This week in Midweek Updates
Denel launches new rotary wing UAV.
Zenith Aircraft's Sebastien Heintz was inducted into EAA's Homebuilders Hall of Fame.
Britten-Norman secures investment to ramp up islander production and expand aftermarket operations.
The D328® Uplift flying testbed becomes the first large aircraft to successfully fly with 100% synthetic zero aromatics fuels.
Textron eAviation Inc. announces Nexus eVTOL flight testing at Salina Regional Airport.
Wisk partners with Airservices Australia.
Textron Aviation unveils exclusive EvoX upgrades: comprehensive and factory-direct modification packages for Cessna Citation and Beechcraft King Air customers.
DARPA taps Sikorsky to add autonomy to U.S. Army-owned Black Hawk Helicopter.
This week in history - The first crewed flight into a hurricane happened in 1943 when a pilot-trainer flew into a Category 1 hurricane near Galveston, Texas on a bet.
Worldwide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus video - Defiant Twin Ex Cessna 310
DENEL LAUNCHES NEW ROTARY WING UAV www.defencewb.co.za
As part of its product diversification strategy, Denel Aerospace has announced the launch of a new Rotary Wing Unmanned Aerial System (RW-UAS), designed primarily for surveillance, with the ability to provide situational information as well as detailed object or terrain data.
Some years ago Denel approached local universities to take part in the research and development of new generation aircraft: an unmanned helicopter (Prowler) and manned aeroplane (Small African Regional Aircraft - SARA). The Prowler was developed in conjunction with Armscor.
The resulting RW-UAS is day and night operable and is equipped with optical sensors and an optional radar sensor. The standard observation sensors include a thermal imaging camera, high-definition colour TV camera, auto tracker, laser rangefinder and designator. The optional radar sensor offers synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imagery as well as ground moving object indicator imagery.
Capable of automatic vertical take-off and landing, the RW-UAS can operate and navigate autonomously, with 10 hours of endurance with the standard payload. With an additional 80 kg payload, the system has a four-hour endurance. Maximum take-off weight is 560 kg.
With a fully articulated five-blade main and tail rotor system, Denel notes the system has a low noise profile and can operate from a variety of landing zones, even from the back of a vehicle and vessels, making it competitive in this weight class.
The RW-UAS has an airframe length of 5.9 metres, with a rotor diameter of six metres, and a height of 1.7 metres. It is powered by a 4-cylinder, 4-stroke turbocharged petrol or diesel motor, capable of propelling it to a speed of 200 km/h.
Intended applications include law enforcement, public safety, border patrol, wildlife monitoring, area surveillance, powerline inspection, disaster management, search and rescue, communications relay, and geological surveying.
The aircraft's flight modes include Autonomous mode, with autopilot control in accordance with a pre-planned flight plan, including auto take-off and landing. Trajectory mode makes use of autopilot, which executes route commands from the Ground Control Station (GCS). A sense and avoid capability is included, along with communications fail mode, which executes an autonomous flight to a predetermined landing point. There is also provision for engine rotor failure, which executes autorotation and an autonomous landing.
ZENITH AIRCRAFT'S SEBASTIEN HEINTZ INDUCTED INTO EAA'S HOMEBUILDERS HALL OF FAME
The Experimental Aircraft Association is proud to honour new inductees into our Sport Aviation Halls of Fame. These inductees. have dedicated their lives to aviation and join an esteemed group of individuals who represent the spirit of EAA in the highest form.
Sebastien Heintz is the owner and president of Zenith Aircraft Co., a leading kit aircraft manufacturer. The son of famed light aircraft designer Chris Heintz, Sebastien continues in his father's footsteps promoting sport and kit (homebuilt) aviation, and helping to make aircraft ownership affordable and accessible.
Sebastien was the 2017 recipient of EAA's Freedom of Flight Award for his contributions to aviation and the recipient of the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association's 2017 President's Award. He is an avid sport pilot and enjoys sharing photos and videos of his flying adventures to share the joys of building, owning, and flying light aircraft.
