This week in Midweek Updates
VAN's Aircraft 2024-year end update.
Quarterhorse Mk 1 completes ground testing at Edwards Air Force Base - readies for flight.
DC-3 society announces organizational changes boosting member support and programs in advance of 90th anniversary celebrations.
Botswana Air Arm chief discusses the importance of strategic airlift, maintenance and technology.
H55 and Elfly Group forge partnership for the BRM Aero B23 Energic: a pioneering step in electric aviation.
Van's Aircraft celebrates Joby Aviation's FAA Part 141 certification.
U.S. Army orders additional Boeing CH-47F Block II Chinooks.
Sikorsky to demonstrate flight autonomy to U.S. Marine Corps/
Peruvian Air Force receives its first aeromedical evacuation-equipped Beechcraft King Air 360CHW.
Piper Aircraft announces M700 FURY certification by UK Civil Aviation Authority.
This week in history - 5 January 1916 - First flight of the Nieuport 11 (Bébé Nieuport).
Worldwide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus video - Compair A2A Shoot
VAN'S AIRCRAFT 2024 YEAR END UPDATE
As we approach the end of 2024, we reflect on a year marked by challenges, growth, and meaningful progress at Van's Aircraft. Thanks to hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support of our community, we've made significant strides-improving kit lead times, advancing the RV-15 project, and implementing key operational enhancements.
Everyone at Van's is committed to serving our valued customers and community. While we still have much to achieve, we wanted to share some highlights of the improvements and accomplishments made in 2024:
Production and Shipping Efficiencies
• Delivered over 1,200 kits worldwide.
• Revised kit packaging and crating processes, saving customers up to $250 in shipping cost per kit.
• Fulfilled 11,846 parts orders to ensure parts availability for ongoing projects.
• Shipped over 2,500 customer orders for laser-cut replacement parts.
o Please note that we have fulfilled all known laser-cut replacement orders. If you placed an order and have not yet received a shipment or tracking number, please contact us at support@vansaircraft.com so we can promptly assist you.
Customer Service and Support
• Answered 22,315 support and order inquiry calls in 2024.
• Expanded our customer service team to ensure faster and more efficient support.
• Reduced the number of unresolved customer inquiries from 3500 requests to 385.
• Reduced call wait times from an average of 4 minutes and 22 seconds in January to 2 minutes and 30 seconds in recent months.
Backorder and Kit Availability Updates
• Reduced backorders by 50%.
• Fulfilled 114 backordered RV-10 seat sets year to date (with the remainder to be cleared by March 2025).
• Reduced QuickBuild kit lead times from 18 months to 12 months.
• Reduced Empennage kit lead times for every RV model to 2 weeks.
Supplier and Operational Enhancements
• Worked with suppliers and partners (who have been awesome!) to reduce supplier backlog by 67%, allowing significant progress on fulfilling delayed shipments and backorders.
• Implementing new ERP/MRP system, designed to improve lead times, order tracking, and customer service.
• Partnered with a third-party auditor to develop and refine our new quality initiative and policies.
RV-15 Update
Exciting progress continues on the RV-15! Successful flight tests have provided valuable data to refine the design, including:
• The stabilator has been replaced with a conventional tail on a longer tailcone, which has proven to provide more intuitive handling for pilots of varying skill levels. Testing of the final tail has demonstrated excellent flight stability and ground performance throughout the entire cg range.
• The aircraft is now harmonized in pitch and roll to deliver the signature “RV Feel,” with control forces tailored to its backcountry mission. For those eager for an RV designed for backcountry adventures, the RV-15 is delivering on its promise.
• Detail design work is underway on the wing and empennage, with expanded fuel tanks integrated into the wings for extended range.
• Refinements are also being incorporated into a new fuselage design, with detailed work set to begin after wing and empennage testing is complete.
The RV-15 is shaping up to be a game-changer for backcountry flying, and we can't wait to share more as the project moves forward!
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we move into 2025, we'll continue to focus on delivering Total Performance across all aspects of our business-from kit production and aircraft design to customer service and community engagement. We're excited to keep building on the progress we've made this year and to support you throughout the process of building, flying, and enjoying your RV.
