The Boeing Business Jet dubbed BBJ is a multipurpose plane. It can go from a luxury business airliner to a full out transport plane in less then 8 hours. Clientele like heads of state, corporations and private, uber-rich individuals who want to quickly change from transporting VIPs, staff or troops to delivering disaster-relief supplies or configuring for medical evacuation. With the new Overhead Space Utilization kit that adds 75 square meters of space, the plane offers room for transporting tools, race cars or equipment for touring bands and musicians. The OSU kit is installed post production above the main cabin ceilings between doors three and five and includes stairs from the main deck to the space above. BBJ owners receiving their airplanes after mid-2011 will reduce fuel consumption by 2 percent through a combination of airframe and engine.
Eurocopter has delivered the Hermes helicoper for the price tag of $6 million bucks. Falcon Aviation Services of Abu Dhabi has made the leap to own this ultra luxe copter. The model is based on the Eurocopter model EC135. The brown and cream craft is adorned in the signature Hermes orange accents. The handcrafted interior has plush leather and a sliding glass partition separate this from the utilitarian Hoverwing Hovercraft. This sweet ride is reserved for people with deep pockets who prefer to ride in the utmost luxury.
UAE’s own Etihad Airways is paving the way with luxury air travel. Etihad is going above and beyond from its new Diamond First Class Cabins, to now a flight simulator. The Boeing 777 simulator is available to the public in Dubai between Tuesday 5 and Friday 8, May 2009, do visit the Ibn Batutta Mall’s China Court to test your flying skills. This simulator is a flight fanatics dream, especially when coached by two Boeing trainers along side. This simulator can also allow the local airline to get a sneak peak at any aviation talent in the area. This experience is free of charge, so if your in town give it a try.
UAE’s own Etihad Airways has raised the bar. Its super luxe Diamond First Class cabin is truly amazing. These private cabins are getting installed into the A340-600 starting August of 2009 and will continue to roll out for the next two years. Much more advanced then the article about Korean Air to Upgrade Premium Seating, key features include:
82-inch private suite with a 80.5 inches fully flat bed, with bed width of 29.75 inches and seat width of 22 inches.
Each suite with Arabic styled sliding privacy doors.
23-inch personal TV/video screen with in-flight entertainment system (600 hours of on-demand entertainment).
Personal mini bar.
Illuminated wardrobe with a personal mirror.
In-seat massager, lumbar support and adjustable headrest.
Luxurious soft furnishings and designer amenity kits.
Power outlets
Individual bathroom/changing area
Korean Air is moving to state-of-the-art in-flight facilities. The new ultra high end seating will be featured in the airlines new Boeing 777-300ER air crafts second quarter this year. Although the plane is getting new seats for all three seating sections, we are going to focus on the high end premium seating areas. The top-of-the-line first class cabins, known as Kosmo Suites, are designed by Acumen of the UK. They feature full flat beds, movable armrests, massaging features, one touch controls, privacy partitions, an all new AVOD (Audio/Video on Demand), an adjustable reading light, and 23 inch individuals screens. The Prestige Sleeper, Korean Air’s business class options, is compared to the first class offering of other airlines. It offers 180 degree lie-flat seating, one touch controls, privacy partitions, and individual AVOD units. This $200 million investment will take Korea’s largest carrier to a new elite level.
Leigh Aerosystems High Road Aerocar may be a feasible solution to flying cars. Though not as far fetched as the Hoverwing Hovercraft, its based on a proven model. This takes what seems to be inspiration from Molt Taylor’s Aerocar, the only street legal airplane, to the next level. Leigh Aerosystems are more known for it weapons and drone design for the army. To their delight, the High Road has passed its wind tunnel testing and has been deamed by them as a practical airplane. With 180 mph cruising speeds at 15,000 ft., and a ceiling of 20,000 ft with range of 500 miles. Leigh Aerosystems is looking for some deep pockets to come to the table to make this a reality.
Aircraft maker Sonex and company AeroConversions recently unveiled an awesome little electric-powered, two seater sport aircraft called the Sonex. The small yellow prototype was announced at a press conference held by the company on Tuesday.
Sonex president John Monnett told reporters that the plane was part of its E-Flight Initiative, and that the lightweight craft took flight using proprietary electric engine technology powered by ten “safe boxes,” which contain eight Lithium-Polymer batteries each. The companies hope to extend the current flight time of 45 minutes to at least an hour by using more efficient versions of the batteries, they are also exploring alternative fuel options such as ethanol. Sonex didn’t make an indication as to when the plane would be ready for sale, however they did say that the final product will be ” less expensive than other similar sized planes.”
We look forward to seeing the Sonex electric airplane gracing the skies soon.
After six years of development involving around 70 companies Boeing has finally premiered its 787 Dreamliner jet.
The test flighthttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight of the jumbo airplane is expected in late August or September and a total of 6 planes will be included in the flight test program, which will conclude in May with the certification of the airplane followed shortly by the first delivery of a 787 to All Nippon Airways (ANA).
The scale of the 787 Dreamliner Jumbo Jet http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_787 project is so huge that it required a complete redesign of an existing plane in order to freight the parts in from suppliers and enable its advanced construction technique to be implemented.
The event also saw over 30,000 people participate via two-way satellite from Japan, Italy and locations in theUnited States. Overall, according to Boeing, the 787 Premiere reached a potential audience of 100 million.
“Our journey began some six years ago when we knew we were on the cusp of delivering valuable technologies that would make an economic difference to our airline customers. In our business, that happens every 15 or so years, so we have to get it right,” said Mike Bair, Boeing Commercial Airplanes vice president/general manager of the 787 program. “I am so proud of the men and women of Boeing and of our partner employees in the 70 companies that have brought this airplane to the passengers of the world.”
At this stage 47 customers worldwide have ordered 677 airplanes worth more than $110 billion at current list prices, making the Dreamliner the biggest commercial airplane launch in history.
New Zealand mechanic Rudy Heeman has just developed a two passenger hovercraft that has the ability to lift off, leaving other water based craft in its wake. The hovercaft is has been developed over the last eleven years. Its’ optimum height is about 4ft 6in above the water. The hoverwing sets off like a normal-hovercraft but when it reaches top speed of 60mph, its wings can be extended and it takes flight. Rudy Heeman believes there may be a commercial market for his creation-the hoverwing. He believes that his invention is an extremely efficient method of transport, travelling at about 6ft over the water and reaching speeds of over 60mph across the surface.
Heeman Officially calls this invention a ‘wing in ground effect vehicle’ - a hovercraft which is able to fly due to a set of unusual aerodynamics. Heeman’s first test flight actually ended in a crash landing. He was lucky and escaped with only a bruised leg. After the accident Heeman made adjustments to the Hovercraft and now believes the hoverwing is ready. , but Mr Heeman has yet to decide who to choose.
