Schlagwort-Archive: Aircraft

„High Wing“ – The Newest Sling Aircraft

The new „High Wing“ combines great Sling handling characteristics with the inherent stability of the classic high-wing design. The new plane comes with modern-day design safety features including a ballistic parachute recovery system, a low workload Garmin glass cockpit, an efficient and powerful 141 hp Rotax 915 iS turbocharged powerplant and Airmaster Constant Speed Propeller.

The removable rear seats increase the generous baggage area, providing a great utility platform. The extra-large cabin features wide, easy-access doors, superb four-seat ergonomics and best-in-class comfort and quality. The plane is available in tricycle and taildragger variants. Source: ‚SlingAircraft‚.

Diamond Aircraft & Aeromot will assemble DA62 in Brazil

Diamond Aircraft Canada announces that it has recently signed a license agreement with its sales partner Aeromot, based in Brazil, for assembling DA62 aircraft, creating significant new value for customers and the aerospace industry in one of Diamond Aircraft’s key growth markets. Aeromot will assemble DA62 aircraft in Porto Alegre, Brazil under license from Diamond Aircraft Canada, which will provide the DA62 kits and ongoing support. The Brazilian-assembled DA62 aircraft will be delivered to Aeromot’s sales territory, which now includes Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Depending on market development, this area might be expanded. Diamond Aircraft and Aeromot are looking at a steadily growing output to reach more than 50 units per year. The specific progress depends on the local market conditions.

“The global demand for general aviation aircraft is huge. Especially the Brazilian and South American market, in general, has seen strong growth and we believe that now is the right time to look for opportunities to expand production and sales in this region.” Said Kevin Sheng, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Canada. “The state-of-the-art luxury twin DA62 with outstanding economics and space is a great fit for the South American market. For many years Aeromot is a trusted partner of Diamond, as an authorized dealer in Brazil, having contributed to aircraft sales, and technical, and maintenance support for operations in the country. We are convinced that they are the right partner for establishing a DA62 assembly facility in Brazil and will meet our highest standards.”

“We are very proud to announce this agreement with Diamond Aircraft, strengthening our partnership that started back in 2016. The Brazilian market has the key attributes for general aviation growth and the DA62 perfectly fits the user’s needs. This partnership represents an important resumption in the assembly of certified light piston aircraft by Aeromot, contributing to a generation of jobs and strengthening the Brazilian and South American market with innovative solutions.” Said Guilherme Cunha, CEO Aeromot. Source: ‚Diamond aircraft‚.

Price Aviation chooses Tecnam

Tecnam announced today that delivery has commenced to Serbia-based Prince Aviation of two Tecnam P2008JC MkII and one P2006T MkII multi-engine aircraft.

By selecting Tecnam to renew its training fleet, Prince Aviation can now offer the highest standards in pilot training in Western Balkans and South East Europe. Introduction of the Tecnam models will provide Prince Aviation’s student’s state of the art aircraft that will support their flight training and education, giving them their first insight into the modern aviation world. Since 1992, Prince Aviation’s flight training organization has trained more than 500 pilots, confirming to be the leading FTO in the region. By completing a Tecnam Maintenance Training Course, Prince will shortly become an Authorized Tecnam Service Center, providing certified support to their fleet and Tecnam customers in the area.

With its carbon-fibre fuselage, metal wings and stabilator, the Tecnam P2008JC MkII has many advantages over traditional aircraft. Combining composite material and metal has resulted in a more fuel-efficient and quieter aircraft, becoming a favourite of many Flight Training Organizations. The Tecnam P2008JC MkII features some significant enhancements: a new avionics suite and a new design of both the instrument panel and glare shield, enabling the introduction of Garmin’s innovative G3X Touch display with an MD302 attitude instrument. VFR Night is optional.

The P2006T MkII is a twin-engine, four-seat aircraft with the fully retractable landing gear. It offers an innovative design with a modern Garmin avionics suite which integrates all primary flight, navigation, communication, terrain and engine data on two high-definition LCDs. The P2006T is standard equipped with an advanced feature S-TEC 55x high-performance, two-axis autopilot. Fitted with two Rotax 912S3 engines, the Tecnam P2006T MkII exhibits remarkable fuel saving and can be operated either on AVGAS or MOGAS 95 octane fuel (which leads to huge operating cost reductions). Source: ‚Tecnam website‘.

Bladeless Fluidic Propulsion System Airplane Prototype

Jetoptera, a Seattle-based propulsion system, drone, and aerial mobility startup, is working on an innovative vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft concept modelled on Dyson’s “bladeless fan” design. The current design uses a turboshaft engine which drives an air compressor, which generates high-pressure air. This jet of compressed air is spread across the outlet of the thruster

An aerodynamic mechanism known as the Coanda effect causes the fluid jet to remain attached to the surface of the thruster as it is forced out of the outlet. Jetoptera has completed several flight tests using its newly developed Fluidic Propulsion System (FPS™). Thrusters can be shaped and distributed around an airframe in ways to maximize lift augmentation and distribute propulsion at the same time. Thrusters can also be easily swivelled, allowing for VTOL operations. The result is a high-speed, compact system that can naturally hover. Source: ‚Sia Magazine‚.

What You Need to Know About Pre-Buy Inspections

Do have a pre-buy inspection. It could save you thousands of dollars over time. People passionate about airplanes find it easy to fall in love quickly with a particular airplane. What’s more, if we don’t act quickly and say „yes“ to the buyer, then the one-and-only airplane for us will be sold to someone else. Slow down and be smart. First, have a pre-buy inspection.

Even if the airplane belongs to your best friend, and even if the airplane you want to buy is one that you have flown before, you need to know more about the total health of the airplane. A pre-buy inspection will reveal issues such as corrosion that would not readily be visible. That’s why the best advice I can give any airplane buyer is to have a licensed A&P perform an independent, non-biased inspection of the airplane. 

And now for a “don’t.” Don’t choose the existing mechanic or shop of your potential new airplane. Use another shop that has no ties to the airplane. Sure, it’s convenient to have the local shop at the airport where the airplane is based perform the inspection. It’s probably cheaper, too. However, the shop working on the airplane may be too quick to praise its work and tell you the airplane is in great shape. Even if you have to pay to have the airplane flown to another local airport, it’s a good investment. You want a mechanic who has no attachment to the airplane to give a thorough inspection using a fresh set of eyes. 

Here are a few “dos” for selecting the right mechanic or shop. Use the shop you intend to have maintained the aircraft once it’s yours unless that shop is the one that’s been doing the service. Choose a shop that specializes in the type of aircraft you’re purchasing and frequently works on an airplane like the one you’re thinking about buying. For help selecting a shop, check out the online owner’s forums. These forums have a wealth of information for potential owners of a particular type, including which shops are the best. 

Don’t rush the process. Slow down and take your time. Make sure you give yourself enough time for the pre-buy inspection and that you are not rushed as the proposed closing date approaches. Typically a pre-buy inspection takes one or two days—but we know how that works. Build in some extra time, so you don’t feel pressure.

Do use your best judgment when analyzing the results of the pre-buy inspection. Realize that there’s no such thing as a perfect airplane; you must know what you are willing to accept and what you won’t. Unlike buying a house when the buyer can often pressure the seller into paying for repairs as a condition of the sale, that’s typically not the case with airplanes unless it’s an airworthiness issue. Be reasonable with the seller and remember that perfect doesn’t exist. Have the mechanic spell out the differences between airworthiness directive (AD) items and non-AD items. Have the mechanic explain the items with high importance and urgency to fix and those that may be “nice to fix.”

As a side note, if you purchase an airplane with minimal use by its current owner, do expect that the pre-buy inspection may uncover many items that will take time and money to fix. Give yourself enough time to remedy these items. Also, aircraft that have sat for some time may often have squawks not immediately apparent or uncovered during the pre-buy.

And, finally, be willing to walk away from an airplane. That’s the toughest piece of advice to give. There may come a tipping point in your mind when the work necessary to bring the airplane legally to standard and personally to your standards becomes too high. Remember that at any given time, there are thousands of airplanes for sale. Just like the adage, “Marry in haste, repent in leisure,” you can buy an airplane in haste and repent in leisure as mounting mechanical bills makes flying inaccessible.

Great rates. Great terms. Helpful and responsive reps. Three good reasons to turn to AOPA Aviation Finance when buying an airplane. If you need a dependable financing source with people on your side, call 800.62.PLANE (75263) or click here to request a quote. Have a specific aviation finance question you would like to see in future articles? Submit it here, which may be highlighted in an upcoming content piece. Source: ‚Adam Meredith on the Website of AOPA USA‚.

Lufthansa Aviation Training orders Diamond DA42-VI

European Flight Academy, a brand of Lufthansa Aviation Training (LAT), is expanding its capacity to accommodate 300 students per year in the future. This includes investing in state-of-the-art training aircraft and flight simulators from Diamond Aircraft.

