Boeing increases its investment in Wisk Aero by USD 450 million

Boeing Co is investing a further USD 450 million in Wisk Aero to support the development of future pilotless flying taxis, the U.S. aerospace giant said on Monday, January 24.

California-based Wisk, owned by Boeing and Kitty Hawk - the air vehicle firm launched by Google co-founder Larry Page - is one of the dozens of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) makers but differs in focusing its efforts on the autonomous flight.

"Our view is that is the big strategic advantage of Wisk, going straight to a self-flying aircraft, building those principles in at every level of the design and development," Boeing's Chief Strategy Officer Marc Allen told Reuters.

Boeing increases its investment in Wisk aero by USD 450 million

The decision to leapfrog a generation of piloted eVTOL aircraft being developed by independent startups and some aerospace groups entails a later entry to service than the target date of 2024 envisaged by most competitors.

After closing its venture capital arm last year, Boeing, which reports quarterly results on Wednesday, is focusing its air-taxi efforts on Wisk. The investment unit had pursued several prototypes and software to service an air-taxi market that analysts have predicted could involve thousands of small air vehicles operating by the mid-2030s.

Rival plane makers Airbus SE and Embraer SA are developing their electric air taxis, alongside other startups that have attracted interest and investment from airlines, private jet operators and aircraft leasing companies. The U.S. Air Force is also involved in developing flying taxis for military use.

Wisk said the USD 450 million investment from Boeing would make it "one of the most well-funded" companies

Boeing declined to give a date for what it terms the sixth-generation Wisk passenger vehicle, but industry sources said the idea was to present it for certification in around 2028. Boeing said it would be the first autonomous passenger-carrying vehicle to be certified in the United States.

In a statement, Wisk said the USD 450 million investment from Boeing would make it "one of the most well-funded" companies of its type, but gave no further details. The fundraising follows a spate of billion-dollar SPAC mergers by competitors in a trend that has cooled recently.

Analysts say the timetable for certification remains the key source of uncertainty surrounding the industry, whose debuts include California-based Joby and Archer and European rivals Lilium and Vertical Aerospace.

Boeing owns an undisclosed majority stake in Wisk.

It is not the only aerospace company teaming up with Silicon Valley to share development costs and foster an agile approach to innovation as simultaneous leaps in electric, materials and processing technology bring aviation within reach of startups.

"The kinds of constant demand shifts that will accompany these emerging industries really do require broad collaboration across those in the industry who bring different capabilities together," Allen said in an interview.

Beyond that, the debt-laden U.S. aerospace giant is seen as selectively more willing to co-develop know-how on broad capabilities like autonomy and advanced production processes, rather than controlling all high-end technology in-house.

Asked if there could be other partnerships within Boeing's core aerospace activities, Allen said: "Wisk is just one great example. I am sure it will not be the only example." Boeing's investment in the company could yield improvements that could be applied across Boeing's portfolio, he added.

Wisk began in 2010 as Zee Aero and later merged with Kitty Hawk Corporation. Upon recognising the commercial potential of Wisk’s fifth-generation aircraft, the aircraft and team were spun out to form Wisk, with an investment from Boeing. Over the past decade, Wisk has achieved several aviation and industry firsts, most notably, the first flight of an all-electric, autonomous, eVTOL aircraft designed for passenger use, in the U.S.

Two passengers were caught smoking on an Air India flight from Male to Mumbai on January 24, 2022. Smoking is banned on flights, under the Indian Aircraft Rules. This happened onboard flight AI-268 from Male heading towards Mumbai, about 45 minutes before landing, a passenger went into the lavatory and found smoke in the lavatory. The cabin crew identified and accosted passengers who had used the lavatory.

The two passengers did not protest when asked to hand over their cigarettes and passports. The smell of smoke spread into the passenger cabin as well. Air India security and the departments concerned are looking into this and will follow due to course of action. The official did not comment on whether the airline had filed a police case against the passenger. Fire is the most hazardous situation a flight crew can be faced with.

“Fire and smoke spread rapidly inside the pressurized cabin of an aircraft. Even a minor fire left undetected for a few minutes can endanger the safety of aircraft and Messengers especially if it breaks out when the aircraft is at cruising altitudes, it would take at least 20 to 30 minutes to descend, and carry out an emergency landing. And by then press enter, the screw could die of carbon monoxide poisoning."Senior Airline Commander

Passengers who commit any act, likely to imperil the safety of an aircraft or its passengers or crew could be punished with imprisonment, for up, to two years or with a fine up to rupees 10 lakh, for both smoking onboard. Also falls into the purview of unruly or disruptive passenger behaviour and could invite a lifetime ban. But airlines in India have been lacking in enforcing the law.

