XTI Selects GE Catalyst for TriFan’s Hybrid Core

GE Aviation’s new clean-sheet turboprop engine, Catalyst, has been selected by XTI Aircraft as the core of its TriFan 600 VTOL hybrid-electric propulsion system, GE announced today at EAA AirVenture. TriFan’s performance requirements are expected to be met as GE and XTI work together to define a series hybrid architecture.

“GE believes that parallel and series hybrid propulsion systems, those that include a turbine gas generator to take advantage of the energy density of jet fuel, will lead to much more capable aircraft for both traditional and emerging markets for many years to come,” GE Aviation turboprops general manager Paul Corkery said. For nearly a decade GE has been researching and developing hybrid electric technology for regional and narrowbody jets as well as general aviation and VTOL aircraft. It was after a visit to GE’s $51 million Electrical Power Integrated System Center (EPISCENTER) in Dayton, Ohio, that XTI made its decision to go with the Catalyst, which will make its debut as the powerplant for the new Cessna Denali single-engine turboprop.

“We are excited to announce selection of the GE Catalyst engine for the core of our propulsion system because it provides the level of power required even at the significant altitudes the Trifan will fly,” XTI CEO Bob LaBelle said. “Our recent work with GE Aviation has convinced us they are the best partner to develop the core of our hybrid-electric propulsion system.”

The six-seat TriFan 600, a 65 percent scale prototype which completed its first flight in May, will have a top speed of 300 knots, a maximum range of 1,200 nm, and a cruise altitude of 30,000 feet. To date, customers have placed orders for 80 TriFan 600s.

New Updates In Effect for NAT Operations

OpsGroup has advised its international operator members of four new ICAO bulletins updating North Atlantic Track (NAT) operations. The first bulletin (2019-001) formalizes a practice that has been in place since April in the Shanwick, Santa Maria, and New York Oceanic FIRs. After receiving a clearance with a fixed Mach number, expect that over the oceanic entry point, a CPDLC message could be received saying “resume normal speed.” If that speed varies by 0.02 Mach or more, ATC must be advised.

Advanced surveillance enhanced procedural separation (ASEPS) trials started in April in the Shanwick, Gander, and Santa Maria FIRs for longitudinal separation down to 14 nm. Under bulletin 2019-002, starting in October lateral separation for compliant aircraft drops to 19 nm from the previous limit of 25 nm.

NAT bulletin 2019-003 lists common datalink errors and explains what to do about them. OpsGroup said the takeaways from this are to update avionics software as soon as updates are available and answer datalink messages within 60 seconds, even if with a standby message. “Recent data indicates business aviation operators are very bad at this,” said OpsGroup.

The last notice, a revision to bulletin 2017-001, caps the datalink mandate altitude. Beginning Jan. 30, 2020, datalink communications will be required between FL290 and FL410. With this revision, non-compliant aircraft will be able to operate at FL430 and above.

Wing Spirit Expands HondaJet Order to 15

Hawaii-based Wing Spirit, which earlier this month celebrated the delivery of its first two HondaJet Elites, has expanded its order to a total of 15 of the light jets, Honda Aircraft announced today. It “is a realization of our goal to expand the world’s business jet market,” said Honda Aircraft president and CEO Michimasa Fujino. “Prior to the HondaJet’s entry into service in the region, no other light jet had operated in Hawaii. We are confident the HondaJet’s efficiency, comfort, and best-in-class performance are well-suited to Wing Spirit’s mission to revolutionize business aviation in the region.” 

Plans by Wing Spirit for the jets include inter-island charter flights and air ambulance operations. HondaJet Elites serving as air ambulances will be outfitted with custom medevac configurations—a first for the HondaJet program.

“When deciding how we could best provide convenient and luxurious transportation to the residents and tourists in Hawaii, the HondaJet was a natural choice,” said Wing Spirit executive v-p and COO Sal Miwa. “We are thrilled to expand our fleet to 15 HondaJets and for our customers to experience the most technologically advanced jet in its class.”

Private Aviation Terminal Debuts at Milan Malpensa

SEA Prime, a subsidiary of the company that manages Milan Linate and Malpensa Airports, today held the grand opening of the new business and general aviation terminal at the latter. The $5.58 million structure, located between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 at the airport, takes its cues from its stylish older sibling at Linate, both of which operate under the Milano Prime brand. The 15,000-sq-ft glass-sheathed, polyhedral terminal offers concierge services, security clearance, five lounges, and a private meeting room.

A recently refurbished 54,000-sq-ft hangar, which can accommodate the latest large-cabin business jets, and more than 12 acres of ramp space round out the complex.

The terminal opening comes just days before the scheduled closure of Linate Airport through the end of October for a major runway refurbishment project. During that period, the company expects to handle approximately 50 general aviation aircraft arrivals a day at Malpensa due to scheduled high-profile fashion and sporting events.

“With the opening of the new terminal, Milano Prime is ready to welcome business aviation passengers through the two entry points to the city and the region—Linate and Malpensa—with world-class levels of service, consolidating Milan’s leadership in Italy and its position as Europe’s fifth-largest city by traffic volumes,” said SEA Prime CEO Chiara Dorigotti.

