September 9, 2021 - No. 70 In This Issue : Monopoly-US airlines supporting higher goals for sustainable aviation fuel by 2030-Sources : United, Honeywell Invest in New Clean Tech Venture from Alder Fuels, Powering Biggest Sustainable Fuel Agreement in Aviation History : Rusada and Exsyn Aviation Solutions sign technology partnership : Renowned Aviation Supplier Becker Avionics Partners with Iris Automation : Wright testing 2 MW aviation-grade motor for transport-category zero-emissions aircraft : SITA Takes Decisive Steps To Reduce Carbon Emissions To Become A Certified Carbonneutral® Company : Technology take off for leading airline : Panasonic Avionics, ThinKom Partner to Develop Next Generation Ku-band Antenna : Raytheon Technologies : The Power of Electric Flight : HyPoint partners with Piasecki Aircraft for hydrogen fuel cell systems for eVTOLs : Amazon tells FCC that SpaceX should not be allowed to launch Starlink due to Elon Musk's flagrant rule breaking Monopoly-US airlines supporting higher goals for sustainable aviation fuel by 2030-Sources Washington (Reuters)-Major US airlines support the voluntary industry goal of 3 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel in 2030 as the White House seeks to reduce emissions in the aviation sector on Thursday. Sources told Reuters that it will be announced. In March, the industry group Airlines for America set a 2030 goal to produce and deploy 2 billion gallons of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Made from raw materials such as spent cooking oil and animal fats, SAF currently accounts for very little of the total jet fuel usage. The group declined to comment on Wednesday. According to industry and government officials, the White House’s virtual event on sustainable aviation will take place on Thursday. The goal of sustainable aviation fuel will be explained in detail at the event, sources said. A group of airlines representing United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and others are committed to working with the US government and others to rapidly expand the production and deployment of “commercially viable” SAFs. The source said. The White House aide, Ali Zydi, was asked to comment on the conference, saying, “Now, we have acted swiftly to support the innovations and infrastructure needed to move to more sustainable fuels. We need to make real progress by the end of the year. “ The White House Conference will discuss the government’s “government-wide strategy to achieve a pure zero-carbon aviation sector by 2050” with the participation of airlines, fuel providers, airports, trade unions and aircraft manufacturers. According to an invitation seen by Reuters, industry participants “share a commitment to reduce emissions in the aviation sector through improvements in aviation technology, fuel and operations.” Airlines and the Biden administration are supporting SAF’s new tax credits, which are expected to be included in the huge parliamentary spending bill that is essential to making fuel economically viable. A White House official told Reuters that the administration had pushed airlines “on sustainability and the potential to reduce emissions by 2030.” The impetus for increasing sustainable aviation fuel production is also seen by the Biden administration as a way to help provide new business to the work of the country’s refining industry and thousands of unions that depend on its success. increase. Chevron Corp said on Tuesday that it plans to create a test batch of SAF and sell it to Delta at Los Angeles International Airport. Delta has promised to replace 10% of its jet fuel with SAF by 2030. https://texasnewstoday.com/monopoly-us-airlines-supporting-higher-goals-for-sustainable-aviation-fuel-by-2030-sources/451210/ United, Honeywell Invest in New Clean Tech Venture from Alder Fuels, Powering Biggest Sustainable Fuel Agreement in Aviation History CHICAGO and DES PLAINES, Ill., Sept. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- United and Honeywell today announced a joint multimillion-dollar investment in Alder Fuels – a cleantech company that is pioneering first-of-its-kind technologies for producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) at scale by converting abundant biomass, such as forest and crop waste, into sustainable low-carbon, drop-in replacement crude oil that can be used to produce aviation fuel. When used together across the fuel lifecycle, the Alder technologies, coupled with Honeywell's Ecofining™ process, could have the ability to produce a carbon-negative fuel at spec with today's jet fuel. The goal of the technologies is to produce fuel that is a 100% drop-in replacement for petroleum jet fuel. As part of the agreement, United is committing to purchase 1.5 billion gallons of SAF from Alder when produced to United's requirements. United's purchase agreement, which is one and a half times the size of the known purchase commitments of all global airlines combined, makes this easily the largest publicly announced SAF agreement in aviation history. United's purchase agreement with Alder also surpasses the previous record set by the airline in 2015 through its investment in Fulcrum BioEnergy with its option to purchase up to 900 million gallons of SAF. "Since announcing our 100% green commitment in 2020, United has stayed focused on decarbonizing without relying on the use of traditional carbon offsets. Part of that commitment means increasing SAF usage and availability since it's the fastest way to reduce emissions across our fleet. However, to scale SAF as quickly as necessary, we need to look beyond existing solutions and invest in research and development for new pathways like the one Alder is developing," said United CEO Scott Kirby. "United