MONITORING A/C HEALTH WHILE AIRBORNE...

Bombardier inc, a canadian aircraft manufacturer is promising its CSeries will carry the real-time health monitoring systems to transmit data to and from airborne aircraft, from the single-aisle type's 2013 service entry.

CSeries programme director Sebastien Mullot says the system will go "way beyond" the current generation of ACARS (Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System ) communications systems.

ACARS, he notes, is an expensive and limited tool for data transmission, so Bombardier is developing a system built around a satellite datalink. Information will be transmitted to and from system vendors, including engine maintenance partners.

hmm..so with this systems the pilots are free from their prayers as this systems can forecast the aircraft problems!!!

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BOEING HELPS UNITED AIRLINES INCREASING ITS 777 FLEET EFFICIENCY!!

United airlines & boeing announced the installment of new software package that aims to increse its customers 777-fleet efficiency!

The package, to be installed on 52 United Airlines 777s, is expected to reduce fuel spending per airplane by about $200,000 annually (assuming $100 per barrel crude oil prices), according to Boeing estimates.

Continental Airlines, which merged with United Airlines last year, was among the first airlines to sign up for the package, agreeing to outfit 20 777s in 2007.

The 777 Performance Improvement Package improves the airplane's aerodynamics through a software change to enable a drooped aileron, a ram air system improvement and the installation of improved wing vortex generators.


Eighteen airlines with fleets totaling more than 350 airplanes have ordered the 777 Performance Improvement Package, which is focused on the 777-200, -200ER (extended range) and -300 models, accounting for more than 500 airplanes. The upgrades are incorporated in the newer 777 models, the 777-200LR (longer range), -300ER and Freighter, during factory production.

Boeing continues to work with customers to optimize fuel efficiency and other performance benefits for its in-service fleet, through both aftermarket upgrades and operational improvements.

airbus corporation which restricts the conversion of a320 fleets to its upgraded neo version ,has to search for options to comfort their customers.
 

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SAAB CALLS ORDER FOR AIRBORNE SELF-PROTECTION SYSTEM

Development and production of the self-protection systems (named IDAS, Integrated Defensive Aids Suite family) of saab aerospace, calls for order of MEURO 28.

Saab’s family of Integrated Defensive Aids Suite (IDAS) are ideally suited to enhance the survivability of aircraft, in sophisticated, diverse and dense threat environments, by providing a multi-sensor warning system.
i.e. radar, laser and missile approach (passive UV); integrated with the lightweight pyrotechnic dispensing system (BOP/L).

The system today is protecting the following aircraft and helicopters:

• Su-30MKM, C-130B, H and L100.

• Saab 2000, 

• Eurocopter Puma & Super Puma, 

• NH Industries NH90, 

• Agusta-Westland A109, A129, & Super Lynx 300, 

• Boeing CH-47 Chinook, 

• Eurocopter Cougar,

• Denel Rooivalk & Oryx 

and is on delivery for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv.

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HYPERSONIC FLIGHT--> THE X-51

The second Boeing X-51A Waverider, set for a yesterday launch attempt, includes modifications designed to eliminate the problems that prevented the first prototype from achieving its goal of 300s of powered flight at Mach 6 last year May.

Although highly successful compared with the previous record of 12s for hypersonic flight by a hydrocarbon-fuelled scramjet, range safety officials terminated the X-51A flight because of a loss of telemetry after 143s of powered flight.

Though this is not the actual problem,the x-51 faced the problem with the thrust of airframe!!

Investigations were carried out by USAF, Pratt & Whitney and Boeing after the mission revealed a problem with the interface between the scramjet engine and the airframe, which reduced thrust at the vehicle level. 

Now the Changes to the thermal seal between the engine and airframe have been made on the remaining vehicles.

The 22 March launch will feature the same parameters as the first.This includes a boost to 70,000ft (21,350m) by an Army Tactical Missile solid rocket booster engine after an air drop by a Boeing B-52H flying at 49,500. The scramjet uses an ethylene mix for ignition and JP-7 fuel for the 300s burn.

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747-8 CONDUCTS SUCCESSFUL FIRST FLIGHT!!

747-8 Intercontinental successfully began its flight test program yesterday, taking off from Paine Field in Everett, Washington, before more than several thousand employees, customers, suppliers and community leaders. 

The airplane landed four hours and 25 minutes later at Boeing Field in Seattle. The 747-8 Intercontinental's first flight marks the beginning of a flight test program that will finish in the fourth quarter.

