The groups said their joint initiative aims to encourage aircraft operators to use a stepped approach while incrementally increasing SAF use at a higher rate than mandated under existing regulations such as the ReFuelEU aviation initiative.

The plan outlines “ambitious yet achievable targets,” GAMA and EBAA said, starting with a goal of 5 percent SAF usage by 2025. Subsequent goals include increases in SAF use to 20 percent by 2030, 60 percent by 2040, 80 percent by 2045, and 100 percent SAF adoption by 2050. 

• READ MORE: GAMA Hosts Pre-Brief on Life After EPA’s Ruling on Leaded Aviation Fuel

In recognition of SAF’s limited availability in certain parts of the world, GAMA and EBAA are promoting a system of “book and claim” that would allow operators to purchase credits when the fuel is not available. Under this system, they could claim benefits of SAF when aircraft in other regions are using it.

“This initiative is a testament to our industry’s dedication to sustainability,” said EBAA secretary general Holger Krahmer. “We are not just meeting regulatory requirements. We are setting higher standards for ourselves and leading by example. It’s crucial that we support the development and distribution of SAF, and the ‘book [and] claim’ system is a crucial tool allowing for an accelerated uptake of sustainable fuels.”

The EBAA and GAMA said their initiative arrives as pressure increases for the aviation industry to reduce its carbon footprint. Establishing goals beyond the minimum regulatory requirements reflects the industry groups’ commitment to net-zero operations.

“With SAF playing a key role in decarbonizing business aviation, it is vital that we work with authorities and legislators to incentivize and strengthen efforts to develop, deploy, and increase overall usage of SAF,” said GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce. “This initiative further demonstrates the industry’s commitment to achieving our sustainability goals.”

The post Business Aviation Industry Groups Aim to Speed Adoption of SAF appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

• READ MORE: What This MOSAIC Preview Means

MOSAIC is intended to broaden the scope of eligible aircraft while expanding performance and weight-based limits on the category. It’s considered a safety move by its proponents because it allows more margins of safety in aircraft available to those with so-called “driver’s license medicals” and more flexibility for creating new designs of light aircraft. The comment period for the NPRM ends Jan. 22. GAMA’s full statement to AVweb follows:

“The GAMA team is currently working across our broader membership to develop collective comments and recommendations in response to the FAA’s MOSAIC proposed rule which are due on January 22nd. Overall, GAMA supports the direction of key aspects of the proposal to increase the size, performance and scope of aircraft that can be flown by sport pilots and be issued a special airworthiness certificate with the objective of improving safety, functionality, innovation, and availability of small general aviation aircraft. However, there are areas of the proposal which go beyond what was expected and require additional clarification and justification from the FAA. In addition, GAMA believes the FAA misses a significantly important opportunity to fully realize the intended objectives and benefits of this proposal by not applying a consistent approach across all small aircraft airworthiness and certification processes. Our submission will go into further detail on these issues.”

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.com.

The post GAMA Has Issues with MOSAIC appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Held annually, the competition is designed to promote STEM education for high school students. It is open to the first 150 teams—one per school—that register and culminates in a virtual fly-off. 2024 will be the 12th year for the challenge.

“Hands-on experience with the industry offers a tremendous value to student learning,” said Michael Capuana, director of 2018 winning high school Erie 1 BOCES Career & Technical Education in West Seneca, New York. “As we need more young people to enter STEM careers, all efforts to increase student engagement are embraced. Thank you to GAMA and its partners for their efforts. This opportunity is truly one of a kind.”

• READ MORE: Calling All Students: GAMA Launches Annual Aviation Design Challenge

To start the contest, schools participating in the challenge receive GAMA’s “Fly to Learn” curriculum along with X-Plane-powered flight simulation software. The materials are designed to be taught in four to six weeks and guide students through the “science of flight and airplane design.” Teams must then use what they learn to modify a virtual aircraft for a specified mission profile.

The final stage of the competition is a virtual fly-off, where teams must complete the simulated mission using their modified designs. Entries are scored based on aerodynamic and performance parameters. Winners are decided based on the fly-off results and other factors that have in years past included items such as a checklist of steps related to a virtual demonstration flight and video submission summarizing what they learned.

