March 4, 2021 - No. 17 In This Issue : AERION, NETJETS AND FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL TO EXPLORE FUTURE GLOBAL MOBILITY SOLUTIONS : 4AIR Becomes the First Private Aviation Participant in the IATA Aviation Carbon Exchange, Reducing Impact on Climate : ‘Flying Taxi’ startup Volocopter picks up another $241M, says service is now two years out : Delta to spend $30 million to offset most of its 2020 impact on climate : Sea-Tac Airport to test anti-drone technology : We’ll bring zero-emission aircraft to service by 2035 : KAI and IAI Enter a Collaboration Agreement for Manned & Unmanned Teaming Systems : This country is restarting air travel. Here’s how : Bombardier and Aston Martin Announce Intent to Collaborate and Create the Ultimate Convergence of Performance and Style : New Bills To Step Up Federal Coordination of AAM : SpaceX's SN10 Starship prototype lands after epic test launch — but then explodes AERION, NETJETS AND FLIGHTSAFETY INTERNATIONAL TO EXPLORE FUTURE GLOBAL MOBILITY SOLUTIONS Reno, NV & Columbus, OH, March 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Supersonic aircraft company Aerion, the leader in supersonic technology has forged an expansive collaboration with NetJets, the largest private aviation company in the world, and FlightSafety International, the leader in professional aviation training, — both Berkshire Hathaway companies — to shape the future of global mobility. “At Aerion our vision is to build a future where humanity can travel between any two points on our planet within three hours and this new partnership is a significant step towards realizing that vision,” said Aerion’s Chairman, President & CEO, Tom Vice. “Our strategy is to connect the very best partners in the world within a new mobility ecosystem optimized for speed and founded on sustainability. In NetJets and FlightSafety International we have two such partners; both globally recognized leaders in their fields who share our passion for a new era of mobility that is both fast and at the same time kind to our planet.” NetJets, the owner and operator of the world’s largest and most diverse private jet fleet, and Aerion will explore NetJets’ becoming the exclusive business jet operator for the global mobility platform, Aerion ConnectTM. A vision for a future global mobility ecosystem, Aerion ConnectTM will integrate multiple, currently siloed urban and regional networks and provide a seamless point-to-point travel experience, optimized for speed and luxury across multiple modes of transportation. “As the leader in private aviation, we constantly look for ways to be on the cutting-edge, and expanding our fleet to become the exclusive business jet operator for Aerion ConnectTM is a thrilling next step,” said Adam Johnson, Chairman and CEO of NetJets Inc. “Together, we will be exploring the integration of the AS2® supersonic business jet into NetJets’ global network, and we are honored to be their chosen partner to enable the Aerion Connect vision.” In collaboration with FlightSafety International, the premier professional aviation training company, Aerion will also develop a supersonic flight training academy for civil, commercial, and military supersonic aircraft. The Aerion-branded facility will channel FSI’s comprehensive global training expertise to provide a center of excellence for supersonic flight training and education, shaping the flight crews of the future. “We’re excited to bring FSI’s signature passion for safety to Aerion’s training academy,” said Brad Thress, CEO of FlightSafety International. “This partnership marries Aerion’s innovation and our long-established experience, opening up new opportunities in the supersonic aircraft space and the future of the industry as a whole.” Underlining the long-term focus of the partnership, NetJets has also obtained purchase rights for 20 AS2® supersonic business jets, which start production at Aerion Park in Melbourne, Florida in 2023. With significant growth achieved through 2020 and 2021, Aerion’s global order backlog for the AS2® is now valued at more than USD $10 billion. The new AS2®—the first supersonic aircraft to enter commercial service in 51 years and the world’s first supersonic business aircraft— continues to advance toward manufacturing start after concluding wind tunnel validation late last year. NetJets’ commitment to Aerion ConnectTM cements its industry-leading expertise through its diverse jet offerings. With more than 760 aircraft worldwide, 385 of which were delivered in the past 11 years, the partnership announcement further comes on the heels of NetJets’ newly launched Global Sustainability Program, a worldwide commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of the brand and its Owners, with a focus on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) investment, corporate and consumer offsetting. Aerion and NetJets are united by a shared commitment to usher in a new era of sustainable flight that is kind to the planet and part of the solution to reverse climate change. As part of this agreement the two companies will also work together on domestic and international actions intended to facilitate the global availability and broad adoption of synthetic aviation fuels. Aerion’s pursuit of faster point-to-point travel begins with the launch of the AS2® supersonic business jet. Designed to be inherently environmentally responsible from first flight, the AS2® is the first supersonic aircraft designed to be powered by 100% engineered synthetic fuel and reach supersonic speeds without the need for an afterburner. The manufacture of 300 AS2® aircraft is planned for the first decade of production. The AS2® will be the first aircraft assembled at the company’s new global headquarters in Melbourne, Florida-Aerion Park. The state-of-the-art development—powered by sustainable technology —will incorporate headquarter operations plus an integrated campus for research, design, build, and maintenance of the company’s supersonic aircraft. ### About Aerion: Aerion is founded on a core belief of bringing humanity closer. The company’s vision is a future where humanity can travel between any two points on our planet within three hours using new transportation networks—powered by clean energy solutions and enabling a world where distance is no longer a barrier. The starting point is sustainable supersonic flight, led by the world’s first supersonic business jet—the AS2®. More information can be found at www.aerionsupersonic.com About NetJets Beginning as the first private jet charter and management