Tag Archives: 747

Virgin Orbit pauses operations and lays off nearly all of its staff

Virgin Orbit Boeing 747-41R N744VG (msn 32745) (Virgin Atlantic colors) LGB (Michael B. Ing). Image: 944039.

Virgin Orbit has suspended all operations for at least a week and furlough most of its staff in order to cut costs.

The company is looking for additional financing.

Previously on January 9, 2023 the company suffered an “anomaly” on its first orbital attempte from the United Kingdom:

Virgin Orbit

On January 9, 2023, during the first attempted orbital launch from the United Kingdom, Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne experienced an anomaly, leading to a premature shutdown of the rocket and failure to reach orbit.

Virgin Orbit began its investigation into the failure within hours of the conclusion of the mission, under the leadership of distinguished aerospace veteran Jim Sponnick and Virgin Orbit Chief Engineer Chad Foerster. The failure investigation team received immediate access to extensive telemetry data collected during the mission from the ground stations in the UK, Ireland, and Spain, as well as systems onboard its carrier aircraft, providing a robust dataset that the investigation team has thoroughly examined. 

The investigation includes oversight by U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (acting as the Space Accident Investigation Authority (SAIA) for the United Kingdom) and also participation by personnel from the Department of Defense, National Transportation Safety Board, and the National Reconnaissance Office. The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority will also be involved in investigation process.

The investigation has confirmed that the Virgin Orbit team successfully executed pre-flight preparations, carrier aircraft takeoff, captive carry flight, and rocket release. The ignition, first stage flight, stage separation, second stage ignition, and fairing deployment of the LauncherOne rocket were nominal. Each of these milestones constituted a first-of-its-kind achievement for any orbital launch attempt from western Europe. LauncherOne performed successfully on all four prior operational flights, accurately delivering 33 payloads to their required orbits.

The investigation team is utilizing a comprehensive fault tree, a very detailed timeline, and several other products to conduct the investigation in a rigorous manner. Key observations at this point in the investigation:

  • The data is indicating that from the beginning of the second stage first burn, a fuel filter within the fuel feedline had been dislodged from its normal position. 
  • Additional data shows that the fuel pump that is downstream of the filter operated at a degraded efficiency level, resulting in the Newton 4 engine being starved for fuel. Performing in this anomalous manner resulted in the engine operating at a significantly higher than rated engine temperature.
  • Components downstream and in the vicinity of the abnormally hot engine eventually malfunctioned, causing the second stage thrust to terminate prematurely.
  • The early thrust termination ended the mission, and the second stage and its payloads fell back to Earth, landing in the approved safety corridor in the Atlantic Ocean.

The investigation is employing a detailed action plan to develop key analyses and tests to replicate flight conditions and to aid in determining the root cause or causes of the failure. All potentially credible scenarios, including the one described above are being investigated. Numerous tests are underway to support the investigation and help lead to definitive conclusions. Ultimately, all credible causes of the failure will be addressed prior to the next LauncherOne mission.

Virgin Orbit’s next launch will occur from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California for a commercial customer. The company anticipates announcing more details about that mission in the coming weeks.

ABOUT VIRGIN ORBIT

Virgin Orbit Holdings, Inc operates one of the most flexible and responsive space launch systems ever built. Founded by Sir Richard Branson in 2017, the Company began commercial service in 2021, and has already delivered commercial, civil, national security, and international satellites into orbit. Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rockets are designed and manufactured in Long Beach, California, and are air-launched from a modified 747-400 carrier aircraft that allows Virgin Orbit Holdings, Inc to operate from locations all over the world in order to best serve each customer’s needs.

The company issued this statement on that issue:

Top Copyright Photo: Virgin Orbit Boeing 747-41R N744VG (msn 32745) (Virgin Atlantic colors) LGB (Michael B. Ing). Image: 944039.

NYK Group to sell Nippon Cargo Airlines to ANA

NCA-Nippon Cargo Airlines Boeing 747-8KZF JA17KZ (msn 36140) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960233.

