AVIATION
AVIATION NEWS
Pratt & Whitney Unveils Hydrogen/Steam Hybrid Engine Design: “Pratt & Whitney thinks it may have taken the first steps along that path with the Hydrogen Steam-Injected, Intercooled Turbine Engine (HySIITE) concept—a novel hybrid engine configuration that combines the advantages of the fuel’s cryogenic properties with the thermodynamic benefits of steam injection.
Pratt & Whitney has unveiled details of the concept, which has been studied under a two-year $3.8 million U.S. Energy Department Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) effort. While Pratt acknowledges the cycle is complex and requires more study, it is encouraged by the results, which show potential for as much as 35% lower energy use compared with current state-of-the-art engines.” For more information on this exciting development, see: https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/emerging-technologies/pratt-whitney-unveils-details-hydrogen-steam-hybrid-engine-cycle!
Aviation Security Advisory Committee was “(e)stablished in 1989 after a terrorist attack on Pan Am flight 103, to provide advice to the TSA administrator on aviation security matters, including the development, refinement, and implementation of policies, programs, rulemaking, and security directives pertaining to aviation security. The committee is composed of individual members representing private sector organizations affected by aviation security requirements. The Aviation Security Stakeholder Participation Act of 2014, enacted on December 18, 2014, makes the committee permanent. The committee typically meets four times a year and holds a meeting open to the public once a year.” On Tuesday (1/21), Committee members received a memo stating that the DHS is eliminating all of its advisory committees. In addition, the TSA head and the top officer at the Coast Guard were fired. For more on this development, see here.
Ukrainian F-16 Pilot (Allegedly) Shoots Down Six Cruise Missiles: In one sortie, a Ukrainian F-16 pilot shot down six incoming cruise missiles, four with missiles of his own and two with his guns. Or did he? [I’m suspicious because Aviation Week did not also carry the story.] For a “florid” presentation of this feat, see: https://www.avweb.com/multimedia/best-of-the-web-ukrainian-ace.
Why Aviation Museums Are Important: The Simple Flying website had an interesting post on December 31, about the importance of aviation museums are in their “sacred duty” of enshrining artifacts and aircraft of bygone eras. It makes for interesting reading! Check it out at: https://simpleflying.com/aviation-museums-critical-preserving-us-military-history!
Aviation/Space and China
U.S.-China Space Competition Set to Intensify: “The rivalry between the U.S. and China in space is set to intensify in 2025 as the world’s two largest economies increase rocket launches and satellite constellation construction, analysts say in two new reports published by venture-capital firms. The private sector in both countries is likely to benefit given the importance of space to their respective ambitions. China aims to become a space superpower by 2045, while the U.S. seeks to maintain its historic lead in the celestial domain. In 2024, Beijing listed commercial spaceflight for the first time as an emerging industry to prioritize in its annual work report, a key central government policy document.” For more, see: https://aviationweek.com/space/commercial-space/us-china-space-competition-set-intensify-reports-say
Why Orbital Maneuvering is Top of Mind at U.S. Space Command: “On-orbit threats posed by China.” For more, see: https://aviationweek.com/space/launch-vehicles-propulsion/why-orbital-maneuvering-top-mind-us-space-command.
U.S. – China Security Relations Enter a Dangerous Period: “… Conflict with China could be on the (Pentagon’s) doorstep and security cooperation is deepening between Beijing and Moscow, as well as Tehran and Pyongyang.” For more to disturb your sleep, see: https://aviationweek.com/defense/budget-policy-operations/us-china-security-relations-enter-dangerous-period. But wait, there’s more…
Chinese Air Might on Display at Zhuhai: The Zhuhai Airshow conducted recently was “another stunning display of progress by China’s aerospace industry” and was “a showcase for a diversifying portfolio of uncrewed combat air vehicles (UCAV) and a stage for ambitions in aerospace technology development.” For details, see the article from which the quotes came, here: https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/commentary-zhuhai-reveals-evolution-chinese-military-aircraft. And now the latest:
New Chinese Advanced Combat Aircraft: Photos of two types of new Chinese combat aircraft were posted on-line the day after Christmas. They show that the Chinese have made great strides forward in aeronautical design. For more on this development from Aviation Week, see: https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/new-chinese-advanced-combat-aircraft-emerge-flight.
