Virgin Australia Boeing 737 Max 8

[moa999]

So they got yet another exemption from the requirement for EICAS, a system that they had in place on other types 40 years ago.

Isn't that back to the whole 737Max v 7X7 debate.
If the original Max8 had EICAS then it would have been a new type and ergo lots of training required (which with hindsight might have saved Boeing a lot of headaches).

But obviously they also want the same type rating for other variants.

 

[AviatorInsight]

So they got yet another exemption from the requirement for EICAS, a system that they had in place on other types 40 years ago.

Instead, this is what they’ve come up with.

An enhanced crew alerting system (eCAS). Retrofitted to the -8 and customer option for the NG.



How nice of them to provide an arrow so I know where to look.

 

[Lucass]

Virgin Australia exec flags further B737-MAX order

Virgin Australia says its single-fleet strategy limits regional expansion as it considers another aircraft order and cuts routes amid rising fuel costs.

aerosouthpacific.com

Interesting article. VA eyeing a further 737 MAX order. Also, apparently its not decided whether the 10 737-10s will be converted to -8s instead.

From the article..
"Strauss confirmed that all or some of those ten aircraft could instead be converted to B737-8s."

“They will either be the MAX 10 variant… or they’ll be MAX 8s,” he said. “We need to make that decision.”

 

[liam1098]

Thats a big suprise. I struggle to see the benefit in converting the -10s to -8s

 

[Saab34]

I believe that comment was based on delays from Boeing.

Considering the edge the -10 has over the 321 for short haul/high density, and thinking about how the triangle works, it’s a no brainer.

Obviously some downsides being a small sub fleet with different configuration, higher purchase cost, crew differences training, and unknown Boeing prangs which could pop up.

 

[liam1098]

I believe that comment was based on delays from Boeing.

Considering the edge the -10 has over the 321 for short haul/high density, and thinking about how the triangle works, it’s a no brainer.

Obviously some downsides being a small sub fleet with different configuration, higher purchase cost, crew differences training, and unknown Boeing prangs which could pop up.

agreed, the -10 is a great plane on those short sectors, and with Qantas and Jetstar going for the a321neo, VA will need more capacity to compete

 

[MooTime]

Obviously some downsides being a small sub fleet with different configuration, higher purchase cost, crew differences training, and unknown Boeing prangs which could pop up.

haha Boeing prangs, nice one.

 

[eastwest101]

agreed, the -10 is a great plane on those short sectors, and with Qantas and Jetstar going for the a321neo, VA will need more capacity to compete

I must have missed it in the previous discussion, but why did VA/Bain not consider the Max-9? Am I mistaken that the Max-9 gives you some extra capacity without losing the range, so they could run Bali bogan buses from the East Coast to Bali with the Max-9s during peak season?