In September 2017 an Air India passenger onboard a flight from Rachi to Delhi returned unruly after, he was asked to exit the aircraft lavatory by the crew who were alerted to smoke and smell of cigarettes. The passenger got into an argument with the crew and threatened to lighten up another cigarette. The pilot radioed the Delhi Air Traffic Control about the incident and on Landing, he was escorted out of the aircraft by CISF Security Personnel. However, the airline was reluctant to file a police complaint. A written apology was taken from the passenger and he was let off.

In 2017, DGCA issued Norms, that Define unruly passenger Behavior, among them was smoking onboard, an aircraft upon landing on aircraft pilot in command shell Lodge FIR, which Security Agency at Aerodrome and Handover unruly passenger to Security Agency. Whenever an airline receives, a complaint of such cases, then the incident shall be referred by the airlines to an internal Community which within ten days of this matter will refer and question everything about it and later report whether the person is accused or not and list them in "National no-fly list".

Rolls-Royce has announced that its all-electric ‘Spirit of Innovation’ aircraft is officially the worlds fastest all-electric aircraft, having set two new world records which have now been independently confirmed.

On 16 November 2021, the aircraft reached a top speed of 555.9 km/h (345.4 mph) over 3 kilometres, smashing the existing record by 213.04 km/h (132mph). In further runs at the UK Ministry of Defence’s Boscombe Down experimental aircraft testing site, the aircraft achieved 532.1km/h (330 mph) over 15 kilometres - 292.8km/h (182 mph) faster than the previous record.

https://twitter.com/RollsRoyce/status/1484113515602497539

Both records have been officially verified by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the World Air Sports Federation that controls and certifies world aeronautical and astronautical records. During its record-breaking runs, the aircraft, which is part of the UK Government-backed ACCEL or ‘Accelerating the Electrification of Flight’ project, also clocked up a maximum top speed of 623km/h (387.4mph) making it the world’s fastest all-electric vehicle.

“Achieving the all-electric world-speed record is a fantastic achievement for the ACCEL team and Rolls-Royce. I would like to thank our partners and especially aviation start-up Electroflight, for their collaboration in achieving this pioneering breakthrough. The advanced battery and propulsion technology developed for this programme has exciting applications for the Advanced Air Mobility market. This is another milestone that will help make ‘jet zero’ a reality and supports our ambitions to deliver the technology breakthroughs society needs to decarbonise transport across air, land and sea."Warren East, CEO, Rolls-Royce

Half of the ACCEL project’s funding is provided by the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI), in partnership with the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy and Innovate UK.

“Rolls-Royce’s revolutionary Spirit of Innovation aircraft is yet more proof of the UK’s enviable credentials when it comes to innovation. This record will show the potential of electric flight and help to unlock the technologies that could make it part of everyday life. The government is proud to back projects like this to leverage the private investment necessary to unlock cleaner, greener aircraft which will allow people to fly as they do now, but in a way that cuts emissions."Kwasi Kwarteng, Business Secretary, United Kingdom

The aircraft was propelled on its record-breaking runs by 400kW (500+hp) electric powertrain and the most power-dense propulsion battery pack ever assembled in aerospace. We worked in partnership with aviation energy storage start-up Electroflight and automotive powertrain supplier YASA.

As well as a stunning technical achievement, the project and world record run provided important data for our future electric power and propulsion systems for all-electric urban air mobility (UAM) and hybrid-electric commuter aircraft. The characteristics that ‘air-taxis’ require from batteries, for instance, are very similar to what was developed for the ‘Spirit of Innovation’.

“The ACCEL project demonstrates that strategic investment in UK technology and innovation can achieve extraordinary world-beating results, and sets us firmly on the path to decarbonising passenger flight in the future. This achievement of Rolls-Royce, Electroflight and YASA will resonate for many years to come and inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers. They deserve their place in the record books and the ATI is proud to have played our part in that. Congratulations to the whole team."Gary Elliott, CEO, Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI)

Rolls-Royce has an incredible history of flying speed record attempts and breaking records, dating back to the Schneider Trophies of the early 1930s. The speed achieved by the test pilot and Rolls-Royce Director of Flight Operations Phill O’Dell in the ‘Spirit of Innovation’ was more than 213.04 km/h (132 mph) faster than the previous record set by the Siemens eAircraft powered Extra 330 LE Aerobatic aircraft in 2017.

