Aviation
Skyryse Reveals Helicopter Featuring Single Control Stick and Dual Screens
Introducing the Skyrise One, the first production helicopter in the world that runs on a single stick and dual touch screens. Its patented operating system, SkyOSTM, which provides simplified control and a triply-redundant fly-by-wire system independent of the aircraft, powers the revolutionary controls.
It is currently the world’s most integrated, raised, and straightforward aircraft—it is no longer just a helicopter. Skyryse was able to start from scratch with a completely new cockpit design by replacing the mechanical controls that had been in place for decades and eliminating hundreds of possible sites of aircraft failure.
The highly automated SkyOS system brings a new level of simplicity and safety to general aviation. For example, here are just a few of the many first-of-its-kind features found in the Skyryse One:
- Fly-By-Wire Flight System: This isn’t autopilot, it’s a true full four-axis flight control system flown with our SkyOS operating system and fly-by-wire.
- Dynamic Envelope Protection: Continuously combining pilot inputs, environmental conditions, aircraft status, and flight parameters to keep you in a safe envelope – simply. The interactive and triply-redundant flight control system provides a level of aviation safety usually found only in fighter jets and airliners.
- Fully Automated Autorotation: Skyryse SkyOS quickly recognizes a power failure and automatically enters into an autorotation, automating the glide, flare, and set-down, with the pilot in control.
- Auto-Pickup and Set-Down: The Skyryse One will auto-pickup and set-down at a pilot’s command with just one simple swipe on the screen.
- Hover Assist: Traditional helicopters require a complex synchronization of all four controls. Skyryse SkyOS simplifies all that, assisting pilots by maintaining a hover at their command (without hands or feet!).
- Inherent Stability: Because Skyryse One is continuously stabilized by SkyOS, you can let go of the controls at any time and the aircraft will stay inside a safe flight envelope.
- Swipe-to-Start: Traditional helicopters are also started through a lengthy multi-step startup procedure. The Skyryse One automates all of that, allowing a pilot to start the engine by swiping right on the screen.
- IFR-Capable: The Skyryse One will be fully certified for Instrument Flight Rules, at half the cost of an IFR-certified helicopter.
Fly-by-wire and flight control software work together seamlessly to eliminate complicated mechanical controls and replace them with a single, four-axis control stick similar to an F-35. This is what Skyryse has done. Combining two user-friendly touch screens with a single control stick, the conventional complicated array of boxes, switches, and indications is removed. The Skyryse One cockpit puts the pilot fully in command while freeing them from mundane, error-prone chores. Skyryse One restores peace of mind to simply enjoy the flight.
Reservations for the Skyryse One, which cost just $2,500 and are non-transferable and fully refundable, will open up on the Skyryse website today. For a limited time, the first clients can secure their Skyryse One First Edition aircraft for a mere $1,800,000, which does not include any extra interior or livery customizations they may choose. The price of the Skyryse One after these First Edition units will depend on production schedule and line position.
Aviation
Air India Express 300 crew go on ‘mass sick leave’, more than 80 flights cancelled
Air India Express, a prominent airline in both international and domestic routes, found itself in a whirlwind of disruptions as over 80 flights were abruptly cancelled due to an unexpected occurrence.
More than 300 crew members reported being ‘sick’. The airline’s senior crew member disclosed this puzzling situation, sparking concerns and investigations from Civil Aviation authorities.
The fallout from this mass sick leave has been profound, with scores of flights cancelled across various key airports like Kochi, Calicut, and Bangalore. Passengers were left stranded or facing significant delays, amounting to approximately 15,000 individuals grappling with the repercussions of these cancellations.
While the exact reasons behind this sudden wave of sick leave remain unclear, speculations point towards discontent among the Air India Express staff. Allegations of mismanagement within the Tata Group-owned airline have surfaced, hinting at possible reasons for the crew’s protest.
