Eviation today introduced a six-passenger executive-cabin version of its Alice all-electric aircraft. The unveiling comes as the startup awaits a spell of good weather to make a first flight with its redesigned prototype as it works to get the fixed-wing model in service in 2026.
The executive cabin, which is six-foot four-inches wide, features a fully equipped galley with a lavatory and sink, wardrobe to stow jackets and other personal belongings, side panel at each seat with a foldable table, personal power outlets, and USB plugs. In addition to the executive version, the Alice will be offered with nine passenger seats for scheduled, sub-regional airline service and as a freighter with seats removed.
“Alice’s executive cabin is the epitome of pure all-electric elegance and a magnificent blend of beauty and technology,” said Eviation CEO Omer Bar-Yohay. “We are shaping the future of travel through electric aviation and it’s thrilling to offer a glimpse into what business travel can and will look like in the very near term.”
Powered by two Magni650 electric propulsion units produced by Eviation's sister company MagniX, Alice uses a fly-by-wire flight control system from Honeywell, wings and other aerostructures from GKN, and cockpit systems from BendixKing. The single-volume, high-energy-density Alice battery energy system is made from currently available battery cells and technology.
AINsight: More Tips for a Successful FAA Medical Exam
One thing you have heard me say more than once is to “tell the AME” about new medical conditions before your next FAA aviation medical exam. If there have been new surgeries, other significant medical events, prescription medications (that are expected to be ongoing, such as for high blood pressure), and, heaven forbid, a new DUI, let the AME know in advance.
Once being informed of the new medical circumstances, the AME can usually give pilots some guidance for any documentation that might be needed and how to best report the new conditions on the MedXpress application. To prevent any disappointing surprises, the AME—armed with this information—can also let pilots know if they will or will not be receiving a new medical certificate at the time of the next exam.
Try not to express anger and frustration at the AME, who is just giving advice based on FAA precedent and protocol, even if the answers are not the ones you were hoping for. The AME is acting as your advocate, not adversary, in these situations.
A final word regarding the MedXpress application process. The system does still go down periodically, so please don’t wait until the very last minute to fill it out. Please try to do the application, as well as convey any additional pertinent medical information to the AME, at least several days before your upcoming visit.
Airbus has delivered the first production H160 medium-twin helicopter to Japanese operator All Nippon Helicopter (ANH). The H160 was certified by EASA in July 2020, followed by approval from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) in May 2021 and the Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency in September 2021.
ANH’s H160 was delivered from Airbus’s helicopter facility in Kobe, Japan, where flight training and specialized equipment installation for electronic newsgathering will be performed before the helicopter’s entry into service next year. It will join ANH’s existing Airbus Helicopters fleet of five AS365s and five H135s used for electronic newsgathering for the TV stations across Japan. “I can’t wait to see this next-generation helicopter flying the skies of Japan, playing a key role in the country’s electronic newsgathering market,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even.
The H160 was designed as a multi-role helicopter capable of performing a wide range of missions such as offshore transportation, emergency medical services, private and business aviation, as well as public services. The aircraft makes extensive use of carbon-fiber composites in the fuselage and main rotor blades that enhance the helicopter’s corrosion resistance, especially in maritime operations. Power comes from a pair of Safran Arrano engines. Its Helionix avionics system incorporates the world’s first ground helipad-assisted takeoff procedure, a vortex ring state pre-alerting system, and a recovery mode to automatically regain stabilized flight.
With an eye on developing careers in business aviation alongside commercial aviation, Auburn University hosted professionals from more than 60 companies and organizations for its annual event dedicated to the sector. Held recently, the third-annual Auburn Business Aviation Days (ABAD) brought together industry leaders and professionals, faculty, staff, and students for events that included roundtable discussions, class speakers, workshops, networking, and a golf tournament.
NBAA president Ed Bolen and Jet It CEO and founder Glenn Gonzales were among the guest speakers. Also during the event, 15 corporate aircraft flew into Auburn University Regional Airport for a private static display and networking fair with students. These included a flight-test Gulfstream G500, a G600 operated by Medical Properties Trust, an Embraer Praetor 600 demo aircraft, and corporate helicopters from Duke Energy and Southern Co., according to Will Leveille, an Auburn alum and founder of Business Aviation Days.
“This was a rare opportunity for students to experience private aviation firsthand,” said Leveille, who added that the goal of the event is to promote careers within business aviation that appeal to both flying and non-flying students, including jobs such as scheduler and dispatcher and positions in sales, insurance, and marketing. Many students had an interest in business aviation careers after attending the event, he said.
