Number 44 – 06 June 2024

“Take nothing on its looks; take everything on evidence. There is no better rule.” Charles Dickens

Fiat Model 7002

This was a 1960s Italian general-purpose helicopter with a tip jet driven rotor built by Fiat Aviazione. Only one aircraft was built. In the early 1960s, under an Italian government contract, Fiat Aviazione designed the Model 7002, a medium-capacity transport helicopter. It had an unusually shaped fuselage made from light-alloy sheets to provide accommodation for two crew and up to five passengers. The fuselage was mounted on a skid landing gear and the fuselage had a simple tail boom with a tail rotor. A two-blade main rotor was mounted above the fuselage, with the rotor driven by compressed air propulsion nozzles at the blade-tips. The compressed air was generated by a Fiat 4700 turbo gas generator located in the rear fuselage. The prototype helicopter first flew on 26 January 1961, but no production aircraft were ever built.

Those persons who correctly identified this week’s mystery aircraft:

Bruce Margolius, Magiel Esterhuysen, Righardt du Plessis, Ari Levien, Steve Dewsbery, Wouter van der Waal, Andre Visser, Johan Venter, Charlie Hugo, P. Rossouw, Richard Willemse, Erwin Stam, Rahul Vala, Andrew Peace, Sergio Antao, Jan Sime, Jeremy Rorich, Ahmed Bassa, Danie Viljoen, Andre Breytenbach, Jaco van Jaarsveld, Piet Steyn, Bruce Prescott, Jeff Knickelbein, Selwyn Kimber, Christiaan Haak, Noel Macquet, John Moen, Gregory Yatt, Rennie van Zyl, Aiden O’Mahony, Clint Futter, Hilton Carroll, Karl Jensen, Pierre Brittz, Herbert Ndungo, Brian Melmoth, Bruce Harrison, Nic Manthopoulos, Kevin Farr, Dave Lloyd, Greg Pullin (42 correct answers). Excellent considering the relative obscurity of this helicopter.

Scores of parachutists fill Normandy skies as D-Day commemorations begin

The skies of Normandy were filled with scores of parachute jumpers dressed in World War Two uniforms as commemorations to mark the 80th year since the D-Day landings in France began. Around 70 parachutists, including those from the Round Canopy Parachuting Team in the United States (US), jumped out of three C-47 transport aircraft that flew from Duxford in the UK. 

On 2 June in Carentan-les-Marais, France, the event marked the start of a week of various commemorations taking place in Normandy and around the world to honour those that took part and lost their lives, during the D-Day landings. On 6 June 1944, troops from the US, UK, Canada and other allied nations landed on the Normandy beaches to defeat Adolph Hitler and the Nazis and ultimately liberate Europe. 

Known as Operation Overlord, nearly 160,000 troops crossed the English Channel and landed in Normandy under devastating artillery fire from German soldiers. The landings were proceeded by an airborne assault which included over 18,000 paratroopers, many who were from the US 101st Airborne Division that was depicted in the TV series Band of Brothers. 

Members of the British Royal Family, US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were among the guests visiting France this week to take part in D-Day events. According to the Associated Press, two of the C-47 aircraft that took part in the mass parachute jump were among the fleet of thousands of planes that flew to France on 6 June 1944. Although their numbers are sadly now dwindling, many veterans from World War Two have arrived in France to take part in commemorations. Most are now in their late nineties or over a hundred years old and they will perhaps be some of the last that will take part in large D-Day events.  More than 4,000 soldiers were killed during the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944, but the operation is considered the beginning of the end for Hitler’s tyrannical regime. Allied forces celebrated victory in Europe 11 months later on 8 May 1945.

Welcome to Henri Rosseau and Thibaut Hecart on the B200 including G1000 course.

SAA reaches amicable settlement with US aviation authorities on delayed refunds for Covid period passenger tickets

In May 2021, the US Department of Transportation’s Office of Aviation Consumer Protection (US-DOT) imposed a civil claim against South African Airways (SAA) on behalf of passengers complaining about delayed refunds on their tickets purchased to and from the United States for flights that were cancelled during the Covid grounding of airline operations. SAA was one of several global airlines that faced the same penalty.

