Russia to launch production of Tu-334 airliner within 6 months

Sergei Ilyushenkov, managing director of Tupolev, said production of the short-haul Tu-334 airliner will start within six months.

Boeing reveals details of 787 pilot training programme and equipment

Boeing's 787 training director Capt Al Nader says Boeing is proposing to have 777 pilots convert to the 787 in just five days without training time in a level D full-flight simulator but the FAA might not approve the idea.

Nader says the 787 should handle like the 777 and all the crew need is training on a Thales fixed-base, touchscreen simulator to learn the differences in the cockpit interface.

NASA eyes buying Japan's cargo spacecraft: report

Japan's Yomiuri newspaper reported that NASA plans to buy the H-2 Transfer Vehicle (HTV) in order to resupply the International Space Station when the Space Shuttle is retired.

The HTV is an unmanned cargo spacecraft designed to resupply the Kibō Japanese Experiment Module on the ISS.

The first launch is expected next year.

Rolls considers keeping 747 for future engine trials

Rolls-Royce wants to keep the Boeing 747-200 that it had bought to conduct its Trent 1000 engine testing for the 787.

New uses for the ex-Cathay Pacific flying test bed includes testing the RB212 turbofan for the Dassault Falcon business jet.

Volga-Dnepr details proposed taller An-124 variant

Volga-Dnepr wants to modify an Antonov An-124 with a taller fuselage in order to fit a greater range of industrial payloads.

A An-124-100 will be sliced horizontally just below the cockpit and a new fuselage structure would then be inserted that would jack the upper section by around 2m.

Boeing in no rush to compete with Bombardier

Boeing's Scott Carson told reporters at Farnborough air show the 100- to 149-seat, single-aisle market being pursued by Bombardier with its new CSeries is not very attractive to his company.

"We haven't seen that market being terribly attractive to us. We certainly wish Bombardier well."

Irkut says in talks with China about JV

Irkut Chairman Alexey Federov told reporters his company is talking with the Chinese on a joint venture on the MC-21 civil aircraft.

"So far it is a Russian project, but in the near future maybe it is possible to establish a joint venture," he said at the Farnborough Airshow via an interpreter.

Boeing 777 Freighter Makes First Flight

The Boeing 777 Freighter made its maiden flight yesterday with 777 Chief Pilot Suzanna Darcy-Hennemann and 777 Deputy Chief Pilot Van Chaney at the controls.

The aircraft flew to an altitude of 18,000ft and a top speed of 270kts.

Makeover for the longest flight

Pope Benedict flies in a specially configured Boeing 777 from Alitalia for his trip from Rome to Sydney.

The first class cabin was reconfigured with a bed, armchairs, worktables and a kneeler and crucifix.

Qatar to make Airbus order at UK air show

Qatar is expected to make a large plane order with Airbus at this week's Farnborough airshow.

New engine technologies figure in Boeing's 737 update studies

Randy Tinseth, vice-president marketing for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, says new technologies are being evaluated to keep the 737 viable until a successor comes along.

It is looking closely at Pratt & Whitney's geared turbofan as a possible engine upgrade for the single aisle aircraft.

Air France-KLM first deliveries of A380s seen in summer of 2009 - CEO

Deliveries of Airbus A380 Superjumbos to Air France-KLM has been pushed back to summer of 2009.

The initial plan was to start the delivery of first three airliners in April next year.

Airbus names new A380 chief

Airbus has named 51-year-old Alain Flourens as head of the A380 superjumbo program to replace Mario Heinen.

The shakeup came shortly after Rüdiger Fuchs, a key executive for the A380, left the company.

Bombardier poised to launch new plane

Bombardier is set to unveil its CSeries airliner today at the Farnborough air show. The show is to start tomorrow.

The 100-130 seat CSeries will compete with Airbus' A320 and Boeing's 737.