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September 05, 2017

Airborne 09.05.17: EA700 Wing POC Flies!, Seaplane Adventures, Lily Drone

Also: Voyager 40th, Sully Calls On Congress, Orbital ATK, 1st 737 MAX 8, FAA Suit, Mars Sim, Elbit Systems

The EA700 Eclipse upgrade program is speeding right along... ONE Aviation has confirmed the successful first flight of their aerodynamic proof-of-concept, EA700 wing. Experimental test aircraft N990NE was modified to test the new wing shape being used for the EA700 model currently in development. This aircraft still sports the E500 fuselage, engines, and stabilizers, but has had the wing modified to match the shape of the EA700 wing. Changes to the wing include the overall 4-foot increase in wingsp

Also: DJI's Unique Sphere Mode, Lily Drone, StratoAirNet UAV, Aeroprobe, Airborne UnManned Test Pilots

By late last week, the FAA had issued 43 unmanned aircraft system authorizations to drone operators supporting the response and recovery for Hurricane Harvey or covering it as part of the media. The authorizations cover a broad range of activities by local, state and federal officials who are conducting damage assessments of critical infrastructure. The FAA issued eight of the approvals to a railroad company to survey damage along a major rail line running through the city. Five others were issued so e

Also: Voyager 40th, Sully Calls On Congress, Orbital ATK, 1st 737 MAX 8, FAA Suit, Mars Sim, Elbit Systems

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Airborne-Unmanned 09.05.17: FAA Supports TX Drones, Yuneec H520, Insurance UAS

Also: DJI's Unique Sphere Mode, Lily Drone, StratoAirNet UAV, Aeroprobe, Airborne UnManned Test Pilots

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FAA Grants STC For Swiss Rotor Solutions Maximum Pilot View Kit

Approved For Installation Aboard H125/AS350 Helicopters

The FAA has awarded an STC to Swill Rotor Solutions for the installation of its Maximum Pilot View Kit for the Airbus H125 / AS350 helicopter family.

Platinum Series Concorde RG-390E/30 Sealed Lead Acid Batteries Now Approved For Installation

The FAA has issued an STC to Concorde Battery Corporation allowing the RG-390E/30 to be installed on the Cessna 510 Mustang. STC SA02653LA replaces the original equipment battery with a 30-ampere hour drop in replacement that is 5 pounds lighter.

Air Force Preparing To Launch Fifth Orbital Test Vehicle Mission

SpaceX To Launch The Fifth X-37B Mission Sept. 7

The Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office is undergoing final launch preparations for the fifth mission of the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle. The OTV is scheduled to launch on Sept. 7, 2017, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

Says Foreign Competitors Drew Passengers From The German Carrier

A German trade association says that foreign competition made possible by high taxes and federal regulations contributed to the collapse of Air Berlin, which filed for bankruptcy in August.

Will Purchase Rescue And Firefighting Equipment For The Airport

Canadians, tourists and businesses benefit from safe and well-maintained airports. From visiting friends and family, to travelling to medical appointments, or getting goods to market, they rely on our local and regional airports to support and sustain vibrant communities. These airports also provide essential air services including community resupply, air ambulance, search and rescue and forest fire response.

Endurance Flight Marks Completion Of Phase 2 Flight Test

An MQ-1C Gray Eagle Extended Range (MQ-1C ER) aircraft recently completed a 41.9-hour endurance flight, exceeding the 40 hour flight test goal. The Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), designed and developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), flew out of El Mirage, Calif. in a representative U.S. Army mission configuration. Since the first flight of MQ-1C ER on October 29, 2016, the aircraft has flown 43 test flights and accumulated over 260 hours in the air.

Will Employ Proprietary Inspection And Sales Model

A new, first-of-its-kind used drone brokerage service has been officially launched. Dronefax includes physical inspection of every vehicle by a licensed FAA technician. The service is designed to give both sellers and buyers peace of mind and ensures a fair transaction.

Receives $15,000 Grant From The State Aeronautics Commission

The Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission has awarded a $15,000 grant to Ada City Schools to help establish its new aviation program.

Mobile Lands Another Airbus Supplier

Welcomes New Safran Facility

Two months following Team Mobile’s meeting with Safran USA’s executives at the Paris Air Show, the company announced it is investing in in the city. Safran will open a manufacturing operation at Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley and hire 20 employees over the next three years.

