PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 24, 2014) An F/A-18C Hornet from the Stingers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 and an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Fighting Redcocks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 fly in formation over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson is underway off the coast of Southern California conducting Carrier Qualifications as part of the ship's Western Pacific Deployment 2014. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class George M. Bell/Released)

A U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor assigned to the 90th Fighter Squadron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, flies over clouds during RED FLAG-Alaska 14-3 Aug. 20, 2014, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. A combination of sensor capability, integrated avionics, situational awareness and weapons provides first-kill opportunity against threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Araos/Released)

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan, soars through the skies during RED FLAG-Alaska 14-3 Aug. 20, 2014, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A is a Pacific Air Forces-directed field training exercise for U.S and allied forces to train in simulated air-combat situations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Araos/Released)
28 August 2014 Press Release

Aegean Airlines, Greece?s largest airline, has signed a firm contract with Airbus for two additional A320ceo aircraft, adding to a previous order for five A320s aircraft placed in September 2007.

All aircraft will be equipped with Airbus ?Sharklet? fuel saving wing tip devices and will be powered by IAE V2500 engines. The aircraft will also be the first A320s in Aegean?s fleet to feature the enhanced take-off weight capability of up to 78 tonnes, thus enabling the carrier to expand its route network with even longer range operations.

Mr. Theodoros Vassilakis, Chairman of AEGEAN, stated: ?AEGEAN?s decision to take delivery of seven new Airbus A320s shows its commitment to invest once more in the ongoing qualitative growth of the aviation sector in Greece. Our capabilities are increasing and the existing competitive advantage of the low average age of our aircraft is further enhanced. We do everything in our hands to further increase the satisfaction of our passengers and certainly our competitiveness?.

?We are very pleased with the confidence that Aegean Airlines places in our products. This renewed order from Aegean Airlines will strengthen its position as a major European airline, connecting Greece to the world,? said John Leahy, Airbus Chief Operating Officer, Customers. ?We are proud to see passengers from all over the world benefiting from the comfort and efficiency only our best-selling single-aisle aircraft family offers.?

Aegean Airlines, a member of Star Alliance, was named for the fourth year in a row the Best Regional Airline in Europe at the 2014 World Airline Awards. Aegean Airlines operates to date an all-Airbus single-aisle fleet of 36 Airbus A320 family aircraft including 17 directly purchased.

This new order will strengthen the airline?s network that reaches today 205 international routes from its eight Greek bases (scheduled and charter flights), thus supporting tourism in Greece.

Atlantic Ocean
(Aug. 24, 2014) The X-47B unmanned aircraft conducts its first night time deck handling and taxi tests Aug. 21 aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). (U.S. Navy photo by Liz Wolter/Released)

EVERETT, Wash., Aug. 28, 2014 -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Silk Way Airlines today celebrated the delivery of the airline's two 747-8 Freighters. The first airplane delivered last week and the second airplane delivered today. Pictured here is Silk Way Airlines' first 747-8 Freighter during an earlier test flight at Paine Field in Everett.

Australia

Everett, Wash., Aug. 29, 2014 -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and Xiamen Airlines today celebrated the delivery of the airline's first 787 Dreamliner. Pictured here is the airline's 787-8 on an earlier test flight.

Papa Air base, Hungary, Sept. 3, 2014 ? Boeing has supported more than 1,000 missions for the Strategic Airlift Capability (SAC) program?s fleet of three C-17 airlifters, achieving a mission capable rate of nearly 94 percent during the five years it has provided maintenance, engineering and spares through a comprehensive performance-based logistics program.

Photo credit Boeing

Greece
New paint job for Hellenic F16 Demo Team. "Zeus" will participate at "AIR14" for the 100 years of Swiss AirForce, at Payerne Air Base in Switzerland in 6-7 September 2014 .


SEATTLE, Sept. 4, 2014 ? Boeing (NYSE:BA) and United Airlines are celebrating the delivery of the airline's first 787-9 Dreamliner. United will become the first airline in North America to operate both the 787-8 and 787-9 variants of the Dreamliner family when the airline launches 787-9 service later this month.