On 13th December, LAT and Diamond Aircraft signed a purchase contract for another seven DA42-VI multi-engine trainers plus three DA42 FNPT II simulators during a small ceremony at Diamond Aircraft’s headquarters in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The delivery will bring LAT’s fleet of Diamond training aircraft to 24 in total (14 DA42, 10 DA40) and 4 Diamond Aircraft simulators. Matthias Spohr, Managing Director at LAT: “As a leading flight training provider, this step is not only a further investment in an efficient aircraft fleet and leading-edge training equipment but ultimately also in the next generation of top-trained pilots of the Lufthansa Group.”

“This purchase again shows our good and long-standing relationship with Lufthansa Aviation Training. We are proud to be part of their continuing growth,” said Jane Wang, Sales Director at Diamond Aircraft Austria. “The DA42-VI is an excellent multi-engine training platform, popular at many leading flight schools all over the world, that burns up to 50% less fuel than conventional AvGas-powered aircraft and is exceptionally silent.” The 4-seat DA42-VI is the newest version of Diamond’s technology leading light piston twin, the first certified general aviation piston aircraft to combine modern technology airframe, avionics, and power plants. Over 1,100 DA42s have been delivered since its introduction, outselling all other certified piston twins combined. The all-composite DA42-VI’s are equipped with efficient, silent, clean and reliable 168 hp jet fuel AUSTRO engines AE300, Garmin G1000 NXi with 3-axis Automatic Flight Control System and optional electrically driven air conditioning.

Diamond Aircraft’s flight simulation devices are exact replicas of the real Diamond aircraft, built with authentic aircraft parts, with real avionics, high-end visuals and OEM flight dynamic models for fidelity that is simply unsurpassed. The instrument panel is fitted with the original Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and standby instruments, allowing you to train in a completely realistic environment. Diamond simulators are at the cutting edge of the industry to ensure the most sophisticated simulation training in preparation for advanced flight training. Delivery of the DA42-VI training aircraft is expected for 2024, with four being placed at Grenchen, Switzerland and three at Rostock-Laage, Germany. In addition, Rostock-Laage will receive one of the brand-new DA42 Flight Navigation Procedures Trainers. The other two Diamond Aircraft FNPT II simulators are for Zurich, Switzerland. Source: ‚Diamond Aircraft‚.

The man who flies light aircraft solo across the Atlantic

In any given year, an average of three pilots die ferrying small aircraft over the North Atlantic. It’s a seriously perilous job that’s 95 per cent terror and five per cent boredom, according to Kerry McCauley, who’s been doing it for an astonishing 32 years. He reveals the sweaty-palm-inducing scariness of the role in a riveting book – Ferry Pilot: Nine Lives Over the North Atlantic – which recounts tales of Kerry flying planes incapable of flying above storms (as jetliners can) across the Atlantic Ocean for hours on end only a compass to follow and delivering them to customers.

His first job was taking a Beechcraft Duchess – ‚[which] had two meek 180 horsepower engines that pushed it along at a blistering 150 knots [172mph] ‚- from St. Paul in Minnesota to Lisbon, Portugal, via St John’s, Newfoundland, and the Azores, the latter reached after crossing 2,530km (1,570 miles) of water. His plane had two extra fuel tanks installed behind the cockpit and an ‚HF (high frequency) radio secured to the top of one of the tanks with bungee cords and duct tape. This was a portable ham radio and was the only way to stay in contact with the controllers in Canada and Europe when dealing with the vast distances of the Atlantic‘. Kerry eventually touched down in Lisbon completely hooked on the thrilling adventure of it all. You might be wondering why there’s any need for such a risky delivery system. Why not take the plane apart and deliver it to its new owner using a cargo ship or plane?

Kerry told MailOnline Travel: ‚The main reason is that planes aren’t meant to be taken apart and put back together. It’s a complicated and expensive process that can go very wrong, very easily.‘ The 59-year-old, who lives in Menomonie, Wisconsin, explained that most of the planes that he has delivered are piston or turbine aircraft – ‚almost all of them have propellers‘. He has only ferried one jet over the years. According to Kerry, these planes have an average speed of 140 (225kph) to 200mph (322 kph), and their altitude ceilings top out at up to 25,000ft (7,620m) – though most tend to reach just 15,000 ft (4,572 m) to 18,000 ft (5,486 m). This cap on altitude is one of many factors that makes ferry flying so treacherous. Kerry said: ‚An airliner or a jet can fly much higher, so it flies over all of the bad weather. They sit up there in the nice smooth air and the sunshine and they tootle right along. Whereas, a propeller-driven aeroplane has to fly in the weather and beat itself against all the icing and the thunderstorms.‘

Kerry, who has flown over the Atlantic over 75 times and over other oceans in the world over 100 times, explained that ferry pilots often don’t have the fuel that’s required to fly around the storm. He revealed: ‚There’s nowhere else to go. You have to go through that thunderstorm, and that can be terrifying. Some of these thunderstorms go up to 40,000ft [12,192m] or 50,000ft [15,240m] and are just massive and powerful. The biggest one I ever went through was in central Africa and there were no airports anywhere that I could reach, except the one I was heading for. And there was a thunderstorm – it was a line of thunderstorms, a 100-mile [161km] line. I just didn’t have the fuel to go around it.‘

Bad weather isn’t the only nerve-jangling hurdle that ferry pilots can face. According to Kerry, the ’number one problem they encounter is the breakdown of the plane’s mechanics. He explained: ‚Jet engines are much simpler and more reliable so they rarely break. Piston engines, on the other hand, have thousands of moving parts in them. And they can wear out. And you can’t really check them very much. Once you seal up a moving engine, the inside is pretty much a mystery until you replace it, or it breaks.‘ If disaster strikes while soaring over the Atlantic, the chances of survival aren’t great, according to Kerry. He revealed: ‚If your plane breaks while you’re over the middle of the ocean, you’re going sailing in your little rubber raft – if you’re lucky enough to have one.‘ What’s happening on the ground can also pose problems for a ferry pilot. He revealed: ‚We deliver planes to all kinds of places in the world and sometimes there are conflicts going on and that can be challenging. Ferry piloting can run into almost any problem, literally, in the world.‘

With these enormous risks to consider, do many aspiring ferry pilots bottle it at the last minute? According to Kerry, it happens all the time. ‚Literally, just a couple of weeks ago I saw that they were looking for a ferry pilot to finish a trip. The pilot had got to Goose Bay, Labrador, and said „nope“ and left the plane on the ramp and went home,‘ he revealed. Kerry said that ‚very few ferry pilots do more than one or two trips across the Atlantic. He explained that the ‚realisation that you’re out over the ocean in a single-engine plane, and at any second that engine could stop and you’re going in‘ can, understandably, lead some pilots to pack it in.

Most pilots do ferry flying ‚as a stepping stone to further their aviation career‘, according to Kerry. He revealed: ‚Almost all pilots, their ultimate goal is to be an airline pilot. So, they’ll do a few ferry flights, realise that’s not a great way to build much time and make any money, and they get out of it quickly. Or they realise it’s too dangerous. ‚There’s very few of us that stick around for any length of time, mostly because it’s just too dangerous or they get killed.‘ Kerry’s book, scored with tales of plane crashes and ferry pilots who went missing over the ocean, is dedicated to his friends in the industry ‚who never made it home. He said: ‚It’s really hard. I’ve lost some very, very close friends over the years and it’s difficult sometimes to deal with that.‘ However, he admitted that it’s ‚part of the lifestyle‘ in the high-risk business of ferry piloting. He said: ‚You know you’re going to lose friends and we all accept that. If you can’t accept it, you stop doing it. And when you lose somebody you just have to take solace in [the fact] they were doing what they love. They were living the lifestyle that they chose and that was actually part of them. We just try to be thankful that we knew them, and we got to fly with them.‘ Kerry has had some extremely close calls himself. He revealed that the closest he was to an ‚imminent crash‘ was when he was ferrying a Piper Aerostar from Arizona to Larnaca, Cyprus. As he was flying over the Alps near Zurich, Switzerland, the plane’s wings, the engine cowling and propeller spinners started picking up ice. He needed to make it over the mountaintops, but the ice was weighing the plane down, making it impossible to climb.

He told us over a Zoom chat: ‚At 19,000ft [5,791m] the plane had literally stopped climbing and [it] was filling up with ice.‘ Eventually, he decided to risk making a descent. Describing the situation, he writes in the book: ‚Out of airspeed, and options, I reluctantly eased the yoke forward and started a slow one hundred foot per minute descent, trading some of our precious altitude for a few knots of equally precious airspeed. It’s a deal with the devil but it’s one I must make.‘ Thankfully, he managed to descend into warmer air and the ice started to melt away. ‚It was close,‘ he admitted.