Introducing The Van's Avionics Department
We are pleased to announce Van's will be forming a new avionics department in 2025. This strategic expansion will enable us to offer integrated avionics and wiring harness solutions for the RV-15, and possibly future MOSAIC aircraft. We expect that many Van's customers will continue to have custom wiring harnesses and panels built by their favorite third-party panel supplier. However, our goal in establishing this new department is to provide future RV-15 builders with high-quality wiring harnesses and instrument panels that dramatically reduce the build time and remove anxiety and uncertainty in this portion of their project. This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to enhance the builder experience while preserving the hallmark customization and flexibility that define Van's Aircraft kits.
We couldn't have accomplished all this without the dedication of our team and the continued support of the Van's Aircraft community. Whether you're building, flying, or planning your next RV project, we wish you a joyful holiday season and a bright New Year!
QUARTERHORSE MK 1 COMPLETES GROUND TESTING AT EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE - READIES FOR FLIGHT Hermeus, a leading aerospace and defence technology company specializing in high-speed aircraft, today announced the completion of the ground portion of the flight test campaign for Quarterhorse Mk 1. This milestone marks the successful integrated testing of all vehicle subsystems as well as the software and hardware in Hermeus' custom Flight Deck from which Quarterhorse will be remotely piloted.
This comprehensive ground test campaign at Edwards Air Force Base was completed in just 21 days.
"Hermeus is redefining the pace at which aircraft can be developed, tested, and fielded,” said AJ Piplica, Co-Founder and CEO of Hermeus. “With Quarterhorse Mk 1, we've proven our ability to design and build a clean-sheet aircraft in just 204 days. Now, through this test campaign, we are demonstrating how rapidly and rigorously our team can validate the aircraft for flight - safely and comprehensively."
Ground testing culminated in 130-knot (150 mph) taxi tests with full afterburner on Edwards' iconic dry lakebed, offering a valuable opportunity to validate aerodynamic model assumptions, assess the aircraft's directional control, and evaluate the performance of control surfaces, among other things.
Prior to reaching these taxi speeds, end-to-end testing between the Flight Deck and the aircraft validated redundant RF links and addressed potential electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems.
The team also conducted extensive human-machine interface (HMI) testing to optimize pilot inputs for Quarterhorse. Ensuring pilots receive the precise information needed for effective remote operation presented a unique challenge, requiring meticulous refinement of inputs to enhance situational awareness and decision-making.
With ground testing complete, Hermeus is finalizing the administrative efforts to obtain flight approval from the U.S. Air Force 412th Test Wing and the FAA.
The first flight of Quarterhorse will mark a pivotal milestone for Hermeus and offer insights to inform the development of future aircraft. Quarterhorse Mk 1 was purpose-built for a single mission: take-off and landing. Its high-speed aerodynamic design introduces unique challenges, including a low aspect ratio wing, high wing loading, and a low thrust-to-weight ratio. The data collected from this initial flight, simply by achieving liftoff and sustaining flight, will provide critical learnings.
Key areas of focus for Hermeus include evaluating the effectiveness of control surfaces in flight, assessing performance and handling at high angles of attack, testing manoeuvrability under high wing loading, and validating control gains and filters within the flight software.
“One year ago, we hadn't yet completed testing of Quarterhorse Mk 0, and this aircraft, Mk 1, was just a single structural frame,” said Skyler Shuford, Co-Founder and President of Hermeus. “While this timeline is already unprecedented in modern aerospace development, we also discovered many places where our execution was extremely slow, which gives me and the team confidence that we can go even faster and take on more scope and challenges to stay on pace for developing roughly one new aircraft per year.”
The next iteration of Quarterhorse, Mk 2, is actively being built in Hermeus' Atlanta factory. This aircraft features a much larger engine, the Pratt & Whitney F100, and will fly at supersonic speeds.
DC-3 SOCIETY ANNOUNCES ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES BOOSTING MEMBER SUPPORT AND PROGRAMS IN ADVANCE OF 90TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS
On the 89th anniversary of the DC-3 Maiden Flight, the DC-3 Society is using this special commemoration to share the organization's plan forward, operating as a stand-alone entity, officially separating from the Tunison Foundation beginning in January 2025. DC-3 Society operations have advanced, and membership has witnessed consistent growth over the last four years. The society's 501(c)3 nonprofit designation will soon be official.