Never before in the history of the World Air Sports Federation (FAI), record attempts have there been such a significant increase in speed over such a short timeframe, highlighting the rapid pace at which the electrification of aerospace is advancing. Electroflight Pilot Steve Jones flew the ‘Spirit of Innovation’ aircraft for the 15km record run.

The ACCEL programme has also been supported by two further great British pioneers, Jaguar Land Rover, who have loaned all-electric zero-emission Jaguar I-PACE cars as towing and support vehicles; and Bremont, the luxury watchmaker, who were the official timing partner for the record attempt.

“Breaking the world record for all-electric flight is a momentous occasion. This is the highlight of my career and is an incredible achievement for the whole team. The opportunity to be at the forefront of another pioneering chapter of Rolls-Royce’s story, as we look to deliver the future of aviation, is what dreams are made of.All three organisations involved in the ‘Spirit of Innovation’ - Rolls-Royce, Electroflight and YASA - share a passion for innovation and through the development process we have learned from the motorsport background of both our partners and from Electroflight’s pace as a start-up. We have also shared our aerospace expertise, including the rigorous safety and testing methods needed by the civil aviation industry. This combination has helped turn a concept into a world record-breaker.Phill O’Dell, Director of Flight Operations, Rolls-Royce

The aircraft took off from the MoD’s Boscombe Down site, which is managed by QinetiQ and flew profiles according to the FAI guidelines for record attempts in the Powered Aeroplane C-1C Electric class.

Our involvement in the ACCEL project is just one of how we are looking to make aviation more sustainable. In June last year, we announced our pathway to net-zero carbon emissions - a year on from joining the UN Race to Zero campaign.

The third record of our all-electric aircraft for the fastest time to climb to 3000 metres in a time of 202 seconds, breaking the current record by 60 seconds, is still going through the verification process.

The modern helicopter, like any complex machine, is an accumulation of innovations from numerous inventors and engineers.

Daily Sabah

A helicopter main rotor or rotor system is the combination of several rotary wings (rotor blades) and a control system that generates the aerodynamic lift force that supports the weight of the helicopter, and the thrust that counteracts aerodynamic drag in forwarding flight.

Most helicopters have a single main rotor but also require a separate rotor to overcome torque. The main rotor blades and the tail rotor spin counter-clockwise to each other. Why so? The rotation of the main rotor creates a torque effect that causes the body of the helicopter to turn in the opposite direction of the rotor, if not countered by the tail rotor which rotates anti-clockwise. It's simple physics. Additionally, the tail rotor also allows the pilot to steer the helicopter around its vertical axis by adjusting the pitch of the rotor blades.

The Torque effect on a helicopter | Wikipedia

Now that raises the question- is it possible to fly a helicopter without tail rotors?

As it turns out, we can.

NOTAR- No Tail Rotor

One significant advancement in the last decade has been the no-tail rotor, or NOTAR, helicopter. Developed by McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Systems, here's how the system works:

A large fan at the rear of the fuselage blows spent air from the main rotor down the tail boom. Slots along the side of the tail boom and at the end of the boom allow this air to escape. This creates a sideways force that counteracts the main rotor's torque. Varying the amount of air expelled from the rear slot provides additional directional control.

1 Air intake 2 Variable pitch fan 3 Tail boom with Coand? Slots 4 Vertical stabilizers 5 Direct jet thruster6 Downwash 7 Circulation control tail boom cross-section8 Anti-torque lift By Voytek S | Wikipedia

Although the concept took over three years in the making, the NOTAR system is simple in theory and works to provide some directional control using the Coanda effect.

The Coanda effect is named after Henri Coand?, who discovered it.

The tendency of a jet of fluid emerging from an orifice to follow an adjacent flat or curved surface and to entrain fluid from the surroundings so that a region of lower pressure developsHenri's definition of Coanda effect

A variable pitch fan is enclosed in the aft fuselage section immediately forward of the tail boom and driven by the main rotor transmission. This fan forces low-pressure air through two slots on the right side of the tail boom causing the downwash from the main rotor to hug the tail boom, producing lift, and thus a measure of directional control. This is augmented by a direct jet thruster and vertical stabilisers.