AVIATION FYI
FAA Administrator Resigns: Michael Whitaker resigned his post on January 20, 2025 after just over a year of service. “Whitaker’s departure opens the door for President Trump to nominate a new FAA head at a pivotal moment for the agency, which is addressing critical challenges, including Boeing’s regulatory oversight and a nationwide air traffic controller shortage.” “Whitaker earned bipartisan support for his handling of the difficult portfolio and AOPA said his (General Aviation) perspective was especially appreciated. “I thank Administrator Whitaker for his leadership at the FAA,” said AOPA president Mark Baker. “As a private pilot, he cares about general aviation and made sure we were heard.” For more from AVweb on this issue, see: https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/faa-administrator-michael-whitaker-announces-resignation. UPDATE: FAA veteran Chris Rocheleau is expected to be named interim administrator until the new President names, and Congress confirms, a permanent Administrator.
FAA Funds Airport Modernization: Frequent fliers know that some U.S. airports need updating. Toward that end, “The U.S. FAA has allocated $332 million in funding for 171 airport infrastructure projects across 32 states, as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize U.S. airports and air traffic control systems. The funding, provided under the Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) program, stems from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which has dedicated $25 billion over five years to aviation improvements.” For more information, see: https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/faa-awards-332m-grants-airport-modernization.
Waterbomber Damaged: Some butthead decided that it would be cool to get images of the LA fires by flying their drone around. A Canadian CL-415 amphibious waterbomber ran into it and sustained damage; it made it back to a runway OK, but is now grounded pending repairs. There are six California-owned aircraft and 31 helicopters battling the fire at this time, with ten Navy helicopters and 4 C-130s coming into use. Canada sent the CL-415, three big Chinook helicopters, and a few smaller helicopters to help out; Arizona and Colorado have both sent aircraft, too. For more info, see: https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/california-wildfires-trigger-aerial-response.
2024 Flubs and Forecasts from Aviation Week: Eight editors of Aviation Week reviewed their predictions for 2024 and made some predictions for 2025. It makes for interesting reading! Check them out at: https://aviationweek.com/podcasts/check-6/podcast-flubs-forecasts.
The XB-70 Valkyrie Revisited: The Valkyrie supersonic aircraft was amazing piece of engineering. Its story, and tragic ending has been touched upon in two past Items of the Week, covering its development and first flight test (here) and the crash of one of the two ever built (here). Alas, it proved to be a technological dead-end. I’ve recently come across some additional information that may be of interest to you. It’s from the archives of the Air Force Material Command, a research facility at Wright-Patterson AFB, a piece called, “A Look Back… NAA B-70 Valkyrie Variants: A Future That Never Was,” edited by Tony R. Landis, a writer/archivist at the HQ AFMC History Office. See it here: https://media.defense.gov/2020/Nov/23/2002540204/-1/-1/1/B-70%20VARIANTS.PDF. Planners were thinking about using the Valkyrie as a reusable high-speed high-altitude launch vehicle for all sorts of lifting bodies, rockets, even manned orbital craft like the Dyna-Soar and the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (the subject of a future Item of the Week)!
Related Article: Podcast: Hypersonic Hopes – The Legacy of the X-30 “Orient Express” President Reagan’s 1986 State of the Union Address contained his vision for a Mach 25 (not a typo) airliner, the X-30 National Aero-Space Plane (NASP). Just as the Valkyrie was hoped/hyped as supersonic launch platform for direct LEO spacecraft, so, too, was the X-30. “DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, really talked them into this idea of this Copper Canyon project. This was a way of sort of delivering this hypersonic single stage to orbit type capability to the Air Force. They wouldn't have to worry about rockets and the shuttle. They could do it their own way. And so this Copper Canyon project really was the sort of the genesis of what became, dressed up as a civil project in some ways, the Orient Express.”