The team placing first will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to “experience general aviation manufacturing firsthand.” Second place earns a two-day STEM lab hosted by Redbird Flight Simulations. Challenge entries will be submitted in April with winners announced in May.

More information about GAMA’s Aviation Design Challenge is available here.

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Representatives from GAMA, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) participated in the discussion.

The panelists cited progress toward fielding a replacement for 100 Low Lead (100LL) high octane gasoline that would be suitable for fleetwide use. While an estimated 70 percent of the current piston-aircraft fleet can safely use available lower-octane lead-free fuels, the remaining 30 percent that require higher-octane fuel to operate safely fly an estimated 70 percent of the hours flown by the entire GA fleet.

• READ MORE: EPA Releases Proposed Finding on Leaded AvGas

The panelists noted that the expected EPA endangerment finding, in itself, does not constitute a ban on continued use of 100LL fuel. In fact, the group stressed the priority of retaining the right to distribute and use 100LL until and acceptable replacement is in place.

However, the panelists did acknowledge that the EPA endangerment ruling does set a “pathway” to future rulemaking related to lead emissions in aviation fuels.

There was extended discussion on the difference between the supplemental type certificate (STC) route to acceptance of a replacement unleaded fuel, and the so-called ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) route, involving a “collaborative government FAA program to test candidate fuels, generate report and data, and distribute to fuel providers” enabling the FAA to gain “industry consensus” and issue a fleetwide approval.

• READ MORE: G100UL Avgas Replacement Set to Soon Hit Pumps

The panelists were careful to assure that the FAA, as the arbiter of safe aviation operations, is the final authority on approving a replacement for 100LL; not the EPA. That said, the discussion revealed that – for the first time – regulatory standards for lead emissions in aviation fuel will be established as a result of the expected EPA endangerment finding. GAMA assured the participating journalists that there would be further briefings once the EPA endangerment finding is finalized.

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared on AVweb.com.

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GAMA serves as the membership group for OEMs globally focused on GA and its suppliers.

With the board of directors forming a portion of the leadership team, GAMA rotates its board chair position through its constituent members, in a deliberate fashion as the current board chair has previously served as vice chair, and the outgoing chair serves in an emeritus manner.

With this in mind, GAMA released the expected news that Eric Hinson, president and CEO of Simcom International, will serve as board chair for 2023, replacing outgoing chair Michael Amalfitano, president and CEO of Embraer Executive Jets, who will now take the role of immediate past chair. Amalfitano served as chair of the Communications Committee before, as well.

Chuck Wiplinger, president and CEO of Wipaire, Inc., moves into the second-in-command position as vice chair for 2023. He served previously as head of the Policy and Legal Issues Committee and the Technical Policy Committee.

Committees and Leaders for 2023

From GAMA’s statement, here are the committee assignments for the coming year. Those in these leadership roles should be considered key points of contact for the industry as it faces a variety of critical policy and regulatory questions in 2023, including those surrounding sustainability—such as alternative fuels—and innovation—such as alternative propulsion—as well as safety, airworthiness, legal concerns, and EU issues.

Airworthiness and Maintenance Policy Committee

Chair: David Coleal, CEO of Incora

Focus: The committee works with authorities to promote appropriate regulations and policies for maintenance and repair stations. Previously, Coleal served as chair of the Environment Committee.

Communications Committee

Chair: Maria Della Posta, president of Pratt & Whitney Canada

Focus: The committee works to promote the general aviation industry and its benefits to the global economy and air transportation system. 

Electric Propulsion and Innovation Committee (EPIC)

Chair: JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation

Focus: The committee works to create an environment conducive to efficient design, production, operation, integration, and maintenance of hybrid and electric propulsion aircraft, including eVTOLs. 

Environment Committee

Chair: Tony Lefebvre, CEO of Signature Aviation

Focus: The committee works to develop and represent the industry’s views on public policy affecting aviation related environmental issues worldwide, including CO2 emissions reductions, sustainable aviation fuels, supersonic aircraft, and updates to the Business Aviation Commitment on Climate Change. 

