Briefing: August 2017

The Paris Air Show opened in June with the usual displays of military hardware and the latest passenger jets, but new and emerging technologies also attracted a lot of attention. Volocopter, a German company that has been developing a two-seat electric VTOL, announced it will work with the government of Dubai to test fly semi-autonomous air taxis by the end of this year. Boom unveiled the final design for a subscale prototype of its supersonic airliner, and said it will fly next year, with three GE engines. Airbus said its working on a new helicopter with a box-wing design that will cruise at 215 knots while maximizing efficiency. The Racer demonstrator will fly in 2020, Airbus said.

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, July 05, 2017 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The Paris Air Show highlighted new aviation technologies, including Volocopter's electric VTOL air taxis, Boom's supersonic airliner prototype, and Airbus's efficient Racer helicopter demonstrator.
Military forces are facing critical issues with aircraft oxygen systems, leading to pilot deaths in T-45 and F-18 aircraft, and the grounding of F-35 jets due to hypoxia-related complaints.
The Trump administration proposed privatizing the U.S. air traffic control system to a self-financing nonprofit, a plan supported by airlines but strongly opposed by general aviation groups.
Cessna's new turbodiesel Turbo Skyhawk JT-A, featuring Garmin G1000 NXi avionics and a Continental CD-155 engine, received certification from both the FAA and EASA.

See a mistake? Contact us.

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW TECHNOLOGY AT PARIS AIR SHOW

The Paris Air Show opened in June with the usual displays of military hardware and the latest passenger jets, but new and emerging technologies also attracted a lot of attention. Volocopter, a German company that has been developing a two-seat electric VTOL, announced it will work with the government of Dubai to test fly semi-autonomous air taxis by the end of this year. Boom unveiled the final design for a subscale prototype of its supersonic airliner, and said it will fly next year, with three GE engines. Airbus said it’s working on a new helicopter with a “box-wing” design that will cruise at 215 knots while maximizing efficiency. The Racer demonstrator will fly in 2020, Airbus said.

MILITARY AIRPLANE OXYGEN SYSTEMS BLAMED FOR PILOT DEATHS

Reports by military pilots about oxygen-system malfunctions have been frequent in recent years, but in June the Navy said the problems in T-45 and F-18 series aircraft were a factor in the deaths of at least four pilots. The announcement was made in a report commissioned in March after Navy flight instructors and students refused to fly T-45 trainers, citing breathing problems, dizziness, and other issues. The Navy said it’s not sure what’s causing the problems. “To date, finding a solution…has proved elusive,” the report said. Also in June, the U.S. Air Force grounded its F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, after five incidents in which pilots complained of hypoxia-related issues.