India’s first Global 6000: Spotted

20 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by theflyingengineer in General Aviation Interest, Manufacturer, Operations

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#6000, Bangalore, Bombardier, Global, India, Sun, TV, XRS

VT-SNG, A BOMBARDIER BD-700-1A10 (Marketed as the Bombardier Global Express, and now rebranded as the Global 6000), just flew into Bangalore HAL airport. The aircraft was spotted on the downwind, as it majestically turned right for base to land into VOBG’s Runway 09.

This Global 6000 is owned by Sun TV Network Ltd (whose parent is Sun Group, which also owns Spicejet), and is used to transport their honco, Kalanithi Maran. The brand new aircraft was registered VT-SNG (manufacturer serial number 9493) on the 11th of March, 2013.

Bombardier describes the Global 6000 as “Speed, Range and Stately Supremacy”. It has a maximum range of 6,000NM (11,112km), and a maximum cruise speed of Mach 0.89 (89% the speed of sound). It can fly at FL510 (51,000ft above mean sea level at an altimeter setting of 1013.25), carrying 8-19 passengers. VT-SNG, however, has been certified with a seating capacity of 16.

The range is impressive, but what I like about Bombardier is their frankness. “6000NM is a theoretical range with NBAA IFR Reserves, ISA, 8 pax/4 crew. Actual range will be affected by speed, weather, selected options and other factors.”

The aircraft is propelled by two Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR710A2-20 turbofans, each producing upto 65.5kN of thrust (about 6500kg thrust per engine), lending the aircraft a minimum thrust to weight ratio of 1 : 3.47 (at the MTOW of 45,132kg) , which is pretty high. This means the airplane can climb steeper and faster.

Maxing most of the raw power is the supercritical wing, swept back 35°, which features winglets for drag reduction.

The Flight deck features a Rockwell Collins Pro Line Fusion avionics suite with four 15.1-inch (38.4 cm) Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens, and a Head-Up Display System (HUD), 3rd generation Enhanced Vision System (EVS) and Synthetic Vision System (SVS).

With more than US$58.5 Million per jet, the maximum payload is 1,710kg, which is equivalent to just 17 commercial airline economy class passengers (Based on 70kg passenger weight + 25kg check in baggage + 7kg cabin baggage).

Ofcourse, this is a business jet to flaunt, not an air-bus to make money.

On ground, 4000.

13 Tuesday Mar 2012

Posted by theflyingengineer in General Aviation Interest, Manufacturer, Operations

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#5000, #6000, #7000, 4000, 737, Boeing, Boeing 737 Max, Deliveries, NG, Orders, Orders 7 Deliveries, Renton, Washington

737NG #4000 waiting to be assembled! Photo by Boeing, of Boeing.

Its really hard to believe that a tube of metal, sitting on a transport dolly, can ever fly. The rivets are clearly seen, the skin in protective paint, and covers for where the windshields should be. This time however, the common sight of a 737 fuelage rolling into Boeing’s Renton plant, is not just another body.

The only thing separating it from the rest is its number. It is 737 NG # 4000, a milestone for the 737NG program. With 2,674 737NG orders still unfulfilled, looks like the #4000 bird is going to eventually lose the limelight to # 5000, #6000, and maybe, #7000.

Four celebrations to look forward to. Well done, Boeing, for a cumulative 6613 civil Boeing 737NG variant orders as of Feb end, 2012, of which 59.5% have been delivered.

With the October 2011 announcement by Boeing of the 737NG production rate having been ramped up to 35 airplanes a month (“Rate 35”), 737NG #4000 should be completely assembled by the 3rd week of April, 2012. #5000 should be ready in the September of 2014; #6000 in the January of 2017, and #7000 in the June of 2019.

That’s a terrible wait!

Which is why Boeing CA CEO Jim Albaugh, in July 2011, asked his product development team to evaluate the feasibility of further ramping up production to 60 airplanes a month. As of today, the 737NG production will hit “Rate 42” by mid 2014, witnessing “Rate 38” from “Rate 35” somewhere between then and today.

Assuming Rate 38 hits in January 2013, And Rate 42 in mid 2014, #5000 should be out in July 2014; #6000 in July 2016; and #7000 in July 2018, advancing the earlier projected 7000th airframe’s delivery by one solid year.

Boeing badly needs Rate 60, keeping in mind that the Boeing 737 MAX is expected to enter service in 2017.

Disclaimer: Author estimated/assumed production rates. An estimate is an estimate, and an assumption always an assumption. Just for you to get a feel of when you’ll expect the 737NG that you order, today.

Photo from here.