Drone Crash Due To GPS Interference In U.K. Raises Safety Questions
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2020/08/10/investigation-finds-gps-interference-caused-uk-survey-drone-crash/
https://www.gov.uk/aaib-reports/aaib-investigation-to-dji-m600-pro-uas-registration-n-a-131219
Urban Aeronautics signs agreement with HyPoint to advance the incorporation of hydrogen power in its CityHawk eVTOL design.
video
Press release
Urban Aeronautics, Ltd., a leader in VTOL aircraft, has signed anagreement with HyPoint, Inc. to advance the incorporation of hydrogen fuel cell power in its CityHawk eVTOL design, company executives announced.
Urban Aeronautics, which is pioneering the next generation of eVTOL aircraft for commercial air taxi and air rescue roles, and HyPoint, a leader in next generation, high power (HTPEM) hydrogen fuel cell systems, will explore the development of an advanced version of Urban Aeronautics’ CityHawk eVTOL powered by HyPoint’s cutting-edge, hydrogen fuel cell stack technology. As currently designed, CityHawk relies on hybrid propulsion.
CityHawk is a six-seat eVTOL, with a uniquely compact footprint and no external wings or rotors. Its small footprint/high payload configuration is optimized for urban transportation and emergency response. The rotorless, wingless design offers enhanced safety and unrestricted mobility with unique “fly anywhere, land anywhere” door-to-door transportation capability. It features Urban Aeronautics’ groundbreaking internal rotor Fancraft™ technology, which utilizes powerful ducted fans in combination with innovative aerodynamic technologies that result in superior control, stability, speed, safety, noise reduction and sustainability.
“We look forward to collaborating with HyPoint on the integration of the next generation of hydrogen fuel cell systems for eVTOL transportation and the urban air mobility market,” said Rafi Yoeli, CEO of Urban Aeronautics. “As a high-power, 100 percent environmentally friendly fuel, hydrogen is key to the future of eVTOL aircraft.”
HyPoint’s hydrogen fuel cell design features zero carbon emissions and superior energy performance through higher specific power and practical output power capacity. The company’s new turbo-air cooled fuel cells increase the lifespan of hydrogen powertrains from 5,000 to 20,000 hours and only take a few minutes to refuel, representing a significant improvement over existing systems.
“We were very impressed with the next generation of flying vehicles being developed by Urban Aeronautics, as well as its commitment to hydrogen power, and we look forward to working with them on this exciting project,” said Alex Ivanenko, Founder & CEO of HyPoint, Inc.
Read more...
Urban Aeronautics signs agreement with Hatzolah Air to develop its CityHawk VTOL aircraft for Emergency Medical Service applications
Urban Aeronautics Ltd., a leader in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with U.S.-based Hatzolah Air to help Urban Aeronautics to develop, produce, and market its CityHawk aircraft for emergency medical service (EMS) applications, company executives announced.
CityHawk is a revolutionary VTOL with a uniquely compact footprint and no external wings or rotors, resulting in an aircraft with unparalleled “fly anywhere, land anywhere” access under almost any weather conditions. It features Urban Aeronautics’ groundbreaking internal rotor Fancraft™ technology, which utilizes powerful ducted fans in combination with innovative aerodynamic technologies that result in superior control, stability, speed, safety, noise reduction and sustainability. Cormorant, an unmanned prototype for military use, has proven the company’s groundbreaking concept with over 300 successful autonomous flight tests.
“We are excited to partner with Hatzolah Air on the development of our CityHawk EMS vehicle,” said Rafi Yoeli, CEO of Urban Aeronautics. “Its compact size will enable it to land in the middle of a busy city street, making it a perfect fit for medical evacuation missions by dramatically decreasing the time it takes to arrive on-scene, treat and transport sick or injured patients to appropriate medical facilities.”
Hatzolah Air is the aviation division of Hatzolah, an EMS organization founded more than 50 years ago with divisions in dozens of cities across multiple continents, which collectively make it the largest volunteer EMS organization in the world. It is widely recognized as providing the most advanced technology and highest quality of care available in the industry. Hatzolah Air currently operates fixed-wing aircraft for Hatzolah’s urgent and emergent missions.
Urban Aeronautics’ engineers will work closely with Hatzolah’s experts to tailor the CityHawk flying vehicle to their operational requirements. It will accommodate a pilot, a patient plus companion, two EMT personnel, and a complete package of life support equipment.
With the involvement of Besadno Group, an Israeli-American investment firm that is one of the largest investors in Urban Aeronautics, the MoU initiates Hatzolah Air’s collaboration with Urban Aeronautics. Hatzolah Air will also be taking a leadership role in the marketing of CityHawk to other EMS and rescue organizations worldwide under a distribution agreement with Urban Aeronautics.
“Based on our initial estimates, we foresee a potential market of at least 800 CityHawks for Hatzolah and other EMS operators, with the possibility to save thousands of lives every year,” said Eli Rowe, President of Hatzolah Air.
The CityHawk is planned to complete its development and FAA certification for emergency use and be ready for production within three to five years. Read more...
