Aerospace

Electric R44 Completes First Airport-to-airport Flight

A fully electric-powered Robinson R44 helicopter made a historic first flight between two airports.

A fully electric-powered Robinson R44 helicopter made a historic first flight between two airports. The 21-nm flight from Thermal, California’s Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport to Palm Springs International Airport took place on Saturday at 11 a.m. local time. Ric Webb, the CEO of OC Helicopters, and Martine Rothblatt, the CEO of Lung Biotechnology’s parent company United Therapeutics, piloted the electric R44 aircraft.

Boeing to shift 150 finance and IT jobs to India from the US(Opens in a new browser tab)

The electric R44 project is a joint effort between Tier 1 Engineering and Lung Biotechnology. Following the delivery of transplantable organs by electric and sustainable fuel-powered fixed-wing aircraft to airports near hospitals, the plan is to use electric-powered helicopters and eVTOLs for short-distance flights from airports to hospitals.

The e-R44 utilizes a novel quick-swap technology for its helicopter battery packs, allowing for return trips without the need for a recharge. A battery pack swap takes 15 minutes, whereas a full recharge takes 1 hour. The cross-country route for today’s historic flight was determined by FAA approval.

United Invests Another $15 Million in Electric Flying Taxi Market with Eve(Opens in a new browser tab)

Lung Biotechnology is dedicated to providing transplantable organs with a zero-carbon footprint. It is entirely possible to save patients’ lives while also ensuring the survival of the planet. Today’s historic inter-city electric helicopter flight demonstrates that with today’s technology, many organ transport distances can be covered by electric aircraft.

Source:

Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.