AUGUST 12, 2019 - No. 064 In This Issue Private aviation start-up Wheels Up valued at $1.1 billion in latest funding round Career tech aerospace programs taking off for high schools Technology Teaching 'Plane English' to Pilots Virgin Australia Becomes the First Operator of Split Scimitar® Winglets in Australia A Look At The Emerging Electric Aircraft Sector. Researchers to quantify and reduce harmful black carbon emissions from jet fuels in global aviation IBAC Looks To Draw Small Ops To IS-BAO in Latin America JetSuite President: Dallas' Aviation Hub Status Lured Company from California If China Bans Exports Of Rare Earths To US, A Texas Startup With Vital Tech Has A Pawn To Play USAF Awards Boeing $55 Million Contract to fix Too Stiff KC-46 Refueling Boom In-space refueling vs heavy lift? NASA and SpaceX choose both Private aviation start-up Wheels Up valued at $1.1 billion in latest funding round Wheels Up, the private aviation start-up that counts Tom Brady and Serena Williams as members, said Friday it completed a $128 million round of funding that values the company $1.1 billion. The funding marks an escalation in the air war between private aviation players to become leaders in a new era of consolidation and technological change that is remaking the industry. New digital-booking apps and scheduling programs have made booking a private plane cheaper and easier than ever. Industry giants like VistaJet, Directional Aviation and now Wheels Up are vying to become the dominant players and attract a broader customer base of affluent flyers. Wheels Up's Class D equity capital raise included Franklin Templeton, which co-led the round with funds and accounts advised by T. Rowe Price and Fidelity Management & Research, along with other investors. Wheels Up founder and CEO Kenny Dichter said the funding will be used for acquisitions, investments in sales and marketing and building the company's technology platform. Wheels Up recently bought Travel Management Company, which operates a fleet of light jets to complement Wheels Up's existing fleet of King Air turboprops, Citation midsize jets and Citation X super-midsize aircraft. Dichter said future investments will be "asset light" - meaning less focused on buying planes and more focused on expanding its digital platform to make it easier for anyone to book a flight whenever and wherever they want. "Three years from now, we want to be the Airbnb, the Open Table, the Hotel Tonight of the private aviation space," Dichter said. Wheels Up has attracted more than 6,000 members, with its marketing focused heavily on sports star members and brand ambassadors like Williams and Brady as well as professional golfer Rickie Fowler and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt. Dichter said that with the industry poised for a shakeout, there will be a smaller group of ultimate winners. "We see the digitization and the digital marketplace as a winner-take-most opportunity," he said. https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/09/wheels-up-valued-at-1point1-billion-in-latest-funding-round.html Back to Top Career tech aerospace programs taking off for high schools OAK HILL, W.Va. - Following the aerospace compact signing last week between Marshall University, Yeager Airport, state Department of Commerce and the Department of Education, Kim Cortines could not be happier for the future. Cortines is an Aerospace & Aviation teacher at Oak Hill High School in Fayette County and said the partnership between everyone will only grow the programs and help her career technical education (CTE), students. The partnership is meant to drive educational and economic advances in the state in the fields of flying, as Marshall University is set to open a School of Aviation at Yeager in fall 2021. "We have great talent in our youth, we have great job skills in our youth, we have kids that want to work," Cortines said. "This gives them another choice of something to do with a very good paycheck. It's not a small paycheck, it's a nice paycheck that will support their family and they have a place to go and learn about this." Cortines said having Marshall on board with the Department of Education is terrific because it allows students from her classroom and the other four CTE aerospace programs in the state to have scholarships translate over. Five high schools in the state offer CTE Aerospace and Aviation Technology Programs including Oak Hill, Brooke High School, Huntington High School, Greenbrier East High School, and Liberty High School. Cortines said her students at Oak Hill from freshman to senior year finish 23 projects including flying on the flight simulator, building RC planes, launching rockets, cation designs, and learning how to navigate in the air using the sky vector programs, just to name a few. She hopes Marshall's new program with Yeager and Mountwest Community and Technical College, and the veteran program at Fairmont State University, will encourage students to stay in-state. "We want our kids to stay in West Virginia. We all want our kids to stay in West Virginia, I want my children to stay here," Cortines said. The state Department of Education said the CTE Aerospace and Aviation Technology Programs planned for the future include Bridgeport High School, Lincoln County High School, and Mingo Central High School. http://wvmetronews.com/2019/08/11/career-tech-aerospace-programs-taking-off-for-high-schools/ Back to Top Technology Teaching 'Plane English' to Pilots WEST LAFAYETTE - Two Purdue University alumni are helping new pilots learn radio communication skills so they can better interact with air traffic controllers. They have created an aviation radio simulator to teach what is known as "Plane English." The program coaches rookie pilots to better understand and become more proficient in the specific phraseology associated with