November 9, 2017 - No. 088 In This Issue Boeing Completes Acquisition of Aurora Flight Sciences Esterline CMC Electronics and NovAtel® partner on new aviation certified GNSS Receiver Aviation Renaissance: NASA Advances Concepts for Next-gen Aircraft West Star Aviation Announces Apprenticeship Program 'Ground-Breaking' UAE ATM System About to Go Live Hamburg and Montreal partner on aviation research Cybersecurity Report Fears 'Dismissive' Approach Flightdocs Receives $10 Million Strategic Growth Investment From Argentum Harness new tech to improve safety, air traffic managers told SpaceX Rocket Engine Suffers Failure During Test Boeing Completes Acquisition of Aurora Flight Sciences Boeing finalized its acquisition of advanced technologies specialist Aurora Flight Sciences, broadening its reach into the realm of autonomy, unmanned and electric research, the companies announced today. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The sale was completed just a month after Boeing and Aurora announced they had reached an agreement for the acquisition. Aurora, which will be a subsidiary under Boeing's Engineering, Test and Technology division, will operate as an independent unit under the name Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company. The Manassas, Virginia, firm will retain an independent operating model, but will be able to leverage Boeing resources to bring its emerging technologies to market. In announcing the planned acquisition on October 5, Greg Hyslop, the chief technology officer and senior v-p of Boeing Engineering, Test and Technology, said the deal would bring "a new chapter for Boeing," providing a range of expertise in the areas of robotic and unmanned technologies, electric systems and advanced aerostructures for programs such as the Bell 525 Relentless and Gulfstream G500, as well as a range of other technologies. Aurora projects have included the Alias robotic copilot, the e-VTOL under development in concert with Uber, the D8 "double bubble" commercial aircraft concept and the Centaur optionally piloted aircraft, among others. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-11-08/boeing-completes- acquisition-aurora-flight-sciences Back to Top Esterline CMC Electronics and NovAtel® partner on new aviation certified GNSS Receiver Montreal, QC and Calgary, AB, Canada, Nov. 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Esterline CMC Electronics and NovAtel Inc. (NovAtel) are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership, extending their collaboration in Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) positioning technology that started in the late 1990s. The partnership will see NovAtel's industry-leading GNSS measurement technology integrated into a new Esterline CMC-designed multi-constellation, multi- frequency (MCMF) chipset for certified aviation use. The DO-254 Level A certified chipset will allow both companies to develop new GNSS receiver solutions for use in a variety of safety critical applications, including DO-178C Level A certified products designed for commercial aviation, military and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Combining the world-class capabilities of NovAtel's GNSS expertise with Esterline CMC's aviation and certification experience will allow the companies to bring innovative solutions to the market, meeting the requirements of new and evolving industry standards as the modern age of MCMF GNSS positioning in aviation is ushered in. As two industry- leading technology companies, NovAtel and Esterline CMC will combine their complementary resources to deliver competitive solutions that will establish a new standard for excellence in this exciting application space. John Studenny, Director Aviation GPS Products at Esterline CMC Electronics, said: Esterline CMC and NovAtel have a highly successful and growing relationship built on the strengths of both companies often described as "1+1 yields 3!". While Esterline CMC Electronics is an acknowledged industry leader with its reliable, dependable, DAL-A certified CMA-5024 and CMA-6024 landing system receivers, our company will usher in a new generation of high-performance Multi- Constellation-Multi-Frequency (MCMF) GNSS products certified to the highest levels, supporting current and new aircraft GNSS precision approach." Jonathan Auld, Vice President of Engineering and Safety Critical Systems at NovAtel said "We are proud to extend our long-standing and successful collaboration with Esterline CMC Electronics. We believe that this partnership will strengthen the technology portfolio of both companies. NovAtel is a major supplier of precise GNSS technology to mission-critical military and civilian UAS, for example, and with this new, certified chipset we will extend our solution portfolio with assured positioning solutions to meet the emerging industry standards." For more information about NovAtel solutions for aerospace applications visit www.novatel.com/industries/aerospace/ About NovAtel NovAtel