SAA is pleased that it has reached an amicable settlement with the USDOT on the matter.  From the original penalty claim amount, SAA has accepted the settled imposition of a civil penalty of US$300 000 (roughly R5,4million) to void protracted litigation. The penalty will be paid to the US Treasury in tranches over 540 days of the issuance date of the consent order.

SAA cancelled or significantly changed the flights due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. SAA’s situation was exacerbated by the fact that the company went into administration by Business Rescue Practitioners in December 2019. In its continuous engagements with the US-DOT, SAA has always contended that notwithstanding the challenges of Business Rescue and the COVID-19 pandemic, SAA took extraordinary steps during 2019-2022 to process refunds for passengers whose flights were cancelled or significantly delayed by the airline, not only in the USA but throughout SAA’s markets.

Between April 2021 and March 2023 SAA has paid around R2.2 billion in Covid period un-flown tickets refunds. “We are pleased that this matter has now been finalised. The intention of the parties was always to find an amicable way of closing this case. We look forward to normalising relations with our customers in the US and welcoming them aboard SAA when we resume flights to the Americas in the future,” said Koekie Mbeki, SAA’s chief legal counsel.

SAAF to scrap its annual winter solstice in 2024

The South African Air Force along with other defence the services, SA Army, SA Military Health and the SA Navy (SAN) as well as divisions such as finance, human resources and joint operations, have to live with continually decreasing National Treasury (NT) budget allocations. The fact that funds are not readily available is illustrated by there being no Winter Solstice last year and the previous year it was largely a command post exercise (CPX) based at the SAAF Ditholo training area north of Pretoria. The 2022 exercise had preparation for external deployments as its main thrust. Prior to that Winter Solstice exercises centred largely around the Northern Cape with sorties flown by fixed and rotary winged aircraft to support peacekeeping deployments. The official response from the SANDF Directorate Corporate Communication (DCC) on Winter Solstice 2024 is it will not be conducted due to AAD scheduled for September at Air Force Base (AFB) Waterkloof in Centurion.

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

Since I will be covering the Zimbabwe Air Rally I will be looking for someone to cover this year’s Bona Bona fly-in for African Pilot Please e-mail: editor@africanpilot.co.za

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

Two Yak-52 aircraft collided during Beja airshow in Portugal

Two Yakovlev Yak-52 aircraft of the Spanish-Portuguese Yakstars formation team collided during the Beja airshow, Portugal. One aircraft crashed, killing the pilot while the other managed to land. Based in Madrid and Ponte de Sor, the’ Yakstars’ is the Luso-Spanish acrobatic patrol. The pilot is described as one of ‘the most talented and versatile in Spain and Portugal, being able to pilot commercial jets such as Airbuses, extreme acrobatic aircraft such as the Sukhoi SU-29M, Extra 300/330, Cap 10, Yak 52 and a wide range of single engine planes. Besides being a commercial pilot and stuntman, Manuel Rey Cordeiro was also a skydiver. The Yakstars is an aerobatic display team flying six warbird Yak 52s aircraft in precise combinations of tight formations and exciting aerobatics and high-speed passes. The Yakovlev Yak-52 is a Soviet primary trainer aircraft which first flew in 1976. It was produced in Romania from 1977 to 1998 by Aerostar, as Iak-52.

No pilots on board a Taylorcraft that crashed in Alaska

Neither man aboard a Taylorcraft BC-12D that crashed in Six Mile Lake in southern Alaska on 17 May had a pilot certificate and authorities have found no evidence that they ever did according to the NTSB’s preliminary report. The aircraft took off from Port Alsworth Airport headed to Nondalton Airport, 24 miles away, with David Hedgers (58), at the controls and Aaron Fryar (45), listed as a passenger. Both died in the crash. Clint Johnson, the NTSB’s senior representative in Alaska told Alaska Public Media that neither his agency nor the FAA has found any record of pilot, student pilot or medical certificates for either man. “At this point right now, all indications are that neither one of these occupants were certified pilots,” Johnson said.

However, it is not clear if lack of credentials played a role in the accident, Johnson said. “We do not know what the training was, what the decision-making was,” Johnson said. “The basic answer to that question is, we do not know what kind of training the pilot had because he never received the pilot’s certificate.” The weather was bad with low clouds with fog and reduced visibility. The plane was found in shallow water about three miles from Nondalton. Acquaintances of the two men told investigators Hedgers had recently purchased the plane.

