Tag Archives: #aviation

  • 06
    Dec 23
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EcoPulse Demonstrator Makes First Hybrid-electric Flight

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The technology demonstrator that flew last week is a converted TBM900 aircraft

EcoPulse, the hybrid-electric technology demonstrator aircraft being jointly developed by Daher, Safran, and Airbus, has started its flight-test campaign. On Tuesday, the partners announced that the first flight happened on November 29, with the converted Daher TBM 910 taking off from Tarbes Airport in the southwest of France for a 100-minute sortie.

During the flight, pilots deployed all parts of the powertrain, including the six 50-kilowatt electric power units, the turbogenerator, and six sets of electric thrusters, or “e-propellers,” installed along the wing. The flight tests will validate the results of earlier ground testing and also 10 hours of flight tests that were conducted without the electric propulsion system functioning in May and June. The first test evaluated the flight control computer and high-voltage battery pack.

Safran is responsible for the integrated motor/thruster units, as well as for the turbogenerator, which combines a gas turbine with a generator. The French aircraft engines and systems group has also developed EcoPulse’s power distribution and rectifier unit that protects the high-voltage network, as well as the power harnesses.

Airbus developed the high-energy-density battery pack, which is rated at 800 volts DC and can deliver 350 kilowatts of power. The European airframer also made aerodynamic and acoustic modifications to the TBM900 testbed aircraft, as well as developing the flight control computer.

The partners introduced the EcoPulse program four years ago at the June 2019 Paris Air Show. As part of efforts to decarbonize aviation, it is being supported by France’s CORAC Civil Aviation Research Council, the DGAC aviation regulator, and the France Relance government economic recovery plan. It has also received some funding from the European Union.

The program is intended to demonstrate how a new propulsion system architecture using a single independent electrical power source can support multiple electric motors. The demonstration work will evaluate the operational advantages of integrating a hybrid-electric distributed propulsion to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and noise.

In March, Daher confirmed that by 2027 it plans to offer hybrid-electric versions of its TBM aircraft family. “The flight campaign will give Daher invaluable data on the effectiveness of the onboard technologies, including distributed propulsion, high-voltage batteries and hybrid-electric propulsion,” said Daher’s chief technology officer Pascal Laguerre. “We’re working to converge practical and significant know-how on design, certification, and operation to shape our path toward more sustainable aircraft for the future.”

The Airbus sustainable aviation portfolio includes the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL aircraft and plans for hydrogen-powered airliners through its ZeroE program. “High-energy density batteries will be necessary to reduce carbon emissions from aviation, whether for light aircraft, advanced air mobility or large hybrid-electric aircraft,” commented the group’s chief technical officer Sabine Klauke. “Projects like EcoPulse are key to accelerating progress in electric and hybrid electric flight and a cornerstone of our aim to decarbonize the aerospace industry as a whole.”

Daher and its partners are presenting the EcoPulse demonstrator at the Green Aero Days event being held in Pau, France, on December 6 and 7.

  • 01
    Dec 23
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Thai Airways plots 90 aircraft order, targets widebodies

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Thai Airways International (TG, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi) is in talks with manufacturers and lessors about a new order for up to 90 aircraft, which would be heavily skewed towards widebody aircraft, Bloomberg has reported citing internal sources.

The new commitment – which is likely to include a mix of firm orders, options, and purchase rights – could comprise around 80 widebody aircraft directly from the manufacturers. The airline is also in talks about a lease of a much smaller number of narrowbodies. While the exact terms of the transaction remain under confidential negotiations, sources said the airline could select around forty B787s from Boeing.

The Thai flag carrier is rapidly recovering from the Covid-19 crisis. With tourism in Thailand rebounding, the airline has posted four consecutive quarterly profits and aims to rebuild its fleet to and above the pre-pandemic level.

During its Covid-related restructuring – which will formally be over in 2024 – Thai Airways shrank its fleet and currently operates three A330-300s, sixteen A350-900s, six B777-200ERs, seventeen B777-300(ER)s, six B787-8s, and two B787-9s. It also operates twenty A320-200s, of which ten remain on the AOC of Thai Smile, which will soon be merged into the mainline carrier.

