Norway’s acclaimed pioneers in electric aviation, Equator Aircraft, have joined the world’s first electric air race, Air Race E, with a team including the group’s founder and CEO Tomas Brødreskift.

 

The group, best known for developing the world’s first electric seaplane in 2018, is a founding partner of the all-Norwegian team established as a new company called Electric Aircraft Propulsion AS (EAP). The racing team is comprised of pilot Rein Inge Hoff, chief designer Brødreskift and team leader Øystein Solheim-Aune.

 

EAP enters Air Race E as the only Scandinavian team in what is now a field of 10 teams from around the globe preparing to compete in the inaugural race next year. The trio joins the contest with an impressive track record of developing innovative aircraft designs and carbon composite construction techniques, having already conducted the first sea trials of their electric sea plane just last year.

 

Air Race E founder and CEO Jeff Zaltman, said, “We welcome Equator Aircraft into the series with wide open arms. This is an exciting validation of our racing series as a platform to develop technology for ultimate use in the commercial world. Equator is an accomplished industry player and we expect them to be an accomplished race team as well.”

 

Tomas Brodreskift: “The Air Race E initiative is a great opportunity to continue our work in electric aviation. The race environment allows us to explore the extreme performance characteristics of our electric powertrain, as we push the components to their utmost limits in a safe environment. Lessons from the championship will be transferred to the factory to improve the performance and design of our electric consumer based sea planes.”

 

Jarlsberg Airport, 100km south-west of Oslo, will serve as the team’s base where EAP plans to modify an existing Cassutt IIIM, and retrofit it with a novel electric powertrain.

 

Air Race E will host its inaugural race next year as the first in a series of formula one style international air races. Air Race E events will see eight planes fly simultaneously around a tight 5km circuit at just 10m above the ground and at speeds of up to 450kph – faster than any land-based motorsport.

 

The series is widely considered a test-bed to trial electric aircraft technology to accelerate the development of sustainable aviation. Skilled pilots, airplane builders and engineers from around the world are taking part, with the opportunity still open for those wishing to register their interest in competing.

 

For more information go to https://airracee.com/

DC Aviation Group and Comlux have signed a cooperation agreement for line maintenance and warranty work. The Stuttgart maintenance center of DC Aviation will perform the line maintenance and warranty work for Comlux customers based in Europe and CIS.

DC Aviation Group and Comlux are pleased to announce that they have signed a cooperation agreement. DC Aviation has been selected to perform the line maintenance and warranty work for Comlux customers based in Europe and CIS. 

The line and base maintenance services for aircraft of the Airbus ACJ Family, Global Express 5000/6000 and Challenger 604/605 will be carried out at DC Aviation’s dedicated 5,700 square meter Stuttgart Airport (EDDS) hangar, which also contains a large and well-equipped parts inventory, a certified battery and tire shop and a maintenance logistics center.

Juergen Sehne, Vice President Maintenance & CAMO of DC Aviation said: “Last year we have successfully carried out two A-checks for Comlux’ customers. We are very happy that, with this agreement, we can continue and consolidate our excellent cooperation with Comlux.”

Arnaud Martin, Chief Operating Officer of Comlux said: “We are extremely pleased with this agreement with DC Aviation, which allows us to serve our worldwide customer base even better. While Comlux has strong expertise on VIP interior upgrades and heavy maintenance in our facilities in Indianapolis, DC Aviation offers our European and CIS customers a closer-to-home solution for their line maintenance and warranty needs.”

DC Aviation has been offering line and base maintenance services for various types of aircraft since 1999 and can carry out exceptionally complex work with the highest level of reliability and competence. Due to 24/365 availability, combined with intelligent planning and smooth workflows, DC Aviation is able to meet challenging ground-times.

MEBAA Show 2020 to Lead Regional Industry Promotion

2020 will be a good year for business aviation in the MENA region, according to Ali Alnaqbi, Founding & Executive Chairman of the Middle East and North Africa Business Aviation Association (MEBAA). With the MEBAA Show 2020 taking place in December, the event is perfectly timed to lead the industry in this year of opportunity.

Alnaqbi stated that the business aviation sector in the MENA region is achieving a positive growth rate of around eight to nine percent, higher than the global growth estimate of four to six percent, pointing out that the UAE has become the sector leader in the region.

“2020 will be a milestone in the history of business aviation and private aviation in the Middle East region in general, and in the UAE in particular, as a result of Expo 2020,” Alnaqbi said. He added, “The air traffic in Dubai is currently around 15,000 movements, and this is expected to double to at least 30,000 due to the event.”

There are two main driving factors for this growth, according to Alnaqbi: the official delegations travelling to the country for the expo, and the companies and business leaders attending the event.