company, NetJets has led the industry for 55+ years. Then in 1986, they revolutionized it with the concept of shared ownership and proceeded to build the largest, most diverse private jet fleet in the world. Today, NetJets is proud to be a Berkshire Hathaway company known for its unwavering commitment to safety, service, and unmatched global access. NetJets’ industry-leading scale and business model offer NetJets and its Owners dependable financial sustainability unlike any other in the industry. For these reasons and many more, NetJets will continue to be the favored choice of the world’s most discerning travelers for generations to come. For more information about the world's most reliable and trusted aviation company, visit netjets.com. About FlightSafety International FlightSafety International is a premier professional aviation training company and supplier of flight simulators, visual systems and displays to commercial, government and military organizations. FlightSafety’s highly qualified instructors provide more than 1.4 million hours of training each year to pilots, technicians and other aviation professionals from 167 countries and independent territories. FlightSafety operates the world’s largest fleet of advanced full-flight simulators at learning centers and training location in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa and the United Kingdom. To learn more, please visit flightsafety.com. https://www.streetinsider.com/Globe+Newswire/AERION%2C+NETJETS+AND+FLIGHTSAFETY+INTERNATIONAL+TO+EXPLORE+FUTURE+GLOBAL+MOBILITY+SOLUTIONS/18072446.html 4AIR Becomes the First Private Aviation Participant in the IATA Aviation Carbon Exchange, Reducing Impact on Climate BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 3, 2021-- 4AIR has become the first private aviation stakeholder to make a trade on the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Aviation Carbon Exchange (ACE), a centralized platform where airlines and other aviation stakeholders can trade carbon offsets to reduce their climate impact. 4AIR has conducted its first transaction on the exchange with ClimeCo Corp., purchasing offsets from the environmental commodity products advisor on behalf of 4AIR Silver Member PrivateFly to help the charter and jet card provider meet its offsetting commitment in relation to its 2020 operations. 4AIR transacted 15,000 carbon offsets on behalf of PrivateFly in support of a solar-renewable energy project developed in India by the Adani Group. In total, the project generates enough solar energy to displace more than 1.5 million megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity in India annually, reducing the carbon impact of a country in which about 80 percent of electricity is generated through fossil fuels. The project spurs economic development, provides job opportunities and expands regional economic activity. 4AIR became the first private aviation-focused participant for the Aviation Carbon Exchange, an important step for other aviation stakeholders to participate on the exchange. 4AIR allows anyone in private aviation, from companies and individuals who own aircraft, fractional shares or jet cards to those who charter flights, to reduce their carbon footprint through its 4AIR Rating Program – the first and only rating system focused on sustainability in private aviation. “The Aviation Carbon Exchange is a phenomenal step for increased transparency and simplicity in the process of acquiring carbon offsets,” said Kennedy Ricci, 4AIR’s president. “4AIR is uniquely positioned to aggregate private flight hours from users and operators all over the world to buy offsets on the Aviation Carbon Exchange at a larger scale. We can help the private aviation community support verified projects worldwide, making it easy for them to meet sustainability goals.” PrivateFly has made a commitment to 4AIR Silver to be emissions neutral for 2021. This means 4AIR will offset its operations and all of PrivateFly’s 2021 flights at 300 percent of its carbon footprint to account for both their carbon dioxide and non-carbon dioxide emissions. The Aviation Carbon Exchange was developed by IATA in partnership with Xpansiv market CBL, the leading spot exchange for ESG-inclusive commodities, including carbon offsets. “4AIR’s framework offers four levels with progressively greater impacts, enabling participants to elevate their ambition over time,” said CBL Head of Global Carbon Markets Rene Velasquez. “This first-trade announcement is proof of broad support for decarbonization across the aviation spectrum. In addition to aviation’s effort to reduce emissions by investing in the latest aircraft technology and by improving operational fuel efficiency, the Aviation Carbon Exchange provides a clear, intuitive path to address aviation’s environmental impact.” Added Michael Schneider, the IATA Assistant Director Aviation Environment, “Energy consumption is the biggest source of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. By investing in carbon offset projects, the transition from fossil fuels to clean sources of energy becomes more attainable. We are pleased that 4AIR is participating in the Aviation Carbon Exchange, enabling business aviation companies from all over the world to do their part in supporting sustainability within the aviation industry.” About 4AIR Incubated by Directional Aviation, 4AIR is the first and only sustainability solutions program dedicated to private aviation. Its industry-first framework seeks to address climate impacts of all types and provides a simplified and verifiable path for private aviation industry participants to achieve meaningful aircraft emissions counteraction and reduction. For more information, visit us at 4air.aero. About the IATA’s Aviation Carbon Exchange The IATA Aviation Carbon Exchange, or ACE, is a centralized marketplace for eligible emission units under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) through which airlines and other aviation stakeholders can trade CO2 emission reductions for compliance or voluntary offsetting purposes. A secure and easy to use trading environment, ACE offers the highest transparency in terms of price and availability of emissions reductions. For more information, visit the carbon exchange website at www.iata.org/en/programs/environment/ace/. https://www.valdostadailytimes.com/news/business/4air-becomes-the-first-private-aviation-participant-in-the-iata-aviation-carbon-exchange-reducing-impact/article_0010893d-b89d-5f07-9989-2144ff231335.html ‘Flying Taxi’ startup Volocopter picks up another $241M, says