
“Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will always find a way around the laws.” Plato


Since last week’s mystery aircraft was relatively easy to identify, according to the number of correct answers I received, this week I have provided another interesting aircraft type. Please send your answers to me at editor@africanpilot.co.za. I will publish the names of those that identified the aircraft correctly within the Thursday edition of APAnews.






Idiots damage business jets at Stansted, UK
This past week Just Stop Oil activists sprayed orange paint over private jets at Stansted airport on the airfield where Taylor Swift’s plane is stationed. Two activists, Jennifer Kowalski (28), a former sustainability manager from Dumbarton and Cole Macdonald (22) from Brighton, broke into a private airfield in Stansted at 05h00 on Thursday before targeting the jet. Fortunately, the police were on the scene within minutes and the two idiots were arrested. The two activists cut the fence into the private airfield at Stansted demanding an emergency treaty to end fossil fuels by 2030.
This situation just shows how ‘soft’ the world has become on dealing with activists that deliberately damage business jets and other property. The time has come to sentence these protesters to serious jail time so that they can learn some manners.


The 238-page June edition of African Pilot with 14 Videos and four picture galleries featuring aviation careers was completed last week and sent to the world on Saturday 1 June 2024. Featured within this edition are four airshows including the SACAA’s airshow at Wonderboom National Airport, SAAF Museum airshow, Lowveld airshow and the Bloemfontein Tempe airshow as well as the annual President’s Trophy Air Race. In addition, the magazine also contains all the normal chapters such as Airline Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Helicopter Pilot, Military Pilot, Sport Pilot a Technical section and the four Historical subjects. Once again, the June edition of African Pilot takes on a completely different flavour to previous magazines mainly due to the extensive photography and embedded videos.


The main feature of the July edition of African Pilot will be Light Sport Aircraft types, South African built aircraft and various types of kit- built aircraft. Every month, African Pilot features all aspects of aviation from Airline business to Recreational and Sport Aviation, whilst Military aviation, Commercial and Technical issues are addressed monthly. Within African Pilot’s monthly historical section, we feature the Best of the Best, Names to Remember, Fact File and our monthly historical feature.

The material deadline for the July 2024 edition of African Pilot was on Friday 21 June 2024.
All editorial content should be sent to me Athol Franz
E-mail: editor@africanpilot.co.za
For advertising opportunities please call Cell: 079 880 4359
E-mail: marketing@africanpilot.co.za


The 21st 128-page edition of Future Flight was sent out to the world-wide audience on Sunday 16 June 2024. Due to the nature of the subject material, compiling this exciting new publication has been most rewarding, whilst at the same time, the magazine allows many of African Pilot’s advertisers to have their adverts placed in our second monthly magazine FREE of charge. I would love to receive your feedback about this exciting digital publication: editor@africanpilot.co.za.
Thank you.
The material deadline for the July 2024 edition of Future Flight is on Friday 12 July 2024.
All editorial content should be sent to me Athol Franz
E-mail: editor@africanpilot.co.za
For advertising opportunities please call Cell: 079 880 4359
E-mail: marketing@africanpilot.co.za


Maputo Air Show 2024 (Short Video)





PilotInsure’s Safety Symposium at Rand Airport
On Thursday evening David Le Roux representing PilotInsure hosted an aviation safety evening at the Harvard Café, Rand Airport. David’s vision is to build the ultimate suite of insurance benefits for all pilots and he wants you to understand personal insurance issues related to personal aviation insurance. Around 90 young pilots attended and with a full audience this amounted to around 110 people in total. The six speakers he selected this time around were:
- Tyla Puzey spoke about the EAA Young Aviators
- Bjorn Gussenhoven spoke about Rocket HEMS and Rocket Connect
- Rob Jonkers (Chairman of the Aero Club of South Africa) delivered an illustrated talk on wind shear
- Goitse Diale (Vice chairman of the Aero Club of South Africa spoke about ‘Growth Mindset in Aviation’
- Pooven Moodley from Johannesburg tower delivered an entertaining talk on ATC 101
During the course of the evening various prizes were awarded and they were the following:
- A weekend getaway at Bona Bona lodge for two persons.
- Four pairs of Flying Socks.
- Two SkyCandy Tailored shirts for pilots.
- Wing Culture apparel Hamper valued at over R 2000.
- Two free months of Pilot Excess Cover.
- Lazy Bird Learning PPL Books – Paying it forward.
- Wingover coffee hamper.
Sponsors for the evening were:
- PilotInsure
- Bona Bona Game Lodge
- Safety First Aviator
- Aero Club of South Africa
- Vektor Aviation
- Rocket Hems
- Sky Candy Aviation
- The Flying Sox
- Wingculture
- EAA Young Aviators South Africa
- Mayday South Africa
- Pilots ‘n Planes
- Wingover Coffee
On behalf of African Pilot, I filmed the event, including all the speakers. The next instalment in the Pilotinsure Safety Symposium Series will be held at Wonderboom Airport, on Saturday 7 December. This will be combined with a fly-in to make for an even more awesome event. We look forward to seeing you there.

SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) lottery
The SA Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS), a dedicated non-profit aero-medical rescue organisation committed to saving lives through the provision of swift and efficient aero-medical rescue and rural health outreach services, needs your support. The mission of the organisation is to innovatively provide these services and programmes to those in need, often in remote or hard-to-reach areas, ensuring that every second counts in life-threatening situations. However, they cannot accomplish this alone, your support is crucial for this life-saving work! The AMS has launched a helicopter competition as a fundraising initiative to ensure the continuous protection of lives and the sustainability of the organisation. Your support is crucial in safeguarding lives and securing resources necessary to enact real change.
“We have teamed up with Cape Town helicopters to provide you with an unforgettable experience to soar above Cape Town’s iconic landmarks and breathtaking coastlines. For a chance to win a helicopter ride for four plus a scenic boat tour around Cape Town Harbour, purchase your ticket for only R250 online at Quicket. This prize package, valued at an impressive R17,000, promises an unforgettable experience for the lucky winners. Your participation gives you a chance to make unforgettable memories with family and friends while supporting our mission to provide emergency medical care to those in need,” said Farhaad Haffejee, AMS CEO.
The competition is open to anyone 18 years and older, other than paid staff members of the AMS, its Trustees and the organisation’s auditors. A total of two prizes will be awarded, with draws scheduled as follows: 02 August 2024 and 06 December 2024. Each active entry ticket stands the chance of being drawn twice during the year. There is no limit to the number of ticket entries per entrant. “Every entry into the competition helps fund vital resources and enable AMS to expand its reach, ensuring that more lives can be saved and more communities can receive the medical services they desperately need. Please support us by purchasing your ticket today to ensure that healthcare reaches all. Don’t miss out on this chance to win big while making a difference. Secure your ticket today by visiting Quicket https://qkt.io/mmKhog, Haffejee concluded.

Need an experienced Labour Law specialist



African Pilot’s 2024 calendar
We will publish the aviation calendar within APAnews three months ahead, but you can always visit African Pilot’s website:www.africanpilot.co.za if you would like to obtain the full calendar for the entire year.
28 to 30 June
EAA Taildraggers fly-in to Warmbaths airfield
Richard Nicholson E-mail: Richard.nicholson1963@gmail.com Cell: 082 490 6227

29 June
SAPFA Speed Rally at Warmbaths airfield
Contact David le Roux E-mail: david@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200
29 June
Polokwane airshow at Gaal airport
Contact Robin Tapinos E-mail: airshow.polokwane@gmail.com Cell: 074 117 6384
29 June
FAPE Open Day at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport
General Aviation Area, Boeing Street, Walmer

July
2 to 3 July
IATA ‘Wings of Change’ Africa focus Marriott Melrose Arch hotel
Contact Linden Birns E-mail: linden@planetalking.co.za
3 to 5 July
AERO South Africa at Wonderboom National Airport
Website: www.aerosouthafrica.com
6 July
Elders Flight at Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (Zwartkops)
Contact Felix Gosher E-mail: felixgosher@gmail.com Cell: 066 191 4603
6 July
Tedderfield Airpark and Sling Winter Warmers fly-in Tedderfield airfield
Contact Alan Stewart Cell: 083 702 3680
13 July
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at Jack Taylor airfield FAKR
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
20 July
SAC Event & Limpopo regionals at Phalaborwa airfield
Contact Quintin Hawthorne E-mail: pak02496@pixie.co.za
22 to 28 July
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
Camping on the airfield contact Neil Bowden at E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
Hotels in Appleton contact Calvin Fabig at E-mail: calvin@designer.co.za
22 to 26 July
Farnborough International Airshow London, United kingdom
Contact E-mail: enquiries@farnborough.com
27 July
Virginia airshow – Durban
Contact E-mail: sally@creativespacemedia.co.za Tel: 011 467 3314
August
2 & 3 August
Soutpansberg fly-in and airshow
Contact Bianca Prinsloo E-mail: spbvilegklub@gmail.com
3 August
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA auditorium
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
17 August
EAA Chapter 322 breakfast fly-in to Fly-in Estate
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com
17 August
Pilotinsure Heli fly-in to Krugersdorp airfield
Contact David Le Roux E-mail: David@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200
17 August
Marekanelo airshow Rustenburg airfield
Contact Lesego Serekwane E-mail: sculpturevents@webmail.co.za Cell: 066 256 7302
17 & 18 August
SAC North West regionals at Klerksdorp airfield
Contact Quintin Hawthorne E-mail: pak02496@pixie.co.za
24 August
Wonderboom airshow
Contact E-mail: sally@creativespacemedia.co.za Tel: 011 467 3314
24 August
SAPFA Speed Rally at Groblersdal airfield
Contact David le Roux E-mail: david@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200


