Tag: Aviation

Gulfstream Aerospace Begins G400 Flight-test Program

Aviation International News reports, “Gulfstream has officially begun the flight test program for its G400, successfully completing its first flight on August 15. The large-cabin twinjet departed Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (KSAV) at 9:04 a.m. and returned just under three hours later having reached a top speed of Mach 0.85 and an altitude of 41,000 feet. The flight was conducted using the manufacturer’s supply of blended sustainable aviation fuel.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)

Future Flight Global May Purchase Up to 116 Air Taxis from Archer Aviation

Flying Magazine reports, “Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Archer Aviation this week secured another purchase order agreement for its flagship Midnight air taxi. The company on Tuesday said it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Future Flight Global (FFG), a startup that plans to operate eVTOL and other advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft, for the planned sale of as many as 116 air taxis.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)

Piper M700 Cleared for Unpaved Field Operations by FAA

Flying Magazine reports, “Piper Aircraft’s M700 Fury has received FAA approval for unpaved field operations, the company announced Monday. According to Piper, the M700 Fury, which was certified in March, underwent ‘rigorous testing for unpaved field certification.’”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)


Video

Piper Introduces the M700 Fury
(Piper Aircraft, Inc.; YouTube)

Archer Aviation to Operate Electric Air Taxis in Los Angeles by 2026

Flying Magazine reports, “Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft manufacturer Archer Aviation is adding a third major U.S. city to its planned air taxi network in partnership with United Airlines. The company on Thursday announced it intends to launch a city center-to-airport network in Los Angeles by 2026, building on its plans to fly in New York City and Chicago. The service is meant to replace one-to-two-hour drives by car with more direct aerial routes while remaining cost competitive with ground-based rideshare options such as Uber and Lyft.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)

Beta Granted FAA Approval to Begin eVTOL Pilot Training

Flying Magazine reports, “Beta will train additional company and FAA personnel using dual controls on its flagship electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Alia 250. The company on Wednesday said the agency granted it a letter of authorization (LOA) to start dual seat pilot training of “manufacturer and FAA personnel,” such as the aviation safety inspector who will ultimately help certify the aircraft for commercial service.”
Full Story (Flying Magazine)

First MH-139A Grey Wolf Delivered to US Air Force

Defense News reports, “Boeing announced on Monday it has delivered the first production MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter to the U.S. Air Force.” Boeing’s MH-139A Grey Wolf is slated to conduct security patrols at nuclear missile fields, but plans to slash the fleet have triggered cost overruns. “The helicopter will be stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, Boeing said.”
Full Story (Defense News)

Joby Aviation Applies for FAA Type Certification in Australia

Reuters reports, “Electric air taxi maker Joby Aviation said on Tuesday [that] it has formally applied for its aircraft to be certified for use in Australia. … Joby’s application to Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority for an FAA type certification validation leverages a bilateral agreement between U.S. and Australian regulators for mutual recognition of aviation approvals and certifications.”
Full Story (Reuters)

U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Tiltrotor Shifts to Next Development Phase

Defense News reports, “The U.S. Army’s future long-range aircraft is moving out of technology development and into the critical engineering and manufacturing development phase, the service announced Friday. The Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft program, or FLRAA, is estimated to be worth approximately $70 billion across its lifespan, including foreign military sales, and is set to replace roughly 2,000 Black Hawk utility helicopters.”
Full Story (Defense News)

Air Force Says 2023 V-22 Crash Caused by ‘Catastrophic’ Mechanical Failure and ‘Casual’ Crew Decisions

Breaking Defense reports, “Air Force investigators have determined the fatal CV-22B crash that occurred off the coast of Japan in November was caused by a ‘catastrophic failure’ of a proprotor gearbox — a mechanical failure that the service said was made more likely due to the crew’s in-flight decisions and the Osprey program office’s prior failure to effectively communicate relevant data to the military services.”
Full Story (Breaking Defense)