has come further than any other airline making sustainable travel a reality by using SAF to power flights. Our leadership gives customers confidence that they are flying with an airline that recognizes the responsibility we have to help solve climate change." "As a pioneer of the SAF market with UOP Ecofining™ technology, our work with United and Alder on this new technology will help transform the industry and support the growth of a zero-carbon economy," said Darius Adamczyk, Honeywell chairman and chief executive officer. "This solution will not only advance United's SAF commitment but can help the aviation industry meet its commitments to decouple increases in carbon emissions from growth in passengers." According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. forestry residues and agricultural residues alone could provide enough biomass energy to generate more than 17 billion gallons of jet fuel and displace 75% of U.S. aviation fuel consumption. If the U.S. were to broadly adopt regenerative agricultural practices, which capture more carbon in healthier soil compared to traditional methods, the U.S. could generate an additional seven billion gallons of SAF, which would completely replace the U.S.'s current fossil jet fuel consumption. Alder's technology and demand for its fuel from the aviation industry create a large new market for biomass from regenerative practices. Use of this biomass further enables Alder's production process to be carbon negative over the fuel's lifecycle. "Aviation poses one of the greatest technology challenges for addressing climate change and SAF has demonstrated the greatest potential. However, there is insufficient raw material to meet demand," said Bryan Sherbacow, CEO of Alder Fuels and senior advisor to World Energy, the company that owns and operates the world's first SAF refinery. "Alder's technology revolutionizes SAF production by enabling use of widely available, low-cost and low-carbon feedstock. The industry is now a major step closer to using 100% SAF with our drop-in fuel that accelerates the global transition to a zero-carbon economy." Prior to founding Alder, Sherbacow built the world's first SAF refinery utilizing Honeywell's technology and subsequently contracted with United, enabling the airline to become the first globally to use SAF in regular operations on a continuous basis. Since then, United has purchased more SAF than any other airline and, with this agreement now, has more than 70% of the airline industry's publicly announced SAF commitments. Alder's research is supported by the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency, the DOE and a partnership with DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), focused on developing technology to process organic waste and sustainable, non-food plant material into carbon-negative transportation fuels. Honeywell innovation established the SAF market with its UOP Ecofining process, which is the first technology used to maximize SAF production for commercial aviation. Building on Honeywell's focus to create sustainable technology, Honeywell will utilize its expertise and proven process of developing sustainable fuels alongside Alder, applying proprietary hydroprocessing design to the process to jointly commercialize the technology. Commercialization is expected by 2025. This announcement is a clear example of how Honeywell's Sustainable Technology Solutions business can partner with early-stage companies and help them scale faster, access customers and advance research and development to help drive sustainability at the global level. United's joint investment in Alder is the latest by United Airlines Ventures, a venture fund launched earlier this year that focuses on startups, upcoming technologies, and sustainability concepts that will complement United's goal of net zero emissions by 2050 -- without relying on traditional carbon offsets. In 2020, United became the first airline to announce a commitment to invest in carbon capture and sequestration and has since followed with investments in electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and 19-seat electric aircraft that have the potential to fly customers up to 250 miles before the decade's end. About United United's shared purpose is "Connecting People. Uniting the World." For more information, visit united.com, follow @United on Twitter and Instagram or connect on Facebook. The common stock of UAL is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL". About United Airlines Ventures United's corporate venture capital fund, United Airlines Ventures, allows the airline to continue investing in emerging companies that have the potential to influence the future of travel. The new fund will concentrate on sustainability concepts that will complement United's goal of net zero emissions by 2050 -- without relying on traditional carbon offsets -- as well as revolutionary aerospace developments and innovative technologies that are expected to create value for customers and United's operation. For more information about United Airlines Ventures, please visit https://www.united.com/ventures. About Honeywell Honeywell (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 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 www.honeywell.com/newsroom. About Alder Fuels Alder Fuels, founded by biofuel and aviation industry entrepreneur Bryan Sherbacow, is a process technology and project development company in the low-carbon energy industry. Alder is commercializing a process to produce crude oil that is carbon negative, scalable and cost-competitive with the petroleum it replaces. Critical to rapid, world-scale deployment, the process will be compatible with the existing petroleum refining