FedEx Express has donated a Boeing 727-200F to California Baptist University for use by its new aviation science program. The cargo jet made its final taxi on Jan. 10 after landing at the Riverside Municipal Airport. The aircraft will be on permanent display at the airport and will provide a working laboratory for aviation science students.
“Although this aircraft has reached the end of its useful life in commercial service after 33 years, it is beginning a new life here at the Riverside Municipal Airport as a working lab for CBU aviation science students,” said Dr. Daniel Prather, founding chair of the CBU aviation science department. “CBU could not be more pleased with this generous donation from FedEx and appreciates the role of Women in Aviation International in making it possible.”
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has firmed up an order for 25 more wide-body aircraft from Airbus, comprising 5 A380, and 20 A350-900s. The deal was completed in 2012 and follows an agreement in October 2012. SIA has placed three consecutive orders for the A380, making it the second largest customer of the A380, and now has 19 aircraft in service. In the mid-size category, the new A350 XWB order sees the airline double its backlog for the all-new aircraft to 40. The A350-900s will be used by the airline on both medium and long haul routes.
Embraer selected Pratt & Whitney´s PurePower Geared Turbofan engines for its future, second generation of E-Jets, with entry into service planned for 2018. The program is due to be officially launched later this year. The new engines – the PW1700G and PW1900G – range in thrust from 15,000 to 22,000 pounds. In combination with new aerodynamically advanced wings, state-of-the-art full fly-by-wire flight controls and other systems evolutions, they will result in double digit improvements in fuel burn, maintenance costs, emissions and external noise.