Monthly Archives: August 2024

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FAA Admits Gaps in Aircraft Cybersecurity Rules: New Regulation Proposed

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New cybersecurity rules have been proposed in the US to mitigate vulnerabilities caused by the interconnectedness of modern aircraft.

The proposal, published by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the Federal Register on August 21, highlighted the current trend in aircraft design of increased integration of airplane, engine and propeller systems with internal or external data networks and services.

The regulator warned that these designs are leading to vulnerabilities from sources such as maintenance laptops, public networks, wireless aircraft sensors, satellite communications and portable electronic devices, potentially affecting the safe operation of aircraft.

The FAA acknowledged that current regulations do not adequately address cyber-risks caused by the increased interconnectivity of these critical systems.

The FAA’s proposed rules will require aircraft manufacturers to demonstrate that their design both:

  • Protects against unauthorized access from inside or outside of the airplane
  • Prevents malicious changes to, and adverse impacts on, the airplane equipment, systems, and networks required for safe operation

Manufacturers will be required to conduct a security risk analysis to identify all security risks posed by intentional unauthorised electronic interactions (IUEI), and mitigate those risks as necessary for safety, functionality and continued airworthiness.

The applicants would also be required to develop procedures to ensure the maintenance of such protections.

The proposed rule applies to any engine and propeller systems installed in airplanes, equipment, and networks that are susceptible to IUEI.

FAA Rules Harmonize with EU Standards

The FAA aims to harmonize its cybersecurity standards for aircraft with other civil aviation authorities, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s Easy Access Rules for Large Aeroplanes  CS-25 regulation. The US agency acknowledged that currently, aircraft manufacturers must meet both airworthiness standards to obtain certification in the US and other jurisdictions.

This approach “would benefit manufacturers and modifiers by providing them a single set of requirements with which they must show compliance, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of certification and codifying a consistent level of safety,” the FAA said.

The proposed rules would also eliminate the need for the FAA to continually issue special conditions during the certification process, reducing costs and time for the regulator.

These special conditions address a project-specific novel or unusual feature of the applicant’s proposed design.


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NASA, MagniX Unveil Electric Power Flight Demonstrator

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Air Tindi’s old Dash 7 is ready for its electric engine retrofit

NASA and MagniX unveiled the de Havilland Canada (DHC) Dash 7 aircraft that they’re preparing to retrofit with a hybrid-electric propulsion system as part of the agency’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) program.

“The Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration project, in partnership with NASA, is a significant program to make electric flight a reality,” MagniX CEO Reed Macdonald said during the aircraft’s unveiling, which took place August 22 at King County International Airport (also known as Boeing Field) in Seattle.

NASA awarded Everett, Washington-based MagniX a $74.3 million contract in 2021 for the development of an electric propulsion system for the EPFD program. Seattle-based AeroTec, a longtime MagniX partner, is also supporting the project and will help to integrate the electric motors with the airframe at its flight test facility in Moses Lake, Washington, where the flight testing campaign will be based.

Canadian regional airline Air Tindi provided the 45-year-old turboprop, which the EPFD program partners have converted to an experimental testbed and emblazoned with fresh red-and-white livery featuring NASA, MagniX, and AeroTec logos and a traditional Air Tindi tail.

With the aircraft gutted and refurbished to flightworthy condition, the team is now preparing for the next phase of the program, in which they will swap out one of the four turbine engines with a MagniX Magni650 electric propulsion unit (EPU). Flight tests with the single engine replacement are scheduled to begin in 2026.

For the second phase of the flight testing campaign, the team will swap out another engine on the opposite side of the aircraft for a second Magni650 EPU. They expect this configuration to deliver a 40% reduction in fuel burn and emissions compared with the original four-turbine configuration.

“We’re going to lead the transition to the future of sustainable aviation with technology that at this point has matured, is being demonstrated, and [is] working,” Macdonald said. “The end result that we’re looking forward to is entry into service and commercial flight.”

