Aerospace

Duckworth wants to change how airlines downsize seats.

Bravo: The FAA may impose strict guidelines for airlines that reduce seat size

United Makes It Easier for Families to Sit Together

Sen. Tammy Duckworth of the Democratic Party unveiled legislation on Thursday that would force the Federal Aviation Administration to rethink how it tests aeroplane seats. The Emergency Vacating of Airplane Cabin (EVAC) Act, which is a part of proposed legislation, would require the FAA to investigate the effects of carry-on luggage, elderly passengers, people with disabilities, and children on aircraft evacuation timeframes.

FAA Activates New GPS-Guided Routes in Alaska to Fly Below Hazardous Weather(Opens in a new browser tab)

Airlines have been reducing the size of their seats for many years, which prompted Congress to establish new guidelines in 2018 to guarantee that passengers can board and deplane an aircraft in no more than 90 seconds. However, a lot of people have criticized the tests for failing to take things like passengers with disabilities into account.

In testing under conditions that are not representative of real-world situations, Duckworth said, “That worries me.” “Almost every seat on aeroplanes is currently filled when they take off. Because of how modern commercial aviation operates, you cannot just practise evacuating an aircraft that is only 30% full.”

Duckworth, who lost both of her legs while serving in Iraq, doesn’t think she could leave a plane in less than 90 seconds “under the normal settings” she usually travels in.

The FAA said in a statement to CBS News that it is still considering the thousands of public comments on airline seat sizes that it received earlier this year. More than 200 comments including the term “torture” were included in the more than 26,000 submissions the agency received. However, the FAA claims that their testing followed to the standards set forth by Congress.

Malaysia regains US FAA’s Category 1 safety rating(Opens in a new browser tab)

According to studies conducted by the FAA in 2019 and 2020, “seat size and spacing had no detrimental effects on the success of emergency evacuations.” The volunteer passengers in the simulations did have a variety of seat sizes, but they did not have to deal with things like smoke, darkness, or luggage, and they travelled in groups of 60, which was far from a full plane.

Additionally, all participants in the simulations were healthy adults under the age of 60. Steve Dickson, who headed the FAA at the time, conceded that the findings were “helpful” but “not necessarily decisive.” A crowded plane does affect the amount of time it takes for an evacuation, according to consumer advocates and some former airline employees, including Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot responsible for the 2009 “Miracle on the Hudson” emergency landing.

“On our flight, it took more than three minutes to get everyone off the plane, in part because the water was quickly filling the aircraft from back to front. But also because it was actuality and our aircraft was full, “added Sullenberger. Airlines declared that safety was their top concern and that they would keep collaborating with the FAA.

Source:

Sana khan

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

EASA Proposes AD for Airbus A380 Wing Rib Foot Cracks

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.