Number 25 – 02 April 2024

“Aviation is poetry. It’s the finest kind of moving around, you know, just as poetry is the finest way of using words.” Jessie Redmon Fauset

Duncan Gilespie’s response to the DCA’s appeal letter

Dear SACAA Hotline,

Following a request for support and assistance expressed by the Director of Civil Aviation in a letter, concerning Safety Culture, to the South African Aviation Industry on 31 March 2024, I would like to make the following report of mischievous activities I am aware of:

1. Following the fatal accident of the South African Civil Aviation Authority Cessna Citation S/II aircraft on Thursday 20 January 2020 the SA Civil Aviation Authority itself investigated the cause of such accident through their Accidents and Incidents Investigations Division (AIID), despite the fact that ICAO standards require an accident investigation body to be independent of any state authorities which could compromise such investigations, notably such that the authority who owned and operated the accident aircraft were themselves investigating the cause of the accident.Following an outcry, when the Ethiopian Air Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) was appointed by the South African Department of Transport to investigate the cause of this accident, as an independent, impartial expert investigator and presented their findings, in a Final Report, in November 2021 (which was only released on 22 January 2022, exactly two years after the accident) the findings revealed that the Certificate of Airworthiness for the aircraft, at the time of the accident, was invalid and that the South African Civil Aviation Authority had contravened a slew of its own aviation regulations prior to the crash of its calibration aircraft.The South African Civil Aviation Authority appealed to the Minister of Transport, requesting him to reopen the investigation and since such appeal, well over two years later, no further action or comment has been made on such matter by any party involved. As a concerned and involved member of the South African aviation industry I find such mischievous activities deeply concerning and request you to fully investigate the matter.
2. On the 15 April 2022 South African Airways (SAA) operated an Airbus A330-300 aircraft, ZS-SXM, on a flight from Accra, Ghana to Johannesburg following a considerable delay in the departure of the aircraft due to the inadvertent uplift of a load of fuel (Jet A1) which was significantly contaminated with water or a similar impurity. Due to improper maintenance procedures conducted in Accra the contamination was not cleared and despite this the aircraft operated with a commercial load of passengers and cargo to Johannesburg. During this flight both engines experienced abnormal operations, which necessitated the premature descent of the aircraft.The aircraft underwent over a month’s repairs before it was returned to service. It was only when a whistleblower report was made on 24 June 2022 that the matter became public knowledge. The SACAA then made public an ‘Incident Report’ dated 25 April 2022, indicating, in the title of the report that the incident had occurred, ‘in the Republic of South Africa’ where the aircraft landed.Shortly thereafter the SACAA recanted its assertion, insisting that ‘as the incident had occurred in Ghana it is (was) the responsibility of the Ghanaian Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to investigate the matter.’ No further official announcement has ever been made by either the SACAA, SAA or the GCAA on the cause of the incident, the severity of the incident or the extent of the repairs to the aircraft, which took over a month to repair. As a concerned and involved member of the South African aviation industry I find such mischievous activities deeply concerning and request you to fully investigate the matter.

Sincerely, your dutiful, anonymous whistleblower.

PS – please consider this report as confidential.

Aero Club AirWeek 2024

SAA apologises unreservedly for the error of opening sales on a dedicated charter flight

South African Airways (SAA) clarifies the situation that arose earlier on Wednesday 27 March 2024 on flight SA 326 out of Cape Town. The flight was a dedicated charter flight booked for a 130-person group of customers for their exclusive use. However, the flight was also opened for sales, resulting in an error, where 52 customers were able to book on the charter flight. While it is true that there were sufficient seats on SA 326 to accommodate these 52 customers, the charter party was within their right to have exclusive use of the entire aircraft as part of their charter agreement. SAA had no option but to re-accommodate the 52 customers on a later flight.

The inconvenienced customers were hosted in the SAA hospitality lounge while awaiting their alternate flight (SA 334) to Johannesburg. They departed Cape Town at 14h44, two hours and 45 minutes after SA 326 departed. Individual letters of apology are being addressed to these affected passengers.

