Industry News

Brexit Impacts LPV Approaches at UK Airports

July 22, 2021

A localizer performance with vertical guidance (LPV) approach is a familiar process to most private aviation pilots. LPV approaches rely on state-of-the-art instruments to establish ideal landing trajectory without ground-based navigation aid. They’re a step above LNAV/VNAV approaches and fast becoming the gold standard for private aviation. But after June 25, pilots flying into UK airspace won’t be able to rely on LPV.

Loss of EGNOS signals a return to lesser tech

Pilots flying into the UK will soon lose access to the EGNOS position augmentation service. This EU proprietary system supports approach guidance for landing aircraft, and it’s crucial for LPV approaches.

But the UK government could not come to terms with the EU for continued use of the EGNOS service. Now, the UK is scrambling to find an alternative navigation option. Developing new solution will take time, money, and lengthy consultation with the UK Space Agency.

According to UK Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps, losing EGNOS access is more than a disappointment; it’s a step backward for safety and efficiency. Orchestrating a replacement is possible, but is, as Shapps says, “unfortunately, going to take some time and considerable investment to implement.”

The scope of affected aviation operations

Eighteen UK airports are affected by the loss of the EGNOS system. Pilots who have relied on WAAS/GPS approaches like LPV and LNAV/VNAV will now have to revert back to an instrument landing system (ILS).

Airports (e.g., London Oxford) have been working hard to implement LPV approaches, which provide faster transition off the airways and create less noise and fewer emissions. But the failure to make an agreement with the European Commission has forced the UK’s civil aviation authority (CAA) back to the drawing board for a commensurate navigation system.

Brexit headaches continue to pop up

The LPV challenge is one of several arising from Brexit. Others include loss of cabotage and questions about the future of mutual safety standards. These factors, along with industry changes caused by the pandemic, will test the UK and EU’s commitment to cooperation. For now, new problems continue to pop up as the UK moves closer to Brexit.

As EU pilots continue to rely on EGNOS — and the aviation industry advances its technology — the UK is moving backward. The loss of LPV approaches will reduce airport efficiency and increase the burden on ground-based infrastructure, even as prevailing trends move away from outdated methods. An EGNOS-like solution for the UK is years away, and questions continue to loom regarding how the aviation industry will operate in the meantime.

GE Aviation Ceases Development on Supersonic Affinity Engine

July 15, 2021

Supersonic aviation superstar Aerion has ceased operations. That was the big news — last month. Now, hard on the heels of Aerion’s closure, comes GE’s announcement of a production halt of its Affinity engine, meant to power Aerion’s AS2 supersonic jet.

It’s a death knell for Aerion and a blow to GE’s prospects in supersonic engine production. The Affinity halt caps off a two-and-a-half-year partnership with Aerion that was meant to put GE at the forefront of a bold new industry.

A lost opportunity for GE Aviation

Aerion’s decision to halt operations came as an unexpected blow to the whole supersonic aviation industry. But it hit partner companies like GE especially hard. Aerion’s AS2 was poised to be the first supersonic jet to hit the market, and GE was set to make their mark in the industry with an engine to rival Rolls Royce.

With Aerion’s production indefinitely on hold, GE’s opportunity to create the Affinity engine is gone, and its development team has moved on to other company programs.

Sunk costs could spell trouble for GE

While GE’s stoppage of the Affinity engine is a clear sign of Aerion’s permanent departure from the supersonic race, it has one other implication as well. Aerion’s competitors aren’t waiting in the wings for the Affinity engine. This is troubling for GE, which has eliminated approximately 13,000 positions in the past year. An indefinite hold on the Affinity project is a potential warning sign of significant losses for GE.

But there’s good news in the near-term. GE recently closed a deal with Indigo — India’s largest airline — for 700 CFM LEAP-1A engines and maintenance contracts. The value of the deal isn’t public, but it’s estimated at more than $20 billion, and it’s a possible offset for GE’s investment in the Affinity project.

A closer look at what could have been

With the decommissioning of the Affinity engine program, there’s more at stake than GE’s losses. The aviation industry has lost what could have been the most innovative supersonic engine ever to grace the skies. Among a host of other features, the Affinity engine was set to meet stringent Stage 5 subsonic noise requirements and beat current emissions standards. The halt in production is a setback for the whole industry.

GE’s engine was set to run on 100 percent sustainable fuels — a major leap forward for supersonic travel and the aviation industry in general. For now, supersonic travel is farther away than it was just a few short months ago.

And Then There Were Two … Single-Pilot, Single-Engine Planes, That Is

February 18, 2021

If you’re thinking about purchasing an ultra-light jet of the single-pilot, single-engine variety your options are exactly one: the Cirrus Vision Jet. Or, at least that was your only option until Oregon-based aviation firm Stratos launched its 716X jet. While the jet is still in its flight-testing phase, the company has already begun taking orders. It seems that while the Cirrus Vision Jet is a more-than-adequate craft, people appreciate having options. For the first time ever, they’re getting it in the ultra-light, single-engine class.