Another chilling incident was the moment that Kerry lost his fuel in a brand new 1994 Beechcraft F-33 Bonanza on a 12-and-a-half-hour flight from Newfoundland to Paris, with no stops. In the book, he explains that there wasn’t enough pressure to move much-needed fuel between tanks because the air supply tube wasn’t secured properly to the ferry tank. He writes: ‚It was then that I realised just how truly alone I was. My course from St. John’s to Paris took me far south of the normal routes the airlines took when crossing the pond and I knew for a fact that there weren’t any other ferry flights out there. It’s not an exaggeration to say that there probably wasn’t another human being anywhere within five hundred miles of me. At that moment I was literally the loneliest man in the world. I might as well have been halfway to the moon.‘

Thankfully, he managed to pressurise the steel tank by lung power alone, blowing into the air supply hose for hours on end. ‚I had to blow on the ferry tank for eight and a half hours to keep the engine running,‘ he told MailOnline Travel. Against the odds, he landed safely at Paris Airport-Le Bourget. As nerve-wracking as these experiences sound, Kerry refuses to be fazed. He said: ‚I don’t panic or get scared, really, in those situations. I put that aside because it’s not going to help. If you’ve got time to panic, you’ve got time to do something more productive. That’s always been my motto. So, I’ll put the panic aside for later. I can have the shakes when I get down on the ground. When I have a problem in the air, I deal with the problem, and try to find a way out and try to find a solution.‘ With so many years of experience, has he ever been tempted to dip a toe in the world of commercial flying? While Kerry has never sought out a job at an airline, he does some corporate flying on the side – but finds that, after the drama of ferry piloting, it’s ‚too easy.

He said: ‚You’re in a beautiful, well-maintained business jet. You’re up at 45,000ft [13,716m] and all the thunderstorms and everything are below you, and it’s smooth and calm and quiet. It’s got internet, you can be on your Facebook page. It’s like, „this isn’t flying, I could be sitting in a hangar doing this“.‘ The daredevilry of ferry piloting seems to stir a wide range of reactions from commercial pilots. He revealed: ‚You’ll get some airline pilots that think you’re crazy. Some of them look down at you like, „ah you’re just flying that stupid little thing“. But actually, most of them look up to you. They’re like, „I could never do that, I can’t believe you do that, hats off to you, not me, no way in heck.“ ‚They’re astonished when they find out what actually goes on in ferry flying. And a lot of them are, frankly, a little jealous because they don’t… flying an airliner isn’t an adventure, it’s a job. And it’s a great job, I’ve got nothing against airline pilots, a lot of my friends are airline pilots, but they’ll be the first ones to tell you that it’s just a job.‘ He added: ‚It’s not challenging like ferry flying.‘

It’s this appetite for a challenge that has kept Kerry in the industry for so long. ‚It’s just what I’m really good at. I love the adventure, and I love being out by myself, beyond help, essentially, and having to survive by my wits,‘ he said. ‚That’s the kind of thing I was born to do, is to be out there battling the elements and mechanics and all the challenges. I hate boring flying.‘ Kerry names the Egyptian pyramids as one of the most memorable landmarks he’s flown past. ‚Buzzing the pyramids in Egypt was pretty cool. Seeing the pyramids from above and a little below – I was a little below the tops of the pyramids when I buzzed them. That was pretty stunning,‘ he said. One place he’s yet to see from the cockpit is Antarctica – but he’ll be ticking it off his bucket list soon.  He plans to fly his personal plane, a Beech Queen Air, to Antarctica via the Caribbean and South America, before returning to Wisconsin via Central America. He said: ‚I have to see Antarctica someday before I die. And I have to be the one flying the plane. It doesn’t count if you’re a passenger – anybody can do that.‘ With a career that’s defined by exhilaration, does the excitement ever fade? He admitted: ‚It does on an easy flight. But ferry flying, the thrill never goes away.‘ Source: ‚Daily Mail‚.

CubCrafters Moves Forward with Public Offering

CubCrafters, the leading designer and manufacturer of Light-Sport, Experimental, and Part 23 Certified backcountry aircraft, announces today it has been qualified by the Securities Exchange Commission [SEC] to make a $50 million public stock offering using the Regulation A+ exemption, which allows for the first outside investment ever in the history of this iconic company.

Advised by Manhattan Street Capital, CubCrafters intends to raise up to $50 million in investment capital from its fans, customers, aviation enthusiasts, the investment community, and the general public. The offering price for first round investors is $5 per share, with a minimum investment of only $400 per investor. Those interested in this unique opportunity can learn more about the company and participate in the investment at: www.manhattanstreetcapital.com/cubcrafters

“We are humbled and excited by the overwhelming interest and investor demand our capital raise received. In just 90 days, we received reservations for more than $25 million of CubCrafters’ shares,” said Patrick Horgan, CubCrafters’ president & CEO. “This was a great first step in securing the vision of our founder, Jim Richmond, who wanted to give the public an opportunity to participate in the growth of our company. Now that we have been qualified by the SEC, we look forward to welcoming new investors to CubCrafters and working on their behalf to drive long-term shareholder value.”

The high demand for CubCrafters aircraft has resulted in a more than 2-year backlog of orders. The proceeds of the offering will be used to increase manufacturing capacity and reduce new aircraft customer delivery times. The company will also make investments in growing its customer support capabilities and accelerating product innovation. All of which will enable the company to expand its reach in the rapidly growing domestic and international markets for both adventure and utility aircraft.
While many US-based general aviation aircraft manufacturers have been sold to foreign entities, CubCrafters intends to remain American owned and operated. The entire line of CubCrafters aircraft is designed and produced in the company’s facilities in Yakima, WA. To keep it that way, CubCrafters is leveraging this Regulation A+ offering to fund growth while keeping the company US-based.

“We have invested large amounts of time, energy, and resources to qualify a Reg A+ offering with the SEC,” stated Brad Damm, CubCrafters’ vice president. “Our Brand has grown to be synonymous with an adventure lifestyle that inspires and appeals to people at all levels. We consistently hear from people across many different demographics that want to be a part of what we do, that want to join us on our journey. This offering affords that opportunity to everyone, both from within the aviation community and from the public at large.”

“The already significant response from investors and their large and loyal customer base is a strong testimonial to CubCrafters’ role as an industry leader and to the quality of its product line,” added Rod Turner, CEO and founder of Manhattan Street Capital. (*) “I am truly excited to be a part of this capital raise designed to scale up CubCrafters’ future success.”

About Cubcrafters
Founded in 1980 by Jim Richmond, CubCrafters’ roots are in the 80+ year history of classic grassroots aviation, but the company’s products and services are innovative and completely modern. CubCrafters designs and manufactures Experimental, LSA, and Part 23 Certified aircraft. The Carbon Cub family of aircraft redefined expectations for the backcountry flying experience with innovative design, modern materials, powerful engines, and breathtaking performance. The company’s flagship XCub aircraft is offered in both nosewheel and tailwheel configurations, and substantially expands the mission profile of sport utility aircraft with higher speed, longer range, and larger payload. The key to our success is our ability to create unique value in the experience of personal adventure aviation. CubCrafters has been a privately held company for the first 40 years of its existence, but is now planning to welcome new public investment. Source: ‚Cub Crafters Website‚.

Il-76 Aircraft Makes 1st Landing On Antarctic Ice Airfield

For the first time, the Ilyushin Il-76TD-90VD aircraft has touched down on the ice airfield at Russia’s Novolazarevskaya outpost in Antarctica, the Russian Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute said. According to the institute, the runway was put into operation in November. A Volga-Dnepr Airlines Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft, outfitted with the PS-90A-76 engines, conducted the first flight from Cape Town to the Progress station on November 7.

The institute said that the aircraft travelled over 5,300 kilometres in 6.5 hours and safely landed in low visibility due to the expertise of its pilots. The testing outcomes will allow the flight manual for aircraft equipped with this engine type to be supplemented with provisions for landing on snow-covered ice airfields. The plane carried 82 passengers and more than 6.5 tons of supplies for constructing a new winter complex at the Vostok station. A joint crew led by chief pilots of the Ilyushin Aviation Complex Nikolai Kuimov and the State Research Institute of Civil Aviation Ruben Yesayan executed the landing. Source: ‚Euroasiantimes‚.

Duxford: Vintage aircraft crash caused by ‚deflated tyre‘

A de Havilland vintage aircraft with nine people on board pitched on landing because of a deflated tyre, an investigation found. The 1943 de Havilland Dragon Rapide was being used for short commercial flights ahead of an air show display at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, on 19 June. A report by the Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) found the tyre caused the plane to „decelerate rapidly and pitch onto its nose“. Eight passengers and the pilot were led to safety uninjured, the report added.

