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Aviation and innovation go hand in hand. Further supporting that in the past year, a coalition of aviation advocacy groups joined forces to promote the industry as an incubator of emerging technology. As 2023 comes to a close, let's look back at some of the most noteworthy developments to take place over the past 52 weeks.
With so much advancement taking place in advanced air mobility, electric and hybrid propulsion options, as well as more sustainable fueling options, we are leaving the bulk of those stories out (check out our story on the top events and trends of the year for more on that).
For the most part, we are sticking to conventional business aviation and general aviation aircraft, here. For those wondering why something might have been left off from this article, understand that we had to stop somewhere, and we let our readers influence the list, based on the stories you read the most.
You will find mention of one predominantly commercial aircraft included, as chapters begin for some models while, for others, their stories are reaching their end.
Textron brings new toys to Oshkosh
As pilots and aviation lovers gathered around the Cessna 172 Skyhawk on display this summer at EAA AirVenture, many asked the same question: Why are there experimental aircraft labels on a Cessna 172?
It wasn't because of the new paint scheme or the glass cockpits, although those aspects did make the plane much more modern than the Cessna 172 planes in which many of them learned to fly. The experimental designation was due to the new seats inside the world's most-known piston plane.
Starting in 2024, the Cessna Skyhawk, Skylane, Turbo Skylane and Turbo Stationair HD will have a range of new features for customers to choose from, including comfy and updated seating, new exterior paint styles and an updated instrument panel. The sleek black instrument panels, new side panels, window locks and air vents are designed to make every experience in the aircraft more comfortable and exciting, Textron said upon announcing the new options.
Owners and operators can enjoy an enhanced experience with new power headset jacks and charging ports at every seat, upgraded seats with more padding and support, and a new center armrest.
FULL STORY: Textron introduces new interior options for Cessna piston aircraftAlso while in Oshkosh, Textron's Beechcraft Denali made its show debut.
The long-awaited model started its journey from the wind tunnel to the taxiway back in 2021. There are now three prototypes flying, with one of them making a stop in Oshkosh in July. The aircraft on display was the second of the two, focused on testing the Garmin 3000 avionics system and the aircraft's interior.
The Denali will be the first to feature the new GE Catalyst engines. The engine is on track to be certified next year, with first deliveries of the Denali now slated for 2025.
FULL STORY: Beechcraft Denali makes show debut at AirVenture 2023 Cubcrafters rolls out new options, tests advancements
It was a busy year for Cubcrafters and its carbon-fiber aircraft, reimagined from the Piper J-3 Cub. The aircraft maker debuted its Carbon Cub UL by showing off a prototype this Spring at Sun ‘N FUN in Lakeland, Florida.
The aircraft is being developed in collaboration with BRP-Rotax, which is launching a new 160 HP turbocharged engine on the UL. The engine will have a 2,000-hour TBO at launch.
The concept for the UL was to create a lighter and better-performing version of the Carbon Cub for international markets.In Dubai in March, a technology demonstrator version was able to successfully take off and land on a heliport on top of the 56-story high Burj Al Arab hotel, in collaboration with Red Bull.
Production for the new aircraft is projected to be built, certified and test-flown as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) at the CubCrafters factory in Yakima, Washington. It will also meet the requirements for the Ultralight category in many international jurisdictions.
FULL STORY: CubCrafters unveils Carbon Cub UL at Sun 'N FunThat was not the only news for Cubcrafters in 2023. The company also introduced an infrared camera option for its aircraft equipped with the Garmin G3X.Elsewhere during the year, its developers completed full-scale flight testing on its new Electric Lift Augmentation Slats (ELAS) technology.
ELAS will allow fixed-wing aircraft to achieve shorter takeoff distances, steeper approaches, slower landing speeds and minimal ground roll. The slats can be added to an existing airframe or built into the wings during manufacturing.
When CubCrafters revealed the technology in June it shared that NASA awarded the company with two research grants to partially fund the project. The team is in ongoing discussions with NASA to continually optimize, scale and commercialize the ELAS technology, which combines electric ducted fans with leading-edge lifting slats to accelerate airflow over the wing.
FULL STORY: CubCrafters completes full-scale flight testing for new slats, reveals milestonesHonda Jet debuts the Echelon
On the business jet side of things, Honda Jet announced at NBAA-BACE progress on the development of its Honda Jet 2600 concept, renaming the aircraft the Honda Jet Echelon. Expected by the manufacturer to be the first jet of its class to be able to fly non-stop from New York to Los Angeles, an updated mock-up made the trip to the Las Vegas area.
The aircraft is designed for single-pilot operation, with the company seeking a dual certification for pilots on the Garmin G3000 avionics system.