designs, manufactures and sells high precision OEM positioning technology. Developed for efficient and rapid integration, our products have set the standard in quality and performance for over 25 years. State-of-the-art, lean manufacturing facilities in our North American headquarters produce the industry's most extensive line of OEM receivers, antennas and subsystems. All of our products are backed by a team of highly skilled application engineers. NovAtel Inc. is part of Hexagon (Nasdaq Stockholm: HEXA B; hexagon.com), a leading global provider of information technologies that drive quality and productivity across geospatial and industrial enterprise applications. www.novatel.com About Esterline CMC Electronics The Esterline Avionics Systems (www.esterline.com/avionicssystems) business group has achieved an international reputation for innovation and excellence in the design and manufacture of advanced displays and CMC Electronics products for the military and commercial aviation markets. Its focus is on delivering innovative cockpit systems integration, avionics and display solutions to customers worldwide. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Esterline Corporation (NYSE:ESL), a specialized aerospace and defense company headquartered in Bellevue, WA, that employs over 13,000 people worldwide. https://globenewswire.com/news-release/2017/11/08/1176900/0/en/Esterline-CMC-Electronics- and-NovAtel-partner-on-new-aviation-certified-GNSS-Receiver.html Back to Top Aviation Renaissance: NASA Advances Concepts for Next-gen Aircraft An aviation renaissance, one focused on energy efficiency and economic impact, is on the horizon, and it's changing how engineers look at aircraft power and design. Although the aircraft industry continues to adopt innovative technologies, which are making current aircraft more energy efficient, there's new interest in exploring alternative propulsion systems and energy sources. This new interest presents an opportunity to develop cutting-edge technologies that will dramatically reduce fuel usage, while opening up potential new markets and business opportunities for American companies and carriers. "I feel we are at a tipping point in commercial aviation," says Jim Heidmann, manager of NASA's Advanced Air Transport Technology Project (AATT). "We are exploring and developing game- changing technologies and concepts for aircraft and propulsion systems that can dramatically improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact and accelerate the introduction of new aircraft." To provide better efficiency with less noise and fewer emissions, NASA is working with the aviation industry and academia to develop unique vehicle concepts that will use different fuselage shapes; longer, skinnier and more blended wings; innovative materials and components; and highly- integrated propulsion (engine) systems. NASA aims to accelerate the final testing and validation of these advanced concepts and technologies through its New Aviation Horizons initiative. This initiative outlines the development of a series of experimental planes (X-planes), which will achieve the agency's aircraft-level metrics for fuel consumption, emissions and noise. The work has already begun under New Aviation Horizons as NASA is preparing to build and fly the first such X-plane - a low-boom supersonic flight demonstrator. A turboelectric aircraft configuration is among several candidates for future subsonic transport X-planes that will prove the benefits of these advanced technologies in piloted flight within the next decade. STARC Contrast: Smaller engines provide more power One of the most pivotal areas of commercial aviation's transformation centers around propulsion, and a team of engineers at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is conducting cutting-edge research into high-pressure-ratio compact gas turbine engines, low-emission combustors, electric- enhanced propulsion and boundary-layer ingesting (BLI) engines. "We believe global competition and international certification standards will drive reduced fuel consumption and more efficient aircraft and propulsion concepts that may use cleaner forms of energy," said Heidmann. "We also see the potential emergence of alternative modes of commercial transport, such as on- demand and flight service between rarely-traveled locations, both of which would represent new markets and potential beneficiaries of revolutionary propulsion technologies." Some of the key propulsion system advances the NASA Glenn team is pursuing converge in an aircraft concept study called STARC-ABL (single-aisle turboelectric aircraft with an aft [at the rear of the aircraft] boundary-layer propulsor). The STARC-ABL concept, developed by NASA's Jim Felder and Jason Welsted, is under consideration as one of NASA's future X-planes. It looks similar to the proven tube-and-wing aircraft you see every day. But, unlike those aircraft, a significant amount of electrical power, approximately three megawatts, is used for