Investigators found the experienced 53-year-old pilot had recorded an earlier flight without incident as well as a normal take-off on the second flight. There had been a „significant crosswind“ on the second approach to the runway at Duxford, just before 09:30 BST. The pilot described the landing as a „not particularly heavy touchdown though with a bit of a skip“, the report said, with the tips of both propellers striking the runway. The report said: „On landing, the aircraft decelerated rapidly and unexpectedly. „It pitched onto its nose and exited the runway to the right. It was later discovered that the right main landing gear tyre had deflated either in flight or on touchdown.“ The cockpit, front fuselage and propellers were badly damaged in the crash.

All the passengers were directed to leave the aircraft by ladder through a rear cabin door which was „a significant distance above the ground“, the report said. Investigators found a tear and two puncture marks in an inner tube of a tyre. The crash outcome was „consistent with the expected effects of landing with a deflated right main tyre“, it concluded. About 20,000 people attended the two-day air show at Duxford, enjoying highlights including a fly-past by the Red Arrows. Source: ‚BBC, British Broadcasting Company‚.

Piper Announces Unpaved Field Approval for M600/SLS

Piper Aircraft has been awarded FAA approval for its flagship product—the Piper M600/SLS single-engine turboprop aircraft—to be operated from unpaved fields. Piper has received numerous requests for unpaved field certification from several global markets and is pleased to announce kit approval has also been completed for Canada, the UK, and Europe (EASA). Brazil certification is expected in early 2023.

All 2022 M600/SLS aircraft, starting with serial number 198, are factory provisioned to operate on unpaved fields with Supplement #5 into the approved aircraft Pilot’s Operating Handbook. Fielded 2016-2021 M600 aircraft equipped with five-blade propellers also have the option to be modified by Piper Kit #88705-702 to accommodate the same unpaved field operations. The primary kit components include a slightly redesigned nose fork and scissor link to handle unpaved field surface inconsistencies, the installation of a small nose gear wheel well plate cutout allowing the nose wheel to stow correctly with the gear retracted, and a POH supplement.

“The Piper M600/SLS is known for its performance, reliability and versatility over a wide array of general aviation missions,” said John Calcagno, President and CEO of Piper Aircraft, Inc. “Now, with the addition of unpaved field capability, the M600’s versatility and the asset value is taken to a whole new level.” Piper Aircraft is running an introductory promotion for all M600 unpaved field kits ordered before November 30, 2022. All M600 owners are encouraged to contact their local Piper Dealer/Service Centers to learn more. Source: ‚Piper Aircraft‚.

ZeroAvia hydrogen-electric powertrain undergoes Ansys simulation

ZeroAvia is using Ansys simulation to help address challenges linked to thermal management, safety, fatigue and lifting, along with Ansys‘ certified model-based solution to develop and certify the embedded engine controls. Ansys simulations are applied from early design stages through certification of all critical aspects of ZeroAvia’s sustainable powertrain. Hydrogen-electric propulsion technology can produce 90% fewer lifecycle emissions than jet fuel-powered turbines and ZeroAvia predicts its powertrain will result in substantially lower operating costs. ZeroAvia demonstrated the potential for zero-emission flight by flying the world’s largest hydrogen-electric powered aircraft, a Piper Malibu. ZeroAvia engineers leveraged Ansys multiphysics simulations — including structural analysis, fluid dynamics, FSI, electromagnetic, and electromechanical analysis — to help make this electric-powered plane a reality.

The ZeroAvia system uses electricity generated by a solar panel to run an air compression pump. When combined with hydrogen stored in an onboard tank, oxygen from the compressed air reacts with hydrogen in the fuel cell to produce electricity to power an electric airplane motor. Water is the only emission from this process — no carbon-based greenhouse gases. The ZeroAvia team used Ansys SCADE to automatically generate the code controlling the motor, which helps reduce human error and costly coding mistakes. ZeroAvia also leveraged Ansys medini analyse software to validate the safety of the aircraft’s hydroelectric systems – supporting and accelerating the stringent certification process.

„Without Ansys, we would still be writing code for the high-level applications, which would have increased the development and verification,“ said Youcef Abdelli, chief technology officer and chief engineer of electric propulsion systems at ZeroAvia. „For system certification, we use Ansys simulation to support the critical aspects of hydrogen-electric engine design – including thermal, safety, certification, stress, fatigue, and lifting.“

ZeroAvia will soon fly a retrofitted Dornier 228 aircraft to flight test its market-entry product – a 600kW hydrogen-electric powertrain designed for 9-19 seat aircraft to be commercialized by 2024. ZeroAvia is also already working on developing a 2-5MW powertrain capable of flying 40-80 seat aircraft by 2026. For these two certified-intent systems, ZeroAvia is working with Ansys software.

„Ansys simulation has long been used for aircraft control code, so we are excited to see that startup companies with new ideas like ZeroAvia are turning to Ansys to accelerate the development of their hydrogen fuel cell aircraft,“ said Walt Hearn, vice president of global sales and customer excellence at Ansys. „By reducing aviation emissions, their hydrogen-electric powertrains will support global efforts to halt climate change.“ Source: ‚AdvanceADS‚.

Daher deliveres 20 new TBM 960

Daher announced that deliveries of the latest member in its TBM very fast turboprop aircraft family – the TBM 960 – have reached 20. Of this total, 17 TBM 960s have been received by customers in the United States, with these handovers initiated by Daher following the aircraft’s certification on June 23 by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness authority.

The three other TBM 960s were delivered to customers in Europe based on the previous certification approval by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). “The TBM 960’s benefits of digital power for enhanced sustainability, a superior piloting experience and increased cabin comfort have created a strong demand for our latest TBM version,” explained Nicolas Chabbert, the Senior Vice President of Daher’s Aircraft Division. “We’re nearly fully booked for 2023, with a significant percentage of these orders coming from customers in North America and Europe.

”The recipient of the 20th-delivered TBM 960 was Johnie Weems, a businessman from South Florida, who has owned three previous-version TBMs.

Pilatus eröffnet Lackierwerk in Colorado

Aufgrund der wachsenden Nachfrage nach dem PC-24 und dem PC-12 NGX hat Pilatus in ein hochmodernes Lackierwerk am Standort der Tochtergesellschaft in Broomfield in den USA investiert. Die Anlage erfüllt höchste Qualitäts- und neuste Umweltstandards. Anlässlich einer Zeremonie am Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (KBJC) haben sich Mitarbeitende von Pilatus, Lieferanten, Industriepartner und weitere Gäste zur offiziellen Eröffnung versammelt. Die teilnehmenden Gäste genossen eine feierliche Zeremonie, gefolgt von einer Besichtigung des neuen Lackierwerks. Pilatus hat rund 15 Millionen US-Dollar investiert und 25 Arbeitsstellen geschaffen. Das Lackierwerk befindet sich am Standort der US Tochtergesellschaft von Pilatus, welche bereits seit 26 Jahren in Broomfield im US-Bundesstaat Colorado ansässig ist.

Effizientere und präzisere Produktion
Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd ist für mehr als 60 Prozent der jährlichen Verkäufe von Geschäftsflugzeugen des Schweizer Herstellers verantwortlich. Die neuste Erweiterung wird den logistischen Aufwand, die Kosten und auch die Zeit im Zusammenhang mit der Lackierung verkürzen. Die massgeschneiderte Anlage verfügt über drei separate Kabinen, in welchen die PC-24 und PC-12 NGX vorbehandelt und schliesslich lackiert werden können. Die Anlage ermöglicht den gesamten Prozess umzusetzen – von der Grundierung bis hin zu komplexen Farbschemen, die auf individuellem Kundenwunsch basieren. Bei voller Auslastung können im Lackierwerk bis zu 100 Flugzeuge pro Jahr fertiggestellt werden, das erste Flugzeug soll bereits in diesem Monat aus dem Lackierwerk rollen.

Innovatives und nachhaltiges Verfahren
Jede Kabine ist mit modernster Technologie ausgestattet, dazu gehört ein 3D-Laserprojektor, mit welchem die Farbschemas hochpräzise auf das Flugzeug appliziert werden können. Über 70 Prozent der in der Anlage verbrauchten Luft wird wiederverwendet. Durch Einsatz eines hochmodernen Lüftungssystems kann der Energieverbrauch markant gesenkt werden. Zusammen mit luftdichten Türen und einem fortschrittlichen Filtersystem wird eine sehr umweltfreundliche Produktion ermöglicht. Quelle: ‚Pilatus‚.

Van’s Unveils RV-15 High-Wing Prototype

The cat’s out of the bag — and here’s what our team has been working on lately. Introducing the RV-15 Engineering Test Prototype aircraft. This airplane was built to evaluate and test the design, and what we’ve been learning from this engineering „tool“ test airplane will result in refinements and changes that will appear in the final „kit“ aircraft design. You’ll have a chance to learn more about the prototype airplane during our forums on Tuesday morning at AirVenture in Oshkosh, coming up in just a couple of weeks! Source: ‚Van’s on ‚Youtube‚.