It is perfectly understandable that the incident caused dismay, anger and frustration. SAA apologises unreservedly for the error and for the inconvenience caused.

All allegations that SAA bumped black customers off a flight to accommodate white customers are simply not true, the decision to reaccommodate customers was not racially motivated. SAA is investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident and, in its review, will strengthen internal processes and controls to prevent similar incidents happening again.

Editor responds
One would think that with SAA under the spotlight in many ways, the staff would be extra vigilant to make sure that this situation did not happen. One questions the standards of the SAA employees that allowed this situation in the first place. I question if this is not another example of the 30% matric pass rate and subsequent fake qualification that we constantly see in business all the time?

Flight testing Paramount’s Mwari ISR aircraft

UK-based publication Flight Global recently had the opportunity to flight test the aircraft at Paramount’s Wonderboom National Airport facility north of Pretoria. The AHRLAC (Advanced High Performance Reconnaissance Light Aircraft), as it then was, first flew in 2014, after being developed by ADC, a Paramount and Aerosud partnership. A shareholders’ legal dispute halted the project in 2019 before Paramount assumed full control of the programme and resumed development. The Mwari is the first new clean-sheet manned military aircraft in South Africa since the Rooivalk attack helicopter. The Mwari is marketed as a relatively inexpensive alternative to high-end military aircraft for surveillance, maritime patrol and counter-insurgency operations. It can also be used for training.

Mwari’s launch customer is Mozambique having received its first aircraft in late 2022. A year later, it had accumulated more than 70 hours and Paramount is hoping to sell to other African and European customers. Mozambique has ordered three aircraft and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) six.

Paramount is optimistic about the Mwari’s prospects in the armed overwatch market, noting that global air capability spending will reach over $476 billion over the next five years, with the Armed Overwatch / Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) market estimated to be worth $32.3 billion.

The Mwari has been designed to easily perform multiple missions thanks to an innovative Interchangeable Mission Systems Bay (IMSB), located in the belly of the aircraft, providing near-endless sensor and payload options which can be integrated and be swapped out in less than two hours. Open-architecture and flexible systems allows for the quick and low-cost integration of new pods, avionics, cargo, special mission equipment, weapons and sensors. The IMSB can carry payloads up to 317 kg and the Mwari can supply 400 kW of power for payloads. Six external hardpoints on the wings can carry up to 1 000 kg in total.

The PT6 turboprop powered Mwari has a service ceiling of up to 31 000 feet and offers a maximum cruise speed of 250 knots, a mission range of up to 550 nautical miles with ordinance and an overall endurance of up to 6.5 hours. The aircraft also offers a short take-off and landing (STOL) capability, with retractable landing gear optimised for both semi and unprepared airstrips or sites.

Sensors and equipment that have already been fitted to the aircraft include Hensoldt’s Argos II electro-optical gimbal, Paramount Advanced Technologies’ 420 sensor ball, Thales’s Avni thermal reconnaissance system, Sysdel’s MiniRaven radar warning receiver and Reutech’s ACR510 radio, amongst others. Future options could include a synthetic aperture radar (SAR). A pusher propeller configuration ensures debris is not kicked up into the sensor gimbal during take-off or landing.

Weapons integration is taking place this year, by Paramount Aerospace Industries. The specifics of newly adopted mission and weapons systems will be disclosed at a later date.

April

6 April
Robertson annual fly-in breakfast Robertson airfield
Contact: Alwyn du Plessis. E-mail: boeredata@breede.co.za Cell: 083 270 5888

6 April
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA Auditorium
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

6 April
SAPFA ANR National Championships – Brakpan airfield
Contact Iaan Myburgh E-mail: iaanmyburgh@gmail.com Cell: 082 449 2531

6 & 7 April
SAC Eastern Cape regionals Wings Park airfield
Contact Quintin Hawthorne E-mail: pak02496@pixie.co.za

17 to 20 April
AERO Friedrichshafen 30^th anniversary
Contact E-mail: info@fairnamic.com Website: www.fairnamic.com