As an interim solution until the deliveries of the to-be-ordered aircraft begin, the carrier is actively pursuing new leases and recently revealed a plan to add a further 23 aircraft by the end of 2025, including eight more A350-900s (two of which are due for delivery by the end of 2023), two A330-300s, one B787-9s, and twelve A321s.

  • 29
    Nov 23
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Virgin Atlantic flight crosses ocean using 100% green fuel

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The fuel is a blend of waste cooking oils and other fats.

Virgin Atlantic just became the first airline to power a transatlantic flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel.

The Boeing 787 passenger jet – dubbed Flight 100 – left London’s Heathrow Airport Tuesday morning bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City, with Virgin Atlantic billionaire founder Richard Branson, Virgin Atlantic Chief Executive Shai Weiss, and U.K. Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper on board, Reuters reported.

The flight marks the first time a commercial long-haul flight was powered using only sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It’s scheduled to land at JFK at 2:40 p.m. EST.

The U.K. Civil Aviation Authority granted permission for Virgin Atlantic and its partners, including Rolls-Royce, Boeing and BP, to fly using only SAF following a series of technical reviews last year.

Sustainable aviation fuel is a low-carbon energy source made from non-petroleum feedstocks, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Intended to reduce emissions from air transportation, sustainable aviation fuel has properties similar to conventional jet fuel, but with a smaller carbon footprint.

“Flight 100 proves that Sustainable Aviation Fuel can be used as a safe, drop-in replacement for fossil-derived jet fuel and it’s the only viable solution for decarbonizing long haul aviation,” Virgin Atlantic’s Weiss said in a statement. “It’s taken radical collaboration to get here and we’re proud to have reached this important milestone, but we need to push further.”

The fuel used for Tuesday’s flight was a blend of mostly processed cooking oil and waste animal fat, according to Virgin Atlantic. The fuel also contained 12% synthetic aromatic kerosene that was made from waste corn.

The low-carbon fuel is expected to keep the airline industry running on lower emissions before electric and hydrogen-powered flights become a reality. It is already being used in jet engines, but is blended with traditional fuel.

Air travel accounted for 2% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2022, according to the International Energy Agency.

“The world will always assume something can’t be done, until you do it,” Branson said in a statement about Tuesday’s flight. “The spirit of innovation is getting out there and trying to prove that we can do things better for everyone’s benefit.”

  • 28
    Nov 23
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Could airports make hydrogen work as a fuel?

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On a typical day 1,300 planes take off and land at Heathrow Airport, and keeping that going requires around 20 million litres of jet fuel every day.

That’s the equivalent of filling up your car around 400,000 times.

It’s a massive operation, with fuel piped to the airport direct from refineries and then stored at two facilities know as fuel farms.

“The amount of fuel that passes through Heathrow is enormous. It’s about half of the UK’s jet fuel requirement,” says Matt Prescott, head of carbon strategy at Heathrow.

Heathrow Airport itself does not buy and sell fuel, that’s down to the airlines and their suppliers.

However, it does have to think about the infrastructure, allotting space for storage and pipes, and making sure the airlines and fuel firms have everything they need.

“It’s really about building up the sufficient capacity to ensure that the airport has that resilience built in,” says Mr Prescott.

But, when it comes to fuel, airports around the world are having to have a major rethink.

In the UK, under the government’s Jet Zero plan, by 2040 the UK aviation industry has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions.

The US aviation industry plans to reach net zero by 2050. The European Union has a similar goal.

  • What is net zero and how are countries getting there?

These are ambitious targets and to reach them will require alternatives to traditional jet fuel.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) – fuel that does not come from fossil fuels – is one option. Airlines are already using it, usually blended with regular jet fuel.

For airports it’s simple to supply SAF – it can be delivered via existing pipes.

But many doubt whether SAF can be produced cheaply enough, or in large enough quantities, to meet the needs of the airline industry.

So, there is much interest in hydrogen, which can store a lot of energy and, when used as fuel, does not produce any CO2.

