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December 01, 2023

SaxonAir Aims for Electric Aircraft Throne in UK

First Foot Forward Comes Courtesy of Pipistrel Velis

SaxonAir’s recent “Elevating Ambitions” event was a signal flare over the domestic British market, signaling their intent to become THE brand that comes to mind when charter customers think of sustainable aviation. The firm showed off two shiny new Pipistrel Velis Electro training aircraft, reportedly modified by NEBO Air. The aircraft was the first to gain EASA certification as a fully electrified aircraft, and despite its LSA origins and 2-seat limitation, remains a common entry point into the world of battery-powered flight today.

StableLight Adds Easy, Modern Option for Legacy Airbus Aircraft

Thales and StandardAero have announced their receipt of an STC for the StableLight autopilot when installed on Airbus H125 helicopters. "This system significantly reduces pilot workload, improves mission capability and can help reduce risk in critical flight phases," said both parties in a joint announcement. The StableLight system stems from Thales' Compact Autopilot System, itself originating from an autopilot suite used in certified transport category aircraft. The resulting package is a lightweight, easy install to bring older H125s up to speed.

iPads Can Even Replace the Yoke? Not Yet, But Soon

Airbus has completed a series of hands-off helicopter flights using a "simplified human machine interface", controlling it entirely via tablet. The Airbus Helicopters "FlightLab" testbed flew all phases of flight without requiring human intervention directly on the stick. Everything from lift-off, taxi, takeoff, cruise, approach to landing was flown by the system along a pre-planned route.

The Airplane Flew North And East Of PVU And Into Slate Canyon Toward Rising Terrain

On November 14, 2023, about 1008 Mountain standard time (MST), a Cessna 172G, N3971L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Provo, Utah. Both pilots were fatally injured, and the passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The passenger reported that they were flying from Spanish Fork Municipal Airport/Woodhouse Field (SPK), Utah, to Driggs/Reed Memorial Airport (DIJ), Driggs ID. He believed that the pilot’s intent was to maneuver and to remain outside of the Provo Municipal Airport (PVU) Class D airspace as well as the Salt Lake City Class B Ai