Wednesday, November 17, 2010

US Airways flight 1549 struggling to stay afloat and avoid the barrage of an ice attack after being brought down by Canada Geese

New generation of commercial planes will continue to use aluminum

COMAC C-919 The end of Boeing, Airbus duopoly






CFM International, a joint venture between aerospace giant Safran and US conglomerate General Electric, signed an agreement with Commercial Aircraft this week to supply engines for the jumbo jet project. CFM will also form an assembly line with AVIC Commercial Aircraft engine Co, the domestic engine supplier for the C919, to jointly set up an engine assembly line. China will invest 200 billion yuan (US$29 billion) into the C919 to cut its reliance on Boeing and Airbus. The aircraft is set to make its first flight in 2014 and to be delivered to customers by 2016.

The AirplaneNut

Via China-Defense-Mashup

Image© China-Defense-Mashup

Boeing 787 Landing gear action

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

China brings the world one step closer to flying cars



China has approved the Low-altitude Airspace Management Reform Guidance, stipulating that in 2011, the low-altitude airspace for Beijing, Lanzhou and three other flight control zones will open to private commercial airlines, Chengdu Evening News reported Friday. Low-altitude airspace refers to the airspace that does not affect the public air transportation lines, and is generally below 3,000 meters. This airspace is used for the general civil aviation on law enforcement, medical aid, news reporting and other businesses – excluding public air transport and freight transport. According to the report, the altitudes set by China’s general civil aviation are above 6,000 meters. This reform determines the low-altitude airspace is below 1,000 meters. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) expects that the market size of general aviation, including related industries, may reach one trillion yuan ($151 billion) after the low-altitude airspace opens, according to a Xinhua report. An official surnamed Zhang with the China Aviation Industry Corp II(AVIC II)told the Global Times that China's huge potential demand for helicopters and light planes – from government agencies and the growing billionaires' club – has already become a reality in recent years, spurring the country to lift its long-standing restriction on the use of airspace below 3,000 meters.

The AirplaneNut

Via Global Times

Image© Popular Science

They make it look so easy!