Aerospace

Fly/ride range extender; Volocopter flies in Dubai; EasyJet thinks electric; Drone+van delivery; Passenger Drone’s eVTOL.

The travel catering industry is attracting an increasing number of international companies keen on exploring business opportunities in the sector.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the 2017 World Passenger Symposium (WPS) will focus on how technology, data, customisation and digital transformation will reshape the customer experience of tomorrow.

As airliner connectivity broadens to benefit passengers, a cybersecurity threat may be opening to more crucial aircraft systems.

Electronics miniaturization coupled with propulsion and airframe upgrades are making smaller unmanned aircraft increasing capable in a widening range of roles.

Russia and China each have plans for an engine for the widebody now called the CR929. But they have agreed to cooperate.

DARPA taps Reaction Engines to conduct high-temperature testing of the precooler technology for its proposed hypersonic air-breathing, Sabre rocket concept.

Congress may push back on Trump’s Air Force One cost-cutting plan, the Kiowa Warrior’s last flight for the U.S. Army, Raytheon radar clears third test, and Indonesia takes delivery of Airbus helicopters.

Lockheed Martin is ramping up development of hypersonic system technology as observers report the first sightings of a demonstrator vehicle believed to be linked to the Skunk Works’ planned SR-72 high-speed aircraft project.

The 2017 CANSO Africa Conference is currently underway in Morocco.

General Electric’s advanced inverter could be a precursor to viable hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion.

Development has taken longer than expected, but engine testing is an important milestone in realizing Paul Allen’s new space vision.

The purpose-built Seeker is a bug-eyed, butt-ugly beauty.

Has the commercial aviation industry finally vanquished the cycle? Even thinking such a thing sounds hubristic, but it is difficult to argue with the numbers.

Areas underserved by rail—including the U.S.—are potential targets for hybrid-electric propulsion regional aircraft.

Air Burkina is to be restructured and its fleet expanded, possibly with turboprops, as part of a government initiative to improve its sustainability, reports ch-aviation.

RwandAir will play host to the 49th Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Summit of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) scheduled to take place at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda from 12 – 14 November 2017.

Airports Company South Africa reported revenue growth of 3.4% to R8.6 billion in the year ended 31 March 2017, with profit up 10.8% to R2 billion.

The French engine-maker says turbofan improvements will continue while parallel studies of hybrid and all-electric propulsion studies ramp up.

LeoLabs teams with Planet; Swiss demo U-space; fuel cell powers multicopter drone.

Aviation Week’s team of more than two dozen editors casts a wide net around the globe, but we don’t see everything. That is why it is vital that we receive outside nominations. Know of an individual or achievement in the last year that deserves recognition? Nominate them for the 2018 Laureate Awards.

Airports Council International (ACI) World has announced that the 27th ACI Africa/World Annual General Assembly Conference & Exhibition, taking place from 16–18 October 2017 in Port Louis, Mauritius, will be opened by the Prime Minister of Mauritius, the Hon Pravind Kumar Jugnauth.

The Raider’s hard landing is blamed on a flight-control software issue, not coaxial rigid-rotor technology, Sikorsky obtains backing to finish the demonstration.

There is virtually no overlap between the two companies, and OEMs may seek commercial concessions but are unlikely to block the transaction.

Wide range of users are benefiting from drone imagery of damage from Hurricanes Harney and Irma, but there will also be important lessons emerging.