January 7, 2021 - No. 03 In This Issue : EXPECT HEALTH PASSES AND BIOMETRICS AS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL RESUMES : Biometrics is transforming the face of flying: Facial recognition compliance tips for airports and airlines : CHI Aviation contracts with Ramco for MRO suite : Inmarsat readies for most ambitious tech roadmap in its history : ThorDrive Demos Driverless GSE Technology at CVG : Delta Selects Viasat's In-Flight Connectivity to Revolutionize the Customer Experience : Honeywell, Sichuan Airlines Ink Historic Deal On Auxiliary Power Units : Universal Avionics ClearVision EFVS Selected for World’s First Supersonic Business Jet : WHEELS UP ACQUIRES MOUNTAIN AVIATION AND ITS MASSIVE JET FLEET : Aircalin Takes Delivery of First Aircraft Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF Engines : SpaceX's Starship SN9 prototype fires its engines for the 1st time EXPECT HEALTH PASSES AND BIOMETRICS AS INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL RESUMES Advanced self-service check-in, the increasing use of biometrics and digital health passes are among the technologies travelers can expect to encounter as they resume traveling in a post-pandemic world. The aviation technology experts at SITA have identified six technologies they expect to transform air travel in 2021 and at least one it believes will disappear. Seat-back video screens are on SITA’s endangered list as airlines move to reduce aircraft touchpoints, not to mention costs, and favor wireless entertainment. Counterbalancing this is a swathe of emerging technologies capable of solving COVID-19 challenges. High on the list are health electronic travel authorities (ETAs) capable of verifying that a passenger meets the health requirements of the country they are entering. Aviation bodies such as the UN-backed International Civil Aviation Organization and the International Air transport Association are already working on a digital travel pass that will do this. The idea is that travelers will be able to provide information on their vaccination status and any COVID test results prior to travel so they can be assessed before they leave. “This will give travelers the confidence before they start that they will be allowed to complete their journey,’’ the SITA experts say in a report. “Advance Passenger Processing (APP) brings the ability to assess the risk, including health risks, and allow or deny travel at check-in. “When coupled with the implementation of a Health ETA service, it enables real-time checks to be performed to confirm that each traveler has completed the required health checks and is eligible to travel.” SITA expects these digital checks to become commonplace as COVID vaccines become available during the year and their usage is standardized. “From head-mounted thermal scanning devices to technology-supported social distancing measures, new technologies have seeped into our airports and changed the passenger experience,’’ the report says. “That pace of innovation adoption sets a scene for rapid industry transformation over the next few years and will force a historically slow-moving industry into action.” Other areas SITA has identified include: Advanced self-service and biometrics. Travelers will make use of facial recognition and touchless technologies embedded in self-service devices as automation and biometrics become the norm rather than the exception. The SITA version of this technology can already be seen for outbound travelers in airports such as Beijing and Miami. Passengers use their face as a boarding pass as they walk seamlessly from their ground transportation to the aircraft. “Once airborne, passengers are increasingly being offered services via Wi-Fi or 4G networks to avoid any non-personal touchpoints (such as seat-back inflight entertainment screens) and respect social distancing – boosting confidence onboard as a result,’’ the report says. The Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning. The internet of Things includes the billions of objects that can now be connected to the Internet through technologies such as 5G wireless networks. Sita says maturing artificial intelligence programs, the ubiquity of sensors and cheaper hardware means a tsunami of data can be used to better handle issues ranging from turbulence to airport congestion, sanitization and social distancing. Passenger flow management technologies. These allow airports to understand and manage passenger flows throughout an airport to better plan and manage issues such as crowd density. Technologies such as SITA’s Information Display System can send passengers personalized mobile messages while other programs allow information to be shared with airlines, ground handlers and other tenants. Blockchain. Blockchain is a technology many people struggle to understand but it essentially provides secure data sharing between industry players. One estimate is that it could increase aerospace industry revenue by as much as $US40 billion but from a passenger perspective, it could solve challenges in areas such as customs and baggage handling. An example cited by the technology company is the ability of airports, airlines and governments to share baggage content information. This could see bags pre-cleared at arrival, avoiding the need to put them through customs and allow them to be automatically re-checked on the next flight. https://www.airlineratings.com/news/expect-health-passes-biometrics-international-travel-resumes/ Biometrics is transforming the face of flying: Facial recognition compliance tips for airports and airlines In recent years, facial recognition technology has evolved and advanced at an astonishing rate, fueling wholesale changes in a wide range of industries, including travel, hospitality, and retail, just to name a few. This next-generation technology has had an especially outsized impact on the commercial aviation industry, where facial biometrics is being adopted at a hurried pace by airlines and airports across the world. As airlines and airports continue to expand their use of facial biometrics, states and cities across the country—as well as the federal government—are attempting to enact strict laws regulating the use of this technology by commercial entities. Facial recognition has also recently emerged as an increasingly-popular target for bet-the-company privacy class action litigation. As the commercial aviation industry continues its efforts to make facial recognition technology a ubiquitous part of the travel experience, companies operating in this sector should implement robust, adaptable biometric privacy programs to ensure compliance with today’s growing body of law to reap the benefits of this cutting-edge technology while mitigating potential liability risk. Current and Future Uses of Facial Recognition Technology by Airports and Airlines The enhancements brought about to air travel through facial recognition are significant—offering passengers a seamless, frictionless gate-to-curb experience, and providing both a significant boost in overall customer satisfaction, as well as to airlines’ and airports’ bottom lines in the process. For example, starting with the check-in counter, a simple face scan can provide travelers with a streamlined check-in process with less waiting time. At security checkpoints, travelers’ identities can be verified swiftly and accurately, significantly reducing travel stress and allowing more time to dine, shop, and relax before boarding. Similarly, customers can be identified and permitted access to airport lounges, while also receiving a more personalized experience, as a result of airlines’ ability to monitor customer preferences. Finally, at boarding, passengers are able to experience a simple and expedited boarding process that gets them to their seats quicker and, in turn, allows for a higher percentage of on-time departures. Ultimately, facial recognition brings a myriad of different benefits for travelers, airports, and airlines alike. Three of the most significant benefits are in seen in the areas of enhanced security, speed, and ease of travel. For example, British Airways is now able to board 240 customers in only 10 minutes, and without causing any massive queuing on the aircraft—a major pain point of the flying experience. And without being required to spend their time checking travelers’ identification, airline staff are better able to give more of their attention to passengers who need it, such as the elderly or those with disabilities and other special needs. Moreover, as travelers return to the skies in more regular numbers as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, facial recognition will become a critical tool that can deployed to minimize person-to-person contact and the health risks associated with the virus, which will likely accelerate the rate at which airports and airlines adopt facial recognition and other forms of touchless biometric technologies, such as iris scans. As a result of these benefits, the commercial aviation industry has rapidly moved toward widespread adoption of biometric technologies, and has reaped significant benefits as a result. According to recent Sita Air Transport IT Insights Report, following major investments in airport biometric technologies in 2018, 60 percent of airline CIOs reported a marked uptick in passenger satisfaction, with some seeing up to 20 percent increase. Moving forward, airlines will continue to increase the amount of their investment in this next-generation technology in order to fast-track the current digital transformation which, in turn, will allow the commercial aviation industry to further increase the level of service they are able to offer to passengers. Legal Landscape In response to concerns about companies’ use of facial recognition biometrics in a safe and responsible manner, lawmakers across the country have sought to closely regulate this technology. First, lawmakers have enacted targeted biometric privacy laws that address the collection and use of facial template data by business entities. Currently, three states—Illinois, Texas, and Washington—have such laws on the books. Overall, Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (“BIPA”) is considered the most stringent. Under BIPA, a private entity cannot collect or store facial template data without first providing notice, obtaining written consent, and making certain disclosures. BIPA also contains a private right of action provision that permits recovery of statutory damages between $1,000 and $5,000 by any “aggrieved” person, which has generated a tremendous amount of class litigation from consumers alleging mere technical violations. Second, new state consumer privacy laws include facial template data (and other forms of biometric data) within their definition of covered “personal information.” State legislators have also amended their data breach notification laws