April 29, 2021 - No. 33 In This Issue : GE adds Verizon 5G to Testbed to explore Energy, Health Care and Aviation use cases : Spirit AeroSystems Signs Joint Venture Agreement with Evergreen Aviation Technology Corporation to serve Asia-Pacific Aftermarket Customers : Kenya Airways, Skyports team up for drone ops development : VistaJet commits to carbon neutrality by 2025 — 25 years ahead of current industry goals : SkyNet Aviation Develops New Early-Warning Alert Technology – TEAM : Lufthansa Technik and Airbus Offer Joint 'Temporary Cargo Cabin' : Shoe scanner technology on the horizon : Lidar gives aircraft new sensing and perception capabilities : Boom Supersonic Chief Executive Briefs Congress on Sustainable Supersonic Future : Leaders Push for Equitable, Accessible Aviation Future : NASA, SpaceX delay return to Earth for Crew-1 astronauts GE adds Verizon 5G to Testbed to explore Energy, Health Care and Aviation use cases NISKAYUNA, N.Y. and BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Signaling the dawn of a new era for smart industrial machines and systems, GE Research, the technology development arm of the General Electric Company (GE), is collaborating with Verizon Business to create a cross industry testbed powered by Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband. Vic Abate, GE’s Chief Technology Officer, said “Together with Verizon, we are leading the way in innovating on 5G. It marks a pivotal moment for the industrial world, as we finally have a wireless network platform that delivers the speed, scale, reliability and flexibility to connect industrial devices in a truly transformative way.” “Verizon’s 5G platform capabilities provide the perfect testbed for GE’s research team to build the next-generation, real-time solutions that will transform every industry,” said Tami Erwin, CEO of Verizon Business. “There’s never been a more critical time to build the 21st century infrastructure built on mobility, broadband and cloud and our 5G sits right at the epicenter.” 5G is the next generation network that finally boasts the high speed and low latency that is required to dynamically manage industrial machines, systems and operations. The speed of 5G Ultra Wideband is at least 10 times faster than 4G and up to 4 Gbps under ideal conditions in some locations. GE Research’s 5G Mission Leader, Dr. SM Hasan, likened the speed and scale of a 5G network to being able to have thousands of people in a room at one time running internet apps on their mobile devices without any delays. “If you’ve ever been in a public area like an airport and experienced a slow Wi-Fi connection, it’s because the network is experiencing heavy traffic that slows everything down.” Verizon’s 5G will eventually be capable of connecting one million devices per square mile, which is 10x greater than 4G. Hasan added, “For us, it’s about enabling thousands of assets to be managed in real-time at one-time. 5G’s speed, scale, and near-instantaneous response time are opening new levels of capabilities in the management of assets and operations that engineers previously could only dream of using.” “The superior network speed and capacity of 5G networks will allow us to take full advantage of a multitude of digital technologies to transform industrial assets and operations,” Hasan added. “From AI and machine learning to digital twins and autonomous technologies, 5G can accelerate the path to everything from self-driving cars and digital health to more resilient, reliable energy grids powered by more carbon-free energy assets like intelligent wind farms.” Verizon already has begun the process of installing its 5G Ultra Wideband network on GE’s Research campus. Eric Tucker, Sr Director of Technical Products at GE said: “We are excited to work with the GE businesses and key partners like Verizon and the U.S. Department of Defense to translate Research to Reality and showcase the power of digitally connected and 5G enabled solutions for our customers, and the world”. https://www.verizon.com/about/news/ge-adds-verizon-5g-testbed-explore-energy-health-care-and-aviation-use-cases Spirit AeroSystems Signs Joint Venture Agreement with Evergreen Aviation Technology Corporation to serve Asia-Pacific Aftermarket Customers WICHITA, Kan., April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE: SPR) announced today a planned expansion of its aftermarket presence in the Asia-Pacific region by signing a joint venture agreement with Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corporation (EGAT). The new agreement is expected to complement Spirit's recent acquisition of Applied Aerodynamics and last year's acquisition of select Bombardier assets, and further strengthen its global maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities. Under the joint venture agreement, Spirit and EGAT will form a new company, Spirit Evergreen Aftermarket Solutions (SEAS), and will transfer repair capabilities to SEAS, increasing manufacturing expertise and services to meet growing fleet demands in the region. "Spirit AeroSystems is strategically expanding our capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region because the local fleet operators need affordable, efficient repairs, and we're in a position to deliver on that need with our expertise and quality MRO