The Six Biggest Misconceptions About Drones

http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/future_tense/2016/05/the_six_biggest_misconceptions_about_drones.html

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What Price Speed? - can civil supersonic flight make a comeback? RAeS Conference, 26 May

http://aerosociety.com/Events/Event-List/2197/What-Price-Speed#sthash.7Bm1xgOR.dpuf

This conference will explore the optimum speed for different aerospace applications, from slow speed drones, to rotary wing aircraft, to larger passenger carrying aircraft, to combat aircraft and ultimately to space vehicles. It will look at the challenges for propulsion in in balancing air vehicle speed versus mission requirements and economic cost and how propulsion technology could shift the point of balance in the future.

There will be speakers representing the industrial leaders of most types of aerospace applications, giving delegates insight into game-changing technologies across the speed range.

Programme: http://aerosociety.com/Assets/Docs/Events/Conferences/2016/809/What-Price-Speed-Programme_Print_v2.pdf

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[video] E2 First Flight - Best Moments

https://youtu.be/C-3m__yRBkg

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L'avion régional Superjet 100 de Sukhoi décolle enfin en Europe - La Tribune.fr [feedly]

L'avion régional Superjet 100 de Sukhoi décolle enfin en Europe
La Tribune.fr
Le niveau de fiabilité du moteur s'élève "à 99,9%, soit le même que celui du best-seller CFM-56", a affirmé le PDG de Safran Airvraft Engines,Olivier Andriès (Crédits : Leonardo) L'avion régional russe, le Sukhoi Superjet 100, va être opéré pour la ...

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Quiet Supersonic Jets Are in the Works - Robb Report [feedly]

Quiet Supersonic Jets Are in the Works
Robb Report
Boston's Spike Aerospace (though they lack the design patents and funding that Aerion has and the expertise of Airbus or Virgin) is collaborating with Aernnova, an aerospace engineering and design firm headquartered in Spain, to develop their ideas for ...

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First E190-E2 Jet Completes Maiden Flight Ahead of Schedule

São José dos Campos, Brazil, May 23, 2016 – The E-Jets E2 program reached another important milestone today with the completion of the maiden flight of the E190-E2. The flight was originally scheduled to take place during the second half of this year.



The aircraft took off at 1:06 p.m., local time from Embraer’s facility in São José dos Campos and flew for three hours and 20 minutes. The flight occurred just three months after the E190-E2 made its public début at a rollout ceremony at the factory in late February. The inaugural flight marks the beginning of the certification campaign for the E190-E2, the first of three new second-generation E-Jet models. The E190-E2 is scheduled to enter commercial service in 2018.


“A first flight is always an emotional occasion, no matter how many you witness over the years. In this particular case, we are not only keeping our promises to the market, we are going beyond by being a few months ahead of schedule. I want to thank each and every Embraer employee who is participating in this project,” said Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President & CEO.


“What a first flight! Today, all of us at Embraer should be proud and thrilled of this remarkable achievement. Watching the first E190-E2 take to the skies means we are paving the way for a bright future in commercial aviation. I’m certain that the market will show even greater interest not only for E190-E2, but also for the other E2s as well,” said Paulo Cesar Silva, President & CEO, Embraer Commercial Aviation.


Embraer Captain Mozart Louzada commanded the aircraft along with First Officer Gerson de Oliveira Mendes, and Flight Test Engineers Alexandre Figueiredo and Carlos Silveira. Today’s flight evaluated aircraft handling and performance characteristics with the crew analyzing a significant number of flight parameters, including speed, altitude and landing gear retraction. This was made possible by the high level of maturity that the E2 reached during program development through the extensive use of digital modeling simulations and ground and static tests that employed rigs and an iron bird.


“There are always a lot of expectations with a first flight and todays’ was no exception. The flight was very smooth. We were able to significantly open the flight envelope by flying at mach 0.82, climbing to 41,000 feet and retracting the landing gear and flaps, and engaging the fly-by-wire in normal mode. All of these demonstrate that the E190-E2 project is very mature and robust, and exceed all performance targets” said Captain Louzada.


The aircraft that flew today is the first of four prototypes that will be used in the E190-E2 certification program. Two additional aircraft will be assigned for the E195-E2 certification process that will lead to entry into service in 2019. Three more aircraft will be used to certify the E175-E2 which is scheduled to enter service in 2020.


The E190-E2 has the same number of seats as the current-generation E190 and can be configured with 97 seats in dual class or 106 seats in a single-class layout. It has 400 nautical miles more range than the current-generation E190 and gives operators the ability to fly the aircraft up to 2,800 nautical miles.


