Community News.qxp_Layout 1 21/12/2021 15:46 Page 1
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Beechcraft Denali Makes First Flight
Airbus Corporate Helicopters signed a renewal of the highly successful design collaboration with Mercedes-Benz which introduced the concept of partnerships between the automotive and aerospace industries in 2010. Since launch, 26 unique examples of the ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Style Edition have been sold, with the companies revealing a facelift of the helicopter is already underway to further reflect contemporary design values.
Textron Aviation’s new single-engine Beechcraft Denali turboprop flew for the first time in late November, marking the start of the flight test program.
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ccording to Ron Draper, President and CEO, Textron Aviation, “With its more environmentally friendly engine and largest cabin in its class, [the Denali] is an aircraft that will change the landscape for high-performance singleengine turboprop aircraft.” Piloted by Senior Test Pilot Peter Gracey and Chief Test Pilot Dustin Smisor, the Beechcraft Denali prototype aircraft, powered by GE Aviation’s new Catalyst engine, took off from the company’s west campus at Eisenhower International Airport. During its 2-hour and 50-minute maiden flight, the team tested the aircraft’s performance, stability and control, as well as its propulsion, environmental, flight controls and avionics systems. The aircraft reached an altitude of 15,600 feet and attained a speed of 180 knots. The Denali prototype aircraft, along
with two additional flight test articles and three full airframe ground test articles, will continue to expand on operational goals, focusing on testing aircraft systems, engine, avionics and overall performance. The company targets certification for the Denali in 2023. Once certified, it should be capable of a cruise speed of 285kts and offer a range of 1,600 nautical miles at high-speed cruise, carrying one pilot and four passengers. That would enable passengers to fly from Los Angeles to Chicago, New York to Miami, or London to Moscow non-stop. The FADEC-controlled 1,300shp GE Catalyst engine will burn up to 20% less fuel than older turboprop technologies, Textron says, while in the cockpit pilots will utilize the Garmin G3000 avionics suite. More information from www.txtav.com
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In additional news, The Helicopter Company (THC), the first and only helicopter services provider licensed to operate commercial flights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has signed a second purchase agreement with Airbus Helicopters, for twenty of the newly launched five bladed H145 and six ACH160 models. https://www.airbus.com/en/ products-services/helicopters
AirGO and Victor announced a partnership which will see the introduction of ‘opt-out’ Sustainable Aviation Fuel into the standard pricing structure of charter flights. A new quotation format will promote the use of, and invert the approach of, existing schemes by asking buyers if they want to ‘opt-out’ of the program, rather than requiring them to ‘opt-in’ at the end of the transaction. https://airgo.de and www.flyvictor.com www.AVBUYER.com