flying. "If you wanted to practice how to talk on the radio if you're a pilot, there is no good way to do that unless you're flying. And when you're flying, being a student you're busy learning how to fly, so you don't dedicate time to the talking part," said Muharrem Mane, one of the creators of PlaneEnglish. Mane, an alumnus from Purdue's School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and Eren Hadimioglu, a graduate from the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, created and developed the app-based tool. Both are licensed pilots. Mane says pilots in training focus more on the technique of flying when in the air, and often miss out on the cadence, intonation, and parlance coming from air traffic controllers. "It's very minimal pieces of information that you need to keep clear, understandable and short, so there is no confusion because air traffic controllers are managing a lot of traffic, especially at busier airports." When using the software, users are required to respond properly in specific situations, using the correct phraseology, and speech rate. Mane says there can be as many as five or six exchanges back and forth with air traffic control. Then users are graded on those responses. "English is the language of aviation," said Mane. The developer says that all pilots around the globe who fly commercially must know and understand the English language, a requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization. "We have been analyzing audio training files from the FAA and ICAO and using that data to establish our grading metrics to help users achieve the necessary communication skills to increase their radio proficiency and aviation safety," Mane said. The technology is primarily for student pilots, but it's also available to veteran pilots who may have not been in the air for a while. Mane says he's heard from several international airlines who interested in possibly using the technology to train their pilots. "We have heard from users that they improve their radio communication skills in one hour through our platform than they do in flying for a dozen hours," said Mane. The creators of PlaneEnglish are working with the Purdue Research Foundation as they develop their technology. http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/40899853/technology-teaches-plane-english-to-pilots Back to Top Virgin Australia Becomes the First Operator of Split Scimitar® Winglets in Australia SEATTLE, Aug. 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Virgin Australia Airlines is now the first airline in Australia to install Split Scimitar Winglets on its Boeing Next Generation 737-800 aircraft. The Aviation Partners Boeing (APB) product, a retrofit of the existing Blended Winglets, is the most advanced technology winglet ever produced, offering unprecedented fuel savings and carbon emissions reductions for the world's most popular commercial aircraft. "Virgin Australia is always looking for innovative ways to create a better environment, having launched the world's first government certified airline carbon offset scheme, and now starting Australia's first Split Scimitar Winglet operations," said Craig McCallum, Aviation Partners Boeing's director of sales and marketing. "We are very proud to have such a compelling endorsement of our technology." Installation on the first aircraft was completed last week in Christchurch and now Virgin Australia can expect to reduce fuel consumption by about 200,000 liters per aircraft per year. The resulting carbon dioxide emissions reduction is about 515 tonnes per aircraft per year. "The wingtip vortex spins the same way Down Under as it does north of the equator," says Patrick LaMoria, APB's chief commercial officer. "Without Split Scimitar Winglets you're just flushing jet fuel savings down the drain." Since launching the Split Scimitar Winglet program for the Boeing Next-Generation 737, APB has taken orders and options for over 2,200 systems, and over 1,200 aircraft are now operating with the technology. APB estimates its products have reduced aircraft fuel consumption worldwide by over 9.8 billion gallons to-date, thereby eliminating over 104 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Aviation Partners Boeing is a Seattle based joint venture of Aviation Partners, Inc. and The Boeing Company. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/virgin-australia-becomes-the-first-operator-of-split-scimitar-winglets-in-australia-300899743.html Back to Top A Look At The Emerging Electric Aircraft Sector The era of electric aircraft is just starting now. Initially, we can expect to see very small electric aircraft flying short range trips. Next, we can expect the larger aircraft manufacturers such as Boeing (BA), Airbus (OTCPK:EADSF) (OTCPK:EADSY), and others to use hybrid aircraft. Beyond that, anything is possible, especially if technology continues to advance. Two main types of electric aircraft being developed nowadays: Electric planes (smaller conventional style). Electric vertical take-off & landing (eVTOL) vehicles. Note: Most are pure electric; however, larger planes (>10-20 seats) usually need to be hybrid, as electric is not yet powerful enough. An electric vertical take-off & landing (eVTOL) vehicle The reasons electric aircraft make a lot of sense Massive fuel savings. Given airlines typically spend 25-50% of their costs on fuel, switching to electric aircraft (where possible) is a no-brainer. Cheaper maintenance costs. Better for the environment as no carbon dioxide emissions. Governments may support - e.g.: Norway said it is committing to all-electric domestic flights by 2040. Back in March 2015, I correctly picked the start of the Chinese electric car boom, as you can see in my article "Chinese Electric Vehicle Companies About To Boom." My reasons were based on China's 3 key needs - to