Airbus is introducing autonomous features to its helicopter Flightlab through a project code-named Vertex. These technologies aim to simplify mission preparation and management, reduce helicopter pilot workload, and further increase safety. The autonomous technology bricks set to integrate the Flightlab are: vision based sensors and algorithms for situational awareness and obstacle detection; f...
Air bp has supplied sustainable aviation fuel to Clermont Ferrand Auvergne Airport (CFE) in France, marking its first ongoing supply of the fuel in the country. The first fuelling took place on 19 April when Air bp customer, the airline company Michelin Air Services, uplifted the SAF. Michelin will be supplied according to agreed commitments for ongoing supply at the airport with all its volu...
The Airbus A400M new generation airlifter has successfully conducted a major helicopter air-to-air refuelling certification campaign, completing the majority of its development and certification objectives. Airbus Defence and Space aims to achieve full helicopter air-to-air refuelling certification later this year with the conclusion of all mandatory night operation trials. The flight tes...
The French Minister of Armed Forces, Florence Parly, has announced that the Armament General Directorate (DGA) has signed an order to purchase eight additional H225Ms and a second VSR700 prototype. The H225Ms will be operated by the French Air and Space Force. The VSR700 is an unmanned aerial system being developed for the French Navy in partnership with Naval Group. This order is part of a S...
Early April this year, a crew of 4 ATR people, travelled to Kagoshima in Japan to deliver a brand-new ATR 42-600 to HAC. The flight spanned over 6 days and 8 legs. A ferry flight is the journey taken between where the aircraft is built and where it will be operated. For a widebody aircraft, the ferry flight might not have any stop and could just go direct; however, an ATR only has autonomy f...
Total has begun producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at its La Mède biorefinery in southern France and its Oudalle facility near Le Havre. The biojet fuel, made from used cooking oil, will be delivered to French airports starting in April 2021.Total will also be able to produce SAF as from 2024 at its zero-crude Grandpuits platform, southeast of Paris. All of these sustainable aviation fue...
Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a Support-By-Hour contract with the German federal police (Bundespolizei), covering their H120 fleet. This contract formalizes a long-term MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) and service agreement supporting a total of 11 Arrius 2F engines.The Bundespolizei currently operates 10 H120 helicopters for training missions. This is the second SBH® contract...
Airbus has launched “Advanced Superconducting and Cryogenic Experimental powertraiN Demonstrator” (ASCEND) to explore the impact of superconducting materials and cryogenic temperatures on the performance of an aircraft’s electrical propulsion systems. The introduction of superconducting materials can lower electrical resistance, meaning that electrical current can supply power...
AURA AERO has just inaugurated its assembly line in the HM7, its new hangar located in the heart of the historical site of Francazal in Toulouse, France, in the presence of Etienne Guyot, prefect of the Occitanie region and the Haute-Garonne department, Carole Delga, president of the Occitanie- Pyrénées-Méditerranée region, and Jean-Luc Moudenc, president of Toulou...
ATR is determined to emerge stronger from the COVID crisis by strengthening its global presence in the next decade and by continuing to offer the most sustainable and modern option for regional air travel. In 2020, ATR was quick to react to the circumstances by supporting its customers with rapid freight conversion solutions, sanitary tutorials as well as storage and maintenance instructions. T...
Dassault Aviation Falcon 6X has successfully completed its first flight as planned in the first quarter of 2021, demonstrating the maturity of the program and opening the test campaign for certification. “Today’s flight is another milestone in Dassault history, made all the more satisfying by the remarkable efforts of the entire Dassault organization and its partners over the challe...
Sabena technics has welcomed a first ATL2 maritime patrol aircraft, as part of the program designed to modernize the aircraft’s combat system to standard 6. The contract for the upgraded (standard 6) ATL2 combat system was awarded to Dassault Aviation and Thales (co-contractors) by the defense procurement agency DGA in October 2013. The program covers a fleet of eighteen aircraft, eleven...