Since the E-Jets E2s were launched in June 2013, the program has logged 640 commitments from airlines and leasing companies: 267 are firm orders and 373 are options and purchase rights. The E-Jets family of aircraft is the leader in the up-to-130-seat aircraft category with more than 50% worldwide market share. Embraer E-Jets are currently in service with some 70 customers from 50 countries.


E-Jets E2s represent the best of new technology in a proven platform. The application of advanced technologies for engines, wings, and avionics sets the E2s apart by providing airlines with the most efficient airplanes in the category yet maintaining commonality with current-generation E-Jets. Enhancements include new aerodynamically-advanced high-aspect ratio distinctively-shaped wings, improved systems and avionics, 4th generation full fly-by-wire flight controls, and Pratt & Whitney’s PurePowerTM Geared Turbofan high by-pass ratio engines (PW1700G on the E175-E2, PW1900G on the E190-E2 and E195-E2). These combine to generate double-digit reductions in fuel consumption, emissions, noise, and maintenance costs, as well greater productivity though less scheduled maintenance downtime. E-Jets E2s will achieve similar costs per seat as larger re-engined narrow-body aircraft but with significantly lower costs per trip. Those savings will create new opportunities for lower-risk development of new markets and fleet right-sizing.

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Falcon 8X Heading for Mid-Year Certification [feedly]

Falcon 8X Heading for Mid-Year Certification
http://aviationweek.com/ebace-2016/falcon-8x-heading-mid-year-certification

Dassault Aviation's Falcon 8X ultra-long-range business jet is entering the final stages of its flight test and certification program as the company prepares for initial delivery.

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Tethered drone provides a hovering watchtower to troops on the ground [feedly]

Tethered drone provides a hovering watchtower to troops on the ground
http://www.gizmag.com/tether-eye-drone/43520/

 -- via my feedly newsfeed

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Ukrainian Border Authorities Discover An Attempt Of Smuggling MiG-29 Spare Parts To Poland [feedly]

Ukrainian Border Authorities Discover An Attempt Of Smuggling MiG-29 Spare Parts To Poland
https://theaviationist.com/2016/05/17/mig-29-parts-smuggled-near-ukraine-poland-border/

Smuggling of MiG-29 Fulcrum spare parts on the Ukraine – Poland border. According to the Polish defence outlet Altair, the Lviv based unit of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine arrested a 46-years old Ukrainian citizen from the Kiev Oblast who was attempting to smuggle MiG-29 fighter spare parts to Poland at the Rawa […]

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The F-35A has started tailhook testing at Edwards AFB [feedly]

The F-35A has started tailhook testing at Edwards AFB
https://theaviationist.com/2016/05/20/the-f-35a-has-started-tailhook-testing-at-edwards-afb/

Even the conventional variant of the Joint Strike Fighter must be prepared to use the tailhook to face directional control issues or braking failures. Tailhook landings by land-based aircraft are used in emergency situations to arrest a plane experiencing a failure that could imply a braking malfunction. That's why almost all U.S. combat aircraft have […]

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​Safran opens new helicopter support centre in Singapore [feedly]

​Safran opens new helicopter support centre in Singapore
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/safran-opens-new-helicopter-support-centre-in-singa-425711/

 -- via my feedly newsfeed

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LM Bags $331.7M FMS for GMLRS | Russia’s MOD Looks to Buy First Mil Mi-38 Helos | US Arms Embargo Lifted from Vietnam [feedly]

LM Bags $331.7M FMS for GMLRS | Russia's MOD Looks to Buy First Mil Mi-38 Helos | US Arms Embargo Lifted from Vietnam
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/lm-bags-331-7m-fms-for-gmlrs-russias-mod-looks-to-buy-first-mil-mi-38-helos-us-arms-embargo-lifted-from-vietnam-033822/

 -- via my feedly newsfeed

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Huntington Ingalls: $152M for Aircraft Carrier Enterprise | Saab’s $1.27B UAE Deal Sees Biz Jets Become GlobalEyes | Netherlands First F-35As Land to Fanfare [feedly]

Huntington Ingalls: $152M for Aircraft Carrier Enterprise | Saab's $1.27B UAE  Deal Sees Biz Jets Become GlobalEyes | Netherlands First F-35As Land to Fanfare
http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/huntington-ingalls-152m-for-aircraft-carrier-enterprise-saabs-1-27b-uae-deal-sees-biz-jets-become-globaleyes-netherlands-first-f-35as-land-to-fanfare-033836/

 -- via my feedly newsfeed

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Airbus contracts MicroLink to produce solar cells for Zephyr S military aircraft [feedly]

Airbus contracts MicroLink to produce solar cells for Zephyr S military aircraft
http://www.airforce-technology.com/news/newsairbus-contracts-microlink-to-produce-solar-cells-for-zephyr-s-military-aircraft-4897842

Airbus Defence and Space has reached a solar cell production contract with MicroLink Devices for next generation Zephyr high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) military aircraft.