Sebastien founded Zenith Aircraft Co. in 1992 in Mexico, Missouri, growing the company into what it is today. Together with the support of Roger Dubbert (Zenith's demo pilot since 1993), and Travis Kobush (Zenith's production manager since 1994), Sebastien continues to host monthly hands-on workshop classes at Zenith to introduce new potential aircraft builders to the world of homebuilts. Sebastien, together with his three older brothers, formed the Chris Heintz Foundation Inc. in 2023 to further their father's work.
"Sebastien Heintz has successfully taken the mantle of his father's legacy in promoting sport and homebuilt aviation," reported Plane & Pilot magazine recently: "Under Sebastien Heintz's leadership at Zenith, his fortitude and direction have proven that the marketplace rewards those companies that value their customers and consistently provide the support critical to kit aircraft builders."
"It's such a privilege to continue my father's legacy," said Sebastien Heintz. Zenith kit aircraft models were designed by aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz.
BRITTEN-NORMAN SECURES INVESTMENT TO RAMP UP ISLANDER PRODUCTION AND EXPAND AFTERMARKET OPERATIONS
Britten-Norman, the UK's leading manufacturer of utility aircraft, has successfully completed its second funding round, securing significant capital from Northern Ireland based Beechlands Enterprises. The investment will accelerate production of the iconic Islander aircraft and transform aftermarket business.
Britten-Norman will scale manufacturing operations in the UK up to eight aircraft a year in phase one. Manufacturing will be focussed primarily on the unleaded piston version of the Islander, with around 20% of aircraft being delivered as turboprops.
As part of the company's focus on manufacturing, it will invest in more advanced manufacturing tools and machinery, enhancing component production capabilities. These upgrades will help reduce lead times, increase output, and improve overall cost and efficiency.
As part of the investment Patrick Cowan, former Deputy Chief Engineer at Belfast based aeroplane manufacturer Short Brothers, will be joining the board of Britten-Norman.
Alison Rankin Frost, Director of Beechlands said; “We're delighted to invest in Britten-Norman. Great people, great product and, now we have provided more capital, great prospects.”
William Hynett, Britten-Norman's CEO, commented: “This welcome investment from Beechlands will enable Britten-Norman to complete its aircraft manufacturing repatriation programme, with the first aircraft destined for the Falkland Islands. We will also be focussing on our important international aftermarket operations, ensuring our long-term position as the manufacturer of choice for reliable, high-intensity, low-cost, short-field, sub-regional air transportation.”
THE D328® UPLIFT FLYING TESTBED BECOMES THE FIRST LARGE AIRCRAFT TO SUCCESSFULLY FLY WITH 100% SYNTHETIC ZERO AROMATICS FUELS
German aircraft manufacturer Deutsche Aircraft has successfully operated the first-ever test flight using 100% synthetic zero aromatics fuel in both engines of the D328® UpLift flying testbed. This is the first time a CS-25 aircraft has operated solely on a fuel that is chemically identical to Power-to-Liquid fuel (PtL). The flight, which was conducted at Oberpfaffenhofen Airport on 9 October 2024, is the starting point of the CLIM0ART inflight emission measurement campaign, which will investigate the benefits of using 100% zero aromatics PtL to reduce climate impact. PtL can be produced using sustainable CO2, renewable energy and water in the future, offering the potential to reduce the CO2 balance by up to 95% as well as decreasing non-CO2 effects.
The current CLIM0ART measurement campaign with the D328® UpLift platform is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) through the LuFo-Klima Aviation Research Programme. The project is led by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Deutsche Aircraft, with Sasol as the contributing fuel partner. During this flight campaign, the D328® UpLift aircraft flies in formation with DLR's Falcon 20E research aircraft, which is equipped with probes to measure the emissions from zero aromatics synthetic fuel and to probe the properties of ice crystals in condensation trails. The campaign also marks the first time that the emissions of a CS-25 turboprop aircraft are measured in flight with fully synthetic fuels. The in-flight emission measurements were preceded by extensive emission measurements of the D328® turboprop aircraft on the ground, powered by the same zero-aromatics PtL-proxy fuel.
