Now Working Toward May 25 Launch of Crew Flight Test
Remember the May 21st launch date that was put forward just a day or two ago ??? Well.. now it's set for May 25th... for now. Maybe. Now, NASA, Boeing, and ULA teams say they will take additional time to work through spacecraft closeout processes and flight rationale before proceeding with the launch of the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test. The teams now are targeting a launch no earlier than 3:09 p.m. EDT Saturday, May 25, for the flight test carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station.
Applauds The Long-Delayed Signing of FAA Reauthorization/Political Football into Law
Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), has joined the bandwagon of alphabet groups sighing with relief as FAA Reauthorization became reality. ALPA issued the following statement after the President signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 into law: “Today’s signing of the bipartisan, bicameral FAA Reauthorization into law is a major step forward for the safety of our nation’s aviation system. This bill addresses runway and airport near misses, maintains rigorous pilot training standards and ensures that the United States remains the global leader in aviation safety..."
Some 1,102 Women Wore The Silver Wings Flying Over 70 Million Miles And Delivering 12,650 Airplanes
Extraordinary... The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) were inducted into WAI’s International Pioneer Hall of Fame in 1993. The WASP flew for the U.S. Army Airforce from September 1942 to December 1944. Some 1,102 women wore the silver wings flying over 70 million miles and delivering 12,650 airplanes across the country during their time of operation. Women in Aviation International (WAI) members and friends will honor the valiant service of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) by visiting their graves and leaving an appropriate decoration in the form of flowers or other remembrances.
Accessible To Both Members Of The Aviation Community And The Public
NAV CANADA has launched the Aviation Meteorology Reference; which they claim to be a new, first-of-its-kind and definitive guide on meteorology and aviation operations. In response to the dynamic challenges posed by weather in the aviation industry, NAV CANADA, in collaboration with experts from across the aviation industry, developed the new reference as an educational tool that will complement existing weather training and course curriculums in support of enhanced situational awareness and safety during any planned flight.
The 2024 AMA National Fun Fly Is Set For June 28-30
The folks at the Academy of Model Aeronautics tell us that the upcoming 2024 AMA National Fun Fly will be a celebration unlike any other! They plan it to be a combination of a traditional fun-fly and a community day and it being a free event doesn't hurt the prospects, at all, for the community of model aviation enthusiasts. AMA notes that the vision for the 2024 AMA National Fun Fly, set for June 28-30, is to foster a renewed spirit for model pilots, with enhanced community engagement.
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh!
The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway in Mentone, IN -- the home of the PRA, itself. "We are reaching out to you today on behalf of the Popular Rotorcraft Association because we need your help. We are dangerously close to losing a critical resource that if lost, will have a negative and lasting effect on the gyro community..." An interesting surprise occurred this week as Wag-Aero customers logged on to their site in order to order a few things...no Wag-Aero. Instead, the site was redirected to Aircraft Spruce, which ha
Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert
Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooking onlookers. The aircraft were performing as a part of the Polaris Ghost Squadron, a team of urban-camo milsurplus jets hailing from across Eastern Europe. The Polaris Ghost Squadron features an eye-catching MiG-29, a trio of Alpha Jets, and a quartet of Albatros L39s. The US Air Force won't be bringing back a damaged B-2A Spirit bomber, further whittling away at the irreplaceable fleet of strategic aircraft. The plane in question was contrasted against one that had a m
Tampa Bay Wing’s PT-19 Calls Hangar C, at SUN 'n FUN, Home
It's a plane! The Tampa Bay Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has reached a significant milestone with the delivery of their first assigned aircraft, a Fairchild PT-19A, bearing the Army Air Corps serial number 42-48004. This occasion marks a new chapter for the Tampa Bay Wing, highlighting their dedication to preserving and honoring aviation history. The Fairchild PT-19 was a cornerstone in the training of countless pilots who would go on to serve in the war.