The VL3 took off for the 1st time with a turbine

JMB Aircraft is proud to announce that the very first ultralight aircraft equipped with a TurboTech turbine engine flew in France on Monday 4th April 2022. As the next step in the development of the VL3 Turbine, Jean-Baptiste Guisset, CEO of JMB Aviation, had the honour of being the test pilot for this first flight. The event took place on Valenciennes airfield under the supervision of the designers of the French turbine and the designer of the VL3 evolution, Vanessa Air. “The first tests are very promising indeed! We are continuing the tests to validate the performance, but the advantages are already visible: no vibration and a TBO multiplied by two.

Moreover, VL3 turbine is easier to fly than a traditional piston aircraft, thanks to the electronic management of the FADEC and its unique lever. We also noticed a major consumption gain, in comparison to the traditional turboprops, thanks to the heat exchanger. Kerosene price is also a good advantage compared to the fuel normally used.” reports Jean-Marie Guisset, CEO of JMB Aircraft. After 6 months of development, JMB Aircraft is proud to announce that more than 50 hours of ground tests have been performed, including 30 hours of full power testing. In the last 8 days, we successfully carried out more than 20 flight hours and simulated all possible failures. This was completed without any technical issues! We already have two aircraft equipped with the turbine, the 2nd one will start its first test flights within 2 weeks. We have elaborated an advanced flight program for the coming months in order to test all the flight domains of the turbine. Source: ‚JMB Aircraft‚. Video.

Elektroflugzeug für Sportflieger und Fluglehrer

Die zweisitzige „Elektra Trainer“ soll Flüge von bis zu drei Stunden ermöglichen. Entwickelt wurde das Elektroflugzeug für Sportflieger und Fluglehrer. Ein kleines Elektroflugzeug mit einer Akkukapazität für Flüge von bis zu drei Stunden ist in der Flugwerft Schleißheim bei München vorgestellt worden. „Das schafft bisher kein anderes Elektroflugzeug“, sagte der Ingenieur Uwe Nordmann am Freitag in Oberschleißheim. Die zweisitzige „Elektra Trainer“ soll für Sportflieger und Fluglehrer eine klimafreundliche Alternative sein. Das von dem Unternehmen ELEKTRA SOLAR GmbH entwickelte Flugzeug hat nach Angaben der Firma eine Spannweite von 14 Metern. Es soll wegen seiner Aerodynamik kaum Verbrauch im Reiseverkehr haben. Auf der Luftfahrtmesse „Aero 2022“ soll die „Elektra Trainer“ zum ersten Mal abheben.

Elektra Solar One überquerte 2015 die Alpen
Hersteller weltweit arbeiten an Elektroflugzeugen – darunter auch die slowenische Firma Pipistrel. Mit einer angegebenen Reichweite von bis zu 1000 Kilometer stellte das Unternehmen bereits 2012 die Elektra Solar One vor. 2015 überquerte ein Testpilot mit der Elektra One Solar als erstes rein elektrobetriebenes Flugzeug erfolgreich die Alpen. Quelle: ‚Heise.de‚.

Daher launches the TBM 960 with digital power

Daher unveiled the latest high-end version of its TBM pressurized single turboprop aircraft family – the TBM 960 – which incorporates Pratt & Whitney Canada’s advanced PT6E-66XT engine and a fully digital e-throttle, along with a digitally-controlled cabin that incorporates an all-new environmental control system, LED ambience lighting and electrically-dimmable windows.

The TBM 960 retains the rapid speed of Daher’s TBM family while enabling lower fuel consumption. At Daher’s recommended cruise setting of 308 kts., the fuel consumption is only 57 U.S. gallons per hour, which is a 10% fuel economy compared to the maximum cruise setting for more sustainability. At the heart of this latest TBM version is the intelligent PT6E-66XT powerplant and Hartzell Propeller’s five-blade Raptor™ composite propeller, both of which are linked to the dual-channel digital Engine and Propeller Electronic Control System (EPECS).

With the EPECS, the PT6E-66XT’s startup is fully automated after a single-switch activation. The cockpit’s power lever is an e-throttle, using a single forward position from takeoff to landing – with the EPECS optimizing powerplant performance throughout the flight envelope while reducing pilot workload by integrating all functions and protecting the engine’s life. Analysis of engine parameters is driven by 100-plus smart data inputs. The Raptor™ propeller is fully integrated into the propulsion system. It is specifically designed to reduce overall weight and improve the TBM 960’s takeoff distance, climb and cruise speed. Turning at 1,925 rpm during maximum power output, the Raptor contributes to limiting noise and vibration. Its sound level during takeoff is just 76.4 decibels, meeting the most stringent international noise standards.

With its G3000® integrated flight deck, the TBM 960 retains Daher’s e-copilot® concentration of technological innovation and safety systems in the TBM, which can be compared to an “electronic copilot.” This includes an icing protection system, flight envelope monitoring through the Electronic Stability and Protection (ESP) and the Under-speed Protection (USP) systems, the Emergency Descent Mode (EDM) function, as well as the game-changing HomeSafe™ emergency autoland system. New to the TBM 960 is the Garmin GWX™ 8000 doppler weather radar with advanced surveillance features such as lightning and hail prediction, turbulence detection, zero blind range for close-in returns, and ground clutter suppression. The TBM 960 also is the first application of Garmin’s GDL® 60 next-generation data transmitter for automatic database upload and interconnection with mobile devices.

The TBM 960’s Prestige cabin extends Daher’s use of digital power inside the aircraft, featuring an all-new environmental control system, LED ambience strip lighting integrated into both sides of the overhead ceiling panel, and electronically-dimmable windows – all controlled by a Passenger Comfort Display (PCD). Enhancements in the cabin’s style and comfort also include new ergonomically enhanced seats, USB-A and USB-C power plugs, individual cupholders and headset hangers for each occupant. For the TBM 960, a fifth TBM paint scheme – called Sirocco, based on the creativity of French designer Alexandre Echasseriau – has been added to the aircraft’s style customization possibilities. The TBM 960 has been certified by EASA (the European Union Aviation Safety Agency); with certification by the U.S. FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) currently underway. Deliveries will begin in the first half of 2022. Source: ‚Daher.com‚.

Partnership „Netjets + Lilium“

Found on the website of Netjets: At NetJets, we know that sustainability is not a trend for private aviation, but it’s future. In continued support of our sustainability goals, we are proud to announce our partnership with Lilium®, a Munich-based manufacturer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) jets. In this partnership, NetJets has the right to purchase up to 150 Lilium jets for use in our shared ownership program and will provide operations support for Lilium’s upcoming Florida hub. Like NetJets, FlightSafety International is a Berkshire Hathaway company and will also partner to provide Crew training products and services that will support Lilium operations.

A forward-thinking partnership
As the eVTOL market grows, regional air mobility and private aviation sustainability are growing in tandem—a true reflection of our industry’s future. NetJets retains an industry-leading position by recognizing and investing in companies such as Lilium, which know the future of air travel must be sustainable to become commonplace. That is why our partnership includes operations support for Lilium in Florida because decisions at NetJets—the owner and operator of the world’s largest, most diverse private fleet—have a ripple effect, and our adoption speaks volumes.

Zero-emission travel to nearby destinations
Fly to a nearby getaway, visit a relative a few cities over, or make the most of your next day trip. Travelling on a Lilium jet means considerably less carbon impact than taking a gas-fueled car to the same destination, thanks to 100% electric power. And with eVTOL technology, helipad infrastructure becomes available, expanding access to departure and takeoff locations. Travel to your NetJets aircraft with ease, depart from and arrive in more convenient fixed-base operators (FBOs), and enjoy more time savings on short legs, all while reducing your environmental impact. Source: ‚Netjets‘.

North Sea Aviation Services expands with DA62 MPPs

On February 24th, the delivery of two DA62 MPPs to North Sea Aviation Services (NSAS) from Belgium has been completed. The aircraft is configured in a maritime surveillance fit and feature the latest technology of electro-optical and infrared cameras (EO/IR), maritime radar as well as an AIS (Automatic Identification System for ships). NSAS already operates the DA42 MPP and identified the benefits of the larger DA62 MPP as key motives to upgrade their fleet with the DA62 MPP. Especially the increased cabin size, which significantly improves crew comfort during long missions, was key in the decision-making process.

Equipped with the Multi-Purpose Nose which carries the EO/IR turret, the BR700 belly radome that houses the maritime radar and the single seats including a centre console with integrated radio and control devices for the operators in the rear make the aircraft the most advanced and versatile surveillance platform in its class. Mario Spiegel, Sales Manager, Special Mission Aircraft Division at Diamond Aircraft Austria, says,” Maritime surveillance is often still conducted by large and expensive aircraft, sometimes even with less advanced sensors or vintage equipment such as binoculars. Where the data collected by larger and smaller aircraft are the same, when equipped with equivalent role equipment, there is one factor getting more and more fundamental, environment-friendliness. With the modern piston engines, utilizing up-to-date automotive technology, burning as less as 10 US gal of Jet Fuel per hour (in loiter) it is needless to say that the DA62 MPP is by far the greenest surveillance aircraft on the market.”