Nigerian Air Force announces acquisition of 50 new aircraft to combat terrorism
On 18 June the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) announced its intention to acquire 50 new aircraft to enhance its capabilities against armed gangs and terrorists in northwest Nigeria. This announcement was made by Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff of the Nigerian Air Force, during the inauguration of new military facilities, including two aircraft hangars in Katsina state. Marshal Abubakar specified that the new fleet would include 12 AH-1 attack helicopters, 24 M-346 combat planes, 12 AW109 multipurpose helicopters and two Casa 295 transport aircraft. The details regarding the cost and suppliers of these aircraft were not disclosed. The Nigerian Air Force expects to receive these new additions by next year, aiming to bolster offensives against jihadist groups and armed gangs that have posed significant threats in the northwest and central regions of the country.
However, security analyst Mike Ejiofor expressed concerns that acquiring 50 aircraft might be an overly ambitious and potentially misdirected strategy. Ejiofor suggested that resources could be better allocated towards improving training and welfare for ground troops, arguing that focusing more on land operations could yield more substantial results in combating terrorism. Ejiofor further stressed the importance of enhancing the air force’s intelligence-gathering capabilities. He advocated for deploying more drones to gather accurate information about the activities of armed groups, stating that intelligence-driven strikes require reliable data to guide operations effectively.
Simultaneously, Kaduna state authorities announced a collaboration with the military to establish three new operational fronts within the state. Governor Uba Sani revealed plans to create forward-operating bases in southern Kaduna as well as in the Giwa and Birnin-Gwari axis, with arrangements nearing completion.
The Nigerian Air Force faced significant criticism in December following an airstrike in Kaduna state that resulted in over 80 civilian casualties. The airstrike, intended to target gangs, highlighted the need for improved precision in military operations. In response, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff of the Nigerian armed forces, assured the public of the professionalism of the Nigerian military and their commitment to protecting innocent citizens. He acknowledged the incident as a mistake and emphasized ongoing efforts to address such issues.