and logistics infrastructure. The company's collaboration with United Airlines and Honeywell UOP is expected to propel use of new forms of biomass to power commercial aircraft, reduce fossil fuel consumption and commercialize technologies benefiting the flying public. It builds upon a decade-old relationship among the stakeholders in pioneering commercialization of industry-leading SAF technology. For more information about Alder Fuels, visit http://www.alderfuel.com/. https://www.kpvi.com/news/national_news/united-honeywell-invest-in-new-clean-tech-venture-from-alder-fuels-powering-biggest-sustainable-fuel/article_d11f9c3b-51cc-51bb-a99e-487d0103292e.html Rusada and Exsyn Aviation Solutions sign technology partnership Global aviation software provider Rusada has opted to partner with aircraft data specialist Exsyn. Under the partnership, clients on Rusada’s MRO software, Envision, can opt to augment the capabilities of the system by adopting Exsyn’s advanced reliability analytics solution, Avilytics. The technology partnership will provide Envision clients the ability to have advanced, out-of-the-box fleet reliability reporting and analysis as well as the ability to predict component failure probability as part of predictive maintenance strategies. To ease the adoption of Avilytics for ENVISION clients, a standardized data interface, build on SPEC2000 standards, has been established by the teams at Rusada and Exsyn. Julian Stourton, CEO at Rusada, commented, “We have been following Exsyn’s work for a long time now and are big admirers of Avilytics and their approach to helping customers. With this agreement, our users can easily access Exsyn’s sophisticated reporting and analytical tools, allowing them to drive further efficiencies into their operations.” Sander de Bree, CEO of Exsyn Aviation Solutions, added, “We are very excited to be working in partnership with Rusada, one of the leaders in the industry. By partnering with them we are able to provide a seamless experience to Envision clients that seek to adopt advanced reliability analytics capabilities. The collaboration by both teams on the standardized data exchange has already shown the potentials of this partnership and we are looking forward to introducing this to Envision clients.” https://verticalmag.com/press-releases/rusada-and-exsyn-aviation-solutions-sign-technology-partnership/ Renowned Aviation Supplier Becker Avionics Partners with Iris Automation Becker Avionics, a 65-year globally-renowned aviation industry supplier that works with the top 20 Aerospace OEMs, and commercial drone safety innovator, Iris Automation, have entered into a strategic partnership to increase the situational awareness of general aviation pilots and advance uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) safety. The two companies will jointly develop a non-required safety-enhancing equipment system to detect and warn pilots of nearby, potentially threatening aircraft. The Iris Automation and Becker Avionics collision avoidance safety system will use computer vision and machine learning to “see” when another aircraft is approaching from outside the pilot’s field of view, and poses a risk to the equipped aircraft, issuing 3D audio warnings. The solution will combine Iris Automation’s patented Casia detect and alert technology with Becker Avionics’ communication and navigation equipment expertise for both crewed and uncrewed airborne applications. Many aircraft are equipped with radio-based signalling technology (ADS-B) to avoid mid-air collisions. But in some airspace, traditional ADS-B signals are not available, increasing the workload on a pilot to monitor for incoming aircraft. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 1450 near mid-air collisions were reported from 2016-2020. Eighty-two percent of mid-air collisions occur from the rear, states the AOPA Air Safety Foundation (ASF). This risk is especially acute for the $48B helicopter market, with over 38,000 aircraft in service worldwide. The Iris Automation/Becker Avionics opto-electric/audio system will monitor airspace in visual flight conditions independently, onboard the pilot’s aircraft, even if ADS-B or TCAS signals may be unavailable. It supplements pilots’ situational awareness, whether in the cockpit or remote, during instrument scans or other parts of the airspace. By providing warnings in time to take appropriate actions to avoid potential collisions, the system is designed to improve safety with minimal impact on pilot workload. Roland Becker, Chairman of Becker Avionics “Becker Avionics has provided reliable aviation equipment for 65 years, enabling regulatory compliance and aviator safety. Partnering with an innovator like Iris Automation will allow our customers to exploit advanced technology to fly safer, especially as airspace congestion increases. Client interest in this kind of solution is very high, and our ability to service both their cockpit and remote pilot safety needs is unique in the industry.” Jon Damush, CEO of Iris Automation “This relationship is a pivotal move for Iris Automation as it defines and accelerates our work in the general aviation space. Our core mission is to improve air safety by avoiding collisions and this extension of our technology is a natural evolution. We are excited to be able to work with one of the most storied brands in the industry to deliver this important innovation.” About Becker Avionics Becker Avionics is a renowned manufacturer in digital avionics technology, setting the standard in customer-oriented, state-of-the-art ground and airborne solutions. Becker’s focus is on meeting individual requirements with the highest commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, no matter what the