This week’s must-read aviation updates are ready for you!

Zanzibar Plans Aircraft Purchase and Airport Upgrades

The Zanzibar government has announced plans to purchase an aircraft and upgrade its airport infrastructure, as part of a broader effort to support the region's growing tourism industry. Khalid Mohamed Salum, the Minister of Transport for the semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, emphasized the need to modernize facilities at Zanzibar and Pemba Wawi airports, which currently struggle with limited capacity and outdated infrastructure.

According to the region's five-year development plan, the government aims to bring the airports up to international standards. Key goals include increasing air cargo capacity from 67% to 80% and passenger capacity from 44% to 95% by 2025-26. Planned initiatives include upgrading Pemba Airport, renovating Terminal Two at Zanzibar Airport, expanding cargo services, and constructing helipads.

In related news, a new B787-8 aircraft for Air Tanzania recently arrived in Zanzibar, with plans to expand routes to Kinshasa, Lagos, and Muscat. This addition brings Air Tanzania's fleet to 16 aircraft.

Beijing Airlines Retires Its Only G550

Beijing Airlines, a subsidiary of Air China, has retired its only Gulfstream G550 as part of its fleet update. The aircraft, registered as B-3988, ended operations on April 23, 2024. It was ferried from Beijing Capital to Long Beach via Anchorage and later re-registered under a private owner as N102FT. The jet was then flown from Long Beach to Miami Opa-Locka on July 31.

The airline has replaced the G550 with a newly inducted G650ER. Beijing Airlines' current fleet now includes one G650ER, one ACJ319-100, one B737-700(BBJ), and three B737-800s. In recent years, the airline has phased out most of its non-bizliner business jets, including Falcons, G450s, and a Global Express XRS. The company is partially owned by Air China, Beijing Holdings Group, Beijing State-Owned Assets Management, and Zhongda UBS Investment.

Exploring AI Use Cases in MRO

IFS, a leader in enterprise software, recently acquired EmpowerMX, an AI-powered MRO software provider, to strengthen its AI strategy. Rob Mather, IFS’s Vice President for Aerospace and Defense Industries, sees AI as a transformative force in the MRO industry, with its impact evolving over three distinct waves.

Current and Future AI Waves:

1. Present Capabilities: AI can already optimize maintenance tasks within existing regulatory frameworks. It supports scheduling, task sequencing, and resource allocation, thereby reducing costs and improving efficiency.
2. Near-Future Potential: AI is expected to assist humans in decision-making. For example, it can enhance error detection and classification, particularly in complex systems where the cause of a fault may not be immediately apparent. AI can also streamline fault classification and improve the accuracy of predictive maintenance models.
3. Long-Term Vision: The third wave envisions AI-driven automation requiring significant regulatory changes. This future could see AI playing a central role in automating maintenance processes, leading to a more efficient and responsive MRO ecosystem.

Practical Applications:

• Optimization and Scheduling: AI can improve maintenance scheduling, task assignment, and resource utilization, leading to cost savings and increased operational efficiency.
• Error Detection and Reclassification: AI tools like large language models can enhance fault classification, leading to more accurate reliability data and better predictive maintenance.
• Automated Troubleshooting: AI can assist technicians by identifying failures, suggesting troubleshooting steps, and providing relevant repair instructions, saving time and improving productivity.
• Predictive Maintenance: AI-driven predictive maintenance can reduce Aircraft on Ground (AOG) incidents by anticipating component failures before they occur, allowing for timely replacements without disrupting flight schedules.

Mather highlights that fully realizing AI's potential in MRO will require shifting from scheduled inspections to continuous condition monitoring, a change that will need regulatory support. Programs like Rolls-Royce’s IntelligentEngine, which uses AI to extend engine life and optimize maintenance, are already paving the way for this future.

