
African Pilot Magazine:
Spotlight: Innovations

Acron Aviation and Flight Data Technologies Join Forces to Deliver an Innovative Vision for Flight Data Management
Acron Aviation and Flight Data Technologies partner to enhance flight data management, improving safety, efficiency, and reducing operating costs.

Africa’s Runways: Can Tech Stop the Silent Threat of Overruns?
Runway overruns remain a major safety risk in African aviation. IFALPA calls for Runway Overrun Awareness and Alerting Systems (ROAAS) to reduce accidents and costs.

Say Again: Embry-Riddle Researchers Develop AI System to Decode Aviation Speak
Embry-Riddle researchers create an AI system to transcribe and standardise pilot-controller radio communications, reducing errors and improving aviation safety.

Braking Action Intelligence – The Next Frontier in Runway Safety
Real-time runway friction reporting could transform aviation safety in Africa. We explore ICAO’s Global Reporting Format, IFALPA’s concerns, and the technical hurdles to turning aircraft into live braking action sensors.

Saft and Safran Co-Develop a High-Voltage Battery System for Aviation Electrification
Safran and Saft partner to co-develop a high-voltage battery system for aircraft electrification, advancing net-zero aviation goals by 2050.

Braking Action Intelligence – The Next Frontier in Runway Safety
Real-time runway friction reporting could transform aviation safety in Africa. We explore ICAO’s Global Reporting Format, IFALPA’s concerns, and the technical hurdles to turning aircraft into live braking action sensors.

Saft and Safran Co-Develop a High-Voltage Battery System for Aviation Electrification
Safran and Saft partner to co-develop a high-voltage battery system for aircraft electrification, advancing net-zero aviation goals by 2050.

A French Aerospace Consortium Launches an Initiative to Develop Hybrid-Electric Propulsion for General Aviation, Specifically Light Aircraft
Daher, Safran, Collins Aerospace and Ascendance launch TAGINE a joint hybrid-electric propulsion R&D project targeting greener light aircraft by 2027.

Air to Jet Fuel: United Announces Investment in Power-to-Liquid Fuels Company Twelve
United invests in Twelve, a UK-relevant clean tech innovator producing sustainable aviation fuel from CO₂ and water, accelerating carbon-neutral flight.

Bombardier to digitally transform the aircraft engineering process from concept through to production with Siemens Xcelerator
Bombardier expands its use of Siemens Xcelerator software, including NX, Capital, and Mendix platforms, to transform aircraft engineering from concept to production. This digital upgrade enhances performance, streamlines product development, and supports a sustainable aerospace future.

LMS Partners With PT Dirgantara to Modernize the NC212i
LMS has partnered with PT Dirgantara Indonesia to modernise the NC212i aircraft with advanced Fuel Quantity Measurement Systems, enhancing its performance, reliability, and efficiency. Initial deliveries are expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

Bombardier to digitally transform the aircraft engineering process from concept through to production with Siemens Xcelerator
Bombardier expands its use of Siemens Xcelerator software, including NX, Capital, and Mendix platforms, to transform aircraft engineering from concept to production. This digital upgrade enhances performance, streamlines product development, and supports a sustainable aerospace future.

LMS Partners With PT Dirgantara to Modernize the NC212i
LMS has partnered with PT Dirgantara Indonesia to modernise the NC212i aircraft with advanced Fuel Quantity Measurement Systems, enhancing its performance, reliability, and efficiency. Initial deliveries are expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

Advantages of Automated Aircraft Exterior Cleaning Solutions
Automated aircraft exterior cleaning solutions reduce fuel consumption, operational costs, and environmental impact while improving safety and efficiency. Innovations like Nordic Dino’s robotic cleaning system cut aircraft washing time by up to 80%, saving water and optimising maintenance processes.

Boom Supersonic Achieves Supersonic Flight
Boom Supersonic has successfully completed the first supersonic flight of its XB-1 demonstrator aircraft, reaching Mach 1.122. The flight marks a milestone in developing the Overture supersonic airliner, which will offer high-speed, sustainable travel for future passengers.

