Tag Archives: #innovation

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Airbus H160 Debuts in U.S. with PHI Aviation

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Marignane – Airbus has delivered the first H160 in the U.S. to PHI, marking the beginning of H160 operations in the country. This is the first of the initial four H160 helicopters that PHI will operate for offshore transportation in the Gulf of Mexico.

Prior to beginning commercial operations, the helicopter will be used in a route-proving programme designed to demonstrate the H160’s capabilities in the demanding offshore environment. This will help facilitate a smooth entry into service, ensuring the operator and final customer are familiar with the aircraft’s advanced technology and safety features.

“This is an exciting milestone for our teams and partners,” said Scott McCarty, CEO of PHI Group. “The H160 represents a new era for PHI, enhancing our commitment to safety, quality and efficiency for our operations in the Gulf of Mexico. We are proud to officially welcome this next-generation aircraft into our fleet as we kick off route-proving. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this achievement possible!”

“With its state-of-the-art technology, the H160 has set a new standard in the helicopter industry and we are pleased U.S. customers will now benefit from the aircraft’s superior performance,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H160’s lower fuel consumption, its ability to use up to 50% blended SAF, comfortable cabin, and excellent cockpit visibility make it ideally suited for offshore operations, and we are confident that it will excel in PHI’s energy missions.”

The H160 has proven to be a popular choice for customers in North America and the first Canadian delivery of the helicopter type was made recently to Chartright Air Group. The H160 has entered into service in Brazil, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, and many other European countries.


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The FAA Is Open To Using AI To Improve Aviation Safety

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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has requested information to look into advanced analytics through artificial intelligence capabilities to improve overall aviation safety and meet the FAA’s requirements for understanding factors for safety events in the National Airspace System (NAS). Market research will identify the existing capabilities and areas for growth in aviation safety and obtain industry feedback.

Further information from this period will gauge market interest, the industry’s ability, and the level of customization needed to deploy the AI capabilities into FAA infrastructuCurrentlyesent, the FAA has several capabilities within the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing (ASIAS) system. These capabilities work with several connected and disconnected systems. They are utilized for information analysis and cross-sharing of information with multiple stakeholders.

Expanding insights

The FAA presumes a new safety AI system will expand the insights from its current sources and use the data to provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors that lead to high-risk operations and to which environment. The end product will be a custom-built analytics tool that can be widely used by direct and indirect stakeholders who work within or for the aviation industry.

Goals for the FAA have been outlined, as per SAM.GOV, which identified these key points:

  • Enhance predictive analytics capabilities to identify and mitigate potential safety risks proactively.
  • Leverage AI and machine learning to analyze safety data and derive actionable insights.
  • Integrate various data sources to provide a comprehensive view of aviation safety factors.
  • Improve the overall safety of the NAS through advanced analytics and rapid response to identified risks.

AI will face several safety and security constraints and challenges for its integration, including data sensitivity, data variety, time, and overall integration process. So, as part of this process, the FAA has asked for interested vendors to commit to their overall capability, current solutions and how they can be integrated, required changes to their solutions, and ability to leverage the shelf software to satisfy the FAA’s need, and how they can manage sensitive data (among several other requirements).

Interested vendors will be required to submit their applications in writing, and those chosen to proceed to the next stage may be requested to have one-on-one discussions with the FAA.


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Sirius Aviation and BMW Group Designworks unveil hydrogen-powered business jets

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Sirius Aviation has unveiled two hydrogen-powered luxury business jets, the Sirius CEO-JET and the Sirius Adventure Jet.

Developed in collaboration with BMW Group Designworks, the aircrafts aim to transform private air travel with eco-friendly alternatives, substantially reducing CO2 emissions.

“The launch of the Sirius CEO-JET and Adventure Jet represents a major milestone in our mission to revolutionize air travel with sustainable solutions,” said Alexey Popov, Sirius Aviation AG CEO. “The CEO-JET offers an eco-friendly option for business travel, while the Adventure Jet opens new horizons for global tourism and exploration.

“We’re bridging the gap for individuals who aspire to own a business jet with pride in a future that values eco-consciousness,” said Popov. “Our customers will inspire admiration and respect, fostering a culture of positivity rather than judgment or criticism.”