services," said Jim Lickteig, Senior Director of Aftermarket Solutions at Spirit AeroSystems. "By embarking on these new relationships, we will be better prepared to help passenger and freight carriers in the region remain competitive as the industry continues to recover from the pandemic." Previously, Spirit entered into a multi-year agreement with EGAT in September 2020 in which Spirit provided maintenance services in the Taiwan facility on products the aerostructures company manufactures, including the 777 GE90/Trent800 nacelle, 737 CFM56-7B thrust reverser, and flight control surfaces along with broader nacelle MRO services on the CF6 powered aircraft and A320. By enhancing this existing commercial agreement with a joint venture agreement, Spirit and EGAT will continue working to expand capabilities to better service customers in the region. "EGAT is excited to enter into the business venture with Spirit to collectively deliver optimal business propositions to fleet operators and partners in the region. EGAT's corporate values of transparency, honesty and integrity infuses well with Spirits' transparency, collaboration and inspiration," said Kin Chong, executive vice president of Business Coordination Division at EGAT. "Carriers in the region can expect more responsive service solutions." In addition to Taiwan, Spirit also operates MRO locations in Wichita, Kan., Dallas, Tex., Western Europe, North Africa, and East Asia. To learn more about Spirit's global MRO solutions and recent growth, visit our website. While the joint venture agreement has been signed, forming the joint venture is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent including foreign investment approval. About Spirit AeroSystems Spirit AeroSystems is one of the world's largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defense platforms, and business/regional jets. With expertise in aluminum and advanced composite manufacturing solutions, the company's core products include fuselages, integrated wings and wing components, pylons, and nacelles. Also, Spirit serves the aftermarket for commercial and business/regional jets. Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Spirit has facilities in the U.S., U.K., France, Malaysia and Morocco. More information is available at www.spiritaero.com. About EGAT Evergreen Aviation Technologies Corp. or EGAT is a multiple award-winning, mid-sized boutique aircraft Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility based in Taiwan, most recently ranked 2019 Top-10 Global Airframe MRO by Aviation Week. Part of the Evergreen Group, characterized by its iconic eco-friendly container shipping service and EVA air, a notable SKYTRAX 5-star service airline in the Star Alliance, EGAT delivers an extensive menu of airframe. Modification, engine, and component services to a host of airline partners from around the world. For more information, please visit www.egat.com.tw. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/spirit-aerosystems-signs-joint-venture-agreement-with-evergreen-aviation-technology-corporation-to-serve-asia-pacific-aftermarket-customers-301278291.html Kenya Airways, Skyports team up for drone ops development Kenya Airways (KQ, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) and UK-based advanced air mobility (AAM) company Skyports have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch permanent unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in the African country by 3Q or 4Q21. The agreement is in line with Kenya Airways’ aspirations to lead the application of drone technology in the region through its wholly-owned subsidiary Fahari Aviation, which would offer UAV training, operations, and traffic management services. “This partnership with Skyports will support our diversification plans in drone technology application. This will give us access to available equipment and established operations that will lay the foundation for the Kenyan and regional drone market through our drone and emerging aviation technology subsidiary, Fahari Aviation,” explained Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka. Joint efforts with Skyports had already begun across drone delivery and inspection use cases, the companies said in a statement on April 27. In the coming three months, the aim of the partnership is to explore the commercial viability and impact of a variety of medical, logistical, and inspection use cases alongside Kenya’s leading public and private institutions. The target for the launch of the first drone delivery flights is the third and fourth quarters of this year. Skyports' chief executive, Duncan Walker, said: “Our partnership with Kenya Airways can unlock significant opportunities for drone deliveries and inspections in Kenya. This will create time and cost savings for our customers and contribute to the growth of the country’s tech and aviation ecosystem.” He added that the agreement “underscores the growth potential of Skyports’ tech-agnostic operator approach as a flexible offering suited to varying global market requirements.” He said that his company’s Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operational experience put it in a unique position to support Kenya Airways. Skyports has obtained regulatory approvals to fly the UK’s first BVLOS medical drone deliveries