mission. As a privately held high-tech company for 65 years, Becker Avionics has developed, manufactured and distributed the latest communication, navigation, surveillance, digital audio, and search & rescue equipment for airborne and ground applications world-wide. Becker has proudly provided world class products for General Aviation, ATC, law enforcement, military and OEM organizations including: Airbus, Airbus Helicopters, Bell Helicopter, BAE Systems (British Aerospace), ATR, CASA, RUAG, Xi’an Aircraft Corporation, HAL, Leonardo Helicopter, Pilatus Aircraft, German Armed Forces, German Border Patrol, German Federal and State Police, Austrian Army and Police, Swiss Air Force, Dutch Police, Security Civil, Irish Air Corps, Egyptian Navy, Indonesian Navy, Portuguese Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, etc. For more information visit: www.becker-avionics.com About Iris Automation Iris Automation is a safety avionics technology company pioneering on- and off-board perception systems and aviation policy services that enable customers to build scalable operations for crewed and uncrewed aircraft; unlocking the potential of countless industries. Iris’ Casia system runs either onboard the aircraft or in a ground-based configuration. We work closely with civil aviation authorities globally as they implement regulatory frameworks ensuring BVLOS is conducted safely, partnering on multiple FAA ASSURE and BEYOND UAS Integration Programs and Transport Canada’s BVLOS Technology Demonstration Program. Visit www.irisonboard.com. https://www.suasnews.com/2021/09/renowned-aviation-supplier-becker-avionics-partners-with-iris-automation/ Wright testing 2 MW aviation-grade motor for transport-category zero-emissions aircraft Wright Electric has begun testing its 2 MW (~2,700 horsepower) motor for electric and hydrogen aircraft. (Earlier post.) It’s the largest propulsive aerospace motor in existence to the company’s knowledge—about 2x larger than other propulsive motors in testing. Wright’s motor can work in 150+ passenger aircraft in a 10-motor-array format, and it can also be used in smaller 50-passenger turboprop aircraft in a two-motor-array format. Scaling electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems from general aviation to larger aircraft applications requires much more powerful and lighter weight altitude-capable electric motor technology, Wright said. The purpose of the motor is to convert the DC power from batteries or fuel cells into propulsive thrust that is compatible with industry standard ducted fan and propeller systems for commercial aircraft. The level of power and weight demonstrated with the new 2 MW motor will become the baseline for any new electric aircraft and is a key technology in Wright’s megawatt system. The motor is being designed to be scalable from 500 kw to 4 MW systems. The Wright motor targets the following levels of performance: 2 MW of propulsive power 10 kW/kg specific power—a 2x improvement compared to available aircraft propulsion motors. This allows application of the motor up to the single-aisle class aircraft to enable electric and hybrid-electric flight with little to no emissions. Wright will use 10 2MW motors on its Wright 1 aircraft; the 20 MW system will be as powerful as an A320 Airbus aircraft that major airlines operate today. A two-motor system could power a 50-seat aircraft such as the ATR-42. Wright says that its motors on an A320-sized plane will enable 10 more passengers per flight than a plane using other industry motors. Key technologies enabling this level of performance include: High performance thermal system. Operation at higher voltage than normal for aerospace. Insulation system that permits the higher voltage. High performance inverter that enables operation at high frequency with low loss. (In May, Wright announced it had begun testing its high efficiency inverter. Earlier post.) The motor will now proceed to the next phase of development including integration with an in-house developed highly efficient inverter, high altitude chamber testing, and qualification for flight readiness. https://www.greencarcongress.com/2021/09/20210908-wright.html SITA Takes Decisive Steps To Reduce Carbon Emissions To Become A Certified Carbonneutral® Company GENEVA, Sept. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, SITA, the world's leading IT provider for the air transport industry, announced it has achieved CarbonNeutral® company certification. This major milestone – realized a full year ahead of SITA's original target of 2022 – resulted from decisive actions to significantly reduce emissions associated with its business operations in 2020. SITA has reduced its overall emissions of greenhouse gases by 48% between 2019 and 2020. SITA's UN recognized carbon neutrality Planet+ program has been key to lowering the company's emissions with initiatives designed to create sustainable and energy-efficient workplaces and reduce internal business travel. SITA also compensates 100% of any carbon emissions that it has been unable to reduce or eliminate by financing projects that help cut and negate existing and future carbon emissions while supporting multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These offsetting projects include supporting reforestation and protecting biodiversity. SITA's journey to achieving carbon neutrality and formal accreditation has involved working with several independent expert environmental bodies. To develop a credible carbon neutral program, the organization has followed The CarbonNeutral Protocol's rigorous framework, which is managed by Natural Capital Partners, the leading experts on carbon neutrality and climate finance. Working with independent emissions assessor