service is now two years out In a year where mass transit on airplanes, trains and buses has had lower traveler numbers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the startups hoping to pioneer a totally new approach to getting individuals from A to B — flying taxis — has raised some significant funding. Volocopter, a startup out of southern Germany (Bruchsal, specifically) that has been building and testing electric VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, has picked up €200 million (about $241 million) in a Series D round of funding. Alongside its aircraft, Volocopter has also been building a business case in which its vessels will be used in a taxi-style fleet in urban areas. CEO Florian Reuter tells us that live services are now two years out for the two vehicle models it has been developing. “We are actually expecting to certify our VoloCity in around two years and start commercial air taxi operations right after,” he said. “Paris and Singapore are in pole position [as the first cities], where Paris wants to have electric air taxis established for the 2024 Olympics. With our VoloDrone we expect first commercial flights even earlier than with our VoloCity.” To date, Volocopter has shown off its craft in flights in Helsinki, Stuttgart, Dubai and over Singapore’s Marina Bay. In addition to Europe and Asia, it also wants to launch services in the U.S. For some context, this is basically on track with what the company had previously projected: in 2019 — when Volocopter raised an initial $55 million in funding for its Series C (finally closed out at €87 million, around $94 million) — the company said it was three years away from service. This latest (oversubscribed) Series D includes new investments from a mix of financial and strategic backers. Funds managed by BlackRock; global infrastructure company Atlantia SpA.; Avala Capital; automotive parts behemoth Continental AG; Japan’s NTT via its venture capital arm; Tokyo Century, a Japanese leasing company; and multiple family offices, among others. Volocopter also said that all of its existing investors — that list includes Geely, Daimler, DB Schenker, Intel Capital, btov Partners, Team Europe and Klocke Holding and more — also contributed to the round. If that sounds like a big list, it’s somewhat intentional, as the task of what Volocopter is attempting is complex and requires a wide ecosystem of other players, said Rene Griemens, the company’s CFO. “Getting urban air mobility off the ground requires a full ecosystem that we are developing right now. Many of our strategic partners will support us on different aspects of the supply chain, scaling components, entering markets, improving operations amongst others. Most of them know certain aspects of our business model really well (e.g. Japan Airlines for aviation, Atlantia for infrastructure),” he said. “Their investment is a reflection of their excitement about Volocopter as a leader in building the entire ecosystem of UAM, thereby giving credibility and comfort for purely financial investors.” He added that many of these companies have a very “hands-on partnership” with Volocopter. “DB Schenker, for example, is rolling out leading-edge heavily-load electric logistics drones together with us around the globe.” The company has now raised nearly $390 million. We’re asking for an updated valuation, but for some context, PitchBook data estimates its valuation now at $624 million. Moonshots and sunsets Founded in 2011, Volocopter has now been working on its idea — distinctive for its very wide circular design that sits where the rotor on a helicopter would be — for a whole decade, and in many regards it’s the classic idea of a moonshot in action. It has yet to make any money, and the product that it’s building to do so is very groundbreaking — flying into completely unchartered territory, so to speak — and therefore ultimately untested. It’s not the only one working on “flying taxi” concepts — there are other very well-capitalised companies like Lilum, Joby Aviation, Kitty Hawk and eHang. However, all of these have faced various hurdles ranging from investor lawsuits to bankruptcies, accidents, mothballed projects and divestments (perhaps most notably, Joby scooped up Elevate last year as Uber stepped away from costly moonshots). And most importantly, none of them are flying commercially yet. With Volocopter (as with the others), investors have taken a long-term bet here on a concept and a team it believes can deliver. For now, the company says that technology is no longer the barrier, and neither it seems are regulators, who are, in the pandemic, more focused on considering new approaches to old problems to improve efficiency and acknowledge that we might have to do things a little differently from now on, in the wake of new demands from public health, and the public. In the case of VTOL craft, the promise has always been that they could bypass a lot of the issues with street congestion in urban areas, and provide a more environmental alternative to gas-guzzling, present-day transportation modes. The challenge, on the other hand, has been determining the safety both of completely new devices, and also of the traffic and other systems that they would operate under. With the idea being that ultimately these craft would be autonomous, that adds another complex twist. Interestingly, regulators in different markets that might have been more skeptical of new concepts seem to be more open to considering them differently now with the pandemic at hand. This has played out in other arenas, too, such as the electric scooter market in the U.K., which saw a bump in activity after regulators long skeptical gave them a provisional nod last year, citing the need for more individualized transportation options in a pandemic-hit country. Volocopter’s model is based around transporting one person or small parties, so in a sense might be attractive here too. “There aren’t any major hurdles anymore in terms of the technology as such,” said Reuter. “It is now all about execution. EASA has defined what is necessary to get electric air taxis certified to the highest safety level in aviation. We have the best technology in the market to certify to EASA’s high safety standards and will keep our heads down to finalize the few remaining steps to certification.” In contrast, he said the other challenges that remain are those of any highly technical startup: “Our largest challenge right now is talent acquisition,” he said. “We are looking for the best talents worldwide and growing our team quickly now, so