for the National Health Service, with operations currently underway, and it operated the UK Royal Mail’s first drone parcel delivery in Scotland in December 2020. Astral Aerial Solutions, an affiliate of Astral Aviation (8V, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta), is an existing Kenyan operator deploying commercial drones throughout Kenya and the region. According to its website, it proffers the Flyox cargo drone with a payload capability of up to 1,850 kilogrammes, a range of 1,200 kilometres, and a loitering time of up to 26 hours in surveillance mode. It also operates a smaller drone, the Wingcopter, which is capable of eight hours of flight carrying a payload of up to four kilogrammes. https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/103078-kenya-airways-skyports-team-up-for-drone-ops-development VistaJet commits to carbon neutrality by 2025 — 25 years ahead of current industry goals London, April 27, 2021: VistaJet commits to carbon neutrality by 2025 and spearheads the call for change — working with, and pushing, the industry to go further than the current goal of a 50% reduction of emissions by 2050 set by civil aviation industry bodies, IATA and the global business aviation community. Aviation plays a crucial role in driving the global economy as well as connecting people and countries around the world. While it is impossible to imagine a world without air mobility, and as travel continues to be a necessity for many companies — particularly to redevelop their businesses post-pandemic — we must make every effort to simultaneously protect our environment. In 2020, over 80% of VistaJet Members offset CO2 emissions relative to their flights’ fuel consumption in partnership with South Pole, an award-winning project developer and global provider of climate action solutions. By offering its clients a means to compensate for the impact of their footprint, VistaJet is supporting an industry-wide push for a greener recovery and channeling important finance to projects that help reduce emissions and improve livelihoods, today. VistaJet also partnered with SkyNRG, a pioneer and a global leader in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), to be the first to provide global access to SAF for business aviation. Among other product and service innovations, VistaJet introduced the Global 7500, the first business jet with an Environmental Product Declaration; optimized routes to reduce fuel burn; invested in AI technology for optimized fleet management; and drove the sustainability conversation and awareness among its clients and the whole aviation industry. Outlined below are the sustainable projects VistaJet currently has in place to ensure the target is met: 1) Outstanding Certified Carbon Offset Program for customers globally 2) Global Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Program for every client around the world 3) Most Technologically Advanced Aircraft 4) Fuel Consumption Reduction Technology 5) Fuel Efficient Booking System 6) Partnering with Leaders in Sustainability 7) Sustainable In-Flight Products 8) Moving to Renewable Electricity On-the-Ground 9) Annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) accounting report 10) Annual Climate Risk report (starting in 2021), in line with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) While offsets and SAF are the current and available options to reduce its carbon footprint, VistaJet, together with its partners, industry and clients, will continue to actively seek and invest in new developments to help push the current boundaries. Between now and 2025, VistaJet will look to new technology and innovations to further reduce its GHG footprint in line with the latest available science, to become the first carbon neutral business aviation operating company by 2025*. Thomas Flohr, Founder and Chairman of VistaJet said: “Since the inception of VistaJet 17 years ago, we have always looked to the future, innovating and driving change within our industry. We have taken on the challenge to establish and promote a more efficient and sustainable way of flying. This is why, together with our partners and clients, we have been developing and adopting best practices and innovative solutions. Our model itself is the most effective in focusing on utilization and a shared fleet concept; and adoption of more sustainable aviation fuels, and smarter, more economic aircraft. The industry as a whole must step up to combat climate change and its impact today — it’s the right thing to do and we all have to act now.” The VistaJet sustainability program and innovation approach will also serve as a blueprint for all other companies in the Vista Global group and its key partners. https://www.streetinsider.com/Globe+Newswire/VistaJet+commits+to+carbon+neutrality+by+2025+%E2%80%94+25+years+ahead+of+current+industry+goals/18311947.html SkyNet Aviation Develops New Early-Warning Alert Technology – TEAM SkyNet Aviation announced the latest technology development in its suite of world-leading aviation tracking and awareness solutions. TEAM ADS-B (Transponder Emergency Alert Manager) enables SkyNet Aviation REACH and LASAW users to receive ADS-B transponder emergency alerts directly from an aircraft, as soon as the squawk code is transmitted, bypassing the delays of the