California

Four New I Hart Flying Foundation Scholars Advancing Their Wings to Soar

Kim Stevens

Launched on Monday, May 6th and seeing more than 150 qualified applications, I Hart Flying Foundation recently announced the newest four scholars to their growing Hart Nation.

“Our diverse selection committee of industry professionals have the most challenging job to choose the best scholars that represent our Hart Nation,” shared Rachelle Spector, founder of I Hart Flying Foundation (IHFF). “It’s my pleasure to congratulate and welcome these talented women to our Hart Nation as we aid their journeys in flight and help them soar. Congratulations Arian Perez, Kayla Wildes, Ginger Kelly, and Shalynn Swails.”

A private pilot out of Midland, MI where the funds will support her instrument rating, Arian Perez shared, “What an honor to be chosen as a Hart Scholar from so many qualified applicants who undoubtedly share my passion for aviation! I am so grateful for this opportunity, which will allow me to complete the next phase of my training and bring me closer to my goal of spending the rest of my life teaching people to fly. Thank you I Hart Flying team and partners!”

This cycle of awards marks the third large scholarship offering as part of IHFF’s multi-year campaign, Hart Aviation Nation Delivers – H.A.N.D. for short. To date, 12 women became Hart Scholars receiving over $75,000 in flight training awards and packages since the campaign began in spring 2023. Plans for the fourth themed scholarship opportunity for the campaign are already underway. Since inception, I Hart Flying has awarded nearly $250,000 in scholarship funding and industry packages, to 39 scholars on record for the young nonprofit.

Scholarships surely do change lives and I Hart Flying is proud to have helped women soar since 2017. With her goal to become an airline pilot and currently working as a CFII out of Denton, TX, Kayla Wildes has plans to complete her multi-engine instructor rating. “Scholarships change careers, lives, and trajectories. I Hart Flying’s Scholarship just did all three for me! I am so thrilled and almost in disbelief of the opportunity this scholarship has presented. I can’t wait to use this new rating to keep training top notch pilots and changing their lives as well. This scholarship will touch many people, not just me,” expressed Wildes.

This themed scholarship opportunity, “Spring into Action,” is funded through the support of veteran partners Immaculate Flight, Sheltair, a grant from the Enterprise Mobility Foundation and new partners, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., and the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA). IHFF’s community of donors and partners are loyal and new partners engage with the organization each scholarship cycle as a result of the organization’s success and meeting quality scholarship recipients at various industry shows.

Ginger Kelly, a student pilot in Memphis, TN working toward her private pilot and instrument ratings with the award is learning fast how strong this aviation community rallies behind her. “I am beyond grateful to have received the I Hart Flying scholarship! It will help me continue in my flight training and reach my career goals in aviation. I am also so excited to have such an amazing community supporting me now,” expressed Kelly as her sights are set on becoming either a cargo, freight or airline pilot.

Each opportunity is coupled with youth outreach events and speaking engagements to create a more hands-on approach to encouraging our youth to explore and experience STEM and aviation careers as well. Hart Scholars are given unique opportunities to attend these outreach events and shows where they have the chance to address youth, audiences and even network with industry professionals.

Located in Denver, CO working on her CFI rating toward the goal of becoming an airline pilot, Shalynn Swails shared, “I cannot begin to express my gratitude for this incredible opportunity from I Hart Flying. I will be putting the financial support towards my CFI training and will be able to start instructing students next month! It’s crazy to think that I started my own flight training only a year ago, and now I have the chance to give back to my very own students with the same amazing support and encouragement I have received in the last year through the help of this scholarship.”

These four Hart Scholars will have the support of financial awards, pilot training supplies and other flight equipment by a variety of I Hart Flying’s loyal in-kind partners. Some of these partners include King Schools, Bose Aviation, FLYING Magazine, AEG Fuels, FlyteCo Tower, Go Rentals, Boeing Business Jets, AOPA, Titan Aviation Fuels, Airbus Corporate Jets, Jet Support Services, Inc., Aerox Aviation Oxygen Systems, Dassault Falcon Jet, and Veryon to name a few.

Each scholarship launch grows I Hart Flying’s Hart Nation, a community of valued partners, donors, collaborators, scholars, board members and the diverse scholarship committee.

I Hart Flying will have a large presence in Denver Col. September 7, 2024, for their second annual Hart Nation youth outreach event hosted by partner, Sheltair BJC (Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport), paired with a benefit gala hosted by partner, FlyteCo Tower. Interested exhibitors and partners can reach out to Lyndse Costabile, corporate and donor relations, for more information at: lyndse@ihartflying.org.