FAA’s Part 380 plans are receiving mixed reviews
The FAA’s twofold approach to addressing its Part 380 operational concerns is drawing a mixed reaction from industry, with business aviation groups encouraged that the agency is willing to delve into the safety data and consider small operations but concerned that it is proceeding with a rulemaking that would tighten requirements for public charters.
On Monday last week, the FAA announced that it would release a notice of proposed rulemaking ‘expeditiously’ to alter the definitions of ‘scheduled,’ ‘on demand’ and ‘supplemental’ surrounding operators flying under Part 380 public charter economic authority. However, at the same time the FAA plans to form a Safety Risk Management Panel (SRMP) to discuss the potential for a new operating authority for scheduled Part 135 operations in 10- to 30-seat aircraft.
The agency’s move comes as certain airlines and pilots’ unions have waged a strong campaign to tighten what they call a ‘loophole’ in the regulations that provide an advantage to Part 135 operators flying ‘scheduled operations.’ Rural airports and business aircraft operators have opposed this move, saying that it is purely a competitive argument, the safety data does not back up the need for change, and wholesale changes could disrupt operations to small airports.
NBAA questioned the rationale for developing regulations, saying that the plans to go ahead with a rulemaking do not seem to have a data-based underpinning. “Safety is the top priority for business aviation and our sector has an impeccable record of leadership in working with government agencies and other stakeholders in the development of regulations that address safety concerns and place operational needs first. The FAA’s announcement suggests an intention to sidestep both considerations,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “We call upon the FAA to step forward with a data-driven basis that explains the need for this change and detail its intended process for engaging with all voices in a meaningful dialogue about the agency’s approach to public charter policy.”
However, Curt Castagna, president and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association, said, “We are encouraged that the agency wants to hear from different industry sectors to better understand other changes that enhance access to air transportation. We expect the rulemaking process will provide time for the FAA and all interested parties to fully understand the historical record from the DOT and FAA, as well as the safety record of public charter operators to base any changes on accurate data rather than competitive issues.”
Castagna added that public charter economic authority has existed for more than 40 years. “Despite the frequent use of the term ‘loophole,’ the record supports that public charter operators were always able to utilize the services of any licensed carrier including on-demand operators. NATA looks forward to learning more about the FAA’s Safety Risk Management Panel and how the agency will engage industry in that process.” He further stated, “NATA is committed to safeguarding the Part 135 regulatory environment from regulatory changes, intended or unintended that would jeopardise the safety or success of aviation businesses”
JSX, which had become the target of airlines seeking changes in the Part 380 process, said it “supports the Federal Aviation Administration’s efforts to maintain the safety of civil aviation and applauds FAA Administrator Whitaker’s plans to evaluate a new operating authority for certain Part 135 operations.”
The operator noted in its statement that more ‘than half of JSX’s public charter markets operate in airports that are not served by large network airlines, yet there are thousands more airports, funded by the American taxpayer that remain inaccessible to the vast majority of Americans unless they have the means to afford private jets. As the country’s largest public charter air carrier, JSX has modelled the way forward for safe, secure and reliable regional operations under Part 135 since inception.” JSX further pointed to its drive toward sustainability with plans to take delivery of up to 332 hybrid-electric aircraft beginning later this decade. “We eagerly look forward to collaborating with our regulators to cement the importance of public charters and expand access to vital air connectivity in the future,” the statement concluded.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the debate, the Air Line Pilots Association applauded the move. “The FAA took decisive action to close the public charter loophole and ensure one level of safety for passengers and flight crews,” said ALPA president Jason Ambrosi. “No matter where you are flying or what airline you are on, all Americans deserve the same level of safety and security. In order to maintain our world-leading airline safety record, we must remain vigilant and push back against attempts by corporate interests to cut corners. We appreciate the action taken by the FAA to close this loophole to keep US aviation safe and secure.”

Two bizjets spray-painted at London Stansted
Early on Thursday morning environmental protestors from the Just Stop Oil group broke into London Stansted Airport and damaged a pair of business aircraft parked in an area managed by the Harrods Aviation FBO. Police arrested Jennifer Kowalski and Cole Macdonald soon after the attack, which happened 24 hours after the same group sprayed the UK’s Stonehenge World Heritage Site with orange powder. According to Harrods Aviation’s director of operations Dan Holian, the protestors cut through Stansted’s security fence and then crossed a pair of live taxiways and apron areas to reach the parked aircraft. “Two aircraft were sprayed with an orange substance, which has since been cleaned off,” Holian said. “In line with our policy of confidentiality, we will not be disclosing whose aircraft they were or further information regarding the incident.”
The police commander at Stansted Airport has since mobilised additional resources to protect both airside and landside areas. According to Harrods, additional airport security protocols have also been implemented. In Just Stop Oil’s social media feed on X (formerly Twitter), Kowalski and Macdonald posted a video showing themselves sitting in front of the damaged aircraft with a fire extinguisher believed to have been used for the attack.
Earlier on Thursday, Scotland’s Green Party called for a £1,000 ($1,260) per-passenger tax on private jet flights. The group, which is campaigning in the UK’s ongoing general election, also seeks to remove tax breaks on aviation fuel and ban short haul scheduled flights.