to add facial template data to the types of “personal information” which, if compromised, triggers breach notification obligations by impacted entities. Just recently, a new type of biometric regulation has emerged: outright private-sector bans on the use of facial recognition software. In September 2020, the City of Portland, Oregon enacted a sweeping prohibition on the use of this technology by private entities, which went into effect at the start of the year. While several other cities have enacted public-sector bans, the Portland law is noteworthy because it goes one step further by applying a blanket ban to the private sector. The scope of the ban itself is extensive, encompassing essentially all types of businesses—including banks, hotels, convenience stores, and even airports—that are no longer able to use facial recognition for any purpose within the borders of Portland. Federal lawmakers have also targeted facial recognition. In August 2020, Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) introduced the National Biometric Information Privacy Act of 2020 (S.4400) (the “Act”), which would impose requirements similar to BIPA from coast to coast. And also like BIPA, the Act would provide a private right of action allowing for class action litigation, which would significantly expand the scope of potential liability exposure for all U.S. companies that use biometric data in their day-to-day operations and, in turn, would likely lead to a flood of bet-the-company litigation across the nation. Compliance Tips for Airports & Airlines Reliance on facial recognition technology will continue to expand for both airlines and airports until it is a ubiquitous part of the travel experience—a point that may come sooner than many realize. As such, due to the rapidly expanding liability associated with facial biometrics, it is imperative that airlines and airports currently utilizing this technology—or that intend to do so in the future—devote the necessary time, effort, and resources to put in place flexible, adaptable compliance programs to help ensure compliance with current and anticipated biometric privacy requirements. Airports and airlines that take proactive measures now to build out their biometric privacy compliance programs—especially those that may not currently be subject to a state-specific biometric privacy law at this time —can get a step ahead on the anticipated facial recognition laws that will likely be enacted in more parts of the country. In particular, airport and airline operators should consider the following: – Early Involvement of Biometric Privacy Counsel: Consult with experienced biometric privacy counsel well before any type of facial recognition technology is implemented to ensure compliance with today’s constantly-evolving biometric privacy legal landscape. – Ensure Transparency Regarding the Use of Facial Recognition: For facial recognition to be widely accepted and adopted by travelers, airlines and airports must make a concerted effort to be as transparent as possible regarding their use of facial biometrics. Travelers will be much more willing to voluntarily opt-in to air travel facial recognition programs if they are provided with sufficient information to make an informed decision as to the data they are giving up to enroll in a facial biometrics program. – Privacy Policy: Develop a publicly-available, detailed facial recognition-specific privacy policy that includes clear notice that facial template data is being collected, as well as additional information regarding the purposes for which facial template data is used and the company’s schedule and guidelines for the retention and destruction of this data. – Written Notice: Provide written notice—prior to the time any facial template data is collected—which clearly informs individuals that facial template data is being collected, used, and/or stored by the company; how that data will be used and/or shared; and the length of time over which the company will retain the data until it is destroyed. – Written Release: Obtain a signed written release from all individuals prior to the time any facial template data is collected that permits the company to collect/use the individual’s biometric data and disclose this data to third parties for business purposes. – Necessity & Proportionality: Airports and airlines should be able to justify the necessity and proportionality of their use of facial biometric technologies. – Opt-Out: Permit travelers to opt out of the collection of their facial template data. – Data Security: Maintain data security measures to safeguard facial template data that satisfies the reasonable standard of care applicable to the commercial aviation industry and which protects facial template data in a manner that is the same or more protective than the manner in which the company protects other forms of sensitive personal information. – Arbitration Provisions in Ticket Contracts: Include mandatory arbitration provisions and class action waivers in all ticket contracts requiring traveler disputes or claims that may arise under biometric privacy or similar laws must be resolved through binding, individual arbitration, and not in court, to limit biometric privacy class action litigation risk. Conclusion Facial recognition technology has brought about wholesale changes to the operations of businesses across several industries, and has played an especially outsized role in fundamentally transforming