Nexus Full-Scale Technology Demonstrator Should Fly Next Year

Textron has successfully connected the two halves of the fuselage of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL), Nexus, full-scale technology demonstrator. This significant milestone involves joining the central sections of the aircraft that are designed to seat passengers. “Since the formation of Textron eAviation, the team has been focused on vehicle design, performance confirmation and the build of our first full-scale technology demonstrator to test the control and functionality of the aircraft,” said Kriya Shortt, president & CEO, Textron eAviation.

Another Pie in the Sky "Game Changer" Program Sticks Around a While Longer

Bell has been given funding under Phase 1B of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program. Bell will move on from Phase 1A, where it completed a conceptual design review, and will now move on to "preliminary design efforts" for the SPRINT X-Plane. SPRINT aims to "design, build, and fly an X-Plane" aimed at a "transformational combination of aircraft speed and runway independence for the next generation of air mobility platforms". While much of the time these nifty pie-in-the-sky projects come to little more than some fun press releases and an aborted project at the end of their funding, there's a tiny chance this time it will be different (but probably not).

UK Base Hones Skills in Overhauling Bizjet Classic

StandardAero announced that its Gosport, UK facility has taken in its 500th Pratt & Whitney Canada PW300 for scheduled maintenance. It's a small milestone but somewhat notable to get word out there that the 'newcomers', who started working on the type in 2009, have gotten the routine down pat. Gosport was added as a Pratt & Whitney Designated Overhaul Facility back then, and that slice of the pie has fed StandardAero's British operations quite well in the years since. 

Expanding Portfolio Brings Eutelsat OneWeb to Wide Swath of Citation Family

Gogo Business Aviation has announced a European STC for the use of the Galileo HDX antenna for the Cessna Citation Latitude jet, paving the way for a Euro internet solution entirely from the Gogo fold. Much like the more famous but general-use Starlink, Gogo Galileo operates on the Eutelsat OneWeb enterprise low-Earth-orbit satellite network. That gives very global coverage, since, as Gogo notes, the Eutelsat network is already fully deployed. All in all, the STC for the Citation Latitude will cover almost 400 aircraft in the worldwide fleet. Other Euro STCS along similar lines include the Citation 525, CJ1, CJ2, CJ3, CJ4, and Embraer Phenom 300. With EASA blessing for each, it shouldn't be long before other regulators around the world give them the okay, too.

From 2020 (YouTube Version): Aircare International Has Been Elevating In-Flight Safety For More Than 40 Years

For over 40 years, Aircare FACTS Training has been providing human factor-based emergency procedures training for pilots, flight engineers, flight attendants, other cabin crew and executive frequent flyers. Aircare FACTS Training offers a variety of research-based programs, specifically designed to meet the needs of business aviation and public/military aircraft, especially those looking to meet the cabin safety requirements outlined in FAR Part 135.331. Aircare FACTS Training provides business aviation with competency-based emergency procedures training that results in proficient, professional and prepared crewmembers.

Upgraded Citation Flight Deck Arrives for Euro Clientele

RTX Collins has been granted approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the installation of their Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system on the Cessna Citation CJ1+ and CJ2+. The news adds yet another nifty little option for those with legacy aircraft and old fashioned avionics, allowing operators to modernize their flight deck in one fell swoop. The Pro Line Fusion system does everything you'd expect befitting a private jet, with expansive 14" touch displays and the full gamut of flight planning, operations, and reversionary options needed to bring out the best of the Citation platform. 

From 2015 (YouTube Version): A Familiar GA Airframe Is Repurposed For Futuristic Missions

ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, spent time at the Unmanned Systems 2015 Conference to find out more about unmanned aerial systems (UAS). When we think about a UAS, it’s common to visualize a remotely controlled vertical lift device or some other special purpose remotely controlled or autonomous aircraft. In this interview with Peter LeHew, the director of flight operations and UAS operations for Aurora Flight Sciences, you’ll find out that a UAS takes many forms. Aurora Flight Sciences is in the business of repurposing aircraft that are already flying and, in the case of this experiment, also FAA certificated. They chose the diamond DA-42 to experiment with what they call an, “optionally piloted aircraft.&rdqu

Polish Court Weighs in On Passenger Name Record Issue

The European Business Aviation Association has taken a victory lap regarding a successful legal victory in Poland, establishing a "historic precedent for the Passenger Name Record (PNR) issue in the country." It was the first 'PNR case' heard in Poland, setting a precedent to shape enforcement into the future. The case in question was brought by an air carrier in the business sector, fined by the Polish Border Guard for allegedly violating PNR law on the books. Poland's Supreme Administrative Court agreed with the plaintiffs, reversing the judgment of the lower court and annulled the decision imposing the fine, aligning its ruling with the provisions of the European Directive 2016/681 (PNR Directive) and the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).