It is known for a fact that vertical flight is impossible without a tail rotor to counteract the torque produced by the main rotor. Ironically, the much smaller-in-size tail rotors produce a lot of noise and are susceptible to wear and tear.

NOTAR seems to solve both of these issues, offering a quieter and safer operation over a traditional tail rotor.

Some applications of NOTAR

MD 520N- a NOTAR variant of the Hughes/MD500 series helicopter

MD 520N NOTAR | Business Jet Traveller

MD 600N- a larger version of the MD 520N

MD 600N | HellHub.com

MD Explorer-a twin-engine, eight-seat light helicopter

MD Explorer | MD Helicopters

Other rotor configurations

Ducted fan

Fenestron and FANTAIL are trademarks for a ducted fan mounted at the end of the tail boom of the helicopter and used in place of a tail rotor | Airbus

Tandem

Boeing CH-47 CHINOOK | Tandem rotors are two horizontal main rotor assemblies mounted one behind the other | Wikipedia

Coaxial rotors

Kamov Ka-50 | Coaxial rotors are a pair of rotors mounted one above the other on the same shaft and turning in opposite directions | Wallpaper Abyss- Alpha Coders

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Wikimedia Commons

As Air India prepares to be transferred to its new owner —Tata Group—the Maharaja-besotted airline has started a process to streamline itself, beginning with its cabin crew. The airline, which will be transferred to Tata Group on January 27, will check the body-mass index and overall grooming of its cabin crew before flights.

On January 20, the airline informed its crew that grooming associates have been assigned the task of recording observations on BMI management, grooming and uniform, according to a Times of India report.

One common complaint against Air India from passengers is comfort on long-haul flights. The cash-strapped airline hopes to address these concerns with new investments and promoters.

Air India will check the body-mass index and overall grooming of its cabin crew before flights.

But some areas do not require a major spend like inflight meals and a more pleasant passenger interface with frontline staff. To be fair, AI has always been among the better airlines in these areas. A further improvement here will make passengers immediately feel the difference following the handover to Tatas as the big-ticket items — new planes and/or improved interiors definitely with working inflight entertainment systems and possibly internet on wide-body aircraft — will take time.

The January 22 order issued by Executive Director (inflight services) Vasudha Chandna has met with some resistance from cabin crew staff. All India Cabin Crew Association has opposed the order citing violation of agreements.

All India Cabin Crew Association has opposed the order citing violation of agreements.

All cabin supervisors must lead by example and ensure compliance by cabin crew at all times, she stated. Any non-compliance by a crew member must be noted in the report of the cabin supervisor, she noted. In a letter to the CMD, the aforementioned two unions said that as per DGCA's rules, the BMI checks can be done only by medical practitioners. The unions said that such BMI checks at airports by non-medical "grooming associates" violates not only DGCA rules but also "settled service conditions and court orders".

“Cabin crew who are well dressed and well groomed according to uniform standards and regulations present a positive and professional image of the airline. It is therefore emphasised that all cabin crew adhere to uniform regulations… Cabin crew supervisor of the flight (responsible) to ensure that his/her set of crew are well turned out and follow complete uniform regulations… (and) ensure compliance at all times. Any non-compliance by a crew member must be reported in the inflight/cabin supervisors report.”Vasudha Chandna, Executive Director (In-Flight Services), Air India

Members of Air India's cabin crew union say that they have been undergoing BMI and weight checks from 2008 and 1998, respectively, as per the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). However, these checks are conducted only by medical professionals or doctors.

“The time for reporting (for flights) is meant for documentation and flight safety revision briefing and review. This stressful BMI check during a reporting is bound to disturb crew mental preparation, giving rise to flight safety issues, pre-departure when cabin crew are required to conduct rapid review & briefings. Cabin crew first and foremost (are) flight safety professionals trained in first aid and also conducting hospitality and inflight service functions.”All India Cabin Crew Association

The AICCA has also threatened to seek legal recourse if the said requirement on BMI/weight checks by grooming associates is not withdrawn.

Air India will become a Tata Group company starting January 27. Air India director Vinod Hejmadi in an email to employees said the disinvestment process shall be done on January 27. The closing balance sheet as of January 20 has to be provided on January 24 so that it can be reviewed by Tatas and changes, if any, will be implemented on Wednesday.