Large Qatar Airways widebody order looms, to be split between Airbus and Boeing

As the biannual Farnborough Airshow 2024 begins to loom large on global aviation’s horizon, news is starting to leak out about what we might expect in terms of headline announcements. One of the milestone orders widely expected to be placed early on at the event is Qatar Airways revealing full details of its long-awaited order for new widebody aircraft set to bolster its long-haul fleet in the coming years. As reported by Bloomberg back in March 2024, the Doha-based carrier was said to be looking to place orders for around 100-150 long-range jets in 2024. However, it now appears that these earlier requirements are to be revised upwards, with both Airbus and Boeing being the beneficiaries in any deal to be unveiled at Farnborough.

According to a report published by Bloomberg on 3 June 2024, sources said to be close to the negotiations have told the media outlet that the Middle Eastern airline is now considering an order for approximately 200 aircraft, which will feature a mix of both Airbus A350s and the yet uncertified Boeing 777X series. A decision could come as early as the Farnborough Airshow in the UK to be staged between 22 and 26 July 22. Should the Qatari airline opt to split the order as suggested, then it would mark a remarkable turnaround in the relationship between the carrier and Airbus who in 2023 ended a year-long litigation over quality issues concerning A350 deliveries being made to the airline which were frozen as a result, although they have since resumed. 

It would also be seen as a much-needed endorsement of a beleaguered Boeing that has been the subject of several adverse high-profile news-grabbing headlines since the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 door blowout in January 2024. “I understand that Airbus and Boeing are facing certain challenges” said Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer, Badr Mohammed Al-Meer. “However, we have complete confidence in both companies and we believe they are resilient enough to overcome these challenges.”  He added that he was ‘110% confident’ in Boeing’s commitment to safety.

Qatar Airways needs the new aircraft to replace older jets in its fleet while boosting overall long-haul capacity to meet the increasing demand for international travel. The new aircraft will continue to enhance the passenger onboard experience while ensuring that the most modern and fuel-efficient aircraft make up the backbone of its widebody fleet. Neither Boeing nor Airbus have responded to inquiries made about any imminent Qatar Airways widebody order.

Mexicana to modernise its fleet with order for 20 Embraer E2 aircraft

The state-owned airline of Mexico, has placed an order for 20 Embraer E2 aircraft, consisting of ten E190-E2 and ten E195-E2 jets. These aircraft are scheduled for delivery starting in the second quarter of 2025. The E190-E2 will be configured with 108 seats, while the E195-E2 will have 132 seats, both arranged in a single-class layout. As the first operator of the E2 series in Mexico, Mexicana de Aviación aims to benefit from the aircraft’s low operating costs and superior fuel efficiency. This acquisition underscores the airline’s and Embraer’s dedication to sustainability and advancing aviation efficiency. This strategic decision is set to expand and modernise Mexicana’s fleet, thereby enhancing both domestic and international connectivity.

The airline seeks to provide affordable, comfortable air travel, maintaining the highest standards of safety and service. Mexicana de Aviación, part of the Olmeca-Maya-Mexica S.A. de C.V. Airport Group, Railway, Auxiliary and Related Services, resumed operations on 26 December 2023. Its mission is to enhance the quality and coverage of air services, foster connectivity and drive national growth, development and competitiveness.

Turkish Airlines in talks with Boeing for up to 250 aircraft, 737 MAXs and 787s

At the International Air Travel Association’s (IATA) annual general meeting (AGM), Turkish Airlines Chairman Ahmet Bolat has revealed that talks have opened with Boeing over a possible order for 250 aircraft.  Speaking to journalists on 4 June 2024, Bolat said discussions had so far included the cost of engines for 150 737 MAXs and 75 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Bloomberg reported that the order could reach up to 250 aircraft with an additional 25 737 MAXs. The news of a possible order with Boeing comes after Turkish Airlines placed a firm order in December 2023 with Airbus for 230 aircraft, comprised of A350-900s, A350-1000s and A350Fs. 

Bolat also suggested that an order with Boeing was a strategy to ‘split the risk’ between the US plane maker and Airbus. “Boeing has some production problems, which might happen to Airbus sometime later. Therefore, we want to mitigate the risks by using both products available in the market,” Bolat said. He added that discussions were still in the early stages and there was no deadline for any sort of final agreement. Turkish Airlines has ambitions to operate a fleet of more than 800 aircraft in ten years. The airline currently operates 455 aircraft comprising of Boeing and Airbus jets. 