“We're excited for the future of the DC-3 Society, especially continuing to operate this type of aircraft in our current climate. It's imperative we have a structured member organization looking out for our best interests and needs,” shared Eric Zipkin, Tunison Foundation board president. Eric also served as chief pilot for both 2019 and 2024 D-Day Squadron missions in Europe.
With the DC-3 Society taking on the D-Day Squadron's programming and platforms, the D-Day Squadron will focus on large flying commemorations for the DC-3.
“We know the D-Day Squadron is globally recognized, that's no secret. It's become a symbol to many in celebrating the Grand Dame, the legendary DC-3 and all those who crewed and maintained her,” added Lyndse Costabile, who served as D-Day Squadron's executive director since fall of 2019. “That is why we must highlight the DC-3 Society to ensure longevity of our programs, membership resources and continuing to celebrate all that the DC-3 has accomplished in war and in peace.”
The structured society provides type-specific guidance for operating the DC-3 and its variants, including the C-47, as a way to maintain airworthiness for the models so that future generations can see them fly. It's estimated 150 of the type are still in service today. Today's DC-3s are servicing Part 91 flight departments, various museums and educational programs, freight and cargo operations, pest control companies and missionary flights. In the aftermath of natural disasters, the DC-3 is one of the most chosen aircraft to bring in cargo and supplies, given its versatility, load capacity and ability to land on grass strips. The society also serves the legacy of veterans who flew, maintained, and required the model to prevail in conflicts ranging from World War II to the Vietnam War. The organization will inherit D-Day Squadron's education and outreach programming to include annual flight and commemoration events, the Young Historian's Program, and educational platforms with museum partners and DC-3 collaborators.
Today, the society hosts WWII veteran Alan Shapiro on a live Facebook broadcast at 4:00 P.M. eastern time, who at age 99 had the opportunity to fly C-47 “Placid Lassie” in Normandy during the D-Day Squadron's 2024 Legacy Tour this past June. Shapiro trained as a fighter and glider pilot with the US Army Air Corps but was too young to take part in D-Day. He had to wait until the autumn of 1944, when he turned 18, to join the Allied war effort. He transported fuel and ammunition to keep the army tanks going and dropped paratroopers behind enemy lines.
Alan just celebrated his 100th birthday on October 16 and is excited for some additional flights and events scheduled in his honour. Interviewing him will be the DC-3 Society's Young Historian's Program founder, Henry Simpson and member, Adam Estes. Alan is also a lifetime member of the DC-3 Society and a support to its programming.
“We know with the DC-3 Society there is a place for our younger generation to help tell the stories of the Greatest Generation, our heroes too humble to even consider themselves heroes, " expressed Henry Simpson, pilot and founding member of the Young Historian's Program based in the UK. “I am looking forward to our role to help lead the society's education and outreach programming, continuing our mission to serve, honour and pay tribute to veterans.”
For 2025, the DC-3 Society is underway planning 90th anniversary events across the United States and Europe, celebrating the DC-3's maiden flight. The society unveiled commemorative graphics by partner Django Studios in advance of celebrations. Events will be posted to the society's website and promoted across social channels. Additional live broadcasts are being planned and in person gatherings for active members.
You can find more information about the DC-3 Society, membership and programs by visiting DC3Society.org.
BOTSWANA AIR ARM CHIEF DISCUSSES THE IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGIC AIRLIFT, MAINTENANCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Africa Defence Forum www.defenceweb.co.za
Major General Hendrick Thuthu Rakgantswana became chief of Botswana's Air Arm Command in 2021 after serving in the Air Force since 1986. Rakgantswana has served as squadron commander of the Fixed-Wing Air Mobility Squadron and has piloted the presidential jet. He also has been Air Force director of operations and base commander at Thebephatshwa Air Base, the Botswana Defence Force's main air base, about 100 kilometres outside the capital, Gaborone.
