General Aviation Manufacturers Association

Wondering why you should pick a career in the general aviation industry? Here are the top 10 reasons. See available opportunities now: https://lnkd.in/e4zhCPk #Aviation #Jobs #WorkforceDevelopment

A Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate today!

Last week, Skyryse announced that they will partner with Ace Aeronautics to equip Black Hawk helicopters with SkyOS, their universal operating system that simplifies flight and enhances safety. Installations will take place at Ace’s facility in Guntersville, Alabama, with plans to serve both domestic and international markets. The partnership aims to modernize the Black Hawk for civilian roles like public safety and search and rescue, while also enabling optionally-piloted missions. Leaders from both companies highlighted the initiative as a leap forward in aviation technology, ensuring the Black Hawk remains a vital, modern asset for years to come.

Last week, SkyDrive Inc. announced it is expanding its presence in South Carolina, its U.S. base, with plans for air taxi operations and broader Advanced Air Mobility solutions. The company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SAI Flight, a major private jet charter company, and Greenville Downtown Airport to develop practical eVTOL use cases, including air taxis, cargo, and emergency services. SAI Flight has committed to pre-ordering 10 eVTOLs, while SkyDrive collaborates with local businesses, airports, and governments to establish routes like those connecting downtown Greenville to Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport. Supported by Suzuki for manufacturing and local stakeholders for infrastructure, SkyDrive aims to position Greenville as a hub for Advanced Air Mobility, fostering economic growth and innovation in South Carolina.

Competitiveness is a significant issue in Europe, but new aviation taxes are counterproductive. The industry is working hard to boost SAF demand and production, aiming for 100% SAF adoption by 2050, starting with 5% by 2025. These taxes undermine the very industry that supports 440,000 jobs and contributes €100 billion to European GDP. GAMA’s latest op-ed highlights how these measures could hinder economic growth. Let’s make our voices heard. Read GAMA’s op-ed in Politico at https://lnkd.in/ehg5r7_F #PropelledbyPurpose

This week's #MemberMonday is Mooney International Corporation. Mooney is one of our oldest members, having been founded in Wichita, Kansas, in 1929 before moving to Kerrville, Texas, in 1953. Over the decades, the company has manufactured and delivered more than 11,000 aircraft to customers around the world, serving over 7,000 clients in the United States and more than 1,000 internationally. Its fleet has collectively amassed an impressive 40 million hours of flight! Find out more at https://mooney.com/

Recently, GE Aerospace announced plans to use two of the world’s fastest supercomputers in 2025 to model how its open-fan engine integrates with aircraft structures. Part of the CFM RISE program, a collaboration with Safran, the open-fan engine aims to be 20% more fuel-efficient than current turbofans and is expected to enter the market in the mid-2030s. Simulations at Argonne and Oak Ridge National Laboratories will optimize the engine’s design and address integration challenges to improve efficiency and performance for future narrowbody jets. Do you think the CFM RISE is the future?

GAMA member, Thales, is developing a hybrid artificial intelligence (AI) system combining a neural network with a certified conflict detection system to improve air traffic management. The system aims to alleviate air traffic controllers’ workload by proposing optimized resolution advisories that reduce conflict trajectories’ length and environmental impact, like CO2 emissions. The AI leverages reinforced learning for faster, more comprehensive solutions but faces safety challenges due to the need for absolute accuracy and explainability. To address this, Thales integrates AI with symbolic calculations, ensuring controllers receive validated solutions. Testing with controllers has shown promise, with AI learning to maximize efficiency over 20 million simulated clearances. The hybrid system is expected to undergo further development and certification, potentially entering service by 2030. What do you think the future is of AI in aviation?

Airbus Helicopters is optimistic about its growth in Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region through 2025, fueled by increasing demand in civil and military sectors, especially for emergency medical services (EMS) driven by economic development and tourism. Thomas Zeman, Airbus Helicopters vice president for Asia-Pacific sales, highlighted Malaysia’s significant investments in modernizing armed forces, security, and emergency response, mirroring trends across the region. The company forecasts a nearly 3% annual growth in the regional helicopter market, supported by initiatives like a full-flight simulator in Malaysia by 2026. Airbus’s H160 helicopter, designed for diverse missions with advanced features and lower environmental impact, recently received Malaysian type certification, marking its potential to cater to the rebounding demand in private and business aviation. With one H160 in service and another arriving next year, Airbus aims to expand its footprint in Southeast Asia.

We love to see our members working together! BETA TECHNOLOGIES has chosen Garmin's G3000 Prime integrated flight deck for its Alia electric aircraft, making it the first to incorporate Garmin’s advanced touchscreen avionics suite in an electric aircraft. Beta revealed their selection at the inaugural flight of their Alia airplane, highlighting the system’s state-of-the-art user interface and flexible architecture tailored for advanced air mobility. Garmin introduced the G3000 Prime in October 2023 as its most connected and customizable flight deck. While the G3000 Prime will also debut on the Cessna Aircraft Company Citation CJ4 Gen3, Beta is the first OEM to bring the system into the electric aviation space.