One year after Bombardier unveiled its small-scale EcoJet blended-wing research demonstrator, the Canadian airframer revealed the existence of its bigger brother today at EBACE 2023. Bombardier added that the aircraft achieved first flight late last year.
At twice the size of the previous scale model, this new aircraft—with its 18-foot wingspan—represents the conclusion of the first phase of the test program and the start of the second. The company believes this second phase will eventually deliver a lower-carbon emissions aircraft design in pursuit of the industry’s goal to be net-zero emissions by 2050.
“The technology that we have on the EcoJet program is how we at Bombardier are going to get there,” said Stephen McCullough, the Montreal-based company’s senior v-p of engineering and product development. “As we get closer and closer to what the full scale will be, the results have better resolution.”
The project aims to reduce aircraft emissions by up to 50 percent through aerodynamic and propulsion improvements. Among them, the aircraft’s design includes what Bombardier describes as its sixth-generation transonic wing. EcoJet further demonstrates a new aircraft control architecture. “The EcoJet research project has garnered a high level of interest across the industry, and we are looking forward to mobilizing partners as we continue to define the future of business aviation,” said McCullough.
VistaJet CEO Thomas Flohr spent a good part of last week countering reports that the private jet pre-paid subscription service provider was in any kind of financial difficulty. The denial came even as The Financial Times reported that the privately held company’s auditor had issued a “going concern” warning, its debt doubled to $4.4 billion, cumulative net losses over the last four-year period were $436 million, and cash on hand had dwindled to $134 million against $831 million in prepaid flights.
A ”going concern” opinion is not necessarily a harbinger of bankruptcy, but it can adversely impact credit ratings, according to Accounting Research Journal. Vista’s unsecured debt rating from Fitch earlier this year was “BB-," defined as “debt instruments that are generally considered speculative in nature,” according to Investopedia.
The revelations come days after Wheels Up CEO Kenny Dichter resigned amidst continuing large losses at that membership aircraft charter provider. Some industry analysts were quick to draw parallels between the two companies even though they operate with different business models, ownership structures, and financial results.
Flohr said the losses were largely driven by the conservative 13-year depreciation schedule VistaJet takes on its owned jets, as opposed to a mark-to-market strategy, which uses current valuations. He added that the company had positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $800 million in 2022, even while posting a net loss.
Rolls-Royce's Pearl 10X engine is on track to begin flight trials on the company’s Tucson, Arizona-based Boeing 747 testbed later this year, the company reported. The engine—which is destined for Dassault’s forthcoming Falcon 10X—delivers more than 18,000 pounds of thrust and is compatible with 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel operation. It is the first time a Rolls-Royce product has been selected to power a Falcon business jet.
At the heart of the Pearl 10X is Rolls-Royce’s Advance2 core, which combines with technology developed for the current-generation Pearl engines to create an efficient powerplant that will push the Falcon 10X to near-sonic speeds.
Tests to date have been conducted on the Advance2 demonstrator, as well as in the full Pearl 10X configuration, in which it exceeded its thrust requirement on the first run. Earlier this year, the powerplant was tested in its bespoke Spirit AeroSystems nacelle, engine build-up, and mount system. More than 1,500 hours of running time have been accumulated to date and have confirmed the engine’s reliability and its ability to meet Dassault’s performance requirements.
Meanwhile, Rolls-Royce is building a production support plant close to the Dassault final assembly facility at Bordeaux-Mérignac, France. The 2,000-sq-m (21,500-sq-ft) facility at Le Haillan will accommodate around 30 employees and feature offices, a workshop, and warehouse. It will play a significant role in Falcon 10X production and flight-test activities.
In its third annual Business Jet Market Forecast—released today at EBACE 2023—Global Jet Capital expects continued growth for the next five years in preowned business jet transactions and new deliveries. But that is tempered by what it characterizes as a “leveling off from the unprecedented demand that our industry experienced post-pandemic.”
The news isn’t bad for the business aviation market, according to chief marketing officer Andrew Farrant. “Most OEMs have strong backlogs and should see improvements in supply-chain challenges that limited deliveries in 2022 and so far in 2023,” he said. Preowned transactions continue to return to rates more in line with historical trends and are expected to pick up in 2024 and beyond to reflect increasing demand from new aircraft models.”
In 2023, the forecast expects new and preowned transaction unit volume to drop 2.6 percent while transaction dollar volume should climb by 1 percent. This is due to more demand for larger jets and new-production jet deliveries growing 6.3 percent and dollar volume by 12.2 percent in 2023, according to Global Jet Capital.
From the peak of 3,243 preowned transactions in 2021, unit volume is expected to grow again from a 2023 low of 2,635 to 3,129 in 2027.
