Airbus A350 XWB

Airbus A350 XWB (Extra Wide Body) is still under development and will be due to appear in the market after 2013. For the fear of Boeing 787 which has received many orders so far, Airbus's answer is A350 XWB.

Still under development, so we will not see the final model for this project, but it does seem like Airbus A350 will have 3 models.

A350-800, 900 and 1000, all of them are long range (15,000km), wide body, 2 engines just like B787, B777 and A330 and the new version will use carbon fibre for reducing the body weight, still capable of carrying passengers over 300 to 400 seats. For me this new airliner will be more for the same category as B777 as long as the passengers capacity is bigger than B787, so also possible to replace B747-400 and surely will end A340.

Tiger Airways

Tiger Airways is probably the most suited for short-medium range LOC (Low Cost Carrier) which was created by Singapore Airlines based in Singapore Changi Airport just like the mother company.

Most of national flag airlines today face the competition specially in Western nations, however Asia is still not completely open market for aviation. Tiger Airways management is similar to European budget airlines which have been successful in Europe.

Currently all of Tiger Airways fleet which is dominated by Airbus A320-200, if they will ever expand medium range (like destinations to Japan) then will be more likely use A330, both are cheap for operating and the fly-by-wire system makes easier for pilots.

How does this Low cost carrier work, despite the mother company Singapore Airlines also flight to similar destinations? For instance, Tiger Airways fly to Melbourne, not to Sydney. This is the way not to fly the same destinations but Singapore - Melbourne was previously dominated by Qantas. So that the creation of any LOC under bigger airlines works. There are many airports in Japan, but only just a few big ones currently used, even the capacity is not that huge. Smaller regional airports will invite LOCs such as Tiger Airways.

Boeing B777

Boeing 777 is a long haul airliner with 2 engines entered into the market for the replacement of old DC10 in 1995, as MD10, A330 or A340 were about to challenge the Boeing dominance.

Passenger capacity between 300 seats (777-200) to around 400 plus (777-300) with the range between 10,000km and 15.000km, huge 2 hyper turbo fan engines, B777 is also the replacement for B747-400.

The only set back is its price, A330 can carry about 280-330 passengers for the price around 140-150M USD, B777 costs 180M (B777-200) to 250M (777-300ER), this is the reason whenever you fly on A330, it is more likely budget airliner (although the comfort of A330 is as good as B777), of course B777 range is much longer and the cruising speed is faster (A330 mach 0.83 and B777 mach0.85).

Despite some delay, Boeing will soon start selling B787 which will challenge A330 current dominance in the low cost airliners. B777 will probably maintain an alternative choice between B787 and B747-800.

For FSX: there are plenty of payware add-ons or you can get B777-220, -300 for free from POSKY.

B777 construction

Airbus A340

Airbus A340 is a 4-engines long range airliner based on Airbus A330, the main difference is the numbers of engines A330 (2 engines) and A340 (4 engines) and the body is longer and the bigger wings with the passenger capacity of around 260 seats (A340-200), 300 seats (A340-300) and over 320 - 380 seats (A340-500 and -600) - all based on 3 classes.

This airliner's biggest asset is the range from 7,500nm (close to 14,000km) to 9,000nm (over 16,000km). However, there are two major set backs regarding to A340 series. First, it is slow (cruising speed at 0.82-83 mach - other airliners around A340 can fly 0.85 mach). Another negative aspect is the kill off, fuel consumption is too bad.

A340 series are close to Boeing B777, both introduced in 1993, sales result is quite obvious that Boeing has sold more B777 than Airbus has sold A340. (however Airbus A330 series have been more success). A340-600 is currently the longest commercial airliner, until Boeing B747-800 will be launched.

Boeing B787 will be soon sold, Airbus A350 will be finally introduced and that will end the A340 short life.

For FSX

CLS (Commercial Level Simulations) sells A340-500, A340-600 payware add-ons CLS home page.

Free add-ons A340-200, -300 provided by POSKY

A340-600

Airbus A330

Airbus A330 is the first 2 engine, medium to long range airliner built for replacement of B767, DC10, MD11 in 1994. Equipped with Fly-by-wire, Airbus airliners are easy to fly. 4 engines version of A330 series is A340 with extended range and mainly used for long haul flights.

Range between 10,000km to 12,500km with the passenger capacity from 250 seats (A330-200) to 330 seats (A330-300), ideal for medium range low cost budget airlines as the price listed A330-200 for around 180M USD, A330-300 for 200m USD.

This well built and well sold airliner A330's current rival is B777 which is slightly bigger in terms of passenger capacity. Boeing replacement for B767, B787 dreamliner which will bring more operation profits per flight (as 30% energy efficient B787) than A330.