Leonardo signs new distribution deals

Leonardo announced at EBACE it has signed new distribution deals with partners in Europe and Asia. Léman Aviation and Sloane have been appointed official distributors for the next generation AW09 single engine helicopter. In February of this year Sloane and Leonardo announced a major reinforcement of their collaboration in the UK and Ireland commercial helicopter market, dating back to 1995, with the signing of preliminary sales contracts for nine AW09s. This step extended the AW09’s world market reach to the relevant geography. Sloane has been closely looking at the development and progress of the all-new single engine in recent years and is convinced it will become the benchmark aircraft in its category, along with their current Leonardo light category aircraft offerings.

Léman Aviation signed Preliminary Sales Contract for 10 AW09s in late 2023. This deal extended the market reach of the new type to Europe following announcements of partnerships and distribution agreements already made in North and Latin America and Asia in 2023, some leading to end-user orders. As the distributorship agreement is in place, a first private end-user customer from France has also ordered one aircraft through Léman Aviation for passenger transport duties, therefore becoming the launch customer for the type in the country.

Leonardo and Blueberry Aviation are in advance talks to extend their collaboration in Central / Southern Europe to include the AW09 in their portfolio and achieve the distributorship in these regions.

Universal Vulkaan Aviation Pte Limited, appointed as Leonardo’s distributor for the Indian civil helicopter market earlier this year, signed preliminary sales contracts for five AW09s, growing the success of the new single engine in Asia. Universal Vulkaan Aviation Pte Limited also signed a contract for three helicopters including one AW109 GrandNew, one AW169 and one AW139 with deliveries expected between 2025 and 2026. This order is part of a framework agreement to procure 10 units from these three twin-engine types over three years. This collaboration underscores the partners’ commitment to providing cutting-edge aviation solutions tailored to the Indian market’s evolving needs, considering the country’s booming civil aviation sector and the increasing demand for reliable transportation solutions.

Stefano Villanti, SVP Marketing & Sales at Leonardo Helicopters said: “The achievements and discussions held at EBACE leading to these multiple announcements testify once more our further growing competitiveness in the VIP-Corporate market, not only in the multi-engine segments but also with the growing level of endorsement for and interest in the AW09 single engine. This means we’re extending the reach of our value proposition to a greater community of passenger transport users and service providers by type and region and we are doing so at a steady pace. We are extremely happy with what we see and the level of acceptance we keep receiving with our modern, safe and increasingly sustainable technology and with our exclusive ‘Agusta’ brand.”

The AW09 continues to generate a positive response from all geographies worldwide as the programme development progresses. Rotorcraft companies and private operators highly welcome the AW09 for its outstanding characteristics and multirole capabilities that represent a significant evolution compared to existing products in this category. The AW09 perfectly complements Leonardo’s product range in the Long Light Single-segment, introducing an all-new design aircraft to sustain long-term competitive positioning in this weight category. Also, designed as a true digital helicopter and connected from day one, the AW09 will allow data transmission, gathering and analysis for technical support, scheduled maintenance and flight efficiency / safety capabilities with no equals on the single engine market. The total number of preliminary sales for the AW09 is exceeding 100 units globally and keeps growing steadily.

Joining now the Agusta-branded range of VIP / corporate-configured types in Leonardo’s portfolio translates into an even more significant benefit in this segment combining the superior features of the AW09 in the long-light single engine segment in terms of cabin space / modularity, and technology with the distinguished customisation, comfort and passenger experience and service characteristics.

Lancaster bomber, Canadian Forces CF-18 demo team to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024

One of the rarest warbirds in North America and one of the most modern fighter jets in the Canadian Forces have been confirmed to participate during the Royal Canadian Air Force centennial at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024. The 71st edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 22-28 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The Avro Lancaster Mk. X bomber, the only flying example of the airplane in North America, will make its first appearance at Oshkosh since 2015. Owned and operated by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Mount Hope, Ontario, this particular airplane was built in 1945 and served with the RCAF as a maritime patrol aircraft until 1963. After more than a decade of outdoor display, the Lancaster was fully restored and returned to flight in 1988. It is painted in the colours honouring Victoria Cross recipient Andrew Mynarski, who flew with the RCAF No. 419 ‘Moose’ Squadron. The Lancaster will be at Oshkosh throughout the week and on display on Boeing Plaza. It will also participate in flying demonstrations during the week.