Also: New Shepard Targets May 19th, Gulfstream G700, Citation Ascend, FAA Reauth
Hummingbird's 300L helicopter was awarded "Best Helicopter" at the recent Sun 'n Fun fly-in, garnering some serious bragging rights for the design. Vertical Aviation took a brief moment to make a little victory lap for their Hummingbird 300L, noting its popularity around the show. Their display aircraft was completed by Frank McMullan and Vic Syracuse, who did a great job with a multi-layer black, red, and gold striped livery. It's a nice showing for a fresh addition to the world of kit helicopters. Hybrid eVTOL manufacturer, or better said, developer, showed off its
Also: 'Space Weather', USAF Rescue, Atlanta Warbirds, WestJet Encore Pilots Vote NO
The Perris SkyDive DC-9 is ALIVE! Following initial test flighta and practice landings that were flown by a flight crew that had to be brought in all the way from Florida, the California DZ put the DC9 back in service and made at least three jump runs on Saturday, taking about 60 jumpers each to about 15K'. An interesting surprise occurred this week as Wag-Aero customers logged on to their site in order to order a few things...no Wag-Aero. Instead, the site was redirected to Aircraft Spruce, which has apparently bought out the once popular Wag-Aero operations short
Massive Aviation News Event Started 2024 Off With a Plethora of Exciting Info
Last year, we introduced the SnF Innovation Preview in which 25 companies introduced over 30 new planes, products, engines, accessories, and more… in other words… a LOT of news. Rotax previewed the powerful 916iS, CubCrafters showcased the Carbon Cub UL, Bose introduced the A30, Aerox revealed the Boomula… and so much more. This year, we went beyond that... way beyond all that, with a larger selection of news announcements that covered ALL aspects of sport, general and commercial aviation... all at the start of the
UVify is claiming a new Guinness World Record for the most unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) airborne simultaneously. This event took place in Songdo, Korea, where UVify orchestrated a display of 5,293 IFO drones that lit up the night sky. The fleet of IFO drones created intricate patterns and visuals above the crowd, showcasing UVify's programming and drone control technology. The record-breaking feat exceeded the previous record. Airbus has completed the acquisition of US-based Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system (UAS), Flexrotor. Flexrotor is a small tactical unmanned
Process Paves The Way To Proceed With The Detailed Design
The Eurodrone program has successfully performed a Preliminary Design Review (PDR). With Airbus Defence and Space as prime contractor, this milestone has been completed with OCCAR and representatives of the four customer nations (France, Germany, Italy and Spain) in the presence of the three Major Sub-Contractors (MSC), Airbus Defence and Space Spain, Dassault Aviation and Leonardo.
Easy Online Forms Available For Sport Plane Manufacturers And Suppliers To Be Listed In The Upcoming eSPRG
Work on the SportPlane Resource Guide is going well… Albeit a little bit behind schedule, because as we got into this process, things became a bit more complicated simply because we learned we could do an even better job at certain aspects of this project than we thought from the beginning. They say that the enemy of true quality is the phrase "good enough" and we want to be far more than “good enough.”
FMI: www.sportplane.com,
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With The eSPRG Only Weeks Away From Its Start Date, A-AF Will Help To Support Sport Flyers, Worldwide
With the all-new and all-digital SportPlane Resource Guide getting ready for publication early next year, the Aero-News Network is pleased to announce yet another addition to the Airborne video news programming roster… Airborne-Affordable Flyers. Dedicated to keeping people up-to-date on the most affordable aspects of sport and general aviation, Airborne-Affordable Flyers is one of our most exciting offerings yet. A-AF will delve into more than just the current LSA community, but look at all aspects of aviation to examine and ev
From 2017 (YouTube Version): Caravan Floats Updated With Oil Bath Wheels For Reduced Maintenance…
Wipaire Floats was founded in the 1960s, and over the years has come to offer a line of products for everything from small recreational airplanes to large commercial aircraft, including firefighting airplanes. At NBAA-BACE is Las Vegas last month, Clint Clouarte, VP of Marking and Sales for Wipaire, said one of the most recent developments is the introduction of oil bath wheels on new production Wipline 8750 amphibious floats for Cess
Airplane Began To Climb “Straight Up,” Yawed To The Left, And Then Went “Straight Down”
On April 22, 2024, about 1826 central daylight time, a Lancair Legacy FG airplane, N550NL, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Spicewood, Texas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed the accident flight was the second flight of the day. The airplane departed Garner Field Airport (UVA), Uvalde, Texas about 1721 and was destined for the Spicewood Airport (88R), Spicewood, Texas.