To be of any use to the aviation industry, hydrogen needs to be in its liquid form, which involves chilling it to minus 253C.

Handling a liquid at that kind of temperature is immensely challenging. Given the chance, liquid hydrogen will “boil-off” and escape as a gas – potentially becoming a hazard.

So tanks, pipes and hoses all have to be extra-insulated to keep the liquid cold.

  • 23
    Nov 23
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European Rotors Opening Next Week in Madrid

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Rotorcraft show is the largest such event in Europe.

Europe’s largest rotorcraft show—European Rotors, co-organized by the European Helicopter Association (EHA) and Helicopter Association International (HAI)—begins Monday at the IFEMA Madrid Fair Centre in Spain. The exhibit hall, with more than two dozen helicopters, opens on Tuesday and will feature rotorcraft manufacturers, suppliers, and operators.

Attendees are invited to view presentations that will include hoist and sling load demonstrations, Spanish Day, helicopter emergency medical services, Parapublic Day, and global humanitarian aid projects. The Spanish Day event will be hosted by Spanish helicopter association ATAIRE and will focus on public-service programs such as firefighting and EMS.

“Rotors are the sounds of service,” said EHA chairman and technical director Christian Müller. “Citizens…know assistance is at hand when they hear the sounds of helicopters approaching. Due to the unique capabilities of our aircraft, the vast majority of helicopter flights perform missions that support humanity. These aircraft might be conducting search-and-rescue, fighting fires, supporting electrical grids, or performing airborne law enforcement support, and we are excited to feature this versatility at our show.”

HAI president and CEO James Viola added, “Igor Sikorsky, who developed the modern helicopter, famously stated, ‘If you are in trouble anywhere in the world, an airplane can fly over and drop flowers, but a helicopter can land and save your life.’ Our world would look vastly different today if helicopters were not here to serve.”

  • 21
    Nov 23
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Gulfstream Completes World’s First Trans-Atlantic Flight on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel

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Data Collected During This Mission Will Advance Industry Toward Net-Zero Goals

SAVANNAH, Ga., Nov. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. today announced the successful completion of the world’s first trans-Atlantic flight using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Accomplished on November 19, the flight took place on a Gulfstream G600 aircraft, which departed the company’s headquarters in Savannah and landed 6 hours, 56 minutes later at Farnborough Airport in England. 

Powered by Pratt & Whitney PW815GA engines, both using 100% SAF, this mission showcases the potential for aviation’s future use of renewable fuels, which feature lower carbon, sulfur and aromatics. The data collected from this endurance flight will help Gulfstream and its key suppliers gauge aircraft compatibility with future low-aromatic renewable fuels, particularly under cold temperatures for extended flight durations. 

“Gulfstream is innovating for a sustainable future,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “One of the keys to reaching business aviation’s long-term decarbonization goals is the broad use of SAF in place of fossil-based jet fuel. The completion of this world-class flight helps to advance business aviation’s overarching sustainability mission and create positive environmental impacts for future generations.”

The SAF used on the flight was produced by World Energy and delivered by World Fuel Services. It was comprised of 100% Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (neat HEFA), which has at least 70% lower lifecycle CO2 emissions than fossil-based jet fuel, helping to reduce aviation’s impact on climate. Additionally, this zero added aromatics fuel has a reduced impact on local air quality and very low sulfur content, which can reduce non-CO2 environmental impacts.

“Gulfstream continues to break new ground in the sustainable aviation space, and we applaud them for completing this mission as we work to validate the compatibility of our engines with unblended SAF,” said Anthony Rossi, vice president, Sales & Marketing, Pratt & Whitney Canada.

Other key partners supporting this milestone include Honeywell, Safran and Eaton.

“We’d like to thank all our partners for their help in making this milestone flight happen, and for their ongoing partnership in collaborating with the extended SAF community to champion the aviation industry’s path to 100% SAF usage,” said Burns.

Gulfstream was the first business jet original equipment manufacturer to fly on 100% SAF. This flight advances the company’s continuing work to lead the industry’s sustainability efforts.