The Canadian Forces CF-18 demo team is making its first appearance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The team is a national team with members selected from RCAF units across the country. All are selected for their superior performance, dedication to excellence and the desire to represent Canada’s operational air force. Throughout the 2024 RCAF centennial season a specially painted CF-18 Hornet, featuring a unique commemorative paint job, will wow audiences at locations across Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom as part of Operation INSPIRATION 2024. The CF-18 will perform in the afternoon airshows at Oshkosh on 26 and 28 July, with the jet displayed on Boeing Plaza at other times. These additions add to the already impressive lineup previously announced at Oshkosh to celebrate the RCAF centennial. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will perform during the afternoon airshows on 26 and 28 July, while historic warbirds from Vintage Wings of Canada will also be present throughout the week.

FAA amends mental health evaluation criteria for pilots

A history of no more than two mental health diagnoses no longer requires automatic review by the FAA for any class of pilot certificate as long as certain criteria are met. The agency has revised its guidance to AMEs on ‘uncomplicated anxiety, depression and related conditions and chief among the changes is that the FAA can be left out of the process if the pilot has been off medication for two years, there are no issues raised by a questionnaire and the AME has no concerns.

The questionnaire deals with serious mental health issues like suicidal thoughts, self-harm and whether or not the pilot has been hospitalised or been under court ordered evaluation and it reminds the AME to be thorough and conservative in his or her judgment. ‘If ALL items fall into the ‘NO’ / CLEAR COLUMN, the AME may issue with notes in Block 60 which show the AME discussed the history of Uncomplicated Anxiety, Depression and Related Conditions, found no positives to the screening questions AND had no concerns,’ the new guidance reads. ‘If ANY SINGLE ITEM falls into the ‘YES’ / SHADED COLUMN, the AME MUST DEFER (emphasis the FAA’s).

US DOT secures nearly $1 billion in refunds to airline passengers through new enforcement actions

On 3 June the US Department of Transportation (DOT) announced enforcement actions against Lufthansa, South African Airways and KLM Royal Dutch Airways for extreme delays in providing more than $900 million in refunds owed to passengers due to flights cancelled or significantly changed in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the consent orders, the three airlines are required to provide timely refunds to passengers when owed and to pay a civil penalty to the US Treasury. The enforcement actions are part of DOT’s ongoing work to ensure passengers are treated fairly by airlines, which has already resulted in the largest airline fines in the Department’s history and nearly $4 billion returned to passengers in refunds and reimbursements. 

“When a flight is cancelled or significantly changed, you should not have to fight with the airline to get your money back and we are holding airlines accountable when they fail to give passengers the refunds that they are owed,” told US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “Today’s actions further demonstrate that passenger rights remain a top priority for the Biden-Harris Administration and we are using all of our tools to improve air travel for everyone.”

In addition to the more than $900 million in refunds airlines have paid back, the Department announced that it is assessing a total of $2.5 million in civil penalties against three airlines for extreme delays in providing refunds. A majority of the assessed fines will be collected in the form of payments to the US Treasury, with the remainder credited on the basis of payments to passengers beyond the legal requirement.

The required refunds to passengers and the assessed penalties against airlines are: 

• Lufthansa – $775 million in required refunds paid and a $1.1 million penalty
• KLM – $113.3 million in required refunds paid and a $1.1 million penalty
• South African Airways – $15.2 million in required refunds paid and a $300,000 penalty

Last month, US DOT announced two final rules that require airlines to provide automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed and to protect consumers from costly surprise airline fees. These rules will significantly expand consumer protections in air travel, provide passengers an easier pathway to refunds when owed and save consumers more than half a billion dollars every year in hidden and surprise junk fees. Provisions of the final rule on airline refund were fortified through the FAA Reauthorisation Act of 2024 (Public Law 118-63) that President Biden signed into law on 16 May 2024.

DOT’s historic record of consumer protection under the Biden-Harris administration

Under the Biden-Harris Administration, DOT has advanced the largest expansion of airline passenger rights, issued the biggest fines against airlines for failing consumers and secured returns of more money to passengers in refunds and reimbursements than ever before in the Department’s history.

