AAV News in Brief 02 March 2025

ZeroAvia sells first standalone electric propulsion system: ZeroAvia announced that it agreed a deal for the first sale of its 600kW electric propulsion system (EPS) to Jetcruzer International for electric flight testing to hone the design of its Jetcruzer 500E. Delivery of the development unit EPS is expected this spring. ZeroAvia has secured well in excess of 2,000 pre-orders for its full hydrogen-electric powertrains from commercial airlines and last year the company launched a component offering to serve the market for novel electric air transport applications. ZeroAvia’s 600kW EPS has just received an FAA G-1 issue paper outlining the basis of certification. The system comprises the company’s proprietary inverter and electric motor technology to deliver a highly efficient electric engine with exceptional fault tolerance and specific power. The 600kW EPS system comprises four ZeroAvia 200kW continuous power bidirectional inverters converting DC power to AC to supply ZeroAvia’s direct drive motor, capable of 2,200 rpm.   ZeroAvia has opened a 136k sq ft Propulsion Center of Excellence in Everett, WA to produce the electric propulsion systems for its own full hydrogen-electric powertrains and for aircraft OEMs like Jetcruzer. PWI intros PMA-approved LED cabin lighting for Beechjet/Hawker 400 and 400A: Hawker/Beechjet 400 and 400A light business jets now have a PMA-approved LED cabin lighting option. Replacing aging fluorescent lights with new LEDs, creates an updated cabin experience and eliminates ongoing lighting maintenance. Four new LED cabin lighting system part numbers are included in this PMA Supplement. These new LED cabin lighting systems replace the power inverters and the fluorescent lighting tubes. Since the high voltage required by fluorescents is eliminated, the potential for interference generated from the several hundred-volt lights is also gone. However the LEDs use the original aircraft wiring, so no changes are required to install and use the new cabin lighting system. Aircraft owners will also appreciate the instant-on performance (especially in colder weather) of the LEDs without the flicker, hum, buzz, and other less desirable fluorescent light traits. “Our LED cabin lighting systems enhance the flight from boarding through disembarking – the entire aircraft passenger experience,” said Robi Lorik, PWI President/CEO. “Beechjet 400s have been a popular aircraft from their introduction, and our LED cabin light system helps extend that service.” Dnata’s Airport Handling launches operations at Rome: Airport Handling, part of leading global air and travel services provider dnata, has successfully launched operations at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO). The company will support the safe and smooth operations of nearly 70,000 flights annually for 22 airline customers with a team of over 2,100 aviation professionals in the Italian capital. Having secured a seven-year ground handling license, Airport Handling committed an investment of more than €20 million in infrastructure and equipment at FCO. Its ground support equipment fleet is predominantly electric to deliver consistent high levels of environmental efficiency. Founded in 2013, Airport Handling earned the trust and loyalty of over 60 airlines at the two Milan airports, Malpensa (MXP) and Linate (LIN) with its reliable ramp and passenger services. Its strategic expansion into Rome -one of the largest start-ups of its kind in the industry- will make it Italy’s leading ground services provider, handling 150,000 flights annually across its operations. Aeromexico taps Viasat for in-flight connectivity: Viasat announced that it is expanding its long-standing relationship with Aeromexico. Mexico’s global airline has selected to retrofit its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet with Viasat’s most advanced in-flight Wi-Fi solution. The fleet comprises 17 total aircraft, including eight B787-8s and nine B787-9s. The Boeing 787-8s will be equipped first, with installation for the 787-9s quickly following. The first of these new Viasat-equipped aircraft is set to enter service later in 2025. Viasat has provided in-flight connectivity on certain Aeromexico aircraft since 2018. The carrier’s decision to upgrade the Dreamliner in-flight Wi-Fi with Viasat’s connectivity system highlights its ongoing commitment to providing passengers and crew with an exceptional onboard experience, including streaming video, browsing, and real-time messaging throughout the flight. Additionally, Aeromexico is using the Viasat Ads platform to offer its passengers free, ad-supported connectivity sessions (with streaming speeds capability). To enhance its passenger experience goals, including NPS scores and loyalty, Aeromexico will continue to take advantage of Viasat’s high-capacity, Ka-band satellite network to provide a high-speed online experience on routes served by the Dreamliner fleet, including to cities such as Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam, Rome, London, Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, among others. BOC Aviation signs lease deal