Unither Bioelectronics is teaming up with Robinson Helicopter to develop hydrogen-powered variants of the company’s R44 and R66 helicopters. Robinson has agreed to collaborate with Unither to develop supplemental type certificates for the modified helicopters in the U.S. and Canada, contributing its technical and regulatory expertise to the project.

As a subsidiary of United Therapeutics—a biotechnology company and public benefit corporation specializing in organ transplant technology—Unither Bioelectronics aims to usher in the next generation of airborne organ delivery systems with zero-emission and autonomous flight technologies.

At its new facility in Taubaté, Brazil, Eve Air Mobility recently rolled out the first full-scale example of the eVTOL aircraft it wants to start delivering in 2027. The spin off from aerospace group Embraer sees use cases such as air taxis, cargo deliveries, and medical support.

First and last mile links from FBOs to passengers' final destinations could be another such use. With partners, it is developing infrastructure for things such as air traffic management and vertiports for the new electric aircraft.

If any of the founding members of the organization that eventually grew into the National Business Aviation Association could be transported through time to the 2007 NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, they would undoubtedly be amazed by what they see.

The organization has come a long way since its inception in 1947, when a group of 13 members of the Wings Club in New York sought to provide a higher profile for business aviation after World War II. The Air Transport Association (ATA) had been formed to represent the airlines, the airline pilots had organized the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and even private flyers were represented by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). But business flying, which was growing after the end of the war, faced the threat of regulatory restrictions at a time when the air traffic control system was being pushed to the limit. (Okay, so maybe things haven’t changed all that much.)

Under an update to EASA Aircrew Regulation (EU) No. 1178/2011, pilot training, skills tests, and proficiency checks for certain aircraft can be conducted in a qualified flight simulation training device (FSTD) and are no longer limited to full-flight simulators. 

“This ruling sets a new benchmark for safety and accessibility in helicopter training across Europe,” said Loft Dynamics founder and CEO Fabi Riesen. “Helicopter training has long been constrained by the high costs and limited availability of full-flight simulators, resulting in increased travel time and expenses for regular training and checking, as well as the lack of realism and capabilities in other traditional simulators. With one-third of all helicopter accidents occurring during training and checking, there is an urgent need for more practical and safer training solutions.”

Eviation continues to rake in orders for its all-electric Alice commuter airplane, despite the fact that the company hasn’t flown a prototype or rolled out a new aircraft in more than two years. Despite there being few signs of tangible progress since the historic first flight of the Alice, the U.S. company's CEO, Andre Stein, told AIN it remains on track to bring the nine-passenger Alice into commercial service by the end of the decade. 

The full-scale Alice prototype, which Eviation once billed as the “production configuration,” made its first flight on Sept. 27, 2022, in Moses Lake, Washington. It was the highly anticipated launch of a flight test campaign that ended as soon as it began. As followers of the Alice eagerly awaited more flights, Eviation’s leadership was quietly mulling over design changes behind the scenes.

Per-seat air charter provider JSX is resuming its popular seasonal flight service to Taos (KTSM) from four West Coast and Texas cities including Dallas (KDAL), Austin (KEDC), Burbank (KBUR), and Carlsbad (KCLD) starting December 9 with introductory fares as low as $219 one-way.

Nonstop flights from Denver/Boulder (KBJC) and Las Vegas (KLAS) to Taos are already in season and available to book.

Business jet deliveries rose by nearly 9% year over year (YOY) in the first half of 2024, while total airplane billings increased by more than 24%, to $11.3 billion, according to the second-quarter 2024 delivery report released by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). At the same time, however, rotorcraft shipments dipped by 5.1% while billings dropped by 10.2% in the first six months of the year.

Among the jet manufacturers, Gulfstream Aerospace saw the largest improvement overall. Deliveries from the Savannah, Georgia-based airframer increased by more than 35% YOY, led by its large-cabin segment that handed over 52 twinjets in the first half of 2024, 17 more than a year ago. This came as Gulfstream began to ramp up on its recently certified ultra-long-range G700. Dassault—which does not specify deliveries among its models—delivered three more Falcon jets this year, equating to a 33.3% boost of its first-half 2023 tally.

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