Macdonald said MagniX anticipates the first commercial flight of an electric aircraft will happen on the eBeaver, a DHC-2 Beaver that MagniX retrofitted with an electric propulsion unit in partnership with Canadian seaplane operator Harbour Air. MagniX and Harbour Air achieved the world’s first flight of an all-electric commercial airplane in December 2019. The seaplane operator intends to electrify its entire fleet with MagniX’s powertrains. In April, Harbour Air signed a letter of intent covering the purchase of 50 Magni650 propulsion units.

Through the public-private partnership, NASA aims to accelerate the adoption of electric and hybrid-electric aircraft in commercial aviation, particularly when it comes to facilitating the FAA certification process. NASA’s learnings from the EPFD program will be made publicly available to benefit the broader aviation industry—with the exception of MagniX’s intellectual property around the Magni650 EPU, Ben Loxton, vice president of the EPFD program at MagniX.

“We at NASA are excited about EPFD’s potential to make aviation sustainable and more accessible to more U.S. communities,” said Bob Pearce, associate administrator for NASA’s Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate. “Hybrid electric propulsion on a megawatt-scale accelerates U.S. progress toward its goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, benefitting all who rely on air transportation every day.”

MagniX wrapped up the preliminary design review for the Dash 7 retrofit in February, and in June, it completed baseline flight testing with the existing Pratt & Whitney PT6 engines. After replacing the engines with Magni650 EPUs, they will compare new flight data with the data collected during baseline testing to evaluate the powertrain’s performance. 

The Magni650 EPU completed the first phase of testing in April at the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) facility in Sandusky, Ohio. During the NEAT tests, the Magni650 was subjected to 800 volts, and its thermal performance was evaluated at environmental conditions up to 27,500 feet. MagniX is incorporating its own Samson batteries into the EPFD powertrain.

MagniX’s 650-kilowatt Magni650 EPU also powered the historic first flight of Eviation’s Alice nine-seat, all-electric commuter airplane in September 2022. The company’s 350-kilowatt Magni350 EPU also powered the first fully electric flight of a modified Robinson R44 helicopter, and its 500-kilowatt Magni500 motors have flown on two aircraft: a converted Cessna 208B Grand Caravan and the Beaver. In 2022, MagniX announced plans to develop hydrogen fuel cells to complement its portfolio of sustainable aviation power solutions.


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Boeing grounds B777X test fleet over structural issues

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Boeing (BOE, Washington National) has grounded its B777-9 testbed fleet after a routine post-flight inspection revealed the failure of a piece of the structure that mounts the engine to the aircraft, The Air Current reported on August 19 and the manufacturer subsequently confirmed to ch-aviation.

“During scheduled maintenance, we identified a component that did not perform as designed. Our team is replacing the part and capturing any learnings from the component and will resume flight testing when ready,” Boeing told ch-aviation.

The impacted part is a structural component between the engine and the central structure, custom-made for the B777-9. Each engine has two parts of this component. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Boeing had informed it of the discovery of a damaged component following a flight test last week, adding that the manufacturer was taking steps to assess the problem.

The Air Current reported that the issue was discovered on N779XY (msn 65799), Boeing’s third test aircraft. Subsequent inspections on other test aircraft of the type revealed cracks in the thrust link structure.

ADS-B data shows N779XY last operated a five-hour flight in Hawaii, departing and landing at Kona. No near-term flight tests have been planned on the other testbed widebodies, which have scheduled maintenance and layup activities, ch-aviation understands.

Boeing received the type inspection authorisation (TIA) for the B777-9 in July 2024 and began certification flight testing with FAA personnel onboard the aircraft, the company revealed in its second-quarter investors call. The manufacturer still expects the first delivery of the type to take place in 2025.

Boeing has received orders for 383 B777-9s, with Emirates being the largest customer (expecting 170 aircraft of the type). Other customers include ANA – All Nippon Airways, Air India, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, and Singapore Airlines.