Heart Aerospace Opens US R&D Hub, Enters New Development Phase for Hybrid-Electric Airplane

Kim Stevens

Swedish hybrid-electric airplane maker, Heart Aerospace, announced a significant milestone with the opening of a new Research and Development hub in the United States. This strategic move comes as the company prepares to enter a new phase of hardware testing in the development of its first regional hybrid-electric airplane, the ES-30.

The Los Angeles-based R&D hub will focus on the advancement of Heart’s hybrid-electric propulsion system and other key technologies. The company will relocate its full-scale aircraft demonstrator to the US, where it aims to demonstrate proof of concept of a new and innovative hybrid propulsion system.

To lead the US R&D hub, Heart Aerospace has appointed Benjamin Stabler as Chief Technology Officer. Stabler, who has led hardware and software teams on the Crew Dragon program at SpaceX, and served as co-founder of Parallel Systems, a developer of automated, battery-electric freight rail vehicles brings a wealth of experience to Heart Aerospace. He will recruit a team for the US R&D hub, which will work closely with the organization based at the company’s headquarters in Gothenburg. 

Anders Forslund, Co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace, said Los Angeles was the obvious choice for the company’s R&D hub considering its rich history of innovation, “The establishment of our US R&D hub signifies our commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation in aviation. We are working on a solution we call independent hybrid propulsion, and we aim to demonstrate electric flight during next year.”

“We have an exciting time ahead of us as we enter a new phase of hardware testing, and I’m thrilled that Ben is joining our team. His experience and passion for innovation is just what Heart needs to advance on our mission to decarbonize and democratize air travel”, Forslund adds.

Heart Aerospace, originating in the Nordics, has garnered investments worldwide, with North America emerging as its primary market. While the US R&D hub represents a significant milestone, Heart Aerospace remains headquartered in Europe, where it will pursue type certification in 2028.

The ES-30, a regional hybrid-electric airplane with a standard seating capacity of 30 passengers, promises to deliver unparalleled sustainability and efficiency on short-haul routes. With a fully electric zero-emission range of 200 kilometers and an extended hybrid range of 400 kilometers, the ES-30 offers lower emissions and operating costs.

Heart Aerospace has already secured 250 orders for the ES-30, with options and purchase rights for another 120 airplanes. The company also has letters of intent for a further 191 airplanes.

Chevron Pipe Line Company and American Aerospace Technologies to Fly Unmanned Aircraft in San Joaquin Valley

Kim Stevens

Photo above – The AiRanger has been cleared for use in pipeline surveillance. (Photo Courtesy: Chevron/AATI)

Chevron Pipe Line Company (CPL) and American Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (AATI) received a first-of-its-kind waiver from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct unmanned aircraft surveillance in the San Joaquin Valley. The AiRanger Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was designed by AATI, a leader in intelligent airborne sensing and surveillance services for energy and other critical infrastructure, to support Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) aerial surveillance for Chevron’s pipeline and production facilities.

The Detect and Avoid (DAA) system’s capabilities were demonstrated during flight operations in Buttonwillow, California, in October 2023. Following the demonstration and FAA observed testing, the Agency issued a 91.113 Waiver and granted a 44807 Exemption (“Waiver and Exemption”). The Waiver and Exemption authorizes AATI to utilize the onboard detect and avoid system to comply with aircraft right of way rules when operating BVLOS. The AiRanger is the first UAS to demonstrate compliance with industry consensus standards for the DAA system and reach this milestone.

“CPL and AATI have been on a journey since 2019 to develop an aerial patrol solution with technology that advances safe, reliable, and cost-effective routine facility inspections and pipeline system surveillance,” said Stephanie Beveridge, president of CPL. “Through collaboration with the FAA, we are working to do just that in the San Joaquin Valley.”

The AiRanger UAS is a fixed-wing, unmanned aircraft system capable of long-range operations beyond visual line of sight. The aircraft weighs 220 pounds with a wingspan of about 18 feet and can fly over 700 miles and up to 17 hours at up to 17,000 feet.

“For the first time, an unmanned aircraft weighing more than 55 pounds that flies above 400 feet and beyond visual line of sight has been approved for commercial operations in the U.S. This initial Waiver and Exemption spans over 4,000 square miles at up to 8,000 feet MSL, opening a new era in unmanned aviation in the National Airspace System,” said David Yoel, CEO of American Aerospace Technology, Inc. “The AiRanger is a new type of platform due to its large scale and the range of operations it enables. Its intelligent sensors and real-time communications deliver actionable data at a scale that was previously unimaginable. With safety as our guiding principle, we look forward to expanding AiRanger operations across the country.”