Let’s just say that the Oriental Express concept was a tad optimistic, but this was a very interesting discussion, especially since it comes on the 20th anniversary last month of the Mach 9.6 flight of NASA’s X-43. For the full Check 6 podcast, see: https://aviationweek.com/podcasts/check-6/check-6-revisits-hypersonic-hopes-legacy-x-30-orient-express.
FAA Addresses ATC Shortage: As Thanksgiving approaches, you may have seen the news stories that air traffic, especially in the Northeast, might be delayed due to a shortage of air traffic controllers, a chronic condition. The FAA has selected Embry-Riddle, the Nation’s largest civilian flight training organization, as a partner in fast-tracking controller training, joining the University of Oklahoma and Tulsa Community College in the FAA Enhanced Air Traffic-Collegiate Training Initiative program. E-R grads now can have a “direct path to FAA facility training.” For more about see: https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/embry-riddle-selected-for-faas-controller-fast-track-program.
What’s It Like to Fly to Telluride? Telluride, Colorado, located in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado, is a spectacular setting, home to celebrities famous, skiers, and festival goers. There are more private jets flying into its small airport, at over 9000’, than just about anywhere. AVWeb just posted a video of what landing there is like, in a propeller-driven plane. Imagine what it would look like flying a jet! Check it out at: https://www.avweb.com/multimedia/featured-video-flying-into-telluride-a-stunning-high-stakes-approach.
And if you think that’s wild, try jeeping into Telluride over the (in)famous Black Bear Pass (if you are not too late; it recently was closed due to damage by a rockfall). For example, see: https://www.cntraveler.com/video/watch/the-road-less-traveled-traversing-black-bear-pass.
Oh, and watch out for falling cars!
SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL (SAF) NEWS
Overview of Different Types of SAF: https://simpleflying.com/sustainable-aviation-fuel-types
NASA Awards Contracts to Develop Sustainable Concepts for 2050 Airliners: https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/advanced-air-mobility/nasa-awards-contracts-develop-sustainable-concepts-2050-airliners
IATA World Sustainability Symposium: Marie Owens Thomsen, the IATA senior VP for Sustainability, talks with Aviation Week about net-zero transition and SAF supply challenges here: https://aviationweek.com/podcasts/window-seat-podcast/podcast-key-points-iata-world-sustainability-symposium.
Is It Time For a U.S. Mandate on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)? The aviation industry is trying to be “greener,” but meeting goals set for 2050 will be difficult to do with traditional or near-traditional fuels. SAF “is arguably the only lever other than aircraft replacement that can make a dent in emissions over the next 10-15 years.” See more about AW’s latest thinking on SAF here: https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/sustainability/opinion-it-time-us-saf-mandate . A lot of other items about SAF are available in the A+StW website’s News: Aviation section.
From Used Tires to SAF: A recent podcast by Aviation Week has info about one company’s efforts to convert spent tires into sustainable airplane fuel. Find out more about it at: https://aviationweek.com/podcasts/bca-podcast/podcast-how-wastefront-aims-convert-used-tires-saf.
NEW: SAFs as a Lever for Clean Flight: https://aviationweek.com/aerospace/safs-lever-clean-flight
China to Boost SAF Production Through New HEFA Facility: https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/sustainability/china-boost-saf-production-through-new-hefa-facility
AW Opinion Piece: Opinion: It is Time to Move Boldly on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (1/17/2022): https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/sustainability/opinion-it-time-move-boldly-sustainable-aviation-fuel. AW advocates for a more aggressive reduction of the commercial airline carbon footprint than the present agreement for a 10% use of SAF by 2030.
