You are receiving this message because you have visited our site and requested to be contacted. If you no longer wish to be contacted, please use the removal link:Â REMOVE. | | | | Revolutionize Your Global Banking with SouthBanking! | | Discover the power of SouthBanking's innovative platform. Manage multi-currency accounts, digital tokens, and seamless international transactions with ease. Enjoy secure, efficient, and accessible global banking tailored to meet your needs. Whether for personal or business use, SouthBanking simplifies your financial operations and puts you in control. | | | | | Vertical Aerospace Seeks New EPU Partner After Split with Rolls-Royce | | | | Vertical Aerospace Moves Forward After Split from Rolls-Royce Vertical Aerospace has announced a split from Rolls-Royce regarding the electric propulsion unit (EPU) development for its eVTOL aircraft, the VX4. This decision, reached by mutual agreement, will see Rolls-Royce pay an undisclosed cash sum to Vertical Aerospace to cover costs related to securing a new EPU design contract.
The Rolls-Royce EPU, originally expected to be delivered this year, will no longer be part of the project following Rolls-Royce's decision to divest its electrical division, which specializes in electric propulsion for advanced air mobility. Vertical Aerospace, however, remains confident that this shift will not affect the prototype or certification timelines for its VX4 aircraft.
Vertical Aerospace’s Progress Remains Unaffected Vertical Aerospace has already engaged with other potential EPU suppliers, ensuring minimal disruption to its development schedule. The company is currently finalizing a new prototype, with final assembly nearing completion. This prototype is on track to begin its test program and public demonstrations later this year. It will incorporate more advanced propellers using proprietary battery technology, aligning closely with the design intended for certification.
Certifications and Flight Tests on Track The company is preparing to receive a permit from the UK civil aviation regulator to conduct flight tests in the coming weeks. Despite recent setbacks, including a crash of the initial VX4 prototype, Vertical Aerospace is maintaining its target of securing certification by the end of 2026. The accident last August, which involved a remotely piloted test flight, led to a blade separation from one of the EPUs, resulting in a loss of thrust and a crash. The new prototype will feature EPUs from a different, undisclosed supplier.
Vertical Aerospace Maintains Strong Financial Position Despite these challenges, Vertical Aerospace is optimistic about the future. The company reported an operating loss of ÂŁ20 million ($22 million) for the first quarter of the year, which is in line with losses from the same period in the previous year. The company ended the quarter with ÂŁ49 million in cash, including a ÂŁ19.5 million contribution from its founder, which will be used to create a second VX4 prototype.
Rolls-Royce Exits as Investor As part of the separation agreement, Rolls-Royce will return the shares it had acquired in Vertical Aerospace when it invested in the company in 2021. This marks a significant shift in the collaboration between the two companies. | | | | De Havilland Considers Dash 8 Reboot Amid Market Shakeup | | | | De Havilland Explores Potential Dash 8 Revival De Havilland Canada is weighing the possibility of reintroducing an updated version of the Dash 8 turboprop by 2025, a move that could disrupt the current market dominance held by ATR. The company, headquartered in Calgary, recently shared its plans during the Farnborough Airshow, signaling that it is evaluating the feasibility of this potential reboot.
In addition, De Havilland revealed that another major project, the DHC-6 Twin Otter 300-G, is on track for certification later this year. Over the past year, the company has engaged with customers to gather feedback on various aspects of the Dash 8, including its size, seating configuration, propulsion, and efficiency. De Havilland executives have expressed optimism that a new Dash 8 model could be brought to market by the end of the decade.
Opportunity for Dash 8 Revitalization Despite ceasing production of the Dash 8-400 in 2022 due to reduced demand during the COVID-19 pandemic, De Havilland retains a substantial fleet of Dash 8 aircraft, with nearly 800 still in service. The company views this as an opportunity to explore replacement options for operators seeking to upgrade their fleets. De Havilland is keen to identify the specific needs of operators and determine how a new Dash 8 could fit into these plans.
Although De Havilland shows little interest in developing a completely new turboprop from scratch, executives believe that an updated Dash 8 could gain traction in the market. The company has yet to reveal specific technical details but has indicated interest in producing aircraft roughly the size of the Dash 8-300 or Dash 8-400.
Expanding Production Facilities for Future Models De Havilland’s new production facility, De Havilland Field, is under construction near Calgary and will eventually house the production of Dash 8 aircraft if the line is restarted. In the meantime, the company has also launched a refurbishment program for existing Dash 8 aircraft. This initiative involves acquiring and upgrading used Dash 8s, performing necessary maintenance, addressing service bulletins, extending the aircraft’s service life, and installing avionics upgrades.
As part of this program, De Havilland has already refurbished 28 Dash 8s, with 21 now in the hands of customers. The refurbishment program is designed to keep these aircraft flying well beyond the end of this decade, providing a bridge to a possible Dash 8 reboot.
Orders for Refurbished Dash 8 Aircraft Surge At the Farnborough Airshow, De Havilland announced several new orders for refurbished Dash 8-400s. Customers include Wideroe of Norway, Skyward Express of Kenya, ANA Holdings, and the Tanzania Government Flight Agency, all of which have placed orders for the refurbished aircraft. | | | | | | | | | | Aerion’s Supersonic Jet Dreams End Abruptly | | | | Aerion Halts Supersonic Jet Project Aerion, the supersonic business jet developer, has unexpectedly ceased operations after struggling to secure the necessary funding to bring its AS2 aircraft to market. Despite having attracted $11.2 billion in orders, including commitments from high-profile customers like NetJets and Flexjet, the company was unable to close the substantial capital gap required to finalize the AS2's transition into production.
