Aerospace

Russia’s unmanned helicopter, Fly Airbus, drive Audi; Aeryon’s defense drone, DLR’s new flying testbed, and insurer backs safer drones.

Dynetics to demonstrate the airborne launch and recovery of volleys of low-cost UAS under a DARPA program to expand the potential uses of unmanned aircraft.

DARPA cancellation of an ambitious VTOL X-plane program underlines the challenges facing industry in developing hybrid-electric and distributed-electric propulsion systems

Aviation Africa 2018 opened its two-day summit and exhibition with strong growth predictions for the African Aviation Market.

The agency cites growing commercial interest and the lack of a service partner with which to transition the technology to a program.

Powering unmanned aircraft via laser beam could increase endurance and allow larger payloads, with high-bandwidth data sent back over the same beam.

Canada backs Bell air taxi; DARPA wants fast launches; Safran invests in microturbines; Volocopter’s urban mobility vision; SkyNRG tests new biofuel

Planners can define and validate manufacturing processes down to individual work instructions virtually. This eliminates potential issues and waste before they occur.

South African Airways (SAA) has maintained a 4-Star Skytrax ranking, in both Business and Economy Class, for a 16th consecutive year.

Operators are seeking greater efficiency, with prognostics beginning to emerge as a factor.

“We’re going to see small and medium-sized companies here in Montreal get the opportunity to deal with Airbus as suppliers,” said Dominque Anglade.

The lingering effects of the 2008 global financial crisis, over three years of low oil prices, currency devaluations and regional conflict caused by political instability had all contributed to a daunting operating environment for Middle East airlines, especially low-cost carriers (LCCs), Air Arabia CEO, Adel Ali, told the opening Day Two session of Aviation Africa 2018 in Cairo. Peter Shaw-Smith reports from the event.

Speaking at the Aviation Africa MRO panel Hisham Ali, consultant to the Chairman of Egypt Air, said that African MRO market is growing. Africa represents four percent of the global 25,368 fleet and 3.9 percent of global 75.6 billion USD annual MRO expenditure. The most dominant aircraft are the B737 and A320. Kaleyesus Bekele reports from the conference.

An airline’s greatest cyber-security threat may also be its most precious asset – its staff – according to panellists speaking at Aviation Africa in Cairo. Victoria Moores reports.

How contractors and the Pentagon could balance requirements and budgets in the coming years.

The Aviation Africa Summit and Exhibition 2018 is under way in Cairo with over 980 delegates and visitors at the two-day event.

U.S. Air Force looks to detect orbital threats, Airbus launches inspection drone, Bye flies electric light aircraft, and kite-like drone wins accelerator prize.

The world’s leading Advanced Photon Source is poised to help U.S. recovery efforts in race for hypersonic dominance.

Rocketmine, the South African based subsidiary of the Delta Drone Group, has become the first drone operator in Africa to obtain both Basic Compliance Verification (BCV) and Basic Aviation Risk Standards (BARS) certifications, after almost a year of intense auditing through independent consultants.

Growing experience in delivering goods by drone may be coming to the U.S. as part of an FAA pilot program to accelerate commercial use of unmanned aircraft.

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) is showcasing an ACJ319 at the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) show to highlight the trend towards larger cabins in new-generation business jets.

Airports World Company (AWC) will be attending the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) show as an exhibitor in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, this December.

The MEBAA Conference Dubai is set to bring the key business aviation leaders to DWC, Airshow Site when it takes place during the MEBAA Show in December.

Routes Africa, the intra-Africa route development forum, will return after a two year hiatus, due to demand from the route development community.

Airports of Mauritius (AML) “proudly and efficiently” hosted the 27th Airports Council International (ACI) Africa/World annual general assembly, conference and exhibition. Anuradha Deenapanray and Vincent Chappard report.