current alerting system and for the first time, enabling an aircraft’s operators and relevant landing airport or heliport operators to have immediate notification of a potential emergency. “Aircraft operators want to know as soon as possible that one of their fleet is in trouble and, crucially, airport and helipad operators need the earliest possible notification that an emergency landing might take place at their location”, explains Jon Davis, SkyNet Aviation’s CEO. “To date, when an aircraft has encountered an issue and activates an emergency-coded squawk, the only people who receive it are the air traffic controllers (ATC) for the area. Notifying other parties and coordinating the response is entirely up to them: aircraft operators, airports and landing area managers are passive participants.” The new TEAM capability enables SkyNet’s ADS-B system to immediately detect a signal anywhere across its vast network and alerts the relevant REACH and LASAW users - even if the aircraft broadcasting the code is not managed via a SkyNet Aviation solution. In the initial release, TEAM will support the squawk codes for hijack, emergency and radio failure. “TEAM is the quickest way to inform airport and helipad operators of a runway or landing zone that a possible emergency is unfolding that may involve them. Their response may involve the activation of an emergency response plan (ERP) that could include sending fire trucks, activating runway lighting, recalling all airfield staff and clearing the area. All of that takes time, which will be in short supply in an emergency situation,” comments Davis. “For the aircraft’s own operations staff, TEAM enables for preparation and management of a potential emergency with an early warning that can increase the scope to de-escalate a situation and stop an emergency becoming an accident.” As all squawk codes are broadcast on the same transmission protocols as regular ADS-B signals, they can only be picked up if an aircraft is within ADS-B coverage. This is either on the ATC service’s network, which may have large gaps at lower altitudes or under a SkyNet Aviation commercial ADS-B wide area network solution, where coverage is implemented specifically for the operators and lower flight paths required. For many operators flying to remote areas, publicly available ADS-B coverage is non-existent; for example, the 1.8 million square kilometers of coverage SkyNet Aviation enables throughout outback Australia for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/commercial-airline/press-release/21220165/skynet-aviation-skynet-aviation-develops-new-earlywarning-alert-technology-team Lufthansa Technik and Airbus Offer Joint 'Temporary Cargo Cabin' Lufthansa Technik and Airbus team up to offer customers a reversible Cargo-in-Cabin solution to satisfy urgent demand quickly and easily. The solution for the Airbus A330 family comprises the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) as well as material kits to modify the passenger aircraft for temporary cargo transport. Cargo capacity is thus increased by up to 15t of additional payload depending on aircraft configuration. Finnair is the first airline to modify an Airbus A330-300 to carry commercial, non-dangerous goods in the main pax deck. Due to the slow air traffic recovery belly capacity is still low and not likely to return until 2024 to pre-COVID levels. Additionally, the exemptions granted by the authorities in the beginning of the pandemic to reuse passenger cabins to transport medical supplies expired. Together with Airbus, Lufthansa Technik now responds with the "Temporary Cargo Cabin," an STC which allows modifying a passenger cabin into a cargo hold. "We join forces with Airbus in times of crisis to deliver the best solution for aircraft operators. We mutually benefit from each other's expertise in many respects and thus create a blueprint for possible future co-operations," said Soeren Stark, chief operations officer and accountable manager at Lufthansa Technik. Daniel Wenninger, Airbus' VP Airframe Services, said, "The cooperation with Lufthansa Technik enables the smooth implementation of this temporary cargo solution. The A330's best in class operational economics and versatile cabin makes it the perfect aircraft for cargo missions in the current context. With such a new solution, we keep on supporting our Airbus customers." Finnair is the launch customer for the "Temporary Cargo Cabin." The operator modified an Airbus A330 at its home base in Helsinki lately, the approval process for the STC is underway. The simple embodiment can be carried out at any Part 145 provider worldwide. "With this EASA Approved STC solution we are able to continue our successful cargo operations even during ramp-up. The solution is technically simple and does not require massive investments like traditional cargo conversions," adds Juha Ojala, vice president of Finnair Technical Operations. Comprehensive technical solution to fulfill EASA requirements Typically, the embodiment of the "Temporary Cargo Cabin" includes removal of seats and monuments depending on the individual layout and customer needs. This also comprises, e.g., that seat-to-seat IFE harnessing has to be de-installed or water supply interfaces have to be plugged temporarily. The solution foresees to install standard TSO (Technical Standard Order) approved pallets with special brackets on the seat tracks in the center column of the aircraft and create additional positions in the lateral areas ensuring an optimal use of the A330 cabin. The bulk cargo will be secured with standard TSO-approved nets. As part of the material kit, Lufthansa Technik provides a cabin kit and firefighting equipment to be in line with cabin safety requirements of EASA . https://www.aviationpros.com/aircraft/maintenance-providers/mro/press-release/21220604/lufthansa-lufthansa-technik-and-airbus-offer-joint-temporary-cargo-cabin Shoe scanner technology on the horizon Richland, Wash.