GE Honda Aero Engines, which manufactures the HF120 engine for the HondaJet HA420, has completed a second test running 100 percent (neat) sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The testing included evaluating the effects of lean blow-out characteristics.

The neat SAF tests were conducted in Saitama, Japan, at the R&D Center for Aero Engines and used ATJ-SPK fuel made from alcohol-sourced feedstock. Alcohol-to-jet synthetic paraffinic kerosene is converted from alcohol sourced from grains.

Honda led the SAF testing, and the first test was done in October 2022 at GE Aerospace’s Peebles test center in Ohio, using hydro-processed esters and fatty acids-SPK. 

“We’re very enthusiastic about 100 percent SAF,” said GE Honda Aero Engines president Mel Solomon. “We don’t see any roadblocks [to its eventual implementation].”

GE Honda parent companies GE Aerospace and Honda are participating in a manufacturer review panel to examine SAF safety and development of new fuels and fuel additives. “Insight gathered from the latest SAF test will be used for R&D of aero engines to support activities related to the international standardization of SAF by the OEM review panel,” according to GE Honda.

“Our active involvement in the OEM review panel and the successful completion of a second 100 percent SAF engine test within 12 months with a different blend is a testament to GE Honda’s commitment to accelerate the right solutions for the industry,” Solomon said.

Airbus Helicopters has opened a new 3D printing center at its Donauwörth, Germany site, expanding in-house capacity for this technology. The airframer now operates three machines for components made of titanium, four for plastic, and one for aluminum. Airbus is using the process for serial production parts as well as for components for prototype aircraft such as the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL and the high-speed Racer experimental compound helicopter.

“Among other advantages, 3D printing can reduce the weight of aircraft components, which leads to less fuel consumption. Such potential can bring financial benefits and contribute to reducing CO2 emissions during operations,” said Stefan Thomé, Airbus Helicopters’ managing director for Germany.

Proponents have long pointed out that 3D printing uses up to 85 percent less raw material than conventional CNC machining, makes it easier to produce complex structures, and is more efficient for one-off and short production runs, using lasers to melt metal or plastic powders to create desired shapes layer-by-layer. Airbus has used 3D printing to manufacture more than 9,400 titanium locking shafts for the doors on its widebody A350 airliner since 2017.

North Dakota-based Fargo Jet Center (FJC), in collaboration with Bombardier and Spectrum Aeromed, delivered two Bombardier Learjet 75s configured as air ambulances to the Romanian General Aviation Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The two light jets—the first of their kind in the country—will be used in support of emergency rescue services to provide prompt access to medical care, particularly in life-threatening situations.

FJC reconfigured the aircraft's standard passenger cabin for medical use. The custom-designed, engineered, and FAA-approved modifications include downwash patient lighting, a removable bulkhead, an aft baggage storage cabinet, a 6,000-liter oxygen rack system, and a forward cargo bay. Additionally, the factory side entry and lower sidewall interiors were modified and encased in stainless steel.

FJC previously partnered with its Hector International Airport (KFAR) neighbor, Spectrum Aeromed, on a pair of Learjet 75 ambulances for Polish EMS operator Lotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe. In this latest pair, Spectrum designed the advanced air ambulance modules and supporting air medical equipment. Each aircraft is outfitted for the transport of two critical-condition patients and includes such medical equipment as an incubator for critically ill infants and an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation machine.

GE Aerospace has received a $4.5 million grant from the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) to develop a small prototype engine that will combine fuel cells with the use of a gas turbine powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The project is Phase 2 of the engine maker’s FLyCLEEN program. According to GE's engineers, the use of solid oxide fuel cells in the 25-kilowatt hybrid-electric unit “could vastly improve the efficiency of converting the chemical energy from SAF into electric power and move closer to net-zero CO2 emissions.”

John Hong, a senior combustion research engineer with GE and its FLyCLEEN project leader, said this design brings nearly two decades of solid oxide fuel cell experience to bear in the design of the high-efficiency power generation system. In the hybrid engine, a portion of the SAF is reformed into syngas to feed the fuel cells, while the remainder is burned in the gas turbine.

“The integration of fuel cells into a jet engine propulsion system represents a potentially promising hybrid technology for additional fuel efficiency technologies in higher-thrust aircraft applications,” Hong stated. “The use of SAF demonstrates the compatibility with lower-carbon fuels to capture further CO2 reduction benefits.”