that we can accelerate on the technical and market development sides. Especially in the markets where we will open early routes, such as Paris, Singapore, China and Japan, we are going full speed in preparing everything necessary from digital infrastructure to landing sites, city approvals and more.” https://techcrunch.com/2021/03/02/flying-taxi-startup-volocopter-picks-up-another-241m-says-service-is-now-two-years-out/ Delta to spend $30 million to offset most of its 2020 impact on climate (Reuters) - Delta Air Lines said on Thursday it would spend more than $30 million to offset 13 million metric tons of carbon emissions over 10 months last year as part of its pledge to help combat climate change. The Atlanta-based company said its medium-term goal is to replace 10% of its jet fuel, which is currently refined from fossil fuel, with sustainable aviation fuel by the end of 2030. Delta also said it cut emissions by retiring more than 200 older aircraft early in 2020 as it dealt with a plunge in demand from the coronavirus pandemic. Replacement planes will be 25% more fuel-efficient, the U.S. airline said. In February 2020, Delta announced plans to invest $1 billion over the next decade in initiatives like offsets, sustainable aviation fuel and carbon sequestration that would limit the impact of global air travel on the environment, the first airline to make a commitment of that scale. That followed moves in Europe by easyJet to offset emissions on all its flights and by British Airways and Air France to do the same on their domestic flights. Delta has agreed to purchase a future supply of 70 million gallons of sustainable aviation fuel per year. The amount the U.S. carrier plans to pay for offsets from March 1 to Dec. 31 would equate to less than 0.35% of its revenue during the period, based on Reuters calculations using Delta's financial results from April 1 to Dec. 31. Delta said the carbon tonnage offset was equal to the carbon sequestered by 17 million acres of U.S. forests in one year, enough to cover the state of West Virginia. The Biden administration is pressuring U.S. airlines to do more to reduce emissions. The chief executives of major U.S. carriers met with White House officials last week to discuss tackling aviation pollution and urge U.S. support for greener aviation fuel. United Airlines has committed to a multimillion-dollar investment in carbon capture, a technology designed to suck carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as part of a plan to be 100% green by 2050. Delta said it also believed carbon capture had significant potential. Delta owns its own oil refinery, making it unique among its peers. The company posted a $102 million refining segment loss in the fourth quarter and a $441 million loss on third party fuel sales. The refinery, located in Trainer, Pennsylvania, emitted about 1.45 million metric tons of carbon dioxide or equivalent gas in 2019, according to the latest data available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. That year, the net quantity of greenhouse gasses of the petroleum products the refinery produced totaled roughly 26 million metric tons, according to the EPA. https://www.streetinsider.com/General+News/Delta+to+spend+%2430+million+to+offset+most+of+its+2020+impact+on+climate/18080203.html Sea-Tac Airport to test anti-drone technology The Federal Aviation Administration this week named Seattle-Tacoma International Airport as one of five airports nationwide to help it develop drone detection and mitigation equipment. Drones can pose a danger to planes, both in the air and on the ground. It is an issue that's not uncommon at Sea-Tac, where pilots report seeing five to six drones a year flying close to planes. Just over a year ago, a drone landed on one of Sea-Tac's runways. Mark Coates, the senior manager for airport operations told KING 5 News that on Dec. 26, 2019, a detection system on the north end of the center runway spotted a drone on the center runway itself. “Our concern is protecting our approach zones, landing zones, anywhere around the airport actually,” Coates said. When the FAA sought out airports willing to help it design drone mitigation technology, Coates says Sea-Tac was happy to apply. The airport is already a leader in using detection technologies, including avian radar to tracks birds and using FOD — Foreign Object Debris — Detect. FOD Detect found the drone on the center runway. The system constantly scans the runway with multiple sensors spotted at regular intervals. It also spots birds, but the system's main function is finding and alerting operations staff of debris such as nuts and bolts on the runway which could be sucked up into an engine. FOD Detect is also slated for Sea-Tac’s other runways over the next several years. “Sea-Tac has a rich history in innovation,” Coates added. He also cited the region’s status as a center for high-tech research. The FAA regulates drones, technically referred to as Unmanned Aerial Systems, or UAS. They can range from toys or near toys, to large unmanned airplanes flown by the military. To the FAA, they are all aircraft. The 5-inch drone found on the runway in 2019 was likely a Christmas present, Coates said. It was likely flown by someone with no idea that flying even within miles of an airport would be illegal without a UAS license and specific permission. Flying a drone over a runway, the approaches and other places would be illegal under virtually any circumstance without specific permission from the FAA. Getting permission can take weeks. The FAA, says there are currently 868 thousand registered drones in the U.S. That does not include drones that are not registered. Tiny drones under a certain weight do not have to be registered. The agency says the number of drones is only expected to grow. The other airports working with the FAA include Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey; Syracuse Hancock International Airport in New York; Rickenbacker International Airport in Columbus, Ohio; and Huntsville International Airport in Alabama. Sea-Tac is the largest of the test sites. https://www.king5.com/article/tech/science/aerospace/sea-tac-airport-to-test-anti-drone-technology/281-fd29abde-ec1a-460b-88c7-2212786abb45 We’ll bring zero-emission aircraft to service by 2035 New Delhi: Airbus SE is working on the next-generation aircraft that will rely on hydrogen as the primary source to power its engines. While the concept is still at a nascent stage, it will be the successor to the hugely popular A320 family of airplanes, and will usher in an era