“CPL operates approximately 3,000 miles of regulated pipelines nationwide. The AiRanger UAS beyond visual line of sight operations will help transform routine oil and gas pipeline surveillance and inspections required by the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) using automated intelligence solutions,” said Roy Martinez, project manager for the UAS initiative and digital advisor for operations in CPL. “CPL’s coordinated efforts with the FAA and AATI to deploy this program is just one example of how Chevron continues to work with federal agencies to explore and implement emerging technologies to further Chevron’s purpose of developing the affordable, reliable, ever-cleaner energy that enables human progress.”

CPL and AATI have been supported by End State Solutions, LLC, to build collaborative solutions with key regulatory agencies that enable safe operations for emerging technology and new uses for autonomous aerospace technology.

Sling Pilot Academy and City of Torrance Settle Business License Dispute

Kim Stevens

Sling Pilot Academy, a flight training institution located in Torrance, CA, and the City of Torrance have settled a dispute in State Court over Sling’s business license.

In October 2023 Sling received a letter from the City of Torrance saying that Sling’s business license would not be renewed in 2024 due to a never-enforced 1977 resolution limiting the number of flight schools at Torrance Airport. The resolution had been made, but never enacted as an Ordinance, by a 1977 City Council responding to complaints from residents about noise from airplanes flying over their homes.

Facing irreparable harm, Sling filed a complaint in California State Court. On December 21st, 2023 Judge Curtis Kin of the Superior Court of the State of California issued a Temporary Restraining Order against the City of Torrance, preventing them from blocking the issuance of Sling’s 2024 business license. The day before, the City of Torrance City Council voted to enact an Ordinance and Urgency Ordinance limiting the number of flight schools at Torrance Airport to 6 flight schools. As in 1977, the City Council was responding to complaints from residents about noise from airplanes flying over their homes.

On January 12th, 2024, Judge Kin again sided with Sling’s attorneys and issued a Preliminary Injunction against the City of Torrance restraining and enjoining them from taking any action to block the issuance of Sling’s 2024 business license on the grounds that there can only be 6 flight schools at the airport. This injunction protected against the irreparable harm that would have come to Sling’s 90+ employees and 200+ students had Sling’s business license been cancelled.

After some movement regarding businesses registered as flight schools at the Torrance Airport it was determined that Sling fell “within the 6” (flight school limitation), and the City of Torrance reached out to Sling to settle the dispute and dismiss the case in California State Court as well as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Part 16 Complaint that Sling had filed with the FAA. On April 12th, 2024, Sling and the City of Torrance signed a Settlement Agreement and filed for dismissal of both complaints.

Sling Pilot Academy remains committed to working with the City of Torrance and the residents surrounding the airport. Sling believes in its mission to offer flight training to the residents of the local region and to uplift their lives by enabling the path to the life-changing career of an airline pilot. The severe pilot shortage has created a desperate need for pilots in this segment of our Critical Infrastructure. Flight Training is specifically called out as part of our Critical Infrastructure and Sling has in the past been a recipient of a $500,000 Federal Grant designed to create pilots for the aviation workforce.

Sling will continue to engage with local residents to better understand the annoyance of airplane noise. Sling will continue to work on voluntary procedures to mitigate this problem and Sling will continue to work on the “Whisper Sling” project to make its quiet airplanes even quieter and more pleasing to the human ear. Sling Pilot Academy intends to become the world’s quietest flight school with these technical advancements.

CAU Expands Flight Training Fleet with 15 Cessna Skyhawk Aircraft

Kim Stevens

Textron Aviation has announced an agreement with California Aeronautical University for the purchase of 15 Cessna Skyhawk aircraft with deliveries beginning in 2027. The new aircraft will be added to their current fleet and will be used at the various Western United States locations including Bakersfield, CA, San Diego, CA, Ventura, CA and Mesa, AZ. 

“For more than six decades, the Skyhawk has been at the forefront of innovation, empowering aspiring pilots and setting new standards in flight training,” said Chris Crow, vice president, Piston Sales. “We are delighted to continue inspiring the journey of flight by providing California Aeronautical University students access to the most produced single-engine aircraft globally.”

California Aeronautical University’s existing fleet of Textron Aviation aircraft includes Cessna Skyhawks and Beechcraft Barons. The additional aircraft will offer more resources expected to be needed with continued growth and help maintain an optimal student-to-aircraft ratio at the University, enabling students to begin flying in their first term and maintaining consistent aircraft availability throughout the entire duration of their training.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to announce this acquisition of Cessna Skyhawks, which marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing top-tier aviation education,” said Matthew Johnston, President of California Aeronautical University. “These new aircraft will help elevate our flight training degree programs, ensuring our students receive the best possible learning experience and preparing them for successful careers in the aviation industry.”