BIG Upgrades In The Works --- ANN Is Seeking EXCEPTIONAL New Staffers
The last few years have been about as challenging a time as we can recall... but we survive (yeah, we're kinda surprised, too) and look forward to 2023 and what we see as a very rewarding (and yes, still challenging) new generation of activities at ANN. After some truly weird times during the pandemic, ANN continues to expand slowly, but surely, and we have some truly intriguing upgrades coming up over the next few months. In other words, we're about to grow again -- REALLY/TRULY -- and in some novel directions. The much-appreciated expansion of
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And That's But One Of Over A Dozen Major Developments Planned For The Next Year Or So
Aero-News Network is now available on Roku and Amazon FireTV! That’s right folks. You can now get your daily dose of aviation news… right on the ol' giggle box! This is an EPIC development for our network, one of many to come, and we’re thrilled to offer you this new way to watch our news programming. Whether you’re a traditional website reader, podcast listener, or YouTube subscriber, we’re dedicated to giving you quality, honest, aviation news that you can trust and broadening our reach and audience aggressively in the coming years, so that we may both Grow and Inform the aviatio
Brand New! Avoid The Need For A Comeback... Get Your Marketing Right, Right Now!
Some time ago, the Aero-News Network, responding to numerous requests, established a marketing and communications sister company by the name of AEROPRENEUER... and it's been doing amazing work under these difficult circumstances -- and getting results! We're getting rave reviews from our clients, and working hard to earn the trust of a number of new marketing partners along the way. ANN's Amber Cedroni has come up with a few tips to help aero-businesses stay alive in these tough times, and
Emphasis On Growing The Future of Aviation Through Concentration on 'AFFORDABLE FLYERS'
It's been a number of years since the Latest Edition of Jim Campbell's HUGE SportPlane Resource Guide first saw the light of day. That massive 1100 page book last featured over 800 exciting sport aircraft from all over the SportPlane universe... at a time when the SportPlane industry was still a healthy, thriving enterprise (those were the days...). While there has been some consideration, off and on, toward updating the nearly 5 pound book, the near implosion of the SportPlane and kit industry over the last decade has made such a pursuit an unwieldy one... until now.
It’s been a while since we have reminded everyone about all the ways we offer your daily dose of aviation news on-the-go...so here is a full list of ways you can subscribe to our channels and get notifications when there are new episodes or breaking news!
1) Subscribe To Our Newsletter
When surveyed, almost half of our audience shared with us that they rely on our daily newsletter to get their aviation news for the day and stay up-to-date in their field or craft. Are you subscribed yet? If not, use the link below to receive our daily Propwash emails that always feature a feed of our latest stories and breaking news.
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Aero Linx: Space Medicine Association (SMA)
The Space Medicine Branch was founded in 1951 as the first constituent organization of the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA). In 2006, the organization changed the name to the Space Medicine Association (SMA) since being an organization under the Aerospace Medical Association was no longer a sensitive issue. The association was founded for the express purpose of advancing the science and art of space medicine and the biological sciences, with special emphasis on the problems facing humans in the space environment.
Back-Taxi
A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft on the runway opposite to the traffic flow. The aircraft may be instructed to back-taxi to the beginning of the runway or at some point before reaching the runway end for the purpose of departure or to exit the runway.
ITBOA BNITBOB ... what does that mean? It's not gibberish, it's a lengthy acronym for "In The Business Of Aviation ... But Not In The Business Of Business."
“Our WAI members across the nation are grateful for the service and sacrifice of the formidable group of WASP who served so honorably during World War II. This group of brave and dedicated women risked their lives to do their part for the war effort and paved the way for so many of us to pursue our personal aviation dreams."
Source:WAI CEO Lynda Coffman, commenting on why Women in Aviation International (WAI) members and friends will honor the valiant service of t
With Their Restructuring Plan Approved, Sportplane Legend's Prospects Looking Up
The court has approved Van's Aircraft's bankruptcy reorganization plans, settling a stressful period for the company with some pretty optimistic news. Van's Aircraft filed its Chapter 11 Plan of Reorganization back in March, setting up their ideal path to recovery amidst some very expensive challenges, both internal and external. Van's founder Dick VanGrunsven and his family have really stepped up to the plate to back the company's finances, too, according to some of the outside experts brought in to herd cats during the process.
Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert
Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooking onlookers. The aircraft were performing as a part of the Polaris Ghost Squadron, a team of urban-camo milsurplus jets hailing from across Eastern Europe. The Polaris Ghost Squadron features an eye-catching MiG-29, a trio of Alpha Jets, and a quartet of Albatros L39s. The US Air Force won't be bringing back a damaged B-2A Spirit bomber, further whittling away at the irreplaceable fleet of strategic aircraft. The plane in question was contrasted against one that had a minor cr
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh!