Lack of competition in the single-pilot, single engine class is largely due to the virtual monopoly of the Cirrus Vision Jet. Most jets of this size are easier to produce as turboprops and, for so long, Cirrus’ technologies made it a market-beater with a substantial moat. Now, Stratos’ focus on this ultra-light category means it’s throwing a full array of resources behind the production of a suitable competitor.

“We combine the range and speed of a high-performance, twin-engine jet with the short-field takeoff capabilities of a single-engine turboprop aircraft,” says Carsten Sundin, Stratos president and cofounder.

Meet the Stratos 716X jet

Part of the appeal of the 716X jet is the mystique surrounding it. Stratos hasn’t been shy about touting the design and viability of its craft in this niche segment of the market, but it has been tight-lipped about the jet’s performance as it undergoes continued testing. Flight testing, which kicked off in July, has been hinted by the company to be successful so far — including the jet’s maiden flight in Redmond, OR, which lasted 22 minutes and saw a climb to 13,500ft.

The 716X is something of a second-generation jet designed specifically to compete with the Cirrus Vision Jet. Stratos’ first jet, the 714, lacked the funding to complete type certification and remains perpetually in development. That hasn’t stopped the company from iteration, however. The 716X improves upon the 714’s design with a longer cabin designed to accommodate six passengers in multiple configurations.

Something truly unique about this craft is the fact that it’ll be manufactured as both production and kit models. The kit model (716X) is expected to hit the market at $2.5 million, with a build time of 2,500 hours. Production models (716) will feature a more powerful Pratt & Whitney 535E turbofan engine, retailing for $3.5 million.

• Cabin size of 4.9ft wide by 4.8ft tall
• 30” of legroom, with six seat configurations
• Lightweight carbon fiber composite construction
• Cruise speed of 400 KTAS

Comparing a market of two

How does the Stratos 716X stack up against the previously unchallenged Cirrus Vision Jet? Assuming current standards, the Stratos offers buyers several advantages that might finally split the market.

For starters, the craft offers a cruising speed that’s about 100 knots faster than the Cirrus Vision jet. That said, it does so at a fuel burn that’s about 30% more than its competitor, so there’s relatively equal tradeoff in speed vs. efficiency. With more than 1,100lbs of thrust over the Vision Jet, the Stratos 716X should give pilots less takeoff roll, better climb rate, and faster cruise.

Perhaps the most notable design difference — and the one that could catapult Stratos into a duopoly with Cirrus — is the decision to place the engine inside the fuselage, rather than hanging it in the slipstream. As a result, the Stratos jet looks to be a sleeker, more powerful player in the ultra-light jet class and a worthy competitor to the yet unchallenged Cirrus Vision Jet.

Uber is Selling Uber Elevate. Here’s What it Means for the Future of VTOLs

January 28, 2021

We’ve been hearing for years about VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) craft and the future of air taxis. Unfortunately, nothing has come to fruition, and the closest we’ve gotten is a few flashy presentations. Now, it seems Uber is calling it quits and exiting from the industry. One company’s early exit could be another company’s game-changing benefit, however.

The company purchasing Uber Elevate is Joby Aviation — a company that’s been in pursuit of VTOL operation for more than a decade. With a recent infusion of venture capital and the assets of Uber’s now unencumbered Elevate division, Joby Aviation may have exactly what it needs to take the final step forward into a future of VTOL travel.

Downsizing offers big potential

Few companies made it through 2020 economically unscathed. Rideshare company Uber is no exception. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi responded to cash flow problems by attempting to unload unprofitable arms of the company. Uber Elevate represented one of the most glaring examples of unprofitability. Though ambitious, the division represented a long-term economic play — one that Uber simply couldn’t afford to maintain in the current economic climate.

As marketed in the original 2016 white paper, Uber Elevate would supplant traditional cab rides with an army of VTOLs that would take off and land at designated launch pads. In other words, before Uber saw a return, they would need to establish an expansive network of launchpads and finalize their aircraft: an electric vehicle still in the testing phases of development.

In short, for Uber to see positive results on their next earnings sheet, Uber Elevate would have to go. Of course, that worked perfectly for Northern California aviation firm, Joby Aviation.

Meet Joby

If you’re unfamiliar with Joby Aviation, you’re not alone. Though in operation since 2009, the aircraft manufacturer preferred to steer clear of the limelight, keeping its experimental craft a secret. Although few people gained access to Joby’s designs, most seem delighted by the results.

