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Airbus’ successful ILA Berlin air show, A major Eurofighter order and new sustainability agreements.

Airbus' successful ILA Berlin air show, A major Eurofighter order and new sustainability agreements.
Airbus’ made headlines during this week’s ILA Berlin with key developments spanning the company’s military, civil, air mobility and cybersecurity businesses – led by a landmark contract for Spain’s acquisition of 20 latest-generation Eurofighter combat aircraft.

ILA Berlin was the first significant European air show since 2019, Airbus giving the opportunity to expose how it leads the field in sustainable aerospace for a peaceful and safe planet. At the interior exhibits and flight demonstrations at the Berlin Expo Center Airport, it featured a wide variety of aircraft.
Spain’s order for a fleet of Eurofighters fitted with E-Scan radar to replace F-18s deployed by the Spanish Air Force from Gando Air Base on the Canary Islands covered the news from ILA Berlin. Deliveries of these new single- and twin-seat combat aircraft, which will start in 2026, will bring the Spanish Air Force’s total inventory to 90 Eurofighters, placing it among NATO allies with the most advanced fighter jet developed in Europe.

Initiatives, partnerships for sustainability and mobility

Six further announcements made at ILA Berlin highlighted Airbus’ efforts to promote the aviation industry’s objectives for aviation sustainability and enhanced air mobility. The company is launching to grow variety of initiatives and forming important alliances.

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Airbus and MAI expand advanced air mobility partnership to provide global coverage(Opens in a new browser tab)

This includes  Airbus’ support for the German Air Force’s start of upcoming flight tests utilizing A400M multipurpose airlifters powered by up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Looking further into the upcoming years, the objective is to make it possible for the German Air Force’s entire fleet of Airbus-built aircraft, from fighter jets to airlifters and VIP transports, to operate on SAF, which has proven alternative fuel that can reduce life-cycle CO2 emissions by up to 85% when it compared to conventional fuel. Airbus has started on a long-term path to achieve 100 percent SAF readiness and certification for the different countries operating A400Ms in addition to supporting such near-term initiatives at the national level.

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A world’s first helicopter flight with sustainable aviation fuel

Another innovation revealed at ILA Berlin was the first helicopter flight ever made with both Safran Makila 2 engines powered entirely by SAF on an H225 rotorcraft. The trials are expected to retain on alternative fuel and engine architectures in other helicopter types with the goal of validating the usage of 100 percent SAF by 2030.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Airbus and the industrial gases and engineering company Linde to provide hydrogen infrastructure at airports throughout the world. As they evaluate the possibilities of Power-to-Liquid fuels, a type of SAF created from the synthetically manufactured liquid hydrocarbon through the conversion of renewable electricity, they will define and launch pilot projects at various airports starting in early 2023.

Driving the sustainable deployment of advanced air mobility solutions

Also at ILA Berlin, Airbus and Munich Airport International signed a (MoU) to start marketing turnkey solutions for cities and regions interested in building advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystems globally. The successful integration of several AAM components, including Airbus’ City. Airbus NextGen(eVTOL) aircraft, requires good partnership between international and local stakeholders that combine important competences, including partners like Munich Airport.

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In addition, Airbus announced a collaboration with KLK Motorsport and Modell- und Formenbau Blasius Gerg GmbH to design, create, and produce the rear structure for City Airbus NextGen. Utilizing each other’s capabilities in design engineering and manufacturing techniques, they will collaborate to create an ultra-lightweight rear fuselage based on premium composite components and solutions.

An A321LR delivery to the German armed forces

The first of two A321LR (Long Range) aircraft for the German armed forces was delivered during a ceremony at ILA Berlin. For flexible troop and passenger transport on short-, medium-, and long-haul routes as well as parliamentary flight operations, Lufthansa Technik AG upgraded it from the commercial version. The aircraft’s medical evacuation mission, which will expand its range of operations to cover the transport of sick, injured, and wounded passengers as a flying intensive care unit, was also prepared for by Lufthansa Technik.

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Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, said, “We have worked to ensure that the aircraft meets all expectations with our partner Lufthansa Technik. The A321LR not only flies longer trips but it also reduces CO2 emissions by 20% when compared to earlier aircraft and is approved to run on 50% sustainable aviation fuels, which can further reduce emissions

An innovation hub for cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

At ILA Berlin, Airbus signed a (MoU) with the CISPA Helmholtz Center for Information Security, representing a major development in its strategy to continue enhancing its cybersecurity capabilities and expertise. This arrangement will result in the establishment of a cybersecurity and reliable artificial intelligence centre in Saarland, Germany.

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The “CISPA-Airbus Digital Innovation Hub” will begin operations in 2022 and based in the CISPA Innovation Campus. With the following three years, it plans to increase its operation to about 100 experts, eventually reaching more than 500 experts.