The first flight was the first of more than 600 flight hours in the test program for the new 747-8 Intercontinental. The airplane followed a route over Eastern Washington, where it underwent tests for basic handling and performance. The airplane reached a cruising altitude of 19,000 feet (5,791 meters), and a speed of up to 250 knots, or about 288 miles per hour (463 kilometers).

Korean Air and VIP customers have joined launch customer Lufthansa in ordering a total of 33 747-8 Intercontinentals. First delivery of the 747-8 Intercontinental is scheduled for the fourth quarter.

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A350's largest panel!

 

This is certainly chilling!!

the picture shows the forward fuselage section of the airbus A350-the aircraft beloeved to be high efficient by airbus corporation to competent with boeing 777 & 787 variants!!

The composite technology really speaks nt because of its light weight but it allows to tailor the fabrication as defined by the loads on it!!

 

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SAAB DESIGNS NEW GREEN WING

SAAB sweden based defense company designed a wing under their project Smart Fixed Wing Aircraft  (SFWA).  
Saab plays an essential part in the European Clean Sky project lead by Airbus. Saab has developed the new Smart Fixed Wing Aircraft (SFWA) wing panel demonstrator, which is one step closer to achieve Clean Sky’s vision; to radically minimize adverse environmental impact from aviation by 2020. 

“Because of the SFWA design, maintenance of laminar air flow is possible, which decrease the aircrafts total drag by at least 5 %”, says Henrik Åslund, aerodynamicist.  
Saab’s contribution to the Clean Sky project is highly advanced technological knowledge. The major challenge is to preserve laminar air flow and avoid turbulent flow. Air flow is extremely sensitive to small steps, gaps and waviness which disturbs the laminar flow and makes it turbulent, thus increasing the friction imposed on the wing. Saab, being an experienced composite design and manufacturer, has new unique techniques which make the wing surfaces smooth enough to maintain laminar flow.

“This new design which also includes an integrated Leading Edge will impact the ways of building the future aircraft wing, reducing the time for assembly and enhance the surface quality allowing the laminar flow to be stable”, says Thomas Hellström, Project Manager Clean Sky.

As a result of this, SFWA helps reduce drag. This, in turn, reduces CO2 and NOx emissions as well as fuel consumption and noise caused by aircraft.

"This is the most complex and highly advanced composite article built by Saab.The panel has shown very good laminate and surface quality , which verifies that the design and tooling concept has proven to work”, according to Jonas Bohlin, Sub-project manager, Clean Sky SFWA, Saab.

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747-8 COMPLETES taxi TESTs..

747-8 successfully completed high-speed taxi tests on the first 747-8 Intercontinental today. This is the last test in a series of functional tests planned in preparation for first flight.

During the testing, the airplane reached a top speed of approximately 90 knots (103 mph, 167 kph), and the pilots lifted the nose gear from the pavement.

747-8 soon gets FAA certification!

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e-WING..

safran group s Sagem division, which specialises in manufacturing flight-control assemblies, has assisted with producing the lightweight actuator as part of a project known as e-Wing.

the e-wing contains the aileron actuator powered by a electrical motor rather than the conventional hydraulics in aircraft.

the test has been done sucessfully on an airbus a320.

this concept can reduce the weight of hydraulics for operating control surfaces can provide better operating economy .

this new tech will be unveiled in coming 2014/15 in aircrafts!

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LOCKHEED MARTIN TO LAUNCH EARTH IMAGING SATELLITE!!!

Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Lockheed Martin Corporation has been chosen by DigitalGlobe to launch that company's next-generation, high-resolution Earth-imaging satellite, WorldView-3, on an Atlas V rocket.

The commercial imagery satellite is scheduled to launch in 2014 from Vandenberg 

,financial terms are not disclosed.

DigitalGlobe is a leading global content provider of high-resolution Earth-imagery solutions. The company supports the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) in delivering increased commercial satellite-imaging capacity in support of NGA's EnhancedView program, which provides products and services that help meet the increasing geospatial needs of the intelligence community and the Department of Defense.

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747-8 COMPLETES FINAL GAUNLET TEST..

747-8 has completed final gauntlet testing on the first 747-8 Intercontinental aircraft,the tests were completed by late sunday.

Gauntlet testing simulates flight conditions to test systems and ensure flight readiness. During the testing, Boeing test pilots put the airplane through its paces.
See how extensive the testing is in this video: http://goo.gl/0cJCZ.
Gauntlet testing is a crucial step in the path toward first flight.

First flight of the 747-8 Intercontinental will occur after final flight readiness reviews, receipt of documentation from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and taxi testing. Both taxi testing and first flight are subject to weather conditions.