Boeing reallocates engineering staff to accelerate aircraft deliveries
Reports indicate that Boeing has reallocated its engineering staff to support ongoing commercial development programmes and expedite aircraft deliveries. According to a memo to programme staff, engineers have been redirected to the 737-7, 737-10, 777-9 and 777-8 freighter programmes, shifting away from the experimental X-66A project.
The X-66A, also known as the Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) demonstrator aircraft, is part of NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) programme. Based on a heavily modified McDonnell Douglas MD-90, it features extra-long, thin wings braced by diagonal struts, creating space to ‘eventually accommodate advanced propulsion systems that are limited by a lack of underwing space in today’s low-wing airplane configurations.’ The original timeline envisioned the demonstrator’s maiden flight as taking place in 2028, with a production aircraft ready during the following decade. However, this plan might be affected as Boeing works to meet customer commitments. ‘It is critically important that we meet our commitment to customers on 737-7, 737-10, 777-9 and 777-8F and on airplane deliveries,’ Boeing said in a statement. Boeing has reportedly discussed the reassignment plan with NASA, which has offered additional personnel to help maintain progress on the X-66A.

Cirrus says GAMI G100UL not approved for SR Series aircraft
On Tuesday Cirrus issued a Service Advisory disapproving the use of GAMI G100UL fuel in SR Series planes. The company said it does not warrant or represent an operator’s use of the alternative fuel in an SR Series airplane and only approved fuels can be used for an engine to be covered by warranty.
Testing and evaluation of the unleaded GAMI G100UL fuel is ongoing, with industry groups like the AOPA, FAA and GAMA pursuing viable alternatives and replacements, like LyondellBasell / VP Racing UL 100E and Swift 100R. Cirrus said it remains dedicated to supporting all of the major fuel companies in the pursuit of bringing alternative high-octane fuels to the market. The company said it has been collaborating with potential fuel producers conducting materials compatibility and on-aircraft fuel performance testing for more than a decade and Cirrus is involved in a comprehensive programme to test and evaluate GAMI G100UL fuel. Cirrus is working with GAMI, the FAA and key powerplant providers Continental and Lycoming during the process and the goal is to ensure the operational safety of both the powerplant and airframe fuel systems. Cirrus said that some aspects of initial testing are promising, but other areas, including materials compatibility, are still inconclusive
Continental and Lycoming have told Cirrus that only approved fuels may be used in order for an engine to be covered by warranty. Since the G100UL is not approved by either company, engines known to have run on the fuel will not be covered under the current OEM engine warranty. Shell’s 100VLL will be shipping to airports in Europe beginning in April 2024 and Cirrus has confirmed that this fuel can be used in all SR Series planes as it complies with the ASTM D910 standard specification for leaded aviation gasoline.

DAWN rises on world’s first solar-powered fuel refinery
European renewable fuel production pioneer Synhelion has inaugurated DAWN, the world’s first industrial solar fuel plant, in Jülich, Germany. Founded in 2016 as a spinoff from ETH Zurich, the company has expanded its technology from a mini refinery on the roof of the public research university in 2019. Synhelion has worked since then to apply its sun-to-liquid process on an industrial scale. One of the main considerations in the power-to-liquid or eFuels production equation is the need for large amounts of renewable energy to drive the process and further its sustainability and carbon emissions reduction benefits. The Jülich plant uses a mirror field surrounding a 20-meter (65-foot) solar tower that includes a solar receiver, a thermochemical reactor and a thermal energy storage unit that allows cost-efficient production 24 hours a day. This pilot plant will produce several thousand litres of synthetic crude oil a year, which can then be processed into a variety of fuels including SAF (sustainable aviation fuel).
Next year, the company expects to begin construction on its first commercial plant, to be located in Spain. It will have an output of around 1,000 tons of fuel annually. Future applications are planned on a larger scale and Synhelion anticipates its annual production of solar fuel to exceed one million tons a year over the next decade. “The inauguration of DAWN marks the beginning of the era of solar fuels, a turning point for sustainable transportation,” explained company co-founder and CEO Philipp Furler. “Our founding dream of producing renewable fuels from solar energy is becoming a reality.”