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Boost has been awarded EASA supplemental type certificate (STC) approval for its Airbus AS350/H125 human external cargo (HEC) system. The Boost system has a carrying capacity of 1,100 pounds, which allows for multi-person rescue. The quick-install provisions and dual hook and load beam missions kits come with a case to store the equipment when not in use.
The AS350/355/H125 HEC system, which also received STC approval from Transport Canada and the FAA, is recommended for use during external load missions such as search-and-rescue, law enforcement, and HEC operations, as well as cargo transport and utility line work that includes powerline maintenance and forestry operations.
Boost offers a line of Transport Canada- and FAA-certified HEC systems for other helicopter models, including the Bell 412/212/205, 206L and 407, and MD Helicopters MD500. In addition, it offers fully compliant accessories, including approved personnel carrying device systems and Boost Systems’ Generation II HEC suspension lines. The company also provides training for HEC operations.
UAS International Trip Support (UAS) has expanded into the Balkans with the launch of a partnership with flight-support provider Flystar. Founded in Montenegro in 2011, Flystar provides ground-handling services for scheduled and nonscheduled flights, charter, private and cargo flights, diplomatic, military, and ambulance. It operates at 23 international airports across the Balkans.
“We intend to continue to grow our global network organically and by entering strategic partnerships such as this to provide our clients with the same top-quality flight experience consistently wherever they go,” said UAS co-owner, founder, and CEO Omar Hosari. “Flystar has made a huge impact since its establishment and become a crucial player in the regional business aviation environment and we’re excited to work closely to solidify our presence in the Balkans.”
UAS clients in Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia, Albania, Bosnia and Hercegovina, North Macedonia, Slovenia, and Kosovo now have local UAS supervisor support on site to deliver ground handling, dedicated supervision, and the single-source liaison for all trip-support services.
"I believe this partnership will increase the attractiveness of the Balkan region, which has major potential for growth,” said Flystar founder Ana Marojević. “We are glad that UAS sees us as a strong and reliable partner.”
A coalition of 20 aviation organizations is urging House lawmakers to take action on a bill to make qualified pilot and maintenance technician schools eligible for 529 plan distributions. Introduced in March by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, H.R.1818, the Aviation Workforce Development Act, would permit 529 plans to cover tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for participation in a qualified aviation technician or pilot course, including with Part 147 maintenance schools and Part 61 and 141 flight schools.
Industry backers sent a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) and Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts) urging them to schedule a vote on the bill, which they said is designed to reduce barriers for aspiring aviators facing the high cost of training. The organizations noted that similar legislation was recently enacted for trades apprenticeship programs. “H.R.1818 will build on that legacy and address the similarly growing need for aviators and aircraft mechanics by giving Americans the same tools to choose a career in aviation as those seeking four-year degrees,” they added of the bill introduced by Reps. Mike Collins (R-Georgia), Jimmy Panetta (D-California), Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania), and Steve Cohen (D-Tennessee).
NBAA, among the signatories of the letter, noted that Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) is expected to introduce similar legislation in the Senate.
Universal Weather and Aviation has integrated its Feasibility-IQ mission planning and intelligence app with Portside's Bart scheduling software system. “This integration provides Bart users quick access to the same trip-feasibility intelligence used by Universal’s international mission-planning experts, directly through Bart’s user interface,” explained Guido Groeschel, Universal’s executive v-p of digital product management.
Bart users can now transmit their trip details to Feasibility-IQ at the push of a button within the Bart system, reducing manual inputs and streamlining the trip research and planning process. Users can instantly review detailed requirements for their missions and access advanced trip-support intelligence.
Feasibility-IQ equips flight departments with comprehensive, vetted information on customs procedures, logistics, crew, and passenger entry requirements, facilities, peak periods, location trends, and more for thousands of airports worldwide. It significantly improves the efficiency of flight departments by saving hours of research time per trip leg and equipping operators with intelligence previously only available through Universal Trip Support.
“Offering a broad range of integrations has always been a cornerstone of the Bart product suite, and this important integration adds to the many tools and capabilities already included in the Bart platform,” said Portside CEO Alek Vernitsky.
Aviation Safety Question of the Week
Provided by
To meet stabilized approach criteria, the following minimum stabilization heights should be met:
A. 1,000 feet or 500 feet agl in IMC or VMC, respectively.
B. 1,500 feet or 1,000 feet above airport elevation in IMC and VMC, respectively.
C. 1,000 feet or 500 feet above airport elevation in IMC or VMC, respectively.
D. 1,000 feet or 500 feet above minimums in IMC or VMC, respectively.
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