RSK Group, a comprehensive review of emissions relating to operations and business travel was undertaken to calculate SITA's carbon footprint. In 2020, this was extended to include many more indirect emissions generated from activities such as homeworking, which was commonplace for SITA employees during the pandemic. The decrease in SITA's carbon footprint reflects its actions since 2018 to reduce, eliminate and offset its emissions to achieve certification. Following the organization's carbon neutrality achievement, the company is firmly committed to further decrease emissions and achieve its challenging reduction targets for the years to come. In parallel, SITA is turning its attention to developing new technology to help its customers and the wider aviation industry reduce its carbon footprint. This work is predominately focused on streamlining aircraft operations and reducing fuel burn, with a clear and measurable reduction in carbon emissions. The company's recent acquisition of Safety Line was designed to strengthen the organization's portfolio to help drive greater operational efficiencies around fuel consumption and limiting aircraft CO2 emissions at key flight stages. Barbara Dalibard, CEO of SITA, said: "We are delighted to have achieved our carbon neutral goal as part of our ongoing sustainability journey. I want to thank our employees who have been critical in reaching this ambitious milestone, one year ahead of our original deadline. Being a trusted partner to the air transport industry, we are firmly committed to helping aviation reduce its emissions and achieve its carbon reduction objectives." About SITA SITA is the air transport industry's IT provider, delivering solutions for airlines, airports, aircraft and governments. Our technology powers more seamless, safe and sustainable air travel. With around 2,500 customers, SITA's solutions drive operational efficiencies at more than 1,000 airports while delivering the promise of the connected aircraft to customers of 18,000 aircraft globally. SITA also provides technology solutions that help more than 70 governments strike the balance of secure borders and seamless travel. Our communications network connects every corner of the globe and bridges 60% of the air transport community's data exchange. SITA is a certified CarbonNeutral® company in accordance with The CarbonNeutral Protocol - the leading global standard for carbon neutral programs. We are reducing our greenhouse gas emissions for all our operations through our UN recognized Planet+ program, while also developing solutions to help the aviation industry meet its carbon reduction objectives, including reduced fuel burn and greater operational efficiencies at the airport. SITA is 100% owned by the industry and driven by its needs. It is one of the most internationally diverse companies, providing services in over 200 countries and territories. For further information, go to www.sita.aero https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sita-takes-decisive-steps-to-reduce-carbon-emissions-to-become-a-certified-carbonneutral-company-301371660.html Technology take off for leading airline Emirates has tapped on its partnership with the UAE’s Aviation X-lab innovation incubator programme to pilot robot cleaning trials. These are currently in use at its signature lounges at Dubai airport. The robots use special technology to eliminate most viruses and, according to a spokesman for the airline, “ensure a healthier environment.” The spokesman said, “All our bio-safety protocols are continually reviewed and updated in line with the latest medical guidance.” Some of the efforts the airline has made to respond to the ongoing health pandemic were outlined at a press conference in Brussels by Emirates Belux country manager, Jean-Pierre Martin. In addition to being one of the first airlines to roll-out PPEs (personal protection equipment) for its frontline employees back in February 2020, when COVID-19 vaccines became available, the company has also implemented a campaign to encourage employees to protect themselves and others. This has resulted in over 95% of all employees being fully vaccinated. The airline has also been a forerunner in adopting digital verification solutions for travel, from adopting the IATA Travel Pass to partnering with the UAE health authorities to enable seamless digital checks for COVID-19 travel documentation. These projects deliver multiple benefits from better customer experiences to the reduced use of paper, and improved efficiency and reliability in travel document checks. Emirates was one of the first airlines to sign up for IATA’s Travel Pass in April and currently offers this convenience to customers fly between Dubai and 10 cities, with plans to expand the service across its network as IATA continues to expand and secure service providers in more markets. By October, the airline would have extended the implementation of IATA Travel Pass for customers at all of its destinations. The spokesman added, “Throughout the past year, Emirates has worked closely with the authorities and its aviation partners to ensure the health and safety all travellers and employees at the airport, even as health protocols continually evolved across the world.” “Even before the World Health Organisation officially declared COVID-19 a pandemic,we had already implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols at all our customer touchpoints at the airport and onboard. At the airport, we have installed protective shields at all check-in counters and implemented physical distancing in all areas.” He said that teams on the ground collect and verify the latest entry requirements for each destination. The company’s COVID-19 info hub is also updated