NYK Group, the owner of Nippon Cargo Airlines-NCA, has decided to sell Nippon Cargo Airlines-NCA to ANA due to rising costs. The company issued this statement:

Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) hereby announces that on March 7, 2023, NYK entered into a certain memorandum of understanding with ANA HOLDINGS INC. to transfer entire shares of Nippon Cargo Airlines Co., Ltd. (NCA), our consolidated subsidiary, to ANAHD.

NCA was established in 1978 with the participation of several companies as an airline specializing in international cargo. NYK has been involved in the management of NCA as a major shareholder since its establishment, and in 2010, NYK acquired all of the entire shares of NCA with the aim of becoming a comprehensive logistics company offering ocean, land, and air transportation. However, the continuous introduction of new aircraft to expand the operation and maintenance system, and the continuous training of personnel engaged in operation and maintenance required a considerable expenditure. In the highly volatile business environment of airfreight transportation, NCA has been facing challenges in expanding its business scale at a level that is commensurate with such costs.

ANAHD, in order to dramatically enhance its international air cargo network and products and services based in Japan and also with the aim to contribute to the development of global economic activities both in Japan and abroad, expressed their strong desire to have NCA (the only Japanese airline dedicated exclusively to air cargo transportation) added to its business portfolio and integrated and reorganized with the cargo business of the ANA group in the future, thereby realizing the goal to provide high-quality and internationally competitive air cargo transportation services that can respond to the increasing sophistication of the supply chain.

NCA recently has been providing value to the public through its air cargo transportation business under its mission statement of “Never Stop Logistics even during the Covid-19 Pandemic”. However, in order for NCA to achieve further growth and increase corporate value from a long-term perspective which include environmental responsiveness, we believe that it is the best option to transfer shares of NCA to ANAHD which operates the same business, and has been providing NCA with cooperative relation to strengthen its maintenance system. Therefore, as a result of a series of discussions with ANAHD, NYK and ANAHD have reached a conclusion and entered into a basic agreement today to mutually promote and further consider this Transaction.

(Content of the Basic Agreement)

(1)PurposeTo realize this Transaction, to confirm the status of discussions, and the intentions of NYK and ANAHD regarding the Transaction, which have been taking place by the date of execution of the Basic Agreement.
(2)100% AcquisitionANAHD will acquire all shares of NCA from NYK in a single transaction. A particular acquisition method (scheme) and other terms and conditions will be determined through continued discussion between NYK and ANAHD.
(3)Closing DateSubject to obtaining clearance under applicable competition laws and other conditions, the date of acquisition of NCA’s shares would be October 1, 2023, or a date to be separately agreed by NYK and ANAHD.

NCA currently operates a fleet of eight Boeing 747-8F freighter aircraft and also owns five Boeing 747-400F freighters that are operated by ASL and Atlas Air.

Top Copyright Photo: NCA-Nippon Cargo Airlines Boeing 747-8KZF JA17KZ (msn 36140) AMS (Ton Jochems). Image: 960233.

Nippon Cargo Airlines-NCA aircraft photo gallery:

NCA aircraft photo gallery

Etihad Cargo signs MOU with Astral Aviation to expand African network

Etihad Cargo, the cargo and logistics arm of Etihad Airways, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Astral Aviation Ltd to expand the partnership between the two parties and enhance the cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi, further growing Etihad Cargo’s reach into the African market.

Through the comprehensive MoU, Etihad Cargo’s customers will benefit from additional cargo capacity out of Nairobi via the introduction of additional services from Nairobi to Etihad Cargo’s hub in Abu Dhabi from April 1, 2023.

The expansion of the partnership between Etihad Cargo and Astral Aviation will further enhance Etihad Cargo’s capabilities in the African market. In 2021, the carrier signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Astral Aviation to provide reliable and cost-effective air freight solutions for the transport of pharmaceuticals across the continent. The SLA was Etihad Cargo’s first Pharma Interline agreement and ensured the carrier’s partners’ full compliance with latest IATA Pharma and GDP regulations and standards.