TallyHo Apps has added Bluetail’s business aircraft records scanning centers to its aviation services search application. With the addition, app users will be able to find the Bluetail scanning center that is nearest to them.
Bluetail, which converts paper aircraft maintenance records to searchable and shareable files, has more than 120 scanning centers in the U.S. and Canada. “This is a natural fit right from the beginning,” said Bluetail CEO Roberto Guerrieri. “We want aircraft owners, flight departments, and operators to protect their valuable assets via our extensive scanning network. With TallyHo’s app, we knew it would be an easy way for our current and future customers to quickly locate their nearest scanning center.”
Launched last year on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, TallyHo’s free app lists business aircraft service providers such as those offering airframe and engine maintenance, avionics, paint and interior work, aircraft detailing, and catering. It is supported by a monthly or annual subscription fee from participating service providers.
Textron Aviation Special Missions has delivered two Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair HD airplanes to the U.S. Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, for its cadet aviation training program, the unit of the Wichita-based airframer announced this week. These 206s join other Cessna airplanes such as the T-41 and 182 Skylane that have served the USMA’s academic flight program over a number of decades. Of note, Textron Aviation president and CEO Ron Draper is a 1990 graduate of the USMA.
“We are honored the U.S. Military Academy has selected the Cessna 206 Turbo Stationair HD for aviation training,” said Textron Aviation v-p of special missions sales Bob Gibbs. “Customer faith in our products and trust in our company and our team are at the core of our relationship with military training academies worldwide.”
The 206 operates at a maximum cruise speed of 161 knots and a range of 703 nm. Equipped with Garmin G1000 NXi avionics, the turbocharged piston single seats six and has a maximum payload of 1,235 pounds.
Just after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, the crew of a U.S. Coast Guard MH-65 Airbus Helicopters Dolphin from Air Station Detroit extracted a woman from a car floating in New York’s Niagara River, lodged against rocks a mere 20 yards from the American Falls. The 80-foot hoist line operation was conducted as the MH-65 took on frozen mist from the falls that limited the air crew’s visibility. MH-65s are not equipped with deicing equipment.
While cars have ended up in the river before, “we have never had a vehicle in the water this close to the brink,” said New York State Park Police Capt. Chris Rola. He said the windy, low-visibility conditions in freezing temperatures at Niagara Falls made rescue by boat untenable.
A police drone previously confirmed that the vehicle was occupied. By the time the helicopter arrived, the woman, the vehicle’s sole occupant, was deceased and the body was transported to shore. How her car got into the river remains under investigation.
The Coast Guard currently operates nearly 100 MH-65s from bases on the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico, and Hawaii.
Garmin has added electric aircraft developer Heart Aerospace to the list of customers for its G3000 integrated flight deck, making further inroads into avionics supply for new-technology aircraft manufacturers. Joby Aviation is also installing G3000 avionics in its eVTOL.
The G3000 suite will be fitted into Heart’s 19-seat ES-19 regional airliner, which has a conditional order for 100 aircraft and options for an additional 100 from United Airlines. With a range of 250 miles, the all-electric ES-19 is expected to enter service in 2026.
Headquartered in Sweden at Gothenburg's Säve Airport, Heart has partnered with Spain’s Aernnova to build the ES-19’s aluminum airframe. The ES-19 features four propulsion units mounted on a high wing, a T-tail empennage, and retractable landing gear.
The G3000 include high-resolution flight displays and touchscreen controllers “that support navigation, communication, and flight sensor solutions and integrates seamlessly into the ES-19 aircraft systems,” according to Garmin. The avionics will be designed “to optimize the aircraft’s electric drive train and battery management systems,” the avionics manufacturer said.
Former NTSB Chair Sumwalt Is Top Flight Safety Hero
Former NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt is AIN's 2021 Top Flight Awards winner for safety hero. He is a distinguished fellow in aviation safety and executive director of the new Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety. Prior to joining Embry-Riddle, Sumwalt spent 15 years on the NTSB and before that spent 24 years flying for Piedmont Airlines and U.S. Airways and amassed more than 14,000 flight hours and five aircraft type ratings. Sumwalt also managed the corporate aviation department of a Fortune 500 energy company. During his NTSB tenure, Sumwalt advocated the adoption of proven and effective airline safety standards and programs for Part 135 and other general aviation operations.
Photo of the Week
A hazy beginning.AIN senior editor Curt Epstein captured this haze-enhanced sunset departure from the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport show site in China during the 2017 edition of ABACE. Thanks for sharing, Curt!
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