Sustainability and connectivity: top of the agenda for private jet industry

The executive aviation industry is currently facing a paradox. On the one hand, demand for private flying remains strong, propelled by the rise in the number of high-net-worth individuals around the globe. While on the other hand, the industry is increasingly being questioned by the public, the media, and politicians over its environmental credentials.

NASA, ESA join forces to land European Rover on Mars

The space agencies signed a new agreement that will see NASA supply heating units for the Rosalind Franklin rover, which could launch as soon as 2028.

Long-awaited Starliner launch breaks a six-decade drought

An Atlas rocket has launched with astronauts aboard for the first time since Gordon Cooper's final Mercury flight in his Faith 7 capsule on 15 May 1963, powered by an Atlas LV-3B 130-D. The Atlas V rocket that launched on 5 June, manufactured by United Launch Alliance and powered at liftoff by a Russian-built RD-180 first-stage engine, carried Boeing's Starliner crew ferry ship to orbit following multiple launch delays over the past several days.

Non-CO2 emissions measured in commercial aircraft 100% SAF test

Results from the world's first in-flight study of the impact of using 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial aircraft show a reduction in soot particles and formation of contrail ice crystals compared to using conventional Jet A-1 fuel.

Avfuel, Neste sign SAF supply increase extension

Avfuel and renewable fuel producer Neste have finalised an extension to their agreement regarding the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and set a framework for the deal through 2027.

First flight for Electra hybrid 'blown lift' aircraft

Electra's blown-lift design uses eight electric motors to increase wing lift, allowing the eSTOL aircraft to take-off and land in just one-tenth of the space needed by conventional aircraft.

Saudi Arabia's groundbreaking air taxi trial set to transform Hajj travel for pilgrims

In a historic move, Saudi Arabia has successfully conducted its first air taxi trial in Mecca, setting the stage for deployment in the coming years and transforming Hajj transportation for pilgrims.

Lilium, French Government in 'advanced' talks for eVTOL jet manufacturing hub

The German manufacturer says it is in ‘advanced discussions’ with the French government to add a high-volume aircraft production facility in France, citing it as an attractive market for its flagship Lilium Jet. The company plans for the aircraft to enter service in 2026.

Joby partners with Mukamalah Aviation

Last month Joby Aviation announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mukamalah, a wholly owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, the operator of the world's largest fleet of corporate aircraft, to introduce Joby's aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Joby acquires autonomous flight developer Xwing

Joby Aviation is one of many electric vertical take-off and landinng (eVTOL) air tax manufacturers that predicts autonomy will be the driver of ubiquitity for advanced air mobility (AAM) services and the company is placing its money where its mouth is.

Airbus partners with Avincis on AAM

Airbus and Avincis have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner on the development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The companies will collaborate to explore opportunities for operating electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft throughout Europe.

Walmart's retail renaissance brings better to life with innovation, integrations

At Walmart, the customer has always been at the center of everything. Helping people live better is not a mantra, it has been part of the company since day one.

uAvionix awarded FAA contract to scale C-Band frequency management for Regional UAS C2

As a leading provider of avionics solutions for uncrewed and crewed aircraft, uAvionix, announced that it has been awarded a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) contract to scale C-Band frequency management for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Command and Control (C2) communications to a regional level with multiple UAS operating in proximity to one another.

How AI drones have fizzled in Ukraine (so far)

Last year, both Russia and Ukraine boasted of fielding drones that tracked targets using AI algorithms. Now new expert analysis suggests that neither side managed to get this to work well enough for war but the US and China might.

Drone manufacturer AATI claims first-of-its-kind FAA approval

Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) developer American Aerospace Technologies Inc. (AATI) says it has received an FAA exemption for commercial beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations of a drone weighing more than 55 pounds and flying above 400 feet. The FAA says the exemption is the first for a drone with those specifications that does not require human observers to directly monitor flights.

India plans to spend US $3 billion on its space programme

According to the head of India's military, the country plans to spend about $3 billion on space-related contract awards over the next few years to reduce its dependence on foreign satellites and bolster its counter-space capabilities. Gen. Anil Chauhan's call to close the gap between India's own capabilities and other nations that are developing countermeasures in space comes amid tensions with China.

LYTE launches a private version of hydrogen-electric VTOL AIRCRAFT

According to Lyte Aviation, its LA-44 X Prime aircraft will have the same 620-mile range as the other variants. Founder and CEO Freshta Farzam said she is in talks with aircraft completion specialists and aims to unveil cabin interior designs in the next few weeks.