Airbus initially planned to extend A330 family with improved engine, however new design is also needed for the newer generation. A350 series are currently under development. We will see A330 series mainly in budget low cost airliners.

For FSX

Airbus Series vol.2 (Wilco payware)

POSKY (freeware)

Bombardier CRJ - Canadian Regional Jet

CRJ (Canadian Regional Jet) was first introduced in early '90 with CRJ100 and 200, since then Bombardier has been leading the regional jet market with Embraer.

CRJ700, 900 and 1000 series are the right small sides, passenger capacity between 70 and 100 with the range around 3,000km, just a few years before the introduction of Embraer E-jets. Bombardier claims their latest CRJ1000 is more profitable than E-jets, although the CRJ series not as new as E-jets. Bombardier CSeries are much bigger and probably in the same market with Boeing 737 or Airbus A320.

We will have to wait and see how Bombardier NextGen CRJ 700, 900 and 1000 will do against the Embraer E-Jets and of course, MRJ - Mitsubishi Regional Jet is reported to challenge the big 2 regional jets companies in US/Canada market.

For FSX: FSX CRJ700 autoland tutorial

POSKY the best FSX freeware add-ons

Project Open Sky (or POSKY) is the most well known and the best freeware add-ons for FSX airplanes. There are decent payware around but POSKY is free to use, free to enjoy more than default FSX airplanes.

POSKY download

Airbus A330-200, 300

Airbus A340-200,300

Boeing 737-600,700,800,900,BBJ

Boeing 747SP, -100,200,300,400

Boeing 757-200,300

Boeing 767-200.300,400

Boeing 777-200,300

Bombardier CRJ-200,700,900

Embraer ERJ-135,140,145, Legacy 600

 

Personally I like B777., I will start playing and making some videos with POSKY.

Airbus A320 Fly by Wire

Narrow body short - medium range and the 2nd most sold airplanes all the time, the main competitor of Boeing 737, Airbus A320 series are modern high tech airliner and commonly used for European airliners. Just like Boeing B737-800, A320 (or longer body A321) now considered as the 1st generation of modern airliners, as Bombardier C Series are ready to challenge in the same category (100-200 seats with the range of around 3,000nmi or 5,500km A318, A319, A320 and A321).

Unlike B737 series, Airbus introduced Fly-by-wire, a total automatic airplane controlling system. Unfortunately not all pilots could have understood the system properly in case of accidents (or just human mistakes should be blamed, not the system itself).

Just like Boeing Yellow Project, Airbus will be soon in need of developing new generation of airliner similar sides to A320 family with more energy efficient engine, design and better comfort.

For FSX: FSX default A321 autopilot guide

FSX default A321 ILS autoland complete autopilot guide

Flight Simulator X has several aircrafts and one of them is Airbus A321. In this tutorial, how to manage autopilot and ILS autoland for beginners.

First of all, understanding the cockpit for the default FSX A321.

AP: Autopilot button - press the button for activation

APP: approach button - press this when the aircraft reaches within ILS signal (green line on the GPS)

ALT: altitude - press the button in order to set the altitude according to the flight plan

ATHR: Auto throttle button - after activation, press the button below SPD to adjust the speed

CRS: Course setting - very important for the ILS autoland

FD: Flight Director - the switch to activate all other features

ILS: ILS button - press this to activate ILS autoland

LOC: Localizer. In this default A321, press LOC to use one of two navigation systems

NAV/GSP: NAV is for ILS approach (autoland), GSP is for flight planner

Before flying, you can set the flight plan (like the route you would like to fly - this is the route exactly the aircraft flies when you press the GPS button). Try to modify the flight plan to line up to the runway you would like to autoland - straight in.

1. try to know the information about the runway you would like to ILS autoland - knowing this, the runway should be equipped ANY KIND of ILS facilities (yes default FSX aircrafts with ILS module can manage autoland EVERYWHERE as long as the runway supports ILS). Copy the "ILS frequency" and "Course".

2. Play FSX and SHIFT key + 2 is the radio. Set up both NAV1 and NAV2 the same as the ILS frequency of the runway.

3. Set CRS - course

4. Fly to the destination with GPS navigation (in order to do so, you need to set up the number 1 mentioned before and GPS navigation mode on the cockpit. Aircraft autopilots, but please remember, you need to descend the aircraft by yourself (or ATC tells you the right altitude).

5. When the aircraft approaches within the ILS green signal on the GPS screen (Shift key + 3), make sure the aircraft is flying in the right altitude - VERY IMPORTANT - you need to fly about 2600-2800ft above the runway, otherwise the aircraft NEVER CATCHES the ILS signal.