Rakgantswana spoke with Africa Defense Forum (ADF) and his remarks have been edited for length and clarity.
ADF: What made you join the military?
RAKGANTSWANA: The love for it, but way back then, Botswana was faced with these incursions from South Africa. They were most of the time flying into Botswana in pursuit of what was termed to be terrorists then. They were doing these attacks, these attacks on the military bases, attacks on villages that are around, located somewhere around the borders. I come from one small village called Ramotswa, so it's just a stone's throw from the South African border. And these guys would be coming in and they'd be setting off these bombs, these grenades, so I saw people die - innocent lives. It's that that made me really to go out there and defend my country against those aggressions.
ADF: More recently, Botswana has been notable for being at peace internally and at peace with its neighbours. So, what is the primary use and purpose of the air force in that context?
RAKGANTSWANA: Well, for starters we are facing our internal, transnational crimes, the poaching issue. This is where the air force is very, very critical, because over and above transporting troops to those areas, we also avail ISR [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] capability. We check that those guys don't come into the country undetected. And it indeed assures our ground personnel that they have good support in their operations. So just sustaining those operations toward anti-poaching is good for them. That is one of our primary roles.
The other ones that we are doing as well are the humanitarian relief operations. A country like Mozambique for instance every year without fail experiences floods. Most all the rivers in Southern Africa just dump their water into Mozambique before it goes into the ocean. That is a challenge, and our government will be putting our heads together and saying “let's contribute toward relieving Mozambique.” That is where now the efforts come in, and our assets will be collecting the foodstuffs and taking it to Mozambique for distribution to other hard-to-reach areas.
We have extended our humanitarian aid to other neighbouring countries. I think the furthest that we've been to so far is Congo-Brazzaville after there was some explosion of the ammo depot [in 2012]. We've been to Malawi, we've been to Zimbabwe, we've been to Mozambique during Cyclone Idai. That one crippled the whole of Southern Africa.
ADF: What are the primary air assets of Botswana's air force?
RAKGANTSWANA: In the airlift, we have those fixed-wing transport aircraft, the Hercules C-130, the CASA 235 and the CASA 212. And then, we have the helicopters, small kinds like the “Squirrels,” the AS350, and then we have the Bell 412s. And then the other one is for presidential flights, and the trainers. We do our own training; the only time we have to outsource training is when we procure a new platform, and that is just to do the type of conversion. Thereafter we sustain ourselves because we train instructors in that platform.
Of course, the fighter capability we are working on improving. Right now, we have the F-5s that are proving to be very expensive to maintain because of issues of obsolescence, so we are looking at a possible replacement platform in that regard. And this is where we are still dealing with the political principles to see that we can get funding toward the platform that we have identified. We're still window shopping in that regard. We haven't really identified which one. And that will be determined by funding. The idea is that we should not lose capability, because we know the importance of having secure skies.
ADF: How big a problem is strategic airlift on the continent, and how does Botswana see its role in contributing to that continental capacity?
RAKGANTSWANA: That one is a challenge, and we as air chiefs know it. Maybe we are unable to solve this or to convince the political leadership about the problem that we are facing. You find that we engage in these operations, or they have expectations from us as air chiefs. They would be saying, “Do this thing,” not noting that they have not really resourced us to undertake that operation. What we see now is that we will be faced with this problem of having to airlift personnel, airlift consignment cargo, and we get stuck.
Then the challenge is the turnaround time. If I had that capability, obviously I would respond [snaps fingers] just like that. But now I have to rely on this country to deconflict its own operations from the one that I'm saying is a pressing matter on my side as well. I end up failing in that regard in terms of achieving what I want within reasonable time.
ADF: One of the challenges facing African air forces is the ability to repair and maintain the platforms that they have. How big a challenge is maintenance, spare parts and repair for you as an air chief?