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He is an aviation journalist and the founder of Jetline Marvel. Dawal gained a comprehensive understanding of the commercial aviation industry.  He has worked in a range of roles for more than 9 years in the aviation and aerospace industry. He has written more than 1700 articles in the aerospace industry. When he was 19 years old, he received a national award for his general innovations and holds the patent. He completed two postgraduate degrees simultaneously, one in Aerospace and the other in Management. Additionally, he authored nearly six textbooks on aviation and aerospace tailored for students in various educational institutions. jetlinem4(at)gmail.com

Aerospace

The LCA Tejas Aircraft Crash: Understanding the Reasons – Air Marshal GS Bedi’s Perspective

The LCA Tejas Aircraft Crash: Understanding the Reasons - Air Marshal GS Bedi's Perspective

Air Marshal GS Bedi, a renowned fighter jet pilot and experienced crew member, recently participated in a YouTube interview with Def Talks hosted by Aadi. During the interview, he provided insights into the recent Tejas aircraft crash in Rajasthan, which marks one of the first crashes involving an aircraft from the Tejas family since its production commenced 20 years ago.

Numerous questions have emerged regarding the circumstances surrounding the Tejas aircraft crash and the potential causes of failure. Air Marshal Bedi adeptly addressed these concerns by outlining possible scenarios that could have led to the crash. His expertise shed light on the complexities involved in such incidents and provided valuable perspective on the aviation community’s understanding of the event.

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At the outset, Tejas lacked a simulator and a trainer aircraft for initial training. However, pilots were provided with simulation trials before flying the Tejas aircraft. Initial reviews indicated stability during flight, with the aircraft maintaining a straight glide. However, there was an incident where the aircraft experienced an engine malfunction, prompting the pilot to eject safely.

Pilot Safe Ejections

The decision to eject was made as a precautionary measure, considering the aircraft’s low altitude and steep descent angle. With the aircraft’s altitude dropping rapidly, attempting to balance and land it was deemed too risky. Ejecting ensured the pilot’s safety, as deploying a parachute at such low altitudes could have been disastrous.

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He chose to eject to ensure a safer distance from the ground. The aircraft is at an angle of less than 3 degrees during the approach. At a height of 100 meters, the aircraft is nearly 20 times its length away from the ground. This means the touchdown point will be approximately 4 kilometers ahead.

However, as the altitude decreases, the approach becomes too short due to the rapid descent rate. Consequently, the pilot opts to eject rather than attempt to stabilize the aircraft for a ground landing. If he had not ejected, there’s a high probability that his parachute would have deployed at that low altitude.

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LCA Tejas engine Issue

Investigations revealed the engine malfunction was likely due to lubrication issues or other technical faults. Such split-second decisions underscore the potentially catastrophic outcomes that can result from technical failures.

The pilot involved was highly experienced and well-trained for airshow displays, suggesting timely decision-making. Nevertheless, accidents can stem from technical glitches, human errors, or unforeseen circumstances like bird strikes.

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Air Marshal Bedi emphasized the importance of pilots being trained for emergency situations, including ejecting from the aircraft when control is lost. Despite advancements in technology, technical issues remain unpredictable, necessitating ongoing learning and improvements in aircraft systems.

Today, the Tejas mk1A aircraft completed its inaugural flight at the Bangalore station, marking the dawn of a new, advanced version of the Tejas aircraft. This iteration boasts enhanced avionics and improved aircraft structure.

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Aerospace

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China is secretly testing its next-generation medium combat helicopter Z21

China consistently keeps aviation enthusiasts surprised with its advancements in fighter jets and other aircraft. Leading the pack in Asia, China continuously pushes boundaries in developing domestically-built aircraft.

Recently, images circulating on the internet reveal China’s latest creation, the Z-21 helicopter. Resembling its predecessor, the Z-10, this helicopter boasts enhanced fighter capabilities. The emergence of these images sparks questions regarding the fate of plans to acquire Russian-made Ka-52K attack helicopters, particularly the naval version.

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Observing the helicopter in flight, it shares design elements with the Harbin Z-10, notably in the front fuselage and cockpit canopy. The wing stubs for weapon mounts exhibit similar shapes, though with less pronounced angular features. With a tandem seating arrangement, the Z-21 also draws comparisons to the Mil Mi-28, featuring an elongated body with five rotor blades and weapon bays on its sides.

The unveiling of the Z-21 has triggered speculation about its potential role in future military operations. Analysts suggest that beyond its firepower, its introduction could signal significant technological advancements. There’s particular interest in whether China will incorporate a ‘manned-unmanned teaming’ system akin to later Apache models, enabling the Z-21 to control armed drones for reconnaissance and attacks, reducing risks to the helicopter itself.