The synthetic fuel is supplied by Sasol, a leading South African chemical company, that has mastered the Fischer-Tropsch process on an industrial scale. While the currently used fuel is not yet produced from sustainable feedstock (hence being called “PtL-proxy”), Power-to-Liquid fuels, or e-kerosene, have the potential to facilitate aviation's transition to climate neutrality in the long term, as their production is not constrained by feedstock scarcity. In addition to reducing the CO2 footprint, the absence of aromatics can significantly reduce the warming effect of contrails and will improve the air quality at airports.
Nico Neumann, Chief Operations Officer at Deutsche Aircraft, remarks: “The CLIM0ART project is another piece of the puzzle in our holistic approach to optimising the environmental impact of our aircraft, with the objective of implementing the latest climate science in our D328eco™, which is currently under development. This achievement not only underscores the potential of synthetic fuels but also highlights the significance of the collaboration between industry and research institutions and the support from the German government in driving meaningful change and contributing to the global aviation value chain.”
Regina Pouzolz, Director Sustainable Flight at Deutsche Aircraft, adds: “We want the D328eco to be compatible with zero aromatics PtL produced from renewable and sustainable resources, in addition to any other fuel choice of our customers around the world. I would like to thank the DLR and our fantastic team for their efforts and spirit of collaboration to make this flight happen.
“Sustainable fuels will play an important role in climate-friendly aviation in the future, especially electricity-based fuels for widespread production,” explains Dr. Markus Fischer, DLR Executive Board Member for Aeronautics. “I am therefore particularly pleased that our new D328 UpLift research aircraft is the first in the world to fly with such a synthetic aromatics-free fuel in its turboprop engines on its research campaign premiere. With our 'flying laboratory' Falcon 20E, we are contributing DLR's outstanding expertise in measuring emissions and the resulting contrails directly in flight.”
The D328® UpLift Flying Testbed will be pivotal in the application of new, climate-friendly systems, fuel and propulsion technologies. It is predicted that PtL production volumes will have to be increased in order to meet the mandate of the ReFuelEU Aviation regulation obliging airlines to uplift a minimum share of e-kerosene by 2030. The scientific findings of this campaign will inform policy and build momentum to support the required ramp-up of Power-to-Liquid fuels.
As the D328® Uplift continues to soar, Deutsche Aircraft remains committed to playing a pivotal role in innovation, setting an example for the aviation industry to achieve a future that is more sustainable and environmentally conscious.
TEXTRON EAVIATION INC. ANNOUNCES NEXUS EVTOL FLIGHT TESTING AT SALINA REGIONAL AIRPORT
Textron eAviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced it will conduct flight testing for its Nexus eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) full-scale technology demonstrator aircraft at Salina Regional Airport (SLN) in collaboration with the Salina Airport Authority. This program will follow the successful conclusion of initial restrained flight tests, which are planned for 2025 at the National Institute of Aviation Research facility in Wichita. The flight test program at Salina Regional Airport will be instrumental in validating the aircraft's full performance envelope.
The Nexus is a multi-mission aircraft designed to address the global demand for sustainable aviation solutions. This zero-emission aircraft, configured for one pilot and four passengers, is powered by a distributed electric propulsion system. It features four tilting propellers and two aft stationary vertical rotors, enabling a wide range of applications such as passenger transport, public aircraft operations and cargo services.
