Aerospace

NASA and Pratt & Whitney collaborate to develop low-emission aviation engine technology.

NASA has granted Pratt & Whitney a $13.1 million cost-share contract under HyTEC

To transform air travel and assist in the combat of climate change, NASA is starting a new phase of its aeronautics research. The agency’s Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project intends to enhance aircraft engine combustors to guarantee that commercial aviation is cleaner, more effective, and more environmentally friendly in the future.

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NASA has granted Pratt & Whitney a $13.1 million cost-share contract under HyTEC. During the contract duration, Pratt & Whitney, based in Hartford, CT, will match or surpass NASA’s contribution. This two-year collaboration aims to advance innovative combustor designs for small-core engines. The combustor, also known as the combustion chamber in an aviation engine, is where fuel is mixed with compressed air and ignited to produce the high-temperature gas that powers the engine.

NASA and Pratt & Whitney will evaluate how well these upcoming combustor concepts perform when powered by sustainable aviation fuels as part of their revolutionary engine combustor work. By using less energy, running on renewable fuels instead of fossil fuels, and enabling electrified propulsion for single-aisle commercial aircraft, the HyTEC project will ultimately provide extremely efficient jet engines to enable the future of sustainable aviation.

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By 2050, the U.S. fleet will have grown and will require 40% more jet fuel, according to the United States 2021 Aviation Climate Action Plan. Sustainable fuels are essential weapons in the industry’s toolbox to lower net carbon emissions from commercial aircraft, even though efficiency improvements like small core engines help to lower the fuel demand. The expected rise in the use of renewable fuels would drastically cut the emissions from aviation worldwide and slow the climate change rate brought by transportation.

Aerospace

EASA Ends Suspension on PIA, Approves Flights to Europe

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The suspension of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) from operating in Europe is finally over, marking a significant turning point for Pakistan’s aviation sector.

After years of scrutiny and stringent safety assessments, the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have officially lifted the ban on PIA. This decision also grants Airblue authorization to operate flights to Europe, further enhancing Pakistan’s connectivity with the region.

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PIA’s suspension, initially imposed in June 2020, was a direct consequence of concerns regarding the oversight capabilities of Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA). These concerns were triggered shortly after a tragic PIA plane crash that claimed 97 lives, prompting an investigation into the validity of pilot licenses issued in the country.

Now, after four years of continuous efforts and reforms by the PCAA, EASA has expressed renewed confidence in Pakistan’s aviation regulatory framework. In a statement, EASA highlighted that Pakistan has successfully addressed safety compliance issues, enabling PIA to resume its operations within the European Union.

A spokesperson for PIA expressed optimism, emphasizing the airline’s commitment to strictly adhere to EASA’s regulations and guidelines. “This milestone has been achieved after four years of relentless efforts by the PIA management,” the spokesperson said.

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The lifting of the ban is expected to have a profound impact on PIA’s future. The airline, which employs over 7,000 people, has faced criticism in the past for poor management, financial instability, and regulatory challenges.

However, the restoration of European operations is seen as a vital step toward regaining its competitive edge, improving its financial standing, and restoring its reputation on the global stage.

Pakistan’s government, which has been exploring options to privatize the debt-laden national carrier, is hopeful that this development will attract foreign investment and bolster the country’s aviation industry.

With a renewed focus on compliance and safety, PIA is now poised to rebuild its presence in Europe, offering Pakistani travelers and international passengers more connectivity and improved service.