China Deepens Business Aviation Talks with U.S. Reps

Despite ongoing trade tensions between China and the U.S., the business aviation communities of the two countries are in deep discussions to bring the sector forward. Recently, the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) and the U.S.-led Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP) organized the CAAC-ACP Business Aviation Operational Safety Seminar in Beijing.

The event was attended by CAAC chief pilot Wan Xiangdong and deputy director Gen. Han Guangzu, as well as NBAA v-p and ACP general/business aviation committee co-chair Dough Carr and FAA senior representative for North Asia and ACP co-chair Nicole Didyk-Wells. Nearly 50 local operators also attended.

Topics discussed included technology, pilot training, MROs, and data optimization to improve safety, some of which will be applied to improve the efficiency of the new Beijing Daxing International Airport and to revise the CAAC General Operating and Flight Rules (CCAR 91).

In a panel discussion between Beijing Business Aviation Association (BBAA) secretary general Frank Fang and ACP executive director Geoff Jackson, both saw the need for further in-depth cooperation to move Chinese business aviation forward as a group. BBAA's members are most concerned about reducing operating and management costs, and increasing efficiency. While the aviation development in China is facing some institutional problems, BBAA said it will take some time to change and therefore its current role is to bridge the gap between industry and government.

Airbus Helicopters Reorganizes Leadership Structure

Airbus Helicopters is realigning its executive committee beginning September 1 in a move that it says will strengthen and simplify its collaboration across the group. “The simplification of our organization aims at being leaner, improving our efficiency and developing collaboration within the company,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even. As such, the company is regrouping a number of functions, Even said, calling these shifts “essential in preparing the future of our business."

Alain Flourens, currently executive v-p of industry, will become executive v-p of operations, responsible for industry and procurement. Wolfgang Schoder, currently executive v-p of light helicopters and governmental programs, will take the role of executive v-p of strategy, along with remaining as Airbus Helicopters' Germany general manager.

Matthieu Louvot, currently executive v-p of customer support and services, will take over light helicopters and government responsibilities from Shoder in September as executive v-p of Airbus Helicopters programs. Beginning in January, Louvot will lead a unified Airbus Helicopters programs.

In Louvot’s place, Christoph Zammert, currently head of program support, will be promoted to executive v-p customer support and services and join the executive committee. Mathilde Royer, currently head of global set-up optimization project, will take the role of digital transformation officer and head of company transformation. Royer also will join the executive committee, as will Bernhard Weigl, the head of aviation safety and quality.

ALPA: Single-pilot Ops Not a Risk Worth Taking

The Air Line Pilots Association has published a white paper decrying any effort to permit single-pilot airline operations. “Those promoting single-pilot operations argue that reducing crew size will lead to cost savings,” it wrote. “However, the current body of evidence and experience, including more than a decade of study by NASA and the FAA, shows that the safety risks and challenges associated with single-pilot operations far outweigh its potential benefits.”

Pilot incapacitation is the key issue. The association refers to published FAA data revealing that there were 262 occurrences of pilot incapacitation in single-pilot Part 91 operations from January 1980 through July 1989, resulting in 180 fatalities. During the same period, there were 32 occurrences of pilot incapacitation in single-pilot Part 135 operations, resulting in 32 fatalities. In Part 121 operations over the same period, there were 51 pilot incapacitation occurrences that resulted in normal aircraft recovery by the other pilot.

Although this data is 30 to 40 years old, the association also cited more recent data. According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, from 2010 to 2015 there were 23 pilot incapacitation occurrences per year on average, 75 percent of them happening in high-capacity air transport operations. With multi-pilot crews, incapacitation had “minimal effect on the flight.” But for single-pilot general aviation operations, incapacitation often meant returning to the departure airport or crashing.

Baker Taps Goyco To Lead New Services Group

Baker Aviation named Ray Goyco, Jr. CEO of a newly formed organization, Baker Aviation Services Group, which will focus on strategic partnerships, contract management, compliance, and Hot-Stop “L” fire containment kit and parts sales. In addition, the new group will be tasked with expanding the company’s relationships with dealers and distributors.

Formerly president and COO of Baker’s aviation maintenance organization, Goyco has led Baker’s maintenance activities since 2012. Baker Aviation credited him with expanding its FAA Part 145 repair station at Addison Airport north of Dallas. Goyco will remain at the Addison Airport location, but will also act as a direct consultant to the Baker Aviation ownership on all aspects of the company and its divisions.

The establishment of Baker Aviation Services Group comes as Baker Aviation centralizes its charter, management, and maintenance businesses at Fort Worth Meacham International Airport. Baker Aviation is building a 66,000-sq-ft complex that will include two new hangars with 28-foot doors that will accommodate the latest large-cabin business jets.

“We created this entity to capture and manage new opportunities, and I am confident that Ray will continue to help us grow the Baker business as we take this next step in our Fort Worth expansion plan,” said Baker Aviation founder W. Stanley Baker Jr.

Correction

Pipistrel’s Alpha Electro Is an Inexpensive Flight Training Solution

Already certified and in testing with an initiative called the Sustainable Aviation Project in Fresno, California, the Pipistrel Alpha Electro offers an inexpensive and quiet solution for flight training.