Lufthansa SAS merge? It seems like Yes

Lufthansa of Germany has started new merge discussion with Scandinavian Airlines mainly because SAS has been performing badly. If that will happen (very likely more than just code share agreement), Lufthansa will have very strong connections to Scandinavian nations (SAS based in Copenhagen Denmark, Oslo Norway and Stockholm Sweden.

Now it is very difficult for middle sides airlines to maintain profitability. What "national flags" can do is to build the strongest possible network. Between hub airports to smaller airports with regional jets (around 100 seats) more frequently and between the hub airport to other region/continent profitable destinations or tourism/business demand routes. Unfortunately, from smaller airports passengers can always fly to much bigger hub airports such as Frankfurt, Amsterdam, London or Paris and then fly to NYC than transit doing the transit in Copenhagen.

European airlines will be 3 giants: Air France/KLM, British Airways and Lufthansa/SAS. Code share flights between airlines no longer work fine and the industry itself should try to reduce the cost to win strong competitions from budget airlines.

Emirates the most ambitious airliner

Emirates based in Dubai International Airport, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a completely new but expanding massively in the International aviation industry. Today, Dubai seeks for both tourism and business center in the middle east.

One of the massive operation should be the purchases of nearly 60 A380 each of airplane costs USD 300 million. There should be too many regional destinations to maintain the huge capacity of superjumbo.

Emirates operate flights from Dubai to Kansai International airport (Osaka) and Chubu Int'l airport (Nagoya) but not to Tokyo. Any airliners such as Emirates "might" be interested in low budget domestic connecting flights from those 2 less congested airports in Japan.

Emirates Airline

Airbus A380

Airbus A380-800 is today's biggest passenger aircraft which can curry passengers around 550 and max 850 (more likely between 550-600). 300million USD double decker airplane challenges B747 - already quite old even -400 series. Despite expensive unit cost, Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Qantas (as well as European airliners) have ordered this superjumbo.

Flight range is over 800nm (15.000km), so this A380 should be used in most of major airlines with stable network between hub airports mainly - like Singapore airlines, Emirates or Qantas which have several domestic or strong regional network, between Europe and Middle-east or Asia, A380 needs as many connecting passengers from rural airports to the hub airport.

There should be some negatives about A380 that if any case of lower demand for the airlines occur just like bad economy, even A380 can carry many passengers per fuel consumption, using A380 will make airlines hard to get passengers and cannot cancel connecting Air-network than, for instance, B787. Longer runway and special terminal gates should also be installed. B747-8F will make A380 less chance of successful in the freighter market, but B747-800 commercial airliner will be hard to beat A380. We also have to wait and see how much the price of B747-800 will be like.

FSX A380 downloads (payware)

AFS-design Airbus A380 -v2

Wilco Publising Airbus A380v2

A380-800 construction

Frequent Flyer Program (FFP)

The cost of traveling by air has been reduced dramatically mainly due to authorities around the world have been removing regulations, encouraging airliners to win the competition. Low budget airliners have been gaining the market share specially tourism destinations. Big airliners now form mainly 3 code share syndicates, trying to encourage passengers to use the same group of airliners or airlines network worldwide.

Frequent Flyer Program (FFP) provides what low budget airlines cannot afford, high quality customer service, giving mileage points not only by flying but as well as using certain hotel chains or rent-a-car services. Even the points can be gathered on the ground or by purchasing with credit card.

SkyTeam, Aeroflot, AeroMexico, Air France KLM, Alitalia, China Southern, Continental Airlines, Czech Airlines, Delta, Korean Air, North West Airlines

Star Alliance, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana airlines, Austrian, bmi, Egypt Air, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airlines, Spanair, Swiss International airlines, TAP Portugal, Thai Airways, Turkish airlines,  United airlines, US Airways

oneworld, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair,  Iberia, JAL Japan Airlines, LAN, MALEV Hungarian Airlines,  Qantas, Royal Jordarian

Three biggest syndicates of the world (not all major airlines) participate 3 biggest frequent flyer programs. Code share flight is mainly due to less competition and maintain the profitability. Improved customer service such as late reservation or luggage allowance according to the member status.

Flying with major airlines with frequent flyer program gives passengers the perfect motivation to fly more.

Folding@home

As the most of Flight Simulator fans have very powerful GPU or even game console such as PS3, I would like to promote Folding@home probably many people already knew about this Stanford University research program which does try to discover how protein works to related diseases.