Salina Regional Airport has established itself as a key site for Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) testing, having hosted Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) operations under the Federal Aviation Administration's Integration Pilot Program (IPP) and Beyond programs. The airport's leadership in UAS innovation is further bolstered by the presence of the Kansas State University Applied Aviation Research Center (AARC), which conducts cutting-edge UAS research and operations. Given its extensive history, proven success in UAS operations, and broad access to airspace, Salina Regional Airport is an ideal location for conducting these pivotal tests and advancing the future of aviation.
"Kansas boasts a rich aviation history, and we're proud to work alongside the Salina Airport Authority to test these emerging technologies so close to home," said Kriya Shortt, President & CEO of Textron eAviation. "The support and facilities provided by the Salina Airport Authority are vital as we advance towards bringing the Nexus eVTOL to market."
The remotely piloted flight-test program at Salina Regional Airport (SLN) will evaluate the Nexus eVTOL's performance under various conditions, simulating a wide range of operational scenarios.
"We are thrilled to partner with Textron eAviation on this exciting project," said Pieter Miller, Executive Director of the Salina Airport Authority. "Salina Regional Airport has a longstanding tradition of supporting aviation innovation, and we look forward to contributing to the success of the Nexus eVTOL program."
In addition to supporting the flight testing for the Nexus eVTOL, the collaboration among Kansas State University, the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) and Salina Regional Airport underscores their shared commitment to advancing aviation technology in Kansas.
WISK PARTNERS WITH AIRSERVICES AUSTRALIA
Wisk Aero, a leading Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company and developer of the first all-electric, self-flying air taxi in the US, today announced it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airservices Australia. This government-owned organization provides air traffic management and associated services in Australia. The MoU lays the foundation for incorporating safe, autonomous air taxi travel into Australia's airspace.
Australia is an important market for Wisk's testing and evaluation program and for future commercial service. In 2022, Wisk established an MoU with the Council of Mayors (SEQ), Australia's largest regional local government advocacy organization, and most recently, Wisk expanded its partnership with Skyports Infrastructure to identify an Entry-into-Service (EIS) network for Wisk's autonomous aircraft ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Wisk Australia Pty Ltd has also recently been established to lead the EIS of Wisk in Australia and will lead the engagement with Airservices under this MoU.
The agreement with Airservices Australia underscores Wisk's commitment to the region and ensures that critical airspace integration systems will be established before Wisk enters the market. Specifically, the MoU establishes a framework for: Evaluating initiatives that will incorporate autonomous air mobility networks into Australia. Exploring how advanced air mobility, and in particular uncrewed, remotely supervised aircraft can be integrated into the Australian national airspace. Providing a forum for discussion on challenges and opportunities for development by identifying potential projects and collaborating and knowledge-sharing activities to improve practices related to autonomous air mobility networks.
Activities expected to be conducted under this MoU also include the workshops, and simulations to understand how AAM systems and Airservices systems will integrate into the national airspace.
“Australia has a history of aviation innovation and a vision for the future that includes advanced air mobility,” said Catherine MacGowan, Wisk's VP of APAC and Air Operations. “We're grateful to share that vision with Airservices, and to contribute to an air traffic system that meets the needs of AAM services so we can bring safe, efficient air travel to communities in this region.”
The MoU benefits from Airservices' leadership in airspace reform, including their plans to establish a Flight Information Management System (FIMS). The development of a FIMS is critical for enhancing safety and for integrating AAM into a fully coordinated and seamless airspace. This integrated airspace approach is essential for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of all users, both traditional and emerging.
Airservices Australia is taking a leading role in transforming airspace management to accommodate the future of aviation, including AAM. Wisk Australia will collaborate closely with Airservices to explore airspace procedures for autonomous aircraft, digital flight approvals, and time and trajectory-based operations, as well as how these procedures will operate within newly established vertiport environments. Together, this MoU aims to set standards for the safe and efficient integration of AAM into the national airspace system.
“The mutual benefit of this knowledge-sharing arrangement is it will help both organizations better understand industry needs and challenges, and collaborate on strategies to ensure the safe and sustainable use of Australian airspace,” said Rob Sharp, Interim Chief Executive Officer of Airservices Australia.