In 2022, under Secretary Buttigieg’s guidance, DOT created an Airline Customer Service Dashboard known as FlightRights.gov to help airline passengers understand what they are entitled to receive when a delay or cancellation was within the airlines’ control and create standards that the Department can enforce. Today all 10 major US airlines guarantee free rebooking and meals and nine guarantee hotel accommodations when an airline issue causes a significant delay or cancellation. These are new commitments the airlines added to their customer service plans that DOT can legally ensure they adhere to and are displayed on flightrights.gov.

Since President Biden took office, DOT has helped oversee the return of almost $4 billion in refunds and reimbursements owed to airline passengers, including more than $600 million to passengers affected by the Southwest Airlines holiday meltdown in 2022. DOT has issued more than $166 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. Between 1996 and 2020, DOT collectively issued less than $71 million in penalties against airlines for consumer protection violations. DOT recently launched a new partnership with a bipartisan group of state attorneys general to fast-track the review of consumer complaints, hold airlines accountable and protect the rights of the traveling public.

In 2023, the flight cancellation rate in the US was a record low at under 1.2%, the lowest rate of flight cancellations in over 10 years despite a record amount of air travel. DOT is undertaking its first ever industry-wide review of airline privacy practices and its first review of airline loyalty programmes.

In addition to finalising the rules to require automatic refunds and protect consumers from surprise fees, DOT is also pursuing rulemakings that would:

• Propose to ban family seating junk fees and guarantee that parents can sit with their children for no extra charge when they fly. Before President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg pressed airlines last year, no airline committed to guaranteeing fee-free family seating. Now, four airlines guarantee fee-free family seating, as the Department is working on its family seating junk fee ban proposal.
• Propose to make passenger compensation and amenities mandatory so that travellers are taken care of when airlines cause flight delays or cancellations.
• Expand the rights for passengers who use wheelchairs and ensure that they can travel safely and with dignity. The comment period on this proposed rule will close on 12 June 2024.
• All of the consent orders issued are available at regulations.gov, docket number DOT-OST-2024-0001.

Information about airline passenger rights, as well as DOT’s rules, guidance and orders, can be found at https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer.

China lands a probe on the Moon

China has successfully landed a probe on the dark side of the moon and it intends to bring part of it back to Earth with a load of rocks. The Chang’e-6 lander landed in the Aitken Basin near the South Pole. It touched down in a crater and appears to be operating normally. The lander has been in a lunar orbit for 20 days and is part of a four-part system that includes the orbiter, lander, ascender and re-entry vehicle that will ultimately bring the payload home.

The robotic mission is a dress rehearsal for a crewed mission planned for 2030 and the eventual establishment of a base in the area, which may have ice. The mission began on 3 May and is scheduled to last 53 days. As for the scientific part of the mission, the samples are expected to reveal information on the origin and natural history of the moon. This is China’s second successful uncrewed landing on the moon.

Boeing’s Starliner scrubbed minutes before launch

Just four minutes before liftoff, the launch of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner capsule was once again scrubbed due to a ‘technical issue.’ A retry was possible as early as Sunday, but NASA announced late Saturday that it was pushing the next attempt back to at least Wednesday at 10h52 EDT to troubleshoot a balky launch control computer.

The mission, called Crew Flight Test, was expected to launch on Saturday morning from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This incident marks the second time within a month that a planned launch has been scrubbed. Starliner’s initial launch, slated for 6 May, was also postponed just two hours before liftoff due to an issue with an oxygen relief valve, which has since been rectified. 

“The launch attempt of NASA’s Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test, which will carry NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to and from the International Space Station, has been scrubbed as teams evaluate the ground launch sequencer. More information will be forthcoming,” NASA wrote in a statement. Boeing says Starliner was designed to accommodate seven passengers, or a mix of crew and cargo, for missions to low-Earth orbit. The Starliner is reusable up to 10 times with a six-month turnaround time.