--Take your shoes off and place them in the bin! That's been part of the flying experience since 2006. It's the outcome of a number of threats to the aviation sector that emerged after the fateful events of September 11, 2001, including a failed attempt by an air-borne terrorist to light a fuse hidden in his shoe. It's one of the most inconvenient parts of flying and one that can slow the security screening process. But one day soon, even those without a "pre-check" status may be able to keep their shoes on, step on shoe scanner, walk through a next-generation body scanner and speed safely on to their boarding gates. The U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory developed the original holographic millimeter wave scanning technology--now used at airports worldwide--which can detect a wide variety of potential weapons or threats concealed under clothing. Next-generation security scanning Working with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, researchers at PNNL have expanded and advanced the capabilities of the original scanners, with an eye to improving the passenger experience. The result is a next-generation, high-definition scanner that can identify even smaller threats with fewer false positives. In the process, they designed a similar technology that can screen a passenger's footwear while on their feet. PNNL recently licensed the two technologies to Liberty Defense Holdings, Ltd., a concealed weapons detection company. Licensing government-developed technologies to the private sector is one of the missions of national laboratories like PNNL. "Liberty Defense is committed to protecting the public through its next-generation body and shoe scanning solutions," said Kannan Krishnaswami, a commercialization manager at PNNL. "With their leadership and experience, they are well positioned to bring PNNL-developed scanners to market, along with threat detection algorithms to enhance security for travelers and people attending events at large venues." Two seconds per shoe scan A shoe scan involves the traveler pausing on a low-profile imaging platform for about two seconds. Electromagnetic waves are used to generate an image of the shoe, which is evaluated to determine if an object may constitute a threat. The PNNL shoe scanner received an R&D 100 award in 2020 as one of the top 100 innovations of the year. "Adding the shoe scanner in an airport setting could replace the inconvenient pre-boarding ritual of removing shoes at the checkpoint and potentially speed up the screening process by 15-20 percent," said Liberty CEO Bill Frain. "Streamlining security processes, while still detecting threats and keeping people safe, is a win-win proposition." Keeping safe with your shoes and jackets on Based on the national need researchers saw for a shoe scanner, PNNL began development using internal R&D funds. DHS funded additional development of the technology through the Science and Technology Directorate's Screening at Speed program, while also supporting development of a new generation of millimeter wave body scanners that can provide higher resolution images at much lower cost. The original scanner design, previously developed by PNNL, has been widely used for about 15 years as a valuable screening tool at Transportation Security Agency airport checkpoints in the U.S. and abroad. "The updated HD-Advanced Imaging Technology scanner offers much higher resolution," said Dave Sheen, who manages the millimeter-wave technology program at PNNL. "Testing shows that the increased resolution improves potential threat detection, while dramatically reducing false alarms compared to the first-generation technology. Reducing false alarms and the secondary screenings they trigger means less direct contact between travelers and security personnel." The new system design includes improved antennas and significantly reduces imaging irregularities. With this advancement, airline passengers or people attending large public events may be scanned while wearing light sweaters or jackets, instead of having to take them off before walking through the scanner portal. Advanced scanning for enhanced security operations HD body scanners were designed to meet changing performance requirements and identify potential evolving threats, such as weapons, explosives and illicit drugs. The HD Advanced Imaging Technology system will be able to incorporate the latest threat detection algorithms that may be developed by third parties. Its open architecture will provide operators the flexibility to select and use best-in-class threat detection algorithms instead of being limited to one specific type. "Liberty Defense envisions