The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway in Mentone, IN -- the home of the PRA, itself. "We are reaching out to you today on behalf of the Popular Rotorcraft Association because we need your help. We are dangerously close to losing a critical resource that if lost, will have a negative and lasting effect on the gyro community..." An interesting surprise occurred this week as Wag-Aero customers logged on to their site in order to order a few things...no Wag-Aero. Instead, the site was redirected to Aircraft Spruce, which ha
Senate Confirmation Also Grants 5-Year Extension to Board Tenure
Jennifer Homendy has been approved to embark on her second 3-year term as Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), coinciding with a confirmation to serve another 5-year term on the board itself. The selection was approved by a grateful industry, with General Aviation Manufacturers Association CEO Pete Bunce welcoming her back into the fold.
Cost-Cutting Managers and Tech-Focused Manufacturers May Herald End of Two-Person Cockpit
With the FAA's legislative life secure, industry lobbyists have moved on to the next battle, ensuring that flight decks across the country and around the world don't have empty seats in the interest of 'efficiency'. The Air Line Pilot Association International joined hands with the AFL-CIO's Transportation Trades Department to call on US Regulators to "aggressively advocate for at least two pilots on every flight deck here at home and in international forums."
UVify is claiming a new Guinness World Record for the most unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) airborne simultaneously. This event took place in Songdo, Korea, where UVify orchestrated a display of 5,293 IFO drones that lit up the night sky. The fleet of IFO drones created intricate patterns and visuals above the crowd, showcasing UVify's programming and drone control technology. The record-breaking feat exceeded the previous record. Airbus has completed the acquisition of US-based Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system (UAS), Flexrotor. Flexrotor is a small tactical unmanned aerial
‘Nice Low Cost Carrier’ Well on its Way to All-A220 Fleety by 2025
Azorra has handed off its first leased Airbus A220-300, delivering it to Breeze Airways direct from Mirabel, Canada. The delivery marks the first of 22 such aircraft on order to the aircraft lessor, highlighting their faith in the narrowbody A220 as a hot ticket for regional airlines. The delivery continues building momentum for the ULCC as they keep moving on to become the third largest operator of the A220 family in the world.
Also: 'Space Weather', USAF Rescue, Atlanta Warbirds, WestJet Encore Pilots Vote NO
The Perris SkyDive DC-9 is ALIVE! Following initial test flights and practice landings that were flown by a flight crew that had to be brought in all the way from Florida, the California DZ put the DC9 back in service and made at least three jump runs on Saturday, taking about 60 jumpers each to about 15K'. An interesting surprise occurred this week as Wag-Aero customers logged on to their site in order to order a few things...no Wag-Aero. Instead, the site was redirected to Aircraft Spruce, which has apparently bought out the once popular Wag-Aero operations shortly afte
Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London
The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 financing and set a June asset auction for the Icon A5 Program -- and said that objections had apparently been resolved (for the moment) by shareholders who claimed (not surprisingly) that Icon was being sold to an 'insider.' Judge Craig T. Goldblatt gave final approval to Icon's (DIP) debtor-in-possession financing and approved the sales schedule... but has yet to approve that previously disclosed stalking horse bidder. On April 12, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Dis
Unusually Talky Industry Really IS Grateful for Some Legislation for a Change
The Alliance for Aviation Across America joined in the chorus approving of the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration's new reauthorization through the House of Representatives. Devin Osting, the interim executive director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America, said the industry really could not do without the bill. "This FAA reauthorization is critically important for general aviation and our national air transportation infrastructure. It includes vital investments in our local airports, increasing the authorization of the Airport Improvement Program from $3.4 billion to $4 billion annually, and promotes significant advancements in areas such as workf
Also: Vertical Flight Society, NBAA Maintenance Conference, GA Honored, AMT Scholarship
For the first time, students from Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach, Florida, campus took top honors at the AIAA Design/Build/Fly (DBF) Competition, held in Wichita, Kansas. A second Embry-Riddle squad, this one from the Prescott, Arizona, campus, also placed among the top teams, earning eighth overall. The Leadership in Flight Training, or LIFT Academy, has expanded its training fleet with a recent order with Diamond Aircraft, bringing on 56 new planes. The deal sees LIFT gain 50 new single-engine DA40s, and 6 twin-engine DA42s. The training facility has continued to exp
Integration Begins Ahead of Instrument Evaluations
Skyfire Consulting has embarked on a partnership with Thales USA to integrate the Skyfire SF2 into the Vantis, North Dakota UAS test range. The SF2 offers a payload-agnostic design, enabling comprehensive testing of advanced airspace management tools and air traffic systems in the UAS ops range. Thales already took delivery of some SF2s for testing in warming springtime weather.
Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London
The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 financing and set a June asset auction for the Icon A5 Program -- and said that objections had apparently been resolved (for the moment) by shareholders who claimed (not surprisingly) that Icon was being sold to an 'insider.' Judge Craig T. Goldblatt gave final approval to Icon's (DIP) debtor-in-possession financing and approved the sales schedule... but has yet to approve that previously disclosed stalking horse bidder. On April 12, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern Dis
From 2017 (YouTube Version): So You Wanna Fly Commercial Drones…
What does it take to move from a drone hobbyist to a professional drone operator? That was the question posed by ANN CEO and Editor in Chief Jim Campbell of Harold Sweet, Rental Manager for Samy’s Camera. Sweet said that first thing a potential commercial drone operator needs to consider is how they will be using their aircraft. The choices run the gamut from aircraft that would be appropriate for a photographer documenting a wedding or real estate venture to f
Postaccident Examination Of The Engine Revealed That The Crankshaft Was Fractured At A Crank Cheek
Analysis: The pilot had recently finished building the airplane and it had amassed about 55 hours of flight time on the airframe and engine (A UL Power Engine--Ed). While the pilot was maneuvering at about 700-900 feet above ground level (agl), the engine made “rough” sounds and vibrated. About 20 seconds later the propeller seized and the pilot made a forced landing in the field below. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was fractured at a crank cheek, just aft of the journal of the No. 2 connecting rod. A materials analysis revealed that the crankshaft fracture resulted from fatigue cra
Aero Linx: VC-25 - Air Force One
The mission of the VC-25 aircraft — Air Force One — is to provide air transport for the president of the United States. The presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's — tail numbers 28000 and 29000 — with the Air Force designation VC-25. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One."
Flameout Pattern
An approach normally conducted by a single-engine military aircraft experiencing loss or anticipating loss of engine power or control. The standard overhead approach starts at a relatively high altitude over a runway (“high key”) followed by a continuous 180 degree turn to a high, wide position (“low key”) followed by a continuous 180 degree turn final. The standard straight-in pattern starts at a point that results in a straight-in approach with a high rate of descent to the runway. Flameout approaches terminate in the type approach requested by the pilot (normally fullstop).
Even with the vast resources and incredibly far-reaching scope of the Aero-News Network, every now and then a story that should be reported on slips through our fingers. There's a lot of news out there, and sometimes we just don't get to all of it. Fortunately for us, we realized early on we couldn't be everywhere at once -- curse the laws of physics! -- so we came up with the idea of News-Spies. Just as the title suggests, a News-Spy is a reader who notices a news item -- be it in the newspaper, on television, or something they came across at their own airport, town hall, at the office water cooler or just by walking down the street -- basically, any item a reader may think is newsworthy, that pertains to the wo
"I want to sort of close out by repeating how excited we are about this juncture in our operation, and to again thank all our customers that have reordered kits, continue to reorder parts, and even place new orders. We look forward to a very bright future, and we just can't thank you enough."
Source: From statements made by Van's Aircraft Founder Dick Van Grunsven, announcing that the company will shortly be out of bankruptcy, though hundreds of customers were quite negatively affected by the issues that led to the Chapter 11 filing.
Buckshot of Industry Quotations Supports Urgent Action, Signature Expected This Week
Despite the fact that the legislation to keep the FAA going has hit the home stretch, it hasn't crossed home plate yet - and stakeholders are a little miffed. As the vote crawled through Congress, the Air Line Pilot Association, International blasted the press wire with a buckshot of quotations from anyone and everyone within the greater aviation industry. It's apparent that they want to throw their full force behind the bill this time, urging action so the industry can finally return to "normal", with an operating FAA.