of clean flying, Jean-Brice Dumont, executive vice president, engineering, Airbus, and a member of its executive committee, said in an interview. What’s the update on the development of ‘ZEROe’ planes? We will bring zero-emission aircraft to service by 2035. We haven’t given a specific market segment because we are working on technologies to make this development possible. Our focus is to have hydrogen as fuel, as it has superb features in terms of density and other characteristics. We will, however, have to work on storage (of hydrogen). Ultimately, we believe that every segment of aviation should be flown green. What are the different timelines for this concept? If I split it, during the first few years, starting now, we will work on technologies behind the concept. For instance, Hydrogen needs to be stored in liquid form at a very low temperature (-253C). Hydrogen has a tendency to leak and evaporate, so we need to control it. These are technologies that we must master before launching. In the years to come, we will try to make the underlying technology cheaper. We will need to demonstrate flights, find suppliers, etc. The last phase will be the development of the aircraft. All this will be done by 2035. Airport infrastructure will be key for the ZEROe planes. We are building alliances with airport companies to prepare required technology to store hydrogen. Hydrogen as a fuel will definitely bring down pollution. However, we will need to start bringing (storing) hydrogen at the airports before the planes come in. We also need to (develop technology to) safely bring liquid hydrogen to the plane. What’s the next product you are planning to launch? Our next product is A321XLR. The A321XLR ranges up to 4,700 miles (nautical miles). The certification process is being monitored by authorities. We plan A321XLR’s entry into service by the second half of 2023. There is a very significant interest in the aircraft from around the world because it bridges domestic transportation with cross continental travel. We are at the same time working on heavy improvements of Airbus A350, which is a long range aircraft. From a technological perspective, what are the steps taken by Airbus to further enhance safety inside the aircraft, especially post-pandemic? Over the last few years, we have increased safety features in the aircraft. From a pandemic perspective, the air circulation inside aircraft is very pure. Of course, we are looking to enhance it further. (We have also introduced) coatings on materials that are antimicrobial and antiviral, air filtering, and as many touchless features as possible inside the plane, lavatories and areas of common contact. We need to think about the next aircraft design, and we have lots of ideas for this, but we must work very closely with the medical sector for this. Such materials, coatings and touchless systems will make the aircraft even more resilient to any kind of virus. This is the short-term view. The mid-term view is to have antiviral and antimicrobial material on planes, like the armrest. How do you expect the aviation sector to emerge from covid-induced crisis? We know there is an appetite for aviation across the world. We see domestic aviation reviving, though this is much slower in Europe than in India. We expect short to medium range travel to restart (at pre-covid levels) after the pandemic is over, but long-range travel will take a few years to recover because this part has been hit a little more deeply. https://www.livemint.com/industry/manufacturing/airbus-building-hydrogen-powered-planes-says-top-executive-11614861925904.html KAI and IAI Enter a Collaboration Agreement for Manned & Unmanned Teaming Systems Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) for collaboration in which the companies will offer the Republic of Korea (ROK) military forces with unmanned Loitering Munitions systems. As part of the MOU, KAI and IAI are aiming to expand their long cooperation to market the loitering munitions to ROK Army requirements. KAI’s President & CEO, Hyun-ho Ahn expressed the importance of the partnership between IAI and KAI which have been lasted for last decades for many programs including defense and commercial projects. Through the combination of domestic aircraft technology and IAI’s excellent unmanned aerial system technology, IAI and KAI would provide a foothold for innovation, such as strengthening the defense power of the Republic of Korea and commercializing exports in the future. Mr. Ahn emphasized that KAI is pleased to initiate the collaborative dialogue with IAI team in earnest through these MOUs. IAI’s President & CEO, Boaz Levy said- “The MOU’s singed today is another milestone in our growing collaboration with KAI. IAI has long relations with the ROK and the local industries and we are happy to join KAI, one of Korea’s leading companies to explore future opportunities. Combining IAI’s proven capabilities in loitering munitions and KAI’s technologies and products to create an opportunity for an improved solution to the future battlefield”. About Korea Aerospace Industries, Ltd. (KAI), as a total solution provider in aerospace, has been taking leading role in national aviation industry and security with successful development of KT-1 Basic Trainer, T-50 Advanced Jet trainer, FA-50 Light Combat Aircraft, KUH-1 Utility Helicopter and RQ-101 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Currently KFX (Korea Fighter eXperimental) and LAH (Light Armed Helicopter)/LCH(Light Civil Helicopter) program which are the future growth engine are under development. In addition, KAI is extending its scope to space business by participating the development such as Korea Multi-Purpose Satellites, Compact Advanced Satellite 500 and Defense Satellite, as well as Korea Space Launch Vehicle. About Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is a world-leading aerospace and defense company innovating and delivering state-of-the-art technologies in space, air, land, naval, cyber & homeland security for defense and commercial markets. Combining the “Start-up Nation” spirit of innovation with decades of combat-proven experience, IAI provides customers with tailor-made, cutting-edge solutions to the unique challenges they face including satellites, UAVs, missiles, intelligence solutions, weapon systems, air defense systems, robotic systems, radars, business jets, aerostructures, and more. Established in 1953, IAI is one of Israel’s largest technology employers with offices and R&D centers in Israel and abroad. For more information, visit www.iai.co.il