Matters of Ability, Questions of Trust

Skydio has debuted its latest Enterprise drone, the Skydio X10—a model embodying an eminently useful synthesis of cutting-edge data-capture cameras, autonomy, and versatile hardware conducive to applications within the defense, energy, public-safety, transportation, construction, and communication sectors. The X10’s arrival at market coincides with the Western word’s fundamental shift away from Chinese manufactured Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS, colloquially, drone) platforms. 

Plane Maker to Build Factory and Airfield in South-Central Alberta

Following a public hearing on the matter, the council of Wheatland County, a municipal district east of the city of Calgary in south-central Alberta, Canada, has passed second and third reading to make textual amendments to its West Highway 1 Area Structure Plan and Land Use Bylaw, thereby facilitating construction of a proposed De Havilland Field aircraft manufacturing facility.  following a public hearing during the regular Tuesday, August 15 council meeting. The De Havilland Field facility is to be the final assembly site for the storied plane-maker’s DHC-515 Firefighter aircraft, DHC-6 Twin Otter, and the Dash 8-400 aircraft models.

Repeated Attacks Degrade GPS Signal Integrity

Surrounded by hostile nations and socio-theological discord, Israel has been the target of near-perpetual attacks by elements both known and unknown since the diminutive Middle Eastern nation’s May 1948 inception. In the late 20th and early 21st Centuries, attacks by groups antithetical to Israeli convention and hostile to its government and people have targeted numerous facets of the country’s infrastructure, including assets essential to safe air-navigation.

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The town council of Holly Hill, a town in South Carolina’s Orangeburg County, has promulgated an ordinance prohibiting operations of ‘ultralight’ aircraft massing less-than six-hundred-pounds at Holly Hill Airport (5J5). The legally-questionable fiat was predicated largely upon two accidents, both of which involved 'ultralight-type' aircraft, at the Holly Hill airport during the preceding 2 years. Councilmembers rationalized their collective overreach, ascribing such to a nebulous obligation to protect the health and welfare of the town’s citizenry. Textron Aviation and NetJets have entered into an agreement by which the Columbus, Ohio-based charter and fractional-ownership concern will retain options to purchase up to 1,500 additional Cessna Citation business jets over a 15-year period. Delta Air Lines is making Wheels Up an int

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SpaceX is fighting a puzzling lawsuit filed by the U.S. DOJ, which alleges they mainntain discriminatory hiring practices. SpaceX asserts the DOJ’s lawsuit is unconstitutional and has countersued. The DOJ charged: “The lawsuit alleges that, from at least September 2018 to May 2022, SpaceX routinely discouraged asylees and refugees from applying and refused to hire or consider them, because of their citizenship status, in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act.” Last week, an Airbus A320 then operating as Ural Airlines flight U6-1383 departed Russia’s Black Sea resort city of Sochi bound for the south-central Siberian municipality of Omsk. Running low on fuel and observing an open field, the pilots configured the aircraft and executed a successful off-airport landing. Ural Airlines now appears to be prep

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Two pilots are confirmed dead after the completion of a T-6 Gold Race as they returned to the field and collided in the process. Pilots at the site have furnished multiple reports that both aircraft collided while heading for final... with one aircraft getting its tail severed and impacting shortly thereafter, with the other continuing a short distance before going down. Reno officials ID’ed Nick Macy and Chris Rushing, as the pilots lost. Tragedy has hit again... with the Italian Frecce Tricolori Flight Demonstration Team at the center of it all. During a formation fly-by at the Turin Caselle Airport, this weekend, one aircraft was seen to drop out of a dual 'V' formation, followed seconds later by the pilot's ejection and the aircraft's impact near the end of the runway. The pilot has apparently survived but the jet's impact put it through th

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The Historic Flight Foundation’s collection of vintage aircraft is being sold off to pay a $20.1-million debt incurred by its founder, John Sessions. In 2022, a jury in Williston, North Dakota found Sessions and one of his companies, Eagle Crest Apartments, had fraudulently transferred funds to other businesses owned by Sessions, including the Historic Flight Foundation. The last 12-months have seen the FAA certify a total of 10,191 new Airline Transport Pilots (ATP). In August 2023 alone, upwards of 1,200 new ATPs were vetted and written gleaming new tickets—the largest monthly number in history. In keeping with the expectations of myriad aviation industry stakeholders, the FAA announced that it would extend the Remote ID enforcement date by six-months. Ergo, owners and operators of Radio Controlled (RC) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)—known colloquially as dro

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Oregon-based Van’s Aircraft is developing a web-portal by which customers in receipt of cracked aircraft parts may report such and arrange to take delivery of replacement components. Customers visiting the portal will be presented lists of the heretofore problematic laser-cut parts from which they may specify the replacements they require. The ANN crew had an immensely successful trip to Mt., Vernon Illinois for the very busy 15th Annual MidWest LSA Expo. Not the biggest show in the world, there was still LOTS of flying, an overtly friendly atmosphere and a volunteer staff that could NOT be beat. Close to 40 vendors filled the easily accessed airport ramp, and nearly 200 demo flights were safely executed. Overall traffic was estimated to be up some 20% over previous such events. Longtime EAA Chapter 252 member and volunteer-pilot Fred Stadle

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In keeping with the expectations of myriad aviation industry stakeholders, the FAA announced on 13 September 2023 that it would extend the Remote ID enforcement date by six-months. Ergo, owners and operators of Radio Controlled (RC) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)—known colloquially as drones—now have until 16 March 2024 to either retrofit extant UAS with aftermarket Remote ID broadcast modules, or purchase new standard Remote ID-equipped drones. Pyka and Dole plc - the Dole of produce fame - have completed the 1st trial phase using Pyka's Pelican Spray, a fixed-wing, twin-prop UAV. The testing began in late 2022 at Dole Fresh Fruit's operation in Honduras. Pyka's Pelican was test flown and gauged for spray efficacy testing at Dole's Isletas Farm. Bell has delivered a High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) test-article to Holloman

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PSA Airlines has kicked up a little extra cash in the hopes of bringing fresh blood to the flight deck. The best deal is a sign-on bonus of $100,000 for direct entry captains, with $75,000 for "experienced pilots. That's available through the end of the year, with captain pay starting at $150/hr and $93/hr for FOs. Captain pay can be seen at 750 hours of part 121 time, too. Matt Everett, the grandson of a U.S. Air Force veteran, grew up surrounded by the sights, sounds, science, sport, and romance of aviation. Now an adult, a marketing professional, and a certificated Private Pilot, Mr. Everett has earned the distinction of being the latest recipient of Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship. The last 12-months have seen the FAA certify a total of 10,191 new Airline Transport Pilots (ATP). In August 2023 alone, upwards of 1,200 new ATP