This article is based on an official press release from Collins Aerospace.

On March 17, 2026, Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, announced the successful completion of the Hybrid-ElectriC regional Aircraft distribution TEchnologies (HECATE) project. According to the company’s press release, this initiative has officially achieved Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL5), a critical milestone that proves the viability of its electrical architecture design for future hybrid-electric Commercial-Aircraft under real-world simulated conditions.

The HECATE project is a cornerstone of the European Union’s Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking (CAJU), receiving additional support from UK Research and Innovation. Industry data provided in supplementary research reports notes that CAJU operates with a €4.1 billion budget aimed at reducing the greenhouse gas Emissions of regional aircraft by up to 50 percent compared to 2020 standards. The successful conclusion of HECATE’s Phase 1 testing marks a significant step toward the program’s ultimate goal of introducing zero-emission commercial aircraft into service by 2035.

At AirPro News, we recognize that the transition to hybrid-electric Propulsion requires massive leaps in onboard energy management. The HECATE consortium, led by Collins Aerospace and featuring technical coordination by Safran Electrical & Power, has demonstrated that the European aerospace supply chain can collaboratively meet these high-voltage demands.

The HECATE Project and High-Voltage Aviation

Overcoming Megawatt-Class Challenges

As the Manufacturers industry pivots toward hybrid-electric propulsion, the electrical demands placed on aircraft systems increase exponentially. Traditional electrical networks are ill-equipped to handle megawatt-class power levels without adding prohibitive weight or introducing high-voltage hazards such as arcing and electromagnetic interference. According to the Collins Aerospace press release, the HECATE project directly addressed these hurdles by developing a lightweight, compact, and holistically optimized electrical power generation and distribution system.

During the testing phase, the consortium successfully demonstrated an 800-volt architecture capable of handling more than 500 kilowatts (kW) of power. To achieve this safely and efficiently, the Phase 1 CAJU project utilized digital twin technology. The official release notes that simulating real-world operations digitally significantly reduced physical testing time while ensuring the system adhered to strict electromagnetic compatibility standards.

“Through successful collaboration with HECATE consortium partners, we have advanced critical technologies for hybrid-electric propulsion and more electric aircraft to meet future high power, high-voltage aircraft demands. With efficient, lightweight, and compact electrical power distribution technologies, Collins is well-positioned for continued maturation and integration testing under Clean Aviation Phase 2 programs, moving closer to commercial viability.”

— Kristin Smith, Vice President of Electric Power Systems at Collins Aerospace

Ground Testing at the “Copper Bird” Facility

Simulating Flight in Niort, France

The physical validation of the HECATE system took place at Safran Electrical & Power’s specialized “Copper Bird” facility in Niort, France. According to supplementary project data, the Copper Bird is a unique ground-test platform designed to integrate and test an aircraft’s entire advanced electrical system in a controlled environment before flight testing begins.

The integration process was a massive collaborative effort. The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking reports that the project was jointly developed by 38 participating entities across 11 European countries, including major players like Airbus Defence and Space and Leonardo, alongside various universities. Bringing hardware from dozens of partners into a single, functioning 500 kW network on the Copper Bird proved the efficacy of the consortium’s design.

“We are very proud to have integrated the full suite of partner systems from the HECATE consortium into our state-of-the-art electrical systems test bench in Niort. This integration highlights the strength of our collaboration and our technical leadership in hybrid-electric and electric propulsion.”

— Agnès Pronost-Gilles, Executive VP & General Manager for Power Division, Safran Electrical & Power

Transitioning to Clean Aviation Phase 2

OSYRYS and LEIA Initiatives

The completion of HECATE serves as the launchpad for Phase 2 of the Clean Aviation initiative. According to industry research reports, CAJU announced €945 million in funding for 12 new Call 3 projects in late 2025, with work officially kicking off in early 2026. These projects aim to take the technologies proven in HECATE from the laboratory to the sky, with initial flight tests slated for the 2028–2029 timeframe.

The Collins Aerospace release highlights two key Phase 2 projects: OSYRYS and LEIA. OSYRYS, led by Safran Electrical & Power, will focus on developing and testing electrical systems specifically for hybrid-electric regional aircraft. Meanwhile, LEIA, coordinated by Airbus, aims to scale these hybrid-electric architectures for larger, short-to-medium range commercial aircraft.