with Arajet:  BOC Aviation announced that it has purchased five Boeing 737-8 aircraft from The Boeing Company. It has also entered into long-term leases in respect of these aircraft with Arajet. All aircraft will be powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines and are scheduled to deliver in 2026 and 2027. “We are delighted to be extending our relationship with Arajet with this latest transaction, as it develops its fleet and route network,” said Steven Townend, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, BOC Aviation. “As these aircraft deliver, we continue to grow our future orderbook and to further build out our fleet of technologically advanced aircraft.” “We value our partnership with BOC Aviation as we continue to consolidate our fleet and our footprint in the region,” said Victor Pacheco, Founder and CEO, Arajet. Arajet is an ultra-low-cost airline and the flag carrier of the Dominican Republic, which began operations in September 2022. It has a fleet of 10 aircraft that it operates from its bases in Punta Cava and Santa Domingo, connecting it with direct flights to 24 cities across 16 countries. FatHopes Energy and Topsoe partner on SAF: Malaysia’s pioneer biofuel feedstock aggregator FatHopes Energy (FHE), has forged a partnership with Topsoe, a Denmark-based leader in carbon reduction technologies and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the development of a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) refinery in Malaysia. The project will leverage renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil (UCO) and other waste-based oils to produce advanced aviation biofuels, contributing to the global decarbonization of the aviation sectors. Under the MoU, Topsoe will provide its cutting-edge technologies, including catalyst solutions and engineering expertise, to assess the feasibility of establishing the proposed refinery. The first phase of this collaboration will involve a detailed feasibility study focused on evaluating Malaysia as the ideal location for a state-of-the-art SAF facility that aligns with global sustainability goals. FatHopes Energy will utilise its unique know how and extensive network of feedstock aggregation to ensure a robust supply chain of waste-based raw materials. The facility, once developed, could either be operated by FatHopes Energy or licensed to a third-party operator for commercialisation. FreeFlight Systems and ASG announce radar altimeter STC Certification: FreeFlight Systems has achieved a significant milestone with the receipt of a Supplement Type Certificate (STC) for its 5G Tolerant RA-6500 Radar Altimeter System. This certification enables the installation of the RA-6500 on the Boeing 737-300/-400/-500 series, marking a critical advancement in aviation safety and operational efficiency. This achievement was made possible through collaboration with ASG and Aeronaves TSM. The STC validates the RA-6500’s capability to operate effectively in environments affected by 5G signals, ensuring accurate altitude measurements above ground level (AGL). This certification not only enhances the operational safety of Boeing 737 Classic operators but also allows for seamless integration with existing legacy radar altimeter displays because of the built-in analog inputs/outs and ARINC 552A. The RA-6500 is part of FreeFlight Systems TERRAIN SERIES portfolio of 5G Resistant Radar Altimeters. The specific STC granted allows for the installation of the Dual RA-6500 Radar Altimeter System, complete with FAA PMA Approved Installation Adapter Racks for plug-and-play installations. This certification facilitates retrofitting of existing aircraft, providing operators with a swift and efficient upgrade path to 5G-resistant radar altimetry. Pratt & Whitney GTF Advantage engine achieves FAA type certification: Pratt & Whitney announced that the GTF Advantage engine has achieved the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the Airbus A320neo family. The Advantage is the latest engine from the GTF family to be certified. The GTF Advantage will deliver 4-8 percent more take-off thrust, enabling higher payload and longer range, unlocking new destinations for airlines. It offers better fuel efficiency with lower carbon emissions. Pratt & Whitney is working to ensure that the GTF Advantage will be compatible with future specifications for 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel. Fully intermixable and interchangeable with today’s GTF engine model, GTF Advantage will become the production standard. The GTF Advantage includes fully redesigned life-limited parts and technology enhancements throughout the gas path. It is fundamentally more durable, with increased airflow in the core to lower operating temperatures and a state-of-the-art hot section to increase time on wing. In the high-pressure turbine (HPT), the enhancements include an advanced airfoil design with improved coatings. The HPT and combustor also feature optimised cooling hole size, shape and location, with improved hole drilling techniques to reduce oxidation. Etihad launching A-380 to Canada: Etihad Airways announced that its A380 will serve the Abu Dhabi – Toronto route in time for Summer 2025. The famous double-decker will start flying between Zayed Abu Dhabi International (AUH) and Toronto Pearson International (YYZ) on 24 June 2025, perfectly timed for the busy summer travel period and key corporate market. It means the world’s only three-room suite in the sky, serving up the legendary flying experience, is on the way to the land of the maple leaf. Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer, Etihad Airways, said: “We’re delighted to start flying our remarkable A380 to Canada, and we know our guests love the onboard experience. Whether they are flying in Economy, Business, First or the three-room suite in the sky, The Residence, they will relish the attentive service from our dedicated crew. The timing and comfort provided by the A380 means they can arrive in Toronto fresh and ready for anything. Deploying the A380 on the popular Toronto route is a strategic move to meet customer demand for increased capacity while expanding our network. Given Toronto’s popularity among Etihad’s customers, enhancing our capacity in the Canadian market is a logical step. This will strengthen connections to the broader GCC and Indian subcontinent and attract more visitors to experience the vibrant city of Abu Dhabi.” GE Aerospace Catalyst turboprop engine achieves FAA certification: GE Aerospace announced that the Catalyst turboprop engine has been certified by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAR (Federal Aviation Regulation) Part 33 certification involved over 23 engines and more than 190 component tests. Catalyst is the first, new centreline, clean-sheet advanced turboprop of the 21st century and the first turboprop engine to be certified to the latest standards, which include more than 20 significant new requirements. During the certification process, the test engines completed more than 8,000 hours of operation demonstrating and meeting its key performance targets. The engine will bring a radical change to this segment, thanks to its industry-best 16:1 overall pressure ratio that enables up to 18% better fuel consumption and up to 10% higher cruise power, compared to competitors in the same class. Catalyst introduces two stages of variable stator vanes, cooled high-pressure turbine blades, and features components made by using additive manufacturing. The Catalyst engine belongs to the GE Aerospace suite of next generation engines which are defining the Future of Flight. It was designed, developed, and manufactured at GE Aerospace sites in Europe, including Avio Aero in Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany. Airways New Zealand announces FY25 half year result: Airways New Zealand has announced its interim results for the half-year ending 31 December 2024, reporting solid safety and operational performance alongside a positive financial result. The air navigation services provider is reporting an after-tax profit of $6.7 million for the half-year, $0.5 million ahead of budget. The result is primarily due to lower depreciation, equipment costs, and professional services expenses. Airways safely managed 242,538 flight movements across the 30 million square kilometres of airspace it controls during the period. Air traffic services revenue for the half year was impacted by fewer flight movements, driven by challenges faced by airlines, including engine and servicing issues. While headwinds are expected to persist, core revenue is anticipated to recover through the second half of the year and Airways remains on track to achieve its budgeted Group profit for the full year. Jet Systems and Volocopter to partner in eVTOL operations in France: Volocopter and Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services, a leading licensed air service offering with over thirty years of passenger flight services, announced that they had signed an agreement to bring electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft services to France. This long-term agreement covers the initial delivery of two VoloCity eVTOL aircraft after it is certified under the European Union Aviation Safety Authority (EASA). In addition, Volocopter will contribute its expertise in product, maintenance, pilot training, and VoloIQ, the digital backbone of fleet management and operations. Jet Systems Hélicoptères Services will provide general airline services, including securing personnel (ground crew, pilots, and maintenance), while liaising with cities and infrastructure partners to secure operations. The services are set to begin in Paris, where European and French authorities have an established and approved network of eVTOL flight routes and infrastructure. This security comes from years of partnership with Groupe ADP and multiple discussions with the Direction Générale de l’Aviation Civile (DGAC), ensuring the safety of eVTOLs in the air and on the ground. From thereon, the partnership will extend to France’s southwest and southeast regions, where it will capitalise on Jet System’s proven helicopter routes that currently serve up to 15,000 passengers per year. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]