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Textron Aviation Delivers 400th Cessna Citation Latitude

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Simmons Foods accepted the milestone delivery

Textron Aviation’s Cessna Citation Latitude has hit a key milestone with the handing over of the 400th to Simmons Foods, a long-time Citation customer. The landmark delivery comes less than a decade after the midsize jet was certified in 2015.

Simmons Foods—a Siloam Springs, Arkansas-based, family-owned and -operated company since 1949—is adding the Latitude to its existing fleet of three Citations. The company uses the jets to manage operations across multiple locations, Textron Aviation said.

“Over the years, we’ve found that Citation jets mean business in every way. Our fleet of Citations has significantly enhanced our company’s operational capabilities, allowing us to serve our customers, employees, and farmers more effectively,” said Simmons Foods CEO Todd Simmons. “The Latitude’s performance and reliability are a natural fit for our business.”

The flat-floor, nine-passenger business jet has a 2,700-nm range, capable of flying nonstop between destinations such as New York and Los Angeles or Vancouver and Guatemala City.

“This milestone not only reinforces the Latitude’s status as the leader in the midsize jet segment but also underscores our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction, setting new standards for comfort, efficiency, and performance in the aviation industry,” said Lannie O’Bannion, senior v-p of global sales and flight operations at Textron Aviation.


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Gulfstream Aerospace Begins G400 Flight-test Program

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Large-cabin jet was announced in 2021

Gulfstream has officially begun the flight test program for its G400, successfully completing its first flight tearlier today. The large-cabin twinjet departed Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (KSAV) at 9:04 a.m. and returned just under three hours later having reached a top speed of Mach 0.85 and an altitude of 41,000 feet. The flight was conducted using the manufacturer’s supply of blended sustainable aviation fuel.

The G400 was announced in 2021, along with the ultra-long-range G800, in a move that expanded the airframer’s product lineup to six models. Powered by a pair of Pratt & Whitney Canada PW812GA engines, the G400 will be able to fly 4,200 nm at Mach 0.85. It features the advanced high-speed wing and winglet design as used by its G500 and G600 siblings, along with the Symmetry flight deck and predictive landing performance system.

Prospective customers can view full-scale cabin mockups of the airplane—which can seat up to 12 passengers—by visiting the OEM’s showroom at its Savannah headquarters or the company’s sales and design center in Los Angeles.

“The completion of the first flight marks a significant milestone for the G400,” said Gulfstream Aerospace president Mark Burns. “It demonstrates, yet again, the maturity of Gulfstream’s new aircraft programs and the advantages created by the intentionally designed commonalities shared across our next-generation fleet.”


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Air Baltic converts options for A220s to boost order

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Latvian carrier Air Baltic has converted options to firm orders for 10 additional Airbus A220 airliners, bringing the total now on order to 90.

Air Baltic has now placed four orders for the A220 which has proved to suit the airline’s operations.

The airline now operates an all A220 fleet and was the launch customer for the A220-300.

Martin Gauss, President and CEO of airBaltic, said: “For the first time in the company’s history, airBaltic plans to operate a fleet of close to 100 A220-300 aircraft, and these exercised options are the next step in the right direction.

Over the years, this aircraft type has proven its operational capabilities and value – it has been the backbone of our operations and has played an integral role in the international success story of airBaltic.

By exercising these options, we are strengthening our unwavering support and trust in the A220 Programme and are looking forward to our fleet expansion over the upcoming years.”

The A220 is a single-aisle airliner designed to carry between 120 and 150 passengers, making it ideal for flights up to 3,600nm as well as regional and domestic routes.

Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of Airbus Commercial Aircraft business, added: “We are honored and thankful that airBaltic is placing its fourth follow-up order. This latest agreement from Latvia’s flag carrier is a strong endorsement of  the superior value and operational opportunities offered by this latest generation aircraft.

