Pontifications: 737 MAX events remind of Lockheed Electra story - Leeham News and Analysis
Federal probe of FAA safety review began before second Boeing 737 MAX crash | Airlines | Dallas News
Rolls-Royce tests hybrid power system for light aircraft
Gulfstream Makes First Alternative Jet Fuel Sale
JAXA | JAXA and Toyota Reach Agreement on Taking Up the Challenge of International Space Exploration —Aim is to make future lunar mobility a reality—
Wing-integrated battery pack nearly doubles drone's flight time
We've already heard how batteries that are built into the structure of items – such as cars or satellites – could help extend run times without increasing bulk. Now, the flight time of a drone has been almost doubled, thanks to such "structural batteries."
.. Continue Reading Wing-integrated battery pack nearly doubles drone's flight timeAirbus’ Skyways drone trials world’s first shore-to-ship deliveries
press release
video: https://youtu.be/wz01SnFHa-w
Airbus has begun shore-to-ship trials in Singapore with its Skyways parcel delivery drone. This marks the first time drone technology has been deployed in real port conditions to deliver a variety of small, time-critical maritime essentials to working vessels at anchorage.
The maiden shore-to-ship delivery flight was made to the Swire Pacific Offshore’s Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel “M/V Pacific Centurion,” 1.5 km from the shoreline of Singapore’s Marina South Pier, carrying 1.5 kg of 3D printed consumables. Landing safely on the ship deck and depositing its cargo to the shipmaster, the Skyways unmanned air vehicle swiftly returned to its base, with the entire flight taking within 10 minutes.
The trials are being undertaken in conjunction with partner Wilhelmsen Ships Services, one of the world’s leading maritime logistics and port services company. During the trials, Airbus’ Skyways drone will lift off from the pier with a payload capability of up to 4 kg, and navigate autonomously along pre-determined ‘aerial corridors’ to vessels as far as 3 km from the coast.
Airbus’ Skyways lead, Leo Jeoh, shared his excitement at the milestone flight: “We are thrilled to launch the first trial of its kind in the maritime world. Today’s accomplishment is a culmination of months of intense preparation by our dedicated team, and the strong collaboration with our partner, as we pursue a new terrain in the maritime industry.”
“We are also happy to be taking a step forward for Airbus’ urban air mobility endeavour, as we continue to explore and seek better understanding of what it takes to fly safe and reliable autonomous flying vehicles safely,” he added.
“The now proven, seamless operation of drone deliveries from shore to ship, in one of the world’s busiest ports proves the hard work, investment and faith we, and indeed our partners, placed in the Agency by Air project over the past two years was not misplaced,” said Marius Johansen, Vice President Commercial, Ships Agency at Wilhelmsen Ships Services.
“Delivery of essential spares, medical supplies and cash to master via launch boat, is an established part of our portfolio of husbandry services, which we provide day in and day out, in ports all over the world. Modern technology such as the unmanned aircraft systems, are just a new tool, albeit a very cool one, with which we can push our industry ever forward and improve how we serve our customers,” he added.
The use of unmanned aircraft systems in the maritime industry paves the way for possible enlargement of existing ship agency services’ portfolio, speeding up deliveries by up to six times, lowering delivery costs by up to 90%, reducing carbon footprint, and significantly mitigating risks of accidents associated with launch-boat deliveries.
Airbus and Wilhelmsen Ships Services signed an agreement in June 2018 to drive the development of an end-to-end unmanned aircraft system for safe shore-to-ship deliveries. The collaboration marries Airbus’ extensive expertise in aeronautical vertical lift solutions and Wilhelmsen’s wealth of experience in ship agency services. A landing platform and control centre were set up at the Marina South Pier in November 2018, through the facilitation of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The maritime agency also designated anchorages for vessels to anchor off the pier for the trials, while the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore worked with Airbus and Wilhelmsen to ensure safety of the trials.
Skyways is an experimental project aimed at establishing seamless multi-modal transportation networks in smart cities. Through Skyways, Airbus aims to develop an unmanned airborne infrastructure solution and address the sustainability and efficiency of unmanned aircraft in large urban and maritime environments.
Having demonstrated the ability to deliver parcels safely and reliably to vessels anchored off the coast of Singapore, Skyways will soon be commencing another trial phase delivering air parcels autonomously in an urban environment, at the National University of Singapore.
Read more...
COMAC testing Lingque-H hydrogen fuel cell demonstrator
COMAC Lingque-H hydrogen fuel cell demonstrator performed flight test at Zhengzhou Shangjie airport in the last three months, 4 variants including fixed/retractable undercarriages, T/V and conventional tails flew 10 sorties over 24hs, which fully validated the power system. pic.twitter.com/O5f3bRZGPy— dafeng cao (@dafengcao) 18 de marzo de 2019
Read more...With the help of new design method and 3D metal printing tech, it only took 5 months to make the first flight since the project launched. https://t.co/ilsOiBgabA pic.twitter.com/I0julJgJi3— dafeng cao (@dafengcao) 18 de marzo de 2019
Lazareth's transforming, flying motorcycle demonstrates a stable hover
.. Continue Reading Lazareth's transforming, flying motorcycle demonstrates a stable hover
https://newatlas.com/lazareth-moto-volante-flying-motorcycle/58898/
Boeing CEO Muilenburg Issues Statement on Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Accident Investigation
press release
CHICAGO, March 17, 2019 / -- Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Dennis Muilenburg issued the following statement regarding the report from Ethiopian Transport Minister Dagmawit Moges today.
First and foremost, our deepest sympathies are with the families and loved ones of those onboard Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302.
Boeing continues to support the investigation, and is working with the authorities to evaluate new information as it becomes available. Safety is our highest priority as we design, build and support our airplanes. As part of our standard practice following any accident, we examine our aircraft design and operation, and when appropriate, institute product updates to further improve safety. While investigators continue to work to establish definitive conclusions, Boeing is finalizing its development of a previously-announced software update and pilot training revision that will address the MCAS flight control law's behavior in response to erroneous sensor inputs. We also continue to provide technical assistance at the request of and under the direction of the National Transportation Safety Board, the U.S. Accredited Representative working with Ethiopian investigators.
In accordance with international protocol, all inquiries about the ongoing accident investigation must be directed to the investigating authorities.
SOURCE Boeing
NASA Tests Urban Drone Traffic Management in Nevada, Texas
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-tests-urban-drone-traffic-management-in-nevada-texas
Read more...