This latest agreement builds on Astral Aviation’s expanding partnership with Abu Dhabi, which will see Astral Aviation operating more flights to the UAE’s capital, supported by Etihad Cargo. 

The agreement will see Astral Aviation and Etihad Cargo sharing up to 50 percent of all available capacity on the new Nairobi-Abu Dhabi-Nairobi flights, increasing the capacity Etihad Cargo offers air cargo and air mail customers. Via Etihad Cargo’s Abu Dhabi hub, the carrier’s global network will offer connectivity to destinations around the world. Etihad Cargo will utilise its expansive road feeder service network to transport cargo arriving in Abu Dhabi from Nairobi to destinations throughout the UAE and other offline stations.

Astral Aviation flies a reliable schedule network to 20 destinations and a charter network to 50 destinations from its Nairobi, Dubai, Johannesburg and Liege Hubs, Astral flies to more destinations then any African carrier.

Astral operates fleet of B747-400F, B767-200F, B757-200F, B727F, DC-9F and F50F,

Astral is the only African carrier with a diverse-fleet from 7 tons to 110 tons.

Top Copyright Photo: Astral Aviation (Air Atlanta Icelandic) Boeing 747-48EF TF-AMU (msn 27603) LGG (Rainer Bexten). Image: 951189.

Astral Aviation aircraft photo gallery:

Watch as the final 747 departs Boeing

Thursday, February 2, 2023

https://onfirstup.com/embed/video/29815483-f50d-4df8-8eed-3542c3c7c866

The final 747’s flight path over Eastern Washington, according to Planefinder.

Following a festive and star-studded sendoff ceremony the previous day, the final 747 – the 1,574th overall – left its birthplace in Everett, Washington, Wednesday morning, lifting off from Paine Field at 8:19 a.m. Pacific.

  •  The airplane joins the all-Boeing fleet of Atlas Air, bringing its 747 fleet to 56. 

 The scene: On a cold, bright morning, a group of plane spotters, Boeing teammates and media watched as the final 747 took off. The flyaway followed the previous day’s celebration that was watched by about 10,000 in-person attendees and thousands more as part of a global webcast. It featured past and present Boeing leaders, customer representatives and actor/pilot/aviation enthusiast John Travolta.

What’s next: During that ceremony, John Dietrich, Atlas Air Worldwide president and CEO, revealed that the final 747 would take a unique, crown-shaped flight path on its way to Cincinnati, Ohio before entering the fleet.

It is certainly a fitting start to the next chapter for the airplane known far and wide as the Queen of the Skies.

Atlas Air takes delivery of Boeing’s final 747 production aircraft

The final 747 built by Boeing

Atlas Air issued this statement:

Atlas Air, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. on January 31 announced it has taken delivery of the final 747 (N863GT) ever to be produced by Boeing.

The delivery of this aircraft is the last of four new Boeing 747-8 Freighters Atlas ordered in January 2021. Atlas Air will operate this aircraft for Apex Logistics, a Kuehne+Nagel company, under a long-term agreement.

Atlas designed a custom split livery for this special aircraft, with the Atlas Air logo on the right side and tail of the aircraft, and the Apex Logistics logo on the left side. To honor the legacy of the “Queen of the Skies,” a special decal is included to the right of the nose featuring Joe Sutter, considered by Boeing to be the “Father of the 747.”

“The names we chose for the last two iconic aircraft fit their legacy – ‘Inspire.’ and ‘Empower.’,” said Yngve Ruud, Member of the Management Board of Kuehne+Nagel, responsible for Air Logistics.  “We are looking forward to see the last 747-8F aircraft taking off to fulfill the versatile needs of our customers around the world with unmatched capability.”

Boeing made this announcement:

Photo: Boeing. Boeing and Atlas Air Worldwide joined thousands of people – including current and former employees as well as customers and suppliers – to celebrate the delivery of the final 747 to Atlas, bringing to a close more than a half century of production.