The number of aircraft registered in the UAE market is almost 25% of the 600 aircraft registered in the Middle East. Investments in the sector are difficult to quantify as they are distributed among airlines, operators and buildings as well as airports. However Alnaqbi says the volume in the UAE is estimated at between $800 million and $900 million annually, with a contribution to GDP of around two to three percent.

In addition, the industry will benefit from government support for growth.The aviation sector is one of the main strategic sectors, targeted by government plans. It seeks to build a strong and sustainable economy, based on the diversification of sources of national income, and build a post-oil economy.

The MEBAA Show will take place 8-10 December 2020 at DWC, Dubai Airshow Site, and is expecting 500 exhibitors and 10000 trade attendees throughout the three days.

Among the companies already exhibiting at the MEBAA Show 2020 are Airbus Corporate Jets, Dassault Aviation, Gulfstream and Embraer, in addition to many other industry leaders. The event attracts key decision makers and VVIPs along with the whole supply chain of the business aviation industry.

“It’s very important to be close to our customers and to be part of the MEBAA Show,” Benoit Defforge, President of Airbus Corporate Jets, said at the last MEBAA Show. He added, “The Middle East is the number one market for ACJ and MEBAA Show is a very interesting venue because we have the proximity of the booths, the chalets and the aircaft.”

“2020 will be the year of business aviation in the Middle East and North Africa,” says Alnaqbi. He continues, “The MEBAA Show 2020 is the ideal platform for the entire industry to be part of it. I look forward to welcoming the key players in business aviation to Dubai in December 2020.”

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) and Sabena technics are to co-operate in proposing self-protection systems (SPSs) for Airbus corporate jets.

Each SPS would combine an existing, state of the art, directional infra-red countermeasure (DIRCM) system with installation on an Airbus corporate jet.

SPSs will initially be offered for the ACJ320 Family.

An SPS offers protection against missiles fired from man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS), which are the most widespread missile-threat today.

Self-defence systems are already in service on some Airbus corporate jets.

The co-operation agreement was signed at the NBAA show, by Sabena technics Senior Vice president Sales and Business Development Daniel Soltani and ACJ President Benoit Defforge.

“This is a great new opportunity to work with ACJ on aircraft protection, which builds on an extensive portfolio of business-aviation services that includes cabin-outfitting and maintenance,” said Daniel Soltani. “We strongly believe that our ability to install and certificate these systems with airworthiness authorities, such as EASA and the FAA, is a key driver of success.”

“Offering self-protection is yet another way in which we care for our customers, and expands and consolidates the widespread range of modern aircraft and services that ACJ offers,” said ACJ President Benoit Defforge.

Around 200 Airbus corporate jets are in service worldwide, flying on every continent, including Antarctica.

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) and Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) are jointly exhibiting an ACJ319 and ACH145 at the NBAA show1, giving potential customers the chance to appreciate their benefits at first hand. 

ACJ and ACH are part of the only manufacturer to offer both corporate jets and helicopters, which are marketed as Business Aviation by Airbus in a partnership which began in 2017. 

The ACJ319 features lounge and conference/dining areas, plus two private rooms that can each be laid out as either a lounge or a bedroom, as well as an ensuite bathroom with shower. It is offered for VVIP charters by Comlux. 

“Our ability to offer the best comfort, space and freedom of movement is widely recognized in the marketplace, and customers are increasingly aware that we can offer similar operating costs to traditional business jets,” said ACJ President Benoit Defforge. 

The ACH145 at the show features a bespoke, locally made corporate interior. Additionally a full-scale model cabin of the ACH145 helicopter with a Mercedes Benz interior will be on display plus a 1:5 scale model of the new ACH145 with five blades. 

“We are very excited by the market momentum we are having especially with the ACH145 and ACH160 which have amazing traction. Our ability to offer fit for purpose and bespoke solutions to the private and business aviation market with special attention to customer service and detail is increasingly recognized. We are looking forward to telling our story of progress in North America as well as briefing customers on our current product range,” said Head of ACH Frederic Lemos. 

Also showcased at the event is Vahana Alpha Two, one of the two electric vertical take-off and landing technology demonstrators being developed inside the company. Vahana Alpha One recently completed its 114th test flight in Pendleton, Oregon, proving the viability of the concept of self-piloted air taxis. To see Vahana, visit the Innovation Area in Hall D. 

Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) and Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) create the world’s most rewarding flying experiences for customers by providing them with unique expertise, the finest service, best technology and highest standards of care in corporate aviation. All Airbus corporate jets and helicopters come from the most modern aircraft family on the market, derived from Airbus’ successful market-leading jetliners and rotorcraft. 

Around 200 Airbus corporate jets are in service worldwide, flying on every continent, including Antarctica, and more than 1,800 private and business aviation Airbus helicopters.