Piasecki Aircraft Corp (PiAC) is stepping up its plans to bring a hydrogen-powered helicopter to market by the end of the decade. Development work that has been significantly boosted by support from the U.S. Air Force now involves the evolution of a 660-kilowatt test rig for the propulsion system into an iron bird unit that will pave the way for a full-scale prototype the company aims to start flying in 2028.

The PA-890 slow-rotor wing compound helicopter is expected to be able to carry a pilot and up to seven passengers on trips longer than 200 nm. Its projected payload is 1,660 pounds and the maximum takeoff weight is 7,000 pounds.

At the 2024 edition of the prestigious New York International Auto Show, there was plenty to see, but it seems that the glory days of witnessing nearly every auto manufacturer in the world trying to outdo its competition with elaborately designed displays is over. More than showmanship was lacking, as any brands that were once staples of the auto show circuit no longer participate, perhaps finding better uses for their marketing dollars.

Still, the manufacturers that deigned to show up will likely benefit from their exposure to an audience that has gone out of its way to see their products. BJT auto editor Ian Whelan highlights some sleek rides from the show to look for on the road soon.

In June 2007, Cirrus Aircraft unveiled the configuration of its new single-engine jet. At the time, it appeared as though Cirrus was jumping on the same bandwagon as other would-be or existing aircraft manufacturers. The apparent market for a single-engine jet, if all the prognostications were to be believed, was going to soar, part of the then-current hype projecting huge fleets of very light jets about to clog up the world’s airspace.

The list of would-be single-engine jets was long, yet only a handful have actually flown: the VisionAire Vantage, PiperJet, Eclipse 400, Diamond D-Jet, and Stratos 714. While Stratos’ effort has recently seen renewed activity including flight testing, only one—Cirrus’s SF50 Vision Jet—has made it into production.

Only two years into its existence, Cleburne, Texas-based Plane Place Aviation already has carved out a prominent place for itself among more established MRO providers in the Southwest.

Having recently added AOG and mobile repair team (MRT) services to its capabilities for Texas and Oklahoma, the company also expanded onsite support at Dallas Love Field while co-owners Tristan Noe and Travis Roberson look for further growth opportunities.

Most jet buyers have at least heard of the major taxes that go along with owning and operating a business jet: state sales, use, and property taxes; federal excise taxes on transportation and fuel; and federal income taxes on personal-use flights.

But some stealthy taxes related to aircraft lie in wait for unsuspecting victims. States with a tax-friendly reputation have the greatest potential to snare unsuspecting jet owners with surprise tax bills.

Junkers Aircraft revealed the A50 Heritage, a more authentic version of the A50 Junior that company founder Hugo Junkers first flew 95 years ago, on Wednesday at the 2024 Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo. The company unveiled the Rotax-powered A50 Junior at Sun’ n Fun 2023 but, after having to redesign the nose and cowling for the modern piston engine, felt it “was not faithful to the architect’s original form,” according to Junkers marketing manager and company pilot Marshall Haglund.

So the company went back to the drawing board to develop and build the A50 Heritage that is on display this week at the airshow. Haglund said with this corrugated aluminum aircraft “we have meticulously captured the essence of Hugo Junkers’ imaginative and original design,” specifically noting its Scarlett 7U radial engine, authentic two-piece glass windscreens, and analog-gauge panel.

This week at the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo, Textron eAviation is showing off its first Pipistrel Velis Electro to receive an FAA exemption from light sport aircraft (LSA) regulations. The exemption came March 4 and permits the electric-powered, two-seat airplane to be operated under LSA regulations in the U.S.

Kriya Shortt, the president and CEO of Textron eAviation, told AIN at the show that the company’s goal is to now deliver exempted Velis Electro demonstrators to its dealer network. With the battery providing about 50 minutes of endurance (not including reserves), she noted that the small airplane is ideal for near-airport flight training.

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