at least once daily, adding, “this has become one of the top authoritative sources of information for travellers.” The company is also utilizing technology in other areas. In 2019, the company began testing and implementing biometric technology at various customer journey touchpoints at the airport. In the past year, the airline fast-tracked its biometric technology roll-out and today, it has over 30 biometric cameras in active operation at its Dubai airport hub, including at check-in counters, at the entrances of its First and Business Class lounges, and select boarding gates. Since implementation, over 58,000 customers have used this convenient, contactless and secure verification option to access its lounge, and more than 380,000 customers have used biometric gates to board their flight. Its new self-service check-in and bag drop kiosks have seen increasing usage since its introduction in September 2020. In July and August alone, over 568,000 customers used this service which enabled them to skip queuing at the counter. The company has also introduced new technology to make it easier for customers to report delayed or damaged bags. Over the summer travel months of July and August,the airline handled nearly 1.2 million customers at its hub, compared to 402,000 customers during the same period in 2020, highlighting the safe and smooth resumption of international travel to and through Dubai. In fact, in 2020, it was the largest international airline carrying over 15.8 million passengers, according to IATA’s latest World Air Transport Statistics 2021. Since Dubai re-opened to international visitors, Emirates has gradually restored its network and flight schedules from just a handful of cities in July 2020 to over 120 destinations today, with more flights to be layered onto more than 20 Emirates routes by October. https://www.eureporter.co/business/aviationairlines/2021/09/09/technology-take-off-for-leading-airline/ Panasonic Avionics, ThinKom Partner to Develop Next Generation Ku-band Antenna Panasonic Avionics has established a new partnership with ThinKom Solutions, Inc. to develop a new, next-generation Ku-band in-flight connectivity (IFC) antenna, the two companies announced Sept. 7 Under the new partnership, the two connectivity suppliers will develop a next-generation version of ThinKom's existing Variable Inclination Continuous Transverse Sub (VICTS) antenna that will include "support for both LEO (low earth orbit) and GEO (geostationary orbit) satellite networks," according to Panasonic. The antenna will be available for line-fit and retrofit installations, the two companies said. "Our new antenna offering with ThinKom is an integral part of our network and will allow airlines to access both current and future satellite constellations," Jeff Sare, Vice President of IFC Solutions at Panasonic Avionics, said in a statement. Panasonic's ThinKom antenna development partnership comes following a series of recent in-flight entertainment and connectivity-related milestone achievements for the company. These include the launch of a new flat-rate IFC business model for airlines last week, and the entry into service of the first Cathay Pacific operated full cabin 4K IFE screens on a new fleet of Airbus A321neos. On a recent China Eastern Airlines flight MU5105, passengers saw average speeds up to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) to the aircraft, with peak speeds reaching 200 Mbps. ThinKom's VICTS technology is the antenna enabler for Intelsat's—formerly Gogo—commercial aviation IFC system. VICTS is "comprised of layers of lightweight discs rotating around a single axis to steer the beam and control polarization," according to ThinKom's website. Both companies will begin the partnership with a significant number of airlines already using their IFC technologies, as Panasonic Avionics now counts 2,300 aircraft connected to its satellite network. “This agreement with Panasonic Avionics is an important validation of our VICTS phased array antennas, which are designed to seamlessly roam on both LEO and GEO networks, delivering unparalleled flexibility and resiliency to ensure the highest level of bandwidth services and availability to airline customers,” stated Mark Silk, President of ThinKom Solutions, Inc. “The combination of our VICTS technology and Panasonic Avionics’ experience and commitment to in-flight entertainment and connectivity provides an extremely compelling value proposition to commercial airlines, both today and in the future.” https://www.aviationtoday.com/2021/09/08/panasonic-avionics-thinkom-partner-develop-next-generation-ku-band-antenna/ Raytheon Technologies : The Power of Electric Flight The aviation industry is working diligently to cut carbon emissions and several promising new technologies are poised to help achieve that goal. Sustainable aviation fuels are on the market today and already making an impact, but while they are a key piece of the puzzle, they can only do so much. Recent studies have shown sustainable aviation fuels have the potential to reduce climate impact by 30 to 60% if produced with CO2 captured from the air. Aviation creates approximately 1 billion tons of CO2 per year, projected to go to 3 billion by 2050 if no action taken. All-electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft could one day bring order-of-magnitude improvements, but these technologies still require decades of research and development. Yet in between these current and future states lies another promising path that includes system electrification and hybrid-electric propulsion. And the Power & Controls team at Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies business, is squarely focused on leveraging these technologies to create a more sustainable future for aviation-and for everyone. More Electric Systems By replacing traditional hydraulic and pneumatic systems with electric systems, aircraft can reduce the engine bleed air required to power these systems and use approximately 3% less fuel. That's why a big part of our focus right now is on developing these 'more electric' systems. Collins already has significant experience in the development of these systems and manufactures the only bleed-less electric environmental control system in service today for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Providing an environmental control system that uses outside air instead of engine bleed air supports the 787 in significantly reducing fuel burn and therefore carbon emissions. 