Spectrum Wars Continue Summer Sizzle

This summer the spectrum wars have continued between the wireless and aviation industries in the U.S. Initially, stakeholders tried to tackle the issue of 5G C-band interference on radio altimeters (radalts). Now the field of play shifts to the potential of the Ligado Wi-Fi system to disrupt GPS/GNSS satellite navigation on the L-band.

After delays triggered by aviation industry concerns over 5G C-band interference on aircraft radalts and cellular companies’ temporary agreement to restrict a wider rollout of the service and/or the full power of certain transmitters, the FAA-imposed July 1 deadline came for aircraft to either be equipped with interference-tolerant radalts or refrain from operations susceptible to 5G interference (under Airworthiness Directive 2023-10-02). That includes low-visibility approaches. Air carriers not equipped with interference-tolerant radalts will not be allowed to operate in U.S. airspace beginning in 2024.

BJT: Def Leppard's Rick Allen on Remaining Hopeful

For 41 years, Rick Allen has played drums with the bestselling hard-rock outfit Def Leppard. With hits like “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Photograph,” the group has sold 100 million albums worldwide, all with Allen at the sticks. But Def Leppard almost disbanded in January 1985, after Allen’s Corvette rolled over near Sheffield, England, and his left arm, entangled in his seatbelt, required amputation.

Allen initially concluded that without his arm, his career and life were over; but when encouraging letters poured in from around the world, he decided to try to find a way to continue playing. To create the sounds his left hand had played, Allen ordered specially designed electronic drum foot pedals to imitate the hi-hat, bass drum, snare, and tom. The setup worked and today, the 59-year-old, known to his fans as the “Thunder God,” continues to play with Def Leppard, which was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.

USAF Contract Boosts JetZero's Blended-wing Body Design

The U.S. Air Force has commissioned JetZero to build and fly a full-scale technology demonstrator for a blended-wing body (BWB) aircraft intended for military and commercial airline applications. The California start-up, which on Wednesday was awarded a $235 million contract from the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit, is developing the aircraft in partnership with Northrop Grumman and its Scaled Composites subsidiary.

Under the terms of the four-year contract, JetZero is expected to have a technology demonstrator ready to fly in the first quarter of 2027. The Pentagon is eyeing the BWB concept as a contender for its requirements for a new military airlifter and an air-to-air refueling platform.

From the Archives: Bombardier Now 'Pure Play' in BizAv

Bombardier emerged as a pure-play business aviation company following the completion of the sale of its transportation unit to French rail giant Alstom. The sale, which had cleared all the necessary approvals by late last year, brought in $3.6 billion in net proceeds, including $600 million in Alstom shares.

This was less than the $4 billion anticipated last fall, leaving the remaining business aviation manufacturing and services-oriented company with $4.7 billion in debt. Bombardier had originally targeted a remaining $2.5 billion debt-load following the sale, but last fall had upped that estimate to $4.5 billion after the pandemic had taken a toll on the company’s business activities.

Sponsor Content: C&L Aviation

What is an ERJ 135, 140 & 145 Semi-Private Jet Conversion?

Looking to offer your passengers a first-class experience with a “hop-on” jet service? There’s a variety of customizable options available for converting an ERJ 135, 140, or 145 to a semi-private aircraft—from complete interior reconfiguration to unique exterior paint—to make your jet service stand out above the rest.

FutureFlight: EHang Completes EH216-S EVTOL Cert Tests

EHang is expecting to receive a type certificate very soon for its EH216-S autonomous eVTOL aircraft from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), after reporting it has now completed all required testing. If confirmed, this would make the Chinese company the first in the world to get approval for an eVTOL vehicle, with leading Western regulators not expected to follow suit until at least the second quarter of 2024.

Reporting second-quarter financial results on August 17, EHang confirmed that it has in fact already been making some pre-certification deliveries in China with 16 of the two-seat vehicles delivered during the first half of 2023. The CAAC has permitted these aircraft to be deployed on a trial basis “in certain tourism locations” for testing, training, and demonstration purposes.

BJT: 13 U.S. Forts Worth a Visit

If you're a history buff, you'll want to consult this list of fascinating forts before your next road trip. Several of them figured in the Civil War, one played a role in the American Revolution, and another was built in the 17th century.

Leading off is Bent’s Old Fort in La Junta, Colorado—a reconstruction of the 1840s trading post.

Airbus H160 challenges Leonardo AW139

Airbus Helicopters is about to cash in a big bet. In late June the company received FAA certification for its H160 medium-class twin—exactly three years after it received EASA certification and eight years after the helicopter was first announced as a replacement for the company’s AS365 and H155.

The approval clears the way for deliveries into the U.S. where Sikorsky has discontinued manufacture of the S-76D medium twin, which presents an opportunity.