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U.S.-Australian Team Moves One Step Closer To Hypersonic Flight [feedly]

U.S.-Australian Team Moves One Step Closer To Hypersonic Flight
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=efcb3eed-6865-4bcc-976e-639e91e4e4ab

Rocket Successfully Flown At Woomera Test Range In Australia An experimental rocket launched at the Woomera Test Range in Australia as part of the joint research program, HIFiRE (Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation Program) this week reached an apogee of 91,000 feet (278 km) and achieved the targeted speed of Mach 7.5 (seven and a half times the speed of sound).

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NASA To Demonstrate Sonic 'Thump' Compared To Standard Sonic Boom [feedly]

NASA To Demonstrate Sonic 'Thump' Compared To Standard Sonic Boom
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=325b30dc-9472-4746-922b-35943488a56f

Event To Take Place May 31 At Armstrong Flight Research Center NASA is planning a comparative demonstration of the currently louder sonic boom to a quieter, more community-friendly sonic "thump", which NASA looks to achieve through an experimental aircraft for Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST)

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Blimp Makes Emergency Landing In Philadelphia Neighborhood [feedly]

Blimp Makes Emergency Landing In Philadelphia Neighborhood
http://www.aero-news.net/index.cfm?do=main.textpost&id=f3fb5799-dbb1-46fa-9b05-af6d3bbe2b61

 -- via my feedly newsfeed

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Dezso Molnar interview Part 4: My two current flying car projects [feedly]

Dezso Molnar interview Part 4: My two current flying car projects
http://www.gizmag.com/dezso-molnar-street-wing-electric-flying-car-g2-gyrocycle/43500/

In part 4 of our extended interview with serial inventor and flying car advocate Dezso Molnar, Dezso puts his money where his mouth is. After giving us his philosophy on flying cars, and reviewing his favorite and least favorite existing designs, Dezso speaks about the two flying car designs he's currently working on as he prepares to launch the world's first flying car race series. The Street Wing concept is a fully electric, solar-supported streetable airplane, and the G2 Gyrocycle is a race-focused, 200 mph three-wheeler that's already rolling on the street, and nearly ready to fly.

.. Continue Reading Dezso Molnar interview Part 4: My two current flying car projects

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Solar Impulse 2 temporarily grounded after hangar accident [feedly]

Solar Impulse 2 temporarily grounded after hangar accident
http://www.gizmag.com/solar-impulse-2-grounded-accident-hangar/43513/

Solar Impulse 2 is temporarily grounded in Dayton, Ohio after a minor accident. The next leg of the solar-powered aircraft's round-the-world-flight was scheduled for May 24, but the unexpected minor collapse of its inflatable hangar resulted in the craft being lightly touched by the hangar fabric. Solar Impulse says that the airplane will now spend several days on the ground as engineers search for damage.

.. Continue Reading Solar Impulse 2 temporarily grounded after hangar accident

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Aeropuerto de Girona-Costa Brava inaugura 3 nuevas rutas operadas por la aerolínea Jet2

• Se operarán vuelos a Glasgow, Newcastle y Manchester
• Las tres conexiones contarán con dos frecuencias semanales que funcionarán los lunes y los viernes.
• El enlace a Manchester tendrá otra frecuencia los miércoles en julio y agosto
• 20 de mayo de 2016

El Aeropuerto de Girona-Costa Brava estrena hoy tres nuevas rutas con el Reino Unido: Glasgow, Newcastle y Manchester, de la mano de la aerolínea inglesa Jet 2.


Las tres conexiones contarán con dos frecuencias semanales que operarán los lunes y los viernes hasta finales de septiembre. Además, el enlace con Manchester de la compañía operará también los miércoles en los meses de julio y agosto.


Con estas nuevas conexiones, que se operarán con un Boeing 737-300 y 737-800, el Aeropuerto de Girona-Costa Brava contará con un total de 48 destinos durante el periodo estival.

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Airbus Helicopters introduces the H160 VIP version at EBACE

• H160 VIP design intentions revealed
• First letters of intent (LOI) signed after recent commercialisation kick-off
• Flight test campaign with Arrano engines progressing

Geneva, Airbus Helicopters presents an exclusive first glimpse of the H160 VIP version at this year's EBACE meeting in Geneva, which will be held from May 24-26.
Customers will have the opportunity to experience some of its features like its exclusive cabin interior, electrical footstep and hinged doors thanks to a virtual reality immersion tool.

