The Shape of Things to Come

Axios—the Arlington, Virginia-based website that’s been (accurately) referred to as a mix between The Economist and Twitter—hosted its second annual What’s Next Summit. The left-leaning hootenanny drew hundreds of business leaders and policymakers and featured breakout discussions undertaken for purpose of delving deeply into the near-term futures of business, entertainment, and travel. The Washington D.C. event comprised vigorous debate over aviation’s future. Guests shared their opinions pertaining to what the coming years hold for aerospace manufacturing and funding and the regulatory environments by which the aviation and space industries will be shaped and dr

Something for the Paine

Washington state wants to create a “world leading” research and development center focused on low-carbon Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF). The facility is planned for Snohomish County’s Paine Field (PAE)—home of Boeing’s historic wide-body production facility as well as low-carbon aerospace startups ZeroAvia and MagniX.

America’s Plight Worsens

The National Research University Moscow Power Engineering Institute (MPEI), one of Russia’s top technical and research institutions, announced that it would found and operate an aeronautical and aerospace campus in China’s Wenchang district. Located on the island of Hainan in the South China Sea, the district is home to the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, one of China's four spaceports. Construction of the 137-acre campus will commence in September 2023 with classes to convene in September 2025.

Spurring the Cash Cow

Aerospace titan Boeing plans to up production of its ubiquitous 737 family of narrow-body airliners from 31 to 38-specimens monthly by the end of 2023’s second quarter—well earlier than aerospace industry analysts predicted ...  

Aero Linx: The Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST) The Vertical Aviation Safety Team (VAST) is a public–private initiative to enhance worldwide flight operations safety in all segments of the vertical flight industry. Team members comprise international regional safety teams; safety authorities, including civil aviation authorities; and other industry stakeholders that work to improve global vertical flight safety.

Mountain Wave Mountain waves occur when air is being blown over a mountain range or even the ridge of a sharp bluff area. As the air hits the upwind side of the range, it starts to climb, thus creating what is generally a smooth updraft which turns into a turbulent downdraft as the air passes the crest of the ridge. Mountain waves can cause significant fluctuations in airspeed and altitude with or without associated turbulence.

“We have been at the forefront of the aviation industry for decades, and this will now put us in a place to lead the world in shaping the future of clean aviation.” Source: Senator Marko Liias, a member of the Washington State Senate Transportation Committee, discussing how Washington state wants to create a “world leading” research and development center focused on low-carbon Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).