Powered by two Williams International FJ44-4C engines, Honda Aircraft said the Echelon is 20% more fuel efficient than its light jet competitors and 40% more efficient than current midsize jets. It is expected to have a maximum range of 2,625 nautical miles.
While the interior aesthetics are still being developed in collaboration with designers with Honda Motor Company and Acura, the Echelon's cabin is 4.5 inches taller than the Honda Jet Elite II.
It is expected to offer three configurations: executive, club and divan, along with options for seats that can fold completely flat, allowing passengers to rest during flights.
FULL STORY: HondaJet Echelon unveiled at NBAA-BACE as a light jet that can perform like a midsizeBritten-Norman turboprop gets FAA approval
UK aircraft manufacturer Britten-Norman is moving into new territory after it announced in January that it has received FAA type certification for the Rolls Royce model 250 powered BN2T-4S Islander turboprop aircraft.
The BN2T-4S is a larger version of the piston BN2B Islander. The new variant includes an increased maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 8,500 lbs. The certification is included under the FAA Type Certificate reference A17EU Revision 22.
The nod of approval from the FAA complements Britten-Norman's existing type certificates for the aircraft with the UK CAA and EASA.
"The USA is the world's largest aviation market and the FAA is a hugely respected regulator of that market," Technical Director Mark Shipp said. "We are very proud to have had the opportunity to work closely with the FAA to achieve this important goal and now look forward to the opportunities this will bring."
FULL STORY: New Britten-Norman turboprop receives FAA approvalFirst Diamond DA-50 RG delivered
Then Diamond DA-50 RG had a busy 2023, partaking on a coast-to-coast US tour. The winner of numerous awards, including the 2020 Aerokurier Innovation Award and the 2021 Fliegermagazin Award for best new aircraft, the Diamond DA50 RG is a piston aircraft that runs on Jet A fuel.
Its 300-hp Continental CD-300 engine is part of the performance package that compliments this new modern luxury aircraft. Leadership from Continental and Diamond celebrated FAA certification of the engine while at AirVenture, where the first customer delivery of a DA-50 RG aircraft was completed.
The company says the 5-seater airplane provides the most spacious cabin in its class. It includes retractable gear and is equipped with the Garmin G1000 NXi avionics suite and the Garmin GFC700 3-axis autopilot and yaw damper.
FULL STORY: Diamond DA-50 RG benefits from FAA Certification of Continental CD-300 Jet-A Piston Engine
Textron offers new options for its Citation line of jets
It had been a while since we had gotten a new jet model added to the Cessna Citation line from Textron Aviation. That changed in May with the announcement of the Citation Ascend, which is the latest addition to the aircraft maker's XL series.
With a mockup unveiled at EBACE, the Ascend will have Garmin G5000 avionics, including the latest updates in software and hardware, along with autothrottle and synthetic vision, along with three 14-inch ultra-high-resolution displays with split-screen capabilities and standard dual flight management systems.
Its Pratt andamp; Whitney PW545D engines are designed to offer better fuel efficiency, an increased thrust and longer time-on-wing. The engines are built with new materials and technology, like an efficient high-pressure compressor, an enhanced single high-pressure turbine module and an upgraded exhaust mixer.
The interior is fully customizable, giving customers the ability to choose from standard and optional features when designing their next jet. The Ascend will have a flat floor, giving passengers more legroom and flexibility on their journey. Customers are placed in an optimized seated posture thanks to the Citation Ascend seats, specially designed based on customer feedback. With a standard nine-passenger seating configuration, the aircraft will have a maximum seating capacity of 12 passengers.
FULL STORY: Cessna Citation Ascend - latest in XL series, debuts at EBACE That was not the only announcement to come on the jets side this year from Textron. At NBAA-BACE in October, company executives announced the latest model to get a series of upgrades through its Gen2 campaign.
The Citation CJ3 will get a host of new bells, whistles and customer options with the CJ3 Gen2.
It will be upgraded with the Garmin autothrottle in its G3000 cockpit, which adds 4.5 inches of legroom for pilots. It will also feature tech upgrades and more amenities in the cabin.
Other features inside include the new seats with base and floor tracking capability, changeable accent lighting, wireless charging in the main cabin, top-loading executive and slimline tables, and lighted side pockets for additional storage.
The interior can also be customized with either an optional side-facing seat or a refreshment center.
Along with USB-C ports available at every seat, a pair of seats at the entryway can be folded down for additional storage. Standard seating can fit 10 passengers, carrying them along a max range of 2,040 nautical miles and a max payload of 2,135 pounds.