"After the unveiling at Heli-Expo in 2015, the H160 has generated a lot of interest from operators on this strategic segment due to its unrivalled combination of innovation, design and performance," said Bernard Fujarski, Senior Vice President and head of the H160 Program at Airbus Helicopters. "Since the recent launch of the commercialisation at Heli-Expo this year, we have already signed some letters of intent for the H160. With EBACE marking the unveiling of the H160 in its VIP version, we expect to sign additional LOI with private and corporate customers" he added.

Airbus Helicopters launched a design contest in October 2015 with 5 designers competing to create the H160 VIP cabin interior.

"After evaluation from a large panel of customers and specialists in luxury goods, Pegasus Design style intention has been selected," said Frederic Lemos, head of Private and Business Aviation. "Our in-house design team will now work closely with Pegasus Design to establish a new standard of VIP cabin interiors on the private and business aviation market, ensuring that the H160 will propose the same level of excellence, innovation, and emotion inside and out" he added.

The H160 development continues to progress as the two prototypes in flight testing have logged around 140 hours with the second prototype (PT2) having performed the 100th flight mid-May. PT2 has been flying with Turbomeca's Arrano engines since January 2016 and PT1, whose retrofit is being finalized, will be flying with the Arrano engines in the next couple of days.

The flight envelope is continuously being expanded and PT2 has reached a maximum altitude of 20,000 feet and has performed turns at 2.2G confirming expected behavior of the rotor and dampers. The upcoming milestones in the flight test campaign are the climatic campaigns, continued performance testing of the Arrano engines and finalization of aeromechanical configuration of H160.

With the most extensive range of helicopters dedicated to the private and business aviation Airbus Helicopters is the unrivalled market leader with 33% of the fleet currently in service.

Come and visit us at stand nº N060/ Hall 5

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Inauguración de UNVEX: La seguridad, el desarrollo y el marco legislativo, retos del sector de los RPAS

• Grandes aeronaves , RPAS, drones de menor tamaño y nuevas plataformas se exponen  durante el encuentro
• La seguridad, el desarrollo y el marco legislativo, retos del sector de los RPAS
• Inauguración oficial de UNVEX'16 en el aeródromo de Cuatro Vientos
• La Unión Europea estima que en 10 años los drones supondrán el 10% del sector de la aviación

 

Madrid, 24 de mayo de 2016. Carmen Librero, Secretaria General de Transportes ha inaugurado esta mañana UNVEX'16, el encuentro pionero en España dedicado a vehículos aéreos no tripulados o remotamente tripulados que se celebrará hasta el 26 de mayo en el Aeropuerto de Cuatro Vientos, en Madrid.

 

Carmen Librero ha destacado en su intervención el gran potencial de este sector "de capacidades casi infinitas". La Secretaria General se ha referido, como retos importantes a la reducción de riesgos y el desarrollo de una normativa que tenga en cuenta el avance de estos sistemas. "Los drones han de ser tratados como nuevos tipos de aeronaves, con normas de la Unión Europea para su plena integración en el Espacio Aéreo Europeo", ha apuntado.

 

Isabel Maestre, Directora de la Agencia Estatal de Seguridad Aérea (AESA) se ha referido fundamentalmente a la prevención de riesgos en esta materia. "El mayor peligro es el mal uso que se haga de estos dispositivos". Mientras en Europa se trabaja en una normativa para este sector, España cuenta con el RD 8/2014 del 4 de julio que ha venido a cubrir necesidades en el marco legislativo. "No se puede volar en zonas de aglomeraciones, respetando 500 m de distancia con el piloto", entre otros aspectos.

 

Actualmente, ha apuntado Maestre, hay 1.337 operadores habilitados por AESA y 2.456 aeronaves registradas, casi todos pequeños dispositivos; solo existen 5 operadores con sistemas de más de 25 kg.

 

"El riesgo" ha insistido, "está en aeronaves no certificadas que quieren hacer operaciones de alto riesgo" Por ello, ha concluido, "la legislación debe avanzar para dar respuesta a las aplicaciones, a los riesgos y a la evolución tecnológica".

 

Hoy y mañana, continúa el programa de Conferencias, centradas en este caso, en las aplicaciones en el Sector Defensa. El jueves, 26 de mayo se hablará de las múltiples aplicaciones comerciales. Además, la exposición de 48 empresas punteras está abierta a todos los visitantes, previa inscripción en http://www.unvex16.com/es/

 

UNVEX'16 cuenta con el apoyo de grandes empresas del sector nacionales e internacionales (Thales, Indra, Airbus, Sener, o General Atomics, entre otras) así como de entidades de gran relevancia en España como CDTI, AESA, AERPAS, AESMIDE o Tedae.

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