turboelectric propulsion, in addition to the electrical operation of subsystems like flight controls, avionics and de-icing. Imagine a Boeing 737, but with slightly smaller engines. Not a dramatic design departure, but STARC-ABL's tail features a "T-tail" horizontal stabilizer configuration with a BLI ducted fan on the tail, which is driven purely by electric power derived from generators mounted to the underwing engines. The wing-mounted engines supply 80 percent of the thrust required during takeoff and 55 percent at cruise, while the tail-mounted, all-electric BLI turbofan accounts for remaining thrust. Researchers predict a potential fuel consumption improvement of roughly 10 percent using this innovative system. Next Step: Collaboration leads to solutions While NASA is preparing for initial ground tests of a subscale STARC-ABL concept later this fall at NASA's Electric Aircraft Testbed (NEAT) at Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio, several vehicle- level development challenges remain: How to balance aerodynamic efficiency, appropriately optimize the engines and aft BLI fan, validate the BLI benefits, store energy, compensate for additional weight, and meet safety and operational requirements. To further investigate the challenges surrounding the hybridization of commercial aircraft, NASA is looking to industry and academic expertise for solutions. NASA recently awarded 12-month contracts to Boeing, teamed with Georgia Tech, and Liberty Works, with ES Aero, to develop preliminary single-aisle, 150-seat aircraft designs using promising electric-enhanced propulsion and vehicle configuration concepts. "During the 12-month cycle, we'll work with the teams to take a deep dive into their hybrid and turboelectric aircraft concepts," said Amy Jankovsky, NASA's AATT subproject manager. "These concepts will provide in-depth, detailed analyses of the propulsion and electrical systems, and we will recommend technology development paths for their concepts." The year-long study will also reveal new development approaches and any unforeseen technological hurdles, as well as any safety and flight certification challenges that could get an aircraft like STARC-ABL or other next-generation, hybrid or turboelectric aircraft concepts aloft within 20 years. And while those proposed industry concepts could look like STARC-ABL, the real objective is to transform commercial aviation by using new propulsion technologies that meet NASA's aircraft-level requirements of energy use, life-cycle carbon, landing-and-takeoff emissions and noise. Ready for Takeoff: Development, testing, flight Final reports from the industry study will outline hybrid-electric and conventional single-aisle aircraft concept designs, technology roadmaps for the major electrical systems and aircraft subsystems, and the evaluation of the concepts' performance against NASA aircraft metrics. "As we move forward, we'd like to further develop the powertrains for these and any other concepts that may prove viable by building and testing them at NEAT and other NASA facilities," said Jankovsky. "We'll identify key performance parameters for components such as motors, generators and power electronics, and any wind tunnel, altitude and other ground tests and flight demonstrations that are appropriate." Ultimately, NASA hopes to contribute to a next-generation aircraft that will substantially reduce fuel burn, noise and emissions. Many researchers feel we are only a few steps away from a major aviation revolution, and that a commercial aircraft using NASA-developed, hybrid-electric or turboelectric propulsion technology could be flying to an airport near you in the not too distant future. http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Aviation_Renaissance_NASA_Advances_Concepts_for_Next_g en_Aircraft_999.html Back to Top West Star Aviation Announces Apprenticeship Program November 7, 2017- West Star Aviation is pleased to announce they have teamed up with Careerwise in Colorado to establish a long-term apprenticeship for upcoming talent. West Star will begin to host their apprentices in August of 2018. Colorado launched a statewide initiative called Careerwise due to the workforce needs and lack of competencies needed for skilled/trade positions. West Star has agreed to employ a minimum of five apprentices a year for three years. The apprenticeship will provide impactful training, development opportunities, business coaching, as well as guidance and consideration for full-time employment when the duration of the apprenticeship is complete. "There is a growing need for new trade and skill development, especially in aviation, and there is a lack of trade schools for aircraft maintenance and paint, so if we can train students interested in the aviation market, we can take them to whatever level we want or need them to be at," said Katie Johnson, Director of Human Resources, West Star Aviation. "Working side by side with a West Star expert will help our apprentices develop the fundamental