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Ming · 03-15-2002, 01:41 AM

Well, here are my $2.00 worth of opinion:

1. An airlines does not care whether the aircraft is a Boeing or an Airbus. What they want are profits at the end of year rather than collecting the 1:1 scale models that do not make a dime. There are many aspects and factors when considering for fleet modernization, route structures, aircraft utilization, logistic, life cycle cost of ownership, and etc. Certainly geo-political factors are big considerations and being SA has closer tie with Europe I am not surprised that SAA chose Airbus. This is the exact reason that AA, CO, and DA chose to operate Boeing only fleet - absolutely nothing wrong with that. Furthermore, it looks to me SAA is doing this in a logical and orderly fashion as this is a long-term fleet modernization program that will eventually take place at the end of their 737-800 leases. Also it looks good on their book to finally have assets rather than liabilities. If low acquision costs is indeed the case, more brownie points to their accounting.
2. Cockpit and fleet commonality is a big consideration for operation. This is precisely the reason why SWA chose to fly only 737. It looks like the facts are twisted on the Airbus cockpit commonality discussed here. Airbus never advertised that pilot of A320 can fly in a wide body A330/A340 with short training. Show me an official Airbus document that says that.
3. "A320 flown itself into ground....." that is really a poor argument in my book if not totally illogical in making an assessment on the safety record of an aircraft. Give me one instance of "A320 flown itself into the ground" and I will give you hundreds thousands of instances that A320 had perfect take-off's and landings. Of course, the same logic applies with the isolated problem of 777 engine at a demo flight and 737 rudder problems.
4. Brake system problem of A340-600 ? Remember this aircraft is still under development. Problems are expected and that is why test is conducted to verify the design. This is basic system engineering 101. It was a test flight not a revenue service. Simply go back to the design table and modify the system and try again. That's why an airliner cost tens of millions.

I am glad there are Boeing and Airbus to keep each other honest. I would hate to be in a situation that there is only Boeing or Airbus. In business world you win some and you lose some - no big deal. I am not waving Boeing or Airbus flag here just want to present some facts and rattle Darryl' cage........

03-15-2002, 01:41 AM	#16
Ming Senior Collector Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Chino, California Posts: 204	Well, here are my $2.00 worth of opinion: 1. An airlines does not care whether the aircraft is a Boeing or an Airbus. What they want are profits at the end of year rather than collecting the 1:1 scale models that do not make a dime. There are many aspects and factors when considering for fleet modernization, route structures, aircraft utilization, logistic, life cycle cost of ownership, and etc. Certainly geo-political factors are big considerations and being SA has closer tie with Europe I am not surprised that SAA chose Airbus. This is the exact reason that AA, CO, and DA chose to operate Boeing only fleet - absolutely nothing wrong with that. Furthermore, it looks to me SAA is doing this in a logical and orderly fashion as this is a long-term fleet modernization program that will eventually take place at the end of their 737-800 leases. Also it looks good on their book to finally have assets rather than liabilities. If low acquision costs is indeed the case, more brownie points to their accounting. 2. Cockpit and fleet commonality is a big consideration for operation. This is precisely the reason why SWA chose to fly only 737. It looks like the facts are twisted on the Airbus cockpit commonality discussed here. Airbus never advertised that pilot of A320 can fly in a wide body A330/A340 with short training. Show me an official Airbus document that says that. 3. "A320 flown itself into ground....." that is really a poor argument in my book if not totally illogical in making an assessment on the safety record of an aircraft. Give me one instance of "A320 flown itself into the ground" and I will give you hundreds thousands of instances that A320 had perfect take-off's and landings. Of course, the same logic applies with the isolated problem of 777 engine at a demo flight and 737 rudder problems. 4. Brake system problem of A340-600 ? Remember this aircraft is still under development. Problems are expected and that is why test is conducted to verify the design. This is basic system engineering 101. It was a test flight not a revenue service. Simply go back to the design table and modify the system and try again. That's why an airliner cost tens of millions. I am glad there are Boeing and Airbus to keep each other honest. I would hate to be in a situation that there is only Boeing or Airbus. In business world you win some and you lose some - no big deal. I am not waving Boeing or Airbus flag here just want to present some facts and rattle Darryl' cage........ Last edited by Ming; 03-15-2002 at 03:50 AM.