European Leaders Steering Committee

Chair: David Van Den Langenbergh, chief industry affairs officer at Luxaviation Group

Focus: The committee engages with senior European politicians and policymakers to advocate for the interests of general aviation in Europe including regulatory changes, policy initiatives and communications strategies. Previously, Van Den Langenbergh served as chair of the Airworthiness and Maintenance Policy Committee.

Policy and Legal Issues Committee

Chair: John Calcagno, president and CEO of Piper Aircraft

Focus: The committee tracks, analyzes and responds to legal developments, litigation trends, and policies presenting business and legal risks or opportunities to general aviation manufacturers. This will be Calcagno’s first time serving on the Executive Committee; he has served on GAMA’s board of directors since 2021.

Flight Operations Policy Committee

Chair: Ron Draper, president and CEO of Textron Aviation

Focus: The committee works to ensure that an adequate air transportation infrastructure is available for general aviation and addresses impediments to operations of general aviation aircraft. This will be Draper’s first time serving on the Executive Committee; he has served on GAMA’s board of directors since 2020.

Safety and Accident Investigation Committee

Chair: Charlie Gregoire, president and COO of Redbird Flight

Focus: The committee works to analyze policies, industry standards and regulatory activities related to proactive safety improvements and aircraft accident investigation. This will be Gregoire’s first time serving on the Executive Committee; he has served on GAMA’s board of directors since 2015.

Security Issues Committee

Chair: Henry Brooks, president of power and controls at Collins Aerospace

Focus: The committee works to establish best practices for general aviation security and engages with government agencies on security policies and regulatory requirements. 

Technical Policy Committee

Chair: Jeff Trang, vice president of engineering and flight operations at Airbus Helicopters

Focus: The committee works with authorities on continuous improvement of certification and validation processes and to develop and implement effective standards and technical policies pertaining to the design, certification, validation, and production of general aviation products and components.

The post GAMA Introduces Leadership for 2023 appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The NAHF, founded in 1962, is the only Congressionally chartered aviation hall of fame in the United States. Each year, the NAHF Board of Nominations, a body of more than 130 aviation professionals nationwide, select class members from the world of aviation and aerospace. The selectees are drawn from air and space pioneers, both living and posthumously. Thus far 254 people have been honored.

The Class of 2023 is composed of both living and posthumous inductees.

(The late) Velta Benn

Benn is an aviation pioneer who began as a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP), class 44-W-7, and went on to fly for more than 63 years, amassing 55,000 flying hours as a CFI, FAA examiner, and safety expert. In 1983 she was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame. Benn flew West in December 2010 at the age of 93.

(The late) Cornelius Coffey

Coffey is an aviation pioneer who, despite many racial barriers, became a pilot and mechanic. He opened a flight school that trained more than 1,500 students, including hundreds of Tuskegee Airmen. In the 1930s, Coffey was an automobile mechanic who dreamed of becoming a pilot. In 1931 he brought together a group of black air enthusiasts to study at the Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical School. Segregation at the time excluded them from local airports, so local aviators of color built their own facility in Robbins, Illinois, and the Coffery School of Aeronautics was born. Coffey’s school was one those selected in World Was II for the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP).

(The late) Ed Stimpson

Stimpson was a founding member of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), an organization he led for many years. He was also the U.S. representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the chairman of the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF).

In 1994, when the general aviation industry was floundering because of lawsuits targeting aircraft manufacturers, Stimpson helped champion the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA), which was credited with helping revive the industry by limiting manufacturers’ product liability to 18 years.

Angela Gittens

Gittens is known for her work with Airport Council International (ACI) World. Gittens has been the Director General of ACI World since 2008. She was formerly airport CEO for Miami and Atlanta and Deputy at San Francisco International Airport, where she helped shape airport security and policy.