Company Will Perform an F-5 Upgrade Program For An Asia-Pacific Country

An undisclosed Asia-Pacific country has awarded a contract valued at approximately $93 million to Elbit Systems for the upgrade of the country's F-5 aircraft fleet. The contract will be performed over a three-year period. Under the upgrade contract, Elbit Systems will supply the F-5 with cutting-edge systems, including Head-Up Displays (HUDs), an advanced cockpit, radars, weapon delivery and navigation systems, as well as DASH IV Head Mounted Systems.

Company Is An Artificial Intelligence And Cognitive Computing Firm

Beyond Limits (BL), an artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive computing company, has appointed former Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Principal Investigator and expert AI researcher Mark L. James as its new Chief Technology Officer (CTO) & Executive Director of BL Labs. Mark will lead the company in its delivery of industrial-grade AI software, previously used in deep space exploration missions, to combine human knowledge with machine learning for companies in a wide range of industries.

Will Be Used To Improve Communications And Safety

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) has started training its first responders in the use of unmanned aircraft with a goal of improving communications and safety in emergency situations.

Projected Enrollment In Ab Initio programs Through 2021

Five new cadet programs have been launched by BAA Training that are expected to train as many as 650 new pilots in the coming five years.

Safety Standdown Planned For October 9

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomes back two important safety events, which bookend NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, NV: the Single Pilot Safety Standdown on Oct. 9 and the National Safety Forum on Oct. 12. Both events are free for NBAA-BACE attendees, though registration is required.

U.S. Marine Develops Low-Cost 3D-Printed UAS

Scout UAS Is Less Expensive, Easier To Fly Than Current Small Military Drones

In 2015, the U.S. Marine Corps’ Next Generation Logistics innovation group, known as NexLog, was established to “advocate for the future of emerging technologies on the front lines and for equipping Marines with the ability to make solutions for their own environment.”

Extraordinary Donation Honors 100 Years Of French-American Aviation Relationship

In a donation honoring 100 years of the French-American aviation relationship, a full-sized Morane-Saulnier Type L “Parasol” aeroplane replica will join the prestigious Experimental Aircraft Association’s EAA Aviation Museum collection in Oshkosh, WI.

Nineteen Scholarships Will Be Awarded By The Association

Helicopter Foundation International (HFI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, annually offers up to 19 scholarships to help support students studying to become part of tomorrow’s helicopter industry. If you meet the eligibility requirements, HFI encourages you to apply at helicopterfoundation.org/scholarships.

Event Planned For Mt. Vernon Outland Airport In Mt. Vernon, IL

Midwest LSA Expo is “The Place to be for Sport Aviation This September,” according to the event's organizers. Many Light Sport Aircraft will be on display, including Part 103, STOL and Gyroplanes on one easily accessible and demo-friendly flightline.

Models Global Weather Patterns And Provides Specific Forecasts For Specific Areas

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hanscom Air Force Base acquired a supercomputer that is the latest step in a long-running weather prediction arms race.

Also: Gulfstream G600, Midwest LSA Expo, Airbus Supplier, Boeing Donates, Aviation Program, UPS Mechanics

The Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington Field will postpone both its ribbon-cutting ceremony, today, September 1st and grand opening celebration the next day. “Due to weather impacts from Hurricane Harvey and current rescue and recovery efforts, we will postpone our ribbon cutting and grand opening until a more appropriate time,” said Douglas H. Owens, Lt Gen (ret), CEO, Lone Star Flight Museum. After drawing 560,000 attendees, and losing $400,000, in its inaugural year, the Huntington

Airborne-Unmanned 08.29.17: 3D-Printed UAS, ‘Dragonfly’ Quad, Drones v Chicago

Also: Nat'l Council On Public Safety, MQ-1C Gray Eagle, Army Partnerships, Nevada UAS Test Site, General Atomics

Rhet McNeal, a 26 year-old Marine Corporal from Griffin, Georgia, has developed a 3D-printed UAS nicknamed “Scout” that is a cheaper alternative to the hand-launched, fixed-wing RQ-11 Raven and RQ-12 Wasp III UAS that the Marines currently use. Costing $35,000 and $49,000 per unit respectively, the Raven and Wasp UAS are considered relatively inexpensive by military standards, but they are still expensive enough to where only a few Marines are authorized to fly them. The UAS

“This half-day event is an intense and interactive look at safety from a single pilot or owner/operator perspective. It is a must-attend opportunity for single pilots and owner/operators to zero in on safety and culture in terms applicable to their unique operations.” Source: David Ryan, chair of NBAA’s Safety Committee.

That portion of flight operation between takeoff and the initial cruising altitude.

Aviation Safety Advisory Group of Arizona (ASAG) The Arizona Aviation Safety Advisory Group is made up from volunteer aviators from throughout Arizona.