the face of flying. At the same time, liability stemming from the use of this technology is also rapidly expanding as cities, states, and Congress look to impose strict requirements and limitations on the use of facial biometrics. Airlines, airports, and other players in the commercial aviation industry that are currently leveraging the benefits of facial recognition software, as well as those that are considering the implementation of this technology in the future—even those whose operations are located in jurisdictions where no biometric privacy regulation currently exists—are advised to take proactive measures to develop and implement facial recognition biometrics compliance programs that encompass the practices/principles described above. https://www.biometricupdate.com/202101/biometrics-is-transforming-the-face-of-flying-facial-recognition-compliance-tips-for-airports-and-airlines CHI Aviation contracts with Ramco for MRO suite Global Enterprise software specialist, Ramco Systems announced that it will implement its aviation M&E MRO Suite v5.8 for leading American helicopter operator and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) player, Construction Helicopters Inc. (“CHI Aviation”), part of Heligroup Inc. and its four operating and three asset-holding entities in the U.S. In the competitive landscape for M&E software solutions, Ramco’s business partner, ROTA Technology, Inc (“ROTA”) played a key role in this win and will be program managing the implementation activities on behalf of CHI. With this win, combined with existing clients, Ramco will help manage the largest numbers of the civilian version of Chinooks (CH-47s), in the U.S. Headquartered in Howell, MI and part of the Heligroup Inc., CHI Aviation and its operating companies provide services such as firefighting, heavy lifting, helicopter emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue, Department of Defense (DoD), utility work, HVAC, construction, fire helicopter, aircraft, military, defense, ski lift and long-line. Ramco’s aviation suite will provide in-depth process to enhance CHI Aviation’s handling of complex helicopter operations for commercial and defense as well as manufacturing and MRO operations. Ramco will implement its complete aviation software including modules for maintenance, supply chain management, safety & quality, flight operations, MRO sales, manufacturing, and finance. In addition, CHI Aviation will benefit from unified dashboards, mobility and offline capability giving real-time updates across multiple locations to all the users while ensuring holistic view of the activities. Ramco’s modern integrated software is backed by next-gen technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning which will provide CHI Aviation with end-to-end visibility across entire operations while ensuring security and regulatory compliance across all organizational units. The software will also facilitate the use of electronic signatures with dual authentication to achieve paperless operations. The software will automatically integrate with other functional areas and systems, with no manual intervention required to ensure process completion, making the process more efficient and less time-consuming. Christopher Turner, president, Construction Helicopters Inc., said, “We are pleased to have chosen Ramco because of its exceptional track record in the heli and defense space followed by its ability to provide complete operational visibility in real-time. We are confident that this software will keep up with our rapid expansion plan and address our business challenges by significantly improving our operational efficiency.” James Cornelius, president, ROTA Technology, Inc, said, “We assessed a multitude of systems on behalf of CHI in an unprecedented time and ultimately RAMCO met all the requirements. ROTA continues to provide value to small and large operators across the world by leading and facilitating major implementations, upgrades, and support.” Virender Aggarwal, CEO, Ramco Systems, said, “We are elated to secure yet another order win in the Heli segment in the U.S., underscoring our track record in this space. Our Aviation ERP, infused with the latest artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities, has created great value for the leading companies in this segment. This deal has also opened yet another burgeoning segment – Drones and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for Ramco which is gaining traction in both the commercial and defense spaces.” https://verticalmag.com/press-releases/chi-aviation-contracts-with-ramco-for-mro-suite/ Inmarsat readies for most ambitious tech roadmap in its history Celebrating the fifth anniversary of its Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band network, Inmarsat is gearing up for the launch of four new GX payloads and three new GX satellites between now and year-end 2023. CEO Rupert Pearce characterizes this technology roadmap as the “most ambitious” in the company’s history, and notes that it is “fully-funded”. The London-headquartered satellite operator currently operates a five-satellite GX constellation, in addition to a fleet of L-band satellites. The fifth GX satellite, GX5, saw its commercial service introduction (CSI) in December 2020. Inmarsat’s satellite services support maritime, aviation, government and humanitarian users. In aviation, GX powers inflight connectivity (IFC) installations at Air New