AW Gallery: Aviation Sustainability Investments Taking Off: https://aviationweek.com/special-topics/sustainability/gallery-aviation-sustainability-investments-taking
Aviation’s Future Fuels: https://aviationweek.com/shownews/nbaa/podcast-aviations-future-fuels
Flight Made on 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel: The Royal Air Force conducted a ninety-minute test flight of one of their Voyager tanker aircraft flying totally on SAF recently. The Voyager is a militarized conversion of an Airbus 300. For more info, see here, and see also the other SAF links at the end of this section (website version).
Business Aviation Leaders issued a progress report on meeting 2050 Net-Zero emissions goals. Important milestones have been met, and new technologies are under development, but challenges remain. One brighter spot: Over the previous decade, business aviation sector fuel efficiency improved by 2% each year. One challenge: SAF production and demand. For more info, see: https://www.flyingmag.com/business-aviation-industry-emissions-report.
Pratt & Whitney and Embraer have signed an MOU to conduct studies of aircraft use of 100% SAF. Integrated ground and flight testing will use an Embraer E195-E2 aircraft with P&W GTF engines. For more info, see: https://www.avweb.com/ownership/fuel-news/embraer-pratt-whitney-partner-on-saf-demonstration-program.
Bell Textron 525 Helo Flies SAF: https://www.avweb.com/aviation-news/bell-525-relentless-test-flights-now-running-on-sustainable-fuels
Phillips 66 SAF Plant: https://www.flyingmag.com/phillips-66-sustainable-fuel-commitment
The U.K.’s New “Net Zero” Strategy was released on October 19. It calls for a $247M investment in SAF technology in order to meet a net-zero carbon emission for commercial aviation by 2050; see here.
Plant-based Jet Fuel Could Reduce Emissions by up to 68%, using a type of mustard plant, according to research conducted at the University of Georgia. Kinda puts a new spin on the whole “Pardon me, do you have and Grey Poupon?” thing!”
President Biden’s SAF Grand Challenge: The president is calling for 3 billion gallons of cost-competitive SAF to be available to US commercial aircraft annually by 2030, and for the aviation sector to be carbon-free by 2050. This would significantly reduce both CO2 emissions (which contribute to human-caused global warming and the related environmental problems) and lead exposure. The move is backed by a variety of tax measures and other incentives, and is well-received by many of the sector’s key players. For more info on the Grand Challenge, see: https://www.flyingmag.com/story/news/biden-admin-saf-challenge-industry-reaction.
NASA is On Board with SAF: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson joined other federal government and industry leaders at a recent White House event highlighting sustainable aviation, pointing out NASA’s increasing role in helping develop the technologies needed to make aviation more sustainable in the near future. For the full statement, see: https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-innovations-will-help-us-meet-sustainable-aviation-goals.
FAA and Sustainable Airports: The Federal Aviation Administration recently awarded $788M in grants to upgrade airports across the US. Their National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems looks to make airports safer, more energy efficient, and more accessible to passengers with special needs. For details, see: https://www.flyingmag.com/story/news/faa-766-million-sustainable-airport-grant.
Shell Plans Big SAF Plant: Shell will repurpose a fuel refinery in the Netherlands to create up to 0.5 million gallons of synthetic aviation fuel annually. Production is expected to begin in 2024. For more info, see: https://www.flyingmag.com/story/news/shell-saf.
AVIATION LINKS AND OTHER INFORMATION
Aviation Week: https://aviationweek.com
Commercial Aviation Info, Photos, and News: https://www.airliners.net/aviation-news
AVweb: https://www.avweb.com
General Aviation News: https://generalaviationnews.com
NASA Aeronautic Research: https://www.nasa.gov/aeroresearch/resources
NASA Next Gen STEM: Aeronaut-X: https://www.nasa.gov/stem/nextgenstem/aeronaut-x/index.html
NASA Aeronautics at Home: https://www.nasa.gov/aero-at-home
Aeronautics E-books: https://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/aeronautics_ebooks_archive_1.html