The A220 is quite simply the most efficient aircraft in its size category, with a spacious cabin driving the best Net Promoter Scores with passengers wherever it is operated, and the range capability to fly non-stop to any destination on the carrier’s current network and beyond.”

As well as offering a 25% lower fuel burn than previous generation aircraft in this class, the A220 can operate on 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) helping to reduce Air Baltic’s carbon footprint. Airbus aims to be able to operate the A220 on 100% SAF by 2030.


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Versatile Cessna Caravan Embodies Aviation in Brazil

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Turboprop single is a workhorse in Latin America

Two Cessna Caravans on display this week at LABACE 2024 illustrate Textron Aviation’s long relationship with Brazil and how varied the business aviation market is.

Caravan serial number 50—displayed by Azul Conecta, a feeder for Azul Airlines—is one of at least 26 of the utility turboprop singles that make Azul the country’s largest Caravan operator. With 35,000 flight hours and a new digital cockpit, this airplane is in an executive configuration with only six seats.

Meanwhile, at the stand of TAM Aviação Executiva, Textron Aviation’s Brazilian distributor, a modern Grand Caravan EX is being shown in an executive configuration, but with a far greater level of luxury.

Marcelo Moreira, who leads Textron Aviation’s sales for Latin America and the U.S. West Coast, said many airlines around the world fly Caravans besides Azul, including Suzy Air in Indonesia, CTA in Brazil, Sansa, Costa Rica Green Airways, and Maya Island Air in Belize. But, he noted, “Azul is exploring the [Caravan’s] capacity very well, its ability to operate on unimproved runways and to reach smaller cities.”

Moreira gave other examples of the Caravan’s versatility and ability to perform special missions. A number of customers use amphibious Caravans in the Amazon “for many kinds of missions, such as sports fishing and ecotourism.” He said there are several large operators in Africa, where the Caravan is popular for cargo.

“It’s easy to operate, to maintain, and to fly,” Moreira said, “and also the choice of a lot of humanitarian organizations, such as Mission Aviation Fellowship.”

Moreira’s Latin American sales region includes Mexico, the Caribbean, and all of South America. Besides the versatile Caravan, his sales domain includes King Air turboprop twins and Citation twinjets.

Textron’s relationship with Brazil goes back many years, “and with time comes experience,” he said. The 43-year partnership with TAM AE goes back to when it was TAM, starting with founder Rolim Adolfo Amaro. Any visitor can see Rolim’s bust outside TAM AE’s flagship FBO at Congonhas, but Moreira can point out where his office was in the building known as Hangar 1.

According to Moreira, Textron Aviation maintains a full-time presence in São Paulo “inside TAM, but a separate office.” He said the turboprops and Citations “have done well in Brazil for more than 50 years.”

Looking to the future, he foresees a strong market for the company’s Beechcraft Denali, a pressurized turboprop single expected to be certified next year. It will complement the King Air, he said.

Moreira made another prediction for the future: Textron Aviation will continue for many years at LABACE.


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Gulfstream G700 Earns UK CAA Approval

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New Gulfstream flagship received FAA nod in March

ollowing its long-anticipated FAA approval in March and EASA certification in May, Gulfstream’s flagship G700 has received endorsement from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The Savannah-based airframer expects to deliver its first UK-registered G700 in the coming months.

Since the UK departed from the EU (Brexit) in 2020, this was the first time Gulfstream had to seek approval for one of its aircraft from the CAA. According to the manufacturer, the CAA took advantage of other authorities’ efforts to develop processes and requirements, easing the approval process.

“The UK CAA aircraft certification team was confident in the work conducted by the FAA and fully leveraged it,” a Gulfstream spokesperson , noting that the UK authority was well up to speed. “In fact, the UK team was able to support some of the FAA flight test activity in parallel and in full coordination with the FAA.”

“Earning the UK Civil Aviation Authority type certificate for the G700 is a significant accomplishment for Gulfstream as we continue to deliver this outstanding aircraft around the world. We are excited about our UK customers experiencing the maturity, amazing performance capabilities, and incredible cabin comfort the G700 provides,” said Gulfstream president Mark Burns.

