COMMERCIAL AVIATION
ZeroAvia | February 08, 2023
On February 07, 2023, one of the leaders in developing zero-emission solutions for commercial aviation, ZeroAvia, announced a collaboration agreement had been signed with Shell, Rotterdam The Hague Innovation Airport (RHIA) and Rotterdam The Hague Airport, and the companies will develop flights to European destinations, with a concept and demonstration of operations for hydrogen in airports by the end of 2024, getting prepared for commercial passenger flights by 2025.
This collaboration will serve the first hydrogen flight from Rotterdam, developing on-the-ground infrastructure and operations to successfully pilot the distribution, storage, and dispensing of hydrogen for aviation, and ultimately decarbonizing the entire airport ecosystem, following on the announcement made last year about the cooperation commitment to launch the first hydrogen-electric commercial flight.
The project's goal is to enable gaseous hydrogen to power ZeroAvia's emission-free ZA600 engines. The companies collaborated with aims to establish routes to European airports within 250 nautical miles of Rotterdam for the specific demonstration flights. The previous month, ZeroAvia demonstrated a 19-seater flight first one, which is powered by its prototype ZA600 engine. Additionally, the project will target the development of aviation-specific protocols and standards around the safety, hydrogen and refueling management and enable the rollout of the promising fuel effortlessly.
With the project, Shell brings critical experiences and technical capabilities. The knowledge encompasses global experiences in the design and operation of refueling equipment, including hydrogen, and understanding the hydrogen industry from start to finish. The company’s investments in hydrogen production projects are made to foster the growth of hydrogen economies across the globe. Shell collaborates with airports to develop infrastructure that fits for the future and will allow supplying customers with sustainable aviation fuel, electric plane charging and hydrogen as 'multi-modular' infrastructure.
About ZeroAvia
Founded in 2017, ZeroAvia is the leading hydro-emission aviation, focusing on hydrogen-electric aircraft solutions. The company aims to serve multiple markets, starting with those within a 300-mile range of 9-19-seat aircraft by 2025 and then expanding to those within a 700-mile range of 40-80-seat aircraft by 2027. Based in Hollister, California, ZeroAvia has already succeeded in getting experimental certificates from the CAA and FAA for its two-prototype aircraft. It has also passed important flight test milestones, formed key partnerships with major aircraft OEMs and airlines worldwide, and is on track to start commercial operations in 2025.
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AIR TRANSPORT
Virgin Galactic | January 16, 2023
The aerospace and space travel company, Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc., recently announced a new leadership structure to strengthen the company's commercial spaceline operations. Before this revelation, Virgin Galactic had stated that commercial spaceline operations were on track for the second quarter of 2023.
The enhancements in the leadership structure will help Virgin Galactic's core near-team objectives deliver improved flight frequencies and develop a rapid fleet plan. As part of this leadership structure update, Swami Iyer, President of Aerospace Systems, vacated his position on January 12, 2023. However, to ensure a smooth transition, he will be serving as an Advisor to the company's CEO until March 2023.
The new face of the leadership team of Virgin Galactic's spaceline operations is being led by industry professionals, which include:
Mike Moses, President of Spaceline Missions and Safety. After seventeen years at NASA, he oversaw space shuttle launch operations until 2011.
Mike Moore, Executive Vice President of Spaceline Technical Operations. He spearheaded Virgin Galactic's flight and mission operations. He joined the company in 2022 after a successful Delta Airlines SVP Technical Operations career.
Steve Justice has been appointed Senior Vice President of Spaceline Programs and Engineering. He designed, engineered, and managed the development of Virgin Galactic's spaceflight system and fleet. He spent 39 years as a veteran with Lockheed Martin, where he was a 'legend' in the Skunk Works division.
Meanwhile, VMS Eve, a mothership carrier for Virgin Galactic, has been upgraded according to the plans. The mothership is likely to go for ground tests in the coming weeks before starting flight tests to verify the ship's enhancements.
Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galactic, said, "With the completion of the enhancement program for our mothership at hand, our streamlined leadership structure will help propel the business forward as we prepare for commercial spaceline operations. Swami has been instrumental in establishing our future production strategy and in leading the work to prepare our initial ships for commercial flight, and we are incredibly grateful for his contribution." He added, "Our experienced leadership team brings deep expertise to the next exciting phase for the company flying our customers safely and regularly to space and expanding our future fleet."
(Source: Virgin Galactic)
About Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic,headquartered in Tustin (California), is a pioneer in the aerospace and space travel industries, providing private citizens and scientists with access to space in state-of-the-art aircraft. In addition, the company is working on a space travel system to share the amazement and excitement of space exploration with the globe and provide life-changing adventures for its customers.
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AEROSPACE
VSE Corporation | February 02, 2023
On February 1, 2023, VSE Corporation, one of the leading providers of aftermarket distribution and MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) services for land, air and sea transportation assets for government and commercial markets, announced its Acquisition of Precision Fuel Components, LLC ("Precision Fuel"), in all cash-based transactions, this transaction will directly help VSE's Aviation segment.
Precision Fuel is a Washington-based top-market MRO service provider founded in 2001. Its services are for engine accessories and fuel systems that support the business and general aviation ("B&GA") market. The company supports small turbine rotorcraft fuel controls, sensors, governors, bleed valves, and fuel pumps alongside Bendix-Stromberg carburetors and radical engine components. Precision Fuel is a member of the AWARS (Authorized Warranty and Repair Station) network, Honeywell.
The following are the reasoning for the transaction:
• This transaction expands specialty distribution, maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) in the B&GA and rotorcraft markets. VSE Aviation customers will have access to full-service, on-demand repair, differentiating, and distribution solutions.
• This acquisition will hasten customer acquisition in the B&GA market, building on recent organic wins. It will also allow effective cross-selling opportunities, positioning VSE Aviation to grow its market share within the B&GA market.
• The acquisition further establishes VSE Aviation as a preferred buyer of premium B&GA and Rotorcraft assets with proven track records of market consolidators driving scale through both inorganic and organic growth.
John Cuomo, President, and CEO at VSE Corporation, said, "We are pleased to welcome the Precision Fuel team to the VSE Aviation family. This transaction represents an important strategic investment for our Aviation segment, one that expands our repair capabilities across a diverse base of global rotorcraft, fixed wing, and B&GA customers." He also stated, "Precision Fuel's value-added, high-margin MRO solutions will complement our existing service capabilities, while positioning us to further enhance our unique value proposition."
Source: Business Wire)
About VSE Corporation
Based in Alexandria, Virginia, VSE Corporation is an engineering and technical service provider of customized solutions and mission-critical platforms for its customers including government, ships, commercial vehicles, and aircraft. VSE (NASDAQ: VSEC) is registered under the ISO 9001 supply chain management professional service company. It comprises three main segments: Federal & Defense Services, Aerospace Distribution & Repair and Fleet Management Services. Its core services include MRO services, supply chain management, parts distribution, logistics, engineering support, and consulting and training services for federal, military, global commercial, and defense customers.
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