Page 47 - World Airnews Magazine March 2021

AIRCRAFT AIR TAXIS

AN AIR TAXI FUTURE

nited Airlines believes that soon
Uwe’ll all be taking air taxis to the
airport—and it just ponied up big bucks

to get in on the action. The airline has just
announced that it will invest more than
(US) $1 billion in Archer Aviation, a start-up

developing electric vertical take-off and

landing aircraft.

The start-up said its eVTOLs, which are

being positioned as commuter air taxis,

will be able to shuttle passengers some 60 one of Archer’s eVTOLs between Holly- (US)$3.8 billion. Archer also said it ex-
miles on a single charge and hit speeds of wood and Los Angeles International Airport pected to receive (US) $1.1 billion of gross

up to 150 mph. While still in the prototype (LAX) could reduce CO² emissions by up to proceeds to fund future growth, including

stage, the full-scale aircraft is scheduled 50 percent per passenger. (US) $600 million in private investment in
to be unveiled later this year, with mass Co-incidentally, Los Angeles is one of the public equity (PIPE) from investors such as

production slated for 2023. According to first cities Archer plans to launch its fleet Stellantis and United.

Archer, jet setters can expect to see this and one of United’s largest hubs. Fiat Chrysler also recently announced a
zero-emissions aircraft servicing airports in United isn’t the only party getting in on partnership with Archer to develop flying cars.

United’s major hubs by 2024. the Archer action, either. Separately, the It could be a prescient move. Morgan

“Archer’s eVTOL design, manufactur- start-up announced that it reached an Stanley predicts that the market for eVTOLs

ing model and engineering expertise has agreement to merge with special purpose could reach (US) $1.5 trillion in the next

the clear potential to change how people acquisition company Atlas Crest Investment 20 years. If that prognostication bears

commute within major metropolitan cities Corp. to become a publicly listed company. out, early investors stand to be rewarded

all over the world,” United CEO Scott Kirby The combined company, soon to be listed handsomely. Q
said in a statement. on the New York Stock Exchange under
A SPECIAL MISSIONS KING AIR 360 Indeed, the airline estimates that flying “ACHR,” will have an equity valuation of Article courtesy: https://robbreport.com/

GENERAL
AVIATION
currently operates 20 aircraft across eight “Our highly trained and skilled aviation

operational bases located at Brisbane, staff are looking forward to experiencing

he Royal Flying Doctor Service in Cairns, Townsville, Rockhampton, Bund- the technology advances offered with the GENERAL AVIATION REBOUND

TQueensland, Australia has agreed aberg, Charleville, Mount Isa and Roma. B360, including improved performance and

to purchase four Beechcraft King Air The King Air, the most popular twin-tur- efficiency, ultimately improving runway Cuts and Jobs Act (increasing a bonus during this economic downturn.
360CHW turboprop aircraft, with an option boprop model in Australia, provides unri- access. I am sure our medical crews and depreciation to 100% for both new and “Private Jets” was the single most

to purchase two more. valled performance in terms of operational patients will also enjoy the enhanced flying he light at the end of the pre-owned business aircraft), and the viewed aircraft class on GlobalAir.com

The new aircraft will add to their fleet of cost, speed and runway access throughout experience.” Q TCOVID-19 tunnel seems to be influx of new first-time buyers, a wave during Q4, claiming 37% of aircraft for

Beechcraft King Air aircraft and deliveries Queensland. Textron Aviation supports growing brighter. Louisville, Kentucky, of buying was spurred for both large and sale pageviews. Not far behind was

are expected to begin this year and contin- nearly 200 King Air aircraft in a variety of in the USA-based pre-owned aircraft small aircraft. I have not seen a market “Helicopters” in second with 27% of

ue through 2023. configurations throughout Australia. About the Beechcraft sales platform GlobalAir.com’s lat- turn so quickly in my 30 years in the pageviews. This contrasts with JETNET’s

The Beechcraft King Air 360 is designed “The King Air is the world leader in aviation business.” report of a 24.6% decrease in sales and

and manufactured by Textron Aviation. twin-turboprop special missions because King Air 360CHW est market trend report notes large According to Google Analytics, leases of helicopters during Q4 of 2020

increases in inquiries across the board

“By providing a wide range of essential of the aircraft’s unmatched capabilities and GlobalAir.com’s website visitors have compared to 2019.

healthcare services to regional, rural and reliability,” added Gibbs. The King Air 360CHW aircraft is a ver- in general aviation of more than 73% continued climbing year over year, as Another factor considered from an op-

remote communities, the mission scope of “Continuing to be a trusted supplier for sion of the King Air 360 twin-engine from 2019 to 2020. well. In the fourth quarter of 2020, page erational point of view is fuel cost, which

the RFDS requires 24-hours-a-day, seven- emergency services in Australia is a testa- turboprop aircraft configured with Inventory (number of aircraft listed) on views increased by more than 28% com- brings a sliver of a silver lining. GlobalAir.

days-a-week operational availability for the ment to the King Air’s performance when an optional cargo door and heavy the company’s website hit a record all- pared to the same quarter in 2019. com reports indicate that the aver-

vast territory of the state of Queensland,” every minute matters.” weight operations package, resulting time low, indicating a seller’s market over- Business aviation research firm JETNET age cost of JetA and 100LL fuel in the

said Bob Gibbs, vice president, special RFDS chief executive officer Queensland in enhanced mission flexibility. Two all. According to Globalair.com statistics, LLC reports a 12% increase in sales and United States has declined since the first

missions sales. section Meredith Staib said it was vital Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60A or Q4 2020 alone showed that more than lease of business jets during the 4th quarter of 2020. JetA is reported to have

The six Beechcraft King Air turboprops, that the service remained ‘future fit’ as it optional factory installed PT6A-67A 510 aircraft were marked as sold or under quarter of 2020 as compared to the dropped by 10% and 100LL by 3.5%.

configured for multi-stretcher air ambu- neared 100 years of operation. turboprop engines with Hartzell contract, indicating an increased need. same quarter of 2019. Topping the list in As the economy continues to adjust

lance operations, will be equipped with “The Beechcraft King Air 360 aircraft four blade propellers power the “I have spoken with several major air- units by volume was the Cessna Citation with the beginning of a new presiden-

a factory installed aft cargo door, heavy forms a key part of our 10-year aircraft King Air 360CHW aircraft, and a craft sales brokerage firms from around CJ3, followed closely by the Gulfstream tial term, prices for fuel, among other

weight operations package and Pratt and replacement strategy, which will ensure fully integrated Collins Aerospace the world, each citing an influx of new G-IVSP and the Eclipse EA 500. These things, could fluctuate drastically. The

Whitney PT6A-67A engines for additional we can continue to deliver world-class Pro Line Fusion digital avionics suite first-time aircraft buyers,” said GlobalAir. pre-owned jets complete the mission aviation industry is continuing to per-

performance capabilities. aeromedical retrievals and healthcare to provides pilot(s) with state-of-the-art com President Jeffrey Carrithers. that operators are seeking, while simul- severe throughout COVID-19, with the

With its corporate office located within regional, rural and remote Australians,” she touchscreen controls. “With the combination of the 2017 Tax taneously posing a lesser financial risk light appearing brighter for 2021. Q

the Brisbane Airport precinct, the RFDS said.
World Airnews | March 2021 World Airnews | March 2021
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