News and Views

Is this the solution others missed?  Is this the holy grail to UAV BVLOS in uncontrolled airspace?

Anyone who spends time around GA aerodromes will know, you will more than likely detect an unexpected aircraft – one you were not looking out for – with your ears as opposed to your eyes.  Zipline’s new DAA solution does just that! Seems they on onto something!

https://www.aviationtoday.com/2022/06/22/zipline-part-135-certificate/?oly_enc_id=5123J0610390J1J

The Navigatus data team have developed a new algorithm to better predict the level of turbulence expected on the challenging 23 approach to Queenstown Airport (NZQN). The prior system calculated and reported the level of turbulence based upon the dynamic energy level detected in the air mass nearby the approach path.   However the level of uncertainty sometime resulted in the forces experienced on the aircraft to differ from that predicted. Based upon airframe g-force data supplied by Jetstar, and after considerable analysis to explore alternative mathematical approaches,  Navigatus was able to develop a system logic and algorithm that predicts consistently the level of turbulence based instead upon the movement of the overall air mass.  This system has been deployed ahead of the winter season and increasing post-pandemic RPT traffic.  Navigatus team would like to thank Jetstar for the essential access to aircraft data that enabled this development.

Navigatus has again been selected by the Ministry of Transport to advise on the complexities of operating and managing the aerodrome at Milford Sound.  This aerodrome in located within the challenging deep valley system of New Zealand’s Fiordland mountains.  The complexities of operations and the constants created by the close in shear faces of the terrain and changeable weather call for outstanding airship.  The physical constraints mean that many factors add to the risk profile and prevent full compliance required for full ‘certification’ under Part 139.  Having considered the three prior aeronautical studies – two of which were completed by

Navigatus – the CAA have determined that the aerodrome needs to become a ‘qualified’ aerodrome.

Navigatus is working with the key stakeholders to prepare an Explosion, SMS framework and all required processes and procedures as part of applying to CAA for qualification.

Geraint had the recent pleasure of delivering advanced both risk management and business continuity management courses to staff at Vietnam Airlines and a number of subsidiaries. The courses were delivered virtually from Queenstown NZ with local staff from HungViet Consulting expertly facilitating in Hanoi while the attendees were joining from various locations across Vietnam and Cambodia. Each two-day course took the attendees though theory and practice and included group sessions and exercises – all delivered via Zoom with Google Sheets being used to collate results from the exercises and Q&As. Geraint remarked that he drew a lot of energy from the excellent engagement and ready uptake of the material of the attendees as well as their comfort with the use of contemporary video and on-line tools.

On land north of Toronto that previously burned in a wildfire, drones are hovering over fields and firing seed pods into the ground, planting native pine and spruce trees to help restore habitat for birds. Flash Forest, the Canadian startup, plans to use its technology to plant 40,000 trees in the area this month.

By 2028, the startup aims to have planted a full 1 billion trees!

An unexpected consequence of the global COVID-19 situation has been that Air Tahiti Nui just broke the record of the longest distance passenger flight ever traveled.

Departing from Papeete airport in Tahiti on 15th March, their Boeing 787 landed in Paris Charles de Gaulle 15 hours and 45 minutes later. It had flown a distance of 15,715 km (9,764 miles).  The route is normally via LAX, but given Papeete to Paris is considered a domestic flight (and hence departing from Europe!), it couldn’t transit via the US as was normally the case.

Some interesting facts about flight times / distances is at:

https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/travel/2020/03/coronavirus-air-tahiti-nui-sets-new-record-for-longest-flight-ever.html

An interesting report from Flight24 data.  About 12% drop in flights (not the same as pax) as of 12th March.

March 10, 2020

VoltAero has marked a significant milestone in developing its all-new family of Cassio e-aircraft with initiation of flight testing using Safran Electrical & Power’s ENGINeUS™ smart electric motors.

The company is claiming a 50% reduction in fuel usage for their power unit in a helicopter application. Video of test flight of their test bed aircraft included with their press release.

Really interesting to contrast the size of the electric engine nacelles to that for an ICE or turbine engine.

VoltAero takes e-aviation to new heights

Navigatus is pleased to advise that the company has been engaged by CAA NZ to work with the industry to develop an Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) CONOPS for the New Southern Sky programme.  The pressure is on as the CONOPS must be ready for sign off by 1 May ready to be presented at the New Southern Sky conference on 12th May.  The intent is to develop a CONOPS for AIM that describes the future fully digital AIM environment that will under pin all aviation operations under the system as described in the NSS CONOPS 2023.

To date the engagement from industry has been outstanding and a draft CONOPS is expected to be ready for industry feedback on 16th March.

Given the B737 Max MCAS malfunction issue, a previous issue causing loss of control on earlier 737 models has been getting some airtime.  It certainly makes interesting reading and is a reminder that it takes hard work, attention to detail and constant enquiry and challenge to make, and keep, civil aviation safe.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_737_rudder_issues.

A great quiz from Aerotime News!

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