Amid recent reports of yet another sinking of an Icon A5 airframe, a heretofore unsuccessful attempt to raise more capital, and GAMA stats showing that Icon’s promised production targets are not being met, along comes news of company layoffs.
An Icon A5 was sunk in Washington state last week after witnesses reported it to have suffered a hard landing... not the first such report. The airframe sunk to wing level and required winching out of the water, for repair. Reported attempts to raise additional capital appear to be unproductive and promises of completing as many as 12-20 airframes per month have definitely not been reached as GAMA noted that their First Quarter production total tallied only 14 aircraft... less than 5 birds per month. Airbus Perlan Mission II has launched its fourth season of operations. The Perlan 2 glider is the world’s first engineless aircraft designed to reach the edge of space. When the aircraft deploys to Patagonia later this year, the team aims to achieve the world altitude aviation record for sustained, level flight. Last year, on Sept. 2, 2018, the team set a new world record of 76,124 feet pressure altitude, surpassing the highest known flight of the U-2 (74,000 feet). Lilium has taken the wraps off
its new five-seater air taxi prototype. The Lilium Jet completed its maiden flight in Germany earlier this month. The full-scale, full-weight prototype is powered by 36 all-electric jet engines that allow it to take-off and land vertically, while achieving horizontal, or cruise, flight. With a top speed of 160 knots and a range of 160 nautical miles, the Lilium Jet is reportedly capable of completing long journeys. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!
Airborne 05.20.19 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Monday, May 20th, 2019... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Hosts Sophie Hurlock, Laura Hutson, Brianne Cross, and Christopher Odom, and is supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Aero-Journalist Tom Patton, this episode covers:
- Icon Layoffs Reported/Confirmed
- Airbus Perlan Mission II Aims For Top World Aviation Record
- First Flight For Lilium Electric Air Taxi
- #HonorTheWASP Over Memorial Day Weekend
- NASA Funds Aviation Research On A New Fuel Concept
- Boom Supersonic And Dassault Systèmes Announce Partnership
- David Davenport Named President & CEO Of FlightSafety International
Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again for the next edition of "Airborne Unlimited" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, tomorrow!
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