Tag: pilot (Page 1 of 11)

Hinterland Aviation picks Cessna Skycourier for fleet expansion

February 19, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Wichita, Kansas, January 19, 2024, Business Wire – Textron Aviation (NYSE: TXT) today announced a purchase agreement for the first Cessna SkyCourier passenger variant in Australia to regional airline Hinterland Aviation. The aircraft, expected to deliver in 2026, will add to Hinterland’s expansive fleet of Cessna Grand Caravans to provide a greater payload capacity and increased passenger seating. This fleet expansion will greatly benefit remote communities, as well as the tourism and business sectors in Queensland.

The Cessna SkyCourier is meticulously designed to deliver unparalleled performance, unwavering reliability and cost-effective maintenance. With the ability to be operated by a single pilot and a generous payload capacity, the SkyCourier is the ultimate solution for air freight, passenger and special mission needs. The aircraft is highly adaptable and can effortlessly adjust configurations to effectively complete any mission, ensuring a significant return on investment.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Airbus and Air India to launch pilot training center

January 22, 2024 / WIL BALDWIN

Hyderabad, Telangana, India, January, 2024 – Delivering on its commitment to ‘Skill India’, Airbus Group SE (Paris: AIR) has entered into a 50:50 joint venture with the Tata-owned Air India to launch a world-class pilot training centre in Gurugram, Haryana. The Tata Airbus Training Center will offer A320 and A350 flight training to some 5,000 new pilots over 10 years. The sprawling 3,300 sq.mt. centre will be equipped with 10 Full Flight Simulators (FFS), flight training classrooms and briefing and debriefing rooms as part of the complete Airbus Flight Training Device setup.

The training centre is due to be operational starting early 2025 with the initial installation of four A320 FFS. The Tata Airbus Training Centre will offer courses approved by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Airbus has also partnered with GMR Aero Technic to offer Aircraft Maintenance Engineering training courses at the latter’s facility in Hyderabad. Airbus will provide training material such as trainee handbooks, examination database, online access to Airbus customised training modules and Airbus Competence Training (ACT) for Academy media package. Airbus will also train GMR instructors and provide continual assessment of the training center.

Forward-Looking Statements

Rex Airlines wins APEX Award for best cabin service in the South Pacific

November 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Rex Airlines has been recognised as having the South Pacific’s Best Cabin Service in the 2024 Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX) Awards. The award was presented in Singapore last night where Rex’s Executive Chairman, Lim Kim Hai, accepted it on behalf of the airline.

The award ceremony was part of the FTE APEX Asia Expo, the air transport industry’s largest passenger experience and business performance event. APEX said nearly one million flights were anonymously rated by passengers across more than 600 airlines from around the world using a five-star scale.

Rex is Australia’s largest independent regional and domestic airline operating a fleet of 58 Saab 340 and 9 Boeing 737-800NG aircraft to 56 destinations throughout all states in Australia. In addition to the airline Rex, the Rex Group comprises wholly owned subsidiaries Pel-Air Aviation (air freight, aeromedical and charter operator), the Australian Airline Pilot Academy with campuses in Wagga Wagga and Ballarat, and propeller maintenance organisation, Australian Aerospace Propeller Maintenance. Rex is also a 50% shareholder of National Jet Express (NJE), a premier Fly-In-Fly-Out (FIFO), charter and freight operator.

Eve names avionics, flight controls and thermal management system suppliers

November 6, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Melbourne, Florida, November 6, 2023 – Eve Air Mobility (NYSE: EVEX) named three new suppliers for its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Garmin (NYSE: GRMN), will supply the avionics for the aircraft while Liebherr-Aerospace will supply the flight controls actuators. Intergalactic will provide the thermal management system.

Garmin will supply the G3000 Integrated Flight Deck for Eve’s eVTOL which features large-format, light weight, high-resolution glass displays integrating seamlessly with Eve’s vehicle management and flight control systems. Tailored for the needs of eVTOL aircraft, the flight deck’s intuitive touchscreen interface reduces pilot workload by providing direct access to a full suite of avionics capabilities including an integrated flight management system, NAV/COM radios, transponder, audio management and access to a breadth of applications including checklists, charts, synoptics, and full-featured maps.