EHang wins 50-unit eVTOL order

Chinese UAM maker EHang announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Taiyuan Xishan Ecological Tourism Investment Construction to jointly develop the low-altitude economy in Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, China. Concurrently with the signing of the MoU, Xishan Tourism has placed a purchase order for 50 units of EHang’s EH216-S pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft and has paid the total contract price of RMB113 million (US$15.6 million) to EHang. Xishan Tourism has signed a purchase plan agreement for an additional 450 units of EH216-S over the next two years. These aircraft will be deployed for aerial tourism, passenger transportation and other low altitude use cases to facilitate adoption and operations of pilotless eVTOL in North China.

According to the MoU, EHang and Xishan Tourism will collaborate to develop a Low-Altitude Economy Industrial Park in Taiyuan, where they can establish EHang’s command-and-control center, marketing and exhibition center, operations center, after-sales service center, research institute, etc. EHang and Xishan Tourism plan to build EH216-S low-altitude sightseeing demonstration centres in the scenic areas of Xishan Mountain and Fenhe River in Taiyuan initially, with further plans to gradually expand pilotless eVTOLs application to Shanxi Province and North China to stimulate the growth of the low-altitude industry in the region.

Shanxi Province has been designated as a national demonstration province for the development of the general aviation industry and Taiyuan City is one of the national civil unmanned aviation demonstration zones that boast fertile ground for aviation as a conducive environment for the growth of low-altitude economy development.

FAA approves Amazon drone delivery beyond visual line of sight

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Amazon’s Prime Air drone programme permission to conduct flights ‘beyond visual line of sight’ (BVLOS), allowing the company to scale its drone delivery operation. To obtain the BVLOS approval, Amazon said it conducted several flight demonstrations showing how its drone used onboard detect-and-avoid technology to navigate away from obstacles such as aircraft, helicopters and a hot air balloon. These flights were conducted under the supervision of FAA inspectors to validate the system’s functionality.

With FAA clearance secured, Amazon is set to begin drone deliveries later this year in College Station, Texas, where the company began its drone deliveries in 2022. According to Amazon, this regulatory approval paves the way for it to reach customers in densely populated areas, laying the foundation for scaling operations across the United States.

Amazon noted its goal is to deliver 500 million packages annually by drone by the end of the decade. “It has taken years of inventing, testing and improving to develop these breakthrough technologies and now, on the heels of regulatory approval and cutting-edge technology, we are excited to launch this next chapter for Prime Air,” the company noted in a 30 May blog post.

US Air Force, DIU pick four companies to compete for drone test vehicle

The US Air Force and the Pentagon’s Defence Innovation Unit have selected four companies to compete for a programme that aims to field a drone prototype capable of being produced cheaply and at scale that can also serve as a test bed for new subsystems and materials. Anduril Industries, Integrated Solutions for Systems, Leidos Dynetics and Zone 5 Technologies were selected out of a pool of over 100 vendors for the Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV) programme. Each winner will now be expected to fly a drone prototype between the late summer and the fall, which will inform a subsequent DIU down select.

“We look forward to working with our partners at DIU and the Air Force Armament Directorate (EB) to deliver a highly producible, modular, affordable and capable Enterprise Test Vehicle (ETV) that will serve as the baseline architecture for large-scale production of next-generation airborne platforms,” Senior Vice President of Anduril’s Air Dominance and Strike Division Jason Levin said in a statement.

After publication of this report, Mark Miller, senior vice president for missile and aviation systems at Leidos, said “we believe that the Leidos Dynetics developed air vehicle solution provides a compelling offer for the ETV effort. Leidos’ ETV technology is the perfect merger of our strike systems expertise, as exemplified by the modular, affordable and network enabled GBU-69 Small Glide Munition and our recent experience developing the air-launched and air-recovered, X-61 Gremlins UAS.”

Zone 5 Technologies also provided a statement after this report, writing that “ETV represents a natural evolution of our family of air launched effects and we are proud to partner with DIU and the Armament Directorate to bring this capability forward at scale.” Integrated Solutions for Systems did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Under the ETV endeavour, the DIU and Air Force team is seeking a drone prototype capable of flying at least 500 nautical miles with a minimum cruise speed of 100 knots and delivering a ‘kinetic payload,’ according to a solicitation DIU posted last year. The DoD team additionally desires solutions with modular open systems architectures and other unique features like the ability to be launched in multiple ways, such as from the back of a cargo aircraft.

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Should you miss out on any edition of APAnews, please visit the website: www.africanpilot.co.za and click on the APAnews link on the front page. All past weekly APAnews publications have been archived on the website.