Aerospace

Air India’s Maharaja’retires’ his ‘queens of the skies’ after 51 years.

The legendary Boeing 747 will be retired from the Air India fleet. It is one of Boeing’s first largest aeroplanes. From April 1971 to April 2022, Air India flew Boeing 747s for more than 51 years. Three of the four 747s were operating. The last time it was seen was during the covid for evacuating passengers from Wuhan, China.

It had 12 first-class seats, 26 business-class seats, and 385 economy-class seats were available on Air India. It has a maximum take-off weight of 377.8 tonnes and was powered by four Pratt & Whitney engines.

Boeing 747s are currently operated by Lufthansa and Korean Air. The e-registration of these planes is a sad day in aviation. This aircraft was the largest, fastest, and heaviest ever flown by an Indian carrier. None of the pilots who have flown a Boeing 747 have indicated it is a bad plane. The title of “Queen of the Skies” has stuck with her. Air India had a fleet of roughly 20 Boeing 747s, some of which were leased.

According to the latest reports, Air India’s legendary Boeing 747s may have finally reached the end of their service after more than half a century of flying the tricolour across foreign skies. It was also known for the Maharaja Brand. The airline’s website was recently updated by the Tata Group, and the jumbo planes are no longer listed as part of the fleet. Because the majority of airlines revamp fleets by the years. The Maharaja’s final four queens of the skies were deregistered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in April.

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As the aircraft fleet ages, it becomes more difficult for airlines to keep them functioning. Only when 80 percent of the seats on a jumbo aircraft are filled can it be profitable, albeit given their age, scarcity of spares, cabin quality, and, most crucially, the investment necessary, it remains to be seen if that happens.

In 1971, the airline received its first jumbo jet, the Emperor Ashoka. AI, under the leadership of JRD Tata, had set new standards for in-flight luxury with the 747s. For this aircraft, it has created a special “Palace in the Sky” livery. When JRD himself introduced the attractively adorned staircase to the top deck, jharokha flight panels, dewans, and bar onboard these gorgeous machines in the 1970s, they were much ahead of their time.

The president, vice president, and prime minister were all flown aboard B747s on medium to long-haul overseas travels. They couldn’t go directly to the Americas, so they had to stop in Europe, especially Frankfurt. Then India received two state-of-the-art Boeing 777s, which, unlike the jumbos that previously served both VVIP and normal flights, will be dedicated to dignitaries and can fly nonstop to and from practically any location on the earth. When the VVIP duty ended, the four-engine double deckers were no longer in demand, especially as fuel prices began to climb.

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These planes are listed as part of AI’s fleet on the newly updated website: single aisle Airbus A320 family (319, 320, and 321) and wide body B777 and B787s. AI could be the only commercial airline in India to fly four-engine aircraft.

According to recent reports, Tata Group is considering merging with Vistara and plans to deploy Boeing Triple 7 and 7 8 7 aircraft for long-haul flights.

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However, given that this aircraft has carried India’s aviation history since 1971, saying goodbye is difficult for any aviation lover.

Have you ever flown these planes? Tell us about your favourite moment with Air India in the comments section.

End of Queen of the Skies production, Boeing 747

Boeing 747 jet clocked up just 42 hours in the sky is scrapped

Aerospace

Which is bigger 777x or 787 aircraft ?

The 777X is a new series of the Boeing 777 family and is designed to be larger and more efficient than its predecessor. It features two variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9, being the larger of the two.

The Boeing 777X emerges as the larger sibling within the Boeing family, representing a significant leap forward in both size and efficiency. Comprising two variants, the 777-8 and the 777-9, the latter takes the crown as the larger of the two. With its expansive fuselage and impressive wingspan, the 777X is tailored for long-range journeys and boasts a substantial passenger capacity.

