Aviation International News reports that on Tuesday, public charter operator JSX “announced its intention to acquire more than 300 hybrid-electric aircraft from three different manufacturers as part of its efforts to decarbonize its US regional air services.” The fleet expansion plans “cover up to 332 aircraft, including a letter of intent with Electra for 82 of its nine-passenger eSTOL aircraft (32 firm orders and 50 options), up to 150 of Aura Aero’s 19-seat Era model (50 firm plus 100 options), and up to 100 of Heart Aerospace’s 30-seat ES-30 (50 firm and 50 options).” According to JSX, it “aims to start operating the first of the new aircraft in 2028, without saying which of the three new types will be delivered first.” The Texas-based company’s fleet currently “includes 48 of Embraer’s 30-seat ERJ145 aircraft, providing up to 120 public charter flights daily under DOT Part 380 and FAR Part 135 rules to 24 US destinations.”
Full Story (Aviation International News)
Tag: Demonstrator
Electra. Aero Debuts ‘Ultra’-Short Takeoff and Landing Demonstrator
Aerospace America reports that Electra.aero debuted its Goldfinch two-seat hybrid-electric demonstrator which the company hopes will put “it on the path toward completing a nine-passenger commercial version in time to enter service in 2028.” Electra Founder and CEO John Langford said the commercial version of the aircraft will be able to “get in and out of the Wall Street heliport and have a range of 500 miles with its full payload.” Langford said that Electra will only need 150 feet of runway to take off or land in most circumstances, and never more than 300 feet. MIT Aeronautics Professor John Hansman will pilot the Goldfinch on its first flight from Manassas Regional Airport in a few weeks, where Electra is based. Electra has “planned hundreds of test flights from Manassas and other locations.”
Full Story (Aerospace America)
Airlines Form Coalition to Provide Feedback to Boeing and NASA on X-66A Demonstrator
AirInsight reports that five major US airlines “have formed a sustainable aviation coalition that will provide feedback to Boeing and NASA on the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) demonstrator aircraft, also known as the X-66A.” American Airlines, United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Air Lines “have joined the advisory group.” The TTBW concept “was designated X-66A by the US Air Force in June, having received funding from NASA in January.” The Boeing Company and NASA “will jointly develop a demonstrator aircraft based on a McDonnell Douglas MD-90, which should fly in 2028.” The high and thin wing “with a high aspect ratio has demonstrated a nine-percent fuel burn improvement during numerous wind tunnel tests.”
Full Story (AirInsight)
Hermeus Quarterhorse Demonstrator Makes First Flight
Aviation Week reports, “High-speed aircraft developer Hermeus has successfully flown its remotely piloted Quarterhorse Mk. 1 demonstrator at Edwards AFB, California, marking a key step toward the follow-on development of supersonic and hypersonic vehicles. The short flight, which Hermeus describes as a simple “hop,” was achieved after the aircraft completed two high-speed taxi tests earlier on May 21. After takeoff the aircraft climbed briefly to low altitude before making a straight-ahead landing on the base’s 6.2-mi.-long dry lakebed Runway 15/33.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)