“Hybrid-electric aircrafts need reliable and powerful electrical architectures to safely fly our skies — and HECATE has brought us a decisive step closer towards this goal with tangible results and win-win collaboration with EASA. At Clean Aviation, we will be excited to see how Phase 2 projects build on HECATE achievements and will further mature the technology for an entry into service by 2035.”

— María Calvo, Head of Unit Project Management at Clean Aviation

AirPro News analysis

The successful TRL5 certification of the HECATE project underscores a critical, often-overlooked element of next-generation aviation: regulatory synergy. By collaborating continuously with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and standards groups like EUROCAE throughout the development process, the HECATE consortium has ensured that these high-voltage systems are not just functional in a lab, but fundamentally certifiable for commercial flight.

Furthermore, while Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) remains the industry’s primary short-term tool for decarbonization, the physical limits of SAF production necessitate mechanical innovations. The 800-volt, 500 kW architecture proven by Collins Aerospace and Safran represents the foundational infrastructure required to make hybrid-electric regional flights a reality by the 2035 target. Without these high-voltage distribution networks, the transition to zero-emission aviation would stall at the propulsion level.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is the HECATE project?
  HECATE (Hybrid-ElectriC regional Aircraft distribution TEchnologies) is a European research initiative aimed at developing high-voltage electrical power generation and distribution systems for future hybrid-electric aircraft.
• What does TRL5 mean?
  Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL5) indicates that a technology has been rigorously tested and validated in a relevant, simulated environment, in this case, Safran’s “Copper Bird” ground-test platform.
• When will these hybrid-electric aircraft fly?
  Phase 2 projects (like OSYRYS and LEIA) aim to begin flight tests between 2028 and 2029, with the ultimate goal of commercial entry into service by 2035.

Sources: Collins Aerospace Press Release, HECATE Project Official Site

This article is based on an official press release from Aviation Capital Group.

Aviation Capital Group (ACG), a prominent global full-service aircraft asset manager, has officially p-shed its 2025 Sustainability Report. The document marks the company’s fifth annual review detailing its progress across key environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities.

According to the company’s press release, the 2025 report highlights significant strides in fleet modernization and emissions reductions. As the aviation industry faces mounting pressure to decarbonize, aircraft lessors are increasingly prioritizing newer, more fuel-efficient technology to meet long-term climate targets.

The newly released data underscores ACG’s ongoing transition toward a lower-emission portfolio, supported by strategic financial mechanisms and a growing backlog of next-generation aircraft commitments.

Fleet Modernization and Emissions Reductions

In its official press release, ACG reported that new generation, lower-emissions aircraft now account for 79% of its total fleet. This shift is the result of a deliberate fleet renewal strategy executed throughout the year. During 2025, the lessor added 52 new generation aircraft to its portfolio while simultaneously exiting 36 older generation airframes.

These modernization efforts have yielded measurable environmental benefits. ACG stated that it successfully reduced its relative emissions to 13% below its 2018 baseline. Furthermore, the company noted that its portfolio’s relative emissions are now 14% below the broader aviation industry average.

Looking ahead, the lessor continues to build its pipeline of modern aircraft. As of February 2026, ACG has increased its future aircraft commitments to more than 180 aircraft, ensuring a steady influx of fuel-efficient technology in the coming years.

Financial Commitments and Corporate Governance

Beyond fleet metrics, the 2025 Sustainability Report outlines ACG’s integration of ESG principles into its financial and corporate operations. The company announced the extension and upsizing of its Sustainability Linked Loan, which now totals $575 million. Additionally, ACG signed its first Sustainability Linked Leases, aligning its leasing structures with environmental performance metrics.

On the social responsibility front, the press release highlighted that ACG contributed to more than 20 worthy causes worldwide during the 2025 calendar year.

Company leadership emphasized the importance of these initiatives in the context of broader industry goals.

“I am pleased to share ACG’s 2025 Sustainability Report, which reflects the progress we have made embedding sustainability, social responsibility and governance excellence into all aspects of our business. While the path to achieving net zero by 2050 is becoming increasingly demanding, we remain committed to shaping a sustainable future by deepening our impact as a business and broadening our influence across the wider aviation ecosystem through action, leadership, and collaboration.”

, Thomas Baker, Chief Executive Officer and President of ACG, in a company statement.

