Rob, the issue of modifying an existing airframe (737) versus an entirely new design was discussed decades ago --- Boeing lacked the resources to do a totally different design, so the market niche could be satisfied by stretching the 737 platform at a manageable cost. The argument seemed to make sense. Another aspect is/was the forecast of demand. Back when the Boeing 737 debate was ongoing the forecast of air travel demand was way less than the actual that we see today, so the analysis of new versus stretch an existing platform had a different view. Had the demand picture been accurate the choice of new versus stretch might have been different. In the end the accountants and capital risk always seem to rule.

(Written on 29/04/2022)(Permalink)

I'm guessing that the pilots neglected to extend the takeoff flaps, or a mechanical occurred where the leading edge flaps failed to deploy? The aircraft was lightly loaded and it appeared to reach VR but wouldn't lift so that would be a no flap situation.

(Written on 22/10/2021)(Permalink)

German Wings? Yes. What about Egypt Air out of JFK? Same suicide. What about Air France between Brazil and Paris over the Atlantic, and the pilot flying trying to get above weather and stalling three times before he hit the water? Single pilot en route is a very bad idea. Every airline has to crew its planes with five crew sets. Duty limits, sick days, vacations, bundled together requires five crew sets, so if they reduce the scarebus to two pilots (both at the seats for takeoff and landing but one en route) ill save two salaries, times five. Average salary, with benefits, US$275,000, savings of 2,750,000 for every aircraft annually. It's similar to when the airlines managed to eliminate the flight engineer on aircraft. The airlines love the concept due to the obvious savings ....... but I loathe the concept.

(Written on 18/06/2021)(Permalink)

I've read that the controlling shareholders, the Douglas family, were unwilling to bet the company on a DC10 derivative with two engines. I've read that Boeing bought McDonnell Douglas to get the freighter. It is a sad chapter for the shareholders and employees, and handed its market share to Airbus.

(Written on 30/04/2021)(Permalink)

Correction. You are thinking of the freighter. The Boeing 717 was a DC9 derivation with big engines, designed initially for Reno Air so that it could fly out of Orange County (KSNA) without busting the airport's noise monitors. The Boeing 717 is a twin-engine, single-aisle jet airliner, developed for the 100-seat market. The airliner was designed and originally marketed by McDonnell Douglas as the MD-95, a derivative of the DC-9 family. Capable of seating up to 134 passengers, the 717 has a design range of 2,060 nautical miles (3,820 km). It is powered by two Rolls-Royce BR715 turbofan engines mounted at the rear of the fuselage. The first order for the airliner was placed was placed with McDonnell Douglas in October 1995 by ValuJet Airlines (later AirTran Airways). With McDonnell Douglas and Boeing merging in 1997 prior to production, the airliner entered service in 1999 as the Boeing 717. Production of the Boeing 717 ceased in May 2006 after 156 were built. As of July 2018, 148 Boei

(Written on 30/04/2021)(Permalink)

If you look at Southwest's website, their minimum hiring requirement is 2500 TT and a thousand of that in turbine equipment. I used to build time ferrying aircraft, brokering and buying aircraft, and I built a lot of time quickly. However the subtle elephant in the room is age ...... the airline wants to get at least 20 years out of a pilot so when you reach 35 you are pretty much done with a major. You need to get your ATP so you need 1500 TT as a minimum. Hire on with Atlas, Polar, Caletta and build jet time, or fly corporate.

(Written on 09/04/2021)(Permalink)

I strongly disagree. These zero time new hires will be simulator trained on the aircraft for which they will be assigned, and will get a type rating in the simulator. They will have understanding of the automation of the aircraft, but will have no "stick and rudder skills", an item which has always differentiated Western pilots from those in Asia and Eastern Europe. Typically, pilots in North America have gained a minimum of 2500 hours flying all types of aircraft before they have been hired. Minimum flight experience by FAA rules is 1500 hours. Now United is going the other way, which is deeply regrettable. United will get the new hires type rated and then will call them "2nd officers", meaning that they cannot take off or land the aircraft but can sit right seat until they have gained sufficient flight time to become 1st officers. To illustrate this - the debacle of the Boeing 737 Max led to two fatal crashes because the flight crew didn't know how to respond to the pitch up, and

(Written on 09/04/2021)(Permalink)

The announcement at the top of this link shows (with photos) the changes to each cabin. https://www.gatechecked.com/emirates-unveils-a380-premium-economy-cabin-along-with-small-upgrades-to-other-cabins-4608?utm_source=flightaware.com&utm_medium=social Premium economy is better, but it's unclear if the seat width is actually wider for big people, or is simply the center credenza that is added. The pitch is better (as expected), the footrest is appreciated, and the entertainment system is the same as in business. They note they are doing FREE UPGRADES until the system is better known so request that when you make a reservation.

(Written on 01/01/2021)(Permalink)

I looked at the crew instruction (I'm not crew but I have the instruction) and the seat is different with an electrically activated footrest. The section is the front section of the lower deck where the plane narrows, and the seats are 8 across where in the economy section they are 10 across, (4 center and 2 on the sides in PE) where Y is 3/4/3 It doesn't tell me the seat pitch or width but my guess is the seat width is the same, but with a center credenza for drinks etc.

(Written on 01/01/2021)(Permalink)

Premium economy is a way for an airline to increase yield without adding true value. Same food, same seat (although the Emirates announcement does say they have a footrest in the Premium seats). Premium economy has been productive with other long haul carriers (Qantas, for example) so it is popular among some customers.

(Written on 01/01/2021)(Permalink)