H55 EPS A-Okay Says EASA

H55, the Swiss producer of electric propulsion technology, has been awarded its design organization approval (DOA) from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The measure follows the granting of the company’s production organization approval (POA) by the Swiss Federal Office for Civil Aviation in January, 2022. The DOA and the POA allow H55 to design its electric propulsion system within a defined certification framework. The procurement of the two approvals positions the company to receive type certification for its 100kW electric propulsion system (EPS) targeted for CS23 aircraft.

Putting on the Ritz at Hartsfield- Jackson

Signature Aviation has announced a joint collaboration with PS, the private luxury terminal service for commercial flights. The partnership—which will initially serve Hartsfield- Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport—seeks to provide an elevated airport experience for discerning travelers. Through a long-term lease agreement, one of Signature’s two buildings at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Int’l Airport will serve as PS’s second purpose-built private terminal, thereby expanding the company’s operational sphere beyond its primary LAX location.

AD 2022-13-01 Prompted By A Report Of A Blockage In A Fuel Tank Vent Line

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW169 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a blockage in a fuel tank vent line. This AD requires inspecting the fuel tank vent lines, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective July 21, 2022. 

FBO Offers BFI VIP TLC

Modern Aviation, the growing FBO network platform founded in 2017 and funded by Tiger Infrastructure Partners, has completed a $25-million development project and FBO renovation at its Boeing Field/King County International Airport location in Seattle, Washington. The two-phase undertaking comprised the construction of a 40,000-square-foot hangar and a subsequent, 24,500-square-foot hangar paired with a 7,500-square-foot office building.

AD 2022-11-20 Prompted By A Large Crack Detected On The Tail Gearbox (TGB) Fitting During A Scheduled Inspection

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139 and AW139 helicopters. This AD was prompted by a large crack detected on the tail gearbox (TGB) fitting during a scheduled inspection and the determination that certain TGB fittings are required to be inspected by the use of a borescope. This AD requires a one-time borescope inspection of certain part-numbered TGB fittings, and depending on the inspection results, removing the affected part from service and replacing with an airworthy part, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference (IBR). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective July 27, 2022. 

Green, The Color of Money

An Airbus H225 has performed the word’s first helicopter flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The flight, which saw both the H225’s Safran Makila 2 engines powered by SAF, follows a November 2021 undertaking in which an H225 flew with one of its Makila 2 engines operating on SAF and the other on conventional jet fuel. The flights are part of an ongoing campaign to understand the impact of SAF use on aircraft gas-turbine systems. Testing is expected to continue on various helicopter types with different fuel and engine architectures with the aim of certifying the use of 100% SAF by 2030.

eVTOL Flight Testing Proceeding to Plan

Archer Aviation, the San Jose, CA-based designer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, reports flight-tests of its Maker demonstrator aircraft are proceeding apace. Most recently, the test program saw the first use of the company’s Tilt Propeller System (TPS), which actively controls Maker in hover. The system, which facilitates transition from hover to wing-borne flight, comprises a series of independent actuators, sensors, and software that articulates the vehicle’s forward six propellers relative its single, high-mounted wing.