AirPro News analysis

The Leasing Sector’s Role in Aviation Sustainability

We observe that aircraft leasing companies like Aviation Capital Group play a pivotal role in the aviation industry’s transition to net-zero emissions. Because lessors finance a substantial portion of the global commercial fleet, their procurement decisions directly influence the speed at which older, less efficient aircraft are retired.

By tying financial instruments, such as the $575 million Sustainability Linked Loan and newly introduced Sustainability Linked Leases, to environmental targets, lessors create tangible economic incentives for airlines to operate cleaner aircraft. ACG’s reported metric of maintaining portfolio emissions 14% below the industry average demonstrates how aggressive fleet renewal strategies can outpace the broader market’s decarbonization curve.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is Aviation Capital Group (ACG)?

Founded in 1989, Aviation Capital Group is a premier full-service aircraft asset manager and a wholly owned subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation. According to the company, it has approximately 450 owned, managed, and committed aircraft as of December 31, 2025.

How many airlines does ACG serve?

As of the end of 2025, ACG leases its aircraft to roughly 85 airlines operating in approximately 50 countries worldwide.

What are ACG’s future fleet plans?

The company reported that its future aircraft commitments have grown to more than 180 aircraft as of February 2026, focusing heavily on new generation, lower-emissions technology.

Sources

• Aviation Capital Group

This article is based on an official press release from Joby Aviation.

Joby Aviation has successfully completed a piloted demonstration flight of its electric air taxi across the San Francisco Bay Area, marking a highly visible milestone for the emerging electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) industry. According to a company press release, the flight showcased the aircraft’s operational readiness against the backdrop of one of the world’s most recognizable skylines.

The demonstration serves as the official launch of the company’s 2026 Electric Skies Tour, a nationwide initiative designed to coincide with the United States’ 250th anniversary. By flying in a region notorious for heavy traffic congestion, Joby aims to highlight the practical benefits of its emissions-free aviation technology.

The Golden Gate Flight and 2026 Tour

Departing from Oakland International Airport, the Joby aircraft, tail number N545JX, was piloted by Andrea Pingitore. The company stated that the air taxi flew quietly across the San Francisco Bay, heading toward the Golden Gate Bridge before turning above the Marin Headlands.

The flight is the first of many planned for the 2026 Electric Skies Tour. Joby expects to present its aircraft in multiple cities across the country, demonstrating the potential for air taxis to connect communities faster and with less noise than traditional Helicopters.

“The Bay Area is home to the world’s most innovative companies, including Joby, but it’s also an area with significant traffic and unique geographical barriers. Our technology provides an opportunity to build on the immense potential of this region while protecting it for the next generation.”

This statement was provided by JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, in the official release.

Production and Regulatory Milestones

Beyond the ceremonial flight, Joby Aviation shared several operational updates. The company reported that its fleet has completed thousands of test flights, accumulating more than 50,000 miles. Furthermore, Joby recently flew its first FAA-conforming aircraft for Type Inspection Authorization, a critical step that clears the way for Federal Aviation Administration pilots to conduct formal testing later this year.

Joby has also been selected to participate in the White House-backed eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). According to the press release, this Partnerships will allow the company to commence early operations across 10 states, including Arizona, Florida, New York, and Texas.

To support its commercial rollout, Joby is scaling its Manufacturing footprint. The company recently acquired a 700,000-square-foot facility in Dayton, Ohio. Alongside existing sites in California, the Dayton plant is designed to help increase production to four aircraft per month by 2027, with an eventual target of delivering up to 500 aircraft annually.

AirPro News analysis

We view the San Francisco Bay flight as a strategic marketing move for Joby Aviation, but it is underpinned by tangible regulatory and manufacturing progress. The accumulation of 50,000 test miles and the initiation of FAA Type Inspection Authorization testing indicate that the company is moving from the conceptual phase into late-stage certification. The expansion into a 700,000-square-foot facility in Ohio also demonstrates a necessary shift toward scaled manufacturing, which remains one of the most significant hurdles for the broader eVTOL sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2026 Electric Skies Tour?

According to the company, it is a national showcase by Joby Aviation, timed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, featuring demonstration flights of its electric air taxi in cities across the country.

Where is Joby manufacturing its aircraft?

Joby operates production and powertrain facilities in Marina and San Carlos, California, and recently acquired a 700,000-square-foot facility in Dayton, Ohio, to scale production to an expected 500 aircraft per year over time.

Sources

• Joby Aviation