RAKGANTSWANA: It's a huge challenge right now. The platforms that we are operating as a struggling economy is that we probably end up settling for something that is cheaper; it is probably old. We operate it for five, six years and then it's due for heavy maintenance. We don't have that capability. It's due for component repair, and we will have to get those components from the OEM - original equipment manufacturer. And because it is old equipment they will be saying, “I can't make this component, especially that you want just one of this component. Because it means resuscitating the factory that was shutting down. So, the minimum that I can avail to you is probably going to be 100 or so.” But then I think, “No, I don't need 100. I just need one of those components.” The challenge now is looking for this component from different vendors. Sometimes it proves to be very difficult. At the end of it all, we don't get that one; we end up now having to look within these other platforms that I have and saying, “OK, if I had three aircraft maybe that one, I should use as a source of spares to support these two.” So, we will be stuck with these three aircraft that are not flying or one of those three flying and the other two are used to support this one so that we are able to sustain our operations.
But the other thing now of late is … especially the issue of costs. With this Russia-Ukraine war, we saw that the transport issue has gone up more than 10 times. In the past I used to ship some components to OEM like in the United States at less than $100 000 US. But right now, at the last I checked, it was about $800 000. You can see how much that is, and that is just one way. It's just expensive, so much that we sit now with these components here; we sit with these aircraft here that are not doing anything for us.
ADF: With the challenges you've mentioned, how important is a symposium like the African Air Chiefs Symposium in addressing these challenges for you, your neighbours and the whole of the continent?
RAKGANTSWANA: The AAFA, the Association of African Air Forces, wants to build or show the importance of cooperation, and that, as an individual country, you can't have all that you need. And, therefore, look to the neighbouring countries and see their capabilities, and say you as Angola you have this capability that I don't have, so help me in terms of air mobility. You as a certain country, you can probably extend slots to me for training of technicians, so assist me in this regard. And for sure that is going to be a lot cheaper than me having to send these technicians to Europe or the US. We are now looking within ourselves and identifying the capabilities that we have so that all members now can benefit from those.
ADF: A lot of militaries, including those in Africa, are incorporating drones and unmanned aerial vehicles into their assets. Given that you work heavily in anti-poaching, has your Air Force considered incorporating drones?
RAKGANTSWANA: We have ISR platforms in which we are using fixed-wing aircraft, pilot-flown as compared to a drone … but it's a good capability to have for sure, and we see the importance of this now in our operations out there in Mozambique, because you can imagine sending those guys out there but there are no eyes in the sky. In that case they just end up going into ambushes. That is the importance of drones; that is the importance of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability. We are shopping around for a drone type of ISR because the advantage of that one is that it can loiter for a long time - 24 hours, 18 hours - as compared to an aircraft that needs to come back to refuel after about five hours or so.
H55 AND ELFLY GROUP FORGE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE BRM AERO B23 ENERGIC: A PIONEERING STEP IN ELECTRIC AVIATION
H55, a global leader in electric propulsion technology, and Elfly Group, a trailblazer in zero-emission regional air travel and green mobility solutions with its no emissions all-electric seaplane, recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to introduce the BRM Aero B23 Energic, the first EASA CS-23 certified fully electric aircraft - to the Nordic market.
Under the MoU, Elfly Group will acquire three B23 Energic aircraft through the exclusive Founders' Edition launch program, plus options for two additional aircraft. Delivery of the first three units is scheduled for 2026, catapulting the expansion of the B23 Energic across the Nordic region.
This landmark agreement also establishes a strategic collaboration among H55, BRM Aero, manufacturers of the B23 aircraft and Elfly Group. Under this partnership, Elfly Group will act as the distributor for the B23 Energic in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.
The B23 Energic Nordic Launch. The Nordic market entry for the B23 Energic will commence with a joint demonstration tour across Norway and other Nordic countries from early 2025. During this tour, the fully electric two-seater aircraft, which offers an endurance of 60 minutes, plus reserves-will showcased at leading flight schools and pilot training academies. Pilots will have the opportunity to test fly the aircraft, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize regional pilot training and air mobility.
A Shared Vision for Green Innovation. The partnership unites three companies committed to advancing sustainable aviation innovation. The collaboration encompasses:
• Introducing next level electric aviation in the Nordics, with the first certified CS-23 aircraft.
• Marketing and sales activities to promote electric aviation solutions.
• Maintenance training programs to support regional adoption and technical know-how.
• Aircraft leasing options to enhance accessibility for flight schools and private users.