'As aircraft electrification continues, we are exploring ways to convert more of the products across the Collins portfolio to electric power,' said Henry Brooks, president, Power & Controls for Collins. 'From actuation systems to fuel and oil pumps, we see broad opportunities to make the switch from hydraulic or pneumatic to electric power and enable reduced emissions for future aircraft.' Hybrid-Electric Propulsion Hybrid-electric propulsion systems, which combine fuel-burning engines with electric motors and batteries, have the potential to reduce aviation's environmental impact even more. These systems can significantly improve aircraft fuel efficiency and lower carbon dioxide emissions, while also reducing noise and operating costs. It is estimated that large commercial and regional aircraft can reduce fuel burn by approximately 5% and 30%, respectively, when implementing hybrid-electric propulsion architectures. With electric motor and battery system technologies advancing rapidly, experts believe a 50-passenger, hybrid-electric aircraft with a range of 500 nautical miles could be certified in the next 10 years. The benefits of electrification aren't limited to commercial aircraft either. Collins provides key electric power systems for the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lighting II, the most electric combat plane flying, and continues to invest in technologies that will improve power density and machine efficiency to support future combat missions. Added Brooks: 'Next-generation military aircraft will require increased power and operational capabilities to perform their missions, and we're extending the work we're doing with electrification to more and more defense applications.' Powerful Partnerships Recently, Collins' sister business Pratt & Whitney Canada announced plans to integrate new hybrid-electric propulsion technology into a De Havilland Canada Dash 8-100 flight demonstrator. Pratt's fuel-burning engine will be combined with an advanced electric motor from Collins in a hybrid configuration that will optimize engine performance throughout the different phases of flight and demonstrate potential fuel savings of around 30 percent. Collins has also teamed up with U.K.-based Hybrid Air Vehicles and researchers at the University of Nottingham on the world's first zero-emission aircraft, Airlander 10. To achieve zero-emission operation, Airlander 10's four fuel-burning engines will be replaced by 500 kilowatt electric motors provided by Collins. This will happen in a phased approach, beginning with the two forward engines in 2025 to achieve hybrid-electric operation, and the two rear engines in 2030 for zero emissions. In addition, Collins is working with NASA and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) on a one-megawatt electric motor that could help propel future, more environmentally friendly and economically sustainable aircraft. The motor was tested in a lab at Collins' Electric Power Systems center of excellence in Rockford, Illinois in spring 2021. According to NASA, the motor '…is operating at a power level with a power density and efficiency better than any motor that we are aware of…This is a major achievement and a significant step towards the realization of hybrid-electric propulsion for large transport aircraft.' Taken together, Brooks believes these three programs signal a bright future for Collins' sustainable electric flight objectives. 'Our work on the Pratt demonstrator, Airlander 10 aircraft and NASA/UIUC programs offer significant opportunities to advance hybrid-electric technologies critical to sustainable aviation,' Brooks said. 'Our electric motors are integral to the reduced greenhouse gas emissions these initiatives have targeted, and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners to break new ground in sustainable aviation.' https://www.marketscreener.com/quote/stock/RAYTHEON-TECHNOLOGIES-COR-4840/news/Raytheon-Technologies-The-Power-of-Electric-Flight-36376156/ HyPoint partners with Piasecki Aircraft for hydrogen fuel cell systems for eVTOLs MENLO PARK, Calif., - HyPoint announced that it has entered into a multi-phase collaborative development agreement with Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC), a pioneer in advanced rotorcraft and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) platforms and technologies, for the development and certification of hydrogen fuel cell systems for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle applications. The partnership’s objective is to deliver a customizable FAA-certified, zero carbon-emission hydrogen fuel cell system to the global eVTOL marketplace that offers eVTOL makers four times the energy density of existing lithium-ion batteries; twice the specific power of existing hydrogen fuel cell systems; and up to a 50% reduction in direct operating costs relative to turbine-powered rotorcraft. The initial $6.5 million agreement will culminate in the development of five 650kW