Disney got a patent for projector drones

Disney is preparing to take its world famous entertainment to the skies. Earlier this month, the theme parks giant was granted a patent for projector drones—flying machines with the ability to beam images onto attached screens—or building faces—that would be used at night to enchant guests. According to the concept detailed in the patent, the drone is strong enough to carry the weight of a full-sized projector capable of showcasing both still and moving images. The device holds a screen that runs parallel to the ground, as the projector beams an image onto the rear surface reflectively. To prevent wind gusts from bringing the machine down, the patent suggests the screen be made from “a mesh sheet with a porosity allowing air to flow through.”

http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2016/08/09/is-disney-planning-to-dazzle-guests-with-projector-drones.html

NASA selected 5 green technology concepts

NASA has selected five green technology concepts that have the potential to transform the aviation industry in the next decade by reducing aircraft fuel use and emissions. The concepts were selected under NASA’s Transformative Aeronautics Concepts Program for a two-year study. The topics, including three specifically targeted at electrically-propelled aircraft are: alternative fuel cells; 3-D printing to increase electric motor output; the use of lithium-air batteries for energy storage; new mechanisms for changing the shape of an aircraft wing in flight; the use of a lightweight material called aerogel in the design and development of aircraft antenna.

http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-charges-toward-greener-aviation-with-novel-concepts

Synergetic Air-Breathing Rocket Engine to burn in 2020

The SABRE engine is designed to use jet propulsion to power an aircraft from standing to five times the speed of sound in the atmosphere. The engine then switches to rocket mode, which could push it to speeds of Mach 25 – nearly 20,000 miles per hour – easily enough to get into orbit. Such systems are technically possible, but the amount of oxygen needed for fuel would make such an aircraft impossibly heavy. Instead, SABRE sucks the oxygen it needs from the atmosphere and uses it on-the-spot, with technology that has so far worked as specified.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/07/13/sabre_hybrid_rocket_engine_ready_in_2020/

Emirates plane crashed at Dubai Airport

An Emirates plane has crash-landed at Dubai International Airport. All 300 people on board were able to escape from the burning aircraft. The plane appeared to have landed on its belly, and images showed thick black smoke rising into the sky. The cause of the incident is not known. The Boeing 777 was flying to Dubai from the southern Indian state of Kerala. It said all departures and arrivals from the airport have been suspended until further notice.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-36963112

Drones saving wildlife

Saving animals from extinction sometimes requires innovative solutions from the conservation community. At least some of those answers will come from the sky. Thanks to a collaboration between ecologist Lian Pin Koh and primatologist Serge Wich, drone technology could advance the fight to save orangutans and other endangered wildlife populations in Asia. Drones allowed them to gather images beneath the frequent cloud cover that blankets the rainforest, as well as track which areas of the forests were being logged or burned.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/chynes/2016/07/31/drones-will-prove-vital-to-land-and-wildlife-conservation-in-southeast-asia/#26bb2b6411a0

 

Lithium batteries for A350 jetliners

Intended to provide backup power for the newest A350 jetliners, lithium batteries are more powerful, lighter and require less maintenance. Escalating arguments about the extent of safeguards and testing for such rechargeable batteries—reminiscent of Boeing Co.’s difficulties with similar technology years ago—come after European regulators already have approved the Airbus systems based on less-stringent requirements.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/airbus-faa-spar-over-lithium-batteries-1469611983

Excellence in lifesaving for S-92 helicopter

Sikorsky has recognised Bristow Helicopters and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency for excellence in lifesaving achievement with the S-92 helicopter. The company currently operates 14 S-92 helicopters on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the critical mission of search and rescue (SAR), following the award of the 10-year UK SAR contract by the Department for Transport in March 2013. In the first year of UK SAR operations, beginning in April 2015, Bristow successfully completed 1,149 missions utilising S-92 helicopters.

http://helicopterinvestor.com/articles/sikorsky-recognises-bristow-helicopters-for-lifesaving-457/

The Liberty Cup Drone Competition

Liberty Science Center will be abuzz with high-flying excitement as the Liberty Cup Drone Race competition takes flight against the New York City skyline for the very first time. The public event is a qualifying event for the U.S. National Drone Racing Championship and features a race course of challenging obstacles all around the grounds of the science center. 100 of the world's most highly skilled drone pilots will compete for four spots in the U.S. Drone National Races in August.

http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2016/07/liberty_cup_drone_races_to_fly_high_above_liberty.html

Airbus considers 19 seats hybrid-electric plane

Airbus is now considering general aviation designs with up to 19 seats with hybrid-electric power after meeting with potential development partners among a small group of traditional US small aircraft manufacturers. This concept will be step of Airbus’ primary purpose to develop a 90-seat airliner with a distributed, hybrid-electric propulsion system.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/airbus-considering-19-seat-hybrid-electric-aircraft-427715/

Drones used for aircraft inspection

Airbus uses drones for aircraft inspections. The drone can take pictures of the airplanes and look for scratches, dents, and other damages. Airbus can then use those images to construct a 3D digital model of the plane that the company said can help prevent and reduce additional airplane damage. This cuts down the inspection time from two hours to 10 to 15 minutes.

 

http://fortune.com/2016/07/15/airbus-intel-drones-airplane-inspection/

Vaccine administered with drones

The US government will unleash drones that fire vaccine-covered M&Ms. The goal is to save the endangered black-footed ferret, a species that is facing a plague epidemic across America’s great plains.

The US Fish and Wildlife has developed a plan to bombard ferret habitat in Montana with the vaccine, which will be administered via drones.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/12/us-government-black-footed-ferret-mandm-vaccines?CMP=share_btn_tw

Helicopter crashed in NE of Turkey

A Turkish military helicopter has crashed in the NE of the country, killing seven people and injuring the other eight on board.

The Sikorsky S-70 was carrying senior military officers and members of their families, among them several children.

It crashed in Giresun province near the Black Sea. The weather was poor at the time.

The passengers were flying to Eid celebrations in Giresun.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36717612

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