Liebherr will develop electromechanical actuators (EMA) for the fly-by-wire flight controls of Eve’s eVTOL. Liebherr is well known for their expertise in the manufacturing of precision gears and dependable actuation, crucial for this type of technology. The actuators will be powered by the aircraft’s electrical system and the technology will ensure high performance, configurability and easier maintenance.

Intergalactic will provide the thermal management system which will maintain an optimal temperature range for equipment including batteries and other electronic components. The system will also help ensure a comfortable temperature inside the cabin of the aircraft.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including expected delivery dates. Such statements are based on current expectations and projections about our future results, prospects and opportunities and are not guarantees of future performance. Such statements will not be updated unless required by law. Actual results and performance may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The new Pilatus PC-24 Super Versatile Jet is here!

October 20, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Beginning with new aircraft deliveries in 2024, Pilatus has extended the payload-range capability of its Super Versatile Jet to achieve a maximum range with six passengers of 2,000 nautical miles (3,704 kilometers). Pilatus also incorporated an array of new interior amenities, including a large side-facing divan which can be converted into a bed!

The new PC-24 features a 600 pound (272 kg) increase in full fuel payload and maximum payload capacity. This enables operators to increase the PC-24’s maximum range by 200 nm (370 km) with six passengers on board. The PC-24 now offers a full fuel payload of a single pilot plus 1,315 pounds (596 kg), and features a class-leading maximum payload capacity of 3,100 pounds (1,406 kg).

Pilatus engineers conducted an extensive flight test campaign to expand the entire envelope for the higher design weights. At the PC-24’s maximum take-off weight, balanced field length at sea level is only 3,090 feet (941 meters), allowing the use of very short and even unpaved runways.

Divan and Inflight Entertainment System

Already offering the largest cabin volume in its class, the interior of the new PC-24 has also been given a number of enhancements to improve the overall passenger flight experience. Ambient sound levels have been reduced through optimization of passenger service unit ducting, noise absorbing panels, and tuned engine accessory air intake ducts. Cabinetry, storage areas, and the Welcome Center have all been refined to optimize the vast amount of space in the PC-24’s cabin.

Pilatus partnered with Lufthansa Technik to incorporate a new integrated Cabin Management System (iCMS) featuring a 10″ touch screen controller with 3D moving map, four high fidelity cabin speakers with a sub-woofer option, mood lighting, USB ports, and a media storage server.

Finally, in a first for this class of business aircraft, Pilatus is offering the option of a large side-facing divan that is 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) in length, and can be converted into a bed in flight.

Predictive Maintenance

All PC-24s from serial number 501 onwards will be equipped with a new feature to enable predictive services. The automated data transmission of key aircraft data directly to Pilatus upon landing will be analyzed and, if necessary, a predictive recommendation is made to the operator.

Maersk signs deal with Starlink for its ocean fleet

October 12, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Copenhagen, Denmark, October 12, 2023 – A.P. Moller – Maersk (London: 0O77) is embarking on a collaboration with Starlink, the pioneering satellite internet constellation developed by Space Exploration Technologies Corp., commonly referred to as SpaceX. SpaceX was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk of Tesla (Nasdaq: TSLA) fame.

Maersk, the global leader of integrated container logistics, will have Starlink installed on more than 330 own operated container vessels. This will enabling high-speed internet with speeds over 200 Mbps, service that is a leap forward in terms of internet speed and latency bringing significant benefits in terms of both crew welfare and business impact.

The agreement comes after a successful pilot phase where crew members on more than 30 Maersk vessels have had the opportunity to test the Starlink technology – resulting in very positive feedback.

Boeing enhanced AH-64E Apache helicopter completes first flight

October 11, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Mesa, Arizona, October 11, 2023 – The newest version of the AH-64E Apache has successfully flown with an upgraded capabilities suite as Boeing (NYSE: BA) continues to modernize the platform. The upgraded E-model Apache, known as Version 6.5, or V6.5, is the next configuration of the world’s premier attack helicopter.