Zealand, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and other carriers. In an update to industry, Inmarsat notes that its next two GX Ka payloads – dubbed GX6A & 6B – will be hosted on the next generation Inmarsat-6 L-band satellites, which are scheduled for launch this year and next. But the GX network will also be enhanced with new Arctic capabilities. In 2019, Inmarsat announced a partnership with Space Norway and its subsidiary Space Norway HEOSAT, whereby two payloads – GX10A & 10B – will be placed into Highly Elliptical Orbits (HEO), ensuring continuous coverage above 65° North. Their launch is scheduled for 2022, dependent on launch companies and other external factors. Polar coverage will no doubt be appealing to aircraft operators. Following on from these developments, in around 2023, says Inmarsat, a new generation of GX satellites – GX7, 8 and 9 – will then mark a step change in the combined capabilities and capacity of the GX fleet. “The first software-defined constellation for global mobile connectivity, each satellite in the GX7, 8 and 9 series will deliver twice the total capacity of the entire current, in-service GX network (GX1-5),” explains the firm. “Their ability to simultaneously generate thousands of independent spot beams of different size, bandwidth and power that can be reconfigured and repositioned across the globe means Inmarsat will be able to respond to peaks in customer demand instantaneously and with pinpoint accuracy, and stack up overlapped capacity over regional hot spots.” In aviation, Inmarsat’s GX-powered inflight connectivity has attracted a number of aerospace giants as GX value added resellers, including Collins Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace, Thales, Panasonic Avionics, and SITAONAIR. The company also recently forged a region-specific partnership with Hughes Network Systems to bring a high-capacity Ka IFC solution called GX+ North America to the market. Inmarsat faces competition in IFC from rival satellite operators Viasat, and Intelsat, the latter of which recently acquired Gogo’s commercial aviation business for $400 million. Other aero ISPs include Global Eagle and Panasonic’s Ku-band network. And Thales is rolling out a high-capacity Ka solution in North America for its customer Spirit Airlines. But Inmarsat is confident in its strategy. “Together, with a world-leading community of technology, manufacturing and channel partners, Inmarsat offers multiple networks and an agnostic approach to technology to meet the world’s connectivity demands, both now and for the future,” says Pearce. https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2021/01/06/inmarsat-readies-for-most-ambitious-technology-roadmap-in-history/ ThorDrive Demos Driverless GSE Technology at CVG ThorDrive recently demonstrated its driverless technology in airport ground support equipment at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). Installed in a Wollard International tractor, ThorDrive's technology includes LED light bars that signal the autonomous tractor’s status to everyone in the area. When operating in standard autonomous mode, the light bar shines bright green while the tractor does its’ job. Camera vision is used to detect colors and objects, which are then classified into categories. The autonomous tractor will behave as programmed when encountering different categories of objects. Light detection and ranging (LiDAR) detects the surrounding environment, using laser light to generate 3D images of the area. The software stack then uses these 3D images to properly respond to encountered objects. Additional information about ThorDrive's partnership with CVG can be found at www.AviationPros.com/21163581. https://www.aviationpros.com/gse/gse-technology/news/21204727/thordrive-thordrive-demos-driverless-gse-technology-at-cvg Delta Selects Viasat's In-Flight Connectivity to Revolutionize the Customer Experience Viasat Inc., a global communications company, announced Delta Air Lines selected Viasat's industry-leading, next-generation Ka-band satellite in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution for more than 300 mainline narrow-body aircraft, including both new delivery and retrofits on A321ceo, 737-900ER and select 757-200 aircraft. Delta expects to bring the Viasat technology onboard these aircraft starting summer 2021, with Delta having the option to add additional fleets. Delta will be upgrading its current IFC system to Viasat's more advanced Ka-band satellite-powered technology to provide all customers with enhanced and reliable in-flight internet capabilities — including faster, more consistent connections and an ability to stream all types of entertainment and popular over-the-top content — to any internet-ready device, gate-to-gate. The Viasat/Delta relationship will lay the groundwork toward a true full, fast and free in-flight internet experience as well as future enhancements and personalization on customer seatback screens. "We are constantly looking for new ways to delight our customers and offer an unparalleled onboard experience," said Bill Lentsch, chief customer experience officer, Delta. "In working with Viasat, we gain the tools needed to deepen customer interactions and bring us closer to delivering more personalized in-flight content as well as an ability to consistently provide free, fast, streaming Wi-Fi in the future." "Delta is committed to optimize the customer journey, and we're committed