• Providing Elfly Group with access to an experimental aircraft ahead of the certified units' delivery.
The introduction of the BRISTELL B23 Energic in the Nordic region is both a technological milestone and a model for adopting clean aviation. By scaling infrastructure, proving the feasibility of zero-emission aircraft in real-world applications and inspiring the global adoption of sustainable practices, this partnership sets a powerful precedent for the future of aviation. With a focus on innovation, accessibility, and environmental stewardship, it addresses urgent industry challenges while paving the way for a quieter, greener, and more efficient global air transportation network.
The Swiss based H55 is a technological spin-off of Solar Impulse, the first electric airplane to fly around the world. The company develops cutting-edge certified electric propulsion and battery management systems that enable cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable air travel. H55 is driving innovation to accelerate the aviation industry's transition toward zero-emission solutions.
BRM Aero, founded in Kunovice, Czech Republic, is a globally recognized aircraft manufacturer specializing in high-performance general aviation and pilot training aircraft. Known for its BRISTELL series, BRM Aero focuses on pilot comfort, reliability, and cutting-edge design. The BRISTELL B23 Energic represents the company's commitment to advancing sustainable aviation.
VAN'S AIRCRAFT CELEBRATES JOBY AVIATION'S FAA PART 141 CERTIFICATION
We're excited to celebrate Joby Aviation's recent achievement of receiving their FAA Part 141 certificate-a significant step toward the launch of their commercial electric air taxi operations. This certification enables Joby to streamline pilot training through its Flight Academy, creating a strong pipeline of skilled aviators for the future of urban air mobility.
We're especially proud that Joby Aviation has chosen the Van's RV-12iS as a key part of their training programs.
The RV-12iS is the perfect aircraft for developing the skills necessary to operate modern, efficient, and safe aircraft, and we're honoured to play a role in supporting the next generation of pilots.
We look forward to a bright future of innovation in aviation, and we're thrilled to see Joby's progress as they continue to lead the way toward electric air taxi operations.
U.S. ARMY ORDERS ADDITIONAL BOEING CH-47F BLOCK II CHINOOKS
The U.S. Army ordered three additional CH-47F Block II Chinooks from Boeing [NYSE: BA]. The Lot 3 contract award, valued at $135 million, is a part of the U.S. Army's ongoing modernization efforts.
“It is critical soldiers get to their destinations and have the equipment they need to accomplish the mission,” said Heather McBryan, vice president and program manager, Boeing Cargo Programs. “The CH-47F Block II's increased payload capacity and expanded range enables the U.S. Army to meet evolving heavy-lift mission requirements around the world.”
This contract award follows the U.S. Army's February announcement that it is moving forward with full-rate production of the CH-47F Block II program. To date, Boeing is under contract for nine of up to 465 aircraft in the Army's current fleet. The Army has also received funding from the U.S. Congress for three aircraft as part of the next production lot and awarded Boeing a contract last year for acquisition of long lead parts.
Boeing delivered the first production CH-47F Block II aircraft to the Army in June followed by the second in September.
With improvements to the drivetrain and airframe, the CH-47F Block II configuration is stronger adding 4,000 pounds to the max gross weight of the aircraft and significantly increasing lift capability. Additionally, innovative changes to the fuel system extend the mission radius of nearly all payloads. Combined with enhanced sustainment and the ability to make affordable future upgrades, the CH-47F Block II will meet the Army's desired goal of flying for at least another 40 years.
SIKORSKY TO DEMONSTRATE FLIGHT AUTONOMY TO U.S. MARINE CORPS
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE:LMT) has been selected by the U.S. Marine Corps to demonstrate the maturity and capability of the MATRIX™ flight autonomy system.
Operationally relevant demonstration flights during 2025 using Sikorsky's Optionally Piloted UH-60 Black Hawk® helicopter will inform the service's Aerial Logistics Connector program how autonomous aircraft can resupply and sustain Marines in contested battlespace.
“Aircraft with MATRIX autonomy can safely and reliably perform a variety of complex missions, including internal and external cargo transport with no one on board,” said Rich Benton, vice president and general manager of Sikorsky. “With the Marine Corps, we will explore how an autonomy-based fleet of uncrewed aerial systems, rotary and fixed wing aircraft can sustain the expeditionary force with precision resupply during distributed, high-tempo operations.”