With this latest approval, the ultra-long-range G700 now holds 11 certifications, including the FAA and EASA, and the OEM has more in progress.


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Air Serbia plans further fleet growth

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Air Serbia plans to further grow its fleet in 2025 with the carrier expected to add seven aircraft this year alone. Speaking to Euronews Serbia, Air Serbia’s CEO, Jiri Marek, said, “Logically with the growth in passenger numbers and the network, the fleet will grow as well. Over the past two years we completely renewed our ATR fleet and this year a further three joined so now we have ten ATR72-600s. Currently, we have two Embraer E195s in Belgrade, and we are waiting for some administrative procedures to be completed in order for them to begin commercial operations as well. We will also add two wide-body aircraft. One A330-200 is currently in Lisbon in the delivery process. We think it will be in Belgrade within August. Another one will come in October or November, depending on the maintenance. We will continue growing our fleet next year, but I won’t share in which segment”.

According to the CEO, the carrier’s existing ten-member ATR72-600 fleet is big enough to meet its current needs for regional operations. The carrier will look to further grow the number of Embraer jets, in addition to the incoming two, while it plans to replace existing Airbus A319s with A320s once their lease agreements come to an end. Mr Marek did not want to put a limit on the number of aircraft the airline may have. He noted, “I don’t want to stick to any number because the fleet is constantly growing. Saying a number might cause confusion. Currently we have 25 aircraft in the fleet, we will have 27 and soon we hope 29”.

In addition to its own fleet, Air Serbia currently has three wet-lease partners providing the airline with its aircraft and crew. These include four A320s operated by GetJet Airlines. From time to time, depending on operational needs, the A320s may be exchanged with Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Fly2Sky operates one A320 on Air Serbia’s behalf, while Bulgaria Air wet-leases two of its E190 jets. Mr Marek recently noted, “If you look across Europe, wet-leasing has become inevitable for the time being. We are sometimes criticised that we are using too much wet-leased capacity. It is something that we would not like to do, but it is what it is at the moment due to the state of the industry. We are working hard to be able to have sufficient capacity to grow on our own”.


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Archer’s eVTOL Aircraft Factory Takes Shape in Georgia

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The start-up aims to produce 650 of the four-passenger Midnight vehicle each year

Archer Aviation has erected the walls of a 400,000-sq-ft factory in Covington, Georgia, where the Silicon Valley-based aircraft developer plans to mass-produce its four-passenger Midnight eVTOL air taxi. According to Archer, construction is on track for completion by the end of this year. 

In a statement issued July 31, Archer said it completed the first build phase, involving grading and foundation work, earlier this year. Phase two, the construction of the facility’s exterior walls and roof, is “nearing completion,” the company said. It is working towards completing FAA type certification in time for commercial operations to begin in 2025.

Located at Covington Municipal Airport some 40 miles east of Atlanta, the high-volume manufacturing facility will initially target a production rate of 650 Midnight aircraft per year. Eventually the company hopes to more than double the factory’s floorspace and ramp up production rates to around 2,300 aircraft per year. 

To help it achieve these ambitious and unprecedented production rates, Archer has partnered with European automotive group Stellantis, which formed in 2021 from the merger between carmakers Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot. Stellantis is also a major investor in Archer and has agreed to provide the company with up to $150 million in equity financing.

Thanks to the hard work of the Archer and Stellantis teams, we’re tracking towards completing this manufacturing facility by the end of the year,” said Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein. “Once complete, we’ll focus on ramping production up to 650 aircraft a year—our goal is to be the first in the eVTOL industry to achieve scaled manufacturing.” 

Last week Archer showed off an example of the Midnight aircraft to a group of government officials in a special event held at Atlantic Aviation’s new FBO at DeKalb–Peachtree Municipal Airport near Atlanta.