to helping them build a foundation toward a better in-flight internet and entertainment experience," said Rick Baldridge, president and CEO, Viasat. "We have a proven in-flight connectivity solution that is high-quality, streaming-capable and can scale to meet Delta's growing customer demand. We're proud to be part of their connected ecosystem." Delta's aircraft will be outfitted with Viasat's latest Ka-band IFC system, and will be compatible with Viasat's complete fleet of satellites, including Viasat's first-generation spacecraft and partner satellites; its second-generation spacecraft ViaSat-2, and the forthcoming ViaSat-3 class of satellites, which are expected to offer global coverage with nearly eight times more capacity than Viasat's current fleet — which means even more enhanced connectivity and streaming services to keep up with expected increases in demand. https://www.aviationpros.com/engines-components/aircraft-airframe-accessories/avionics/press-release/21204561/viasat-delta-selects-viasats-inflight-connectivity-to-revolutionize-the-customer-experience Honeywell, Sichuan Airlines Ink Historic Deal On Auxiliary Power Units SHANGHAI, Jan. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sichuan Airlines has selected Honeywell's (NYSE: HON) 131-9A auxiliary power units (APUs) for its A320 fleet of aircraft. As part of a five-year agreement, Honeywell will provide the 131-9A APU for Sichuan Airline's 93 new A320 aircraft that will enter service by 2025. The airline will also replace the APUs on its 141 existing A320 aircraft with the same Honeywell APU. This is the largest APU retrofit deal in Honeywell's history. The 131-9A APU will help Sichuan Airlines reduce flight delays and cancellations, creating a more pleasant flying experience for passengers. "We are pleased to collaborate with Honeywell. We hope that the outstanding performance of its legendary APUs will help us improve operational efficiency," said Li Yue, executive vice president of Sichuan Airlines. "With the aviation industry being significantly impacted by COVID-19, reliable and innovative products and solutions are highly demanded for airlines' recovery and future development. We look forward to working with our partners for the bright future of the industry." An APU is a critical piece of aircraft equipment that provides electrical power and air conditioning while the plane is on the ground. It helps ensure passenger comfort and supplies the air source before a pilot is ready to start the main engines. The 131-9A is known for its reliability and lower maintenance costs over the course of its entire life cycle, resulting in significant fuel savings each year. "It is a great pleasure to collaborate with Sichuan Airlines, which sets a significant milestone in enhancing our partnership with airline customers in China," said Steven Lien, Honeywell Aerospace Asia Pacific President. "We see a strong recovery and large potential for China's aviation industry, as well as local airlines' growing competitiveness worldwide. Honeywell is committed to supporting this market, providing customers with exceptional solutions and equipping local support teams to help them create value and improve efficiency." Honeywell's first APU took to the skies in 1950, and the company has built more than 100,000 since then. More than 36,000 APUs are in service today across more than 150 regional, executive and commercial applications, including both fixed wing and rotary wing. In 2009, the Honeywell 131-9A APU on an Airbus A320 played a critical role in the emergency landing of US Airways Flight 1549 in New York's Hudson River, in which all 155 passengers and crew survived. Honeywell has shipped more than 15,000 131-9A APUs since introducing this model in 1995. About Honeywell Honeywell Aerospace products and services are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft. The Aerospace business unit builds aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components and more. Its hardware and software solutions create more fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights and safer skies and airports. For more information, visit https://www.honeywell.com or follow us at @Honeywell_Aero. Honeywell (https://www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help everything from aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit http://www.honeywell.com/newsroom. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/honeywell-sichuan-airlines-ink-historic-deal-on-auxiliary-power-units-301201420.html Universal Avionics ClearVision EFVS Selected for World’s First Supersonic Business Jet Universal Avionics (UA) announced the selection of its ClearVision Enhanced Flight Vision System (EFVS) for the Aerion AS2. The company’s complete Head-Up Display (HUD) and EFVS solution featuring the SkyLens Head-Wearable Display (HWD) with its proven unlimited Field of Regard will be installed in the world’s first supersonic business jet. “Universal Avionics is proud to be selected as the Enhanced Flight Vision System provider for the AS2 supersonic business jet,” said Dror Yahav, UA chief executive officer. “By using the SkyLens as a wearable Head-Up Display, the ClearVision EFVS brings unprecedented capabilities to the airplane and demonstrates a compelling roadmap to the future, on top of the proven operational landing credit and all-weather operation.” ClearVision provides an innovative Combined Vision System (CVS) displayed