China’s EHang reveals price-tag for certified eVTOL
Chinese urban air mobility firm EHang announced the suggested retail price for its EH216-S passenger-carrying unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”) system in China – the first time pricing informatione has been made public. The company stated: “Given the market potential and substantial industry scale of China's low-altitude economy, coupled with the global trend of rapid growth in low-altitude aerial services, the EH216-S UAV system's official suggested retail price in China is set at RMB2.39 million ($338,000) per unit, effective from April 1, 2024.” The Company believes the pricing will more effectively cater to the market needs and further enhance the value of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (“eVTOL”) and UAM.
On October 13, 2023, EHang’s self-developed EH216-S passenger-carrying UAV system received its type certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (“CAAC”). Following this, on December 21, it achieved the Standard Airworthiness Certificate, leading to the delivery to the first set of customers. On December 28, the certified EH216-S successfully completed its inaugural commercial flight demonstrations in Guangzhou and Hefei. EHang’s UAV is the world's first pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL to obtain a standard airworthiness certificate. The EH216-S passenger-carrying UAVs that have been delivered to customers will be utilized to provide commercial services in various scenarios such as low-altitude sightseeing and urban tourism. www.ehang.com
European Business Aviation to uplift SAF beyond minimum requirements
The new recommendations, laid out in the report “Sustainable Aviation Fuel Recommendations for Business Aviation Across Europe” detail strategies and measures to encourage operators to adopt SAF at a higher rate than what is mandated by existing regulations such as ReFuel EU. The plan outlines ambitious yet achievable targets, starting with a goal of 5% SAF usage by 2025. This initial step sets the foundation for more substantial increases: 20% by 2030, followed by a significant jump to 60% by 2040. The roadmap then aims for an 80% utilization by 2045, culminating in a 100% SAF adoption by 2050.
The set of recommendations acknowledges the challenges faced in sourcing SAF, particularly its limited availability in certain regions. To address this, EBAA and GAMA are advocating for the implementation of a robust and reliable ‘Book & Claim’ system. This approach would allow operators to purchase SAF attributes when physical SAF is not accessible, thereby ensuring continued support for SAF production and use.
The EBAA and GAMA initiative comes at a critical time when the aviation industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental impact. By going above and beyond the minimum requirements, these organisations are paving the way for a more sustainable future in aviation.
Omni Handling takes over Spain's United Aviation Services
OMNI Handling, the Portuguese FBO chain, has acquired Span’s United Aviation Services. It means that OMNI handling is now the largest FBO chain and handler in Iberia. The two companies will continue to trade under their own brands. United Aviation Services operates at 20 airports throughout Spain. It also owns executive handling company Ibizair. OMNI Handling is the largest executive handler in Portugal. It operates at nine Portuguese airports – Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Cascais, Beja, Funchal on the island of Madeira, Santa Maria, Lajes and Ponta Delgada in the Azores. The company is also active in Mozambique, Cape Verde and Angola in partnership with VIPAero Lda. www.omnihandling.com
People: SR Technics appoints Owen McClave as new CEO
MRO service provider SR Technics this week announced that Owen McClave, currently COO of SR Technics, will be appointed as new CEO with immediate effect. The statement also confirmed the departure of Düllmann, who ascended to the role of CEO in July 2023. SR Technics is 80% owned by China-based HNA Aviation Group with the remaining 20% stake held by Abu Dhabi state investor Mubadala.
Owen McClave joined SR Technics in 2019 as Senior Vice President Engine Services. He started off as a dairy farmer working on his parents’ farm in Ireland, his first job in Aerospace was in 1991 when he joined a major case (JT9D, PW4000, PW2000) repair facility joint venture between Pratt and Whitney and Singapore Airlines Engineering Company (SIAEC) as an accountant. Owen McClave was promoted to Managing Director and remained for a full 13 years. Then he joined Lufthansa Technik to rebuild and run an Airfoil repair facility. The next seven-years in aerospace Owen McClave spent with Airbus Helicopters building a new engine (PW150) facility in Singapore, setting up a new Helicopter leasing company in Dublin, establishing an engine leasing entity in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and running a facility in the UK which carried out depth maintenance on the RAF Chinook fleet, Search and Rescue and Oil and Gas Super Pumas as well as MRO on Honeywell and Pratt turbines.
He obtained his Bachelor`s and Master`s degrees in business from Trinity College, Dublin and earned his FCMA designation in Accountancy from The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.