Aerospace

How a dispute between Qatar and Airbus led to financial failings

Airbus has confirmed that it will work with France, Germany, and Spain to build the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

The Airbus and Qatar Airways are two of the top firms in the aerospace and airline industries, respectively, neither company has been able to settle their legal problems. No suitable solutions have been found as a result of the ongoing dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus regarding the A350 aircraft’s paint quality. The Reuters team visited the Qatar Airways hangar to evaluate the planes’ paint job.

The Disputes are still being had on both sides despite the fact that both parties have taken the case before an international court. Airbus defends its safety record while Qatar Airways claims that the quality of aircraft paint can compromise airworthiness and safety. Even EASA joined the debate and backed Airbus in its claim that the paint issue may not compromise aviation safety requirements. EASA also denied any connection between the paint issue and the safety of airplanes.

Among the 23 grounded A350s at the center of a $1 billion London court dispute over whether the damage represents a potential safety risk—something Airbus vehemently denies—are Qatar Airways’ A350s, which analysts estimate are worth a combined $300 million.

The problem became so severe that Airbus terminated its agreement with Qatar Airways. However, according to some experts, Qatar Airways did not cancel any Airbus agreements for the purchase of narrow body aircraft; rather, Airbus revoked them. Except for the A350 aircraft, all of Qatar Airways’ Airbus-supplied aircraft are in excellent condition. However, the airline has received criticism for its response, which was to acknowledge the problem and remedy it.

Other airlines have also complained about the A350’s paint quality, although it was only a little issue that was eventually corrected during maintenance. and even the Boeing 787 experienced a problem with paint quality.

Technical terms The primary cause of the paint The composite fiber architectures present quality concerns, which also depend on the ambient temperature. Many aerospace companies still need to conduct a great deal of research in order to resolve this problem. If the temperature is a problem, a new form of layering coat that can stop paint from peeling should be used.

After premature paint deterioration revealed damage to a metallic sub-layer that shields the fuselage from lightning strikes, Qatar’s aviation authority grounded the aircraft. After European regulators deemed the A350 safe, other airlines continued to use it, even though a few recently acknowledged minor flaws that they referred to as “cosmetic.”

Following a request made this week on the sidelines of an airline industry convention in the Qatari capital city of Doha, Reuters journalists were given privileged first-hand access. As a required trade-off for weight savings, Airbus claims that some paint erosion is a characteristic of the carbon-composite technology used to construct all modern long-haul jets.

According to the report, paint, an anti-lightning substance known as ECF, and the composite construction interact to generate fissures. The ECF foil is not present along the entire tail, raising the question of whether damage there is a result of the same issue. A UK court has heard testimony from Qatar Airways that its similar Boeing 787s do not experience the same issues as Airbus’ explanation.

Exclusive: Airbus and Qatar Airways have been locked in a dispute around the plane maker’s A350 jets, which the airline claimed were unfit for flying. @reuters was given access to two of the grounded planes https://t.co/vdn2eobXEJ pic.twitter.com/X5H2yvG5uK
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 23, 2022
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Aviation safety is the only concern for EASA in this situation, according to a spokeswoman. Since the disagreement started, Qatar’s own aviation regulator has neglected to comment. Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the cause of the damage within hundreds of pages of contradictory technical court files made by both sides.

Only when the issue is discussed using the right platform and technological know-how can a solution be found. The problem is having an impact on both sides. Since 23 of its wide-body aircraft have been sitting idle for many months, Airbus is losing potential customers and Qatar Airways is losing significant money. If the problem is to be resolved, any third-party services must be retained for the investigation, fix, trial, hearing, and settlements, or both sides risk losing net profits.

what you think about this disputes and let us know your thoughts in comment sections.

News source courtesy : Reuters

Dawal

He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry. He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

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.

Aerospace

Rolls-Royce Launches Test Flights for Revolutionary Pearl 10X Engine

Rollsroyce

Rolls-Royce reports that the company’s dedicated Boeing 747 flying testbed has seen the successful start of the Pearl 10X, their newest aero engine designed for the business aviation industry.

Dassault, a French aircraft manufacturer, has decided to use this engine only to power their newest flagship, the Falcon 10X. As stated at last year’s Capital Markets Day, the commencement of flight testing represents a significant milestone for both Rolls-Royce and the Pearl 10X programme as the company concentrates on expanding in the business aviation industry.

The first Rolls-Royce engine to power a Dassault business jet is the Pearl 10X, the newest engine in the state-of-the-art Pearl engine family. The Pearl 10X was chosen by the French aircraft manufacturer as their new flagship model, demonstrating even more of Rolls-Royce’s dominance in the business aviation engine market.

Over the next few months, pilots and flight test engineers from Tucson, Arizona, USA, will put the engine through its paces. The flight test programme will comprise testing of the nacelle’s anti-icing system, in-flight relights, engine performance and handling checks at various speeds and altitudes, and fan vibration tests at various altitudes.

The new auxiliary gearbox, which enables higher additional power extraction, and the ultra-low emissions ALM combustor, which is compatible with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), have undergone extensive testing as part of the ground-based development programme thus far. The engine will be the most potent business aviation engine in the Rolls-Royce lineup. It exceeded its intended thrust levels during the very first test run. With over 2,300 testing hours successfully completed on the Pearl 10X engine configuration as well as the Advance 2 demonstration, the programme is moving forward at a rapid pace.

With the most economical engine core available for business aircraft, the Advance2 engine, coupled with a high-performance low-pressure system, gives the Pearl 10X an exceptional thrust of over 18,000 lbf. With a 5% increase in economy over the previous generation of Rolls-Royce commercial aviation engines, the Pearl 10X