building upon and enhancing the capabilities already achieved on the HD-AIT, with the intent to commercialize and manufacture the platform," said Frain. "The goal is to seamlessly upgrade current systems at airports while preserving the existing footprint." Frain added that the shoe scanner may be integrated into the base of the next generation HD-AIT. "We see options in various venues for separate scanners or a combined version," he said. Dave Atkinson, who manages PNNL's research on aviation and explosives for DHS, sums up the teamwork that led to the licensing of the new shoe scanner technology and the next-generation HD scanner. "This is a prime example of how federal funding, combined with scientific and technical expertise at a national laboratory, and private industry investment can mature technical inventions and make them available to solve national challenges, create new jobs and increase U.S. competitiveness." ### Pacific Northwest National Laboratory draws on its distinguishing strengths in chemistry, Earth sciences, biology and data science to advance scientific knowledge and address challenges in sustainable energy and national security. Founded in 1965, PNNL is operated by Battelle for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science, which is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States. DOE's Office of Science is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. For more information, visit PNNL's News Center. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-04/dnnl-sst042721.php Lidar gives aircraft new sensing and perception capabilities Autonomous flight will ultimately require enhanced sensing, perception and system-level capabilities for safety. To get there, Airbus is working with Luminar Technologies Inc. to use its lidar technology for future flight technologies. Airbus UpNext, a subsidiary of Airbus, is fast-tracking new aircraft and services that will span across the company’s business and uses flight testing as the principal means of proving out a variety of future technologies. The goal of Airbus’ helicopter called Flightlab, which was launched in January, is to increase aircraft safety and enable autonomous operation with automatic obstacle detection. The lidar sensors, which emit millions of pulses of laser light to detect where objects are by scanning the environment in 3D, will be key in enabling future aviation technologies including automation urban air mobility transportation modes as a central basis for safe takeoff, landing and in-flight decision making. It also has the potential to improve the safety of existing aircraft applications. Luminar said the lidar technology that was originally built for the automotive space can be reapplied to the aviation industry, presenting a trillion-dollar opportunity. Airbus said adding lidar will help the company define and explore the next steps toward more autonomous flight vehicles of the future. “We believe that automation and safety enhancements will transform how we move across all modes of transport as we take our technology from roads to the skies,” said Austin Russell, CEO and founder of Luminar Technologies. https://electronics360.globalspec.com/article/16647/lidar-gives-aircraft-new-sensing-and-perception-capabilities Boom Supersonic Chief Executive Briefs Congress on Sustainable Supersonic Future DENVER, April 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Boom Supersonic, the aerospace company building the world's fastest and most sustainable supersonic airliner, today announced that its Chief Executive Officer, Blake Scholl, will testify before the House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Aviation at a hearing entitled "The Leading Edge: Innovation in U.S. Aerospace." Scholl's testimony before the Subcommittee on Aviation will be livestreamed on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure's website at 11a.m. EDT today. With recent advances in the U.S. Aviation and National Airspace System, the Subcommittee meets today to hear testimony from industry leaders, including emerging airspace entrants. As the only supersonic aircraft manufacturer, Boom will further inform the Congressional panel on the company's efforts to reintroduce safe and sustainable supersonic travel. "Supersonic flight will unlock new possibilities for human connection and for business, but this is only possible thanks to the leadership of Congress and the federal government to support emerging aviation technology," said Boom Supersonic Founder & CEO Blake Scholl. "I'm deeply honored to address the House Subcommittee on Aviation to shed light on these technologies and ask Congress to continue to support this important work. The reintroduction of supersonic flight, along with the integration of other new kinds of aircraft, will ensure continued job growth in this important sector and help ensure the U.S. maintains its global leadership in innovation and the future of transportation." The testimony will highlight the importance of regulatory certainty, which will enable Boom to bring Overture, its flagship commercial airliner, to market. Boom applauds the FAA's efforts to provide a safety-minded foundation for the introduction of emerging aviation technology—including new-generation supersonic aircraft—to support transformational