Piper Aircraft and its German dealer Piper Deutschland brought a diesel-powered Archer DX and M500 turboprop single this week to Aero Friedrichshafen in Germany. In addition to the M500, Piper’s other high-performance models include the M600/SLS and piston-powered Matrix. Its trainer- and twin-class fleet includes a gas-powered version of the Archer (the TX), Warrior, Arrow, Seminole, and Seneca V.
The company recently announced that M600/SLSs equipped with Garmin G3000 avionics will soon incorporate Garmin’s new PlaneSync datalink, with LTE cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity for pre- and post-flight information sharing and database updates. M600/SLS owners will be able to use the Garmin Pilot app to check fuel quantity, location of the airplane, oil temperature, battery voltage, the meteorological aerodrome report (METAR), and other information. Avionics databases will be automatically downloaded as well.
The Gulfstream G500 is making its German airshow debut this week at Aero Friedrichshafen. Show attendees can view the 5,300-nm, fly-by-wire G500—which features Gulfstream’s Symmetry flight deck—at the static display area.
“Germany continues to be an important market for us. We are making significant investments in this region with the help of regional vice president of sales Oliver Bergsch, who joined Gulfstream in 2022,” said Scott Neal, senior v-p of worldwide sales at Gulfstream. “We are thrilled to display the G500 at Aero 2023 this week and are looking forward to showcasing this award-winning aircraft for our customers.”
Cirrus Aircraft is introducing a Limited Edition version of its SR Series piston single aircraft to celebrate the 9,000th delivery of the type. On Thursday at the Aero Friedrichshafen show in Germany, the U.S.-based manufacturer unveiled the model, which features an updated paint scheme and cabin interiors.
The Limited Edition-series has been developed by Cirrus’ Xi Design Studio. It offers four designs—Balos, Lava, Magma, and Santorini—that the company says were inspired by various international destinations. Exterior color schemes were developed in partnership with paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams and include “lava orange” and “Aegean blue.”
Austrian airframer Diamond Aircraft and sister company Austro Engine expect to begin testing of Austro aircraft diesel engines with sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) next month. According to the companies, their diesel-powered piston engines will require a full range of testing from the component level all the way up to flight verification to validate and approve SAF.
As they await the first deliveries of SAF, the companies have designed and installed an engine test bench that can measure a variety of parameters, including cylinder pressure and emission components of unburnt hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide. The test rig will also allow for quick changes between different fuels without having to endure high circulation losses.
Czech startup Zuri this week launched a pre-Series A investment round in a bid to raise around €15 million ($16.5 million) in funds to support the development of a five-seat, hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft. Co-founder Michal Illich says the vehicle is expected to have a range of around 380 nm, with a 30-minute energy reserve, and a cruise speed of 160 to 190 knots.
Since September 2021, Zuri’s team of 18 engineers has conducted hover testing with a technology demonstrator aircraft with an 11-meter (36-foot) wingspan. The company said it also achieved vertical to horizontal transition flights with the subscale model.
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