AIRBUS CEO EXPECTS TO LAUNCH ZERO AIRCRAFT PROGRAMME BY 2028

Airbus has revealed more details on its ZEROe programme, which the manufacturer announced in September 2020. According to its chief executive, the plane maker is currently exploring two hydrogen technologies: directly burning liquid hydrogen or using it in a fuel cell to turn hydrogen into electricity.

SURF AIR secures early delivery of 90 ELECTRA HYBRIDELECTRIC AIRCRAFT

On 15 February US Commuter and General Aviation group, Surf Air announced that it has secured early delivery slots for 90 Electra hybrid-electric aircraft. The aircraft will not only go to Surf Air's own airlines, Southern Airways and Mokulele Airlines, but could also be leased to other operators under what the firm calls 'aircraft-as-a-service' programme. The latter is, in essence, a turnkey leasing scheme designed to meet the needs of Part 135 operators, which are small local and regional airlines with often limited access to the services of more traditional aircraft lessors.

LILIUM PREPARES TO RAMP UP

production of electric jet propulsion units

GKN AEROSPACE and P&W to collaborate on HYBRID-ELECTRIC flight project

GKN Aerospace has signed an agreement with Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) to collaborate on the development of the high-voltage high-power EWIS for the RTX hybrid-electric flight demonstrator project.

DORON UNVEILS II AEROSPACE H1-X PERSONAL 'FLYING CAR'

The two-seat eVTOL, designed for personal ownership, government agencies and emergency services, is expected to begin test flights by the end of 2024. A Florida-based manufacturer has unveiled a ‘flying car’ design it says is ‘so intuitive that a four-year-old could fly it.’

VOLOCOPTER OBTAINS CLEARANCE TO START EARLY SERIIAL PRODUCTION OF VOLOCITY EVTOL AIRCRAFT

Last month Germany’s LBA civil aviation authority extended Volocopter’s production organisation approval (POA), clearing the way for the company to start serial manufacturing of its two-seat VoloCity eVTOL aircraft. The approval covers two new Volocopter production eVTOLs and hangar facilities at Bruchsal in Germany that the company built in 2023.

MAJOR INVESTORS EXPECT FIRST COMMERCIAL EVTOL PASSENGER ROUTES TO BE OPERATIONAL BY 2026

According to new global research from New Horizon Aircraft Ltd, global investors are anticipating the first commercial passenger routes of electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft to be operational in the next few years as the Future Air Mobility market continues to advance rapidly.

DUFOUR AEROSPACE COPENHAGEN HELICOPTER A LETTER OF INTENT

The Danish company Copenhagen Helicopter and their partner Copenhagen AirTaxi, based at Roskilde Airport have signed a letter of intent with Dufour Aerospace for a conditional order to purchase the Aero2 UAV for cargo and aerial work and the Aero3 for passenger transportation.

BOEING SELF-FLYING AIR TAXI VENTURE WISK AERO SETS PLAN FOR TEXAS SERVICE

Wisk Aero, the self-flying, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi venture of Boeing is eyeing Texas as one of its launch markets.

ONE SHOT ONE HIT fire control system being used to target drones in Israel

Handheld operated or remotely controlled, the SMASH family of fire control systems excels in combat as well as in HLS due to its unique ability to counter drones and enhance operational effectiveness against ground, aerial and maritime targets.

ELBIT UNVEILS NEW HERMES 650 SPARK, claiming 24-hour plus endurance

Last month well known for its drones, Israeli firm Elbit unveiled a new propeller-driven aircraft, powered by what executives called an 'over-powered' engine to give it speed, payload and the ability to loiter for a day or more.

CUSTOMER DEMAND AND WINGS AIRCRAFT LIBRARY DESIGN APPROACH SHAPING NEW AIRCRAFT

At Wing, we are always thinking big about how to optimise drone delivery. Today, we are thinking bigger: We are introducing an additional aircraft into our fleet that will simplify and streamline larger orders.

AIRBUS HELICOPTER TO EXPAND UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEM PORTFOLIO WITH ACQUISITION OF AEROVEL

Airbus Helicopters and Aerovel have signed an agreement regarding the acquisition of Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system (UAS), Flexrotor, as part of a strategy to strengthen its portfolio of tactical unmanned solutions. Flexrotor is a small tactical unmanned aerial system designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions at sea and over land.