https://uasweekly.com/2021/03/03/kai-and-iai-enter-a-collaboration-agreement-for-manned-unmanned-teaming-systems/ This country is restarting air travel. Here’s how COVID-19 struck the aviation industry with unprecedented losses as international passenger traffic dropped by about 90% and around 46 million aviation-related jobs were at risk. In Kuwait alone, those losses were in excess of $1 billion. There were repercussions for families separated, livelihoods interrupted, medical and compassionate travel delayed, education programmes canceled, among many other consequences. As many people now hope for a resumption of air travel, health is a priority and the digitization of testing and vaccine data has a leading role to play. Underlying this approach is the ability to collect and access passenger data that includes pre-travel COVID-19 tests carried out by audited labs, to ensure that passengers are COVID-free. Three integrated and complementary systems form the backbone of this novel approach for Kuwait, which can serve as model for other countries. National Aviation Services (NAS), the leading airport services company in emerging markets, worked closely with the Kuwait Ministry of Health (MOH), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Central Agency for IT (CAIT), Ministry of Interior (MOI), other government agencies and national airlines to develop the following solutions: Medical Utility Network Accreditor (MUNA): A patented blockchain technology connecting labs in more than 40 cities (all considered high risk) with direct flights to Kuwait. The MUNA network links audited labs with airlines and airports in real time to communicate digitized COVID-19 test results with total data privacy. KuwaitMosafer: A web platform for passengers traveling through Kuwait International Airport. This facilitates quick and contactless processes for passengers while helping health authorities gather travel information and related health data. BelSalamah: A web application that allows migrant workers a safe and direct passage to return to Kuwait. As of February 2021, thousands of people have registered on the portal to travel back home. In implementing these digital solutions, six important lessons are emerging: 1. Global air travel can recover if stakeholder confidence is restored Implemented systems should instill confidence in health authorities and in passengers. KuwaitMosafer links all labs in Kuwait, helps authenticate COVID-19 testing certificates and collects health data from passengers. This assures the local Ministry of Health and other countries that passengers coming to Kuwait or arriving from Kuwait have validated passenger and health data. NAS implemented contactless processes, ensured data privacy, provided user-friendly interfaces and assured cost-effectiveness for passengers through the platform. More than 200,000 users registered on KuwaitMosafer within two weeks of its launch. 2. Covid testing certificates need to be digital Most countries now require a negative PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test prior to travel. Digital certificates ensure authenticity and transferability across geographies. The MUNA network connects approved labs directly with airlines and airport systems for quick and easy verification, eliminating incidence of forged or fake certificates. 3. All COVID tests are not equal Laboratories around the world use different testing kits - ranging from 97% to 60% accuracy. By connecting only labs that employ the highest standards and are independently audited, MUNA ensures the most reliable PCR testing technologies and procedures while assuring compliance by the laboratories. 4. Focus on interoperability Players within the aviation industry cannot operate in silos. Aviation connects people, systems and processes. All need to be complementary and coordinated to ensure solutions are interoperable. MUNA, KuwaitMosafer and BelSalamah all link with different countries, laboratories, airlines and airports. Different digital health-credential systems for international travel are currently in the mix. ID2020 recently introduced a Good Health Pass Collaborative aimed to make such solutions interoperable across institutional and geographic borders. NAS is among the first endorsers of this collaborative that will help weave solutions together and fill gaps where they may exist, while facilitating collaboration among a new ecosystem of stakeholders. 5. Social responsibility matters The accessibility of solutions to all kinds of passengers is vital. Not all technologies or solutions are easy to use or cost effective for everyone. Platforms like KuwaitMosafer and BelSalamah are simple and user friendly and cost is kept to a minimum. This has ensured a wider reach. Following the closure of Kuwait airport and restrictions on travel from high-risk countries, over 425,000 expats were stranded outside the country. Many were the sole breadwinners for their families and desperate to get back. BelSalamah helps them return. In this context, the online payment mechanism in BelSalamah also helps eliminate the possibility of any human trafficking by matching employers with the employee and confirming consent. 6. Remain proactive and responsive No one can predict how and when the pandemic will play out. New developments are coming through daily. In this scenario, government requirements are also constantly evolving and companies that are able to act quickly will be successful. This makes it essential for us to remain flexible, proactive and responsive. With recent developments, vaccination records may become mandatory for travel to certain countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) may also approve other testing mechanisms. KuwaitMosafer already includes a vaccine certificate feature linking the Kuwait Ministry of Health vaccine records. MUNA is also equipped to include vaccine records and information on other methods of testing, ensuring responsiveness. These combined efforts have helped Kuwait Airport become one of the safest in the world at this time. The focus for these solutions in Kuwait has been to rebuild confidence and reconnect people, not just in the country itself, but beyond. Given the success of MUNA, several Middle Eastern and African governments, some major airlines, and two European airports are currently in advanced discussions with NAS to roll out the technology. Since the COVID-19 crisis began, global GDP has fallen by 4.2% with more than 114 million jobs lost. By making travel safer, we can help people get back to work, connect families with loved ones, ensure the timely delivery of cargo, allow our children to experience the world and get the global aviation industry to take off once again. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/03/this-country-is-restarting-its-airline-industry-digital-tools-kuwait/ Bombardier and Aston Martin Announce Intent to Collaborate and Create the Ultimate Convergence of Performance and Style MONTREAL, March 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Aston Martin and Bombardier – two iconic brands – have signed a letter of intent to collaborate on custom design services for Bombardier business jets. The collaboration would give customers the opportunity for a truly unique design experience, with the meeting of the top creative minds from the luxury automotive and private jet industries. “Bombardier’s discerning customers have come to expect our products’ signature smooth ride and the company’s no-compromise approach to design, performance and reliability at every level of our portfolio,” said Peter Likoray, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, New Aircraft, Bombardier. “We would be proud to add a new facet to this experience that channels Aston Martin’s distinct aesthetic approach.” Aston Martin and Bombardier are known for creating masterpieces of engineering in which style never takes a back seat. This desire to collaborate reflects a common drive to innovate and opens up new possibilities for the cabin experience aboard Bombardier’s Challenger and Global business jets. “Aston Martin has a highly refined set of automotive design principles, driven by the meticulous application of proportion, craft and technical innovation,” said Aston Martin Vice President and Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman, “Bombardier’s customers share our owners’ desire for unique contemporary design statements. We are truly excited at the prospect of collaborating with Bombardier’s accomplished design team to bring our respective design expertise together. Challenger and Global aircraft will give us an opportunity to take Aston Martin design to new heights.” Bombardier’s award-winning business jet cabins offer spaciousness, productivity and comfort for an unparalleled experience that is further enhanced by a signature smooth ride. Cabin innovations such as the patented Nuage seating collection and the sophisticated Pũr Air system highlight Bombardier’s unrelenting commitment to passenger comfort and wellness. Bombardier’s refreshed portfolio of long-range, large-cabin Global aircraft has garnered design accolades including the International Yacht & Aviation Awards for the Nuage seating collection and the prestigious Red Dot award for product design for the Global 7500 aircraft. Bombardier’s best-selling and multiple-award-winning Challenger platform is a top choice among top corporate flight departments and charter operators worldwide. About Aston MartinAston Martin Lagonda is a luxury automotive group focused on the creation of exclusive cars and SUVs. The iconic Aston Martin brand fuses the latest technology, exceptional hand craftsmanship and timeless design to produce models including the Vantage, DB11, DBS Superleggera and the new SUV, DBX. Based in Gaydon, England, Aston Martin Lagonda designs, creates and exports cars which are sold in 54 countries around the world. Lagonda was founded in 1899 and Aston Martin in 1913. The two brands came together in 1947 when both were purchased by the late Sir David Brown. About Bombardier Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, creating innovative and game-changing planes. Our products and services provide world-class experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety. Headquartered in Montréal, Canada, Bombardier is present in more than 12 countries including its production/engineering sites and its customer support network. The Corporation supports a worldwide fleet of approximately 4,900 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments and private individuals. News and information is available at bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier. https://www.streetinsider.com/Globe+Newswire/Bombardier+and+Aston+Martin+Announce+Intent+to+Collaborate+and+Create+the+Ultimate+Convergence+of+Performance+and+Style/18073046.html New Bills To Step Up Federal Coordination of AAM Legislation seeking to boost the development of advanced air mobility (AAM) in the U.S. is now progressing in both the House and Senate with bipartisan support. The proposed bills, “Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act,” call on Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to establish an inter-agency working group to coordinate efforts to develop a complete AAM ecosystem to support widespread operations of new eVTOL aircraft. The House bill, H.R.1339, was introduced last week by Reps. Sharice Davids (D-Kansas) and co-sponsored by Garrett Graves (R-Louisiana). A corresponding bill, S.516, was proposed this week with the backing of Republican Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran and Democratic Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema. “American aviation is entering a new era of innovation and growth, and industry leaders should have a seat at the table as the federal government creates programs to advance the development of this technology and sets safety and operation standards,” Moran said in introducing the bill. In addition to the Department of Transportation, the proposed working group would include representatives from the FAA and NASA, along with the Departments of Defense, Energy, Commerce, and Homeland Security. Manufacturers of eVTOL aircraft would be invited to join the group, as would organizations involved in providing services such as pilot training and ground handling, as well as aircraft operators and maintenance providers, unions representing pilot and air traffic controllers, state, local and tribal agencies, first responders, environmental groups, and energy companies. The bills call for the working group to be established within 120 days of legislation being enacted, and ready to start its deliberations 60 days later. The group would be expected to complete a review and examination of a wide-ranging set of factors needed to support AAM development and to report on proposals within 180 days after the completion of this work. This implies a timeline extending to around the fourth quarter of 2022. Under the legislation, the group would look at steps to mature AAM aircraft operations beyond initial operations; safety and security