Air Race Classic Traces Its Roots To The 1929 Women's Air Derby, Aka The Powder Puff Derby
It should be an amazing event... and usually has been, in past iterations. Women pilots from across the United States and around the world will take off Tuesday, June 18, from Southern Illinois Airport in Carbondale, Illinois, for a 2,610-statute mile competition across 11 states that ends Friday, June 21, at Northern Colorado Regional Airport in Loveland, Colorado. The oldest race of its kind in the nation, the Air Race Classic traces its roots to the 1929 Women's Air Derby, aka the Powder Puff Derby, in which Amelia Earhart and 19 other daring female pilots raced from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio.
Amazilia Aerospace GmbH, Develops Digital Flight Control, Flight Guidance And Vehicle Management Systems
Textron eAviation has acquired substantially all the assets of Amazilia Aerospace GmbH, a developer of digital flight control, flight guidance and vehicle management systems for civil manned and unmanned aircraft. “We’re excited to welcome Amazilia Aerospace’s talented employees and innovative technologies to the Textron eAviation team,” said Kriya Shortt, President & CEO, Textron eAviation segment. “This integration represents our continued dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology to deliver exceptional solutions for our customers.”
Company Celebrates Niche-but-Important Advancement in Industry Standards
Echodyne has announced full integration of its proprietary 'EchoFlight' radar into the e American Aerospace Technologies, Inc. (AATI) AiRanger aircraft, recently granted its BVLOS approval from the FAA. It's good news for the UAS industry to some small extent, showing that the regulator is content to approve efficient, affordable operations beyond immediate line of sight. That's the way of the future, of course, allowing operators to command a semiautonomous aircraft from a distance, but it's not an easy sell to a very danger-averse administration like the FAA.
Aviation Governance Secured...At Least For a While
The National Business Aviation Association similarly applauded the passage of the FAA's recent reauthorization, contentedly recounting its passage through the house by a vote of 387 to 26. Congress really cut things close to the wire, with the current expiration of the FAA's governing bill sitting right around the corner on May 17th. The bill gains the NBAA's blessing for all the usual reasons, but this year's includes a '1st-ever' general aviation title, a "key section of the legislation focused on enhancing safety, streamlining regulations and improving certification processes for general aviation aircraft, supporting certification for advanced air mobility (AAM) powered-lift aircraft and other
FAA’s Net Controller Count May Only Climb by 10% of Targets
Airlines for America sees a pretty active summer coming up, with more than 271 million passengers expected to use US carriers around the world - but the horizon isn't totally free of clouds. Digging into the numbers, it seems the FAA has brought on just a dozen more controllers than it had targeted in 2023, at 1,512. Thanks to attrition, national ATC lost more than 1,300 employees, accounting for retirements and drop-outs from the industry. After running the numbers to account for those in training, those who will likely wash out of ATC school, and drop out in line with historic trends, and the math works out to maybe a tenth of what the FAA had needed just to maintain ranks.&n
Honeywell's Primus Brings New Tools and Niceties for Hawker Operators
Hawker 4000 business jet operators have a new installation on the table, now that the FAA has granted an STC for Honeywell's Primus Epic integrated cockpit suite. The STC gives operators access to some pretty nifty, futuristic gear, thanks to theEpic cockpit featuring Future Air Navigation System (FANS) and Protected Mode Controller Pilot Data Link Communication (PM-CPDLC) systems in addition to the usual host of automation and QoL enhancements. Those in the flight deck should appreciate the improved comms with ATC, too, since they can now enjoy the same Data Link capabilities the heavies do...
From 2021 (YouTube Version): Colorado Campus Offers aVariety Of Aerospace Entertainment And Education
Wings over the Rockies Exploration of Flight is the second location for the Wings Over The Rockies Museum. ANN spoke with Keith Palmer, the Director of Operations at WOTR Exploration of Flight to find out what this campus offers to the community. “The goal was to build something on the airfield, so that we could start teaching kids, our next generation, up close, personal, touching aircraft and seeing working aircraft. These are not museum pieces. Everything at the Exploration of Flight Campus is a working, functi
Airplane Canopy Suddenly Opened, So He Elected To Land The Airplane On A Dirt Road Ahead
Analysis: The pilot reported that during level flight, the airplane canopy suddenly opened, so he elected to land the airplane on a dirt road ahead. On approach to the dirt road, he encountered power lines and climbed to avoid them, then he continued the emergency approach to the road. When the airplane touched down on the dirt road, it veered aggressively to the left, becoming airborne momentarily, then landing in a ditch and nosing over before coming to rest inverted.