18 & 19 April
SACAA National Aviation Conference Venue TBA
Contact Nomhle Mabunda E-mail: MabundaN@caa.co.za

20 April
EAA Chapter 322 fly-in breakfast to Airspan airfield
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

23 to 25 April
MRO Africa Conference incl. African Aviation Training Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contact Nick Fadugba E-mail: nickfadugba@africanaviation.com www.mroafrica.com

27 April
Ekurhuleni East Flying Club fly-in breakfast at Springs airfield
Contact James E-mail secretary.eefc@gmail.com

27 April
Bill Harrop’s Dinosaur Derby night glow
Contact Jacquie Pastor Cell: 083 443 2662 E-mail: jacquie@balloon.co.za

27 April to 4 May
Gauteng Regional Gliding Championships at Magalies gliding Club
Contact Soaring Society of South Africa Website: www.glidercomps.co.za  

May

4 May
SAAF Museum airshow at AFB Zwartkops
Contact Lt. Gaelejwe OC Zwartkops Cell: 079 110 5855

4 May
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA Auditorium 
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

10 & 11 May
Wings and Wheels Queenstown
Contact 082 921 2879

11 May
Lowveld airshow at the Nelspruit airfield
Contact Willemien E-mail: willemein.hodgkinson@kishugu.com Cell: 079 499 5733

12 to 15 May
African Airlines Association 12^th stakeholders convention in Addis Ababa
Contact E-mail: events@afraa.org   

14 to 16 May
Airport Show with ATC Forum, Airport Security Middle East DWTC, Dubai
Contact Jamille del Mundo E-mail: jamm.delmundo@rxglobal.com

14 to 17 May
NAMPO Harvest Day Bothaville
Contact Wim Venter E-mail: wim@grainsa.co.za Tel: 086 004 7246

17 to 19 May
EAA Chapter 322 weekend fly-away to Pyramid airfield
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

18 May
Potchefstroom airshow
Contact E-mail: sally@creativespacemedia.co.za Tel: 011 467 3314

18 May
SAC Free State regionals at Tempe airfield
Contact Quintin Hawthorne E-mail: pak02496@pixie.co.za

21 to 23 May
Air Finance Africa Conference and Exhibition Sandton Convention Centre
Contact Nick Fadugba E-mail: nickfadugba@africanaviation.com

23 to 25 May
SAPFA President’s Trophy Air Race at Louis Trichardt civil airfield (FALO)
Contact David Le Roux E-mail: David@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200
Contact Iaan Myburgh E-mail: race@sapfa.co.za  Cell: 082 449 2531

23 to 27 May
NAC fly-away to Magoebaskloof
Contact Agnes Phillips E-mail: agnes.phillips@nac.co.za Cell: 082 893 3399

25 May
Tempe airshow Bloemfontein
Contact Conrad Botha E-mail: rowco24cc@mailbox.co.za Cell 082 465 4045

June

1 June
Newcastle airshow
Contact Johan Pieters E-mail: Johan@champ.co.za Cell: 082 923 0078 

1 June
SAA Museum Society Specialised Tour limited to nine adults
Contact E-mail: events@saamuseum.co.za Cell: 076 879 5044

6 & 7 June
Drones and Unmanned Aviation Conference Emperors Palace Convention Centre
Contact Ms Maria Ndlovu E-mail: info@bussynet.co.za Tel: +27 11 074 7095

6 to 8 June
France Air Expo International General Aviation Show 
Lyon Bron Airport www.franceairexpo.com  

6 to 10 June
Zimbabwe Air Rally (50 years)
Contact E-mail: zimairrally@gmail.com Website: www.zimairrally.com 

7 to 9 June
Bona Bona annual fly-in
Booking details visit website  

8 June
EAA South Africa Young Eagles day Lanseria International Airport
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

15 June
Maputo airshow
Contact Gavin Neil E-mail: gavin@haps.co.mz

15 & 16 June
SAC Event KwaZulu Natal venue TBA
Contact Quintin Hawthorne E-mail: pak02496@pixie.co.za

