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!
Interesting note to the MA600, C919 and ARJ21 aircraft is that they are relying heavily on western manufactures for subcomponents. If China wishes to be a serious player in the future of civil aeronautics, I feel that they need to become self-reliant not only on airframe manufacturing, but also on tires, avionics, engines, and propellers.
ReplyDeleteAs an interesting side, reliance on third party manufactures has halted the progress of the 787 by several months. However, the main difference is that Boeing's progress was halted by subcontracted airframe sections and parts whereas the products that AVIC and COMAC are reliant on are tried and tested components that already have a supply chain in place.