Have A Story That NEEDS To Be Featured On Aero-News? Here’s How To Submit A Story To Our Team
Some of the greatest new stories ANN has ever covered have been submitted by our viewers and readers! We are very proud of our viewers and readers, as they are some of the most active and influential individuals in the aviation industry. We rely on them to share their knowledge and updates with us, so we can keep the entire community up-to-date through our various programs and platforms. The ANN staff scours theweb for the latest info and intel... but we're just a few folks with only so many hours in the day... so YOUR eyes and ears may be REALLY helpful in making sure we don't miss a thing!
Aero Linx: Aviation Suppliers Association
Established February 25, 1993, the Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA), based in Washington, D.C., is a not-for-profit association, representing more than 905 global member companies. Collectively, they lead critical logistics programs, purchasing efforts, and distribution of aircraft parts world-wide. Member companies include: distributors, suppliers, surplus sales organizations, repair stations, manufacturers, airlines, operators, and other companies that provide services to the aviation parts supply industry.
Very High Frequency
The frequency band between 30 and 300 MHz. Portions of this band, 108 to 118 MHz, are used for certain NAVAIDs; 118 to 136 MHz are used for civil air/ground voice communications. Other frequencies in this band are used for purposes not related to air traffic control.
"We are very pleased to see this important and historic legislation, after many months of work, advance to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. Both sides of the aisle, on both sides of the Capitol, have come together and passed a bill that reflects the business aviation community's priorities, provides a long-term roadmap for the agency and ensures that America will continue to lead the world in aviation safety, security, sustainability, innovation, workforce development and investment in airports and other critical infrastructure."
Source: NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, responding to the final throws of the FAA Reauthorization process... now only awaiting a signature from the President.
Also: New Shepard Targets May 19th, Gulfstream G700, Citation Ascend, FAA Reauth
Hummingbird's 300L helicopter was awarded "Best Helicopter" at the recent Sun 'n Fun fly-in, garnering some serious bragging rights for the design. Vertical Aviation took a brief moment to make a little victory lap for their Hummingbird 300L, noting its popularity around the show. Their display aircraft was completed by Frank McMullan and Vic Syracuse, who did a great job with a multi-layer black, red, and gold striped livery. It's a nice showing for a fresh addition to the world of kit helicopters. Hybrid eVTOL manufacturer, or better said, developer, showed off its latest flight test using a smaller scaled version of its high-wing Cavorite X5
Despite the Scaremongering Media Headlines, Things End Well for Polaris
Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooking onlookers with the hint of a tragedy. The aircraft were performing as a part of the Polaris Ghost Squadron, a team of urban-camo milsurp jets hailing from across Eastern Europe. The Polaris Ghost Squadron features an eye-catching MiG-29, a trio of Alpha Jets, and a quartet of Albatros L-39s. In their recent incident, the team pulled just a little too close during their Fort Lauderdale routine, touching tips but preventing any worse damage from occurring.
European Certification Paves the Way for Increased Deliveries
Gulfstream has confirmed that the Gulfstream G700 has received European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) type certification, following the aircraft’s FAA type certification on March 29. “The Gulfstream team is proud to add EASA to our growing G700 certification accomplishments,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “During the flight test program, we took the G700 across the globe, and the response to the aircraft’s cabin size, flexibility and performance has been outstanding. This EASA certification unlocks G700 deliveries for many more of our international customers, and we are excited to see our next-generation fleet grow around the world
NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United Launch Alliance) teams continue working remaining open tasks in preparation for the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test to the International Space Station. The teams now are targeting a launch date of no earlier than 4:43 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, May 21, to complete additional testing. On May 11, the ULA team successfully replaced a pressure regulation valve on the liquid oxygen tank on the Atlas V rocket’s Centaur upper stage. The team also performed re-pressurization and system purges, and tested the new valve, which performed normally.
Citation Ascend Business Jet Was Unveiled During EBACE 2023
Textron is promoting the continued advancement of the Cessna Citation Ascend program following the successful completion of numerous certification tests and more than 350 flight test hours. The Citation Ascend business jet was unveiled during 2023 EBACE and the aircraft is expected to enter into service in 2025. “The success of the program to date highlights the skill and commitment of our teams in designing and delivering the best aviation experience for customers.”