reduce pollution, to reduce oil, and to build a globally competitive car manufacturing industry in China. Fast forward to now (2019) and we are approaching a similar time for electric aircraft. My view is that, in the 2020s, we will start to see commercial electric vehicles for short-range provincial trips (passenger loads ~10). The reasons are mostly economical, as 25-50% cost reductions (minimal fuel bill) will mean small provincial flights will start to go electric. Assuming battery technology and aircraft design continue to improve, we should see this gradually improve in the 2020s to a point where hybrid planes and just maybe long-range electric planes become more common. For shorter helicopter-style trips or where there is no airport for landing (helipads will do), the electric vertical take-off & landing (eVTOL) vehicle will also begin to take market share from competitors. The benefits of electric aircraft Limitations Due to physics, there are still limitations on electric planes. For example, they are yet not able to carry huge passenger fleets due to lower power to weight ratios than conventional planes. Technological breakthroughs will be needed for electric aircraft to completely replace conventional jet-fueled internal combustion engine [ICE] aircraft. This will mean higher battery energy density and lighter or better-designed planes. In the meantime, we will see small short-range all-electric aircraft and hybrid aircraft (electric and ICE). A Look At The Electric Aircraft Sector As reported by Statista: According to German consulting firm Roland Berger: "All indications suggest that we may be on the cusp of a revolution in the aerospace and aviation industries. As reported by CNN: According to the consultancy Roland Berger, the number of electric aircraft in development increased by roughly 50% over the past year to 170. The number could swell to 200 by the end of 2019. There are two big factors driving increased investment: The global aviation industry produces up to 3% of all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, a share that's projected to increase sharply in coming years; and it spends roughly $180 billion a year on jet fuel. "Increased efficiency has been the name of the game when selling aircraft for decades," said Nikhil Sachdeva, a senior consultant at Roland Berger. "Electric is the next phase." Companies That Are Leading The Electric Plane Race Airbus [FR:AIR] Airbus E-Fan X is being developed with Rolls-Royce (OTCPK:RYCEF) and Siemens (OTCPK:SIEGY) as a hybrid-electric airline demonstrator. The E-Fan is a prototype two-seater electric aircraft. It has two electric motors and has a flight duration of 60 minutes. Airbus state: The E-Fan X hybrid-electric technology demonstrator is anticipated to fly in 2020 following a comprehensive ground test campaign, provisionally on a BAe 146 flying testbed, with one of the aircraft's four gas turbine engines replaced by a two-megawatt electric motor. Provisions will be made to replace a second gas turbine with an electric motor once system maturity has been proven. Airbus E-Fan hybrid-electric plane Airbus also has an advanced prototype electric vertical take-off & landing (eVTOL) vehicle. It has 8 electric motors, can carry up to 4 passengers, and is currently in the testing stage. Airbus states: Self piloted flying vehicle can operate at three times the speed of the average road vehicle and extend commuters geographical reach by tenfold." An airbus electric vertical take-off & landing (eVTOL) - 440kWh Li-ion battery Ampaire (private) Ampaire is currently developing a retrofitted electric aircraft with the aim to be FAA certified by the end of 2020. Ampaire states: Ampaire has LOI's from regional airlines around the globe. And we've partnered with Mokulele Airlines in Hawaii to fly our retrofitted planes on their routes - the world's first operational demonstration of electrified aircraft by a commercial operator. On June 18, 2019, Aviation Pros reported: Personal Airline Exchange [PAX] orders 50 Ampaire Electric Aircraft for on-demand.....with options for 50 additional electrified planes. PAX also intends to immediately acquire two upgraded aircraft from Ampaire to kickstart initial operations prior to hybrid conversion. For its commercial customers, Ampaire is targeting certifying its Electric EEL product in 2021. Ampaire's hybrid aircraft will help PAX service thousands of airports of all sizes with industry-leading operating costs. An Ampaire hybrid electric passenger plane Boeing Boeing's NeXt program focuses on urban mobility. Boeing has teamed up with Uber Air's flying taxi service to develop a VTOL vehicle to begin ferrying passengers planned for 2023. You can view a video of their Passenger Air Vehicle [PAV] vehicle here. Boeing, via its HorizonX subsidiary, has invested in several promising electric aircraft companies including Zunum Aero and Kitty Hawk. Boeing's Passenger Air Vehicle [PAV] - VTOL Dufour Aerospace (private) Dufour Aerospace is a Swiss company developing the aEro 2, an advanced electric VTOL aircraft that brings you from your doorstep to nearly anywhere you want over 5 times faster than a car but at the same cost per kilometer. The company plans to be in the testing phase in 2020 for their aEro 2 electric VTOL. aEro2 - All electric VTOL vehicle Embraer [BR: EMBR3 ] (ERJ) Embraer's Embraer X unit is focused on disruptive technology such as VTOLs. Embraer recently unveiled their eVTOL aircraft concept. You can view a video here. Embraer's concept eVTOL Eviation Aircraft (OTCPK:EVTNF) The Israeli startup Eviation Aircraft took the aviation world by storm recently at the Paris Air Show. Eviation received a "double-digit" number of orders for their $4 million electric plane called Alice. CNBC reported US regional airline Cape Air as their first customer forecasting first delivery in 