Elan Head

Another #aviation news scoop from my colleagues at The Air Current today: #SpiritAirlines seeks U.S. government aid as #oil spike threatens turnaround https://theaircurrent.com/airlines/spirit-duffy-bailout-dot-fuel/

Big scoop from my colleague @willguisbond@mastodon.social: the #FAA is quietly developing a new #AI-powered software tool for air traffic management that could fundamentally change how the U.S.#airspace system operates. #Palantir, #Thales, #AirspaceIntelligence all bidding. #ATC #aviation https://theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-control/faa-smart-ai-predictive-air-traffic-management-system-palantir-thales/

Being part of an amazing team is the best thing about working at The Air Current — and that team is now expanding with the addition of Julie Johnsson, the phenomenal #aviation reporter who joins us from #Bloomberg #News. Welcome, Julie! https://theaircurrent.com/product-announcements/the-air-current-adds-julie-johnsson-editorial-team-global-correspondent/

When #UnitedAirlines CEO Scott Kirby recently said he doesn’t think #eVTOL #aircraft will be #airport taxis, he was reacting to very real safety concerns surrounding conflicts between #helicopters and fixed-wing traffic at busy airports. Behind the scenes, however, the FAA is doing a lot of careful work to facilitate their safe introduction in the future. Full story in The Air Current: https://theaircurrent.com/air-traffic-control/united-skeptical-evtol-airport-taxis-faa-simulations-scott-kirby/

I recently had the chance to catch up with Jon Wagner of #Joby #Aviation for a Q&A in @ieeespectrum@mastodon.social. Former senior director of #battery #engineering for #Tesla, he's spent the past 8+ years helping Joby perfect its #eVTOL powertrain. No paywall! https://spectrum.ieee.org/amp/joby-air-taxi-2676635230-2676635230

Another #V22 #Osprey made an emergency landing last week due to a gearbox crack, #Aviation Week reports: https://aviationweek.com/defense/budget-policy-operations/gearbox-crack-forced-mv-22b-emergency-landing-last-week

Context on this persistent unresolved #safety issue from December: https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/v-22-ospreys-safety-risks-navair-review-confirms/

The #electric #aviation industry has publicly downplayed the challenges associated with certifying large #lithium propulsion #batteries, but it’s been a topic of intense negotiation behind the scenes. That's why a milestone announced this week by Swiss battery maker #H55 is so meaningful: it shows a manufacturer and regulator agreeing on the specific tests required to demonstrate that a large propulsion battery is safe for #flight. Full story in The Air Current: https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/solar-impulse-h55-battery-certification-hurdle-electric-aviation/

For more than six years, the #NTSB has recommended that the #FAA develop guidance to help #pilots identify intoxicated passengers like the one whose actions precipitated the fatal #FlyNYON #helicopter crash in 2018. Now the FAA is passing the buck, as I report for Vertical Magazine. #aviation #safety https://verticalmag.com/news/urged-to-develop-guidance-for-identifying-drunk-passengers-faa-instead-tasks-operators-with-the-job/

#Garmin designed its Emergency #Autoland system to be used in the event of #pilot incapacitation, but the pilots in the first real-world deployment of the system weren't incapacitated. For The Air Current, I dug into the certification of Autoland and the thorny problems associated with #autonomy and accountability in #aviation. No paywall on this one! https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/garmin-autoland-first-deployment-accountability-pilots-automation/

An incredible report from my colleague @willguisbond@mastodon.social laying out the myriad factors that contributed to January's fatal mid-air collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — you'll be amazed at what he turned up. It's a long read but well worth your time, and like all of The Air Current's #safety reporting, it's free for everyone to read. #aviation #aviationsafety #dca https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/dca-crash-jan-29-special-report/

A comprehensive review of the #V22 Osprey released Dec. 12 by the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command #NAVAIR exposes critical safety and readiness concerns with the #Bell #Boeing #tiltrotor, including serious #safety risks that have persisted for years and remain unresolved. My latest story for The Air Current breaks it down. #aviation #aviationsafety https://theaircurrent.com/aviation-safety/v-22-ospreys-safety-risks-navair-review-confirms/

Check out #Valo, the new #eVTOL model revealed today by UK-based #VerticalAerospace. I wrote about the significance of the unveiling for the company earlier this week: https://theaircurrent.com/industry-strategy/vertical-aerospace-stock-market-evtol-fundraising/

#aviation #electricaviation

When #helicopter folks scoff at #eVTOL developers' projected certification timelines, much of their skepticism is rooted in the helicopter industry's own recent experiences in attempting to certify new #aviation technologies, particularly with the #FAA. I wrote about the factors behind these certification delays for Vertical Magazine: https://verticalmag.com/features/tracking-the-helicopter-certification-slowdown-causes-and-consequences/

Everyone loves an underdog… until it’s time to invest in one. As #VerticalAerospace prepares to unveil its new #eVTOL design this week, I wrote about the company’s complicated relationship with the stock market and how its weak balance sheet has been a drag on both its share price and fundraising. #aviation #electricaviation https://theaircurrent.com/industry-strategy/vertical-aerospace-stock-market-evtol-fundraising/

Why would #eVTOL developer #EveAirMobility tap a competitor, #BetaTechnologies, for a critical component? The short answer is that Beta has the electric motors Eve needs. I spoke with Eve's CTO and Beta's CEO to unpack the rationale and strategy behind the deal. #aviation #electricaviation https://theaircurrent.com/industry-strategy/eve-competitor-beta-evtol-pusher-motors/

The Air Current only runs sales once a year, and this year we're offering 2 months of our highest subscription tier for just $50 — normally $795/year, but don't worry, there's no automatic renewal! As a biz indi subscriber, you'll also get to download PDFs of my special reports on the #Ukraine #drone industry & the challenges of certifying #AI for #aviation. Sign up here: https://theaircurrent.memberful.com/checkout?plan=69983

I caught up with Shane Arnott of #Anduril Industries in Dubai last week to discuss the company's new Omen #drone and supplier agreement with #eVTOL developer #ArcherAviation, which has interesting strategy implications for both companies. Full story is online at The Air Current. #aviation #electricaviation #defensetech https://theaircurrent.com/defense/archer-anduril-omen-defense-tech-evtol-investment/

#Honda announced its #eVTOL concept four years ago, then the program went into stealth mode. Now Honda R&D is at the #DubaiAirshow to share an update on its progress. Full details in my latest story for The Air Current. #aviation #electricaviation https://theaircurrent.com/aircraft-development/honda-evtol-development-dubai-update/

Psst... The Air Current now has an app! If you work in and/or love #aviation, check it out. While most of our stories are paywalled, non-subscribers can still access our safety reporting and free Airflow newsfeed. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/the-air-current/id6746278742