Waterbury-Oxford Airport Open for Business This Summer
Clay Lacy Aviation is hard at work prepping their newest FBO and hangar at New York's Waterbury-Oxford Airport (KOXC), with plans to open it this upcoming summer. The facility will offer visitors more than 120,000 square feet of new hangars, giving big corporate jet operators enough space to operate while they pass through the populous northeastern region. "The facility still has room to accommodate more super-mid, large-cabin, and ultra-long range jets," said David "Buddy" Blackburn, Chief Business Officer for Clay Lacy FBOs.
Denton Program Continues to Make Best of Extra Space
The US Air Force unloaded 12 pallets of humanitarian cargo at a Honduran air base this month, under the long-running Denton Program, a DoD transportation effort. The program serves a number of functions, often fulfilling humanitarian goals for hot spots around the world, using space available on already scheduled flights. It's a pretty efficient system, overall, with little cost added to trips that are already going to be taken - delivering donated goods, no less.
Site to Sport Blended Sustainable Fuels Across the Board from Here on Out
Signature Aviation has announced that its Los Angeles International Airport location will now offer nothing but blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel, doing away with traditional Jet-A from pure, fresh petroleum stock entirely. While the overall news sounds quite progressive, some non-industry headlines applauding the change to "100% SAF", it should be noted that there's an asterisk there: it's 100% blended SAF, not quite the purely sustainable, freshly synthesized, eco-friendly stuff one imagines.
Wing Leading Edges Exhibited Minor Impact Marks From Exiting Engine Debris
On July 20, 2023, at about 1:42pm local time, a Lancair Legacy airplane, registration number, N707NM, powered by a single Pratt & Whiteny Canada PT6A-42 turbopropeller engine experienced an uncontained engine failure while enroute from the Rapid City Regional Airport (KRAP), South Dakota to the Rochester International Airport (KRST), Minnesota. The pilot declared an emergency, started a gliding descent into KRST, and made a successful landing without power.
From 2022 (YouTube Version): Engine Company Challenges Convention—and Wins
Viking Aircraft Engines, the Edgewater, Florida-based manufacturer of piston aircraft engines, has fashioned a seemingly humble business-model into a genuine, and genuinely American success story. Viking’s praxis is simple. The company buys new and gently-used, late-model Honda automotive engines, and converts them to aircraft powerplants. Conversion, however, is no simple feat. In point of fact, it’s a downright complex process comprising extensive modification of the engine’s cylinder heads, valve-train, cam chain, pistons, oil-syste
Aero Linx: Alaska Airmen's Association
The Alaska Airmen's Association includes over 2,000 members—we are one of the largest General Aviation communities in the country. We strive to promote aviation, enhance safety and support initiatives that benefit pilots and grow the aviation community. Whether you're a veteran pilot or you've discovered a passion for aviation, the Alaska Airmen's Association is proud to welcome new members who share the wonders of flight in the Last Frontier!
Instrument Runway
A runway equipped with electronic and visual navigation aids for which a precision or nonprecision approach procedure having straight-in landing minimums has been approved.
As the preeminent online aviation news resource out there, the editorial staff at Aero-News sees a large number of news releases. We look at all of them, and can usually tell whether something merits publishing consideration within reading the first couple of paragraphs. Often, however, a new and innovative product can be overlooked because of the very words written to promote it, by the very people who created it.
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we can."
Source: Captain Triston Dillard, the 612th Air Base Squadron's logistics flight commander, touting the role their troops played as the US Air Force unloaded 12 pallets of humanitarian cargo at a Honduran air base this month, under the long-running Denton Program, a DoD transportation effort.
Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh!
The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway in Mentone, IN -- the home of the PRA, itself. "We are reaching out to you today on behalf of the Popular Rotorcraft Association because we need your help. We are dangerously close to losing a critical resource that if lost, will have a negative and lasting effect on the gyro community..." An interesting surprise occurred this week as Wag-Aero customers logged on to their site in order to order a few things...no Wag-Aero. Instead, the site was redirected to Aircraft Spruce, which has apparently bought out the once popular Wag-Aero operations short
Hi Folks...
This is a special issue of the Propwash newsletter, dedicated only to its being a personal message from the ANN gang to you. I promise not to do this too often, but hope that I can impose on you for a few minutes in order to seek your continued support. We'd like to make one last pitch for book orders while they might affect the total print order. We have sent this book to the printer and are in pre-press prep right now (proofs expected today)... and the more we can add to the print tally, the more cost-effective our printing prices (per book) become.
As you