The Citation CJ3 Gen2 also has an array of new options, including enhanced vision, swivel seats and an optional sink and vanity design.
FULL STORY: Cessna Citation CJ3 Gen2 announced at NBAA-BACE, Textron names first customerThe Samson Sky Switchblade flies
Based on what was said at the beginning of this article, some might wonder why a so-called flying car is included here. Our reasoning: It is seeking certification as an experimental aircraft, which should make its journey through regulatory red tape easier than for some of the other projects out there.
And, at least for its current configuration, its using a combustion engine (albeit one that can fill up at a gas station), but a future electric option is already on the minds as the Samson Sky Switchblade completed its first official flight in November.
Test pilot Robert Moehle flew the Switchblade on its inaugural flight, landing smoothly at the Grant County International Airport after the six-minute journey.
The Samson Switchblade has garnered worldwide interest, with over 2,300 reservations from 57 countries and all 50 states in the U.S. The flying car is made for versatility, from its ability to transition from the road to the sky as well as the dashboard made for right- or left-hand drive. This recent flight test is a major achievement for the team and a huge step in the development of the Switchblade flying car. The first flight's data will allow the team to finalize production engineering and build other production prototypes.
Samson has made major changes in design in 2023, changing the steering of the front wheel and lightening the prototype. During the week of AirVenture, Samson saw record sales for the flying car. The event brought in the addition of nearly $22 million to the order books thanks to the addition of 115 vehicles.
FULL STORY: Samson Sky Switchblade flying car takes first official flight First Dassault Falcon 6X delivered
Also in November, Dassault Aviation announced its first Falcon 6X private jet entered into service. Type-certification was granted on Aug. 22 by both EASA and the FAA.
The 6X passed through each phase of the testing progress and was originally scheduled to enter into service by the end of 2022. However, the Pratt andamp; Whitney PW812D engine did not get FAA certification until December 2022.
Dassault encountered a small issue in the certification process in July, requesting a deviation from EASA as the jet's fuel tank design reportedly did not meet the agency's safe operations requirements.In October, Dassault revealed that the 6X would enter into service equipped with a new flight planning tool, FalconWays.
FULL STORY: Dassault Falcon 6X enters into serviceThe Gulfstream G700's long delay
One of the biggest developments in the bizjet world is the development that did not happen, at least as of Dec. 28. The long-awaited certification of the Gulfstream G700.
General Dynamics Chair and CEO Phebe Novakovic said in her remarks on the first-quarter earnings report earlier this year that they were targeting summer. However, in the company's third-quarter call in October, the company said it was building the state-of-the-art ultra long-range private jets and parking them, with at least 15 of the planes completed as of two months ago, as Gulfstream waits on the green light from government regulators.
Originally slated for a targeted certification range for 2022, Gulfstream announced last year that the timetable would be delayed due to additional software testing required by the FAA, going line-by-line through the code.
However, the G700 still made waves in 2023, with its engines getting FAA certification in October.
Just after Labor Day, Gulfstream said the aircraft will deliver an enhanced performance and an increased level of cabin comfort for passengers than originally expected.
The G700's range has increased to 7,750 nautical miles at Mach 0.85 or 6,650 nm at Mach 0.90, gaining 250 nm at each speed from the original expectations. The maximum operating speed has increased from Mach 0.925 to Mach 0.935, ranking it as the fastest in the Gulfstream fleet. The cabin boasts the lowest cabin altitude in business aviation, according to the company, and has been reduced to 2,8460 feet while flying at 41,000 feet.
READ MORE ABOUT THE GULFSTREAM G700First flight of the final Boeing 747
Finally, we cannot look forward at the aircraft developments being made in 2023 without also saluting the beginning of the end of an era for what is probably aviation's most beloved civilian aircraft, the Boeing 747, known as the Queen of the Sky.
The first flight of the final 747 ever to be assembled took place in February.
The celebration of the final delivery of the landmark aircraft was celebrated by thousands, including current and former employees, customers and suppliers. Production began in 1967 with a team known as "the Incredibles" who returned to be honored at the Everett, Washington factory where it all began. The facility produced 1,574 airplanes in the entirety of the program.
The plane traced out a crown and the numerals 747 in its flight path on its way from Washington to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). About 350,000 people tracked the flight in total while it was live, Flightradar24 told GlobalAir.com. At the peak, over 93,000 people were following at the same time.
The plane was delivered to Atlas Air the last of four new Boeing-8 Freighters ordered by the company in January 2021.
So as we say farewell to 2023 by honoring a piece of aviation history, we do so looking forward to the coming year and the history that will be made in 2024.
FULL STORY: First flight of final Boeing 747 honors legacy
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