hydrogen fuel cell systems for use in Piasecki’s eVTOL PA-890 Compound Helicopter, which is expected to be the world’s first manned hydrogen-powered helicopter. Piasecki will gain exclusive license to the technology created as part of the partnership; HyPoint will maintain ownership of its underlying hydrogen fuel cell technology. Piasecki and HyPoint intend to make the new system available to eVTOL makers by customizing it for use in their vehicles. Alternatively, eVTOL makers may choose to partner with HyPoint to develop a new system based on their specific needs. HyPoint's approach utilizes compressed air for both cooling and oxygen supply to deliver a hydrogen fuel cell system that radically outperforms existing battery and hydrogen fuel cell alternatives. Testing has shown that HyPoint's fuel cell system will be able to achieve up to 2,000 watts per kilogram of specific power, which is more than triple the power-to-weight ratio of traditional (liquid-cooled) hydrogen fuel cells systems. It will also boast up to 1,500 watt-hours per kilogram of energy density, enabling longer-distance journeys. In December 2020, HyPoint was named a winner of NASA's iTech Initiative, in which breakthrough technologies were ranked based on criteria that included technical viability, benefits to humanity, and commercialization potential. HyPoint's aviation applications — including eVTOL, UAS, personal air vehicles, and electric aircraft — were considered to be especially innovative. The global eVTOL market size is forecasted to grow from an estimated $74 million in 2025 to $860 million by 2030, according to new market research. In the first few months of 2021 alone, $5 billion of investments were announced in the sector to Archer Aviation, Eve, Joby Aviation, Lilium and Vertical Aerospace. January 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it was engaged with manufacturers of more than 15 eVTOL aircraft. EHang, Volocopter, Joby Aviation, and Lilium are among those who have signaled their intent to launch commercial passenger operations within the next three to five years. Other players include major aircraft companies such as Airbus and Boeing. The global hydrogen aircraft market is anticipated to grow from an estimated $27 billion in 2030 to $174 billion by 2040, according to Allied Market Research. Piasecki is currently working with the FAA to outline certification criteria, as well as with the United States Air Force, by way of its AFWERX STTR/SBIR program, which is co-investing in the development of advanced hydrogen-powered aeronautical technology. https://www.intelligent-aerospace.com/home/article/14209910/hypoint-partners-with-piasecki-aircraft-for-hydrogen-fuel-cell-systems-for-evtols Amazon tells FCC that SpaceX should not be allowed to launch Starlink due to Elon Musk's flagrant rule breaking Amazon has written to the Federal Communications Commission claiming that it should block SpaceX's latest Starlink plans, given CEO Elon Musk's history of breaking rules. The ecommerce and cloud giant hopes to launch a rival to the satellite Internet service Starlink, with its own 3,236-satellite service Kuiper currently under development. "Try to hold a Musk-led company to flight rules? You’re 'fundamentally broken.' Try to hold a Musk-led company to health and safety rules? You’re 'unelected & ignorant.' Try to hold a Musk-led company to US securities laws? You’ll be called many names, some too crude to repeat," the letter to the FCC opens. Signed by Kuiper Systems' lead council Andrew Keisner, the letter continues: "Whether it is launching satellites with unlicensed antennas, launching rockets without approval, building an unapproved launch tower, or re-opening a factory in violation of a shelter-in-place order, the conduct of SpaceX and other Musk-led companies makes their view plain: rules are for other people, and those who insist upon or even simply request compliance are deserving of derision and ad hominem attacks." The lawyer claims that SpaceX's FCC submission for approval for a second-generation constellation of 30,000-satellites was improper under the FCC’s rules, because it described two separate constellations instead of one, as the Commission’s rules require. The company called for SpaceX to resubmit the proposal, but for one constellation. "Instead, SpaceX chose a more complicated path—one that involves misinformation, ad hominem attacks, and a belief that it can influence regulators via social media. This path will take longer and inconvenience many, but is sure to lead to the same place. The approach comes from a playbook familiar to any regulator faced with the unfortunate task of evenhandedly applying its rules to SpaceX: concede nothing, ignore rules wherever possible, and when all else fails, malign those that invoke them." After Amazon first tried to block the application, SpaceX and Tesla CEO tweeted: "Turns out Besos [sic] retired in order to pursue a full-time job filing lawsuits against SpaceX..." Last week, in its own filing with the FCC, SpaceX accused Amazon of seeking to delay SpaceX's plan, saying it was "only the latest in its continuing efforts to slow down competition." SpaceX added: "While SpaceX has proceeded to deploy more than 1,700 satellites, Amazon has yet to even attempt to address the radiofrequency interference and orbital debris issues that must be resolved before Amazon can deploy its constellation." Amazon hit back at the allegation it was simply trying to delay SpaceX: "Shopworn from overuse, this claim becomes less convincing each time SpaceX makes it." https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/amazon-tells-fcc-that-spacex-should-not-be-allowed-to-launch-starlink-due-to-elon-musks-flagrant-rule-breaking/ Curt Lewis