Monterey Regional Airport Features the Work of Central Coast Art Association

Kim Stevens

Monterey Regional Airport (MRY) has announced a year-long partnership with Central Coast Art Association (CCAA).

The newly installed Mezzanine Gallery exhibit “Visualizing the many wonders of Monterey County through art” serves to draw attention to the beauty, enhancement, history and serenity of Monterey County for the over 500,000 annual passengers that use MRY.

Monterey Regional Airport staff collaborated with CCAA team to select a series of images that will attract and engage people who visit the airport, in the hopes of enticing them to visit these beautiful locations in Monterey County by conveniently flying into MRY and arriving moments away from any one of these remarkable destinations.

CCAA’s President, Lori Howell Thompson, said “Our exhibit will serve to educate visitors and the traveling public highlighting the rich art history of Monterey County. World travelers will be “spellbound” by the Monterey Region!”

Airport Executive Director, Mike La Pier, said “it’s partnerships like these that make Monterey Regional Airport proud to be part of a community who strives to promote and enhance the Arts locally, nationally and around the world.”

CCAA’s mission and purpose is to support and collaborate with the central coast as a vibrant arts community, by promoting appreciation of art, and providing opportunities for artists of all experience levels to develop their skills and exhibit their work.

Pilots and Community Fight Against Torrance, California Airport Threat

Kim Stevens

Pilots and residents showed a united front to defend a Torrance, California, airport after a concerning alternative land use study threatened its closure. However, airport operations and noise still divide the community.

In a January 23 meeting, the Torrance city council voted 5-1 (with one abstention) to ban touch-and-goes and restrict back taxis and low approaches at Zamperini Field.

AOPA is deeply concerned about this new action, as well as past actions taken by the city, to restrict airport operations and what it will mean for the safety and efficiency of surrounding airports due to increased operations and congestion. In a letter to Torrance city attorney Patrick Sullivan, AOPA cited how this ordinance conflicts with the FAA’s exclusive authority to regulate these airport operations and all matters of aviation safety. 

“[Zamperini Field] is part of the national aviation system, and the ordinance contemplated today is not only illegal, but it would also shift flights to neighboring airports in the region,” the letter states. “To avoid the waste of taxpayer funds in defending actions that are federally preempted and that will require significant financial and staff resources to litigate law that is already well settled, the City should not pass the proposed ordinance.”

Although escalations of recent noise disputes may divide opinions, it is obvious that all involved understand the economic benefits and public services the airport brings to the community. During the same Torrance city council meeting on January 23, the council voted 6-1 to defer action on a land use study that would have threatened the future of Zamperini Field.

AOPA will continue to advocate for aviation safety and monitor the ongoing situation at the field.

Sacramento International Airport Advances in Critical Funding Program

Kim Stevens

The Build America Bureau Credit Review Team voted on January 10 to advance the Sacramento International Airports (SMF) Pedestrian Walkway Project to the “Creditworthiness” stage of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) process.

TIFIA is a federal program that provides low-cost loans to eligible infrastructure projects. Historically the program has focused on surface transportation. As a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed into law by President Biden in 2021, TIFIA eligibility was expanded to include airport-related projects.

As a result of this decision, the Sacramento County Department of Airports (SCDA), which includes SMF, has become one of the first airports in the nation to advance to this critical phase of the TIFIA process.

The Department intends to use more than $32 million in TIFIA proceeds to finance a portion of a new Pedestrian Walkway connecting Terminal B to Concourse B. The total budget for the Walkway is $140 million.

“TIFIA is an attractive financing option for our Pedestrian Walkway project,” said Chris Wimsatt, Deputy Director of Airport Finance and Administration for the Sacramento County Department of Airports. “These low interest loans will save the airport nearly $900,000 per year in debt payments on the walkway versus traditional financing methods, or nearly $27 million over 30 years.”

The Pedestrian Walkway is a key component of the Department’s $1.3 billion SMForward Capital Program.  “If we succeed in closing this first TIFIA loan, we hope to work with the Build America Bureau on additional loans for future SMForward projects,” Wimsatt said. “The total anticipated savings made possible through TIFIA financing for the entire SMForward program could be more than $80 million.”

In addition to TIFIA financing, SMForward is being funded by a combination of federal grants, user fees and airport revenue bonds. For more information about SMForward, visit https://sacramento.aero/smforward 

ICON Aircraft Receives Type Certification for the ICON A5 In Primary Category

Kim Stevens

ICON Aircraft announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Type Certification for the ICON A5 in the primary category, marking a significant milestone for the company and its visionary amphibious aircraft.