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Vertical Aerospace Close to Flight Testing New eVTOL Prototype

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The UK start-up aims to demonstrate the four-passenger aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow

Vertical Aerospace has almost completed manufacturing of its second VX4 eVTOL prototype and expects to start test flights in the next few weeks. The UK company is still determining whether it will be able to display the four-passenger aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow in late July, but its higher priority remains accelerating progress towards type certification and entry into service targeted for 2026.

While Vertical’s public profile would be greatly boosted by flying the VX4 during the Farnborough event, its new CEO Stuart Simpson has told his team to prioritize development work aimed at achieving a piloted transition flight by the end of this year. On July 31, the company is set to receive the second of two $25 million tranches of funding provided by its founder Stephen Fitzpatrick, which will be sufficient cash to sustain work through the second half of 2025.

The almost complete second prototype features more hardware provided by key partners Honeywell, Leonardo, and GKN Aerospace. It also has new propellers that Vertical has redesigned since the Aug. 9, 2023 crash that destroyed its first prototype. It also uses new batteries produced in the company’s in-house Vertical Energy Centre at its Bristol headquarters.

In April, Vertical held a “Pioneers Event” for launch customers for an interactive discussion of the VX4 and the use cases that operators including American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Japan Air Lines, and Bristow have in mind. Chief technology officer Michael Cervenka said that for part of the session, his team left the room to allow the customers to freely exchange feedback on the product, which he said had yielded some actionable input to “tailor the aircraft to achieve its sweet spot in performance.” The manufacturer has also been working with flight training group CAE to refine the pilot interface.

Acknowledging that two or more rival eVTOL aircraft developers seem likely to launch commercial operations earlier than Vertical, Cervenka maintained that the nascent advanced air mobility sector will not be a case of “winner takes all.” He said the company is taking a deliberately systematic approach to its certification process, which will start with the UK Civil Aviation Authority and lead to an EASA validation. “As our chief engineer David King says, we are going slowly now so that we can go faster later,” Cervenka said.

For instance, before flight testing with the new second prototype gets underway at Kemble Airport in the west of England, the Vertical team will complete what it refers to internally as “a mini certification process” that serves as a dry run to ensure all the technology and processes are ready. The lessons learned from flying the second prototype will be applied in construction of a third prototype, which will be designated as the aircraft to be used for formal certification testing.

In Cervenka’s view, recent moves to fast-track early use cases for eVTOL aircraft in Gulf states are somewhat concerning from a safety perspective. He questioned whether rapid validation of certifications from other jurisdictions that could bypass standard ICAO processes and accelerated operational permits are appropriate for a new segment of air transport.


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Gulfstream G700 To Make Catarina Aviation Show Debut

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Flagship will be on display alongside the super-midsize G280 and large-cabin G600

Gulfstream’s G700 flagship will make its Catarina Aviation Show debut when the three-day event opens on Thursday at São Paulo Catarina International Executive Airport. The G700 will be on display at the show alongside Gulfstream’s super-midsize G280 and ultra-long-range G600.

“Gulfstream is experiencing significant interest and demand throughout Latin America, and the region is an important market for us,” said Gulfstream Aerospace senior v-p of worldwide sales Scott Neal. “The company has had a strong presence in Latin America for many years, including Brazil, and there are currently more than 230 Gulfstream aircraft based in the region.”

According to Neal, the Gulfstream fleet in Latin America has grown by more than 35% in the last 10 years. “Gulfstream’s product line—from the G280 to the G400, G500, G600, G650ER, G700, and G800—offer a compelling mix of size and range to suit a wide variety of operators’ needs, whether they are flying domestically or taking trips halfway around the world,” he added. “The G650 and G650ER have been popular in the region since the G650 was introduced in 2008, and we are seeing great interest in the G500, G600, G700, and G800 [there].”

Gulfstream has chosen the Catarina show over LABACE 2024 at São Paulo–Congonhas Airport; the aircraft manufacturer said that it will not be exhibiting in August at that event.