innovation in transportation. Boom is designing Overture to facilitate net-zero carbon flight, and the aircraft will be optimized to fly on 100% sustainable alternative fuels (SAF). Policy incentives will play a critical role in accelerating production and adoption of SAF, which is a key contributor to the sustainability of long-haul aviation. Boom supports measures such as blender tax credits to accelerate production of SAF, and the company is working with a broad coalition of fuel producers, operators, airports, and manufacturers to advance this key policy. Overture will be designed and assembled in the United States. Boom plans to announce the location for its Overture manufacturing facility later this year, breaking ground on the factory in 2022. Boom is scheduled to start Overture production in 2023 and plans to roll out the first complete aircraft in 2025. Flight testing and certification efforts are scheduled to begin in 2026, with the goal of flying passengers by 2029. Connect with Boom Supersonic on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Medium About Boom Supersonic Boom Supersonic is redefining commercial air travel by bringing supersonic flight back to the skies with Overture. This historic commercial airliner is designed and committed to industry-leading standards of speed, safety, and sustainability. Boom's vision is to bring families, businesses, and cultures closer together through supersonic travel and make the world dramatically more accessible. Boom is the first commercial airplane manufacturer to commit to a carbon-neutral flight test program and to build sustainability into its entire aircraft program. XB-1, Boom's supersonic demonstrator aircraft for Overture, rolled out in 2020 and its flight test program is underway. The company is backed by world-class investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, Prime Movers Lab and American Express Ventures and has 30 aircraft on pre-order. Founded in 2014, Boom has assembled a team of over 150 full-time employees who have made contributions to over 220 air and spacecraft programs. For more information, please visit https://boomsupersonic.com. https://www.gjsentinel.com/news/colorado/boom-supersonic-chief-executive-briefs-congress-on-sustainable-supersonic-future/article_6d4d6957-e66e-517c-87f9-4f6309cabf76.html Leaders Push for Equitable, Accessible Aviation Future Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti appealed to U.S. lawmakers to work with stakeholders and regional leaders to establish basic standards to create urban air mobility (UAM) networks that are safe, sensitive to local communities, intermodally linked, and accessible to everyone, not just the wealthy. Garcetti—who has worked with the World Economic Forum on UAM principles, as well as other private and public entities to help pave the way for UAM networks—was among a half-dozen witnesses outlining their visions for the future of aviation on Tuesday during a House aviation subcommittee hearing on "The Leading Edge: Innovation in U.S. Aerospace." Among others testifying were MagniX CEO Roei Ganzarski, who said battery technology is currently sufficient to carry up to nine passengers about 500 miles, and Boom Supersonic founder and CEO Blake Scholl, who estimated that his company’s XB-1 supersonic demonstrator would fly either late this year or early next year. House aviation subcommittee chairman Rick Larsen (D-Washington) called the hearing a “long overdue discussion” to explore promising opportunities with emerging aerospace entrants. “Electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles could reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility options, particularly in dense urban environments,” Larsen said. “However, Congress and the FAA must consider infrastructure, how new entrants will be integrated into an already busy U.S. airspace, and impacts on local communities.” He said the subcommittee is looking at elements that the FAA should consider in developing vertiport standards for UAM in densely populated areas. Garcetti responded that the FAA needs to co-author these standards with the community. “Access is critically important,” he said, adding that the FAA needs to evaluate ways to create a national standard while also respecting local zoning and land-use policies, building in flexibility with communities. He also stressed the need for equity, including linking with public transit systems to ensure that a UAM network is “connecting to a system rather than existing above it.” To ensure that goal, he is assembling a task force that will include representatives from underrepresented and lower-income communities and expressed a desire to build a playbook that could be used not only for Los Angeles but around the world. He pointed to the white paper “Principles of the Urban Sky,” which was published last year and involved 50 public/private stakeholders in concert with the World Economic Forum. Those principles surround safety, sustainability, equity of access, low noise, multimodal connectivity, local workforce development, and purpose-driven data sharing, he said. Garcetti stressed the importance of funding for such planning efforts and the need to prioritize studies on integrating UAM into congested airspace around busy airports such as Los Angeles