The first of the new Virgin Atlantic A330 Airbus took off from London to New York – with a new look bar and cabin, upper class only. The experience has been designed by international VW + BS studio in partnership with the virgin atlantic team.
VW + BS were approached by Virgin a number of years ago with basically a blank brief..
Well, after years of research and trends – here it is.
Aerion Corporation has released more details about new supersonic test flights – striving to become the world’s first supersonic business jet provider.
NASA’s F-15B Aircraft has the next test article to perform – designed by Aerion. The last test in the summer of 2010 resulted in a MACH 2.0 entry which used an instrumented flat plate to map the high-speed flow field under the F-15B. The data showed that more work was needed on aero dynamics followed by further mechanical design in mid-2011.
The new test article will focus on the Aerion wing – evaluating supersonic boundary layer transition properties relating back to manufacturing standards for surface quality and assembly tolerance – both curtail to future production.
Aerion will be at EBACE 2012 – May 14-16, Hall 5 Stand 2003.. Hopefully see you there.
Helicopter maker AgustaWestland is apparently collaborating with Karl Lagerfield. The German fashion designer will now re-design both interiors and exteriors of the company’s AW139, a twin-engine helicopter that can seat up to 15 people.
Beautiful shots by Christian Stoll. Christian is a freelance photographer spending time between New York City and Düsseldorf, Germany.
In past years Stoll’s photography has been a major influence on the corporate image of global companies like General Electrics, IBM and Microsoft.
The Piaggio Aero P180 Avanti II brings a new dimension to private jets. With three sets of wings and a pair of rear-mounted push propellers, the Avanti II can reach speeds of up to 466 mph while burning just 98 gallons of fuel per hour.
The wing configuration gives the aircraft significant lift performance and also increasing fuel efficiency. The cabin is sleek and classy and can accommodate 7-9 passengers.
Delta airlines is to roll out a premium economy class across its entire fleet. The new class will be introduced on over 800 of its aircraft operating in the US, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and northern South America.
The new class will be introduced in over 800 of its aircraft operating in the US, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and northern South America.
For the first time, Heathrow Airport are now opening up their VIP suites to passengers. Previously only royalty, heads of state and visiting diplomats had the privilege.
VIP suites which were previously the preserve of royalty, heads of state and visiting diplomats are now open to passengers at Heathrow for the first time.
The Heathrow by Invitation (HBI) service offers exclusive VIP suites away from the gaze of the media and members of the public.
Departing or arriving VIP passengers will be able to enjoy complete discretion and convenience, including:
• A secluded kerbside drop-off and pick-up point and exclusive terminal entrance
• A luxury private suite where VIP hosts are on hand to help with check-in, luggage drop-off, customs and passport control
• A dedicated private security search area
• A limousine service to or from their private suite directly to the plane steps
• A private suite to hold meetings for up to six people (flyers and non flyers) prior to boarding
• Arriving bags are collected and delivered to VIP passengers directly
• Onward travel by limousine or helicopter on request
“We want to offer something unique to passengers that attracts them out of their private or corporate jets and back onto Heathrow’s scheduled airlines’ premium cabins” Tom Lomax, VIP Services Manager said.
Finally, after 3 years late on delivery, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been delivered to Japan’s All Nippon Airways.
Here are a few key features of the aircraft.
50% of the primary structure (including the wing and fuselage) will be made of lightweight composite materials.
20% more fuel efficient than similar sized aircraft
Currently ANA have 55 orders, Quantas and United-Continental 50 and Air Canada has 37 orders.
Looking forward to taking a flight!
Nearly two months after the 787 program was put on hold, Boeing is resuming its program with the FAA this week. The Boeing 787 was put on hold due to a brief in flight fire during testing.
Boeing expect deliver of the first 787 Dreamliner during the third quarter of this year. In a statement from Boeing, 787 program manager Scott Fancher provides some carefully chosen words to explain the most recent schedule.
“This revised timeline for first delivery accommodates the work we believe remains to be done to complete testing and certification of the 787.”
Photo: Jason Paur/Wired.com
There’s a new speed record for electric aircraft in a twin-engine, electric powered Cri-Cri with a top speed of 162 miles per hour. The previous record of 155 mph set by an Italian team in 2009 has been beaten.
The record beater is the Cri-Cri which uses two 35-horsepower electric motors, fitted with custom propellers - made by Electravia. The motor cowlings helped minimize drag and the company claims the speed was achieved using only 75 percent power. More power would have been used, but the Cri-Cri airframe is not designed to exceed 161 mph even if the team went one over that. Electravia claims the engines and propellers could have pulled the tiny single-seater past 220 mph.
