Scoot trials pre-departure testing: Two new digital initiatives being trialled by Scoot will offer customers a one-stop solution for COVID-19 pre-departure tests (PDTs) and a more seamless process when verifying their test results. From 17 March 2021, a complimentary online portal will allow customers departing on flights from Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong to book PDT appointments with recognised and accredited partner clinics, make payment for the tests, and receive results in digital form within 36 hours. The portal may be accessed via the Scoot website or mobile app during and after booking their flights, as well as via email reminders from Scoot, and is created and managed by Collinson, a global leader in the provision of traveller experiences, including medical assistance, to travellers. PDT results obtained through the portal bear QR codes that can be authenticated digitally, streamlining verification and strengthening the integrity of the process. To this end, Scoot is trialling a digital verification solution from Affinidi, a Temasek-founded technology company, at check-in for selected flights from Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. By scanning the QR code with a secure app, check-in agents are able to quickly and reliably determine the authenticity of digital or printed COVID-19 test results bearing a verifiable QR code, issued by selected clinics. This will in turn shorten the time required for customers to complete the check-in process, thereby improving their travel experience.
Air New Zealand says Saudi turbine deal in the clear: Air New Zealand said it has received confirmation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade that permits were not required for exporting the specific type of engines (GE LM2500) the business was repairing for the Royal Saudi Navy. Air New Zealand Chairman Therese Walsh says this aligns with advice the airline received from the QC appointed to review the licensing requirements for the engines. “The legal advice we received from Mike Heron QC is that the export of the two engines to Germany for the Royal Saudi Navy did not require an export permit under the Customs Act, nor did it require a notification to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The advice is that new notification requirements introduced in late 2020 do not apply to contracts entered into before September 2020 (when the notification requirement was expanded for certain military related exports). The contract for this Royal Saudi Navy work was in May 2019.” The independent external review being carried out by PwC on Air New Zealand’s Gas Turbines business is almost finalised, with a report to the board expected at the end of this month.
AJW Group, MENA Aerospace join forces: AJW Group has entered into a regional partnership agreement with Bahrain-owned aviation service provider, MENA Aerospace to offer enhanced aircraft part support, component MRO and logistical support to fixed and rotary wing aircraft operating in the Middle East. The strategic partnership is positioned to provide integrated product solutions and services to customers all around the Middle Eastern region with customers benefitting from: access to AJW’s extensive global inventory of more than 450,000-line items valued at US$500 million; streamlined repair and overhaul services with AJWs tailored repair programmes and in-house at AJW Technique, the group’s state-of-the-art, industry-leading MRO facility based in Montreal; logistical support throughout the Middle Eastern region; state-of-the-art facilities located at Bahrain International Airport.
EHang says it has signed deal with Giancarlo Zema Design Group: Chinese urban air mobility company EHang said it has signed a deal with Italian architecture firm Giancarlo Zema Design Group (GZDG) to extend its air mobility solutions in the EU. With EHang’s passenger-grade AAV technologies and air mobility solutions, GZDG has designed and will build an eco-sustainable vertiport in Italy. The vertiport will use green design and construction materials, and can generate energy to recharge the EH216 passenger-grade vehicles. Vertiports will play a significant role in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market and the new era of flight. When integrated into the existing transportation infrastructure, vertiports can serve as aerial hubs for tourists. Inspired by the native African tree Baobab, GZDG came up with the natural Baobab design: a 30-meter-high tower, with a steel and laminated wood structure, a waiting room, a café, a 200-square-meter panoramic restaurant and connecting lift. The take off-and-landing platform will be set on the roof terrace. The vertiport is built with non-slip photovoltaic panels that can generate over 300 KW of electric power per day. The platform will have fully independent plug-and-play charging infrastructures that can be used to recharge EHang’s AAVs.
Tisdall Aviation Group acquires ALSIM simulator: Australia’s Tisdall Aviation Group has acquired two AL250 simulators. The AL250 simulator addresses initial phase training needs (PPL, CPL, IR/ME) and is SEP/MEP re-configurable simulator certified as an EASA FNPT II. In addition, it offers both classic and glass cockpit instrumentation for each flight model at the simple flick of a switch. This device has been extremely well received since its creation and more than 65 of these have already been installed and are in successful operation worldwide. “After an extensive review of current technologies, the Tisdall Aviation Group has chosen the Alsim AL250 platform due to its unique multi-role capability, and our long experience with its AL200 forebear which demonstrated unparalleled reliability and student appeal. The high-fidelity visual experience and ergonomic design of the AL250s makes them a natural choice for our leading-edge pilot training schools at Flight One Academy on Brisbane’s Archerfield airport and Australian Wings Academy at the Gold Coast,” said Lucas Tisdall, CEO of Tisdall.
CHC Partners with Shell and Leonardo Helicopters: CHC Group said it has partnered with Shell Brasil and Leonardo Helicopters to launch the first global implementation of Leonardo’s Enhanced Helicopter Terrain Awareness and Warning System (H-TAWS) on the CHC AW139 fleet operating in Campos, Brasil for Shell. H-TAWS software and equipment computes in real-time the precise three-dimensional position and velocity of the aircraft in relation to accurate databases of the terrain height and hazardous-obstacle locations. The system allows the pilot to execute immediate changes to the flight trajectory to prevent controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) events in inherently hazardous flight situations. Gian Piero Cutillo, Leonardo Helicopters’ managing director, said, “we’re excited to mark the introduction of the advanced H-TAWS technology with CHC and Shell. Leonardo is the first OEM offering this new safety enhancement on our AW139 and AW189. This is an essential advancement and enabler for safer flight operations which will greatly benefit the global rotorcraft community. Our continued commitment to safety enhancements of operations is, and will remain, a prime commitment of Leonardo. This effort invested from the outset and the development of this cutting-edge H-TAWS function confirms and marks the Company’s commitment to investing in safety as an integral part of the capabilities our products must deliver for our customers.”
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