Fred Haise

Haise joined the aviation world in 1952 as a naval aviation cadet. He served as a U.S. Marine Corps fighter pilot from 1954-1956 and later became a test pilot for NASA. Haise was selected for the manned space program in 1966. In 1970, Haise was the Lunar Module Pilot for the Apollo 13 mission in which the intended moon landing was canceled because of a rupture in a fuel-cell oxygen tank. Haise was also part of the space shuttle program then went on to an executive position with the Northrop Grumman Corporation. Haise is also an author; his book, Never Panic Early, an Apollo 13 Astronauts Journey, was released in hardcover in April of this year.

Elon Musk

Musk is an entrepreneur and leader in the commercial aerospace. Musk is the founder of SpaceX, the first private company to put crewed spacecraft into orbit and dock with the International Space Station. Musk is known as a major influencer in the technology and aerospace industry.

NAHF Board of Nominations Chair Tom Lodge revealed the Class of 2023 at the 2022 Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony in Dayton, Ohio.

“We believe that this is an excellent class and we are already looking forward to their induction in Washington, D.C.,” Lodge said. “From pioneers Benn and Coffey to visionaries Gittens, Stimpson, and Musk, and to aerospace hero Haise, the NAHF’s Class of 2023 represents the best in aviation. We applaud the Board of Nominations for their challenging and thorough work.”

The post Astronaut, Aviation Pioneers Inducted into NAHF Class of 2023 appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The delivery trend also points to an increase in the overall value of the aircraft shipments, the association said in a statement.

Through the third quarter, piston airplane deliveries increased 8.8 percent with 1,012 units, turboprop numbers increased 7.3 percent with 383 units, and business jet shipments increased 1.8 percent with 446 units, according to GAMA.

Altogether, the value of airplane deliveries during that period increased nearly 4.8 percent, up to $14.1 billion. The helicopter market also experienced a demand increase, with OEMs shipping 137 piston helicopters—representing a 3.8 percent increase—and 439 turbine units, a 7.1 percent increase.

• READ MORE: Leonardo Search and Rescue Helicopter Completes U.S. High Altitude Trials

“Demand for general aviation aircraft remains hardy as our industry continues to strategically navigate ongoing challenges, which include issues with supply chain and workforce shortages within our industry and within global regulatory authorities,” GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce said. “Deliveries are converging on and, in some cases surpassing the levels, we were experiencing prior to the pandemic, which is a testament to the strength of our industry and the importance and utility of general and business aviation.”

Supply Chain Woes, Workforce Shortages

In recent third-quarter reports made by various OEMs, similar threads have emerged: persistent workforce shortages and supply chain challenges are preventing them from shipping more units.

Earlier this week, Embraer (NYSE: ERJ) said some of the constraints it faced were “affecting the availability of spare part inventories, delaying repair turnaround time, and increasing the quantity of back-ordered items.” Moreover, Embraer CEO Francisco Gomes Neto told investors those things would make it hard for the company to meet its 2022 goal of delivering 60 executive jets.

Similarly, Textron (NYSE: TXT), Bombardier, and Boeing (NYSE: BA) said the supply chain issues pinched their third-quarter revenue. 

• READ MORE: Embraer’s Q3 Revenue Dips Alongside Defense Demand

Important Milestones Ahead

“We must focus on training the regulator workforce and leveraging bi-lateral safety agreements between regulatory bodies to improve both certification and validation processes,” Bunce pointed out. “At the same time, our industry will continue to foster the momentum we have created on addressing environmental issues, which includes advancing technology that improves efficiencies of aircraft and operations; supporting the production, distribution, and uptake of SAF; and further developing hydrogen, electric and hybrid propulsion—all of which are important to meeting our business aviation commitment of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.”

• READ MORE: Business Aviation Leaders Meet With Senators To Discuss Future Technologies

His sentiments match that of other aviation leaders who, during the third quarter, urged lawmakers and other stakeholders to do all they can to improve the regulatory process for certifying emerging technologies and improve sustainable offerings for the industry or risk disruption.

In September, JetNet CEO Greg Fell issued a call to arms on Sustainability during the JetNet iQ Business Aviation Summit in New York City. “We must be leaders in adopting sustainable aviation fuels and carbon offsets,” Fell said during one of the event’s sessions.

The post Aircraft Deliveries Up in Q3 Across All Segments: GAMA appeared first on FLYING Magazine.