The most important microlight, LSA and GA aviation trade fair with business aviation aspirations, AERO Friedrichshafen 2018, closed its doors with a good result. AERO in its 26th edition was just an aviator's dream, gorgeous weather, many visitors, and most important tons of news.
The last AERO, held for 26th time in Friedrichshafen at the southernmost German border to Switzerland from April 18 - 21, was a good show. It was not the biggest of all times; this was not expected because in its even years AERO is smaller, without the glider community. Despite all this, AERO was better numbers wise as the comparable AERO 2016. This was achieved thanks to 31,100 industry visitors (2016: 30,800), as well as 630 exhibitors from 38 countries - a rise of some 4 percent. 527 media representatives from 31 countries were present. Finally the weather was kind of perfect: gorgeous spring weather with CAVOC, mild sunshine with temperatures in mid 80s and a light breeze.
Trade-fair CEO Klaus Wellmann said: "The AERO is probably the world’s most important business meeting for general aviation, many product premieres take place here.” AERO project leader Roland Bosch reported that the mood of exhibitors was decidedly optimistic.
The big names in the ultra light/general aviation/business aviation business were with huge booths were satisfied with the number of visitors and their quality. This could be substantiated with the statement of Trevor Pegrum, Garmin's sales and marketing manager: "For Garmin, the AERO is a huge success, like always, especially this year, as we have some completely new products with us for the first time. As the largest and for us the most important aviation show in Europe, it holds a very prominent position for Garmin and brings us together every year with established customers as well as interested visitors to our stand and at the seminars. But one thing above all connects the visitors to the AERO and our staff: the passion for flight. That is why we really value the AERO and will of course be back next year.”
Passion & Innovation
At AERO the flight is passion but the innovation is the driving motor. AERO is traditionally known as a place with (too) many, news and new aircraft but is also a place where the "quality" of visitors is important - 60 percent are pilots - and more than half of them are foreigners.
New Areas at AERO
This year, a special focus at the AERO has been on new topics that have been very well received by the industry. The newly created area dedicated to flight simulators was met with strong visitor interest. In light of these large crowds, experts are sure that the Flight Simulation Area offers great potential. Another area that made its premiere was the Helicopter Hangar, where experts on the "worker bee” of aviation come together. The civilian drones attracted many new exhibitors and visitors in the West Foyer.
Electric Flight - at Home at AERO
At the E-Flight Expo - a fair in the fair - experts presented the latest state of the electric propulsion technology, proving again that Germany and Europe are the motor of this e-flight movement. This is no wonder knowing that Siemens (Germany) and Pipistrel (Slovenia) are located almost around the corner as are many Swiss and Czech companies which are active in this field.
AERO is a tradeshow without the airshow - well this is only partially true as on the AERO eve, electric aircraft showed their capabilities during a half hour Flight Parade.
Aircraft with electric propulsion (e.g. Pipistrel, Magnus Aircraft) are already in mass production. On Tuesday, as part of an e-flight demonstration, several aircraft were presented in the skies over the airport and Messe Friedrichshafen, what was crowned by a new world-record: two electric aircraft for the first time have flown in a formation during an event; in one the pilot was Frank Otto, the Siemens Aviation boss. (MB-Images) Magnus Aircraft’s eFusion was a star of this AERO. It derives from the Fusion 212 piston-powered aircraft; the electric drive system is supplied by Siemens. eFusion just entered serial production at the price of 200,000 Euro with two battery packs. The Magnus Aircraft debuted at AERO - as a world premiere - the Magnus Fusion Hybrid. It is a feasibility study and was only in static display and had aboard the brand new Siemens E-Aircraft hybrid drive; powered by a combination of Siemens electric motor and EcoFly diesel engine (automotive conversion). MB-Image eFusion, hybrid AC
The ultralight electric aircraft made by Czech company Jihlavan Aeroplanes, a Skyleader 400, also derives from an Rotax-powered model, has a 80 kw drivetrain made by MGM Compro and could soon enter serial production. MB-Image
Lange Research Aircraft GmbH from Germany debuted an unusual - eye-catcher - aircraft, the E2. It is based on a Lange Aircraft glider, features six electric pusher motors, and is powered by the fuel cells located in two under wing pylons; the fuel, 660-pound methanol, is stored in another two pods. The E2 can fly manned or unmanned, will be used for research and surveillance purposes, and can stay airborne for up to 40 hours. Maiden flight by mid 2018. MB-Image.
The Lange Aircraft, Antares 20E (~60-foot wingspan) is also an electric aircraft, a high-performance powered glider. The electric motor and the propeller are normally hidden in the fuselage but are deployed when needed. Some 60 units were delivered since 2004. MB-Image
German UL-s with Higher MTOM
UL-flying has enjoyed unparalleled success in Germany and Europe. The aircraft which look similar to US LSA 600 kg aircraft all had a MTOW of 472,5 kg/1,041 pounds (with parachute). This weight has become a limiting factor for further aircraft development as the European LSA 600 kg (1,322 pounds) certification was for most manufacturers simply not doable as POA and DOA were mandatory. So now, after a short run-up, the ULs in Germany (and possibly other European countries) are allowed to weigh 600 kg MTOW - but only in a case that the UL manufacturer has designed and proven that the calculations satisfy the higher aircraft weight. Many aircraft manufacturers like Remos, Flight Design, Tecnam, and Nando Groppo have already or will have shortly aircraft capable of 600 kg MTOW. This fast rule change will allow the category to further develop and will for sure boost the sales which have suffered as many customers were waiting for the final (weight) decision.