Markus Fischer, Director, Special Mission Aircraft Division at Diamond Aircraft Austria, says, “After so many years in our business it is still inspiring to see our new developments deploying in real operation, in specific to new friends and business partner like NSAS. NSAS has great plans and we will do our best to support them wherever it is necessary and looking forward to their feedback to push the MPP to an even more capable airborne asset.” Jef de Kinder, Founder and CEO of NSAS, commented, “Due to its great fuel efficiency, flexible platform, advanced aircraft design and many other features, NSAS quickly preferred the DA62 MPP. The low operating cost combined with the high mission standard delivers extraordinary results, leaving the competition behind and creating a class of its own. Diamond Aircraft Industries, therefore, has excelled thanks to their constant innovation.” Source: ‚Diamond Aircraft‚.

Tradewind Aviation kauft 20 PC-12 NGX

Tradewind Aviation hat einen Kaufvertrag über 20 PC-12 NGX unterzeichnet. Das Unternehmen erweitert seine Flotte auf 38 Flugzeuge und wird damit zu einem der grössten PC-12 Betreiber weltweit. Die erste einmotorige Turboprop-Maschine der neusten Generation wird im dritten Quartal 2022 ausgeliefert. Über die kommenden fünf Jahre werden dann drei bis vier PC-12 NGX jährlich übergeben. Das US-Unternehmen Tradewind Aviation macht seit 2001 private Charter- als auch Linienflüge in den USA und in der Karibik. Der Kauf der PC-12 NGX stärkt nicht nur die langjährige Beziehung zwischen Tradewind und Pilatus, sondern ermöglicht es dem privaten Lufttransportunternehmen, seine Pilatus Flotte erheblich zu verbessern, wovon schlussendlich die Passagiere wie auch die Crews profitieren werden.

Eric Zipkin, Mitgründer und Präsident von Tradewind Aviation, sagt: «Wir sind sehr stolz, unsere Pilatus PC-12 Flotte zu erneuern und unsere Partnerschaft mit dem angesehenen Branchenführer Pilatus weiter auszubauen. Wir freuen uns darauf, unseren Kunden mit diesen brandneuen Flugzeugen einen hervorragenden Service zu bieten und unser Wachstum in den kommenden Jahren fortzusetzen.» Thomas Bosshard, CEO der US-Tochtergesellschaft von Pilatus, der Pilatus Business Aircraft Ltd, fügt hinzu: «Unsere Kunden schätzen die Zuverlässigkeit, die Leistung, die Sicherheit und die Innovation, die der PC-12 NGX zu bieten hat. Die Nachfrage auf dem Markt ist ungebrochen hoch, was die Einzigartigkeit des Flugzeuges bestätigt. Wir freuen uns, unsere Partnerschaft mit Tradewind auszubauen und wir sind dankbar, Teil ihres zukünftigen Erfolges zu sein.» Tradewind verzeichnet eine jährlich stetig steigende Nachfrage nach privaten Charterflügen. Die Airline plant, neue Flugrouten in ihr Netz aufzunehmen und zusätzliche Serviceoptionen anzubieten. Quelle: ‚Pilatus‚.

United Aims to Quadruple Its Fleet of Training Aircraft

United Aviate Academy orders 25 new Cirrus TRAC SR20 aircraft – with the option to add 50 more – in response to the surge in flight school applications with more than 12,000 received so far. United Aviate Academy today announced that it aims to potentially quadruple the size of its fleet of training aircraft, in response to the surge of applications to the country’s only flight school owned by a major airline. The Academy will add 25 new, state-of-the-art Cirrus TRAC SR20 training aircraft to its current fleet of 25, with the option to purchase up to 50 more.

United Aviate Academy has already received more than 12,000 applications since announcing the school in April 2021. The school officially opened in January and welcomed a historic inaugural class of future pilots, part of the airline’s effort to train at least 5,000 new pilots at the school by 2030, with the goal of at least half women or people of colour.

United Aviate Academy also recently purchased seven state-of-the-art FRASCA simulators, including some with 220-degree wraparound displays, with the first of these brand-new flight simulators arriving in April. These high-quality flight simulators feature hardware and software that operates exactly like the aircraft, for maximum effectiveness for students.

„We’re investing in-flight education as we train the next generation of United Airlines pilots, who are the future of our airline,“ said Bryan Quigley, United’s Senior Vice President for Flight Operations for United Airlines. „These student pilots are receiving world-class flight training at United Aviate Academy and I’m looking forward to the day when they join our current United pilots on the flight deck.“

United Aviate Academy, whose corporate name is Westwind School of Aeronautics Phoenix, LLC, already has a fleet of 25 late-model Cirrus TRAC SR20 series single-engine aircraft, which feature advanced safety characteristics. This new order will add at least 25 brand-new TRAC SR20 aircraft beginning in May with options and purchase rights for up to 50 more. The SR20 features impressive capabilities that complement its stable flight characteristics. Its integrated Garmin® Perspective+ flight deck includes features found on advanced airliners such as two large flight displays, a Flight Management System keypad controller, an Electronic Stability and Protection system as well as integrated engine indication and crew alerting/warning systems.

Its durable all-composite airframe with the signature Cirrus Airframe Parachute System® makes the TRAC Series one of the safest and most versatile training airplanes available today. United Aviate Academy is also the launch partner for a significant expansion of CirrusIQ™, which allows for monitoring of flight data, enabling United Aviate Academy students and instructors to do enhanced debriefings after each lesson.

United Aviate Academy is breaking down barriers to introduce new pilots to rewarding careers. Last summer, United unveiled United Next, which will revolutionize the United flying experience and add more than 500 new aircraft. United plans to hire at least 10,000 new pilots by 2030 to meet this need. United will find those pilots through targeted recruiting, strategic partnerships and scholarship and financial aid solutions.

United Aviate Academy’s year-long training program sets up students for a career that reflects United’s high standard of professionalism and deep commitment to delivering a safe, caring, dependable and efficient travel experience. After completing their training at the academy, students can build flight and leadership experience while working within the Aviate pilot development ecosystem at partner universities, professional flight training organizations and United Express® carriers on their way to becoming United pilots. United currently has about 12,000 pilots, and Captains of United’s Boeing 787s and 777s can earn more than $350,000 per year. In addition, United pilots receive one of the highest 401(k) matches in the nation – 16% of base pay. Source: ‚PR_Newswire‚.

Cirrus Aircraft Reveals the 2022 G6 SR Series

January 11th, Cirrus Aircraft revealed its 2022 G6 SR Series featuring a refined aircraft design with reduced drag for increased fuel efficiency, Cirrus IQ™ mobile app updates and the freedom to pair premium Xi aesthetic options. The 2022 G6 SR reaches all-new levels of sophistication, performance and customer convenience. “The model year 2022 G6 SR is refreshed to seamlessly sync with your life – taking you further, keeping you connected and distinguishing your style in the air and on the ramp. This latest update to the G6 embodies our passion for continued innovation and commitment to design,” said Ivy McIver, Director of the SR Series Product Line. “We are excited to continue introducing more people to personal aviation and empowering their Cirrus Life story.” Now in its sixth generation with over 8,000 aircraft delivered, the SR-Series leads the market as the best-selling, high-performance, single-engine piston aircraft for 20 years in a row and provides seamless luxury, exceptional performance, intelligent connectivity and unparalleled safety features.

Faster, More Fuel Efficient, Better Range
The 2022 model year G6 SR is the fastest to date featuring sleeker wing and tail surfaces and redesigned wheel pants, resulting in true airspeeds of up to 9 knots faster. The new model’s ice panel transition seams are smoothed and wheel pant tolerances tightened to reduce drag. These aerodynamic refinements contribute to both reduced fuel consumption and faster flight segments.

Added Pilot and Passenger Convenience
Luggage compartment access becomes easier with the new remote unlock capability and keyless entry. Lock and unlock the baggage door with the key fob, then the door can be easily opened with the push of a button. The door opens past 90 degrees, stays open during loading and has been redesigned to feature a deeper pocket that can easily accommodate two quarts of oil. With safety in mind, the G6 SR features Cirrus Aircraft Spectra™ illuminated steps offering better step and ground visibility for a more secure entry and exit during dark or low light conditions. The Cirrus ‘puddle light’ logo projected onto the ramp adds an extra touch of style. Additionally, a new, multi-functional USB panel features both USB-A and USB-C ports keeping mobile devices such as phones or laptops charged throughout the trip.