2022. The aircraft can fly 650 miles (1,046 km) at around 500 miles per hour (805 km/h) with three electric motors on the tail and one on each wingtip. The prototype carries a 900 kWh lithium-ion battery. The plane carries nine passengers. Alice: A fully electric 9 seater plane, 900kWh battery, 650-mile range Harbour Air/MagniX (private) Harbour Air recently announced they will run an all-electric aircraft fleet. MagniX is focused on providing advanced all-electric propulsion system for commercial aviation & defense. Cleantechnica reported: Harbour Air will be the first seafaring airline to convert its complete fleet of de Havilland Beaver, Otter, Twin Otter aircraft and lone Cessna Caravan to electricity. These 41 vintage aircraft will be converted to reach a longer lifecycle with highly improved efficiency and lowered maintenance costs, a win-win for all.....Harbour Air will have to work closely with MagniX, the company that developed the 750 hp electric motor and battery pack that will give the aircraft enough electricity and power for about an hour of flight. Joby Aviation (private) Joby Aviation is a California-based start up focusing on developing a flying electric taxi vehicle. The Company has spent the last decade developing its own electric motors and their eVTOL vehicle. Then, in February 2018, the Company announced a $100 million in venture funding from investors including Intel Capital, Toyota AI Ventures, JetBlue Technology Ventures, and Capricorn Investment Group (who also backed Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA)). Their latest VTOL vehicle is being developed to fly as many as five people as far as 150 miles on a single electric charge. Joby is also working on a conventional style electric plane project, "the Sceptor" with NASA. The X-57 Maxwell electric plane (The Sceptor project) Kitty Hawk (private) Kitty Hawk was established by Google's co-founder Larry Page. They have two key electric aircraft under development and testing - The Cora (2 passengers) and the Flyer (single pilot). Kitty Hawk's Cora is designed as an all-eVTOL taxi with about 100 kilometers of range. On June 25, 2019, Kitty Hawk announced: Boeing and Kitty Hawk form strategic partnership. The strategic partnership will bring together the innovation of Kitty Hawk's Cora division with Boeing's scale and aerospace expertise. Cora electric ETOL - 2 passengers, 100 km range Lilium (private) Germany's Lilium aviation's jet vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), zero-emission electric aircraft has completed its first flight in Germany. With remote controls from the ground, the unmanned two-seater faced a series of tests, including a mid-air transition from hovering to horizontal flight. The Company aims for its first manned flight in 2019 and a five-seater air taxi service planned by 2025. Tencent (CEHY) was an early investor into Lilium. You can view a video of their latest plane here. Lilium's five-seater all-electric plane Pipistrel (private) Pipistrel is an established light aircraft manufacturer with over 1300 Pipistrel aircraft flying in 90 countries. Pipistrel already makes two small electric planes - The Alpha Electro and the Taurus Electro. Pipistrel state: Pioneer of high technology in light aviation, unveiling revolutionary concepts such as electric flight and pursuing extreme aeroefficiency. Alpha Electro Tesla Tesla has no current plans for an electric plane; however, Elon Musk has been looking at the idea for some years and, of course, also founded the Space X rocket company. Electrek reported in July 2019: Tesla Electric Airplane? Elon Musk sees electric aircraft in 5 years. Quoting a Musk tweet when asked about electric planes: "Yes, but still a bit too limited on range. That will change in coming years as battery energy density improves." When he revealed that he had a design for an electric VTOL aircraft, Musk estimated that Li-Ion batteries would need to achieve a 400 Wh/kg energy density in order for batteries to beat kerosene and his electric aircraft to be viable. Today, battery cells with high cycles are achieving about 300 Wh/kg of energy density. Wright Electric (private) Wright Electric is a startup aiming to create a commercial airliner that runs on batteries and for distances of less than 300 miles. easyJet (OTCPK:EJTTF) announced it was developing with Wright Electric an electric 180-seater aircraft by 2027. To date, the Company has built a two-seat proof of concept electric plane. They also advocate using swappable battery packs with advanced cell chemistry. Wright Electric is also making preparations to perform a first flight of a nine-seat electric aircraft in 2019. The Company states: Wright Electric's goal is for every short flight to be zero-emissions within 20 years. Our first plane is an airliner designed for flights like New York-Boston, London-Paris, and Seoul-Jeju. Zunum Aero (private) Zunum Aero is an aircraft manufacturer startup based in Kirkland, Washington that is backed by Boeing HorizonX and JetBlue Technology. The company's concept is to make short haul flights affordable, easy and simple. Zunum Aero states: Imagine leaving your doorstep in San Jose at 7 AM and making it to a 9:30 AM meeting in Pasadena. With Zunum Aero, simply drive to a nearby airfield and walk to your aircraft with bags in tow, for a trip that will take half the time and at a much lower fare. Or skip the meeting altogether, and be on the slopes in Tahoe by 8:40 AM for $100 round-trip, and back home the same evening. Zunum has reportedly struggled with funding recently, despite previously being supported by Boeing and JetBlue (NASDAQ:JBLU). Zunum's hybrid electric plane Others Other names in the electric aircraft space include: Bye Aerospace (US), DeLorean Aerospace (US), Electric Aircraft Corporation (US), Evektor (Czech Republic), PC Aero (Germany), Schempp-Hirth (Germany), Siemens (Germany), Volta-Volaré (US), and Yuneec International (China). Risks Electric aviation is a new industry requiring large start-up costs. The usual start-up risks - funding, technology change, cash burn. Many companies are private and not accessible to investors. Management risk. The usual stock market risks - dilution, sentiment, volatility. Conclusion Investors should remain mindful that electric plane development is expensive and challenges remain, particularly for longer flights and larger planes. The sector is largely made up of a mix of private startups and the established manufacturing giants (Boeing, Airbus, Embraer). Clearly, only the best and well-funded startups will survive. On the other side, any manufacturer that can make a compelling electric plane with good range at a reasonable cost stands to do very well. Many promising private companies are making good progress towards commercialization of their aircraft. The very recent news of Eviation receiving commercial double-digit orders for a 2022 delivery just highlights how fast the electric aviation sector is now moving. I intend to follow the sector closely and will be writing future updates (ideally with specific investment ideas) for Trend Investing members. https://seekingalpha.com/article/4283884-look-emerging-electric-aircraft-sector Back to Top Researchers to quantify and reduce harmful black carbon emissions from jet fuels in global aviation The number of passengers on airlines almost doubled worldwide from 2007 to 2017 - from 2.2 billion to 4 billion people - according to the World Bank. And the public is increasingly aware of how atmospheric emissions from air travel can negatively impact both human health and climate. Researchers from Missouri University of Science and Technology are helping to establish international standards for jet engine particulate matter emissions that will reduce those impacts. Missouri S&T recently received $1.2 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to determine emissions characteristics of non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM), or black carbon, from burning conventional and sustainable alternative jet fuels (SAJFs) in jet engines at cruise altitudes. "With the data we produce, it will be possible for the international commercial aviation community to benchmark particulate matter emissions for global commercial fleets, then guide regulators to establish the requirements needed to reduce them from future jet engines," says Dr. Philip Whitefield, professor of chemistry and director of the Center for Research in Energy and Environment at Missouri S&T. With the addition of SAJF testing, the project expands the scope of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) recent ASCENT Project 02 Ambient Conditions Corrections for Non-volatile PM Emissions Measurements that quantifies emissions data from various aircraft engines and fuels. Whitefield leads both projects. "More and more research is showing the adverse effects of particulate matter emissions on human health, plus their potential to alter climate," says Whitefield. "Regulators like the FAA and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) are working with other federal and international agencies, equipment manufacturers, and universities to develop a method and standard to reduce these emissions from growing global commercial aviation." The project will use Missouri S&T's mobile North American Reference System (NARS) to characterize and quantify the nvPM emissions from Jet-A fuel, a standardized international aviation fuel for gas-turbine engines, and three SAJFs in a series of combustor rig tests conducted by an engine manufacturer. Missouri S&T designed and built the NARS in collaboration with the Society of Automotive Engineers, and Whitefield says it's now the gold standard for quantifying exhaust particulates in the U.S. and Canada. "When an engine manufacturer wants to build, operate or modify a facility to certify nvPM measurement, they need to compare their system's performance to the NARS metrics," says Whitefield. Through the project, data from emissions collected at a range of simulated altitude conditions will be analyzed. The researchers will then develop algorithms that will allow international aviation organizations to predict nvPM emissions from certain engines operating at cruise altitudes. In addition to Whitefield, Steven Achterberg, senior research specialist at Missouri S&T, is working on the project. In-kind cost share is provided from the Swiss research institute EMPA, which is a part of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Material Science and Technology. The project is expected to continue through February 2021. Whitefield and co-author, Dr. Donald E. Hagen, Missouri S&T professor emeritus of physics, directed Missouri S&T's contribution to the "State of the Industry Report on Air Quality Emissions from Sustainable Alternative Jet Fuels," which was published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine's Airport Cooperative Research Program in 2018. https://www.therolladailynews.com/news/20190809/researchers-to-quantify-and-reduce-harmful-black-carbon-emissions-from-jet-fuels-in-global-aviation Back to Top IBAC Looks To Draw Small Ops To IS-BAO in Latin America The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) is hoping to build further participation in the International Standard for Business Aviation Operators (IS-BAO) and International Standard for Business Aircraft Handler (IS-BAH) programs throughout the Latin American region, especially among smaller entities. The voluntary IS-BAO and IS-BAH programs for operators and handlers demonstrate compliance with industry best practices with safety management as a base. "Overall, the programs help operators and handlers minimize hazards and reduce the