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The emergence of the Z-21 underscores China’s increasing military prowess and its commitment to developing cutting-edge weaponry. Its deployment and capabilities will be closely monitored, especially concerning regional security dynamics.

The helicopter presents a significant challenge to American-built Apache and other medium helicopters, boasting superior capacity for flying at higher altitudes and more powerful speed and combat capabilities, thus enhancing its effectiveness on the battlefield. On the other hand, amidst ongoing Indian border tensions, this aircraft is poised to play a crucial role in surveillance along the sensitive China border and beyond.

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Aerospace

Qantas Airbus A330 Makes Safe Landing After Engine Blowout

Woman spends tortuous three months trying to resolve huge Qantas errors

A Qantas Airbus A330 Aircraft, flight number QF781, has landed safely without incident in
Perth after the passengers on the Perth-bound flight reported hearing a ‘loud bang’ from one
side of the twin-engined plane engine. The Airbus A330 aircraft made a priority landing at
Perth Airport around 9:37pm local time on 25 March, arriving approximately 52 minutes
behind schedule.


Upon landing, emergency services met with the aircraft on the tarmac. However, the aircraft
taxied to the gate without assistance, with the passengers disembarking normally.
The ‘loud bang’ heard by passengers happened due to a mid-air engine blowout, therefore
resulting in the pilots having to manually shut off the affected engine, together with
requesting a priority landing into Perth Airport. Qantas also added in a statement that the
Airbus A330 aircraft was designed to operate with one engine too.

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Qantas QF781 is a daily scheduled flight from Melbourne to Perth, utilising the Airbus A330
on the route. The Aircraft in question is VH-EBA, an approximately 21 years aircraft,
equipped with 2 GE CF6 engines according to airfleets.net. The Airbus A330 have been a
frequent regional workhorse in Qantas’ fleet, connecting major australian cities with major
destinations within Asia. the Airbus A330 is also used on high-density domestic routes,
similar to QF781, from Melbourne to Perth.

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Engine Issues – Should you be concerned?


While engine issues are highly uncommon due to the stringent checks and quality control on
each component within the engine, there might still be exceptional occasions where such
incidents happen. However, while recognising the risks of dual engines, Aircraft
Manufacturers and Organisations have actually came up with standards so as to ensure that
an aircraft can also land on a single engine, similar to what we saw on QF781.


One of the most well known standard is Extended-range Twin-engine Operations
Performance Standards (ETOPS) which is an acronym for twin-engine operation in an
airspace further than one hour from a diversion airport at a designated one engine
inoperable speed. This ensures that twin-engined aircraft could safely operate routes over
water or remote land without an alternative airport near the flight path, which once required
aircraft with 3 or 4 engines to fly on that route.

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In this case, the Airbus A330 has been certified to fly ‘Beyond ETOPS 180’, and have
received ETOPS 240 certification, which is a certification to enable the twin-engined aircraft
to fly for up to a maximum of 240 minutes with 1 engine inoperative in a cruise condition.
Currently, most twin-engined widebody aircraft in operation would generally have an ETOPS
certification of at least ETOPS 180, with the new Airbus A321LR also having ETOPS 180
certification, therefore enabling the narrowbody to fly long haul flights.

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Aerospace

Boeing CEO Resigns Amid 737 MAX Crisis, Ignites Management Overhaul

Boeing CEO Resigns Amid 737 MAX Crisis, Ignites Management Overhaul

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has announced his resignation amidst the ongoing 737 MAX crisis, signaling a significant top management shakeup at the aerospace giant.

While Calhoun will continue leading the company until the end of 2024, his decision comes amid mounting pressure following a series of setbacks, including the recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight. This departure coincides with the retirement of Boeing Commercial President and CEO Stan Deal, who is succeeded by Stephanie Pope, the current Chief Operating Officer.

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The announcement, made by Larry Kellner, boeing products chairman, outlines a broader restructuring within the company’s leadership. Steve Mollenkopf, a Boeing director since 2020 and former CEO of Qualcomm, will take over as chairman and lead the board in selecting a new CEO. This strategic move comes at a critical juncture as boeing airplanes
faces intense regulatory scrutiny and production constraints due to safety and quality issues.

The market’s initial response to the news was positive, with Boeing’s shares rising by 2 percent before regular trading. However, the boeing aircraft company stock had experienced a significant decline earlier in the year, reflecting investor concerns about boeing distribution aviall the ongoing challenges and uncertainties surrounding the 737 MAX program.

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Calhoun stressed the company’s commitment to transparency, safety, and quality in a letter to employees.“We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company,” he said.

“The eyes of the world are on us, and I know we will come through this moment a better company, building on all the learnings we accumulated as we worked together to rebuild Boeing over the last number of years.”

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