Air Tahiti Nui signed a firm contract with Airbus for another CFM56-5C/P-powered A340-300 for delivery in June 2005.  01-29-2004.

Lessor Boullioun Aviation Services took delivery of a B-737-800 from Boeing. The aircraft is leased to Air Europa.  01-29-2004. 

Air New Zealand has taken delivery of its fifth A320.  ANZ has 15 Airbus A320s on order and another 20 on option.  01-29-2004.  

Shanghai Airlines has leased two new B-737-800s from GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS).  One airplane has already been delivered and the second will arrive in March.  01-29-2004.  

Azzura, a private Italian airline, has returned a B-737-700 to its lessor, Germania.  This leaves one B-737-700 in Azzura’s fleet.  01-29-2004. 

Spain’s regional airline, Air Nostrum, took delivery of a CRJ.  01-29-2004. 

The Hungarian national carrier Malev is returning two B-737-500s to Hapag Lloyd Express in January and February.  01-29-2004.

SkyWay Acquires DC-9 to Demonstrate Communications and Security Systems   

SkyWay Aircraft, a subsidiary of SkyWay Communications Holding Corp. purchased a DC-9-15 that will be outfitted with SkyWay in-flight communications, aircraft-condition monitoring, security monitoring and entertainment systems for demonstration and evaluation purposes.

The aircraft's Skyway communications system will include an air-to-ground connection of up to 15Mbps to facilitate security monitoring, passenger voice and data communications, audio and video in-flight entertainment, and two-way video conferencing.  In addition, it will have a datalink system for monitoring engine, airframe and air filtration parameters, a special emergency assistance installation, and a micro-cell system to facilitate personal cell telephone use.

The aircraft's surveillance monitoring system will consist of up to 16 color cameras, covertly and overtly positioned throughout the aircraft's cabin and baggage areas, which can be constantly monitored by ground personnel.  01-24-2004.

The low-cost Italian carrier, Wind Jet, took delivery of a used A320, leased from Boullioun Aviation Services.  The airline now has four A320s.  01-23-2004.  

Delta Air Lines subsidiary, Delta AirElite Business Jets has added a new Cessna Citation X to its operating certificate.  01-22-2004.  

The FAA ordered a Bombardier Challenger 604 to use in runway and airway calibration and other special missions.  The airplane will be delivered in November.  The also has two options for more aircraft.  Currently, the agency flies three Challenger 601-3Rs and six Learjet 60s for civil and military runway calibration.  01-22-2004.

Binter Canarias, a Canary Islands inter-island carrier, ordered six ATR 72-500s with deliveries scheduled between May 2004 and February 2005.  The airline currently has a fleet of 13 ATRs.  01-21-2004.  

Thomas Cook, which is the new brand name for Condor Flugdienst, sold twelve B-757-200s to Russia’s Center-Capital which will gradually transfer them in coming months to VIM Avia, a Russian start-up carrier.  Thomas Cook still retains one leased B-757-200, 13 B-757-300s, 9 B-767-300s and 12 A320s.  01-21-2004.   

Virgin Express will return two B-737-400s to their lessor, thereby reducing its fleet from 13 to 11.   01-21-2004. 

America West leased a new V2527-A5-powered A320-200 and two used A320-200s from ILFC.  The new A320 will be delivered in April, and the used ones will be delivered in March.  01-20-2004.

Lan Chile leased one used CF6-80C2-B6F-powered B-767-300ER from ILFC.  01-20-2004.

Air China leased two used CFM56-3C-1-powered B-737-300s aircraft from ILFC.   01-20-2004.

COPA leased one new B-737-700 from ILFC.  The aircraft is powered by CFM56-7B22 engines and will be delivered in December 2004.  01-20-2004.

Malaysian Airline System (MAS) leased two used A330-300s from ILFC. The aircraft are powered by PW4168A engines and are scheduled to be delivered in March and April.  01-20-2004. 

SAS Scandinavian Airlines is postponing delivery of four A321s.  The carrier currently operates eight A321s, and has 12 on order including the four delayed.  01-20-2004.

Ryanair ordered two additional B-737-800s.  (Boeing says the sales were already included in its 2003 order total.)  The airline currently has 69 B-737s.  01-16-2004.

Reykjavik-based Islandsflug leased a B-737-300 from Debis Air Finance. The airplane has a quick-change configuration with a cargo door and seats on pallets.  01-15-2004.

Southwest took delivery of two new B-737-700s.  The airline expects 45 more B-737s this year, which will bring its fleet to 417 at the end of 2004 after expected retirements.  Southwest has 34 B-737 deliveries and five retirements planned for 2005.  01-14-2004.

LanChile took delivery of its first new V2500-A5-powered A319.  The airline will get another A319 this year to join its fleet of 14 A320s and four A340s. 12-13-2004.

THY Turkish Airlines said it will remove two B-737-500s, six B-737-400s and four of its five A310-300s from its fleet in 2004.  Eight B-737-400s and 25 B-737-800s will remain in operation, along with seven A340-300s.  THY also intends to replace its RJ-70/-100s with a mix of regional jets and turboprops in 2005.  12-13-2004.

Qantas plans to lease three new V2500-powered A320s from Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise (SALE) for its Jetstar low-cost airline.  The airplanes should be delivered in June and July, but will be phased out as Jetstar begins to replace them with B-717s currently operated by Impulse Airlines.   01-12-2004.

Bombardier Business Jet Solutions, a Bombardier Flexjet fractional ownership operator, received its first Challenger 300 in late December.  01-10-2004.

Boeing and Cathay Pacific Airways Launch 747-400 Special Freighter  

Boeing says Cathay Pacific will be the launch airline for its 747-400 Special Freighter program, and convert at least six, and as many as 12, 747-400 passenger airplanes into freighters.  Taikoo Aircraft Engineering (TAECO) in Xiamen, China is working with Boeing on the prototype modification.  

Cathay Pacific will also purchase one new, regular-production B-747-400 Freighter, to be delivered during February 2005.  (This order was previously identified.)   The airline will receive its first Special Freighter in December 2005, and the sixth during 2007.  Cathay currently operates five B-747-400Fs and six B-747-200Fs.

The passenger-to-freighter conversion involves adding side cargo door that is identical to the 747-400 production freighter; strengthening the main-deck floor; and installing a full main-deck lining, provisions for a new cargo handling system, and some updated flight-deck systems.  When finished, the Special Freighter will be capable of handing 30 pallets on its main deck and comparable volume.  The upper deck of the Special Freighter will be capable of seating up to 19 people, an option found on no other converted freighter, Boeing says.

The Special Freighter will have an estimated capacity of 250,200 pounds (113,490 kilograms), structural payload at a design range of 4,100 nautical miles (7,600 kilometers) and will be capable of 870,000 pounds (394,625 kilograms) maximum takeoff weight.   It will be powered by Rolls-Royce RB211-524H-T engines.   01-09-2004.

Air Transat took delivery of a leased A310-300 from German Operating Aircraft Leasing in a deal arranged by BACK Aviation Solutions.  Air Transat flies currently five A310s.  01-09-2004. 

TNT Express will lease five B-737-300s from GECAS to be phased in over the next four years.  Two will join the fleet in 2004 and the others added in 2005, 2006 and 2007.  TNT also has options to lease five more B-737s that will be converted by GECAS into freighters.  01-09-2004.  

WestJet has confirmed a previously announced intention to order seven new B-737-700s.  The aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2005.  01-09-2004.

Aeroflot will lease six Il-96-300s with Ilyushin Finance Co. (IFC).  01-07-2003.

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