Aerion, founded in 2003, had high hopes for its AS2 supersonic jet, designed to carry 10 passengers over a range of 4,200 nautical miles. The aircraft was expected to enter service in 2026, but the company’s failure to secure sufficient funding led to its shutdown. The demise of Aerion leaves two remaining start-ups, Boom and Spike Aerospace, as the sole contenders in the supersonic aircraft space.
Challenges and Market Reactions Although the company had garnered support from industry giants like Boeing and GE Aviation, Aerion was ultimately unable to navigate the challenges of such a high-capital project. Lockheed Martin had initially backed the venture but withdrew once Boeing entered the picture. Despite these setbacks, Aerion secured some of the biggest names in aviation as suppliers, including BAE Systems, Collins, and Honeywell.
The closure of Aerion marks a significant blow to the supersonic jet industry, though other projects such as Boom's Overture and Spike’s S-512 continue to move forward.
Aerion’s Uncertain Future for Supersonic Flight While Aerion’s closure is seen as unfortunate, it highlights the immense financial challenges associated with developing supersonic aircraft. Spike Aerospace, a competitor, expressed disappointment over the news, acknowledging the significant resources and capital required for such ambitious projects. | | | | Honda Aircraft Preps Greensboro Facility for Echelon Jet Production | | | | Honda Aircraft is accelerating the development of its new light business jet, the Echelon, at its headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina. The aircraft is designed to outshine competitors in the light jet category, boasting a range of 2,625 nautical miles, and is expected to attract interest from charter operators.
Transforming the Greensboro Campus Significant renovations are underway at Honda Aircraft’s manufacturing site at Piedmont Triad International Airport. Workers have cleared space to make room for the new Echelon assembly line, which will occupy the same facility that currently houses the production of the HA-420 HondaJet. Honda Aircraft plans to integrate production of the Echelon alongside its established HondaJet operations.
Massive Infrastructure Overhaul Steel test stands have been installed across the campus to conduct system and structural tests for the Echelon. Honda Aircraft is also collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the aircraft’s certification process. Testing is scheduled to begin in 2026, with certification aimed for late 2028.
Echelon’s Impressive Specifications The Echelon will be a more expansive version of the HondaJet, offering space for 10 passengers and a longer wingspan. With a maximum cruise speed of 450 knots and a service ceiling of 47,000 feet, it will have a range capable of transcontinental U.S. flights. Notably, its 2,625 nautical-mile range is a standout in the light-jet category.
Strategic Sales Outlook Honda Aircraft’s marketing efforts are focused on capturing orders from fleet operators and charter services. The Echelon is expected to compete with larger aircraft in the fleet operator segment, with projections indicating strong demand, particularly in markets such as the U.S., Middle East, Southeast Asia, and China.
Design and Manufacturing Challenges In a shift from the HA-420, the Echelon will feature a new carbonfibre fuselage produced by Spirit AeroSystems, and the jet will be powered by Williams International's FJ44-4C turbofan engines. These modifications come with logistical challenges, particularly regarding Spirit’s manufacturing locations, but Honda Aircraft remains confident in its suppliers’ ability to meet production schedules.
Facing Competition in the Market The Echelon will go head-to-head with competitors like the Cessna Citation CJ3 and Pilatus PC-24. Despite similarities, the Echelon’s advanced fuel efficiency, resulting from its lightweight fuselage and over-wing engine design, will give it a competitive edge.
Certification Challenges and Timeline Honda Aircraft aims to secure FAA certification as an amended type certificate for the Echelon, making it eligible for single-pilot operations. The company is working closely with the FAA to ensure the process runs smoothly, drawing from past experiences with the HondaJet to expedite certification.
Testing and Validation Efforts Honda Aircraft has invested heavily in new testing facilities to validate the Echelon’s systems. The integration test facility will simulate various systems and flight conditions to ensure the aircraft’s components function seamlessly together, leading to a smoother flight-test program. | | | | Qatar Airways Expands 777-9 Fleet Order | | | | Qatar Airways has significantly increased its commitment to the Boeing 777-9, now ordering an additional 20 aircraft, bringing its total to 94. This expansion comes as part of the airline’s strategic plan to maintain its position at the forefront of global air travel.
A Growing 777X Fleet The Doha-based airline now holds an impressive 60 777-9s and 34 777-8F freighters, cementing its position as a major player in the global aviation market. These aircraft will be powered by GE Aerospace’s advanced GE9X engines, which are known for their efficiency and power.
Qatar Airways’ Competitive Edge As one of the youngest fleets in the industry, Qatar Airways continues to prioritize cutting-edge technology and superior passenger experience. The airline’s commitment to maintaining a world-class fleet positions it as a leader in both passenger and freight transport.
Confirmed Orders, Future Deliveries While Boeing has confirmed the additional 20 777-9 orders, delivery dates have yet to be announced. The new order brings Qatar Airways’ total commitment to Boeing’s 777X series to 94 aircraft, underscoring its continued confidence in the platform’s performance and capabilities. |
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