Advanced Aircraft Insight with Cirrus IQ™
New for 2022, Cirrus IQ enhances aircraft connectivity providing increased insight. The Cirrus IQ status screen is redesigned to include aircraft model designation along with a new navigation bar featuring aircraft status, inspection intervals and warranty expiration.
Maintenance Minder tracks approaching inspections and sends notifications when they are due. When flying, the flight hour meter automatically updates the inspection cards by providing a progress bar and countdown to the upcoming inspection event.
My Trips module automatically logs every flight and curates key trip statistics and achievements earned while flying. My Trips will be released in February 2022. The Warranty section references the date and flight hour limits of coverage for Spinner-to-Tail warranty, and CMX coverage, if applicable.

Reimagined Exterior and Interior Aesthetics
Cirrus Aircraft introduced eight new exterior paint colours to elevate its signature ramp appeal. The Cirrus Xi Design team, in partnership with Sherwin Williams Aerospace, developed a new paint formulation process unlocking incredible potential and enhancing colour definition and flexibility. Source: ‚Cirrus Aircraft‚.

Glasair: A System of Safety

A recent Kitplanes article included a chart illustrating light aircraft accident fatalities vs. cruise speed. The Sportsman (and the Sportsman predecessor, Glastar) tracks well below the trendline. Our airplane’s uniquely broad speed multiple of 3.6x (low stall speed to high cruise speed) is automatically advantageous in a comparison like this one. Still, the Sportsman delivers a wealth of engineering innovations, robust materials, construction techniques, and features that contribute to the operational safety of the aircraft. The Sportsman is not only the most versatile four-seat airplane available but possibly the safest as well. Here’s why.

Low Stall Speed
The Sportsman’s generous control surfaces deliver tactile authority to pilots right down to the airframe’s low 42 KTS stall speed. Two Delta Vortex Generators on each wing contribute to low-speed stability. The airplane’s stall characteristics are benign and predictable. Sportsman owners refer to a “mush” rather than “break” when the Sportsman approaches a stall, power-on, and power-off. Most importantly, the low stall speed and inherent lightweight of the Sportsman guarantee very low “Crash Energy” or “Impact Energy” to dissipate, which experts agree is the single most significant factor in crash survivability. Crash force is directly proportional to the speed and mass of the aircraft, so the Sportsman measures particularly well in this regard.

The Safety Cage
The Safety Cage in the Sportsman is the structural centre of the aircraft and is constructed with varying diameters of Chromoly steel tubing. The robust structure surrounds passengers, providing protection that mimics desert rally cars. Sportsman owners know that the Safety Cage saves lives because we pay attention to the NTSB accident reports. Only a short time before the date of this writing, a 2018 Sportsman suffered an unfortunate accident in Arkansas. The pilot and passenger came to rest upside-down in a forest near Huntsville Municipal Airport. Despite substantial damage to the airframe, both were unhurt. The pilot only managed to give his head a hefty bump after he released his restraint since, immediately after the event, he didn’t realize he was inverted. The use of varied materials in the Sportsman is clever, maximizing the strengths of each type of proven aerospace structure. But the Safety Cage is quite exceptional on its own. It affords superb impact protection, enveloping the passengers from all sides with redundant load paths.

High Power
Equipped with the energetic, industry-tested Lycoming IO-390 engine (210 HP) and constant-speed propeller, a flick of the throttle will get pilots out of trouble, even at gross weight and high-density altitude. Too often, Controlled Flight into Terrain (CFIT) is caused by insufficient climb performance, and most departure stalls are due to low-performance margin. The Sportsman’s powerplant/prop combinations assure confidence in otherwise challenging conditions.

Long Endurance
Fifty gallons of fuel onboard, fuel injection, electronic ignition, and a slippery airframe assure that almost any charted airport is accessible in the frugal Sportsman. The aircraft not only opens many cross-country flight possibilities but also ekes out those last few miles in an emergency, minimizing fuel exhaustion accidents.

Situational Awareness
Glasair’s new instrument panels all include multifunction EFIS displays as standard equipment. The panels present pilots with crucial information, including navigation, terrain, Angle of Attack, synthetic vision, in-cockpit weather, and engine monitoring. While discussing avionics, know that all of Glasair’s new panel upgrades include integrated autopilots. When you encounter sudden IMC, activating the autopilot can dramatically reduce the workload as you find your way out of the weather. Side by side seating allows better cockpit resource management. Even non-pilots can be briefed to aid in spotting traffic or handling other tasks.

Superb Visibility
The windshield and side windows in the Sportsman are expansive. Combined with skylights overhead and the pilot’s commanding seat position, occupants share a clear view of their surroundings, even in aggressive banked turns. The engine cowl slopes downward from the windshield, allowing forward vision on the round, even with the tailwheel landing gear.

Tolerant CG
The Sportsman’s high useful load provides a considerable margin against overloading the airplane. Our full-fuel payload is impressive. The position of the fuel tanks, plus the rear-facing seats, makes it difficult to load the airplane improperly.

Safety Enhancing Options
For maximum peace of mind for both pilots and family, Glasair offers airframe parachutes from BRS and airbag-equipped harnesses from AmSafe that augment the Sportsman’s intrinsic safety. Both parachutes and airbags can be added as aftermarket upgrades as well.

Smaller, but significant design elements contribute to the Sportsman’s System of Safety.
Egress from the cockpit is easy due to large doors and high seats. The third aft door eliminates the need for rear passengers to climb through the front doors.
The deep foam section of our bottom seat cushions absorbs energy in a crash. Combine sound engineering, rugged materials, innovative construction, and predictable flight behaviour, the result is the Sportsman, a modern aircraft that flies safely by design. There has never been an airframe failure in a Glasair aircraft. In the world of Experimental Amateur-Built airplanes, the Sportsman’s System of Safety should be considered by all prospective airplane buyers. Source: ‚Glasair‚.

Hybrid-Electric Pipistrel Panthera starts Test Campaign

In mid-October 2021 the “MAHEPA Panthera”, integrated with the novel, SAF-capable, hybrid-electric powertrain developed during the project, took off from Cerklje airport, in Slovenia, successfully demonstrating the possibility of local zero-emission flights by performing all-electric take-offs. Expectations set by prior ground tests were only confirmed by the powerful, yet quiet performance of the MAHEPA Panthera, which has all the characteristics to become a flying test-bed for future developments in hybrid aviation. With the achievement of this essential milestone, the MAHEPA project is, with its numerous novel technologies developments and exemplary results, again contributing to a cleaner, quieter and more sustainable aviation, making the Europe Green Deal’s goals one step closer to reality. MAHEPA consortium, composed of Pipistrel Vertical Solutions, Compact Dynamics, DLR, H2Fly, Politecnico di Milano, TU Delft, University of Maribor and the University of Ulm is a pioneer project in the development of hybrid-electric technologies which will serve the next generation of greener aircraft. Source: ‚Pipistrel‚.

Maiden flight of Fusion 213 from Magnus

The new aircraft of Magnus Aircraft Zrt. is a small piece of the world’s, but it is certainly a landmark in Hungarian aviation history, as it will be the first aircraft developed and manufactured entirely in Hungary to obtain a type certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). An important moment in this process was the maiden flight of the prototype at Pécs-Pogányi International Airport. The production of the aircraft designed for pilot training was motivated by two extremely important reasons. Firstly, the take-off weight limit for the UL (Ultralight) category in most European countries is 472.5 kg, which severely limits the options available to aircraft manufacturers (e.g. the equipment of the aircraft can be very limited). Secondly, due to legal restrictions, ultralight aircraft are not suitable for PPL (Private Pilot Licence) training, which is the basis for further training levels. For these reasons, we decided to start the further development of our Fusion 212 ultralight aircraft and its certification in a higher category in 2017. The LSA (light-sport aircraft) is a higher category, with stricter EASA type certification requirements in addition to the 600 kg maximum take-off weight. Source: ‚Magnus Aircraft‚.

Diamond Aircraft announces All-Electric Trainer

Diamond Aircraft is proud to announce the development of an all-electric training aircraft, the eDA40, and has chosen Electric Power Systems’ EPiC battery technology and accompanying Ecosystem. Since 2011 Diamond Aircraft has been researching and developing electric and hybrid-electric platform solutions. At Paris Airshow in 2011, in co-operation with Siemens, Diamond Aircraft introduced the DA36 E-Star, the world’s first aircraft with a serial hybrid electric drive system based on the HK36 motor glider. Two years later, the DA36 E-Star 2, was presented at the Paris Airshow, with improved performance and increased payload. Further research of electric and hybrid solutions led to additional collaboration with Siemens and the introduction of the next milestone, called ‘HEMEP’ – the world’s first hybrid-electric multi-engine with lower fuel consumption (higher efficiency) and decreased noise pollution.