The Air India Express Employees Union (AIXEU), claiming to represent a significant portion of the cabin crew, echoed sentiments of morale depletion among its members due to managerial issues. In response to the chaos, Air India Express issued a statement acknowledging the disruptions and expressing regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers.
They assured affected travelers of full refunds or rescheduling options, urging them to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
Social media platforms buzzed with complaints from passengers caught off guard by the sudden flight cancellations, highlighting the extent of the turmoil faced by those relying on Air India Express services.
Aviation
JetBlue & Etihad Airways Join Forces for Loyalty Partnership under Codeshare Agreement
A long-standing codeshare collaboration between JetBlue New York’s Hometown Airline® and Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has expanded to include loyalty benefits beginning on May 8, 2024.
Celebrated today at Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market was the agreement between the two airlines. As a result of the partnership, passengers travelling across the networks of both airlines will now be able to accrue and redeem points in their preferred programme while they are part of JetBlue’s TrueBlue and Etihad Airways’ Etihad Guest.
With Etihad Guest miles redeemable against a variety of experiences, including travel and lodging across the globe as well as the ability to convert miles into reward cards for retail purchases, this alliance enhances the redemption choices offered by the individual programmes.
In addition, JetBlue introduced its new TrueBlue loyalty programme last year, giving members more value than ever before with expanded Mosaic levels for the airline’s most devoted customers, Perks You Pick®, tiles to track status, and more opportunities than ever before to earn perks and status.
TrueBlue recognises that every traveller is unique, thus it allows users to select the benefits that are most important to them and accrue points for every flight, purchase, drive, or shop.
The customer reward programmes expand on the nearly ten-year cooperation between the two airlines, which provides connectivity between New York and Boston to over 70 locations worldwide on Etihad and over 40 destinations in the Americas on JetBlue.
Aviation
Emirates Unveils Plans to Retrofit 191 Aircraft, Including Boeing 777 Upgrade
Emirates announced today an ambitious expansion of its aircraft refurbishment program, signaling its commitment to providing an unparalleled travel experience for its customers.
The initiative now includes refurbishing an additional 43 A380s and 28 Boeing 777s, bringing the total number of aircraft undergoing full refurbishment to 191.
Originally slated for 120 aircraft, comprising 67 A380s and 53 777s, the program’s extension reflects Emirates’ dedication to maintaining the excellence of its fleet. The Boeing 777 remains the backbone of the Emirates fleet, while the A380 continues to be a customer favorite, serving as the airline’s flagship.
Emirates has already retrofitted 22 A380s, with plans to commence the interior refresh of the first Boeing 777 in July. Each Boeing 777 will undergo approximately two weeks of refurbishment before re-entering service. Notable upgrades include a refreshed First-Class cabin, new Business Class seats featuring an updated 1-2-1 seating configuration, and the introduction of 24 Premium Economy seats, expanding premium options for travelers.
With the addition of the Premium Economy cabin, Emirates’ Boeing 777 will feature 332 seats across four classes: eight First Class suites, 40 Business Class seats, 24 Premium Economy seats, and 260 Economy Class seats. To accommodate the new Premium Economy cabin, 50 Economy seats will be removed.
Emirates’ in-house Engineering Centre is managing and executing the refurbishment work for its fleet, with over 250 project personnel working tirelessly, supported by 31 major partners and suppliers. These partners have established workshops both onsite and offsite to deliver the refreshed cabins efficiently.
Upon completion of the retrofit program, Emirates will have installed 8,104 next-generation Premium Economy seats, 1,894 refreshed First Class suites, 11,182 upgraded Business Class seats, and 21,814 Economy Class seats across its fleet.
Emirates currently operates refurbished A380 aircraft with Premium Economy on various routes, including to destinations such as New York JFK, Los Angeles, London Heathrow, Sydney, and Dubai. The airline plans to expand services with the new cabin to Osaka in early June.
By February 2025, Emirates aims to offer Premium Economy services to 42 cities, with the introduction of the A350 to its fleet in September and the refurbished Boeing 777s set to serve more cities with the highly sought-after cabin later in the summer.
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