likelihood of accidents and incidents. It is reasonable to think that implementing IS-BAO shows a commitment to safety and excellence," said Kurt Edwards, the director general of IBAC (Booth 1014). "Almost all operators are already doing 90 percent of what any IS-BAO operator is doing. They just haven't documented their processes." He acknowledged that documentation could seem daunting to some, but said, "It should not be viewed that way at all." Several of the largest commercial operators and flight departments in Brazil are registered, as are large operators in other parts of the region. IBAC, however, believes that large and small operators alike could benefit. "This is a performance-based program that can be scaled to any type of operation," Edwards said. "There are more small aircraft and helicopters operating in Brazil and throughout Latin America that could benefit from the structure, SMS, and just culture aspects of IS-BAO implementation." MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARTICIPATION IBAC sees significant potential growth for the programs in Brazil, as well as Mexico, as strengthening economies boost the business aviation communities there. "As economies in these states fluctuate, like anywhere, the activity in business aviation typically follows," he said. "The more aircraft based in an area obviously presents more opportunities for operators to participate in our safety-standard programs-for both operators and ground handlers." IBAC has seen a strong business aviation growth pattern in Mexico in particular, he said. "Brazil is still in an economic recovery, but we are noticing slight improvements. Company mergers and closings of flight departments over the last few years have affected the region, but we are optimistic about business aviation growth in Brazil," Edwards added. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-08-10/ibac-looks-draw-small-ops-bao-latin-america Back to Top JetSuite President: Dallas' Aviation Hub Status Lured Company from California Private jet charter company JetSuite took flight from Irvine, California last year, and has since landed in a new headquarters just west of Love Field in Dallas. JetSuite made the move after receiving an investment from Qatar Airways. It is also backed by JetBlue Airways Corp. The company leased an entire floor at Mockingbird Towers and has an option to add a second floor of office space. On the cusp of a big move and a tenth anniversary, JetSuite President Stephanie Chung took some time to talk abouut the company's relocation, being in North Texas, and what makes JetSuite stand out in the crowded skies. Tell us about JetSuite's operations that have relocated to Dallas. How many people are a part of the relocation? JetSuite completed its relocation from Irvine, California to our new corporate headquarters in Dallas in August 2018. We were fortunate enough to have 26 of our crewmembers make the move with us from California. We are looking to hire over 20 Dallas-area employees over the course of the next several months. What sets JetSuite apart from other private aviation companies? As we prepare to celebrate our 10th year of operation in 2019, we are fortunate enough to be one of the very few private aviation companies to last this long. And not only are we surviving, but thriving. Fueled by investments from Qatar Airways and JetBlue, we're preparing for major growth in our operations in the months ahead. What sets us apart from our competitors, I believe, is both the excellence of our physical product and our deep commitment to outstanding customer service. We offer some of the best aircraft in the business and our team is incredibly dedicated to ensuring that we meet and exceed our customers' expectations. In your site selection process, what tipped the scale in favor of Dallas? Dallas' status as an aviation hub played a huge part in the decision. With so many phenomenal aviation-related companies based in the region, the pool of talent in the greater Dallas region is truly unparalleled. Knowing that we were entering a major growth phase and would need to quickly find a large number of well-qualified new crewmembers to join the company, Dallas became the clear choice for JetSuite's new home. How does the North Texas area fit into the needs of your employees? North Texas is a fantastic place to live! I've actually lived in Dallas for 10-plus years, so I was thrilled by this relocation. I love that Dallas offers all of the benefits of a world-class city, yet the cost of living is still relatively affordable. It's a win-win for everyone. Our crewmembers who made the move from California seem to be loving it. (Although they're still getting used to this winter weather!) How does DFW's central location enhance your company's operations across the U.S.? We do a great deal of our private aviation business on both coasts, so being centrally located made a lot of sense for us as a company from an efficiency standpoint. Due to the nature of our business, a majority of our crewmembers work remotely in the field in the cities where we fly. This move to Dallas makes it easier for our corporate team to travel throughout the U.S., meaning they can better support our teams in the field. From Dallas, we are well positioned to grow our business, better support our teams, and launch JetSuite into its second decade! https://dallasinnovates.com/jetsuite-president-dallas-aviation-hub-status-lured-company-from-california/ Back to Top If China Bans Exports Of Rare Earths To US, A Texas Startup With Vital Tech Has A Pawn To Play The next battle in the US-China trade war could very well center on rare earth minerals that are vital to the production of smartphones, electric car motors, refrigerators, computers and jet engines. China has the bulk of these critical elements globally and could ban exports to the U.S. if