skills while still in school, and also continue to develop their passion for aviation," Johnson continued. West Star Aviation expects an additional 14 apprentice spots to open for 2018. Their initial plan is to hire two apprentices, one for aviation technology and the other for paint. The official number of open apprentice positions with West Star will be decided December 1, 2017. Voted #1 Preferred MRO in the 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017 Professional Pilot magazine annual "Preferences Regarding Aviation Services and Equipment" (PRASE) Survey, West Star Aviation specializes in the repair and maintenance of airframes, windows, and engines, as well as major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, surplus avionics sales, accessory services, paint and parts. In addition to its facilities in East Alton, IL; Grand Junction, CO; and Chattanooga, TN, West Star Aviation runs maintenance operations at Aspen-Pitkin County Airport in Aspen, CO; Chicago Executive Airport in Chicago, IL; Centennial Airport in Denver, CO and Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport in Houston, TX. The company also provides complete FBO services for transient aircraft at its newly remodeled East Alton and Grand Junction facilities. West Star Aviation is an industry leader in technical experience and expertise while providing world-class customer services in all the organization's divisions. For more information visit www.weststaraviation.com or call 800- 922-2421. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12379613/west-star-aviation-announces- apprenticeship-program Back to Top 'Ground-Breaking' UAE ATM System About to Go Live In what it called a "ground-breaking and historic moment," the UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) is to launch a major change in airspace management on December 7, signaling completion of the UAE Airspace Restructuring Project (UAE ARP), a project that has taken several years. The project included consultation with the five regional adjacent entities involved-Bahrain, Muscat, Tehran, Jeddah and Qatar. A GCAA statement, issued October 18, said the restructuring was the culmination of extensive analysis, development and collaboration across the UAE aviation community, to enable the evolution of "one of the most advanced air traffic management systems in the world." The authority said extensive cooperation from Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre, Dubai Air Navigation Services, Abu Dhabi Airports Company, Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation, Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation, Fujairah Department of Civil Aviation, as well as many other aviation stakeholders, was necessary to complete the restructuring. "The implementation of the UAE ARP has demonstrated our capability to safely meet the capacity requirements for the forecasted 2020 air traffic demand and beyond," said Saif Al Suwaidi, GCAA director general. "Also [it will] deliver environmental efficiency and fuel savings exceeding $15 million to airline customers within the first year after implementation." The GCAA said the project will "see the Emirates Flight Information Region [FIR] transformed into the world's first airspace structure to be completely based on performance-based navigation [PBN] with a navigation specification of RNAV-1 [GNSS]." This implies that aircraft entering the Emirates FIR must be equipped to comply with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements, RNAV-1 being the navigation specification using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), which includes GPS and other satellite constellations. "Primarily, the airspace change was designed to increase UAE airspace capacity to meet the forecasted air traffic demand for 2022," the GCAA said, "as well as increase access to all UAE airports, improve efficiency for both aviation system customers and air navigation service providers (ANSPs) and reduce the environmental impact of the increasing traffic through more effective air traffic management operations." "'Performance-based navigation [or PBN] is navigation that uses [GNSS] and computerized on- board systems. PBN offers considerable advantages to traditional sensor-specific navigation based largely on fixed ground-based beacons guiding aircraft along published routes via waypoints defined by these beacons," GCAA said. The project required more than 120,000 man hours to develop an airspace environment that was compatible with future requirements, said Ahmed Al Jallaf, assistant director general ANS, GCAA. "Multiple fast-time and real-time simulations in Italy, UK and in the UAE formed critical activities for the design validation and verification of the revised airspace network. The ARP also requires more than 250 air traffic controllers to take simulation and theoretical training; the redesign of over 200 instrument flight procedures; and the incorporation of 30 new airways," he said. Al Jallaf highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, which involved, national stakeholders, multiple ANSPs, several different airports, and airlines with various interests and strategies. "We clearly demonstrated that we can all work together, through a little bit of compromise between every entity, and achieve remarkable results and benefits," he told AIN. The GCAA and Spanish company Indra Sistemas signed a contract in September to develop a "next generation" air traffic management system for Sheikh Zayed Air Navigation Centre. Al Jallaf said the GCAA has also implemented an online data interchange (OLDI) system with Bahrain this year, and envisions "potential OLDI implementation with Muscat in Q1 2018." The MID (Middle East) Region ATM Enhancement Programme (MAEP), to foster Gulf Cooperation Council ATM cooperation, is also still in the discussion phase. "It is still on the ICAO MID agenda. However, it is slowed down due to the MID states' discussions on the legal and financial framework," Al Jallaf said. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-11-08/ground-breaking-uae- atm-system-about-go-live Back to Top Hamburg and Montreal partner on aviation research Hamburg and Montréal, two of the world's largest aviation regions, have launched an official cooperative research and development program. Over the next three years, the partners on both sides of the Atlantic will conduct joint research on quieter aircraft cabins and new, fireproof composite fibre components. Plans are also underway for a further joint research project. A total of 20 partners are involved in the transatlantic cooperation, including companies of varying sizes, universities, and research institutions in both countries. The project aims to combine the competencies on both continents in the development of innovative new products. The program is part of the New High-Tech strategy of Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and is receiving government and commercial funding from both Germany and Canada. Quieter aircraft cabins for tomorrow's travels Today, the noise level in an aircraft cabin is similar to that on a busy motorway. The engines themselves are getting quieter and quieter, but noise and vibration continue to be transferred to the inside of the aircraft via the outer skin of the fuselage, particularly at take-off. The performance limits of conventional insulating material such as glass wool and foam have long since been reached. As a next step, German and Canadian researchers want to investigate the potential of new sound-absorbing insulation - so-called acoustic metamaterials - as a standard approach to in-flight noise reduction. Test sites will include the Acoustics Lab at Hamburg's ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research; the research infrastructure at this facility amongst the most extensive in Europe. The project is being led by ZAL and Mecanum. Other partners are 3M Canada, Airbus, the École de Technologie Supérieure, the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Hutchinson Aerospace GmbH, the National Research Council Canada, and the Université de Sherbrooke. www.acousticmetamaterial.com New fireproof composite components for the cabin Modern aircraft are not only quieter than their predecessors; they are also lighter and therefore significantly more cost-efficient. One essential reason for this is the increased deployment of lightweight composite fiber materials to replace the much heavier metals used in aircraft construction. In the second German-Canada research project, current production methods of composite materials for the aircraft cabin are to be further optimized. The transatlantic partners want to test new material combinations for their suitability in production and for flammability. The goal: to make composite materials used in aircraft even safer, environmentally friendlier, and lighter. The project is being led by the Comprisetec company in Hamburg and Canada's Kruger Biomaterials. Further partners are Exakt Advanced Technologies, the Helmut Schmidt University, Hamburg University of Technology, Pultrusion Technique, Polytechnique Montréal, and the École de Technologie Supérieure Montréal. Background to the joint research The aviation research cooperation between Hamburg and Montréal is an element in the New High- Tech strategy of Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). A total of 12 million euros in funding is being provided for the program between now and 2021, with each country contributing 50 percent. The money is also being contributed in equal measures by government and commercial sponsors. Hamburg's ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research is coordinating the program from the German side, in cooperation with Canada's CRIAQ research consortium (Consortium de recherche et d'innovation en aérospatiale au Québec). The cluster networks in both regions, Hamburg Aviation and Aéro Montréal, also played a defining role in the development of the