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Lilium Reveals eVTOL to Business Aviation Launch Market

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The German manufacturer brought a full-scale model of the Lilium Jet to EBACE

Lilium yesterday at EBACE 2024 unveiled the first full-scale model of the eVTOL aircraft it plans to bring to market in 2026. The German manufacturer is targeting business aviation companies as early adopters of the Lilium Jet, which it is offering in a four-passenger Pioneer Edition for corporate and private charter applications, as well as with a six-seat cabin for commercial regional air services.

The most eye-catching feature of the mockup revealed at Geneva’s Palexpo exhibition center is the array of 30 ducted electric vectored thrust engines integrated into the Lilium Jet’s wing and canard. Factoring in anticipated energy reserve requirements for the all-electric vehicle, Lilium anticipates an initial maximum range of around 95 nm, but this is expected to increase as battery technology improves.

At its headquarters near Munich, Lilium is now assembling the first production-conforming examples of the aircraft as it prepares to start flight testing later this year. It has started building a certification test facility to support its work to achieve EASA approval by the end of 2025.

Earlier this month, German federal and state officials launched the due diligence process that Lilium hopes will unlock up to around €100 million (about $109 million) in loan guarantees to fund the program. At the same time, the company is negotiating with the French government to secure financing for a planned high-volume production facility it wants to build in France.

Several private flight providers are among the early prospective customers for the Lilium Jet. These include Volara, EMCJet, Air-Dynamic, Globe Air, Bristow, and NetJets. Key suppliers include Garmin and Honeywell.

On the Innovation Stage at EBACE 2024, Lilium’s head of flight operations and crew training, Andreas Pfisterer, will address how the company’s design team is factoring in human factors in a session, dubbed “Future of Flight—the Balance Between Technology and the Human Touch,” today at 1 p.m. The company’s chief commercial officer, Sebastien Borel, is scheduled to discuss the integration of sustainable aviation in a Thursday 11:30 a.m. session entitled “Going the Extra Mile—Will Intermodal Transportation Expand Business Aviation?”


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Pilatus’ Upgraded PC-24 Arrives at EBACE 2024

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The upgraded PC-24 began delivery earlier this year

Pilatus Aircraft is marking the EBACE debut of its recently upgraded PC-24. Unveiled just before NBAA-BACE in October, the upgrades include a 600-pound increase in payload, boosting range to 2,040-nm range, and a new side-facing divan that can convert into a bed.

Payload was increased with refinements in the wing and fuselage structural elements, which reduced empty weight and increased the maximum gross takeoff weight limit. Weight was reduced by 300 kilograms (660 pounds), “which means a lot more range,” said Ursula Widmer, marketing manager at the Swiss airframer. In addition, storage space was optimized.

The changes, she added, open more options for operators, reaching further distances and also more easily accommodated six people with luggage. This is attracting interest from a range of customers, including the charter market.

Pilatus began delivery of the upgraded model earlier this year and showcased it in April at the Aero Friedrichshafen general aviation show in Germany.

Most of the upgrades have been certified, said Widmer. The divan is approved for two places, but work for three is still ongoing, she said. Widmer added that the divan option has proven popular, exceeding the company’s expectations.

Along with the PC-24 twinjet, Pilatus brought its PC-12NGX turboprop single to the EBACE static display. “Both are doing really well,” Widmer said, noting that the backlog has grown for each model. “If you want to order an aircraft now, it takes around about two years until we can give you one.”


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Leonardo AW09 Gets Updated Corporate Look

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Helicopter to embark on demonstration tour

Leonardo took the wraps off of a full-scale cabin mockup of its AW09 single-engine helicopter at the opening of EBACE 2024. Showcasing a VIP-corporate transport cabin layout and paint scheme that will be offered as an option, the unveiling marks the “official entrance” of the AW09 as part of the Agusta family of corporate helicopters, said Cecile Vion-Lanctuit, head of communications and marketing for Leonardo’s Kopter Group.

The interior was designed to provide a customized yet modular approach to the cabin space with the latest technology and sustainability advancements. Carving a niche in the long-light single-engine segment, the AW09 will have the largest cabin and most legroom in its class.

According to Leonardo, the cabin can accommodate interiors ranging from a four-plus-one up to a three-plus-three-plus-two seating layout. The interior will be offered in a set of dedicated themes that the company is inspired by “harmony and perfection found in nature” yet present a modern feel. Themes include Desert Dawn, Cedar Woods, Ocean Twilight, and Dark Cosmos.