  • 10
    Nov 23
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Dubai Airshow 2023: Boeing to showcase innovations in sustainable aviation

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Boeing will show its market-leading commercial, defense and services portfolio at the 2023 Dubai Airshow, with its new wide body 777-9 jet appearing in the flying display.

As a strategic sponsor of the airshow’s Aerospace 2050 conference, Boeing will highlight its commitment and actions towards a more sustainable aerospace future and support of the aviation industry’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

“We’re proud to again join the Dubai Airshow and share some of our most advanced products and services with customers, suppliers, partners and aviation enthusiasts attending from around the globe,” said Dr. Brendan Nelson AO, president of Boeing Global. “We will also focus on our investments in technology and other actions to reduce industry emissions ahead of the U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 28) in Dubai.”

Boeing Commercial Airplanes

From November 13-15, Boeing’s widebody 777-9 flight-test airplane will perform in the flying display and be on static display. The world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, the 777-9 is based on the industry’s most successful twin-aisle family – the 777 – with advanced technologies from the 787 Dreamliner. The jet can seat 426 passengers with a range of 13,510 km (7,295 nautical miles).
Customer displays will include 787-9 Dreamliners from Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, an Emirates Airlines 777-300ER (Extended Range), a SAUDIA 787-10 Dreamliner and an Air India Express 737 MAX.
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s newest carrier, will display a Boeing-owned 787-9 in its new indigo livery, inspired by the colors of the sky at dusk.
On Nov. 14, Darren Hulst, vice president of Commercial Marketing, will present the 2023 Middle East Commercial Market Outlook (CMO) and a product overview. The Boeing CMO is the industry’s most comprehensive market analysis.

  • 09
    Nov 23
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Airlines Forced To Rethink Spare Engine Ratios

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The durability problems of new-build narrowbody engines are great news for most engine lessors, which tend to stock the CFM International CFM56 and IAE V2500 powerplants that many airlines are turning to for cover.

Less certain is for how long this boost lasts and whether, in time, the CFM Leap and Pratt & Whitney Geared Turbofan (GTF) can be improved to the point where they offer similar time on wing to their predecessor engines.

“It is clear that time on wing for the Leap and GTF is currently compromised but we are comparing very mature and stable models in the CFM56 and V2500 with still immature models of Leap and GTF,” comments the incoming President and CEO of engine lessor ELFC, Richard Hough, in an interview with Aviation Week’s Engine Yearbook 2024.

“The CFM56 and V2500 both also had entry-into-service issues that took a number of years to stabilize, but there were lower numbers in service so fleet management plans had less of an impact on operations,” he says.

However, Hough adds that OEMs have told airlines they will need to own a higher ratio of new narrowbody spare engines than they did in the past.

“In effect this is an acknowledgment that time on wing will be lower, thereby increasing the percentage of required spare engines, which [bodes] well for lessors both in the short and long run,” says Hough.

While lessors are scrambling to acquire good-condition CFM56 and V2500 models, the race is also on to build up GTF and Leap portfolios to feed spare engine demand that appears set for a long-term structural shift.

  • 01
    Nov 23
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Unveiling the AOG Technics Scandal: Implications for the Aircraft MRO Industry

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In a recent development that has sent shockwaves throughout the aviation world, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Unapproved Parts Notification (UPN) on September 21, 2023, regarding a critical bushing part supplied by AOG Technics. The crux of the matter? This part lacked the essential FAA production approval, and associated documents were found to be “falsified.”

AOG Technics, known for its involvement in the aerospace spare parts industry, had supplied these questionable parts, raising concerns about the safety and the authenticity of components used in the aviation sector. Airplane parts suppliers and, especially, marketplaces for aerospace parts and supplies, play a crucial role in supporting the MRO sector, airplane operators, and the whole aviation industry in an unforeseen situation like such explains Toma Matutyte, CEO of Locatory.com in the following insightful article.

TAP Air Portugal, one of the major European flag carriers, was the first to raise the alarm early this Summer. They have discovered that some parts, namely, engine bushings, installed on CFM56 engines, were worn out significantly, despite having been documented as completely new. This led to the discovery of false documentation for the parts supplied by AOG Technics.

