Light Aircraft Manufacturer CubCrafters Tests Electric Lift Augmentation to Enable Slower Flight for Short Field Operations
In an effort to extract additional lift from the wing of their light aircraft, CubCrafters is testing electric ducted fans mounted to a slat on the wing’s leading edge. This system, known as the Electric Lift Augmenting Slat (ELAS) is intended to augment existing lift during takeoff and landing. By enabling flight at slower speeds, the aim is to further reduce the already strong short-field performance of their aircraft models.
Flaris LAR-01 Very Light Jet Progresses Toward Certification
First flown in April 2019, the USD $2 million Flaris LAR 01 very light jet continues its progress through its flight test phase with certification on the horizon. Aimed at private owners, the LAR 01 promises direct operating costs of USD $450/hour. Powered by a single Williams FJ33-5A turbofan engine, the jet targets both operating and aerodynamic efficiency, with a…
Three Ways Gulfstream’s New Pending Patent Takes Premium Private Jet Cabins to the Next Level
Over the years, the cabin environment of a modern private jet has evolved into an enclave of luxurious perfection. With each successive generation of aircraft, manufacturers task their design and engineering teams to top their efforts and those of the competition. But with several airframe manufacturers and many completion centers investing massive amounts of resources into this race of innovation,…
NASA/Boeing X-66A Next-Generation Airliner Design Work Underway
NASA and Boeing have launched a joint project to build an experimental aircraft to explore and demonstrate sustainable flight technologies and dubbed it the X-66A. Based on a McDonnell Douglas MD-90 airliner, the initial design features a high aspect ratio wing braced by an external truss. In addition to exploring new and emerging airframe technologies, the aircraft will be able…