With this designation, ICON Aircraft is now one of only a few Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) manufacturers in the world to meet the certification standards of the FAA, meaning that ICON can now take advantage of reciprocal agreements between the FAA and aviation governing bodies outside of the U.S. – including those in Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America – to certify the A5 to operate in these regions.

Jerry Meyer, CEO of ICON Aircraft, expressed his enthusiasm for this accomplishment, stating, “Receiving FAA Type Certification for the ICON A5 in the primary category is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire ICON team. It allows us to expand our market potential around the world, and it underscores the commitment of ICON Aircraft to innovation and excellence in design.”

Meyer continued, “The ICON A5 offers an unparalleled blend of performance, safety, and versatility, and we are confident that it will captivate the imaginations of new customers and enthusiasts as we expand our sales and marketing presence outside of the U.S. We are grateful for the collaborative partnership with the FAA throughout this process, and we extend our sincere thanks for their commitment to safety and efficiency.”

The ICON A5 is a state-of-the-art amphibious aircraft designed to empower adventure-seekers with a new level of freedom and versatility. Its innovative design allows it to take off and land on both water and traditional runways, providing pilots with unparalleled access to diverse landscapes and destinations.

With FAA Type Certification in hand, ICON Aircraft is poised to enter a new phase of growth and market presence. The company looks forward to delivering on the growing demand for the ICON A5 and continuing to set new standards in the general aviation industry.

To learn more about joining the community and the ICON A5, visit our how to buy page here or connect with us at fly@iconaircraft.com.   

Wisk Expands AAM Leadership in Los Angeles

Kim Stevens

Wisk Aero has expanded its leadership in Los Angeles and the AAM industry with the region’s first public air taxi flights and discussions with local and city officials.

In October, Wisk became the first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi company to fly in the greater Los Angeles Area with the launch of test flights at Long Beach Airport. The test flights provided the opportunity for Wisk to conduct autonomous flight operations in a complex, real-world commercial airport environment, alongside other passenger airline operations.

The company concluded its flight program at the Long Beach Airport with the first public demonstration of an eVTOL air taxi flight in the Los Angeles region during Long Beach’s Festival of Flight. The multi-transition flight was conducted using Wisk’s 5th Generation (Cora) autonomous, eVTOL aircraft, demonstrating the safety and reality of autonomous passenger flight.

In addition, the company also hosted the Mayor of Long Beach and local and state officials from the Los Angeles region, including Orange County, and Boeing leadership, for a discussion regarding the future of Advanced Air Mobility within the region.

“Autonomous flight is possible today and it’s happening now in LA,” said Brian Yutko, CEO of Wisk. “Los Angeles is a target launch city for many in our industry and we are extremely proud to be the first air taxi company to fly in LA – and to have done so with an autonomous aircraft. We are fortunate to have the partnership and support of Boeing throughout the area to help build relationships and advance our mission. We are thankful to Long Beach for their ongoing partnership and support as we make safe, every day, autonomous flight a reality for Southern California, and the world.”

Wisk’s leadership in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area began in 2022, when the company announced a partnership with Long Beach through the city’s Long Beach Economic Partnership (LBEP). The partnership is focused on evaluating, planning, and implementing AAM in Long Beach as part of a broader regional network, with a focus on autonomous flight. Most recently, Wisk sponsored research on the economic impact of AAM for the region, which was conducted by California State University, Long Beach, and resulted in a report (found here).

“I am proud to see the future of flight becoming a reality in Long Beach,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “Long Beach has been a leader in aviation for decades and those careers helped build and sustain the middle class here for generations. I am looking forward to working with Wisk and Boeing to create good jobs and integrating a safe, quiet, and environmentally responsible transportation option in Long Beach.”

In July of 2023, Wisk completed the world’s first public demonstration of an autonomous eVTOL fixed-wing aircraft during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI. The flight demonstrated that autonomous, all-electric air taxis are both safe and quiet, and provided value and learnings for the company’s flight and operations team.

Wisk becomes first eVTOL air taxi company to conduct public flights in Los Angeles County, at Long Beach Airport, demonstrating the safety and reality of autonomous passenger flight Wisk, Mayor of Long Beach, Boeing leadership, and other local officials from the greater Los Angeles area meet to discuss the future of Advanced Air Mobility

Wisk’s flight tests and public demonstration add to the company’s long-standing flight test program, which includes 1700+ test flights, and builds on its previous public demonstrations in Oshkosh, WI