The Marine Corps demonstrations will show how autonomous aircraft can keep future Marine forces supplied, whether operating from Navy ships or expeditionary bases ashore. Marines also will interface with Sikorsky's autonomous aircraft via a tablet to make mission changes before or after take-off.
Demonstrations of the MATRIX flight system are funded under a recent Phase 1 Aerial Logistics Connector agreement through an Other Transaction Agreement under the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium to Sikorsky by the Naval Air Systems Command.
Sikorsky Innovations, the rapid development and prototyping group, has demonstrated mission relevant capabilities of the MATRIX system in both military and commercial operational environments aboard multiple rotary and fixed wing aircraft.
Initially intended to improve safety of flight for crewed helicopters, the system matured with funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) ALIAS program. Advanced features include assisted flight handling for two pilot operations, virtual co-pilot for a single pilot, or fully autonomous flight with no pilots.
In July at Stafford Airport, Virginia, and again in October 2024 at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exposition in Washington D.C., Sikorsky and DARPA demonstrated autonomous flights of the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk helicopter to Department of Defense (DoD) officials.
At the October demonstration, DoD leaders on the AUSA tradeshow floor learned to send high level mission goals to the helicopter. Three hundred miles away at Sikorsky headquarters in Connecticut, the aircraft autonomously took off, hovered, flew a short circuit of the flight field, and landed successfully.
These recent demonstrations build on autonomous logistics 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.
PERUVIAN AIR FORCE RECEIVES ITS FIRST AEROMEDICAL EVACUATION-EQUIPPED BEECHCRAFT KING AIR 360CHW
Textron Aviation today announced it delivered the first of two multi-mission Beechcraft King Air 360CHW aircraft to the Peruvian Air Force. The King Air 360CHW is cargo door equipped and fitted for heavy weight operation.
“The King Air 360CHW delivered to the Peruvian Air Force for aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC) can also execute troop and cargo transport, command and control and many other missions,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales. “From the coast and the highlands to the Amazon rainforest of Peru, the versatile King Air is well suited to operate in diverse, austere and remote locations.”
Delivery of a second aeromedical evacuation-equipped King Air 360CHW is expected in 2025.
When government, military and commercial customers want airborne solutions for critical missions, they turn to Textron Aviation. The company's aviation solutions provide the high performance and flight characteristics required to address the unique challenges of special missions operations. With unparalleled quality, versatility and low operating costs, Textron Aviation products are ideal for air ambulance; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR); utility transport; aerial survey; flight inspection; training and a number of other special operations.
PIPER AIRCRAFT ANNOUNCES M700 FURY CERTIFICATION BY UK CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY
Piper Aircraft has received type certification from the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) for the M700 FURY, including approval for Flight into Known Icing (FIKI). This paves the way for deliveries to the UK, with the first delivery scheduled for this month.
The M700 FURY, Piper's fastest single-engine aircraft to date, boasts a maximum cruise speed of 301 knots and a maximum range of 1,424 nautical miles. Powered by the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-52 engine, the cabin-class turboprop offers exceptional performance paired with advanced safety features, including the HALO Safety System with Garmin Emergency Autoland.
“We are proud to achieve UK CAA certification for the M700 FURY,” said Ron Gunnarson, VP of Sales, Marketing & Customer Support at Piper Aircraft. “This milestone reinforces Piper's dedication to meeting the needs of global markets with innovative and capable aircraft like the FURY.”
Designed with a focus on safety and simplicity, the M700 FURY features Garmin's Electronic Stability Protection (ESP), SurfaceWatch™, and SafeTaxi®, enhancing pilot situational awareness. Autothrottle and Garmin PlaneSync™ further streamline flight operations, ensuring ease of use for operators.
“The UK CAA certification of the M700 FURY is fantastic news for our market. We are excited to bring Piper's new flagship aircraft to operators across the region, beginning with the first delivery this month,” said Alex Brown, Commercial Director of British European Aviation Group-the Piper Dealer for Christmas Island, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. “We will soon be announcing dates for a 2025 sales tour across the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands, Spain and Portugal, so feel free to reach out if you want us to do a demo at your local airfield.”