The airplane is seen here during one of its test flights.

ARABIAN GULF (Aug. 29, 2014) An F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Valions of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15 lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian Stephens/Released)

HUNTSVILLE, Ala., Sept. 4, 2014 ? Boeing?s High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator proved the effectiveness of directed energy weapons in foggy, off-shore conditions during demonstrations in Florida.
Photo credit: Boeing

Mojave desert, Calif. (Aug. 28, 2014) A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the Dust Devils of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, Calif., conducts an interoperability test event with a Navy F-35C Lightning II joint strike fighter aircraft over the Edwards Air Force Base test range with the Mojave Desert below. The two aircraft engaged in a series of electronic exchanges to ensure that communications and sensor information could be passed effectively between platforms. The F-35C is the Navy's variant of the joint strike fighter, designed to operate at sea on aircraft carriers and is scheduled for initial deployment in 2019. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin by Matt Short/Released)

KONYA, Turkey, Sept. 9, 2014 ? Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered on schedule on Sept. 4 the third Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Turkish Armed Forces, further increasing the country?s self-defense capabilities.

NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2014 ? Boeing (NYSE: BA) launched the newest member of the 737 MAX family today with a commitment from Ryanair for 100 airplanes. Europe?s leading low-cost carrier will be the first airline to operate the 737 MAX 200, a variant based on the successful 737 MAX 8 that can accommodate up to 200 seats, increasing revenue potential and providing customers up to 20 percent better fuel efficiency per seat than today?s most efficient single-aisle airplanes.

A 737 MAX 200 is seen here in Ryanair livery.

WATERS EAST OF JAPAN (Sept. 4, 2014) An EA-18G Growler from the Shadowhawks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAG) 141 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialists 3rd Class Bradley J. Gee/Released)

Reno

9 September 2014 Feature story

However, the difficulties may become a thing of the past thanks to a new method currently being developed by Airbus ? which employs direct inkjet printing to deliver a broad range of production and operational improvements.

The method was developed by engineers from Airbus? A320 Family paint shop in Hamburg, Germany, and is able to reproduce any livery design ? be it a photographic motif, modern art or other complex patterns ? faster and more efficiently than traditional painting processes, and with finer detail as well.

The direct printer functions much like a traditional model, using an inkjet head with nozzles that spray three basic colours (cyan, magenta and yellow) and black. Utilising a seven-square-metre bench, the inkjet head prints a design line by line, from top to bottom. After the process is completed, the aircraft component is sealed with a clear coat.

According to technology manager Matthias Otto, the advantages of direct inkjet-printed liveries are numerous. ?I can create colour gradients or photo-realistic motifs that could never be achieved with paint,? he explained, and added that this new method also is capable of printing components of any size or shape. In the past, heavier printed film was used to produce complex designs, however such film is susceptible to the effects of heat, cold and high pressure, and ultimately could tear or peel.

The business case for direct printing is convincing. Compared with painting, where the design has to be built up by layer-by-layer, there are far fewer working and drying steps ? greatly reducing the lead time. There also is no overspray or solvent vapour when ink is used, providing better working conditions for Airbus employees, as well as a healthier environment.

At present, the inkjet method still is at the experimental stage. Technical Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6) was reached at the end of June, and the ink and associated processes will be qualified early in 2015. Nonetheless, the project already has become part of the A320 Final Assembly Line (FAL) benchmark initiative, with the intention to further stabilise scheduled lead times for the best-selling Airbus single-aisle jetliner family.

EAST CHINA SEA (Sept. 3, 2014) An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, taxis into position during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5). Peleliu is on its final scheduled western Pacific deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region before decommissioning early next year. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dustin Knight/Released)

WATERS EAST OF JAPAN (Sept. 4, 2014) An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the Diamondbacks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Oscar Albert Moreno Jr./Released)