partnership. https://eturbonews.com/169790/hamburg-montreal-partner-aviation-research Back to Top Cybersecurity Report Fears 'Dismissive' Approach An International Civil Aviation Organization assessment on cybersecurity threats to ADS-B appears "dismissive," given that the system is open and not encrypted, a Washington think-tank fears. In a report released November 7, the Atlantic Council highlighted potential cyber concerns and recommends developing a clear vision for mitigating concerns. It praises aviation for its history of emphasizing security and safety but emphasizes that as technology has advanced, "aircraft, be they airliners, UAS or helicopters, must now be considered nodes on multiple networks, whether they are airborne or not. Multiple claims of opportunity and vulnerability must be met with more than dismissal." The report delves into several aspects of vulnerabilities involving the age of the connected aircraft- whether through air traffic management systems such as ADS-B or through systems on board the aircraft. ICAO guidance has cited "considerable alarmist publicity regarding ADS-B security" and has said that "to a large extent, this publicity has not considered the nature and complexity of ATC," according to the report. ICAO further has said its assessment of security policies in use for ADS-B provides a more balanced view. Other officials have maintained that the security has been assessed, a plan is in place, and systems are monitored. Authors of the report conceded they could not comment on the assessment, since it had only a limited distribution for security reasons, and security efforts are not revealed. Even so, the report worries about the safeguards. Of ADS-B they said, "As an open system with no encryption, authentication, or integrity checks, the main researcher concern is that ADS-B signals could potentially be eavesdropped on, blocked, or transmitted by adversaries." Further, the report expresses concerns that ADS-B hardware is fitted and networked with other aircraft systems, providing a potential entry point for adversaries. "Already, many ADS-B units available for sale have both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity to permit uploading software and to link with electronic flight bag [EFB] software on portable tablets," the report says. "The recent report of an ADS-B transceiver with a permanently open Wi-Fi hotspot, despite having a technical standard order authorization (i.e. design and production approval) from the FAA, demonstrates that there may be more challenges to come." The report looks at multiple air traffic management system issues, such as vulnerabilities with controller-pilot datalink systems and the System-Wide Information System. These systems contain similar challenges involving authentication, encryption, auditing and monitoring. In addition to highlighting ATM, the report focuses on vulnerabilities with connected systems aboard the aircraft. EFBs must meet certain security criteria, and permitted data transmissions are limited for security reasons and must be isolated from other aircraft systems. Other efforts, such as firewalls, further improve security. But the report still expresses concerns that "as their growth in popularity has increased, the variety of hardware and software used for portable EFBs has also increased. Diversity and platform complexity may make it harder to demonstrate assurance and deliver reliability." The report notes incidents that have already taken place involving third-party applications crashing aircrew EFB tablets. Other technologies such as maintenance monitoring and the Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System (ACARS) provide further susceptibility, along with the rapid growth of use of Wi-Fi aboard aircraft by passengers. "Modern connected aircraft have seen a rapid growth in the amount of data they produce," the report said. "It is estimated that by 2026, the global growth in aircraft-generated data could reach 98 million terabytes. Much of this data is where evidence of adversary activity or intent will be visible. Being able to see into this data, protect it and quickly analyze it for weak signs of compromise will be essential." Air Traffic Control Association president and CEO Peter Dumont, providing a perspective for the report, highlighted a need to ensure future technologies are designed to permit updates in real time. A concern highlighted by the report is the technologies themselves have long lead times for development, but cyber threats adapt much more quickly, hampering the ability to respond. Dumont further expressed concern that security policies tend to be generic, while aviation systems must be specific. "To ensure security and prevent potential disruption to the aviation system-while at the same time ensuring that the full potential of connectivity is achieved-requires a concerted effort from manufacturers, service providers and regulators," said Aerospace Industries Association president and CEO David Melcher, praising the report for identifying