Craig Teasdale and Toni Drummond Take the Helm of Advanced Air Mobility Group

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) held an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) themed Town Hall coinciding with its Committee meeting in Washington DC on January 18th. The event provided a chance for the burgeoning AAM community and NATA's other policy committees, like the Association’s Air Charter, GA Airport, and Safety bodies, to intermingle and discuss operational shifts introduced by the new aeronautical frontier.

Phoenix Engine Development Facility to Ramp Up Testing of Next-Gen Blended Fuels

Honeywell received its first delivery of sustainable aviation fuel at its Phoenix Engines campus. The new fuel will allow Honeywell to kickstart development and production testing of upcoming auxiliary power units and engines at the site, as well as testing out units fresh from the field in their repair and overhaul facility. The SAF delivered was developed by World Energy of California using Honeywell’s UOP "Ecofining" technology.

Combined Company Output Placed at 130+ Launches Per Year After Inaugural Mission

Rocket Lab's 33rd Electron rocket launch was successful, starting off operations from its Virginia base on the right foot. The mission, “Virginia is for Launch Lovers”, lifted off at 18:00 eastern on January 24th from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (part of NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility). The mission deployed a trio of satellites for radio frequency geospatial analytics provider HawkEye 360 for use as relays and and analysis platforms at 550 kilometers above the earth.

Updates to Electrocardiogram Approach Grant ME's More Latitude

The EAA has weighed in on changes to the FAA's standards on electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, complimenting it as part of a "pattern of positive reform". The change will help to minimize the hassles and diagnostics required for those with abnormal - but asymptomatic and acausal - ECG readings for medical applicants. The change should decrease the chances of an undue medical deferral. Class II and III medical holders are not subject to routine ECG testing, but a similar change was implemented for heart arrhythmias.

Sustainable Fuel Production Insufficient to Meet Government Goals by 2030

The NASA administrator has affirmed the Biden admin's support for sustainable aviation fuel, announcing a partnership with Boeing to create a single-aisle, SAF-powered aircraft. The Biden office has set a goal for the US to produce enough SAF to meet 100% of domestic jetA demand by 2050, when emissions from the industry are projected to make up a sizable proportion of the country's carbon emissions after decades of decarbonization in other sectors.