Pilot caught secretly working for two airlines
Airline pilots have a lot of responsibility, given the number of lives they have in their hands. This is why aviation is so heavily regulated, to ensure that pilots only fly so many hours, and have a minimum amount of rest between trips. However, The Shift reports on one ‘entrepreneurial’ pilot who seemed to find a way to work for two airlines at once, without the other airline knowing about it. Specifically, the pilot reportedly worked for both KM Malta Airlines and Virgin Atlantic at the same time (with the former being Malta’s new state-owned airline, replacing Air Malta).
The woman had reportedly been flying as a first officer for both airlines since at least December 2023, until she was caught in May 2024. She was caught ‘by chance’ flying for Virgin Atlantic, while also being a pilot for KM Malta Airlines. So rather than observing the minimum required rest periods, the Malta-based pilot would fly to London on her days off and work trips for Virgin Atlantic. Apparently when the company found out, Virgin Atlantic dismissed the pilot on the spot. Meanwhile KM Malta Airlines initially suspended her, only to reinstate her a short while later, so she is still flying at the airline. Many pilots at KM Malta Airlines are reportedly furious what she has not been terminated, given her clear violation of safety guidelines. To state the obvious, pilots have a maximum number of hours that they can work for good reason and pilots are not supposed to work for two airlines, since there is no way to safely manage the rest situation.
The part of this story that surprises most people is how this pilot was able to manage her schedule with each airline, so that there were no conflicting flights on her rosters. Presumably she was not very senior with both airlines, since this can only go on for so long. Typically when you are junior at an airline, you do not have much control over your schedule and cannot easily choose all your days off. It seems like a miracle that she could for several months schedule her flying so that there was no overlap. Did she just do a lot of trip trading with other pilots, or how exactly did that work?
Most pilots take their jobs very seriously. There will always be some bad apples, though in the case of one European pilot, she chose to violate rules in an unusual way. She should not have placed the safety of passengers at risk in this way, given the dangers of fatigue. However, the way she managed her schedule is rather impressive and what is surprising is that this went on for several months.


Boeing Starliner, crew will return to Earth no earlier than 26 June
At a Starliner teams news conference on Tuesday NASA said that Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner and the crew of the capsule’s inaugural crew flight test (CFT), NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, will return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than 26 June. Wilmore and Williams began their sojourn to the ISS on 5 June with plans for an eight-day stay but will now spend a minimum of three weeks aboard the orbital laboratory.
The service module, which makes small manoeuvres to align the capsule such as when orbiting or docking, is an expendable component that is jettisoned before the spacecraft re-enters the atmosphere. NASA and Boeing hope to study it further in order to assess issues that have arisen during the mission. Their findings will inform any modifications required before the capsule can be certified to enter NASA’s rotation. On Tuesday NASA Commercial Crew programme manager Steve Stich, ISS programme manager Dana Wiegel, Johnson Space Center flight director Mike Lammers and Boeing Commercial Crew programme manager and vice president Mark Nappi addressed those problems. Starliner is contending with three main issues. The most significant is a series of helium leaks traced to the seals between the service module’s thrusters and manifold, of which crews have identified five. The first leak was discovered during prelaunch preparations, two were uncovered on the way to the ISS, whilst two more were identified after docking.
Another complication, which teams on Tuesday theorised may be connected to the helium leaks, involves the service module’s aft reaction control system (RCS) thrusters. Five of these engines failed to fire during the final phase of the spacecraft’s rendezvous with the ISS. Each phase of the remainder of the CFT requires a different number and arrangement of RCS thrusters. The final problem stems from a faulty oxidiser isolation valve, which has been closed for the remainder of the mission. All other valves are functioning normally, NASA said.
According to Wiegel, the ISS can hold Wilmore and Williams indefinitely as NASA and Boeing prepare Starliner for undocking. Nappi said 77 of 87 CFT flight test objectives have already been completed, with the remaining few taking place during the trip back to Earth. He described the astronauts’ extended stay as an ‘opportunity’ and a ‘privilege’ to study Starliner further on orbit, which is considered an ideal test environment. Over the past week and a half, Starliner teams have been busy gathering flight data on thruster firing, docking and other manoeuvres, as well as performing testing and analysis on the ground.
During a hot fire test over the weekend, one of the five RCS thrusters displayed what Stich described as ‘a strange signature where we are getting almost no thrust out of that engine’. Crews have opted to power down the thruster for the remainder of the mission. Three other thrusters functioned as expected.
On Starliner’s first visit to the ISS in 2022, a similar issue occurred where two RCS thrusters failed. Stich theorized that heat may be causing propellant in the engines’ chambers to vaporise. The hot fire test also reflected a promising outlook for the helium manifold problem: “I would say every single manifold that we looked at following testing, we saw the leak rates going down,” said Stich.
Starliner requires about seven hours’ worth of helium to undock from the ISS, perform a deorbit burn, and touch down on Earth, representing the final steps of the CFT. On Tuesday, teams estimated that the spacecraft will have at least 70 hours of margin. According to Stich, three helium leaks, described as larger than the rest, tend to reach their highest rate when the service module’s RCS thrusters are firing, leading he and NASA to believe there may be a link between the two problems. As noted earlier, two leaks were identified after Starliner docked to the ISS, which Stich said placed an unexpected amount of demand on the thrusters.