In 2018, the company’s founder, inventor JoeBen Bivert, announced that it raised $100 million from big-name investors like Toyota and Intel. Then, in January 2020, Joby Aviation announced an additional $590 million in venture capital funding. The influx of cash and the announcement of a new electric-powered VTOL craft transformed Joby Aviation from a promising upstart into a power player overnight.

Uber also has invested $75 million in Joby as part of the acquisition deal. It’s a strong signal that, while divesting an unprofitable arm of the company, Uber still believes in its technology.

An ambitious combination

The team at Joby Aviation is optimistic about their acquisition. With Uber Elevate, Joby Aviation gains access to Uber’s unmatched communications technology. Paired with Joby Aviation’s impressive VTOLs and investment largess, that communication network could prove invaluable. As Bivert explained, “These tools and new team members will be invaluable to us as we accelerate our plans for commercial launch.”

There are still years of development ahead before passengers can book their own air taxi, but Uber Elevate’s transition to Joby Aviation brings that future one step closer. Uber’s technologies and Joby’s capital could prove the winning combination the VTOL industry needs to finally take flight.

Otto Aviation Sets Its Sights on a Zero-Emissions Aircraft

January 14, 2021

Aviation is on the cusp of several big breakthroughs — namely, low-emissions aircraft. Already there are several low-emission prototypes in the works, including the much-anticipated Celera 500L from Otto Aviation. Now, in a revelation on the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Green Innovations webcast, it appears there’s even more to look forward to from the Celera 500L. Otto Aviation has announced its intention to produce a zero-emission version of this aircraft to enter service in 2027. It could very well be the world’s first zero-emissions craft, and it comes at an important time.

Responsible travel

The looming threat of climate change demands immediate action. As organizations and individuals around the world push for regulation, aviation companies are preparing for paradigm shifts that force greener, more sustainable practices in everything from airframe manufacturing to biofuel developments. The goal of these new endeavors is simple: to maintain current levels of comfort and capability, without putting further strain on the environment.

One of the most sought achievements of this new age of production is net-zero carbon emissions. In particular, aircraft manufacturers face increased scrutiny from passengers and regulatory bodies alike, to find ways to decrease their carbon footprint. Now, Otto Aviation may have the answer.

Almost-but-not-quite possible

The team behind Otto Aviation has already reveled in the spotlight. Their Celera 500L stands as one of the most exciting pending projects in aviation. In December, the company upped the ante when they announced a version of the Celera 500L that could produce zero emissions. Unfortunately, there’s a catch.

The battery required to power the net-zero Celera 500L doesn’t exist … yet. During the announcement, Otto Aviation’s Chief Technology Officer David Bogue explained, “We’re optimistic that improvements to specific energy, cycles, and charge rates would enable battery power on future aircraft, especially in the long term.”

At present, Otto Aviation believes a zero-emission Celera 500L could hit the market by 2027. And there’s encouraging reason to think they’re right. Battery technology is growing at an exponential rate thanks to the likes of eVTOL ventures and even automotive manufacturers like Tesla.

A step toward sustainable flight

The battery technology for a zero-emission Celera might remain in development, but that doesn’t mean the Celera 500L isn’t beautiful to behold. There’s a good reason Otto Aviation earned a spot among the aviation industry’s darlings.

The Celera 500L went back to the drawing board on aircraft design. Ultimately, they turned out a craft that looks like a cross between a private plane and an old-fashioned zeppelin. Besides increasing the interior space of an average private jet, the design of the Celera 500L allows it to achieve extraordinary feats of distance and efficiency.

In fact, Otto Aviation says the Celera 500L is roughly nine times more fuel-efficient than the average private jet. Not only does this reduce the plane’s environmental stress, but it also makes for incredible cruising distances.

In a world increasingly anxious about climate change, the Celera 500L is a significant step forward. Should it achieve a carbon-neutral output, it would definitely fall into the realm of “industry-defining aircraft.”

4 Trends Powering the Future of Private Aviation

November 19, 2020

There’s no shortage of headlines talking about the “next big thing” in aviation. Most of them focus on VTOLs (vertical take off and landing) and autonomous flight vehicles, or new concepts that we might not see for another decade or more. But what about the future of aviation in the near-term? What’s powering demand for better private aircraft today? Below, we’ll look at four major trends that are real and tangible today, taking shape right before our eyes as the industry trudges forward into a new era.

Blazing new trails: a look at the path behind us

The world of aviation develops at a rate almost too fast for the naked eye to comprehend. In the last several years, the world of private flight has improved on every conceivable level, from customer-facing to technology-oriented.

Take, for instance, the rise of flight sharing. This concept has made private flight much more affordable to first-time flyers and hasn’t sacrificed an iota of the comfort and convenience associated with private travel. Then there’s the automatic return feature recently developed at Cirrus. In the event of pilot failure, the push of a single button will allow untrained passengers to return to the point of origin in safety. These are just two recent examples of innovation that show the diverse opportunities within aviation.