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AIRBUS STRICTS CONVERSION TO A320 neo!!

Airbus is not interesting in allowing its customers for a chance of conversion from its A320 fleet to its new variation A320 neo- a redesigned version of former.

The airframer says that conversion rights are "not foreseen" in contracts for the aircraft. "There is no possibility of conversion," 

The airframer says that there is no firm deadline for ending A320 production despite gathering momentum for the A320neo. It stresses that the market will decide when to phase out the legacy A320.

A320 has agreements with indigo & virgin america..

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QATAR AIRWAYS REJECTS AIRBUS, MOVING FOR CRJs!!!

Qatar rejects the A320 neos...opt for B787 instead.

the middle east carrier which operates 32 A320 family aircraft  says the airline plans to operate two types of narrowbodies, but chief executive Akbar Al Baker is in dilemma about the Airbus offering. 

"Airbus is making the same mistake with the Neo as with the old A350," he says, referring to the previous A350 - a re-engined version of the A330 - as "an old lady dressed up in new clothes".

on the other hand he is interested in involving crj series bombardier aircrafts which he insists "far superior" seat mile costs..

he also adds passengers are not interested in takin single-aisle aircrafts for longer routes.

what airbus gonna do?

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WI-FI ONBOARD!!

German holiday carrier Condor is going to become the first carrier in the world to offer wireless in-flight entertainment (IFE) to passengers, after reaching agreement to fit Boeing 767aircraft with LufthansaSystems' new BoardConnect solution.

BoardConnect is based on a Wi-Fi network which passengers can log on to through seat-back screens or their own laptops, tablet PCs, smartphones or other WiFi-enabled devices to access a range of video and audio on demand, games and other content.

The system is much easier to install than traditional IFE because there is no wiring and seat distribution units  required, thereby reducing the number of line replaceable units (LRUs). Furthermore, the system can be integrated during a regular maintenance check, so there's no need for extra time for maintenance.

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lets pray for the return of peace to japan!

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LEADING EDGE TO PAINT ALL 787S!!!

Boeing has selected Leading Edge Aviation Services to paint 787 Dreamliners assembled at Boeing's new North Charleston, S.C., final assembly and delivery facility.

Leading Edge will perform the work at its Amarillo, Texas facility where other wide-body airplanes are painted. The company, which specializes in commercial and military aircraft painting, will apply final paint and customer livery to all 787 Dreamliners delivered from the Boeing South Carolina facility.

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p-8 POSEIDON ON THE WAY!!

The p-8 poseidon

Boeing began final assembly of the first U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon production aircraft in the company's Renton factory. The P-8A is the first of six low-rate initial production aircraft that Boeing is building as part of a $1.6 billion contract awarded by the Navy in January.

The Navy plans to purchase 117 of the Boeing 737-based P-8A anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to replace its P-3 fleet.

lockheed martin p-8

The Poseidon team is using a first-in-industry in-line production process that draws on Boeing’s Next-Generation 737 production system. All aircraft modifications unique to the P-8A are made in sequence during fabrication and assembly.
A derivative of the Next-Generation 737-800, the Poseidon is built by a Boeing-led industry team that includes CFM International, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, Spirit AeroSystems, BAE Systems and GE Aviation.

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F-35 LIGHTNING-II second production takes FIRST FLIGHT

the second F-35 Lightning II production jet, takes off on its first flight on Friday, March 4, from Naval Air Station,Fort Worth.
JointAF-7, the second F-35 Lightning II production jet, takes off on its first flight Friday, March 4, from Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base.

The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant flew for 1.3 hours. AF-7 is the second and final aircraft from Low Rate Initial Production lot 1. The first, AF-6, flew for the first time a week earlier. The two production jets and eleven preproduction F-35 test aircraft have completed 683 flights since testing began in December 2006.

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USAF & Lockheed martin on first of its kind MISSILE WARNING SYSTEM

The U.S. Air Force and Lockheed Martin team has delivered the first geosynchronous (GEO-1) Space Based Infrared System) SBIRS spacecraft to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station,where it will be prepared for an early May liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V launch vehicle.

  

SBIRS GEO-1, with its highly sophisticated scanning and staring sensors, will provide the nation with significantly improved missile warning capabilities and support other critical missions simultaneously including missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness.

SBIRS GEO-1 will now be prepared for launch at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station's former Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) Processing Facility, which was upgraded significantly in preparation for GEO-1. Facility upgrades were made to the electrical power supply, communication networks, environmental control systems, and cleanroom processing areas. A new access road was also built from the landing strip directly to the processing facility, which significantly reduces transport time and risk moving through traffic areas.
 