First MAX order for Boeing this year
Enter Air to Purchase up to Four Boeing 737-8 Jets https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130724
Enter Air to Purchase up to Four Boeing 737-8 Jets
- New order expands Polish carrier’s commitment to the 737 family
- Enter Air: “Convinced 737 MAX will be the best aircraft…for many years to come”
Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Enter Air today announced the Polish airline is expanding its commitment to the 737 family with a new order for two 737-8 airplanes plus options for two more jets.
An all-Boeing operator and Poland’s biggest charter carrier, Enter Air began operations in 2010 with a single 737 airplane. Today, the airline’s fleet includes 22 Next-Generation 737s and two 737 MAX airplanes. When the new purchase agreement is fully exercised, Enter Air’s 737 MAX fleet will rise to 10 aircraft.
“Despite the current crisis, it is important to think about the future. To that end, we have agreed to order additional 737-8 aircraft. Following the rigorous checks that the 737 MAX is undergoing, I am convinced it will be the best aircraft in the world for many years to come,” said Grzegorz Polaniecki, general director and board member, Enter Air.
Enter Air and Boeing have also finalized a settlement to address the commercial impacts stemming from the grounding of the 737 MAX fleet. While the details of the agreement are confidential, the compensation will be provided in a number of forms and staggered over a period of time.
“In the settlement with Boeing, we agreed to revise the delivery schedule for the previously-ordered airplanes in response to current market conditions. The specific terms of the settlement are strictly confidential, but we are pleased with the way Boeing has treated us as its customer,” added Polaniecki.
“We are humbled by Enter Air’s commitment to the Boeing 737 family. Their order for additional 737-8s underscores their confidence in the airplane and the men and women of Boeing,” said Ihssane Mounir, senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing, The Boeing Company. “We look forward to building on our decade-long partnership with Enter Air and working with the airline to safely return their full 737 fleet to commercial service.”
HOTR: Lease rates, aircraft values continue to plunge/Update - Leeham News and Analysis
Live French Matra Super 530 Air-to-Air Missile Discovered At Lakeland Linder International Airport, Florida.
Boeing finally gets a new order for the 737 MAX: Polish charter airline Enter Air orders two MAX 8s with an option for two more
Qantas says international flights not to resume before July 2021
OXIS Energy and Texas Aircraft Manufacturing to develop Brazil's first fully electric commercial aircraft for Flight Training and regional transportation
The British Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) battery technology company, OXIS Energy and Texas Aircraft Manufacturing are developing a sleek and stylish, high-wing, all metal, fully electric aircraft.
Based on Texas Aircraft's popular Colt S-LSA (see image), the eColt will have a comfortable two-seat cabin. It will fill a growing demand for ecologically-friendly flight training, as well as regional transportation in Brazil and throughout the world. Initially, OXIS projects that the flight time will be in excess of two hours and an approximate range of 200NM.
Huw Hampson-Jones, CEO, OXIS Energy, said, " OXIS Li-S technology offers significant benefits to aviation. This collaboration between OXIS Energy, Texas Aircraft, and two other forward-thinking Brazilian corporations will put Brazil at the forefront of designing, manufacturing and exporting the electrification of regional aircraft worldwide. The partnership will create highly skilled jobs throughout Brazil, and contribute to major exports both in products, services and expertise."
Matheus Grande, CEO, Texas Aircraft Manufacturing added, "We feel very proud and truly blessed to be working on this exciting programme with OXIS Energy. The opportunity to be at the forefront of the transformation Brazil's private aviation to all-electric power is an amazing opportunity. With its wide cabin and exceptionally pilot-friendly flight characteristics, the eColt is going to be a fantastic airplane for flight training and personal transportation in Brazil and around the world."
The use of Sulfur as a non-conductive material provides enhanced safety and is superior to current Lithium-Ion technology. Its 90kWh battery system, which is 40% lighter than current Li-Ion technology will be powered by its "High Power" cell at 400Wh/kg.
The Colt S-LSA is ideally suited for the training of commercial airline pilots. Despite the fallout from the COVID 19 pandemic, over the next decade there will be a growing shortage of commercial pilots throughout the world. Free from the high polluting effects of the lead-based fuel used in aircraft today, the all-electric Texas Aircraft eColt will provide an efficient, clean mechanism for new pilots whilst decreasing training costs substantially.
All of the aircraft's key airframe and power components will be manufactured in Brazil. The aircraft will be designed and developed at the Texas Aircraft Manufacturing facility in Campinas. The Li-S battery cells will be made at the OXIS factory in Juiz de Flora. The powertrain will be supplied by WEG of Jaragua do Sul. The battery and its Management System (BMS) will be provided by AKAER Group of San Jose dos Campos.
OXIS Energy Ltd is involved in the design, development and now the move towards commercial production of Lithium Sulfur cells for battery systems. OXIS manufactures and produces all aspects and components in the making of the Li-S cell. OXIS does not use any toxic or rare earth material in the composition of its Lithium Sulfur cell technology. With over 41 patent families, OXIS has been granted 193 patents with 115 pending.