Airlines
American Airlines Boeing 787 suffered a lightning strike during flight
Lightning strikes can disrupt airline operations, resulting in costly delays and service disruptions. Airplane strikes are rather common, but they rarely have a significant impact on the airplane’s continued safe operation. Lightning protection is employed on Boeing flights to avoid delays and interruptions, as well as to lessen the severity of a lightning strike. Maintenance workers must be familiar with lightning protection measures, correct inspection, and repair procedures to maximise the effectiveness of repairs to lightning damage.
The geographical area where the aircraft operates and how frequently the aircraft passes through takeoff and landing altitudes when lightning activity is most common, are two factors that have an impact on the frequency of lightning strikes that an airplane experiences.
During flight, lightning struck an American Airlines airplane. A picture of the American Airlines Dreamliner’s upper fuselage was posted by Aviation Maintenance.
American Airlines Boeing 787 (unknown ID) experienced extensive damage to its composite fuselage crown when it was hit by lightning during flight. @goodbadugly_ap pic.twitter.com/Ye3EpBl2Ab
— JACDEC (@JacdecNew) February 24, 2023
When the Boeing 787 was struck by lightning while in flight, the composite fuselage crown sustained significant damage. Summer is thunderstorm season, and flying aircraft may occasionally be struck by lightning. A lightning strike on an airplane, however, is not harmful because airplanes are made to resist lightning strikes.
The highest probability for lightning attachment to an airplane is the outer extremities, such as the wing tip, nose, or rudder. Lightning strikes occur most often during the climb and descent phases of flight at an altitude of 5,000 to 15,000 feet (1,524 to 4,572 meters). The probability of a lightning strike decreases significantly above 20,000 feet (6,096 meters).
LIGHTNING PROTECTION
The majority of legacy airplanes’ external parts are made of metal and are thick enough to withstand a lightning strike. This metal assemblage serves as their primary defense. The thickness of the metal surface is sufficient to shield the interior of the plane from a lightning strike. The metal skin also prevents electromagnetic energy from entering the airplane’s electrical wiring. While the metal skin does not prevent all electromagnetic radiation from entering the electrical wire, it does keep it at a manageable level.
Boeing tries to design and test its commercial airplanes for lightning-strike protection by understanding nature and the impacts of lightning strikes in order to ensure protection is supplied throughout their service lives. Important techniques for reducing lightning strike damage include material selection, finish selection, installation, and application of protective measures.
LIGHTNING-STRIKE STRUCTURAL INSPECTION PROCEDURES
If lightning strikes an aeroplane, a lightning-strike conditional inspection is required to determine the lightning-strike entrance and exit sites. When inspecting the locations of entry and exit, maintenance professionals should carefully check the structure to find all of the damage that has happened.
Prior to returning to service, a conditional inspection is required to determine any structural or system damage. The structure may have burn holes, which can cause pressure loss or cracks. Prior to flight, the crucial system components, wire bundles, and bonding straps must be certified as airworthy. For these reasons, Boeing recommended that a comprehensive lightning-strike conditional examination be completed prior to the next trip in order to keep the plane airworthy.
Airlines
Air India’s last VVIP Boeing 747 now found a new home in USA
In a symbolic transition marking the end of a storied chapter in aviation history, Air India bid farewell to its last remaining Boeing 747-400 jumbo jetliners, once revered for ferrying dignitaries including prime ministers, presidents, and vice presidents.
The sale of these iconic aircraft to AerSale, a company based in the United States, signals the closure of a remarkable era for the airline.
The decision to part ways with the Boeing 747s was driven by practical considerations. Tata Group, the new custodian of airindia flights, deemed these majestic planes uneconomical to operate in today’s aviation landscape. As such, out of the four sold, two will be repurposed into freighters, while the remaining pair will be meticulously disassembled to harness their valuable parts.
The transaction, orchestrated by Mumbai-based Vman Aviation Services, underscores the strategic shift in Air India’s fleet management strategy under its new ownership. Tata Group’s decision to divest from the 747s reflects a commitment to optimizing operational efficiency and aligning with contemporary industry standards.
Skytech-AIC, a UK-based remarketing firm engaged by Tata Group, facilitated the sale of these iconic aircraft, marking the conclusion of their illustrious service with Air India. The airline’s last flight featuring the Boeing 747 took to the skies between Delhi and Mumbai in March 2021, encapsulating decades of distinguished service and indelible memories.
The allure of used aircraft parts continues to resonate across the aviation sector, offering operators a cost-effective alternative without compromising on quality or performance. The transfer of these aircraft to AerSale not only ensures their continued utility but also underscores the enduring legacy of Air India’s fleet.
Airlines
A software error caused grounding the entire airline fleet
On Wednesday, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop advisory for all Alaska Airlines and subcarrier flights due to a software issue, disrupting travel plans for passengers.
The FAA directive, which prohibited the departure of Alaska Airlines mainline and subcarrier flights, was implemented as a precautionary measure following the detection of the software problem. The ground stop was initiated after Alaska Airlines encountered difficulties during a system upgrade related to the calculation of weight and balance for their flights.
As a result, the airline opted for a temporary suspension of all its operations to address the issue and ensure passenger safety. Alaska Airlines promptly issued a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing their commitment to resolving the matter swiftly. “This morning we experienced an issue while performing an upgrade to the system that calculates our weight and balance.
Out of an abundance of caution, we requested a ground stop for all Alaska and Horizon flights, which was instituted at approximately 7:30 a.m. PT,” the statement read. Passengers affected by the disruption voiced their concerns on social media platforms, prompting Alaska Airlines to reassure them of their efforts to minimize the inconvenience and expedite the resumption of flights.
Following approximately an hour-long interruption, the FAA lifted the ground stop order, allowing Alaska Airlines and its subcarriers to resume normal operations. However, it was clarified that SkyWest, which provides regional service for Alaska Airlines and other carriers, was exempt from the ground stop and continued its flights unaffected.
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
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