20 June
Rand Airport Safety Symposium at the Harvard Cafe
Contact Dave le Roux PilotInsure E-mail: david@pilotinsure.co.za

28 to 30 June
EAA Taildraggers fly-in to Warmbaths airfield
Richard Nicholson E-mail: Richard.nicholson1963@gmail.com Cell: 082 490 6227

29 June
SAPFA Speed Rally at Warmbaths airfield
Contact David le Roux E-mail: david@pilotinsure.co.za  Cell: 073 338 5200 

29 June
Polokwane airshow at Gaal airport
Contact Robin Tapinos E-mail: airshow.polokwane@gmail.com Cell: 074 117 6384

Kenya Airways posts first annual operating profit for seven years

Off the back of a recovering passenger business, although a heavy currency exchange impact kept it loss-making at a net level, Kenya Airways posted its first operating profit for seven years in 2023. The Kenyan flag carrier posted an operating profit of KSh10.5 billion ($78.8 million) for the year ended December 2023, against a loss of KSh5.6 billion in 2022 and marks the SkyTeam carrier’s first surplus since posting an operating profit of KSh1.5 billion in 2017. Kenya Airways works boosted revenues by 53% in 2023.

Kenya Airways chairman, Michael Joseph said, “These figures highlight the airline’s remarkable performance over the year and provide encouraging signs of continued recovery within the air transportation sector. They also confirm the operational viability of the airline business and demonstrate that the management’s ongoing efforts to restore profitability are yielding positive results.” The SkyTeam carrier’s improved financial performance was driven by a 53% jump in revenues to KSh178 billion for the year on passenger numbers up 35% to just over five million. However the airline continues to be loss-making at a pre-tax and net level, as costs, including a KSh19 billion foreign currency exchange hit impacted the business. The carrier though did report a cut in net losses from KSh38.3 billion to KSh22.7 billion in 2023.

Emirates A380 underbelly sheared open by vehicle after driver suffered ‘stroke’

An Emirates Airbus A380-861 was severely damaged after a vehicle at Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME) in Russian lost control and became trapped under the superjumbo. According to Russian outlet Interfax, the vehicle, which is used to transport drinking water, crashed into the Emirates Airbus A380 after he suffered a sudden deterioration in his health while driving.  Media organisations commented that the 59-year-old male vehicle driver was left paralysed after having a stroke before impacting with the aircraft and was subsequently rushed to hospital.

The Emirates A380 superjumbo, registered A6-EDM, was due to depart Moscow for Dubai International Airport (DXB) on 28 March 2024, at 16h25 local time but was subsequently cancelled following the incident. The Russian Interregional Transport Prosecutor’s Office in Moscow is leading the investigation and confirmed that the damage sustained by the A380 is being assessed. “After all the circumstances of this incident have been clarified, the actions of the airport workers will be assessed, and if there are grounds, prosecutorial response measures will be taken,” the Interregional Transport Prosecutor’s Office said. However, sanctions imposed on Russia could pose difficulties on Emirates ability to mend the aircraft without access to replacement parts. The airline added: “All affected passengers have been rebooked on a later Emirates flight. Emirates regrets any inconvenience caused, the safety of its passengers and crew is of paramount importance.”

Pilot of scaled B-29 replica failed to maintain directional control before striking golf cart

The NTSB final report found that the pilot of a scaled B-29 replica failed to maintain directional control during the landing roll, resulting in the plane departing the runway surface and striking a golf cart parked nearby, sending the spectator videoing the incident to the hospital with minor injuries.

On 5 Novovember 2023 Raymond T. Hodgson flew his experimental 35 percent scale B-29 model at the Glenndale Airport (8I3). Hodgson reported that the plane’s nose landing gear encountered a depression on the runway during the landing roll. The B-29 replica yawed to the left and departed the runway, striking a golf cart parked on the edge of the runway with a spectator sitting on it. The plane struck the cart, causing it to roll over and knocking the woman unconscious. She was transported to a local hospital and reported minor injuries. Both of the plane’s wings were substantially damaged in the incident. The pilot did not report any pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operation. The NTSB noted in its final report that the probable cause was the pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.