involved with air traffic management concepts involving AAM; federal policies that can be leveraged to advance AAM; necessary infrastructure to support the development of AAM; and benefits associated with such development. The legislation has drawn the support of several key aviation industry groups, including NBAA, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Aerospace Industries Association, the Vertical Flight Society, Helicopter Association International, American Association of Airport Executives, and Airports Council International. In Kansas, backing also came from aerostructures manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems and Wichita State University. GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce said the legislation has the potential to facilitate new transportation options, create jobs and economic activity, and advance environmental sustainability. “The Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act goes well beyond the good work the FAA is doing to certify and build the operational regulatory framework to introduce electric aircraft into the National Airspace System,” Bunce said, adding such inter-agency and industry coordination would “help realize the enormous potential and broad societal benefits of this rapidly developing and transformative aviation sector.” “On-demand AAM provides a path for the U.S. to maintain its position as the world leader in civil aviation, and there are significant opportunities for general aviation and our highly skilled workforce, which is why we support this important legislation,” added NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2021-03-03/new-bills-step-federal-coordination-aam SpaceX's SN10 Starship prototype lands after epic test launch — but then explodes SpaceX's latest Starship prototype went out in a blaze of glory. The Starship SN10 spacecraft touched down successfully after a high-altitude test flight today (March 3), a major milestone for the company and its crewed Mars ambitions. But the vehicle didn't manage to hold itself together, exploding about eight minutes after landing. The big stainless-steel SN10 (short for "Serial No. 10") launched from SpaceX's South Texas site at 6:15 p.m. EST (2315 GMT), rose 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) into the sky and then came back to Earth for a smooth touchdown 6 minutes and 20 seconds after liftoff. It was the third high-altitude test flight for a Starship vehicle but the first to feature a successful landing. SN10's two immediate predecessors, SN8 and SN9, flew well during their jaunts — on Dec. 9, 2020 and Feb. 2 of this year, respectively — but both hit the ground hard and ended up in pieces. "Third time's a charm, as the saying goes," SpaceX principal integration engineer John Insprucker said during SpaceX's launch webcast today. "We've had a successful soft touchdown on the landing pad that’s capping a beautiful test flight of Starship 10." But that wasn't the end of the story. Some flames were visible near SN10's base shortly after landing, and that was a sign of things to come: the vehicle exploded on the landing pad at about 6:30 p.m. EST (2330 GMT), rising up and crashing down again in a huge fireball. SpaceX is developing Starship to get people and payloads to the moon, Mars and other distant destinations, and to fly any other missions the company requires. Indeed, SpaceX plans to eventually phase out its other flight hardware — the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets and Dragon cargo and crew capsules — and let Starship shoulder the entire load, company founder and CEO Elon Musk has said. Starship consists of two elements: a 165-foot-tall (50 meters) spacecraft called Starship and a giant rocket known as Super Heavy, both of which are designed to be fully and rapidly reusable. Both will be powered by SpaceX's next-generation Raptor engine — six for Starship and about 30 for Super Heavy, Musk has said. The final Starship will be brawny enough to get itself off the moon and Mars, but it will need Super Heavy's help to get off our much more massive Earth. After launching Starship to Earth orbit, the huge booster will come back down to Earth for a vertical landing, as Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy first stages already do. Musk believes that Starship's combination of rapid reusability and power — the system will be able to loft more than 110 tons (100 metric tons) to low Earth orbit, according to its SpaceX specifications page — is the breakthrough that will make ambitious feats such as Mars settlement economically feasible. And Mars settlement is Musk's driving ambition; he has repeatedly said that he founded SpaceX in 2002 primarily to help humanity become a multiplanet species. SpaceX is iterating toward the final Starship spacecraft via a series of increasingly complex prototypes. For example, the first Starships to get off the ground were single-engine vehicles that flew about 500 feet (150 m) high. SN8, SN9 and SN10 all sported three Raptors, as well as forward and rear flaps for aerodynamic control, so they flew much higher. SN10 put those flaps to use today as it soared through the South Texas skies. The vehicle performed a number of precise in-flight maneuvers, including a sustained hover at the 6.2-mile maximum altitude, a horizontal descent and a dramatic "landing flip" to get itself vertical in time for touchdown. All of that happened a bit later in the day than SpaceX had planned. SN10 was originally scheduled to launch at 3:14 p.m. EST (1814 GMT) today, but that attempt was aborted just after engine ignition when the spacecraft's computer sensed something anomalous. The abort was caused by a "slightly conservative high thrust limit," Musk said via Twitter this afternoon. SpaceX soon increased that limit and got SN10 ready to fly just three hours later. We'll see many more test flights in the weeks and months ahead, for SpaceX is already building multiple SN10 successors, as well as the first Super Heavy prototype. Musk has said that the company aims to get a Starship prototype to orbit this year, and he expects the final spaceflight system to be flying people regularly by 2023. SpaceX already has an operational Starship flight targeted to launch that year — the "dearMoon" mission booked by Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa. Maezawa is looking for crewmembers to join him on that six-day journey around the moon, so throw your hat in the ring if you're interested. https://www.space.com/spacex-starship-sn10-test-launch-landing-explosion Curt Lewis