BAE Systems to Upgrade Flight Computers on F-15EX and F/A-18E/F

BAE Systems has been selected by Boeing to upgrade the flight computers on the F-15EX Eagle II and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets. Announced on August 20, the upgrades involve both hardware and software enhancements for the jets' fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control computers (FCCs), which are critical for managing the aircraft's control surfaces and ensuring flight stability.

The updated FCCs will feature increased processing power, improved cybersecurity, and solutions to address obsolescence issues. For the Super Hornet, an additional processor will be added to enable future capabilities for this carrier-based aircraft.

Corin Beck, BAE’s senior director of military aircraft controls and avionics, emphasized that these enhancements will ensure fleet readiness and support the integration of new functions on both platforms. BAE’s FCCs are also designed to adapt to battle damage in real time, reconfiguring control surfaces to maintain flight stability.

These upgrades are part of Boeing's ongoing efforts to modernize the F-15EX, which the U.S. Air Force began receiving in June, and the F/A-18E/F, which is nearing the end of its production run for the U.S. Navy, expected to conclude in 2027.

Heart Aerospace Pushes Forward with New Independent Hybrid Regional Airliner

Heart Aerospace is advancing its plans for the ES-30, a hybrid-electric regional airliner, by preparing to unveil a technology demonstrator this fall. The Swedish company has shifted the propulsion system architecture to an independent hybrid configuration, enhancing the aircraft's ability to operate more flights in all-electric mode.

The ES-30 will now feature two unspecified turboprop engines mounted on the outer wings and two electric motors on the inner wings. This design replaces the previous series hybrid configuration, which included a turbogenerator. The new configuration also led to significant design changes, such as relocating the battery bay from the lower fuselage and removing winglets and strut-braced wings.

Despite these extensive updates, Heart Aerospace remains on track for initial EASA type certification by 2028. This timeline was established after the company abandoned plans for the all-electric ES-19 in favor of the ES-30, responding to airline feedback that prioritized greater range and payload capacity.

Heart Aerospace has opened a research and development facility in California to finalize the ES-30's design and prepare for ground and flight testing. The company is at an advanced stage of testing the technology demonstrator, which is also part of a research project in Sweden supported by Swedavia and SAS.

The independent hybrid configuration offers flexibility, allowing airlines to fly up to 200 kilometers using only the electric motors. For longer flights, up to 800 kilometers, the turboprops can be activated, with the option to use all power sources simultaneously for improved takeoff performance.

Heart Aerospace is also focusing on selecting partners for key systems, aiming to work in "disruptive" ways to avoid the delays and cost overruns that have plagued other aerospace projects. The company has secured around 250 firm orders or purchase agreements for the ES-30, with additional options and letters of intent for another 200 aircraft.

In June, Heart launched a collaboration with Gotland, a Swedish island, to support net-zero carbon flights connecting the Baltic Sea community with mainland Europe. Earlier this year, the company closed a $107 million Series B funding round and is seeking further investment through a combination of equity, debt, strategic partnerships, and public support.

Heart Aerospace is also advocating for stronger political commitments to support the development of green aviation technology, stressing the need for immediate investment to meet net-zero carbon targets.

Saudi Arabia's Mukamalah Aviation Rebrands as Al Oula Aviation

Mukamalah Aviation, based in Dammam, has rebranded to Al Oula Aviation. This new name pays homage to the company's legacy as Saudi Arabia's first aviation service provider. The change was announced on August 16 across their social media platforms.

Owned by Saudi Aramco, Al Oula Aviation operates over 60 aircraft and manages nine airports and 300 heliports across the country. Their fleet includes Boeing 737-800s, Hawker Beechcraft 900XPs, King Air 350s, Air Tractor AT-802s, Airbus H145 helicopters, Leonardo AW139s, and Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters.

Since spinning off from Saudi Aramco in 2023, the company has been expanding its services, including aircraft maintenance, fleet management, and VIP charters. Al Oula Aviation also specializes in medical evacuations, geological surveys, and search and rescue missions.