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When the global lockdown started in March, more than half of the world airline fleet was parked in all kinds of remote locations. Somewhere around 17,000 airliners waiting for better times. And while the planes were parked, many flight simulators were also empty. Jacques Drappier analyses their symbiotic future.
With the gradual opening of national borders, airlines are slowly restarting operations and resuming routes. We have now reached the point that the operational fleet outnumbers the parked fleet, according to consultancy firm Cirium – around 39% parked versus 61% operational.
We will, however, never see all recently operational aircraft back in the sky. A shared view among leading experts is that 3500 to 5000 planes will never leave the desert. For some types, it is a retirement that was already announced but has now advanced a few years because of the reduced demand. For others, such as the A380, it is a shocking retirement after less than 10 years of activity.
For the airlines, it is a balancing act: the reduced demand for years to come, the commitment for new planes they have ordered, fuel prices, heavy maintenance checks due in the next months or years – all variables that can influence the decision to keep or discard a plane, or a whole fleet.
Looking to read the full article? Become a Premium Club member and gain full access today! 26 July 2020
Vuzix Corporation has delivered a customized commercial and defense avionics waveguide-based head mounted display system to a global Tier-1 Aerospace firm as part of the work effort associated with the fourth phase of product development for this customer. 24 July 2020
In accordance with the recommendations of the ICAO Council Aviation Recovery Taskforce, together ICAO Global Aviation Training and CAA International, the aviation training arm of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, have launched new training to enable the safe and secure restart of air operations. 24 July 2020
Boeing will provide aircrew training support for the Strategic Airlift Capability’s multinational fleet of C-17 aircraft under a new U.S. Air Force Foreign Military Sale contract for a C-17 Weapon System Trainer (WST) that will be stationed at Pápa Air Base, Hungary. 23 July 2020
Susannah Crabol, Flight Training Solutions Manager, Airbus provides an update on how Airbus has adapted is flight training business to the new normal. 23 July 2020
The commercial aviation industry’s rebound from COVID-19 is underway, with the number of airline flights starting to gradually increase, but widespread recovery could take several years. 22 July 2020
Vuzix Corporation, a supplier of Smart Glasses and Augmented Reality (AR) technology and products, has been selected by Verizon to co-develop a 5G-enabled Smart Glasses EMS solution for first responders and public safety. 22 July 2020
The DiSTI Corporation was awarded a follow-on Other Transaction Authority production agreement from the U.S. Army for the Family of Maintenance Trainers Diagnostic Troubleshooting Trainers. 22 July 2020
Editor’s Note: CAT magazine presents Guest Commentary on important issues facing the community. The opinions expressed are the author’s own.
This commentary is offered by Naveed Kapadia, whose career expertise includes research and development of flight crew training to enhance safety for a major European airline group, business development for Airways Aviation, and easyJet Flight Officer. He earned a master’s degree in air transport management from City University of London and an MSc bursary winner from Royal Academy of Engineering. He is also an ambulance crew volunteer during the current UK health crisis.
He poses the challenge: do we need a global refresh on how we train crews for decision-making?
We are used to scrutinising accidents and serious incidents, but we almost never investigate with the same tenacity and vigor when things go right. Why do we deprive ourselves of equally important learning opportunities when the flight crew makes the right call? We need to encourage stakeholders to proactively look at what went well and celebrate success with similar importance. Enhancing insights and experience is key to minimise errors.
Looking to read the full article? Become a Premium Club member and gain full access today! 22 July 2020
A major update to the Northeast Corridor Atlantic Coast Routes (NEC ACR), which was meant to relieve delays, is now experiencing its own delays due to the coronavirus. 21 July 2020
ATP Flight School accepted delivery of six new Piper Archer TXs and renewed a 100-aircraft order with Piper Aircraft, Inc. 21 July 2020
Advanced Simulation Technology inc. will provide simulated communication and aural cueing products and services to the UK Ministry of Defence Typhoon Future Synthetic Training program. 21 July 2020