NASA updates the coverage for US spacewalks 90, 91 outside the space station
NASA will provide live coverage as astronauts conduct two spacewalks outside the International Space Station scheduled for Monday, 24 June and Tuesday, 2 July. The first spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 08h00 EDT 24 June and last about six and a half hours. NASA will provide live coverage starting at 06h30. NASA will stream the spacewalk on NASA+, NASA Television’s public channel, the NASA app, YouTube and the agency’s website. NASA astronauts Tracy C. Dyson and Mike Barratt will exit the station’s Quest airlock to complete the removal of a faulty electronics box, called a radio frequency group, from a communications antenna on the starboard truss of the space station. The pair also will collect samples for analysis to understand the ability of microorganisms to survive and reproduce on the exterior of the orbiting laboratory.
Dyson will serve as spacewalk crew member one and will wear a suit with red stripes. Barratt will serve as spacewalk crew member two and will wear an unmarked suit. US spacewalk 90 will be the fourth spacewalk for Dyson and the third spacewalk for Barratt. It is the 271st spacewalk in support of space station assembly, maintenance and upgrades. US spacewalk 90 was initially scheduled for 13 June but did not proceed as scheduled because of a spacesuit discomfort issue.
The second spacewalk is scheduled to begin at 09h00 on 2 July and last about six and a half hours and NASA will provide live coverage beginning at 07h30. Astronauts will remove and replace a gyroscope assembly, relocate an antenna and prepare for future Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer upgrades. NASA will stream the spacewalk on NASA+, NASA Television’s public channel, the NASA app, YouTube and the agency’s website. Following the completion of US spacewalk 90, NASA will provide an update with participating crew members for US spacewalk 91. It is the 272nd spacewalk in support of space station.
Learn more about International Space Station research and operations at: https://www.nasa.gov/station


Consultants offer a sober assessment of eVTOL viability
The much-hyped advanced air mobility (AAM) industry is facing a reality check as development costs for new eVTOL aircraft have increased at a time when available capital seems to be contracting. This was a clear point of consensus among analysts assessing the state of the precocious new sector of aviation in the opening session of the Revolution Aero conference in London last week. “The unfortunate reality is that it takes a lot of money to develop these aircraft and the most recent calculations show that it takes more like $1.5 billion per programme,” said Sergio Cecutta from SMG Consultancy. He pointed out that this estimate represents a 50% increase over the $1 billion figure that has been a commonly accepted benchmark as recently as last year.
Other independent experts focused their attention on what they view as deficiencies in the electric propulsion technology that is foundational to AAM. A trio of consultants, Lewis Cronin from the UK’s Aerospace Technology Institute, Oscar Watkins from ICF and Siyi Hao from Roland Berger echoed the belief that the current generation of battery technology is not sufficient for viable eVTOL use cases.
“We are not there yet with propulsion,” Hao commented while pointing to possible breakthroughs with solid-state batteries. “The automotive OEMs are incentivised to develop batteries for their mass market, and what they have now is good enough for electric cars. But they are less interested in developing new batteries for the aviation market, which is much smaller.”
Both Watkins and Cronin argued that prospects for electrifying larger aircraft for scheduled airline operations are more compelling in the long run. Both pointed to the need for further investment in hybrid-propulsion technology as a pathway to hydrogen propulsion, which, Hao added, will need an assured way to mass-produce the fuel in a sustainable way using techniques such as electrolysis.
Hao also identified air traffic management infrastructure as an area requiring significant further investment to support AAM operations. “The current VHF-based systems will not be able to handle the level of communications needed for the eVTOL aircraft,” he told the Revolution Aero audience.
Addressing the perceived drying up of funding sources for AAM startups, Watkins pointed to recent cash injections for eVTOL aircraft developers like Lilium and suggested that companies will have to explore new sources. “We are seeing companies with enough cash for around another two quarters of development work and also the value of the SPACs initial public offerings coming down a lot,” he commented. “There is still some private money out there, but the cost of the capital is much higher and there is also still a lot of public money that has not yet been used.”
Adam Forsyth from UK-based Longspur Capital echoed that perspective on the industry’s urgent need for more funds. “There is no doubt that private equity funding fell slightly in 2023 and public equity finance has dropped as well but it is not dead.” For Lewis, his optimism is founded more on hopes for the longer-term impact of new technology and manufacturing processes on the wider aviation industry. In conclusion, he advised the AAM sector to brace for a wave of consolidation among the dozens of players still trying to get to market.