Prior to launch, the GEO-1 spacecraft will undergo post shipment testing, fueling and payload fairing encapsulation while in the DSCS Processing Facility. Upon completion of processing, the spacecraft will be mated on top of the Atlas V launch vehicle and perform final integrated testing and closeout preparations for launch. Approximately 24 hours before launch, the Atlas V/SBIRS GEO-1 spacecraft will roll to the launch pad and perform the final countdown preparations for launch.

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ILFC Announce Order for 33 Next-Generation 737-800s.

Boeing and International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), a wholly owned subsidiary of American International Group, Inc., have finalized a firm order for 33 Next-Generation 737-800s. The order, with a list-price value of more than $2.6 billion, is part of the company's initiative to modernize its fleet and increase the balance in its airplane portfolio.

Boeing will deliver ILFC's new Next-Generation 737-800s with the all-new 737 Boeing Sky Interior. The new interior introduces cove lighting and curving architecture that create a distinctive entryway. Passengers will enjoy a more open cabin and a soft blue sky overhead simulated by light-emitting diode (LED) lighting. The new interior also features modern, sculpted sidewalls and window reveals to draw passengers' eyes to the view outside the window, as well as larger stowage bins allowing passengers the ability to store their luggage closer to their seats.

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AIR CHINA AGREEMENT WITH BOEING 747-8 INTERCONTINENTAL!

Air China today signed an agreement for the purchase of five 747-8 Intercontinental jetliners. Air China is the first Chinese carrier to contract the passenger version of the new, fuel-efficient 747-8. 

The new 747-8 Intercontinental carries 467 passengers in a three-class configuration. The airplane features a new wing design and an upgraded flight deck. The airplane interior incorporates features from the 787 Dreamliner including a new curved, upswept architecture that will give passengers a greater sense of space and comfort, while adding more room for personal belongings. The architecture will be accentuated by lighting technology that provides smooth transitions for a more restful flight.

Using 787-technology GEnx-2B engines, the airplane will be quieter, produce lower emissions and achieve better fuel economy than any competing jetliner. It also increases cargo volume by 26 percent.
 

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BOEING STARTS CHANGE INCORPORATION WORK ON DREAMLINER!!

The boeing 787 dreamliner team starts steady work towards certification and delivery.
It changes incorporate work on airplane number #23 at san Antonio.
it also starts doing standard tests on six more aircrafts for to do incorporate work on such aircrafts,also the dreamliner team is very enthusiastic working towards certification.
the boeing customers are really happy,as the 787 really gonna start its operational life!
now thats really a gr8 news.we ll soon see 787 flying over us!

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X-37 B second flight!!

Its the second built boeing's x-37B flight to space on march 5.

The OTV was launched on an Atlas V rocket into a low-Earth orbit 

The first OTV(Orbital Test Vehicle) was launched in April 2010 and orbited for approximately eight months. In December, it successfully de-orbited and landed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., where it continues to undergo post-flight evaluation.

The X-37B design combines the best of aircraft and spacecraft design into an affordable, unmanned space-based test platform. Program objectives include space experimentation, risk reduction, and concept-of-operations development for reusable space vehicle technologies.

Boeing's commitment to this space-based unmanned vehicle spans a decade and includes support to the Air Force Research Lab's X-40 program, NASA's X-37 program, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's X-37 Approach, Landing and Test Vehicle program.

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NARROW BODY REGIONAL AIRCRAFTS-MTOW COMPARISON.

Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) is the weight of aircraft at which a pilot is permitted to perform take-off operation, hence it indicates the real weight of aircraft at the instant of take-off(it includes payload(passengers), structure,fuel,cabin interiors&crew, galley, cockpit&avionics-computers).
lets compare now!! 

• b737 series aircraft 144,500-187,700 lbs

• a320 family (318,319,320,321) 166,000-206,000 lbs

• crj series(700,900) 43,500 & 47,250 lbs resply.

• fokker 70&100   80,998 & 101,000 lbs.

• Bae 146  93,000 lbs.

• Embraer (170,175,190,195) 85,000-115,300 lbs

if u have a look at previous wt comparison u can get a clear picture that there is a rise of 45.5% wt in all aircrafts,this is due to passengers.

here too boeing 737-900 & airbus a321 aircrafts have the highest empty weights,for the same reasons said in above post.

The MTOW is considered in the initial stage of aircraft design,more empty weight means more strength of the aircraft structures and maneuver performance;withstand more g force in climbing and turning. i.e to simply put a hard-working bull; but at the same time a more power means more fuel hence reduced range and fuel economy.

in civil there is a design tactic 50% weight of aircraft in structures should be dedicated to payload.
unless there is 50 % share in payload weight its waste to carry such a heavy take-off weight!

for all the above aircrafts this formula is correct!!
hence in mtow all share the same vote!!!