TEXTRON AVIATION UNVEILS EXCLUSIVE EVOX UPGRADES: COMPREHENSIVE AND FACTORY-DIRECT MODIFICATION PACKAGES FOR CESSNA CITATION AND BEECHCRAFT KING AIR CUSTOMERS
Textron Aviation today announced the launch of “EvoX,” specialized aftermarket upgrade packages designed for Cessna Citation and Beechcraft King Air customers who are seeking the latest aircraft upgrades and modifications to maximize the value of their aircraft. EvoX allows customers to bundle state-of-the-art avionics, cutting-edge connectivity solutions, exclusive luxurious interior refurbishments and sleek exterior upgrades into one easy to schedule and complete comprehensive modification package.
Textron Aviation announced the launch of “EvoX,” specialized aftermarket upgrade packages designed for Cessna Citation and Beechcraft King Air customers who are seeking the latest aircraft upgrades and modifications to maximize the value of their aircraft. (Textron Aviation)
Textron Aviation announced the launch of “EvoX,” specialized aftermarket upgrade packages designed for Cessna Citation and Beechcraft King Air customers who are seeking the latest aircraft upgrades and modifications to maximize the value of their aircraft. (Textron Aviation)
Beechcraft and Cessna customers receive factory-direct support, maintenance and modifications by Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, through a global network of service and part centres, mobile service units and 24/7 1CALL AOG support.
“Textron Aviation's new EvoX packages offer Cessna and Beechcraft customers complete aircraft revitalization options to maximize the value of their aircraft. We've meticulously curated the latest avionics, seamless connectivity options and exclusive bespoke interior and exterior designs to create an experience that feels like flying in an entirely new aircraft,” said Brian Rohloff, senior vice president, Customer Support. “With the launch of EvoX, we're demonstrating our commitment to designing and delivering the best aviation experience for our customers.”
Key features of the EvoX upgrade packages include: Advanced avionics upgrades: incorporating the latest in navigation and communication technology to deliver superior in-flight performance and reduce pilot workload. In-flight connectivity solutions: ensuring that passengers stay connected with the fastest, most reliable in-flight internet services available today. Interior refurbishment: redefining luxury with custom interiors that blend comfort with style, including exclusive EvoX schemes with icon embossment options.
Exterior updates: enhancing aircraft curb appeal with custom paint jobs and detailing including exclusive EvoX insignia.
Customers can now have EvoX upgrade packages installed for select aircraft at North America Textron Aviation Service Centres.
DARPA TAPS SIKORSKY TO ADD AUTONOMY TO U.S. ARMY-OWNED BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has received a $6 million award from the defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to install the company's ALIAS/MATRIX™ flight autonomy system onto the U.S. Army's experimental fly-by-wire UH-60M Black Hawk® helicopter. Designated MX, the upgraded aircraft will enable the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) to test and evaluate a wide range of autonomy capabilities, from single pilot operation to fully uninhabited flight.
“Autonomy-enabled aircraft will reduce pilot workload, dramatically improve flight safety, and give battle commanders the flexibility to perform complex missions in contested and congested battlespace, day or night in all weather conditions,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “Soldiers will rely on Black Hawk helicopters into the 2070s, and modernizing the aircraft today will pay dividends for decades across Army Aviation's current and future aircraft
The MATRIX autonomy system forms the core of DARPA's ALIAS (Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System) program. As part of ALIAS in 2020, Sikorsky provided the hardware and engineering support to add fly-by-wire flight controls to the MX aircraft. When combined with the MATRIX autonomy system, the MX aircraft will be a near-exact copy of Sikorsky's UH-60A fly-by-wire Optionally Piloted Black Hawk helicopter, the company's flying lab that has tested MATRIX autonomy over hundreds of flight hours.
