Lilium Ceases Operations
Germany-based Lilium is the first major player in the advanced air mobility sector to bow out. The company failed to raise enough cash to exit bankruptcy and ceased operations in late December. “After 10 years and 10 months, it is a sad fact that Lilium has ceased operations,” Tech Crunch reported CEO Patrick Nathen as saying. “The company that Daniel [Wiegand], Sebastian [Born], Matthias [Meiner] and I founded can no longer pursue our shared belief in more environmentally friendly aviation. This is heartbreaking and the timing feels painfully ironic.” Lilium burned through about $1 billion in investor capital before going public in 2021 and never got into production. It only attracted two orders for a total of 320 aircraft.
‘User-Funded’ ATC Sought
Libertarian think tank the Reason Foundation is urging the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to make air traffic control a “user-funded utility” to get it off the endless cycle of government funding fights and give it the flexibility to fund and execute modernization and capital improvements. “Ours is one of the very few (airspace management systems) still funded by taxes and micromanaged by a political body,” the foundation’s letter to DOGE leaders Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy says. “Our ATC system is the world’s largest and was once known as the world’s most advanced. That is no longer the case.” The organization says the funding model stifles its ability to manage its own modernization. “It cannot afford to hire and keep top-quality engineers, software developers, and program managers, so it has become captive of large aerospace companies…,” the letter said.
ICON Eyes China Production
ICON Aircraft is shifting some production to China but will retain facilities in Vacaville, California. The assets of the company were bought out of bankruptcy by SG Investment America (SGIA) last August and transitional president Jason Huang was managing the aftermath of the acquisition. Huang will be moving on to an advisory role and Lily Hu will take over. The company intends to continue building the A5 amphib but will also investigate expanding the product line. “Our management team remains fully committed to Icon’s mission of revolutionizing personal aviation.” Huang said. Longtime communications director Brian Manning is also moving on, saying he’s proud of his decade fronting the company and the plane it produced.
New Aerobatic Trainer Certified
Clean sheet airplanes have been few and far between in recent years but a French company has certified a new design. Aura Aero’s Integral R is a two-seat side-by-side taildragger aimed at the aerobatic training and personal aircraft market. It’s powered by a 210-hp Lycoming AEIO-390-A3B6 engine driving a two-blade constant-speed MT Propeller and has a maximum takeoff weight of 2216 pounds. It cruises at 150 knots and has a range of 530 nautical miles. A total of 15 airplanes will be delivered in 2025. A nose wheel version is in the works and will likely get certification in 2025. It’s built of wood/carbon hybrid materials and is stressed for as much as +8.5/-8.5 G depending on weight.
Medical Denial Policy Deferred
The FAA postponed implementation of a medical deferral policy that could ground pilots for paperwork shortcomings. The agency had planned to convert AME deferrals to denials if the accompanying documentation wasn’t complete. Those who fixed the paperwork could apply to have the denial rescinded but it would have remained on their permanent record. Pilot groups reacted strongly to the plan, noting the unintended consequences of having a minor medical issue dogging a pilot’s career for decades. The policy was to have come into effect on Jan. 1 but was pushed to March 1, giving the agency time for more consultation with stakeholders.
NOTAMs
The FAA is encouraging GA companies to develop safety management systems … The global backlog of airliners hit 17,000 … An Australian pilot was convicted of criminal charges for fatal crash … James Viola is new GAMA President … Van Nuys Airport lease extension supported … Phillips and United Airlines signed major SAF contract … Find breaking news in general aviation at AVweb.com.