Hodgson has built most of the parts on his replica B-29. The replica is equipped with four Honda Fit engines and boasts an impressive size, even at 35 percent of the original B-29 warbird the plane is about 35 feet long and has a wingspan of nearly 50 feet. The real B-29 Superfortress is about 99 feet with a wingspan of 141 feet.

Gulfstream G700 achieves FAA type certification, entry into service to follow

On 29 March 2024, Gulfstream Aerospace announced that the new G700 executive jet has obtained its type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The G700 is the largest, the fastest and until the entry into service of the still under-development G800 the latest jet of the Gulfstream family to enter the market. Designed to carry up to 19 passengers, the G700 has a top speed of Mach 0.935 and a range of up to 7,750 nautical miles (14,353 km) when cruising at Mach 0.85. Its certification, initially expected to have taken place by late 2023, paves the way for its much-anticipated entry into service. 

The advertised record-setting performance of the G700, which has been revised upwards after it surpassed the original targets during the testing stage, has drawn a good degree of attention in the business aviation community. Gulfstream already expects to deliver 50 of the type during 2024, out of a total 160 jets delivered across all types.

Denmark to sell 24 F-16 fighter jets to Argentina

The Danish Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen, has arrived in Buenos Aires to meet with his Argentine counterpart, Minister of Defence Luis Alfonso Petri, and sign a letter of intent relating to the possible sale of Danish F-16 fighter jets. According to a statement from the Danish Ministry of Defence released on 26 March 2024, the decision to sell the fighters to Argentina was made in close collaboration with the Biden administration, which approved the sale of the US-produced aircraft.

“I have had an extremely fruitful meeting with my Argentine colleague, who has expressed great satisfaction in becoming a member of the family of F-16 nations across the globe. The deal has been negotiated in collaboration with the United States,” said the Danish Minister of Defence. Poulsen announced that the aging fleet of 33 F-16A/B Block 20 MLU (Mid-Life Update) belonging to the Flyvevåbnet (the Royal Danish Air Force) would be retired from service earlier than expected. The previous plan was to keep them operational until 2027 with an investment of €150 million, but they will now be withdrawn from service as early as 2024 or 2025. Denmark is replacing its F-16 fleet with new F-35 jets. The country is donating 19 F-16 aircraft to Ukraine as part of this process. The government has now decided to sell 24 Danish F-16 jets to Argentina.

The Argentine Air Force has struggled to renew its aging fighter fleet for some time. The most humiliating sign of urgency dates back to Barack Obama’s visit on 24 March 2016. On that occasion, the United States had to use four of its own F-16s to escort Air Force One, as Argentina did not possess any aircraft quick enough to do so. Throughout the years, several prospects were initiated, but all eventually faltered. 

In January 2018, during a visit by then-Argentinian President Macri to France, it was announced that five retired Dassault-Breguet Super Etendard Modernisés aircraft, previously used by the French Navy, were sold for €12 million. However, due to the arms embargo imposed on Argentina by the United Kingdom since the Falklands War in 1982, the aircraft were delivered without their MK6 ejection seat made by the British group Martin Baker. Finally, in 2023, the Argentinian authorities decided to give up on trying to circumvent British sanctions. Other alternatives have been considered, including acquiring previously owned Sukhoi Su-24s from Russia or Chinese-Pakistani JF-17 Thunders, but none have come to fruition. Though Lockheed Martin chose the Martin Baker US18E ejection seat for the F-16 Block 70 / 72 aircraft in 2020, the legacy ACES II ejection seat found on older versions, such as the Danish F-16s, is designed and manufactured in the United States.

First Emirates A350 spotted in Toulouse, France

A picture has emerged on social media of what appears to be the first Airbus A350 aircraft destined for Emirates. In the image, which was posted to it is possible to see the tail and part of the fuselage of the still ‘green’ aircraft. The Emirates-liveried A350 was parked at Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse, France alongside other aircraft of the same type being readied for other airlines. 