The certification from the UK CAA completes the last of the customer-committed certifications promised at the beginning of the year. Piper is now working on additional foreign certifications as the expansion of sales includes Mexico, Colombia, and Asian markets.
5 JANUARY 1916
First flight of the Nieuport 11 (Bébé Nieuport)
The Nieuport 11 nicknamed the Bébé, is a French World War I single seat sesquiplane fighter aircraft, designed by Gustave Delage.
It was the primary aircraft that ended the Fokker Scourge in 1916. The type saw service with several of France's allies, and gave rise to the series of "vee-strut" Nieuport fighters that remained in service into the 1920s.
The Nieuport 11 reached the French front in January 1916, and 90 were in service within the month.
This small sesquiplane outclassed the Fokker Eindecker in every respect, including speed, climb rate and manoeuvrability. It featured ailerons for lateral control rather than the Fokker's wing warping, giving lighter, quicker roll response, and its elevator was attached to a conventional tail plane which provided better pitch control as opposed to the all-moving, balanced "Morane type" elevators of the Fokker.
The Musée de l'Air at le Bourget in Paris has the sole original surviving Nieuport 11, currently marked as N556 with the personal markings of Commandant Charles de Tricornot de Rose, holder of the first military pilot licence. It had previously been marked as N976
South Africa, Saldanha Vredenburg Airfield (FASD), Saldanha, Western Cape: A Cape Town International Aviation Academy Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk lost control during a downwind landing at runway 02 at Saldanha Vredenburg Airfield (FASD), Saldanha, Western Cape, and flipped upside down near the runway. The student suffered moderate injuries and the aircraft received substantial damage.
Brazil, Banknote, Mato Grosso: A Neiva EMB-721C Minuano made an emergency landing at a farm in Brasnorte, Mato Grosso. According to the Civil Police it was loaded with drugs and after landing, the pilot set it on fire, fleeing the scene. According to the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), the PT-EQL model aircraft had its registration cancelled and was not authorised to fly.
USA, near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL/PHNL), Honolulu, HI: A Kamaka Air Cessna 208B Grand Caravan was destroyed when it crashed into a vacant building shortly after take-off from runway 4L at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL/PHNL), Honolulu, Hawaii. Both pilots sustained fatal injuries. Immediately after take-off the aircraft was observed turning left instead of an expected right-hand turn. When the Tower controller queried the crew, they radioed having "control problems".
USA, near East Aurora, NY: On 19 December 2024, at about 1122 local time, a Beechcraft A36TC Bonanza, N36WP, was destroyed when it crashed near East Aurora, New York. The private pilot onboard sustained fatal injuries. ADS-B data indicate that the aircraft departed from Capital Region International Airport (LAN/KLAN), Lansing, Michigan, at 09:53 LT. The aircraft then climbed to an altitude of about 12500 feet and proceeded towards the destination Westchester County Airport (HPN/KHPN), White Plains, New York. At 11:11 LT, the aircraft turned north and began to descend until it impacted terrain near East Aurora, New York, after trying to divert to Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF/KBUF), New York. The pilot reported "very low power" in the engine to ATC. Towards the end of the recording, the controller tried to vector the pilot to land on a highway, which he was complying with normally until radar contact was lost. There was an active G-AIRMET for icing between 12000-14000 ft for the accident area. According to FAA records, the pilot held a private pilot certificate, with a rating for airplane single engine land and an instrument rating. His most recent FAA BasicMed Course was dated 1/8/2022.
Yemen, Red Sea: An F/A-18F Super Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron 11 (VFA-11) assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) was accidentally shot down by the Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) as a result of misidentification. The aircraft was taking part in a sortie as part of Operation Poseidon Archer, against forces of Ansar Allah (Houthi's) in Yemen. The aircraft was reportedly shot down using a SM-2 (RIM-66 Standard) surface-to-air missile. Both pilot and WSO were able to successfully eject from the aircraft, albeit with one pilot sustaining injuries. Both pilots were recovered shortly after.
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