Also to appeal to the corporate crowd, the company is touting the large front and side windows that enhance visibility for the passengers, alongside the safety benefits for the pilot.

Kopter chief test pilot Richard Grant, along with Leonardo chief test pilot Giuseppe Afruni, unshrouded the mockup before a crowd gathered at the booth on the show floor, marking the kickoff of a demonstration tour that will include showings across Europe this summer, as well as at various events.

As Leonardo looks to expand its foothold in the corporate market with the helicopter—the first all-new model to be developed in decades in its class—it has built a backlog of orders for more than 100 units globally.

As the mockup embarks on its tour, flight testing continues on the AW09 with hopes of certification in 2025. Leonardo has two preproduction models—PS4 and PS5—flying and checking off a series of flight tests. PS6, the first production model, is expected at the end of the year. An earlier prototype, PS3, retired in September 2022 after 387 flights.

PS4, which incorporates all developments implemented on PS3, joined the program in March 2023 with the 1,000-shp-class Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2K, a switch from the Honeywell HTS900 on the predecessor prototypes.

PS5 joined the program this past February. Grant estimated that the two flight-test aircraft have now accrued about 130 flights, exploring a limited altitude envelope, up to about 16,000 feet with plans to go higher, and tested maximum speed in dive, he said.

In addition, Leonardo has completed a lot of airfield work simulating wind conditions. “At the moment, we’re able to hover in winds up to about 35 knots or around that with quite a low workload.”

Component systems tests have long been under way. “Now we’ve got to that stage where we’ve just got to gather the data,” he said.

In addition to the cabin, Grant touted the aircraft’s ease of flying and safety systems. “It’s designed to be easy and simple in every aspect, flying it, operating it, maintaining it,” he said. “I think it’s really achieving that. We’re starting to see that now.”

He added that other test pilots from Leonardo have flown it and “they’re all reporting very similar things.”


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Airbus Launches Hydrogen Feasibility Studies at North American Airports

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Major airports in the U.S. and Canada could become ‘hydrogen hubs’

As Airbus presses ahead with ambitious plans to bring hydrogen-powered airliners into commercial service through its ZeroE program, the aircraft manufacturer is eyeing several major airports in North America as locations for potential “hydrogen hubs.”

On Tuesday the company announced it is launching three studies into the feasibility of establishing hydrogen hubs at some of the biggest airports in the U.S. and Canada, including George Bush Intercontinental Airport (KIAH) in Houston and Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International airport (KATL)—the world’s busiest airport. 

While the research projects focus on a handful of specific airports, the results will help to guide the future development of hydrogen hubs around the world, according to Airbus. These proactive studies “mark a significant milestone in our pursuit of low-carbon aviation,” said Karine Guenan, head of ecosystem activities for Airbus’s ZeroE program, which aims to bring a 200-seat hydrogen-powered airliner with a 2,000-nm range into commercial service in 2035. 

For the research it is conducting at KATL, Airbus has partnered with Delta Air Lines—whose main hub is located at the airport—and hydrogen fuel specialist Plug Power. The team has already begun preliminary work to define the infrastructure requirements for a hydrogen hub and to determine the operational viability of hydrogen operations at KATL. They expect to complete the study at the end of 2026.

“Hartsfield-Jackson has long been a leader in the commercial aviation industry, and it only makes sense that we help lead this effort,” said Michael Smith, senior deputy general manager of administration at the airport. “If hydrogen proves to be a viable alternative, ATL will investigate options to update infrastructure needs in order to implement the new technology.”

Delta Air Lines is already a partner in Airbus’s ZeroE program. As part of an agreement signed in 2022, the airline is helping to identify fleet and network expectations and the operational and infrastructure requirements for hydrogen-powered airliners. 

Plug Power, which is based in New York and operates more than 250 hydrogen refueling stations around the world, recently opened a hydrogen production plant in Woodbine, Georgia that could potentially supply the fuel to KATL. 