SkyDrive submits type certificate application for eVTOL aircraft to FAA
Japanese eVTOL manufacturer, SkyDrive has announced that it has submitted a type certificate application for its three-seat eVTOL, SKYDRIVE, to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB). The application was accepted on 29pril 2024. Since its founding, one of SkyDrive’s core ambitions has been to introduce Japanese-origin air mobility solutions to the world, mirroring the success and admiration the Japanese automotive industry has attained globally. To prepare for its entry into the U.S. market and commercial operations, SkyDrive established a local subsidiary in 2023. SkyDrive is now actively collaborating with local customers to develop practical use cases and tailor its offerings to meet the unique needs of the American market. Its goal is to bring the renowned quality and innovation of Japanese technology to the realm of air mobility, capturing the hearts and minds of people worldwide.
Guided by the expertise of the JCAB, SkyDrive has taken the crucial step of seeking type certification for its eVTOL aircraft. With support of the JCAB, the company has submitted its application to the FAA, marking the beginning of its certification journey in the U.S. market. SkyDrive’s goal is to obtain FAA type certification, building upon the anticipated JCAB type certification in 2026 or later. This milestone will enable SkyDrive to bring its innovative aircraft to the American skies, showcasing the best of Japanese technology and design to a global audience.
Tomohiro Fukuzawa, CEO of SkyDrive, said, “Our development team has been working on both aircraft development and type certification activities in parallel. We are very grateful to the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau for supporting our application and looking forward to a successful FAA type certification. This collaboration allows us to advance our certification processes in both Japan and the United States simultaneously. With the FAA’s experience in the certification process of several eVTOLs and the JCAB already advancing the certification of our aircraft, we aim to work together to create a future where our eVTOL can operate commercially around the world.”

Skyfront launches next-generation drone magnetometer
Last week Skyfront, the world’s leader in high endurance hybrid drones, announced that Skyfront MagniPhy, its next-generation drone magnetometer solution, is available to the market. The Skyfront MagniPhy is a new enclosure and universal attachment mechanism for drones, which improves data quality, efficiency and safety. It works with third party magnetometer sensors and a wide variety of drones (including DJI, ArduPilot and PX4-based drones). Skyfront has advanced this next-generation solution by working with Geometrics, which makes the best-selling MagArrow II UAS-enabled magnetometer.
The Skyfront MagniPhy is now available to existing users of the MagArrow and operators of other drone magnetometers, who can provide Skyfront with their existing magnetometers to be retrofitted with a fast turnaround time. Alternatively, Skyfront can deliver a kit to the operator for seamless self-service retrofitting. Skyfront MagniPhy is also available to new customers interested in finding subterranean objects.
Skyfront MagniPhy delivers significantly improved data quality and enhanced ability to find subterranean objects because its rigid attachment ensures the magnetometer heading remains constant during flight and its distance from the drone reduces magnetic noise. Its aerodynamic design improves operations in high winds, reducing instrument motion and the resulting noise. It enables faster and more efficient operations because it is easily transportable (it folds from 16.4 feet to 1.4 feet to fit in carry-on luggage), connects to the drone in seconds and has approximately eight hours battery life with swappable batteries. It also enables safer operations by reducing the potential to snag trees when flying low to the canopy. The attachment mechanism unfolds when the drone takes off and folds when the drone lands to ensure simple operations.
For surveying large areas with a magnetometer, endurance is crucial. Skyfront also manufactures the highest endurance hybrid gas-electric multicopter drones in the world, with proven flight times of more than five hours and Skyfront’s system is deployed by customers in over 30 countries on all continents except Antarctica. Skyfront’s customers are rapidly finding abandoned oil and gas wellheads in the United States and detecting landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Ukraine.
Magnetometer operators and geophysicists no longer need to rely on helicopters (which are less safe and produce an inferior product for a greater cost) or traditional battery powered drones (which only fly for about 30 minutes and create inefficiencies). Skyfront’s solution revolutionises magnetic surveying capabilities and reduces field time from weeks to days. Skyfront MagniPhy is now available for conducting magnetic surveys, resource exploration, identifying orphan wells, detecting landmines and finding unexploded ordnance (UXO).




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