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Arrests Made at Boeing Plant Drug Raid

  

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On Thursday, September 29, a drug sweep was conducted in Ridley Park, which is just outside of Philadelphia, PA. In this sweep, there was a raid on a Boeing plant which houses 5,400 employees. From the raid, more than three dozen individuals were arrested and 37 are facing the charges of illegal drug distribution and attempted drug possession. This raid was the direct result of several years of undercover investigation, which ensued when Boeing called the police to report suspicious activity on their property. The workers at the plant are in charge of building aircraft for Boeing’s Defense, Space and Security unit. Examples of the specific models they have worked on are the H-47 Chinook helicopter and the V-22 Osprey. Boeing officials have declined to comment on the raid.

Boeing Unveils the 737 MAX Series

  

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Boeing’s new engine variant for their successful 737 is the 737 MAX. This new group (737 MAX 7, 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9) is predicted to deliver great results. This series of aircraft have been given the title of “MAX” due to the maximum optimization of everything involved in the design, maintenance and operation of the planes. Perhaps the most enticing aspect is the large fuel savings. According to the manufacturer, there will be a 7 percent advantage in operating costs in comparison to the competition. This advantage can be attributed to the CFM International LEAP-1B engines. They are said to have supreme structural design which allows for greater efficiency and less maintenance necessary.

In addition to the perk of paying less for fuel, consumers can appreciate the reliability of the 737 MAX series. They will continue to boast the Next-Generation 737’s highest reliability rate of any aircraft in the world (a 99.7 percent on-time departure rate). For those who are most interested in luxury, the 737 Boeing Sky Interior is the aircraft which will garner their attention. The interior is very spacious and comfortable, which is in large part due to the fact that overhead bins are hidden in the ceiling.

Over time, I am sure that we will see the MAX series reach the popularity of the traditional 737. Boeing has said that they predict more than 23,000 airplanes to be sold in the 737’s market over the next 20 years.

Could this be the 797? Boeing Granted Bizarre Patent

  

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Boeing was granted US patent Number 7,900,865 on March 8, 2011 for an incredibly unique and revolutionary type of aircraft. With a design the likes of which have never been seen in the commercial aircraft industry, Boeing may just be gearing up for the 797, the 737’s successor. The patent includes the following design features:

• Canard elevators on the forward fuselage.
• An elliptical wide body fuselage that could accommodate twin aisles.
• Wings mounted at the 10 and 2 o'clock position on the rear fuselage.
• Forward swept wings with a forward wing sweep of 15 to 19 degrees.
• Engines mounted on pylons at the rear of the fuselage.
• The rear fuselage and wings extended to form a horizontal stabilizer and elevator.
• Two canted vertical stabilizers
• Main landing gear contained in the rear fuselage
• The design can accommodate high bypass turbofans, counter-rotating prop jets or turboprop engines.
• Engine location above the fuselage and surrounded by vertical stabilizers to reduce engine noise.

The image below from Boeing’s patent application shows what the new aircraft could look like.

Strange, yes, but there are many design aspects which will enhance the passenger experience for travelers around the world. The placement of the engines is sure to create the quietest cabin in the skies, as well as the quietest aircraft to those on the ground. With wings in the rear of the aircraft, incredible views will be afforded to passengers throughout the cabin.

Boeing has said nothing to confirm that this will be the 797, but rumors have it that the manufacturer and airlines have had discussions that a 737 replacement will have twin aisles for increased passenger comfort.

To view the patent which has incredible number of informative images, click here.

Donald Trump Says “You’re Fired!” to Private 727, Picks up Paul Allen’s 757 Instead

  

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Donald Trump may be running for President. He may not be. We really don’t know right now, but we do know that he recently bought a larger 757 for his private jet travel. Late last year, Trump paid approximately $100 million to take Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s jet off his hands. While the price is considered extremely high for a used 757, it is believed that this specific model comes with all kinds of bells and whistles, ranging from a state-of-the-art entertainment system to the most advance flight avionics.

"I bought a great airplane," Trump said. "It's being retrofitted and will be in service in about a month." While few details are known about what is being done to the newly acquired aircraft, many believe it will be adorned with the lavish gold plated features which are currently featured on the 727 Trump has been trying to sell since 2009. Additionally, the plane could very well be painted in Trump’s typical all-black scheme with gold “TRUMP” in billboard across the side.

Unknown though, is the intended use of the new 757. Nearly every presidential candidate in recent years has leased one, as the plane boasts impressive size (to accommodate press and campaign staff), quick speed (for multiple campaign stops each day) and key performance (to take off and land at smaller airports that are far apart). As the prime campaign aircraft, could this be a key indicator that Trump has decided to run for the Republican presidential nomination? Only time will tell, but right now, we know that Donald Trump has the hottest new private jet out there.

Boeing Rolls out new Queen of the Skies, 747-8 Intercontinental

  

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Boeing revealed the latest (fourth generation) Queen of the Skies: the 747-8 Intercontinental.  Debuting just over a year after its freighter sister, the Intercontinental boasted Boeing’s newest house colors—a bright, fiery red and orange mix.

As the largest passenger aircraft ever designed by Boeing, this is a calculated step in an effort to compete against Airbus’ A380. Boeing pulled out all the stops, knowing it needed to have a new entry into the jumbo jet market. Boeing utilized the latest techniques developed for the 787 program, redesigned the wings and increasing carbon fiber usage within the fuselage to improve performance and minimize environmental impact. In an effort to market the plane more aggressively, Boeing deviated from a naming scheme which for four decades has progressed by 100s (e.g. 747-100, 747-200, etc) and adopted a similar naming scheme to that used by Airbus.

The dramatic rollout took place in front of 10,000 of Boeing’s employees and closest friends. As the largest commercial aircraft built in North America and the longest passenger jet in the world, the 747-8 was met on Sunday with loud cheers as the crowd stood awe struck at the aircraft’s impressive size.

Interestingly enough, eight 747-8 Intercontinentals have been ordered by private parties, to be outfitted in a Boeing Business Jet fashion. These private Intercontinentals are sure to soon bring a new meaning to luxury in the sky.

Quantas Cancels 15 Boeing 787 Orders

  

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