Boeing employees who designed and built the first 747, known as the “Incredibles,” returned to be honored at the Everett factory where the journey of the 747 began in 1967. The factory produced 1,574 airplanes over the life of the program.

“This monumental day is a testament to the generations of Boeing employees who brought to life the airplane that ‘shrank the world,’ and revolutionized travel and air cargo as the first widebody,” said Stan Deal, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “It is fitting to deliver this final 747-8 Freighter to the largest operator of the 747, Atlas Air, where the ‘Queen’ will continue to inspire and empower innovation in air cargo.”

“We are honored to continue our long history of flying this iconic aircraft for our customers around the world,” said John Dietrich, president and chief executive officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “Atlas Air was founded over 30 years ago with a single 747-200 converted freighter, and since then, we have spanned the globe operating nearly every fleet type of the 747, including the Dreamlifter, Boeing’s 747 Large Cargo Freighter, for the transport of 787 Dreamliner parts. We are grateful to Boeing for their shared commitment to safety, quality, innovation and the environment, and for their partnership to ensure the continued success of the 747 program as we operate the aircraft for decades to come.”

As the first twin-aisle airplane and “jumbo jet,” the “Queen of the Skies” enabled airlines to connect people across vast distances and provide non-stop trans-oceanic flights. Its development solidified Boeing’s role as an industry leader in commercial aviation. The airplane’s core design with its distinctive hump and seating in the upper deck has delighted generations of passengers and operators alike. Boeing continued to improve on the original design with models like the 747-400 in 1988 and the final 747-8 model that was launched in 2005; across all the models, the jet has delivered unmatched operating economics and efficiency to travel and air cargo markets.

Cirium’s key 747 facts

  • 1,574 Boeing 747s have been built
  • One 747 was not delivered and instead went to a museum, meaning that 1,573 have entered service
  • The first flight of the Boeing 747 took place on February 9, 1969
  • While four 747s were delivered in 1969 for crew training, entry into service with Pan-Am took place in 1970.
  • The aircraft first served the President of the United States of America as ‘Air Force One’ through the US Air Force’s VC-25 program in 1990.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/live/Oe5rUGhDcgc?feature=share

Top Copyright Photo: Apexlogistics (Atlas Air) Boeing 747-8F N863GT (msn 67150) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 959868.

Atlas Air aircraft photo gallery:

Watch the last Boeing to be built delivered today to Atlas Air

The original Boeing 747 over Mount Rainier in Washington State in 1974.

Boeing will livestream the delivery ceremony of the last Boeing 747 today (January 31):

Boeing will present a live webcast of the ceremony marking the delivery of the final 747 to Atlas Air on Jan. 31 at 4 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. Pacific).

Thousands of people – including current and former employees as well as customers and suppliers – will celebrate the final delivery in the factory constructed to produce the iconic widebody with the distinctive hump. The final airplane, a 747-8 Freighter, is the 1,574th manufactured during 55 years of production.

While the event is not open to the public, Boeing will make this live webcast available globally at this link.

Here is the link: https://vimeo.com/event/2815427

Boeing and Atlas Air to celebrate the delivery of the last 747, the 1,574th built

The 1,574th 747 built. Copyright Photo: Nick Dean

Boeing will present a live webcast of the ceremony marking the delivery of the final 747 to Atlas Air on January 31, 2023 at 4 p.m. Eastern (1 p.m. Pacific).

Thousands of people – including current and former employees as well as customers and suppliers – will celebrate the final delivery in the factory constructed to produce the iconic widebody with the distinctive hump.

The final airplane, a 747-8 Freighter, is the 1,574th manufactured during 55 years of production.

While the event is not open to the public, Boeing will make this live webcast available globally at this link.

After the event concludes, a video recording will be available on Boeing.com.

Video:

Top Copyright Photo: Apexlogistics (Atlas Air) Boeing 747-8F N863GT (msn 67150) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 959868.

Below Copyright Photo: Atlas Air Boeing 747-8F N863GT (msn 67150) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 959868.

Atlas Air aircraft photo gallery: