Commercial Aircraft Manufacturing

Boeing 787 is a long haul wide body aircraft that is currently being operated for ANA.  According to Boeing the first flight was December 2009.  The Boeing 787 is configured to hold 200-300 people.  The thing that makes the 787 different than previous aircraft, is that its 20% more fuel efficient than aircraft similar to its size, the Boeing 787 is made of 50% composites.  Airbus A380 is the largest commercial airliner in the world.  As of December 2011 The Airbus Company has reported 67 in operation.  The A380 was introduced by Singapore Airlines on October 25 2007.  The Boeing 747-8 has two different models, the 747-8F for Cargo and the 747-8I which is for commercial.  The 747-8F is out and being operated for a multiple of cargo carriers, the 747-8I is coming out sometime early this year.  What makes this aircraft different then what Boeing is used to making is the 747-8 will be the longest airplane ever made, and is more fuel efficient saving the airlines money.  Airbus is coming out with a A350 to try and compete with Boeing with its 777 and 787.  The A350 is currently not out and not supposed to come out for a while.  The first flight is "supposed" to be sometime in 2014.  Airbus is having a fit with this aircraft as potential customers have already rejected there supposed model.  The Airbus A350 is similar with all of these aircraft as it is made of composites, which will make it lighter saving the airline money.


I see Boeing leading in the commercial jet manufacturing.  Since Boeing has introduced the 787 after it took awhile I believe its going to "take off" the customers have giving nothing but good reviews for the new aircraft.  Boeing is also coming out with the 747-8I shortly, which I believe airlines will fall in love with.  Airbus is taking off their A340's out of production and have got nothing but bad reviews for there new aircraft (A350).  Not to mention Airbus is a European company where as Boeing is American.


China is trying to make a aircraft manufacturer called China Aviation Industries Corporation (AVIC-I).  According AIN Online they debuted a 56seat turbo prop at the Dubai Airshow this year called the MA600.  


I do not feel AVIC will be a competitor of Boeing and Airbus, at least not for a long time.  I feel that Boeing and Airbus have such a big head start on AVIC that it will take along time in order to compete with them.  Boeing and Airbus have been manufacturing aircraft for almost 80 years.  But I do believe China has money and power and with those two combinations, who knows what can happen!

FAA Final Rule on Pilot Fatigue

After reading the FAA press release, the key point that I believe will have the largest impact on safety in the industry is the 10-hour minimum rest period.  The new rule mandates that pilots must have an opportunity of eight hours of "uninterrupted" sleep.  This is a two-hour increase over old rules.  I believe this will have the largest impact on safety because pilots will be able to get an extra hour or 2 hours of extra sleep.  Pilots will now have the opportunity to wake up and maybe get a workout in or eat some food before they go on there day.  I work at a hotel and I see every morning pilots walking out the door with a cup a coffee and look half a sleep.  In my opinion there is nothing worst then waking up and knowing that you are going to be tired through out the day.  With this new rule, pilots will have the opportunity to get there full proper amount of sleep and wake up with the attitude of not being sleeping or fatigued.  


Previous regulations stated a minimum of 8-hours rest period, with this new regulation, it will increase the rest period by 2 hours.  Which doesn't sound much, but it also states that  pilots must have an opportunity for eight hours of uninterrupted sleep within the 10-hour rest period.  I'm sure every pilot is going to be absolutely thrilled that this new regulation passed!  


According to USA Today Travel the FAA estimates the change will cost the airlines nearly $300 million over 10 years.  An airline trades group estimates it could cost $2 billion more each year.  The second figure seems high in my mind, but the FAA estimate I totally agree with.  Due to the new regulations and preferably the 10-hour minimum rest will have airlines scattering to hire pilots, managers and dispatchers.  Due to this new regulation airlines will have to hire more pilots to fill in the slots of just the new 2 hour adjustment from the old regulation.  USA Today Travel also states that Pilots will be flying shorter routes to accommodate the new rules.  This is have a huge impact on the industry, but also very beneficial for future pilots.  Airlines will have to lower there minimums to get pilots hired in the next 2 years.


I agree with the exemption of cargo carriers from the new regulations.  If cargo carriers were covered in the new regulations all cargo carriers would go bankrupt and that would include UPS and FedEx.  Cargo carriers primarily fly at night and most of the time fly at the last minute.  The new regulations is huge with limiting pilots from back to back shifts from a night shift to a morning shift.  Cargo carriers would have to hire so many pilots in order to follow these regulations it would run them into the ground.  My solution to the fatigue issues that continue to exist within the cargo industry is to hire more pilots (not as much as airlines will require to) and implement the Fatigue Risk Management System so pilots are aware of there situation.  Instead of having them on call for 48 hours straight, limit it to a day at a time, improve there facilities, maybe put some beds where they can catch up on sleep at the facility instead of driving home.  I believe improving the facilities and not having the pilots on call for so long will improve safety and limit fatigue in the cargo industry.

Introduction Blog

I have always loved aviation ever since I can remember.  I have a family friend that has been flying for Delta/Northwest for over 20 years, is currently flying the 757.  I have always had an interest in airplanes and can usually name the type of plane in the sky.
Im planning on graduating in the fall and will have a little more time to finish up all of my ratings.  I have always wanted to be a commercial pilot, but the way the industry is (like a crazy roller coaster) I may be leaning more toward corporate after I build my hours.
My favorite airplane is the Boeing 777-300ER which no American air carrier has at the current moment, but the thing that interests me the most is the size of the 777 engines, which is the largest and most powerful in the world putting out over 115,000lbs of torque which is truly unbelievable.