After extensive research and numerous flight test hours on electric and hybrid platforms, Diamond Aircraft is positioned to offer an all-electric solution to the General Aviation market – the eDA40. Diamond Aircraft has decided to partner with the innovative battery technology company, Electric Power Systems, integrating the EPiC Ecosystem into the eDA40, a derivative of the existing and certified DA40 platform. The Electric Power Systems’ Battery Module will be equipped with a DC fast-charging system, capable of turning around a depleted aircraft in under 20 minutes. Batteries will be installed in a custom-designed belly pod and between the engine and the forward bulkhead.

The aircraft will feature the latest Garmin G1000 NXi glass cockpit and will have several avionics add-ons available. Total flight time is expected to be up to 90 minutes as the battery technologies evolve. The eDA40 is expected to reduce operating costs by up to 40% compared to traditional piston aircraft. “The eDA40 will be the first EASA/FAA Part 23 certified electric airplane with DC fast charging and specifically tailored to the flight training market,” says Liqun (Frank) Zhang, CEO of Diamond Aircraft Austria. “Making flying as eco-friendly as possible has always been at the core of Diamond Aircraft with our fuel-efficient jet fuel-powered aircraft producing less CO2 and noise emissions compared to conventional piston aircraft engines. Therefore, we are more than proud to underline this commitment with the all-electric eDA40, a sustainable solution for the General Aviation of tomorrow.”

“We are excited to announce our new partnership with Electric Power Systems,” says Scott McFadzean, Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Aircraft Industries Canada. “The eDA40 with its proven airframe, the quick recharge capability, and the low operating cost will be an excellent aircraft for the flight training market and solidifies Diamond’s position as a global leader in General Aviation.”

“We are thrilled to team with Diamond on this important project for the aviation industry,“ says Nathan Millecam, Chief Executive Officer of Electric Power Systems. „Training aircraft set the stage for demonstrating that electric aircraft can meet the demands of high-paced, high-volume operations at a reduced cost basis. Combining EPS’ battery and electric propulsion know-how with a globally recognized leader in advanced general aviation design and manufacturing enables the eDA40 to be one of the most notable Electric Aircraft projects in the world.” The eDA40 is targeted at flight training customers looking for an excellent electric circuit trainer based on the industry’s leading training aircraft DA40. It is the perfect complement to an existing Diamond fleet to keep standardization high. Initial flights of the eDA40 are scheduled for Q2 2022. Certification is expected in 2023. Source: ‚Diamond Aircraft‚.

‘Spirit of Innovation’ takes to the skies for the first time

We are pleased to announce the completion of the first flight of our all-electric ‘Spirit of Innovation’ aircraft. At 14:56 (BST) the plane took to the skies propelled by its powerful 400kW (500+hp) electric powertrain with the most power-dense battery pack ever assembled for an aircraft. This is another step towards the plane’s world-record attempt and another milestone on the aviation industry’s journey towards decarbonisation.

Warren East, CEO, Rolls-Royce, said: “The first flight of the ‘Spirit of Innovation’ is a great achievement for the ACCEL team and Rolls-Royce. We are focused on producing the technology breakthroughs society needs to decarbonise transport across air, land and sea, and capture the economic opportunity of the transition to net zero. This is not only about breaking a world record; the advanced battery and propulsion technology developed for this programme has exciting applications for the Urban Air Mobility market and can help make ‘jet zero’ a reality.”

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “The first flight of Rolls-Royce’s revolutionary Spirit of Innovation aircraft signals a huge step forward in the global transition to cleaner forms of flight. This achievement, and the records we hope will follow, shows the UK remains right at the forefront of aerospace innovation. “By backing projects like this one, the Government is helping to drive forward the boundary pushing technologies that will leverage investment and unlock the cleaner, greener aircraft required to end our contribution to climate change.”

The aircraft took off from the UK Ministry of Defence’s Boscombe Down site, which is managed by QinetiQ and flew for approximately 15 minutes. The site has a long heritage of experimental flights and the first flight marks the beginning of an intense flight-testing phase in which we will be collecting valuable performance data on the aircraft’s electrical power and propulsion system. The ACCEL programme, short for ‘Accelerating the Electrification of Flight’ includes key partners YASA, the electric motor and controller manufacturer, and aviation start-up Electroflight. The ACCEL team have continued to innovate while adhering to the UK Government’s social distancing and other health guidelines.

Half of the project’s funding is provided by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Innovate UK. In the run up to COP26, the ACCEL programme is further evidence of the UK’s position at the forefront of the zero-emission aircraft revolution.

“The first flight of the Spirit of Innovation demonstrates how innovative technology can provide solutions to some of the world’s biggest challenges,” said Gary Elliott, CEO, Aerospace Technology Institute. “The ATI is funding projects like ACCEL to help UK develop new capabilities and secure a lead in the technologies that will decarbonise aviation. We congratulate everyone who has worked on the ACCEL project to make the first flight a reality and look forward to the world speed record attempt which will capture the imagination of the public in the year that the UK hosts COP26.”

Rolls-Royce is offering our customers a complete electric propulsion system for their platform, whether that is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) or commuter aircraft. We will be using the technology from the ACCEL project and applying it to products for these exciting new markets. The characteristics that ‘air-taxis’ require from batteries are very similar to what is being developed for the ‘Spirit of Innovation’ so that it can reach speeds of 300+ MPH (480+ KMH) – which we are targeting in our world record attempt. In addition, Rolls-Royce and airframer Tecnam are currently working with Widerøe, the largest regional airline in Scandinavia, to deliver an all-electric passenger aircraft for the commuter market, which is planned to be ready for revenue service in 2026.

In June, we announced our pathway to net zero carbon emissions – a year on from joining the UN Race to Zero campaign – and the ‘Spirit of Innovation’ is one way in which we are helping decarbonise the critical parts of the global economy in which we operate. We are committed to ensuring our new products will be compatible with net zero operation by 2030 and all our products will be compatible with net zero by 2050. Source: „Rolls Royce„.

Mooney Aircraft reopens after shutdown

After a two-week surprise shutdown from 11 November reported in the January edition of Pilot magazine, Mooney Aircraft has reopened its Kerrville, Texas main manufacturing facility, but it is not clear if the entire workforce has been reinstated or just the production line workers. It appears the company may be seeking – or may have already secured – additional financing to resume production work. Kerrville’s Daily Times newspaper quoted company representative Devan Burns as saying negotiations are underway with an additional investor. The Mooney International Corporation was started in 1929, and founder Al Mooney moved production to Kerrville in 1953, since when the company has had eleven owners (and three bankruptcies), the latest being Chinese investment company Soaring America Aircraft, headquartered in California, who bought Mooney Aircraft in 2013. The company’s fortunes have waned of late. GAMA sales records show that Mooney sold two M20s in each of the first three quarters and four in the third, total sales value $6.48m, after selling fourteen aircraft at a value of $10.7 million in 2018. To put this in context, Cirrus sold 310 aircraft in the first nine months of 2019. Quelle: ‚Pilotweb‚.

Mooney Aircraft am Ende – Entlassungen

Zwei Wochen vor Thanksgiving hat das in Kerrville, Texas, ansässige Unternehmen Mooney Aircraft Berichten zufolge seinen Betrieb eingestellt und sein gesamtes Personal entlassen, berichtet die Kerrville Daily Times. Das Voicemail-System von Mooney meldet: „Zu diesem Zeitpunkt wurden alle Mooney-Mitarbeiter entlassen und wir können deshalb Ihren Anruf nicht entgegennehmen.“ Wir konnten keinen der Mitarbeiter oder das Management von Mooney erreichen und wir verstehen. Für jene, welche die Verkaufszahlen von Mooney in der ersten Jahreshälfte dieses Jahres verfolgen, ist der Stillstand keine große Überraschung. Laut GAMA-Verkaufsprotokollen verkaufte Mooney in den ersten beiden Quartalen jeweils zwei Acclaim Ultras, nachdem sie 2018 14 Flugzeuge im Wert von 10,7 Millionen US-Dollar verkauft hatte. Verglichen damit verkaufte Cirrus in der ersten Jahreshälfte 2019 203 Flugzeuge, während Mooney’s Produktion hinter Extra, Pipistrel und Quest’s zurückblieb. Bei AirVenture 2018 sagte Mooney, dass es beabsichtigt, in diesem Jahr 20 Flugzeuge zu bauen, dass die Verkaufszahlen 2019 aber auf 40 ansteigen und ab 2020 50 Flugzeuge pro Jahr produziert würden. Die Arbeiter von Mooney wurden 2017 beurlaubt, vier Jahre, nachdem sie die Produktion unter dem neuen Besitzer Soaring America Aircraft wieder aufgenommen hatten. Mooney hatte zuvor fast fünf Jahre lang keine neuen Flugzeuge mehr produziert. Die letzten Acclaim Ultras, welche die Hallen in Kerrville verliessen, wurden mit jeweils fast 850.000 Dollar bewertet.