Poll Number 1 - regional jet

"Which regional jet (small airplane) will be successful in near the future?" 14 voters

Embraer E-jets - 11votes

MRJ - Mitsubishi Regional Jet - 5 votes

Bombardier CSeries - 4 votes

Sukhoi Superjet - 3 votes

ARJ21 - 2 votes

Thank you for all participated to the poll. We will see how all new generation regional jets will manage successful (or not as successful as others) in near the future. (poll taken on this site between August 27 and September 3 2008)

FSX Add-ons and useful online flight sites

FSX, FS2004 Aircraft, Textures, Scenery Add-ons

fsdownload (freeware)

http://www.fsdownload.com/

Project Open Sky or POSKY (freeware - highly recommended)

http://www.projectopensky.com/

Simviation (free and payware)

http://simviation.com/menu.html

Wilco Publishing (payware aircraft)

http://www.wilcopub.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home

PMDG (payware aircraft)

http://www.precisionmanuals.com/index_css.html

Online flight useful sites (reality flight)

VATSIM (Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network)

http://www.vatsim.net/

Flight Aware (online flight tracking)

http://flightaware.com/

Aero Planner (flight planner, professional use - pay service)

http://www.aeroplanner.com/

I will update this list with more details

Boeing B787 dreamliner

Boeing B787 is the replacement for B767, made with high tech, specially good fuel efficiency and it is known as Y2 - Boeing Yellowstone project. With the passenger capacities between 220 seats to 300 seats and flight range between 15.700km (787-8) and 16.300km (787-9), B787 will be suitable for long range international flights (or high demand domestic flights) will strongly challenge in the same market with B777, Airbus A330, A340, long range high passenger capacity just below the B747-400, B747-800 or Airbus A380.

Boeing 787 uses carbon fibre and high tech cockpit and all passenger windows are equipped with LED blinders. B787 dreamliner official product information, and the all new look cockpit which is developed from B777, will be much closer to military fighter rather than commercial airliner.

Airbus has announced to build Airbus A350 series basically re-developed version of A330 series, but Boeing B 787 is completely new airplane with higher fuel efficiency about 20% by both new engine and new aerodynamic wings and body.

The price is between 150M (787-8) to 180M (787-9), too good to beat the A330, A340 and also seriously challenge the fellow Boeing B777, because of that.

Boeing Yellowstone Project

Boeing is ready to build new generation of commercial jets, known as Y1, Y2, Y3 (Y stands for Yellowstone Project) which is more energy efficient, high tech airplanes.

Y1: is the replacement for the best seller B737 series (short of medium range around 100-200 seats airplanes), and there have been some rumors about MRJ (Mitsubishi Regional Jet) will be involved with the development. It is true that MRJ will use B787 (Y2) high tech cockpit panels.

Y2: is the replacement for B767 or B777 medium range, long haul commercial airplanes and already called B787 dreamliner. As all other Yellowstone Project passenger airplanes, B787 will be more cost efficient replacement of the major long haul flights.

Y3: is the A380 or B747 replacement with a huge passenger capacity and long haul airplanes. Carrying many passengers in any high demand long haul flights. Y3 will be more like double deck B747, but we do not about it yet.

Boeing B737

Boeing 737 is without any doubt one of the most important commercial airliners in the entire aviation history (along with B747). For short - medium range or lower passenger destinations (still very popular for city hoppers - business and tourism passengers). Since the first B737 -100 (DC9 time), mainly due to the increase of market demand, the latest 737-900ER which carries more than 200 passengers, but still B737-800 (around 180 passenger capacity and the range around 3000nm) is the most popular choice from the world airlines after 4 decades!!

Similar airplanes: MD90, A320

Smaller but still capable of replacement: Embraer E-Jets , Bombardier CSeries

Currently planned new generation model: Boeing Y1

FSX B737-800 Amsterdam - Paris

Kunpeng Airlines - challenge for Chinese budget airlines

Kunpeng Airlines is based in Xian (China) owned by Shenzhen Airlines and Mesa Air Group (charter airlines). What really interesting about this low budget domestic airlines.

100 ARJ21 airplanes ordered by Kunpeng Airlines alone, this tells exactly how the airlines will start massive domestic airlines in China. Embraer E-Jets also sold in Chinese market. There have been more demands for smaller airplanes mainly due to less air travelers, however, as the railways network is still not complete, airlines should have great success due to the increase of business demand. Jet fuel price in China is under control, this leaves Mitsubishi Regional Jet less successful as the price for the plane is far too expensive for more comfort and fuel efficiency which cannot be better than cheaper airplanes for the same seat capacity.

More frequent air travelers will make business easier and economical without less need for using private business planes and more domestic needs of local airlines will leave more people can easily travel overseas. The competition for Chinese domestic airlines and aviation business.