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NARROW BODY REGIONAL AIRCRAFTS-EMPTY WEIGHT COMPARISON.

Empty weight is the weight of aircraft without taking account of weight of the usable payload here it is passengers,hence it indicates the actual weight of aircraft(its structure,fuel,cabin interiors&crew, galley, cockpit&avionics-computers).

lets see the values of our competitors. 

• b737 series aircraft 80,200-98,500 lbs

• a320 family(318,319,320,321) 87,000-107,000 lbs

• crj series(700,900) 43,500 & 47,250 lbs resply.

• fokker 70&100 49,985 lb & 54,100 lbs.

• Bae 146  52,684 lbs.

• Embraer (170,175,190,195) 46,800 lbs-63,900 lbs

the boeing 737-900 & airbus a321 aircrafts have the highest empty weights,this is because they carry comparably large number of passengers than their other series.

the empty weight is considered in the initial stage of aircraft design,hence more empty weight for the given range shows comfort for passengers in way of cabin interior decoration,crew, cuisine,hospitality,on-board entertainment,luxury& increased passenger cargo capacity.

comparing in this way embraer e-series is out with its empty wt of around 50,000 lbs it could carry passengers of max 106 (e-195) with the range of 2000 nautical miles(nmi),also the fokker&bae-146.

the airbus & boeing jets have a tight competition here,but airbus family slightly leads boeing 737s with increased payload capacity of 5%..whether its bet 321 & 737-900 or 320& 737-600/700.
 increased passengers for given operating range means a increase in operating economy..
hence A320 family wins here!!

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LOW FLY-BY..

Are you interested in flying,then u cannot miss this..watch it!!

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G650 flashes in sky!!

the buissness jet manufacturer gulfstream's G650 passes its speed test at top design speed of 0.925 mach,flying more than 1,900 nautical miles (3,545 km) in just 3 hours and 26 minutes between Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California & Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport !!

The G650 lifted off with a calculated balanced field length of less than 4,500 feet (1,372 m) and climbed at Mach 0.85 to a cruising altitude of 43,000 feet (13,196 m), transitioning to Mach 0.91 or above for the remainder of the flight.

The G650 has a maximum range of 7,000 nautical miles (12,500 km) at Mach 0.85, enabling longer intercontinental flights in less time than current ultra-long-range business jets.

now that a gr8 news for buisness people who hardly take time for travel in a buissness!!!

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Boeing 737 Sky Interior

Copa becomes first Latin America carrier to fly with the new cutting-edge interior...

passengers of copa carrier can now enjoy the ambience of sky not only through windows but with the roof too..

this amazing interior makes the passengers feel like flying through air..

check the video below...its really awesome isnt it?

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NARROW BODY REGIONAL AIRCRAFTS--SIZE COMPARISON

Let me take range as it is very opt for defining narrow body/single aisle regional aircrafts..
first guy leaving out this race is bombardier q-series with its range limited to 300-400 nautical miles,all others have a good range around 1700 nautical miles

• B737 series aircraft length & span ranges from 32mtr to 42 mtr in length (737-400,600,700,800) and 35mtr wingspan.

• A320 family(318,319,320,321) has length of 31,33,37,42 resply & wngspan of 34mtrs.

• Crj series(700,900) has length of 32&36 mtrs and span of 23&25 mtrs resply.

• Fokker 70&100 30&35 mtrs;span 28mtrs.

• Bae 146 length and span 28&26 mtrs resply.

• Embraer (170,175,190,195) has length of 30,32,36,38 mtrs resply and span of 26 mtrs for first two and 28 mtrs for the rest..

mhmm..so all of them are nearly same in size..hence the problem of parking,loading and taxing are shared..

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NARROW BODY REGIONAL AIRCRAFTS COMPARISON CRITERIA.

• capacity
• length
• wingspan
• empty wt
• max takeoff weight
• powerplant
• cruise speed
• max speed
• range
• service ceiling

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sorry amigos!!

the domain is changed to aero-freak.blogspot.com...keep following.

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NARROW BODY COMMERCIAL NOMINEES!!!

successful narrow body aircrafts in operation:

• Boeing-737
• Airbus-A320 family
• Bombardier CRJ series & Q-series.
• ATR
• Bae-146
• Embraer E-series
• Fokker 70 & 100.

well so which is the best-in-class??
follow the next post 

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