on the pilot and copilot SkyLens HWD, the only display of its kind certified today for commercial aviation. The intuitive avionics suite includes UA’s high-resolution EVS-5000 Enhanced Vision System (EVS) camera, composed of six sensors for a comprehensive and unprecedented multispectral coverage, and 3D Synthetic Vision System (SVS). ClearVision greatly improves crew resource management in the cockpit of the AS2, supporting Aerion’s ongoing mission of faster point-to-point travel. In addition, ClearVision offers pilots the ability to overcome degraded visibility situations day and night to move in and out of airports faster, saving time and increasing operational efficiency. With SkyLens, pilots continuously operate head-up and are able to monitor flight information while retaining 3D situational awareness of terrain, and eventually aircraft traffic, through the system’s unlimited 360-degree Field of Regard. “We are truly excited to bring ClearVision to the highest levels of the business aviation market,” commented Marc Bouliane, UA vice president of business development, marketing and services. “For the past year, we have worked diligently with Aerion’s engineering, flight operations and supply chain teams to refine a solution that fits the vision set forth by Aerion. We are honored to have been selected for this ground-breaking project and look forward to the production launch of the AS2 in 2023.” ClearVision is a trusted and certified solution, flying today on a number of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Nearly 3,000 ClearVision EVS cameras have been fielded to date. Pilots have a discernable Visual Advantage against incandescent and LED airport lighting systems, and the compact size of SkyLens is critical for profiled cockpits such as in the AS2. “With a proven track record of innovation, Universal Avionics has become the market leader in Head-Wearable Display systems and EVS sensors. This industry-leading technology will offer pilots of the AS2 unparalleled vision and enhanced situational awareness capabilities,” said Steve Berroth, Aerion’s chief operating officer and executive vice president of aircraft development. “We look forward to our continued collaboration as we seek to change the future of aviation together.” Aerion’s pursuit of faster point-to-point travel begins with the launch of the AS2 supersonic business jet. Designed to be inherently environmentally responsible from first flight, the AS2 is the first supersonic aircraft designed to be powered by 100% engineered synthetic fuel and reach supersonic speeds without the need for an afterburner. The manufacture of 300 AS2 aircraft is planned for the first decade of production. The AS2 will be the first aircraft to be assembled at the company’s new global headquarters in Melbourne, Florida - Aerion Park. The development – powered by sustainable technology – will incorporate headquarters operations plus an integrated campus for research, design, build, and maintenance of the company’s supersonic aircraft. https://www.aviationpros.com/engines-components/aircraft-airframe-accessories/avionics/press-release/21204897/universal-avionics-universal-avionics-clearvision-efvs-selected-for-worlds-first-supersonic-business-jet WHEELS UP ACQUIRES MOUNTAIN AVIATION AND ITS MASSIVE JET FLEET Big news for private jet flyers. Leading private aviation brand Wheels Up has officially announced its acquisition of Mountain Aviation, marrying its commitment to on-demand flexibility and digital innovation with the United State's largest Part 135 Citation X fleet, as well as Mountain Aviation's full Part 145 maintenance capabilities. Headquartered in Colorado, Mountain Aviation employs more than 300 aviation specialists including more than 150 pilots and 45 maintenance personnel across various locations, including Colorado, Anchorage and Thermal, CA. It's a big move for the industry that brings 59 new aircraft to Wheels Up's fleet, most of which are Citation X, with plans to add more Citation X in 2021. With 3,460 nmi of range and a cruising speed of about 600 mph, the Cessna Citation X is regarded as the fastest civilian aircraft on the market. Alongside Mountain Aviation's expert mechanics and operators, Wheels Up believes this merger will greatly increase efficiency while meeting demand and better serving its growing clientelle. "We've come to know and greatly respect Mountain Aviation's talented team over the past few years and are excited to welcome them officially to our Wheels Up family," Wheels Up Founder and Chief Executive Officer Kenny Dichter is quoted in a press release. "We are aligned on culture, forward vision and business goals. This acquisition further strengthens the Wheels Up suite of products and services that we offer to our Members and Customers and enhances our unique total aviation solution positioning." The merger follows on the heels of Wheels Up's 2019 acquition of Travel Management Company, which operates the industry's largest wholesale floating fleet of light jets. The latest move allows Wheels Up to broaden its customer base by servicing a recently awarded and growing government defense contract business, as well as expanding existing services to medical transportation customers. Mountain Aviation is a FAA Part 135 Air Carrier with ARGUS Platinum and DOD Commercial Airlift Review Board (CARB) qualifications. Its wholesale business will continue to operate independently without interruption of