PEEKING INTO THE TIMES TO COME FOR AVIATION
Dubai Airshow 2019 shows how the future of the aviation industry will transform not just through unmanned passenger vehicles but also automation bots, counteractive systems, concepts and more
A lot of attention was attracted by Boeing’s NeXt division through its three electric aircraft projects—the Passenger Air Vehicle (PAV), Cargo Air Vehicle (CAV), and Odysseus ultra-long-endurance UAV. A PAV prototype was on display along with scale models of CAV and solar/battery-powered Odysseus. PAV and Odysseus have been designed and built by Aurora Flight Sciences.
Inspired by biomimicry, Airbus revealed Fello'fly, a project aimed at demonstrating the technical, operational, and commercial benefits of having two or more aircraft flying together in order to reduce fuel consumption, much as birds do.
“When birds fly in formation, they are using the updraft of the wake of the previous bird, therefore they have 'free' lift that reduces their own consumption” of energy, said Sandra Bour Schaeffer, head of Airbus Group Demonstrators. Calling the concept “wake-energy retrieval,” the demonstrator project aims to harvest the otherwise wasted kinetic energy generated by an aircraft wing, letting a properly positioned aircraft in trail to reduce its energy consumption from 5 to 10 per cent, without affecting passenger comfort. Tests conducted last year with two A380s confirmed the findings, Schaeffer informed. For 2021, operational trials are also planned in oceanic airspace “with real airlines and traffic management that will define the procedures for such flights,” Schaeffer said.
Roxo, an autonomous delivery device was displayed by headline sponsors FedEx Express, as it delighted delegates gliding up on to the stage to bring notes to conference MC and obeying voice commands. Jack Muhs, Regional President, FedEx Express MIESA said Roxo, created in collaboration with DEKA Research and Development Corp, will be an important part of the FedEx ecosystem and serve as a demonstration of FedEx’s goal to connect people and possibilities around the world. Muhs also announced a partnership with Dubai Airports, and the Road and Transport Authority (RTA) to define ways in which the autonomous bot can meet delivery needs in the UAE.
Russian arms exporting agency, Rosoboronexport demonstrated Russian systems designed for the counteraction to unmanned aerial vehicles of all types, at the international aviation and space exhibition Dubai Airshow 2019.
Michele van Akelijen, Managing Director of Dubai Airshow organisers Tarsus F&E LLC Middle East had remarked, “The Middle East is seeing a boom in the business aviation sector. It has always been a significant part of the Dubai Airshow and we expect this recent growth in business aviation exhibitors and attendees to continue at the 2019 edition.” And with the commitment from many key industry names including Embraer, Boeing, and DC Aviation at the Dubai Airshow, this indeed was demonstrated at the show. Embraer turned heads as they displayed the largest number of aircraft on this year’s static display and also put on show the company's new Praetor mid-size business jet during the airshow, the first of its kind to be equipped with full fly by wire and turbulence reduction technologies. Embraer also announced that Falcon Aviation’s latest facility located at Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), Dubai’s new airport, has been approved as an Embraer Authorized Service Center (EASC) to expand their support for Legacy 600/650 and Lineage customers in the region. The UAE’s leading business aviation services, charter, MRO and aircraft management company, Falcon Aviation may perform scheduled and non-scheduled maintenance, component and part exchange, types of inspections at different levels of complexity for those aircraft platforms
Boeing Business Jets landed at the airshow on the heels of October’s announcement of two BBJ 787-9 Dreamliners orders from a single, undisclosed customer. The purchase contract, placed in August, is worth $564 million at list price, bringing orders for the executive variant of the composite wide-body to 16.
Honda Aircraft arrived at Dubai Airshow amidst growing global acceptance of its HondaJet Elite. “My goal is to expand business aviation in international markets by introducing light jets with the HondaJet,” said Fujino, CEO of the Honda Aircraft Company. On static display at Al Maktoum International Airport, the HondaJet Elite exhibits innovations including the overthe-wing engine mount configuration, natural laminar flow nose and wing, and composite fuselage. While the flight deck features Garmin's G3000 avionics suite and the cabin boasts a full-service galley, private lavatory, and an exclusive Bongiovi speaker less sound system. Certified for single-pilot operation, Honda Aircraft claims the Elite is also more fuel-efficient and emits fewer greenhouse gases than any similarly sized twin-jet. Gulfstream exhibited three business jets at the airshow’s static display: the Gulfstream G650ER, the newly-in-service Gulfstream G600 and the high-tech Gulfstream G500. “Gulf
stream continues to expand its support of the growing Middle-Eastern market — now more than ever with the reveal of our new ultra long-range flagship, the Gulfstream G700,” said Mark Burns, President, Gulfstream. “Our high-speed, largecabin offerings have proven ideal for customers traveling to and from the Middle East and surrounding regions. Our latest aircraft to enter service, the G500 and G600, have been hard at work showcasing their favor and capabilities with more than 30 deliveries and 45 city-pair speed records.” The ability to fly at high altitudes and ultra long ranges allows Gulfstream’s aircraft to support a diverse scope of critical missions, such as medical evacuation and head-of-state transport.
Dassault Falcon also had a very strong presence at the event. Their display included the Falcon 8X, Falcon 900LX and the full-scale mockup of the Falcon 6X cabin –the tallest and widest in business aviation.
Switzerland’s Pilatus Aircraft showcased its PC-24 “Super Versatile” twin jet, which can operate on short, unprepared runways. PC-24 is a faster, longer-range version of PC-12, the single-engine turboprop that established Pilatus in the business aviation arena.
Making its Dubai Airshow debut, Signature Plating exhibited its custom metal-plating capabilities, spanning over 150 finish options and custom color matching.
Vision Systems is displaying at the Dubai Airshow it’s electronically dimmable window (EDW) technology, which allows passengers to change the opacity of their windows from clear to opaque and helps keep cabins cool and quiet. Suitable for first-class commercial and private VIP aircraft applications, the French company’s shading systems also incorporate an integrated infrared barrier to enhance heat blockage and multiple layers of noise-attenuating films to reduce cabin noise.