Says Smaller Company Appropriated ADS-B Technology

Garmin has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against uAvionix, saying the smaller company has taken its ADS-B technology without its permission. The patent in question is referred to as the '301 patent. According to court documents, uAvionix and Garmin entered into talks related to drones. But the filing by Garmin alleges that uAvionix had taken its ADS-B technology without permission. At the same time, Garmin is well-known as a 600-pound Gorilla that knows how to throw its weight around and has been accused of being an industry bully for years... it's up to the courts to decide whether Garmin is playing aggrieved party or bully.

Also: China Expands GA, Swissport Cuts Jobs, UPS Aircraft Mechanics, Boeing's Top 737 Exec

The Balloon Federation of America is urging its members to contact members of the Senate concerning certain language in the FAA Reauthorization bill currently awaiting action. Possible language would end the current  exclusion for balloon pilots from medical certificate requirements. The bill contains an amendment by Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), known as the “Commercial Balloon Pilot Safety Act of 2018” which calls for the FAA to revise 14CFR part 61.3(c) regarding second class medical certificates, such that balloon pilots would no longer be excluded from this requirement. A private helicopter firefighting company in Castle Rock, CO has been asked to move out of its facility by the Douglas County Board of Commissioners while maintaining a contract with the company for on-call services. But th

University Of Washington Researchers Develop Backup System For Unmanned Aircraft

Drones use GPS to find their way without a pilot. But GPS signals can be easily blocked by tall skyscrapers or trees — leaving drones lost. Now researchers at the University of Washington have developed a new method that gives aircraft a backup system in case GPS fails: An antenna on the ground that can tell a drone where it is. The team successfully tested their system in June.

National Park Service Will Not Attempt Recovery Of The Aircraft

The NTSB has released its preliminary report from an accident which occurred on August 4 in which a single-engine, de Havilland DHC-2 (Beaver) airplane, N323KT, sustained substantial damage during an impact with steep, high altitude, snow-covered terrain about 50 miles northwest of Talkeetna, Alaska, in Denali National Park and Preserve. The airplane was registered to Rust Properties, LLC and operated by Rust's Flying Service Inc, doing business as K2 Aviation as a visual flight rules on-demand commercial air tour flight. The commercial pilot and four passengers sustained fatal injuries.

B. Ben Baldanza And Sarah Robb O'Hagan Approved Unanimously By The Board

JetBlue Airways has announced the appointment of B. Ben Baldanza and Sarah Robb O'Hagan to its Board of Directors. The independent director appointments are effective immediately, following unanimous approval by the company’s Board of Directors.

Animals Can Cause $2 Billion In Crop Damage In The State

Drones are being used in an experiment being conducted by the Choctaw Nation in central Oklahoma to combat crop damage caused by wild pigs in the state.

Would End Exclusion For Balloon Pilots From Medical Certificate Requirements

The Balloon Federation of America is urging its members to contact members of the U.S. Senate concerning certain language in the FAA Reauthorization bill currently waiting action in the U.S. Senate.

Klyde Deals With Two Different Aero-Cultures...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Places Three Aircraft With PassionAir Based In Ghana

Bombardier Commercial Aircraft has placed three pre-owned Q400 turboprops with PassionAir from the Republic of Ghana. The airline acquired the aircraft through a dry-lease with a third party.

Company Is A Provider Of Agile, Flight-Proven Small-Satellite Solutions

Boeing will acquire Millennium Space Systems, a provider of agile, flight-proven small-satellite solutions, under an acquisition agreement that will expand Boeing's satellite and space portfolio, talent and capabilities.