On the other hand, the Boeing 787, affectionately known as the Dreamliner, occupies a niche in the market as a smaller yet formidable aircraft designed for medium to long-range flights. Its distinguishing feature lies in its composite fuselage, a technological marvel that renders it lighter and more fuel-efficient compared to conventional aluminum counterparts. The Boeing 777X is larger than the Boeing 787 aircraft.

When it comes to passenger capacity, the 777-9 reigns supreme, typically accommodating a sizeable contingent of 400-425 passengers in its standard configuration. In contrast, the 787, with its more modest dimensions, typically carries between 240-290 passengers, depending on the variant and layout.

One of the remarkable innovations introduced with the 777X is its folding wingtips, a feature designed to address the logistical challenges of accommodating such a large aircraft in conventional airport gates. These folding wingtips enable the 777X to retract its wings, allowing it to fit into gates designed for smaller aircraft while still reaping the benefits of an extended wingspan during flight, thereby enhancing fuel efficiency and operational flexibility

Aerospace

China Secures Production Certificate for Mass Production of Pilotless eVTOL Aircraft

EHang

The first passenger-carrying pilotless electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the world, the EH216-S, has received the Production Certificate for its eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

This is a significant milestone for EHang Holdings Limited, the leading UAM technology platform company in the world. This outstanding accomplishment is another big step towards mass manufacturing for the eVTOL aircraft and the ensuing commercial operations, building on the ground-breaking acquisition of the Type Certificate and the Standard Airworthiness Certificate for the EH216-S.

The PC is a crucial certificate that the aircraft maker receives from the CAAC, the country’s aviation authority. By obtaining this certificate, EHang has demonstrated that it has set up a quality management system for mass production that satisfies the airworthiness regulation standards set forth by the CAAC, and the company has been given permission to continue producing mass quantities.

It is also a strong guarantee of the calibre of the goods made by EHang. Raw materials, supplier management, manufacturing organisation, production quality control, aircraft pre-delivery test, after-sales repair and maintenance, etc. are all included in the mass production quality management system for the EH216-S.

To ensure that every aircraft and its components that roll off the production line strictly adhere to the approved type design and safety requirements, the system sets clear guidelines and documentation for every step in the production procedure. This ensures comprehensive traceability and safety control.

Aerospace

Four Airbus A380 Superjumbos lined up to be scrapped

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In a strategic move aimed at reclaiming valuable resources from the iconic Airbus A380 aircraft, VAS Aero Services and Dr. Peters Group have announced a significant collaboration.

This partnership marks a milestone in aviation logistics and aftermarket services, with four of these colossal planes slated for teardown and redistribution of used serviceable material (USM).

The venture between VAS Aero Services, renowned for its expertise in aircraft dismantlement, and Dr. Peters Group, a prominent Germany-based investment fund management firm, underscores a commitment to sustainable aviation practices. This isn’t their first foray into scrapping A380s; their successful partnership has already seen the dismantlement of these aircraft, making them pioneers in this niche.

Under the agreement, the latest consignment brings the tally to eight A380s entrusted to VAS by Dr. Peters Group. Managing Director Christian Mailly of Dr. Peters Group emphasized the trust placed in VAS, citing their unparalleled capabilities in dismantlement and aftermarket sales network. It’s a strategic move in response to the growing demand for quality USM parts, particularly with the resurgence in reliance on the A380.

Notably, the teardown process will be carried out at various locations, optimizing the positioning of harvested parts to cater to different markets. While some parts will be positioned in Europe to support operators in the region and the Middle East, others will remain in the Asia-Pacific region. This meticulous strategy ensures efficient access to spare parts, benefiting MROs and airlines across these markets.

The decision to retire these A380s comes at a time when operators are reassessing fleet strategies amidst evolving market dynamics. Despite initial plans for quick retirement due to the emergence of more fuel-efficient alternatives, factors such as a rebound in long-haul demand and delays in new widebody deliveries have prompted operators to reconsider. The A380, with its unique capacity and capabilities, presents a practical solution for short-term capacity management.