service. Mountain Aviation CEO Gregg Fahrenbruch will take the new title of Senior Vice President of Operation Strategy, running Mountain Aviation business alongside his existing leadership team. Wheels Up will migrate Mountain Aviation's legacy technology into its cloud-based Avianis platform, aiming for greater efficiencies, more automation and a further streamlined service for Wheels Up members and customers. "This is an exciting day for all of us at Mountain Aviation," Fahrenbruch is quoted. "We are proud of what we've built and thrilled to join Kenny and the Wheels Up team to continue to expand and grow. It's remarkable to see how Wheels Up, with their vision to democratize, digitize, and disrupt, is transforming the industry." https://mensbook.com/financial-planner-bart-zandbergen Aircalin Takes Delivery of First Aircraft Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF Engines On Jan. 6, Pratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies Corp. and Aircalin celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first Airbus A320neo aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. The airline committed to purchase two aircraft in 2018. “The GTF engine was a clear choice in terms of fuel efficiency, service and support when we selected Pratt & Whitney in 2018,” said Didier Tappero, chief executive officer at Aircalin. “We are excited to provide our customers with a quieter, more sustainable flying experience.” Aircalin currently operates two Viking Air DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft with Pratt & Whitney PT6A engines, as well as two Airbus A320ceo aircraft with V2500 engines from IAE International Aero Engines AG, a multinational aero engine consortium whose shareholders comprise Pratt & Whitney, Pratt & Whitney Aero Engines International GmbH, Japanese Aero Engines Corporation, and MTU Aero Engines GmbH. “Aircalin became a Pratt & Whitney customer in 2000 with the Airbus A310 aircraft and PW4000 engines,” said Rick Deurloo, chief commercial officer and senior vice president at Pratt & Whitney. “Now, with Airbus A320neo aircraft and GTF engines, we look forward to delivering industry-leading technology, fuel efficiency and environmental performance to Aircalin.” Since entering service in early 2016, the GTF engine has demonstrated its promised ability to reduce fuel burn by 16 percent, to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions by 50 percent to the regulatory standard, and to reduce the noise footprint by 75 percent. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/commercial-airline/press-release/21204895/pratt-whitney-aircalin-takes-delivery-of-first-aircraft-powered-by-pratt-whitney-gtf-engines SpaceX's Starship SN9 prototype fires its engines for the 1st time The SN9 vehicle's three engines lit up for about one second today (Jan. 6) at 5:07 p.m. EST (2200 GMT) during a static-fire test at SpaceX's South Texas facilities, near the Gulf Coast village of Boca Chica. Static fires, in which rocket engines blaze while a vehicle remains anchored to the ground, are a routine preflight checkout. And SN9 ("Serial No. 9") will indeed get off the ground soon, if all goes according to plan: SpaceX is prepping the vehicle for a test flight that's expected to be similar to the epic one made last month by its predecessor. On Dec. 9, SN8 — which was powered by three of SpaceX's next-generation Raptor engines, as SN9 is — performed the Starship program's first-ever high-altitude hop, soaring about 7.8 miles (12.5 kilometers) into the South Texas skies. (Three previous single-engine prototypes have flown as well, but they all reached a maximum altitude of about 500 feet, or 150 meters.) SN8 didn't stick its landing and exploded in a dramatic fireball. But the vehicle hit pretty much every other milestone that SpaceX had laid out, leading company founder and CEO Elon Musk to declare the flight a big success. SpaceX is developing Starship to take people and payloads to the moon, Mars and other distant destinations — and, eventually, to take over all of the company's spaceflight needs. The system consists of two elements: a 165-foot-tall (50 m) spacecraft called Starship and a giant first-stage booster known as Super Heavy. Both Starship and Super Heavy will be fully and rapidly reusable, Musk has said. Super Heavy will come back down to Earth for vertical landings after getting Starship aloft, as the first stages of SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets already do. But Starship's touchdowns will be even more precise than those of the Falcons, ideally occurring directly on the launch stand to improve turnaround time, Musk announced recently. The Starship spacecraft, meanwhile, will make many roundtrips between Earth and Mars, or whatever other destination has been targeted. The vehicle just needs the roughly 30-engine Super Heavy to get off our relatively bulky planet; the final, six-engine Starship will be powerful enough to launch itself off the surfaces of the moon and Mars, Musk has said. Today's static fire was captured on video by dedicated Starship watchers like the tourism site Spadre.com, which webcasts live Starship views on YouTube. It may not be the only such test performed by SN9 before it takes flight. For example, SN8 conducted four static fires over the course of more than a month ahead of its high-altitude hop. https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn9-first-static-fire Curt Lewis