The Dubai-based carrier currently has 65 Airbus A350-900 aircraft on order. The first 50 were ordered at the Dubai Airshow in 2019. The deal, which is valued at $16.5 billion, was followed four years later by an additional order for 15 more aircraft of the same type at the 2023 Dubai Airshow. The first of these A350s is expected to enter service with Emirates in August 2024, with the remaining deliveries scheduled to take place through to 2028. Emirates is also considering ordering the A350F, the freighter version of the airliner, to expand the fleet of its cargo division, Emirates SkyCargo.

All newly delivered 737s undergo our own 48-hour inspection says Ryanair CEO

The CEO of Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, has given an interview in which he said that the airline has held growing concerns over quality issues with newly built Boeing aircraft over the past 18 months. In an interview with US broadcaster CNN, Michael O’Leary stated that Ryanair first became aware of a general decline in quality standards of new 737 MAX planes as far back as 2022 following the pandemic. “We were finding little things like tools under the floorboards, in some cases, seat handles missing, things like that,” O’Leary told CNN. “This shows a lack of attention to detail, quality issues in Boeing,” the CEO added.

According to O’Leary, having become increasingly concerned over such issues, Ryanair has been in constant contact with Boeing ‘at the most senior levels’ to communicate its concerns. “We have been saying for 18 months, both publicly and privately to Boeing, that quality control post-pandemic as they returned to building aircraft has not been acceptable and needs to be improved,” said O’Leary. O’Leary added that Ryanair inspects all new 737 MAX aircraft delivered to the airline at its own maintenance facilities in Dublin, Ireland before they enter commercial service with the carrier. These checks last around 48 hours and the aircraft is only released for service once given the all-clear by Ryanair engineers. “We are not willing to place an aircraft into service at Ryanair unless we have fully satisfied that everything’s there and as it should be,” he said. “It is not acceptable that aircraft get delivered at less than 100%.”

O’Leary’s comments come as Boeing continues to be the subject of intense scrutiny from the public and aviation authorities in the US following a series of high-profile incidents which started with the Alaska Airlines blowout incident in January 2024. But despite launching into his scathing indictment of Boeing in the interview, O’Leary did have some conciliatory words for the beleaguered plane maker. O’Leary shared that the 12 aircraft that Ryanair received from Boeing between October and December 2023 were ‘the best deliveries ever’.

According to CH-Aiation, Ryanair still has 214 aircraft in its order books, 64 of which are 737 MAX 8-200 plus 150 of the stretched 737 MAX 10, whose certification has been repeatedly delayed. To date in 2024, Ryanair has received six 737 MAX aircraft, while Malta Air, another airline in the Ryanair Group, has received three. At the end of 2023, O’Leary told reporters that the airline expected that Boeing would deliver 57 new 737s to the carrier by the end of April 2024. However, this number has since been downgraded to the low 40s, frustrating Ryanair and its CEO and resulting in changes and cancellations to its flight programme for the summer 2024 peak travel season.

Airways New Zealand wins top global air traffic management award

New Zealand has won the top prize and two category awards at the global Air Traffic Management Awards 2023 for its resilient new infrastructure and a world-leading trial to safely integrate drones into controlled airspace. New Zealand’s air navigation service provider took out the Overall Excellence Award and the Resilience in Air Traffic Management Award for moving the nation’s air traffic management into two disaster-resilient buildings and onto a future-fit digital platform. It also won the Integration of Drones / Advanced Air Mobility Award for a groundbreaking trial led by Boeing subsidiary Wisk Aero to safely integrate an uncrewed aircraft into unsegregated controlled airspace, flying alongside regular aircraft.

The awards were presented at the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Airspace World event in Geneva. The leading awards in the international air traffic management industry, they aim to encourage pioneering concepts and acknowledge significant achievements. Airways Chief Executive James Young said: “We are excited and honoured by this recognition of the fantastic work being done across Airways. Our purpose is safe skies today and tomorrow and we are committed to working with innovative partners here and internationally to support all airspace users in a way that is safe, sustainable and efficient. These projects show how our incredibly talented people work together across the organisation and the global industry, to ensure New Zealand is at the forefront of the evolution in aviation. I could not be prouder of our team.”

