Pop quiz - what do an A220 and half the A321neo fleet have in common?

I’ll give you three hints: G, T, and F.

This week appears to be the week the industry realized the A220 wasn’t exactly reaching its potential. With roughly 25% of the fleet parked - many due to engine issues - the A220 is running into the same problems remaining in service as it’s larger half-sister.

Our original analysis on the A220 groundings was published in May, when 24% of the A220-100 fleet was inactive and 22% of the A220-300. Even though we noticed the problems early, it still took us a month to conduct the analysis and publish the research.

Translation: This isn’t exactly a new problem.

The infamous contaminated powdered metal is playing a key role in the unavailability of A220 aircraft, among other legacy engine issues. With inspections reportedly due at either 4,000 or 5,000 cycles (depending on takeoff thrust), the PW1500 HPT disks are in the same line for inspection as the larger, more plentiful PW1100.

The result is a matter of prioritization.

While the PW1100 and PW1500 all share powdered metal issues, the inevitable next question is whether the Embraer E2-mounted PW1900 does as well. Indeed, it does, though at reduced volumes.

Since A220 production preceded the E2 by several years and at higher volumes, the likelihood of a PW1500 engine being built with contaminated metal is higher than for the later-built E2.

This analysis was originally published as part of our May edition of the Aircraft Intelligence Monthly, a Visual Approach Research report. Subscribers can read the full analysis.

Quiz - which aircraft are flying the longest flights on average?

Switching from the narrow to the wide, we’re looking at average stage lengths this week. Which aircraft fly the longest distances, on average?

The 747-8i currently flies the longest on average. Of course, not many 747-8i flights take place, but of the 12,500 747-8i flights during the past 12 months, the average was 4,856 nautical miles.

The rest of the list reads more-or-less as expected - except for the aircraft in the four-spot. It’s rather unexpected. Which is it?

Here’s a hint:

Ready for the answer? Click here.

You should do a chart on…

We like to create valuable charts. But, it’s not easy coming up with new ideas amid the endless hours delivering data-driven edge to our customers. In our quest to provide a valuable weekly newsletter we can keep guessing what you find most valuable, or you could just tell us.

If you have an idea for data visualization, reply to this email and let us know what analysis you’d find most valuable. We’d love to hear from you and will happily name-drop.

If you were forwarded this email, score!

As valuable as it is, don't worry; it's entirely free. If you would like to receive analyses like this regularly, subscribe below.

Then...

You can pay it forward by sending it to your colleagues. They gain valuable insights, and you get credit for finding new ideas!

Win-win!

Subscribe here