issues and calling for a unified industry- wide approach to the emerging threat. "Publishing this report is an important first step; now we need to move into action." https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-11-08/cybersecurity-report- fears-dismissive-approach Back to Top Flightdocs Receives $10 Million Strategic Growth Investment From Argentum BONITA SPRINGS, FL AND NEW YORK, NY - November 7, 2017 - Flightdocs, a leading provider of cloud-based maintenance, compliance, and inventory management Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions to the business aviation industry, today announced the close of a $10 million strategic investment from Argentum, a growth equity firm that partners with entrepreneurial owners to build industry leading B2B software and technology-enabled services companies. Recognized as a market leader in technology, innovation, and service, Flightdocs provides its software to Fortune 1000 flight departments, air medical service providers, air charter and fractional aircraft operators, regional airlines and law enforcement departments. Flightdocs software serves the mission critical need of helping aircraft owners ensure aircraft safety, comply with rigorous rules and guidelines imposed by global regulatory agencies, and improve operational efficiencies and aircraft availability. "Since the 2016 introduction of our new cloud-based platform (FD Enterprise), we have experienced tremendous growth in bookings and the number of aircraft enrolled on Flightdocs," said Rick Heine, Founder and CEO of Flightdocs. "To support this growth, we have been continuously and aggressively investing in our business - adding personnel, scaling our infrastructure, and accelerating our product development efforts to ensure that our clients continue to receive the most innovative solutions and most responsive customer service and support in the industry. Given Argentum's extensive track-record supporting B2B enterprise software companies, particularly in the compliance and transportation sectors, we feel they are the ideal investment firm to partner with us and enhance these initiatives as we take Flightdocs to the next level." "The recent release of FD Enterprise further extends Flightdocs' technology leadership position in the business aviation market," said Daniel Raynor, a Managing Partner of Argentum, who will join Flightdocs' Board of Directors in connection with the investment. "We are excited to support the Flightdocs team as it continues to expand its footprint in the aviation market through the development of market leading products and the delivery of exceptional customer experiences." Chris Leong, Principal at Argentum, added, "We have been very impressed by what Flightdocs has achieved to date and look forward to partnering with Rick and his team for the company's next phase of growth." About Argentum Argentum is a New York-based growth equity firm that supports entrepreneurial owners in building industry leading companies. The firm partners with management teams of companies with revenues of $5 to $30 million to provide capital to accelerate growth, fund acquisitions or generate shareholder liquidity. Since raising its first fund in 1990, Argentum has invested in over 80 companies and supported over 200 add-on acquisitions in software, technology-enabled services, and business services. About Flightdocs Flightdocs provides mission-critical, cloud-based maintenance, compliance, and inventory management Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions to the aviation industry. The company's solutions help aircraft owners and operators track and manage the maintenance and airworthiness of their aircraft, comply with rigorous safety rules and regulatory guidelines, reduce costs, mitigate risks, and minimize asset downtime. Flightdocs' customers include Fortune 1000 corporate flight departments, air charters, air medical providers, fractional aircraft operators, government agencies, and regional carriers. Headquartered in Bonita Springs, Florida, Flightdocs has been serving the aviation industry for over 15 years. http://www.aviationpros.com/press_release/12379551/flightdocs-receives-10-million-strategic- growth-investment-from-argentum Back to Top Harness new tech to improve safety, air traffic managers told Speaking at the Civil Air Navigation Services Organzation (CANSO) Global ATM Safety Conference 2017 in Sydney, CANSO Director General Jeff Poolesaid: "Safety is our number one priority and we are rightly proud of the safety record in air traffic management. However, we must ensure that we do not become over-averse to risk and develop a mindset that only sees potential safety problems with every new technological advance. Conversely, we need to be proactively seeking out any and all new advances that have the potential to improve safety as well as efficiency." Mr Poole cited an example in automation, which can. he said, enable planes to safely reduce separation minima and take responsibility for