Real World and X-Plane News 7/20/11

Hola!  Bunch of news today so read on!

• Apple has released OS X Lion.  You can only upgrade if you are currently on Snow Leopard.  Go to the Mac App Store on your computer to upgrade.  My upgrade is downloading right now.  As soon as it is up I will report back to you on how X-Plane works with OS X Lion and performance is better or worse.
• American Airlines has placed the largest order for jet aircraft in history.  460+ jets.  It is very confusing but let's break it down.  From Reuters:

The AMR Corp unit placed an initial order for 260 Airbus A320 aircraft with an option to buy an additional 365 for a possible total order of 625. The airline also placed an initial order with Boeing for 200 of its 737-family of aircraft, with options to buy an additional 100. If all the options are exercised, Airbus will deliver a full two-thirds of American Airlines' new narrowbody fleet.

Boeing order details:

* Boeing will deliver 100 current 737NG models, beginning in 2013.

* AMR can take new 737 deliveries of the 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900ER models.

* AMR "intends to order" 100 737s with new, fuel-efficient engines when Boeing officially announces the plane. No timetable was given for delivery.

* American Airlines will be the first airline to take delivery of Boeing's re-engined 737 aircraft.

* CFM International's LEAP-X engine will be used for Boeing's re-engined 737 program.

* CFM International says the new engine will provide 15 percent better fuel efficiency, equaling Airbus's claim for its A320neo.

Airbus order details:

* American Airlines will acquire a total of 260 A320-family aircraft, including the A319 and A321 models.

* Airbus will begin delivering 130 of the current generation A320 aircraft in 2013.

* AMR will begin taking delivery of the Airbus A320neo in 2017.

* The airline ordered 130 of the re-engined aircraft that are said to increase fuel efficiency 15 percent.

* AMR will have options to purchase an additional 365 aircraft through 2025.

Very interesting if you ask me.  Their will be more news and speculation coming out in the next few days but I can't help but say it is a little odd, ordering both types of 737 and a320's.  I think they really are building for current and the future.

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• Carenado has released the c172N for x-plane.  Head on over to www.carenado.com to buy!

• Progress is moving along quickly with the 1-sim.com 757, 767, and 777.  Especially the 757.  Here are some recent previews:

• The English manual has been released for the AMX fighter: CLICK!

• Ddenn is really outdoing himself this time.  The author of the Republic Seabee and the Grumman Goose is currently making a Bombardier BD-100 Challenger.  Here are some previews:

• And, best of all.  It will be a procedures sim!  All systems are being modelled and vasFMC will be embedded.  Now before the X-Aviation CRJ comparisons start, let's just say they are both great airplanes and both will have systems modelled.

Anyways, that's all for today.  Fly Safe

Cheers,

Simon B