“The next three days will be hectic for our department and I request all of you to give your best in these last three-four days before we get divested. We may have to work late in the night to complete the task given to us. I seek the cooperation of one and all,” he added.

Tata Group’s holding company Talace won a bid to buy a 100% stake in Air India and Air India Express along with a 50% stake in ground handling company AISATS.

Various government departments and ministries had pending payments amounting to INR 278.49 crore to Air India, according to RTI information from the loss-laden national carrier which is being sold off to the Tata group.

According to Air India’s reply to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by Commodore Lokesh K Batra (Retd) on January 20, 2022, the dues are under multiple heads and estimated to have been pending up to October 2021.  The government has already stopped booking through credit facilities by its departments on Air India ahead of the disinvestment.

Prime Minister’s flights of INR 7.20 crore. (Image Courtesy - Newslaundry)

This pending amount includes INR 244.78 crore from over 700 government departments and sections as of September 2021 and INR 33.71 crore towards various VVIP flights as of July 27, 2021, as per the data. This also includes dues from the Prime Minister’s flights of INR 7.20 crore and the President’s flight dues of INR 6.14 crore. The last audit was done on October 7, 2021, Air India said.

The Ministry of External Affairs owes INR 20.37 crore, the Ministry of Home Affairs owes INR 7.20 crore and the Defence Ministry owes INR 6.14 crore.

When asked to provide financial year-wise data from FY16 onwards on the amount not recovered but book adjustments are done from each such public authority, Air India said in the RTI reply, “as the disinvestment procedure is going on, the requested information will be provided later on.”

Over INR 278 crore pending payments from government departments and sections to Air India

Among other dues, Lok Sabha, New Delhi, owes INR 2.38 crore; Airport Authority of India around INR 53 lakh; Under Secretary, Lok Sabha sect INR 2.40 crore; Controller of Defence Accounts INR 2.45 crore; Senior Executive Officer, Rajya Sabha sect INR 4.91 crore; Ministry of External Affairs around INR 5.2 crore; Lok Sabha sect, INR 4.29 crore; Executive Officer, Lok Sabha sect INR 18.15 crore; Dept of Post INR 9.52 crore; Commissioner of Customs INR 64.37 crore; Controller of Defence Accounts (Navy) INR 16.84 crore; Indian Embassy Paris INR 1.21 crore; and Indian Embassy Kathmandu INR 1.19 crore.

Various sections in the Civil Aviation Department itself owe nearly INR 5 crore to Air India, which is saddled with huge losses. According to the carrier, around 790 government departments and ministries owe money to it.

The outstanding from the Vice President’s flights was INR 10.219 crore, evacuation flight dues were INR 7.214 crore and foreign dignitaries INR 2.94 crore. As per C&AG report 40 of 2016, as of March 31, 2016, the government had owed Air India INR 513.27 crore towards VVIP and other chartered flights, including evacuation fights and maintenance of aircraft.

Air India has stopped all credit facilities to government departments.

With the process of disinvestment of Air India and Air India Express going on, Air India has stopped all credit facilities to government departments. “Therefore, all ministries/ departments are directed to clear Air India’s due immediately. Air tickers from Air India may be purchased in cash till further instructions,” the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, said in an office memorandum on October 27, 2021.

However, modifying the October order, the Expenditure Department issued another order on December 31, 2021, saying, “in all cases of air travel where the Government of India bears the cost of air passage, the officials concerned are to travel by Air India only and air tickets are to be purchased directly from Air India or by utilizing the services of the three Authorized Travel Agents viz. Balmer Lawrie & Company Ltd, Ashok Travels & Tours and Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation.”

“To ensure timely payment of air ticket to the travel agents, to confirm the performance of journey, the employee has to submit a certificate/ undertaking in prescribed proforma within 7 days of completion of the journey. TA bill may be submitted later as per the existing rules,” it said.

In October 2021, the government issued a letter of intent (LoI) confirming the sale of its 100% stake in the loss-making Air India to Tata group for INR 18,000 crore. The government had accepted an offer by Talace Pvt Ltd, a unit of the holding company of the group, to pay INR 2,700 crore in cash and takeover INR 15,300 crore of the airline’s debt. Air India’s accumulated losses of INR 70,875 crore have led to the erosion of the net worth of the company.

Employees of Air India and Indian Airlines have come under the ambit of Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) from January 1, 2022, with the Labour Ministry repealing the related legislation that allowed them to be part of the exempted trust so far.

(With Inputs from The Indian Express)