frictions worsen. The result would be a major blow to the U.S., which depends mainly on China for producing rare earth magnets. But don't discount American ingenuity and knowhow. A high-tech manufacturer in central Texas, Urban Mining Company, has developed groundbreaking technology to cost effectively recycle rare earth magnets from discarded hard disk drives or motors, and reprocess them into high performance magnets that are critical components used for industrial, automotive, clean energy, and military defense. The patented process eliminates the need for energy and chemical intensive processes that are traditionally used in recycling rare earth magnets. The only company of its kind in the U.S., UMC started operations in 2015 and counts Siemens, Rolls Royce, Parker Hannifin and the Department of Defense as customers. The co-founding team is headed up by a team of specialized scientific researchers: CEO Scott Dunn, COO and CTO Miha Zakotnik, Executive VP Peter Afiuny, and chief production engineer Alex Bevan. The privately held company is funded by high net worth individuals and raised $25 million in 2016 -- none so far from venture capital firms. Of the startup's five-member board, three are founders. UMC is taking a next giant in its development by planning to soon relocate from tech-heavy Austin to nearby San Marcos, Texas, a cool small town that has embraced economic development and technology investment to bring quality jobs to the region. UMC is investing $70 million in a 100,000 square facility under construction on 10 acres. Its smart magnet manufacturing facility, which was originally set to open in 2018, is expected to employ 100 workers. The smart magnet facility relies on artificial intelligence, machine learning tools, predictive analyses, and 10,000 sensors to finetune the process. The facility will be capable of supplying a tiny fraction of the marketplace need but could ramp up. The high-tech facility should help to put San Marcos, and its mixture of traditional Texas cattle ranches, BBQ and new tech, on the map for more site selections in this region labeled as the Texas Innovation Corridor, between San Antonio and Austin. Talent is ample. Austin has the world-renowned, engineering-focused University of Texas, while San Marcos is home to Texas State University, a large public research university known for materials engineering, and its famous alumnus Lyndon Baines Johnson. https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccafannin/2019/08/11/if-china-bans-exports-of-rare-earths-to-us-a-texas-startup-with-vital-tech-has-a-pawn-to-play/#4d7b90a86dac Back to Top USAF Awards Boeing $55 Million Contract to fix Too Stiff KC-46 Refueling Boom The Government Accountability Office said in a June report that it could take years to fix the tanker's refueling boom, which has been described as "too stiff" for lighter aircraft to receive fuel. The U.S. Air Force (USAF) has awarded Boeing a new $55 million contract to fix the KC-46 Pegasus refueling boom. As reported by Military.com, the USAF wants Boeing - which is manufacturing the KC-46 - to modify "the system level hardware and software critical design review of the boom telescope actuator redesign," according to an Aug. 2 Defense Department contract announcement. The work should be complete by 2021, it adds. The KC-46 has had many issues, including how the boom connects and disconnects from specific aircraft. The Government Accountability Office said in a June report that it could take years to fix the tanker's telescoping boom, which has been described as "too stiff" for lighter aircraft to receive fuel. "The KC-46 boom currently requires more force to compress it sufficiently to maintain refueling position," the Jun. 12 report states. "Pilots of lighter receiver aircraft, such as the A-10 and F-16, reported the need to use more power to move the boom forward while in contact with the boom to maintain refueling position." Pilots also pointed out that the same boost of power is needed to disconnect from the boom, which could lead to damage to it or the aircraft. Refueling units must continue to work through the problem until the repairs are made. "It's something to be cognizant of," said Lt. Col. Wesley Spurlock, commander of the 344th Air Refueling Squadron at McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas. Spurlock and Senior Master Sgt. Lindsay Moon, 344th Superintendent, spoke to Military.com during the Paris Air Show in June. "It has not affected my ability to stay on the boom or [attach to it]," Spurlock added, describing piloting a receiving aircraft with the KC-46. "It's a longevity issue," added Moon. "You're putting additional stress on the system and, each time you do it, maybe [it's] more than engineering planned for. So long term, they need to evaluate, 'Are we willing to accept that or not?'" The Air Force took its first delivery of the tanker at McConnell on Jan. 25. The service said it would accept the tanker, which is based on the 767 airliner design, despite the fact it has a number of deficiencies, mainly concerning its Remote Vision System. The RVS, which is made by Rockwell Collins and permits the in-flight operator to view the refueling system below the tanker, has been subject to frequent software glitches. The systemic issue, which will require a software and hardware update, may take three to four years to fix, officials have said. KC-46 deliveries have also been halted or delayed a number of times over the discovery of foreign object debris - trash, tools, nuts and bolts, and other miscellaneous items - scattered inside the aircraft. Loose objects are dangerous because they can cause damage over time. "The foreign object debris [FOD] is not a reflection of the end-state performance," Dr. Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics, said during the Paris Air Show. "We're not happy with how FOD is being handled ... but once we get the FOD out of the airplane the hard way, our operators are getting good performance out in the field." The KC-46A tanker modernization program is among the Air Force's highest acquisition priorities. Being able to refuel military aircraft in the air is critical to the U.S. military's ability to effectively operate globally. The Air Force initiated the KC-46 program to replace about a third of its aging KC-135 Stratotanker fleet. The KC-46A Pegasus is designed to provide improved capability, including boom and drogue refueling on the same sortie; worldwide navigation and communication; airlift capability on the entire main deck floor; receiver air refueling; improved force protection and survivability; and multi-point air refueling capability. https://theaviationgeekclub.com/usaf-awards-boeing-55-million-contract-to-fix-too-stiff-kc-46-refueling-boom/ Back to Top In-space refueling vs heavy lift? NASA and SpaceX choose both Recently, NASA announced several technological development projects designed to advance the art and science of deep space travel. In one of these projects SpaceX will practice transferring fuel in space using the Starship deep space vehicle now being developed. The argument over whether to use heavy-lift or in-space refueling has raged across the space community since the George W. Bush-era Constellation project to return to the moon. NASA's traditional fueling method has been to use a big, heavy-lift rocket such as the Saturn V or the more modern Space Launch System. However, an alternate architecture has been proposed, which uses smaller, commercial rockets with a refueling depot to send people and cargo back to the moon. A 2011 NASA study of a lunar travel plan using a refueling depot suggested that a fuel depot would be deployed in low Earth orbit, taking six launches of the Falcon Heavy and one of the Falcon 9 before the first lunar mission. Then another 24 launches (20 of the Falcon Heavies, most of which would top off the depot with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, and 4 launches of the Falcon 9 which would launch crew to Earth orbit) would result in a lunar mission taking place once every two years for a total of four more trips to and from the lunar surface. (The Falcon Heavy today has improved its performance by 20 percent and the Falcon 9 has improved even more since this 2011 NASA study, so the system would be even better today.) A similar NASA plan using the Delta IV Heavy would involve 36 launches for four missions to the Moon (or nine launches per mission) over a similar period of time after the deployment of the fuel depot. NASA would avoid the cost of developing a heavy-lift launcher such as the Constellation-era Ares V or its successor Space Launch System. The flaw in the approach involved a very ambitious flight rate for either the Falcon Heavy or the Delta IV Heavy. NASA could only launch a lunar mission once every two years if the flight rate could be achieved, Also, relying on in-space refueling and not developing a heavy-lift vehicle proved to be politically unacceptable. Indeed, as Ars Technica reports, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) vetoed any thought of an alternate architecture using space-based refueling, since it would compete with the heavy-lift SLS, then as now under development in his home state. NASA at the time did not consider the Falcon Heavy a "real" rocket. Taking direction from its congressional masters, the space agency abandoned any thought of reusing the refueling approach. Fast forward to 2019. SpaceX has pioneered the use of reusable first stages, both for the Falcon 9 and the Falcon Heavy. The Starship is not only a heavy-lift rocket - it also is designed to be reusable. The heavy-lift vehicle is also designed to be topped off with fuel before proceeding to deep space destinations such as the moon and Mars. Meanwhile, the Space Launch System is many billions of dollars over budget and years behind schedule. The latest date for its first flight is sometime in 2021. NASA first acknowledged the Starship's existence when an official of the space agency suggested that it would partner with SpaceX if it landed a Starship on the lunar surface. The latest announcement of several partnerships with industry included a project to study in-space refueling using the SpaceX Starship. The Starship, designed to be both reusable and to have a frequent flight rate, would benefit from such an approach, in effect combining the power of a heavy-lift rocket with the reduced expense of in-space refueling. Why is NASA jumping back into the in-space refueling game after nearly a decade? One factor is that the Trump administration, unlike President Obama's, is quite serious about sending American astronauts back to the moon. Vice President Mike Pence has been pushing NASA to try innovative approaches to accomplish the goal of sending people back to the moon and on to Mars. Also, while NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has sworn solemnly that the "first woman and the next man" will fly to the lunar surface using the Space Launch System, the expendable, heavy-lift launcher championed by Shelby, the powerful appropriations chairman is 85 years old and is not getting any younger. Shelby is up for reelection in 2022 and may not choose to run because of his advanced age. With Shelby gone, the main champion of the SLS also goes away. Thus, the era of the expendable launcher will come to an end, and reusable rockets such as the Starship will fly unimpeded. Mark Whittington is the author of space exploration studies "Why is It So Hard to Go Back to the Moon? as well as "The Moon, Mars and Beyond." https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/456769-in-space-refueling-vs-heavy-lift-nasa-and-spacex-choose-both Curt Lewis