GA & BA at AERO
At this AERO visitors had the feeling that the crisis is gone and optimism is on the schedule. This year was at AERO somewhat emptier as Tecnam and Textron Aviation were missing. Tecnam decided a few years ago to participate only in uneven years. Piper Aircraft announced at AERO, the diesel version of the PA-44 Seminole, powered by the CMG CD-170 engine. Single lever engine control and Garmin G1000NXi will be on board; first deliveries in 2019. Czech Sport Aircraft created one of bigger surprises presenting the four-seater, the QuattroCruiser. It is now just a study but it might enter production pretty soon. The aircraft should be certified for VFR and IFR flights according to the CS.23 and FAR.23 certification standards. The QuattroCruiser is, in the CSA tradition, an all-metal, four-seat (2+2), low-wing monoplane with retractable tricycle landing gear.
At AERO we were told that two powerplants will be used: Lycoming TEO-540 and UL Power i520. Versions powered by UL-Power will be experimental aircraft; the Lycoming will aim for the CS 23 certification. Cirrus is a regular exhibitor at AERO and it brought for the first time one production model of the PersonalJet SF50 Vision. Pilatus premiered the PC-24 at AERO on the outside exhibit; inside, on the booth the colorful PC-12 was on display. Outside the halls we could spot Embraer Phenom 300 and Legacy 450 almost side-by-side to the HondaJet. Daher presented an interesting app called Me & My TBM. Daher calls this app "revolutionary new smartphone application" that significantly enhances operating efficiency and optimizes maintenance management. The Junkers F 13 is after 100 years back and showcased its certified F13 at AERO; the price of the P&W piston airplane is 2.5 million Euro. Program founder and investor Dieter Morszeck was proud and pleased by the huge interest of his aircraft. Sonaca Aircraft from Belgium unveiled the Sonaca 200 two-seater, all-metal aircraft. The VLA aircraft Sonaca 200 derives the TAF Sling 2 - an S-LSA aircraft from South Africa. The Belgian company expects the VLA (Very Light Aircraft) certification in few months.
Helicopter
Another area that made its premiere was the Helicopter Hangar, a dedicated hall where mostly certified helicopter found a new home. AERO visitors could see many new European UL helicopters designs at the show; all of them belong to the UL, 472.5/600 kg aircraft class. MB-Image
Maintenance & Flight Schools
The cloud-based “Me & My TBM” Daher app for Android and iOS leverages data that is automatically collected during every phase of flight and is something new in this class specially in Europe. It provides feedback on TBM flights, from key parameters of the engine and other systems to a full range of statistics accessible wherever the aircraft goes. This app eliminates the need to send flight logs, as well as trend and report data files to the CAMP maintenance tracking system. The number of maintenance schools and facilities at AERO grows from year to year and could fill one, possibly two halls.
Electronic and Navigation World
For the first time in Europe, Garmin showed the new touchscreen G500 TXi and G600 TXi flight displays, which received EASA approval in March. Garmin has also received EASA approval for installation of the G5 electronic flight instrument in place of an existing attitude indicator or directional gyro (DG)/horizontal situation indicator (HSI) in select certified fixed-wing general aviation aircraft. Besides this, Garmin featured the whole UL Nav/Com equipment as the D2 Charlie Aviator Watch and the GPS Area 660 pocket navigator for VFR flying. As in previous years Garmin offered to AERO visitors every day, multiple (up to 10!) instrument courses and information sessions. Dynon Avionics recently entered the certified avionics market with its recent U.S. STC approval for its flagship SkyView HDX system. Dynon expects that this certification will lead toward more installation approval in various categories of light aircraft in Europe. Dynon premiered the Advanced Quick Panel with the ACM, the Advanced Control Module which is only 1/2 inch tall and which connects all avionics components with each other and additionally protects them with electronic fuses. The ACM can act as main power distribution center for the aircraft electrical system.
Bose has debuted at AERO the smallest, quietest, and most comfortable active noise canceling communication headset on the market. With an on-head weight of only 4.9 ounces, the new Bose ProFlight Aviation Headset is featherlight and assures long-term comfort and is FAA and EASA E/TSO-C139a certified. The headset uses in-ear configuration.
Flybox Avionics is an electronics supplier/manufacturer from Italy. It showcased the updated version of its autopilot servos which can be driven by the Flybox Oblò EFIS instrument or third-party equipment. Even more important could be seen the development of the constant speed propeller regulator. The new instrument with color screen is (individually) programmable to any aircraft/engine/prop combination so the pilot gets the single lever power control. Price just below 1000€.
Engines
The "Superstar" of AERO 2018 was by no surprise the brand new Rotax turbocharged 915iS engine. From now on, the new Rotax 915 engine, which delivers 141 hp up to 12,000 feet altitude is available in a certified and noncertified version. Many visitors were surprised by the "aggressive" pricing of the 915 engine which in its noncertified version costs only 3,000 Euro more than the 914 turbo engine. UL Power is optically and in maintenance questions taking a big step forward. The company is working toward ASTM compliance and has developed a new software, a smartphone application called "UL Read" which gives the pilot help in all engine related matters, from the installation to regular operation/maintenance. The Belgian manufacturer D-Motor is continuously updating its engines. One of the last improvements was a new four- and six-cylinder engine block, now fitted with more crankshaft bearings and the all new, longer crankshaft. The Italian C.M.D. Costruzioni Motori Diesel S.p.A. - Avio Division introduced its new new gasoline CMD22 engine. The 118-hp, four-stroke, four-cylinder reciprocating engine, is equipped with an electronic fuel injection system and Rotax style reduction gear. On January 2018 it obtained EASA Type Certificate.
The next AERO will take place from April 10 to 13, 2019.