The Overall Excellence Award and the Resilience in Air Traffic Management Award recognise Airways for moving its surveillance operations into two new disaster-resilient centres in Christchurch and Auckland and its domestic operations onto the new SkyLine-X air traffic management platform, which delivers the next generation of safety and efficiency features.

The Integration of Drones / Advanced Air Mobility Award recognises Airways’ role in a partnership led by Wisk Aero, the developer of a self-flying, all-electric air taxi to establish a safe integration process for drone flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in unsegregated controlled airspace. Airways developed innovative operational concepts, processes, procedures and training to enable air traffic controllers to safely manage the uncrewed aircraft. The drone was also tracked by AirShare, the uncrewed traffic management (UTM) system developed by Airways International, the commercial arm of Airways.

Tecnam obtains EASA approval for STOL version of P2012 piston twin

On 27 March Tecnam announced it has received full type certification approval from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the short take-off and land (STOL) variant of its P2012 Traveller light twin. Capua, Italy-based Tecnam invested 18 months in the certification effort for the aircraft, which it says, “is engineered and tailored to operator from airports and airstrips characterised by extremely short runways and demanding operational constraints.” The newly certified variant retains 99% parts commonality with the existing P2012 piston twin.

According to Tecnam, the P2012 STOL has a useful load of 2,830 pounds with a maximum take-off weight of 8,113 pounds. Take-off run at MTOW is 1,033 feet; with 1,394 feet needed to clear a 50-foot obstacle. Landing distance over an obstacle at max landing weight (8,002 pounds) is 1,181 feet with a ground run of 738 feet. The fixed-gear, unpressurised P2012 STOL is available in passenger and multi-mission configurations, including air ambulance, cargo and passenger roles. The 11-seat interior (two crew and nine passengers) is easily convertible to cargo or combi configuration. Production versions of the single-pilot-capable P2012 STOL are in the final stages of construction on the assembly line, Tecnam said and first deliveries are expected imminently.

High cost and limited feedstock slow global production of SAF

A report released today by the UK-based trade group Energy Industries Council notes that more work is needed to boost the production and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel to where it can make a meaningful contribution to the industry’s sustainability challenges.  Despite SAF’s environmental benefits, which in its neat, unblended form can reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80 percent compared with conventional jet fuel, the nascent industry today accounts for less than one percent of the total aviation fuel usage. With aviation’s stated ambitions of achieving net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050, overcoming challenges such as feedstock access, attracting investment and the need for governmental policies encouraging SAF production and adoption are crucial.

“While SAF has numerous environmental benefits, its adoption is not without challenges,” stated report author Nabil Ahmed, adding high production costs, two to four times that of traditional jet fuel, alongside the limited availability of scalable feedstocks, present significant hurdles. “With strategic initiatives and enhanced governmental support, including mandates and subsidy mechanisms, we can navigate these challenges effectively.”

According to the EIC report, substantial development is required for SAF to make a meaningful impact, even as countries such as the US, UK, Canada and Japan have all set ambitious goals of 10 percent SAF blend by 2030. Based on more than 100 announced projects, total SAF production by that point could equal 50 million tonnes a year but reaching that amount will require a strategic focus on feedstock availability and the development of additional SAF pathways.

“The innovative production of SAF, using resources ranging from agricultural waste to the pioneering ‘eFuels’ generated from carbon capture and green hydrogen, is a clear indicator that the sector, with proper investment in this area, stands a clear chance to shift towards sustainability,” said Ahmed.

EBACE2024 to highlight advanced air mobility for first time

At EBACE2024, attendees can look at an emerging sector of aviation with leading AAM companies. Attendees can get an up-close look at VoltAero’s Cassio 330, an electric-hybrid certification transport vehicle, as part of the event’s airport aircraft display. The VoltAero will also have a presence at EBACE’s Innovation Pavilion inside of Palexpo, as well as several other pioneer AAM companies displaying their models.

