Shocking, I know. But car makers aren't the only ones turning to electricity to charge up their industry. NASA, as part of its New Aviation Horizons initiative, is devoting millions over the next 10 years to improving energy efficiency in commercial aviation, including the development of hybrid electric aircraft. Similarly, in the private sector, Siemens and Airbus Group are piloti...
Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s first international airport, had a fearsome reputation. Nestled on the western side of Kowloon bay and just south of significant mountains, an approach to the South-Easterly runway was not for the faint-hearted and many airlines entrusted the task only to Captains. Known to regular flyers as the ‘Kai Tak Heart Attack’, an instrument approach guided aircraf...
Budget airlines are increasingly adding longer flights to their networks as they seek new destinations beyond the traditional, short-haul markets. This month, flydubai announced plans to fly to Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, from November. It will be one of the few destinations it serves that are six hours or more away from its Dubai hub. The route also marks a growing trend among low cost air...
Solar impulse 2 has taken off for the final time on its historic round-the-world trip using nothing but the power of the sun. Piloted by the project’s co-founder, Bertrand Piccard, Solar impulse 2 left Cairo at 3am UAE time and is expected to arrive in Al Bateen Airport in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. Mr Piccard, who initiated the project 12 years ago, said Egypt was where he f...
7-Eleven, the world's largest convenience retailer, and Flirtey, a leading independent drone delivery service, announced they have completed the first fully autonomous drone delivery to a customer's residence to advance research toward integrating drones into the National Airspace System. This delivery is the first time a U.S. customer has received a package to their home via drone, repres...
This year’s Isle of Man Aviation Conference fell on June 23, an historic day: the following morning it became apparent that a majority of the UK populace had chosen to leave the European Union. Not knowing this, conference speakers were united in saying that remaining was the sensible decision–and couldn’t see it going any other way. Mark Byrne, director of Manx...
The stake in Russian Helicopters intended for privatization can be increased to 49%, but so far none of Russian investors has showed interest in it, Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov told reporters. "To date, there is no investor. It does not mean a delay, it is "on stand-by". The main decision (about a possible increase of the stake to 49% -TASS) has been made. As for t...
China’s home-made amphibious aircraftAG600, the world’s largest such plane, makes its official debut in Zhuhai. The aircraft, with a maximum takeoff weight of 53.5 tonnes and a maximum range of more than 5,000 kilometers, can absorb 12 tonnes of water within 20 seconds, which is ideal for performing multiple operations including forest fire fighting, over-water Search and Rescue, ma...
American Airlines’s decision to postpone delivery of nearly two dozen of Airbus Group SE’s sleek, fuel-efficient A350 jetliners amplifies concerns that demand is sagging for international air travel and large new aircraft. Wide-body sales have stalled this year as inexpensive fuel and a glut of readily available used jets diminishes airlines’ need to upgrade their fleets. Airb...
Airbus Group’s award-winning E-Fan aircraft will make its U.S. debut as E-Fan 1.2, revealing experimental hybrid propulsion technology this week at the 2016 EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Airbus Group executives will host two Forum Discussions to share details on the challenges and benefits of hybrid electric/gas propulsion in aviation. With the E-Fan 1.2, Airbus Group is expl...
By Eric Tegler If the Cessna Caravan looks familiar to you, it should.Cessna has built more than 2,500 of these turboprops since the prototype flew in 1982. They're popular as short-haul airliners in places like the Caribbean. More than 250 Caravans haul cargo while painted in the unmistakeable colors of FedEx. But there are a small number of Caravans that haul Hellfire missiles, electro-op...
Honeywell International Inc lowered its 2016 sales forecast after weak demand in the second quarter led to an unexpected drop in revenue at its aerospace division. The company also said Britain's vote to leave European Union could weigh on economic growth in both regions long term and that it would "stay conservative" in terms of investments in the region that accounted for 22 per...
