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SP's Aviation - ISSUE No 6-2024

Issue Features

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  MILITARY | UNMANNED
  How the Future of Unmanned Military Aircraft is Unfolding
  By Manish Kumar Jha

  The integration of Tactical AI and machine learning in defence projects is enhancing the performance and portability of high-performance capacities across various military platforms

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  SPACE | TOURISM
  Journey to the Beyond
  By Ayushee Chaudhary

  Space tourism with its challenges and excitement, currently accessible only to billionaires, holds the potential to expose a wider set of people to the views of earth’s horizon and zero-g experiences in the future

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  EXCLUSIVE

  DIPLOMACY | INDIA-BHUTAN
  “Our focus and priority are to nurture the friendship with India when it comes to international relations” — Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan
  

  In a very exclusive interaction, Manish Kumar Jha speaks with Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay in Thimphu, Bhutan over the range of issues which will further reaffirm the historic bilateral relations with India

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  ENGINES | TECHNOLOGY
  CFM RISE — Full Speed Ahead!
  By Joseph Noronha

  Three years into the programme, it is clear that various RISE technologies are steadily evolving from promising design concepts to functioning components and systems. And the pace of progress is accelerating.

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  SHOW REPORT | EBACE2024
  A Showcase of the Latest Technological Advancements in BizAv
  By Ayushee Chaudhary

  With the focus on sustainability and innovation, and a display of cutting-edge technological advancements, insightful discussions, and strategic collaborations, EBACE2024 provided a comprehensive glimpse into the future of aviation.

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  SHOW REPORT | EBACE2024
  Advanced Aviation Mobility
  By Ayushee Chaudhary

  This year’s EBACE was a milestone, prominently featuring leading AAM companies at both the Palexpo exhibit hall and Geneva Airport, showcasing innovative low-emission and zero-emission aircraft powered by hydrogen, electric, and hybrid-electric systems.

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  SHOW REPORT | EBACE2024
  Sustainability Commitments
  

  EBACE2024 underscored the industry’s commitment to net-zero emissions with a three-day Sustainability Summit, a focus on alternative propulsion technologies, and the introduction of new sustainability standards.

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  SHOW REPORT | EBACE2024
  Pilatus Aircraft’s Aviation Upgrade
  

  Pilatus Aircraft made a significant impact at this year’s EBACE by showcasing the newly upgraded PC-24 and the renowned PC-12 NGX.

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  SHOW REPORT | EBACE2024
  Embraer Showcases its Enhanced Efficiency
  

  Embraer highlighted its supermidsize Praetor 600 and light jet Phenom 300E at EBACE2024, focusing on their appeal to European operators.

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  SHOW REPORT | EBACE2024
  Textron Aviation Showcases Premier Products and Support
  By Ayushee Chaudhary

  Textron Aviation made a strong presence at EBACE2024, highlighting its industry-leading aircraft and comprehensive aftermarket support.

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  ENGINES | CFM
  50 Million LEAP
  By Ayushee Chaudhary

  The CFM LEAP engine family achieves 50 million flight hours, setting new standards in fuel efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in global aviation

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  CIVIL | AIRLINERS
  Slow Fade of the Four-Engine Airliner
  By Joseph Noronha

  As long-haul international tourism recovers, some leading carriers have been returning their superjumbos to service. The A380 that seemed destined to fade into the sunset has received a new lease of life.

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  A Word from Editor-in-Chief
  By Jayant Baranwal, Publisher & Editor-in-Chief

  SP Guide’s Manish Jha travelled to Bhutan for an exclusive interaction with the Prime Minister of Bhutan over a range of issues which further reaffirm Bhutan’s historic bilateral relations with India

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  HALL OF FAME
  Si Spiegel (1924-2024)
  By Joseph Noronha

  Si Spiegel’s B-17 experienced engine trouble early in the bombing mission. Then, as he flew over Berlin, ground fire knocked out a second engine. He still had two engines running, but soon a fuel tank started leaking.

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  LAST WORD
  Push AI for Better Safety
  By Rohit Goel

  The aviation industry has always prioritised safety above all else and with technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), new horizons for safety enhancements are continually being explored and implemented

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  NEWS DIGEST
  India’s New Civil Aviation Minister
  

  Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu (born 18 December 1987) was announced as the Minister of Civil Aviation on June 10, 2024 in the newly formed Government of India, after the general elections in 2024.

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  NEWS DIGEST
  Qatar Executive Welcomes the World’s First Gulfstream G700 Aircraft to Doha
  

  Qatar Executive (QE), the corporate jet subsidiary of Qatar Airways Group, has officially welcomed the delivery of two new Gulfstream G700 aircraft to the fleet, becoming the worldwide exclusive commercial operator of the aircraft.

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  NEWS DIGEST
  IBAC Marks IS-BAH 10 Year Anniversary with Salute to SRC Aviation
  

  The International Business Aviation Council (IBAC) announced the 10th anniversary of the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) programme at EBACE 2024 and honoured SRC Aviation of New Delhi, India.

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  NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
  Lockheed Martin Delivers 2,700th C-130 Hercules Tactical Airlifter
  

  Lockheed Martin recently delivered the 2,700th Hercules multi-mission tactical airlifter, increasing the size, reach and strength of the worldwide C-130 fleet.

• NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
  GA-ASI & USMC Complete MQ-9A WTI Training
  

  General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and the US Marine Corps (USMC) teamed up to conduct flight training on the operation of the MQ-9A Block 5 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for the Marine Aviation Weapons...

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  NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
  Northrop Grumman’s Autonomous VTOL
  

  NGC has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the next design phase of its autonomous vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, as part of the AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And RecoverY (ANCILLARY) programme.

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  NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
  New C-390 Training Center in Europe
  

  Embraer and Rheinmetall are in discussions to expand their training network with a focus on the C-390.

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  NEWS DIGEST: MILITARY
  RudraM-II Successfully Flight-Tested from Su-30 MKI off the Odisha Coast
  

  Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the RudraM-II air-to-surface missile from Su-30 MKI platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 29, 2024.

• NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL
  Global Jet Capital Q1 2024 Market Brief
  

  In Q1 2024, the business jet market continued to normalise following the record high utilisation and demand associated with the post COVID-19 pandemic period.

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  NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL
  FLY91 Selects ATR’s Pay-By-The-Hour Support Programme
  

  ATR and Indian regional airline FLY91 announced the signature of a Global Maintenance Agreement (GMA), a pivotal step towards providing reliable and cost-effective regional air travel across India.

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  NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL
  P&W Receives Type Certification for PW545D Engine
  

  Pratt & Whitney Canada’s PW545D engine is one step closer to entry into service with type certification granted May 9 by Transport Canada Civil Aviation.

• NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL
  FLYINGGROUP Adds Ninth PC-24 to Management Programme
  

  The new PC-24 with its unique design – elegant gray lines and Swiss edelweiss flowers – was handed over to FLYINGGROUP on May 16, 2024.

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  NEWS DIGEST: CIVIL
  Mexicana de Aviación Orders 20 Embraer E2 Aircraft
  

  Mexicana de Aviación, Mexico’s stateowned carrier, has ordered 20 Embraer E2 aircraft. The deal is for 10 E190-E2 and 10 E195-E2 jets.

• NEWS DIGEST
  Appointments
  

  Air Marshal Vijay Kumar Garg, assumed the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, Indian Air Force on June 1, 2024; The Board Members of ATR appointed Andrea Coccetti as the company’s new Senior Vice-President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, effective May 1, 2024; International Aero Engines AG (IAE) has named Kelly Horan as its President.