International. Ganzarski agreed that the future system should be accessible, affordable, equitable, environmentally clean, and quieter. Noting that MagniX’s electric propulsion system is on track for FAA Part 33 certification in 2022, he said it “is a real possibility for smaller all-electric aircraft to start flying people and packages on short routes within the next four years.” Given current limitations on power, the country should start with smaller aircraft flying smaller routes and progress as technology advances, he said. “With the current state of technology, our president and Congress could set a dramatic and ambitious goal of having all-electric aircraft start carrying passengers and packages for up to 250 miles in range by the end of 2024 and up to 1,000 miles by 2030.” Today’s batteries are enough to take six-to-nine-passenger aircraft 500 miles, and today’s hydrogen power is enough to take 40 passengers up to 500 miles, he said. By 2030, a 500-mile range with a 100-passenger aircraft should be doable. However, “our country is falling short…in our reputation for pioneering innovation; falling short of our track record in leading an industry; and in particular, falling short for not embracing two major cultural shifts that are happening both globally and domestically: a shift to democratize demand-driven aviation in a way that makes it available and accessible to all, and a shift to propel clean energy in aviation.” He noted commitments to investing in electric aviation and sustainable travel being made in Europe and said the FAA lacks the resources to keep up with this evolving market. He further asked for incentives for the adoption of these technologies. Scholl, meanwhile, outlined plans for its path to bringing a supersonic airliner, the Overture, to market. These include first flying the demonstrator by early 2022, if not later this year; breaking ground on the factory to build the Overture next year; launching production of the Overture in 2023; rolling the aircraft out in 2025; and flying the airliner in 2026. “We’re just five years away from having the first American-made supersonic airliner in our skies.” He expressed the belief that the Overture would be initially operated on transoceanic routes, such as New York to London in 3.5 hours and Los Angeles to Sydney in eight hours. Scholl stressed the importance of regulatory certainty to facilitate the return to supersonic travel, and also of government backing for sustainability initiatives, such as a blenders credit for sustainable aviation fuel. Others testifying included James Grimsley, executive director of advanced technology initiatives for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma; Skydio CEO Adam Bry; and Pierre Harter, director of research and development of the National Institute for Aviation Research at Wichita State University. They covered a gamut of topics from research advancements and the need for continued R&D support to reaching a rural community, STEM development, and why the U.S. has lagged in drone technology. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-04-28/leaders-push-equitable-accessible-aviation-future NASA, SpaceX delay return to Earth for Crew-1 astronauts The astronauts of SpaceX's first operational astronaut mission for NASA will have to wait a few more days to return home from the International Space Station due to bad weather at their splashdown site. NASA's four Crew-1 astronauts were scheduled to return to Earth Wednesday (April 28) on their SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, making a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. But high winds has forced NASA and SpaceX to delay the landing to Saturday (May 1). Splashdown is targeted for 11:36 a.m. EDT (1536 GMT). "NASA and SpaceX agreed to move Crew-1's undocking and splashdown from Wednesday, April 28, following a review of forecast weather conditions in the splashdown zones off the coast of Florida, which currently predict wind speeds above the recovery criteria," NASA officials said in a statement. "Teams will continue to monitor weather conditions for splashdown ahead of Friday's planned undocking." SpaceX's Crew-1 mission for NASA launched on Nov. 15 to mark the first operational crewed flight on a commercial Crew Dragon spacecraft. It arrived at the station a day later to ferry NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Mike Hopkins, Shannon Walker and Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi to the orbiting laboratory. Last week, SpaceX launched its second crew change flight for NASA, called Crew-2, to fly four more astronauts to the station. Those astronauts arrived on Saturday (April 24) as a relief team for the Crew-1 spaceflyers. SpaceX's Crew Dragon Resilience is expected to splashdown in one of seven sites off the Atlantic coast of Florida or in the Gulf of Mexico, the exact site is dependent on weather, when it returns the Crew-1 astronauts to Earth. With the splashdown delay to Saturday, Resilience will now undock from the space station on Friday (April 30) at 5:55 p.m. EDT (2155 GMT). NASA's live coverage of undocking will begin at 3:30 p.m. EDT (1930 GMT) on Friday and continue through splashdown and a post-landing press conference. https://www.space.com/spacex-crew-1-astronaut-splashdown-delayed Curt Lewis