such core controller functions as conformance monitoring - ensuring aircraft are doing what they were authorised to do. He added that in the future automation will provide real time and predictive decision-making, robust separation assurance and monitoring capability. Mr Poole also said pace-based automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast (ADS-B) will enable surveillance in oceanic and remote areas not currently covered, which will result in a step change for aviation safety. Remote and digital towers improve safety through improved observation via enhanced imaging and infrared for low visibility; and simplification by having all relevant information, such as weather, flight information, and other key data displayed directly on the screen. This reduces controller workload and enhances safety. He said: "While we, rightly, spend a lot of time making sure we are safe today, we also need to ensure that we anticipate safety for tomorrow. The technologies which are entering the ATM world are an opportunity to improve safety and increase operational efficiency. "CANSO Associate Members, the organisations that provide products, solutions and services to the ATM industry, have an important role to play in this. They are already driving new solutions across CANSO work groups in both safety and operations. Their expertise and innovation combined with the knowledge and expertise of CANSO Full Members, the organisations that provide air navigation services, are creating a powerful force for transforming ATM performance globally." CANSO Members support over 85 percent of world air traffic. Members share information and develop new policies, with the ultimate aim of improving air navigation services (ANS) on the ground and in the air. CANSO represents its Members' views in major regulatory and industry forums, including at ICAO, where it has official Observer status. CANSO has an extensive network of Associate Members drawn from across the aviation industry. https://www.internationalairportreview.com/news/39830/new-tech-air-traffic-safety/ Back to Top SpaceX Rocket Engine Suffers Failure During Test An explosion occurred during a test of a SpaceX Merlin engine on Saturday (Nov. 4) at the company's test facility in McGregor, Texas, according to a statement obtained by Space.com. "No one was injured and all safety protocols were followed during the time of this incident," according to the statement. "We are now conducting a thorough and fully transparent investigation of the root cause." The explosion occurred during a test of a "Block 5" Merlin engine, which will be used in a future generation of the company's Falcon 9 rockets, a source told Space.com. Falcon 9 rockets that are currently in operation utilize the "Block 4" Merlin engine, so the incident will not require the company to halt any of its scheduled launches. "SpaceX is committed to our current manifest and we do not expect this to have any impact on our launch cadence," the statement said. The incident occurred during a "LOX drop" test, in which an engine is filled with liquid oxygen fuel and tested for leaks, according to the source. The engine did not fire during this test. At some point during the test, the liquid oxygen ignited; the company does not know if the engine itself exploded, the source said. The test bay where the explosion took place may take two to four weeks to repair. SpaceX anticipates that a full investigation into the incident will take several weeks. The explosion was first reported by The Washington Post. SpaceX's launch schedule has been pretty packed this year. SpaceX has already launched 16 missions, all of them successful, in 2017 - twice as many as its previous high in a calendar year. And all but three of these missions also involved landings of the Falcon 9 first stage, for eventual refurbishment and reuse. (During the other three launches, no landing was attempted.) The reuse of rockets and spacecraft will slash the cost of spaceflight, leading to greater exploration opportunities, SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk has said. SpaceX has experience investigating accidents. In September 2016, a Falcon 9 exploded on the launch pad during a routine preflight test, destroying the rocket and its payload, the Amos-6 communications satellite. The company traced the problem to a design flaw in one of the helium canisters inside the rocket's second-stage liquid-oxygen tank. In June 2015, a Falcon 9 broke apart less than 3 minutes after liftoff, scuttling an uncrewed cargo run to the International Space Station by SpaceX's Dragon capsule. That accident was caused by the failure of a single steel strut inside the second stage, the company determined. Nobody was hurt in either of these incidents. SpaceX has several more Falcon 9 missions on tap for 2017, and the company also aims to launch its huge new Falcon Heavy booster for the first time before the end of the year. https://www.space.com/38712-spacex-rocket-engine-test-explosion.html Curt Lewis