AIRBUS delivered 64 aircraft (seven A220s; 48 A320s; three A330s; six A350s) in November 2023 vs 68 (six A220s; 53 A320s; four A330s; five A350s) in Nov 2022. It has delivered only 623 (76 widebodies) of the planned 720 aircraft in 2023.
AIRBUS completed first flight of EcoPulse hybrid-electric demonstrator in partnership with SAFRAN and DAHER; aircraft is based on Daher TBM aircraft platform and equipped with six integrated electric thrusters or e-Propellers (supplied by Safran), distributed along the wings. Its propulsion system integrates two power sources: a turbogenerator, i.e. an electric generator driven by a gas turbine (supplied by Safran), and high-energy density battery pack (supplied by Airbus).
U.S. startup Rotor Technologies is producing the first two R550X autonomous rotorcraft, which are uncrewed modifications of the Robinson R44 light helicopter.
France’s EcoPulse distributed electric propulsion demonstrator—developed by Daher, Safran and Airbus—has conducted its first flight in hybrid-electric mode.
Startup Evolito has received Design Organization Approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, giving it the ability to type-certify its electric engines.
Industry is hoping November 2023 will go down in history as a turning point for sustainable aviation fuel after a historic framework put forth by the ICAO.
COLLINS was selected by easyJet to provide GlobalConnect connected aircraft services for >330 A320s to enable already-installed Flight Operations and Maintenance Exchanger system (FOMAX), jointly developed with Airbus, to provide valuable insights into its fleet operations, enabling proactive decision-making and more efficient airline operations.
In 1951, Lockheed’s chief engineer, Hall Hibbard, asked a 41-year-old Clarence L. “Kelly” Johnson to come into his office. Johnson had made a name for himself during World War II for delivering the first XP-80 jet fighter prototype in 143 days, and Hibbard wanted his advice on Lockheed’s newest aircraft design proposal: the Model 82 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop transport. Johnson, who believed speed was the key to aviation’s future, blurted out: “Hibbard, if you send that in [to the Air Force,] you’ll destroy the Lockheed Company.”
Eivind Lindtjørn is a typical Mission Aviation pilot flying in Africa. He combines his passion for flying into not just a job, but a higher calling. Guy Leitch and Odd Arild Nessa report.