How The AOG Technics Scandal Unfolded

UK-based broker AOG Technics, a name that might have gone unnoticed in the vast realm of aerospace suppliers ever since the company was founded back in 2015, suddenly found itself in the spotlight. The FAA’s UPN demanded immediate action: the removal and quarantine of uncertified bushings to prevent their installation until their eligibility could be verified.After the London High Court issued a ruling, instructing AOG Technics to provide the record of its transactions with a supplier and to give more details on any CFM56 and CF6 parts it has sold along with the documentation for such parts, the company has gone completely silent.These parts had been used in CFM56 engines, a workhorse of aviation, frequently seen in older-generation Airbus SE A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.

The CFM56 engine, manufactured by CFM International, has long held the title of the world’s best-selling aircraft engine. The ripple effect of this scandal is undeniable, but what does it signify for the MRO industry?

Implications for the Aircraft MRO Industry

The MRO industry’s ability to respond effectively will determine its resilience and continued trustworthiness in the eyes of airlines and passengers. There probably will be several implications, as the aviation MRO sector is poised for increased regulatory scrutiny and stricter compliance measures. Moreover, there could also be a quality assurance reassessment as MRO facilities will need to revisit their procedures and quality control principles. This leads further to the issue of the security of supply chains as MRO companies will need to collaborate with trusted suppliers and enhance supply chain transparency to prevent counterfeit parts from infiltrating the system.

Reputation is everything in the MRO industry. MRO companies may need to rebuild or reinforce their reputation, demonstrating their commitment to safety, quality, and compliance. Yet, those market players that adapt swiftly and demonstrate their commitment to safety and quality may find new business opportunities. Airlines and regulators will be seeking reliable partners in the MRO sector who can provide the highest levels of assurance and compliance.

The reminder of importance of reliable airplane parts suppliers and marketplaces

The AOG Technics scandal serves as a stark reminder of the critical role that MRO companies play in maintaining the safety and reliability of the aviation industry. While these developments present immediate challenges, they also offer opportunities for innovation and growth for MRO companies that can adapt to the evolving landscape of aviation safety and compliance.

The short-term implication, which is already manifesting itself, and is about to undoubtedly have further impact on the future of the whole sector, is the growing need for a timely supply of critical parts for the affected airplanes, which are crucial to keep them flying.

As the aviation industry embarks on this journey of introspection and reform, the MRO sector will stand at the forefront of ensuring that aircraft continue to fly safely and reliably. The implications of the AOG Technics scandal may have a scope big enough to reshape the MRO industry, with an enduring commitment to safety and mutual trust among the business partners within the sector.

  • 31
    Oct 23
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Southwest Airlines orders 108 more 737 Max airliners

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S ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) Southwest Airlines has placed an order with Boeing for an additional 108 Boeing 737 Max 7 airliners.

The new aircraft will replace older generation 737s at the all Boeing airline, increase fuel efficiency, and grow its route network.

The move shows confidence in the Boeing 737 despite delivery delays due to quality issues in production.

“We have a long history with Boeing, dating back more than 50 years to the day we commenced service with three Boeing 737 aircraft serving three cities,” said Bob Jordan, president and chief Executive Officer of Southwest Airlines. “They’re part of our history and part of our future as we continue to recognize the many efficiencies and cost savings of a single fleet.”

The additional aircraft take Southwest’s orders for the Max 7 to over 300 for the variant which is yet to be certified.

Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes said: “With the world’s largest all-Boeing, all-737 fleet, Southwest is counting on the exceptional efficiency and reliability of the 737 MAX family,” adding “The 737-7 is pivotal to Southwest’s long-term fleet modernization strategy, and we are honoured to have the airline’s continued trust in us to deliver its future fleet.”

The Boeing 737 Max 7 (B37M) can carry up to 172 passengers up to 3,800 nautical miles, giving it the longest range in its class, with a significant fuel reduction on the previous generation of Boeing 737-700s.

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