“We have a ready-made supply of green hydrogen to support the airport from our new Woodbine, Georgia, production plant, the largest green hydrogen plant in the U.S.,” said Plug CEO Andy Marsh. (The term “green” hydrogen refers to hydrogen that is produced sustainably through electrolysis, using renewable electricity to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.)

In addition to hydrogen storage and transportation, Plug Power also offers hydrogen fuel cells for aircraft and ground vehicles. Universal Hydrogen, a company developing hydrogen fuel cell powertrains for aircraft retrofits, has already flown its experimental Dash 8 twin turboprop using Plug Power’s ProGen family of fuel cells.

Meanwhile, Houston Airports and the Center for Houston’s Future in Texas have signed a memorandum of understanding with Airbus to explore the possibility of a hydrogen hub at KIAH as part of broader plans to reduce the airport’s carbon footprint. 

This study will examine “the opportunities and, if any, barriers to the hydrogen supply up to the airport, the infrastructure and equipment development,” Guenan explained, adding that the team will look into other potential uses for hydrogen at airports. For example, ground vehicles and other ground support equipment could be converted to hydrogen power. Hydrogen could also be used for heating at airport facilities, according to Airbus. 

“With Houston’s role as the world’s energy capital, our record of energy innovation, and desire to lead in the business of low-carbon energy, Houston is the perfect place to develop our airports as North American clean hydrogen pioneers,” said Brett Perlman, president and CEO of the Center for Houston’s Future. 

Airbus and its partners in Houston expect to complete the KIAH study in March 2025. 

ZeroAvia Joins Canadian ‘Hydrogen Hub’ Studies

To explore possible hydrogen hubs at airports in Canada, Airbus enlisted the country’s three busiest airports—Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (CYUL), Toronto Pearson International Airport (CYYZ), and Vancouver International Airport (CYVR)—along with hydrogen propulsion specialist ZeroAvia for a large-scale feasibility study. 

Airbus signed memoranda of understanding with those three airports as well as ZeroAvia during the International Aerospace Innovation Forum in Montréal on May 21. This marks the first time that Airbus has formally partnered with another manufacturer of hydrogen propulsion systems for aircraft, according to Guenan. Airbus also invested in ZeroAvia last year. 

“We are bringing together Canada’s largest airports, the world’s largest aircraft manufacturer, and the leading innovator in decarbonised propulsion technology, in order to progress the transition to hydrogen aviation,” said ZeroAvia founder and CEO Val Miftakhov. “ZeroAvia flight testing demonstrates that hydrogen-powered commercial aviation is a prospect ahead of 2030, so we need to start working hard to prepare for the hydrogen infrastructure needed to support the aviation industry and airports as they step into a new golden age of clean flight.”

With its abundance of natural resources, “Canada has great potential for hydrogen production from renewable energy sources such as hydroelectric power,” Guenan said. “These first Canadian hydrogen partnerships enable us to cover the country from coast to coast.”

Last week, Airbus announced is leading a European Union-backed project called Ground Operations of Liquid Hydrogen Aircraft to demonstrate how handling and refueling technologies can be developed for airport operations. The work also involves hydrogen propulsion pioneer H2Fly and eight other partners.


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Collins Debuts Surface Air Traffic Management System

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The new product tracks the movements of aircraft and ground equipment in real time

Collins Aerospace has launched an airport ground monitoring system that provides real-time tracking and recording for aircraft and ground equipment movement. According to the RTX subsidiary, the Airport Surface Awareness System (ASAS) will provide a holistic view of on-field operations that can enhance efficiency and help reduce the risk of ground incursions.

Fully integrated with FlightAware’s Firehose and Foresight services, the ASAS system augments flight and route information including arrival time and runway taxi predictions.

It uses three components to generate an accurate picture of the airport operations: aircraft tracking with ADS-B and radar feeds both for arriving aircraft, as well as those on the ground; real-time tracking of motorized and non-motorized ground equipment; and an interactive map application with geofencing to allow operators to set location and speed restrictions for different assets with alerts for any violations.

“Lack of situational awareness consistently contributes to critical issues at airports, including incidents on the airfield, inefficient aircraft turn management, and improper use of ground support equipment,” said Collins general manager of airport solutions Rakan Khaled. “This system provides real-time data to airports to solve for those issues.”