The Senate has scheduled a cloture vote tomorrow to limit debate on the nomination of Michael Whitaker to serve as the next FAA administrator. If approved, the vote would clear the way for full Senate confirmation of the nomination, which has received wide support on both sides of the aisle as well as throughout the industry.

The vote follows the Senate Commerce Committee’s unanimous approval of the nomination last week. “Mr. Whitaker is highly qualified with more than 30 years of aviation experience in both the public and private sectors,” said committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Washington).

Cantwell added that it was imperative that the nomination move to a Senate floor vote. “His nomination has attracted bipartisan support and broad agreement within the aviation community. I appreciate Mr. Whitaker’s commitment to independent leadership, recruiting new talent, and building a strong safety culture at the FAA.”

Senate Commerce Ranking Member Ted Cruz (R-Texas), who opposed the previous nominee (Phil Washington), also threw his support behind Whitaker. “His extensive aviation experience makes him well-suited to lead our nation’s largest transportation safety agency and he has pledged to focus on aviation safety, the FAA’s primary responsibility,” Cruz said.

Switzerland-based Comlux has just signed a contract to acquire more than 11,000 sq ft of off-airport space at its completion center in Indianapolis.

Comlux Completion CEO Adam White expressed enthusiasm about the company’s growth trajectory. “We are very excited to enter the next stages of our aggressive multi-year growth plan,” he said. “What is key is not only hiring and retaining highly skilled, dedicated employees but also providing them with the space and equipment to execute their trade with the highest precision. This is the latest step on our journey to modernize our infrastructure to continue to provide our customers with the highest level of quality, a true VVIP experience.”

Despite the considerable attention garnered by ACJ TwoTwenty cabin completions and its expanding backlog, Comlux stressed that the expansion plan does not exclusively center on any particular program.

“We embarked on a mission to standardize our installation structure and standardize parts over two years ago,” said Comlux Completion COO Bryan Peterson. “The main production efforts in this new facility will start with these critical parts. For BBJ and ACJ completions, maintenance, or upgrades, increasing the ability to manufacture the parts we need will ensure we continue to maintain our schedules and continue to redeliver on time.”

Sales and acquisitions specialist Jetcraft has added the Jetquity Protect Program as an option for its clients. The residual value protection policy guarantees aircraft owners a preset exit figure. Clients who enroll in the scheme can select a program duration of between one and 10 years.

Backed by large global financial institutions, the scheme—which was launched in the second quarter—allows clients to more accurately manage their finances over the life of their aircraft ownership. The program effectively mitigates against larger-than-expected depreciation of the aircraft’s resale value, safeguarding the initial investment against market volatility while also clarifying the financial viability of aircraft ownership.

Jetcraft clients can now elect to enroll in the Protect Program alongside leveraging the company's expertise in the resale market. Although the company advises and assists in sales and acquisitions, it remains solely as an “introducer” rather than being directly involved in the policy.

“Today’s preowned jet marketplace is extremely complex, and at Jetcraft we’re committed to harnessing innovative technology to benefit our clients,” said owner and chairman Jahid Fazal-Karim. “Through Jetquity’s Protect program we’re offering our customers the peace of mind that comes with knowing their aircraft’s future resale value and, when they are ready to sell their investment, access to Jetcraft’s market-leading intelligence and strategic financing solutions to support even the most complex of transactions.”

Hangar rash, or damage to aircraft during hangar movements, is a major cost to the industry and one that Hangar Safe looks to reduce or even eliminate. Under development for the past five years, the California company’s AI-based hangar rash avoidance system recently completed a successful beta test program. Hangar Safe—which is booked through the end of the year—is now accepting 2024 installation slots.

According to CEO Ryan Crowl, his impetus to create the system was based on real-world experience gathered from his “day job” as the president of Meadows Field (KBFL) FBO Loyd’s Aviation.

He noted the passive system is always active. “The tug operator does exactly what they normally do. They use their normal towing procedures and this system augments what they are doing," he told AIN.

Crowl described the function as similar to that of the backup camera on today’s modern automobiles, alerting tug operators when they encroach on a pre-determined safety zone.

“As they get close, it starts chirping an alarm and flashing lights in the hangar, and then when they get to a final barrier—which we normally set at three feet—it sets off a solid alarm, the lights turn red, and the hangar owner gets an automated email with imagery of what happened,” he explained.

The installation cost for the system starts at $2,500 and the monthly subscription fee is $900.