Aviation is an industry powered by the strength of its advancements. Here are four of the most fascinating, must-watch trends in aviation.

1. Supersonic jets

When the Concorde was shuttered, many in the general public believed the days of supersonic flight was over. A handful of investors and inventors kept the technology alive, however. Today’s supersonic prototypes are cleaner and more powerful than their predecessors. Now, a legal battle is in the works to ensure that supersonic jets can see the light of day once more.

2. Environmentally friendly jets

The threat of climate change is real enough, but the need to diminish our harm to the planet doesn’t stop our need to travel great distances in a short period of time. As a result, several firms are developing jets driven by biofuels that produce lower emissions than ever thought possible. Keep an eye out for advancements in microalgae and biodiesel as science pushes fuel to greener pastures.

3. AI and machine learning

These days, every airline passenger expects some form of Wi-Fi with their ticket. We’re a connected world, and we want to stay connected. As a result, firms like Honeywell (among others) spend billions of dollars a year to turn airline Wi-Fi into a wholly reimagined passenger experience. This goes far beyond inflight TV and video games. Expect a future where aviation is powered by machines that can predict, adapt, and plan for an optimal flight experience.

4. Increasing charter demand

Let’s face it: commercial flight has hit its peak. Without some serious quality-of-life improvements, most commercial flights feel more like flying buses than a distinguished means of travel. People have noticed, and charter businesses and independent airlines have seen an uptick in patronage.

An industry of experimentation

While those are some of the strongest tailwinds blowing in aviation, they are by no means the only way the industry is working to improve private flight. Advancements in biometrics, a reliance on energy-efficiency, and a commitment to increased comfort have created a collection of like-minded competitors continually working to outdo one another. Isn’t it time to get in on the fun?

The Future is Officially Here: New Hampshire has Legalized Flying Cars

October 22, 2020

The Granite State is the first state in the union to legalize flying cars. On July 28, New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R) signed NH HB1517 into law. Nicknamed the “Jetson Bill” after the futuristic cartoon family, it’s the first piece of legislation of its kind — one designed to make personal air travel acceptable as the world moves rapidly toward vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) craft. It’s great news for VTOL startups not only in principle, but because it lays the groundwork for future states to open the airways with similar legislation.

The world of roadable aircraft

For so long, the realm of flying cars has remained the stuff of science fiction. It’s also been the single-most common complaint whenever someone is annoyed that the modern age isn’t futuristic enough. Where are all the flying cars? Apparently, they’re in New Hampshire. Or will be soon enough.

Though it may seem like cutting edge legislation, the theory behind HB1517 is simple. Indeed, the key to making personal aircraft street-legal was already in place in the form of regulations imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). To hear one New Hampshire representative explain it, the new bill will only require one extra step to turn your personal plane into a roadable aircraft. Once you’ve satisfied the FAA’s regulations, you’ll just need to drive down the street to the DMV and get a license plate.

HB1517 doesn’t mean New Hampshire’s citizens will soon see private aircraft landing on the streets outside their homes. Instead, HB1517 allows personal craft to land at one of the state’s landing strips, retract its wings and continue its journey.

Kickstarting an industry

Legislators in New Hampshire have high hopes for HB1517. This new piece of legislation was crafted for two primary reasons. First, by embracing advanced technology in print, New Hampshire hopes to draw more technology firms.

The second reason for HB1517 is the precedent it sets. Now that one state established regulations to allow roadable vehicles, the expectation is that other states will follow suit in short order. That legislative landslide could give rise to a new industry, headquartered in New Hampshire.

Hot competition

The state of New Hampshire may not need to wait long before companies and private pilots race to the state to test out their toys. As the CEO of Samson Sky told Forbes, “I consider this ideal legislation for allowing this type of vehicle to become part of the broad, regular system of travel.”

Samson Sky is bringing their sporty Switchblade to the market. This unique aircraft can extend its wings and move its tail into (or out of) flight position in less than three minutes. The PAL-V ditches the jet engine in favor of a modified pusher prop/helicopter mash-up that sports a dual-control cockpit and sleek Italian design. Convenience is the name of the game with Terrafugia’s aptly named Transition. It goes from car to plane in under 60 seconds and runs on unleaded.

Blazing new trails

There is still some time until roadable aircraft are commonplace, but HB1517 opens the door wide for progress in the market. Working prototypes catching eyes on runways and boulevards throughout New Hampshire should inspire the public imagination and spur other states to quickly follow suit. When New Hampshire’s politicians say that HB1517 could mark the birth of a new industry, they’re not kidding. The future is coming.