Sikorsky will integrate the MATRIX system into the MX helicopter in 2025. The aircraft will enable DEVCOM to explore and mature the practical applications and potential concept of operations of a scalable autonomy system. Evaluation will include assessment of different sensor suites to perceive and avoid threats, obstacles and terrain, and develop standards and system specifications interfaced with the MATRIX system and a fly-by-wire flight control system.
In July 2024, Sikorsky and DARPA demonstrated to U.S. military service personnel and senior Department of defence officials how the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk helicopter can easily be flown and controlled by an operator in the cabin, or on the ground by entering high level mission goals via a tablet.
These recent demonstrations built on autonomous flights at Project Convergence 2022, when Sikorsky and DARPA successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Army how the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk helicopter, operating without humans on board, can safely and reliably perform internal and external cargo resupply missions.
Autonomous capabilities such as MATRIX technology are a key part of Lockheed Martin's 21st Century Security® vision, which includes modernizing the Black Hawk helicopter to stay ahead of new and emerging threats.
THE FIRST CREWED FLIGHT INTO A HURRICANE HAPPENED IN 1943 WHEN A PILOT-TRAINER FLEW INTO A CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE NEAR GALVESTON, TEXAS ON A BET
While modern satellites have improved the ability of meteorologists to detect cyclones before they form, only aircraft are able to measure the interior barometric pressure of a hurricane and provide accurate wind speed data, information needed to accurately predict hurricane development and movement.
Hurricane hunters, typhoon hunters, or cyclone hunters are aircrews that fly into tropical cyclones to gather weather data. In the United States, the organizations that fly these missions are the United States Air Force Reserve's 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Hunters. Such missions have also been flown by Navy units and other Air Force and NOAA units. Other organizations also fly these missions, such as Government Flying Service Hong Kong.
The 53rd WRS hurricane hunters operate ten Lockheed WC-130J aircraft, which fly directly into hurricanes, typically penetrating the hurricane's eye several times per mission at altitudes between 500 feet (150 m) and 10,000 feet (3,000 m).
Among the types of aircraft that have been used to investigate hurricanes, are an instrumented Lockheed U-2 flown in Hurricane Ginny during the 1963 Atlantic hurricane season. Other types include the A-20 Havoc, 1944; B-24, 1944-1945; B-17, 1945-1947; B-25, 1946-1947; B-29, 1946-1947. WB-29, 1951-1956; WB-50, 1956-1963; WB-47, 1963-1969; WC-121N 1954-1973; WC-130A, B, E, H, 1965-2012.
South Africa: A Starlite Sling 2 force landed on the Beachwood golf course in Durban, causing the nose gear to collapse.
Finland, Räyskälä Airfield (EFRY), Loppi: A North American SNJ-3 crashed shortly after take-off from Räyskälä Airfield (EFRY), killing both occupants. A post-crash fire erupted. Reportedly, the aircraft had been sold to a German owner. Both of those who died in the accident were the new owners of the plane and German pilots aged around 60 and experienced.
Indonesia, Gorontalo Province, Sulawesi Island: A SAM Air DHC-6 Twin Otter crashed while on approach to runway 27 at Bumi Panua Pohuwato Airport, Indonesia, killing all four occupants. The aircraft with three crew and one passenger departed from Gorontalo-Jalaluddin Airport (GTO) at 07:02 on a short flight to Bumi Panua Pohuwato Airport. The Twin Otter fell in a waterlogged field close to the airport.
USA, West of Las Cruces International Airport (LRU/KLRU), Las Cruces: An Extra EA 300/L, N512DW, was destroyed when it impacted terrain while performing aerobatics during the Las Cruces Air & Space Expo west of the Las Cruces International Airport (LRU/KLRU), Las Cruces, New Mexico. The pilot onboard sustained fatal injuries.
Mexico, sea off Oaxaca: A Cessna 210 plane transporting drugs was intercepted by Mexican law enforcement officers and crashed into the sea off Oaxaca. A vast amount of drugs were confiscated.