AAM companies displaying models include:

• Beyond Aero: The ONE is the first electric business aircraft designed for hydrogen propulsion. Beyond Aero recently completed France’s first manned flight powered entirely by hydrogen-electric technology.
• ELECTRON: This Rotterdam-based company manufactures a 100 percent battery-powered aircraft for regional use and is developing an all-electric cargo plane.
• Hydroplane Limited: This California company is developing a modular hydrogen fuel cell for general aviation, Urban Air Mobility and vertical lift aircraft.
• Lilium: Germany-based Lilium is working on an all-electric vertical take-off and landing Lilium Jet, certified while working with partners to build vertiports in different markets.
• Vaeridion: Munich-based company has developed highly efficient electro-powered micro liners, which it plans to begin operating before 2030.
• VoltAero: VoltAero designed a hybrid-electric aircraft for passenger, cargo and medical evacuation use. The French company is also developing the next generation of its Cassio.

“Innovation is always front and center at EBACE and this year is no exception,” EBAA Conference and Innovation Lead Rachel Clementi said. “There is perhaps no better example of game-changing innovation underway in business aviation than with the advent of electric, hybrid and hydrogen propulsion systems for aircraft. EBACE2024 is proud to feature the latest of these pioneering technologies poised to enter the market.”

In recent years, AAM technologies have progressed into reality, showing the industry what the future of aviation could look like. With this emerging technology, the industry is preparing to enter a new age of emission-free flight. Many EBACE panels will feature CEOs and industry experts offering perspectives on growth projections for the coming years, how AAM will reshape transportation with uses like public transit, ride-sharing and humanitarian missions, and autonomous flight and the role AI can play in aviation safety. EBACE2024 takes place between 28 and 30 May in Geneva, Switzerland at the Palexpo and Geneva Airport.

Ohio firm teams with the state on drone traffic management

Columbus, Ohio-based CAL Analytics has combined with the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to initiate a low-altitude air traffic management system for drone operations. According to CAL Analytics, the system will provide digital tools to enable multiple UAS operators to share flight planning details, ultimately allowing safe ‘beyond visual line of sight’ (BVLOS) drone flights. CAL Analytics wrote: “While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides air traffic control for traditional aircraft flying in certain airspaces, low-altitude traffic management for drones is the responsibility of individual operators.” Without a robust traffic management system, BVLOS flight is not practical on a statewide scale.

Rich Fox, director of the Ohio UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) Center at ODOT, said,  “The introduction of this vital capability continues Ohio’s tradition of innovation in the aviation community while prioritising safety. As we collaborate with others at the newly opened National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence, we expect this to be the first of many industry-leading activities coming out of that state-of-the-art facility.”

Boeing breaks ground on new production facility for Australia’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat

Boeing has announced plans to build a production facility in Toowoomba, Queensland, to manufacture the MQ-28 Ghost Bat uncrewed combat aircraft. Developed by Boeing Defence Australia, the MQ-28 is designed to act as a ‘loyal wingman’, providing support and protection for military assets and pilots by engaging in various missions, including combat duties. The facility, expected to cover an area of 9,000 square meters (97,000 square feet), will be located at the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct. It will be operational within the next three years. 

“Boeing Australia is investing to bring this innovative, uncrewed capability to market in the timeframe that supports our customers’ future needs,” said Amy List, Managing Director, Boeing Defence Australia. “The MQ-28 is designed to transform air combat and provide affordable mass for Australia and our allies.” The MQ-28 production facility will encompass aerospace manufacturing capabilities, including carbon fibre composites manufacturing, advanced robotic assembly and final assembly and testing. The Ghost Bat successfully completed its maiden flight in March 2021. In February 2024, the Australian government announced an additional allocation of AUS399 million ($260 million) to the ongoing development of the Loyal Wingman drone. The current phase of the programme is focused on delivering three Block 2 aircraft, equipped with new sensor and mission payloads, an integrated combat system, and autonomous functionalities.

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