Building onto V6.5, the company is working with the U.S. Army to integrate the Improved Turbine Engine (ITE). The engine, a General Electric Company (NYSE: GE) Aerospace T901, will offer improvements in reach, available power, time on station and fuel efficiency, as well as sustainment improvements like health and usage monitoring, maintenance and engine lifespan.

V6.5, awarded by the U.S. Department of Defense in December 2021, includes software updates enhancing capabilities and improving the pilot interface. Some of those enhancements include:

Optimized route and attack planning
Enhanced Link 16 features
Integration of an Open Systems Interface, setting the stage for Modular Open Systems Approach for maximum interoperability, faster integration and advanced capabilities fielding.

Embraer and Scoot sign pool agreement for E190-E2 fleet

September 26, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Singapore, September 26, 2023 – Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) announced that it has signed a Pool Program services agreement with Scoot [Singapore Airlines Ltd (OTC: SINGF)] to support the airline’s incoming fleet of nine E190-E2. The Pool Program provides access to component exchanges and repair services for more than 300 repairable parts to support Scoot’s Embraer aircraft, allowing the airline to minimize their upfront investment in high-value repairable inventories and resources, while taking advantage of Embraer’s technical expertise along with its vast component repair service provider network. Currently, the Pool Program supports more than 60 airlines worldwide.

The E190-E2 jet is the world’s most efficient and quietest single-aisle aircraft and the first batch of E190-E2 will be delivered to Scoot in 2024. In addition to the Pool Program, Scoot’s operations will benefit from the AHEAD (Aircraft Health Analysis and Diagnosis) which comprises early detection capabilities for critical systems, reducing technical interruptions and avoiding flight cancellations; the eSight, with real-time fleet performance monitoring.

Singapore is the nerve centre for Embraer’s services and support Asia Pacific operations. In addition to personnel based in Singapore, the Company has a Regional Distribution Centre within Changi Airport’s free trade zone. Recently, Embraer and CAE announced the establishment of a state-of-the-art E2 full flight simulator and pilot training program in Singapore which will commence in 2023. The full flight simulator will be based at the Singapore-CAE Flight Training Centre located at SIA Training Centre.

Regional Express Holdings Ltd (REX) takes delivery of airline’s ninth Boeing 737-800NG

September 24, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Rex-Media-Release-9-25-23

Joby Aviation selects Dayton, Ohio for first scaled manufacturing facility

September 19, 2023 / WIL BALDWIN

Santa Cruz, California and Dayton, Ohio, September 18, 2023 — Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE: JOBY), a company developing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial passenger service, today announced it plans to locate its first scaled aircraft production facility in Dayton, Ohio, the birthplace of aviation.

The Wright Brothers, who invented and flew the first powered aircraft, lived and worked in Dayton and opened the first airplane factory in the United States there in 1910. The city is also home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and the headquarters of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratories which has played a key role in supporting Joby’s development.

Joby plans to build a facility capable of delivering up to 500 aircraft per year at the Dayton International Airport, supporting up to 2,000 jobs. The 140-acre site it has selected has the potential to support significant further growth over time, providing enough land to build up to two million square feet of manufacturing space. Construction of the scaled Ohio facility is expected to start in 2024 and it is expected to come online in 2025. Joby plans to use existing nearby buildings to begin near-term operations.

The State of Ohio, JobsOhio and local political subdivisions have offered incentives and benefits of up to $325 million to support the development of the facility, while Joby plans to invest up to $500 million as it scales operations at the site. Joby is also announcing today that it has been invited by the U.S. Department of Energy to submit a Part II Application for financing under the Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program, which provides access to low-interest loans for clean energy projects and would support the scaling of the facility.

Joby’s long-term investor, Toyota, who worked with Joby on the design and successful launch of the company’s Pilot Production Line in Marina, California, plans to continue to advise Joby as it prepares for scaled production of its commercial passenger air taxi in Ohio.

Click the link below to watch the Joby aircraft rollout!

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