Embattled Airports Being Forced to Remove 100LL for Branded Unleaded Gas

Santa Clara, California has continued its assault on general aviation operations in the vicinity, with the insistence of removing 100 low-lead fuel from sale in the two airports under its purview. County Executive Jeff Smith said the county will not modify its approach, promising that it will be "lead free by January 1st." The move had piqued the attention of the FAA, who notified the county of an informal investigation under 14 CFR Part 13. The county was given 20 days to respond to the notice, but informal statements give the impression that the ban will go into effect December 31. 

Airline Turns Shanghai-Bound Flight Around 6 Hours in, Angering Passengers

Delta Air Lines revealed the rationale behind the immediate return of a recent Shanghai-bound flight, a move that prompted protest from the San Francisco Chinese Consulate General. Delta 287 spontaneously turned around while halfway to Chinese territory from Seattle, Washington, surprising passengers and causing a cascade of headaches and visa issues for some Chinese Nationals. The General took issue with what he felt was the callous manner in which Delta effectively stranded those citizens who were forced to reenter the U.S. with expired visas or health codes. 

Famous Showmen, Canadian Military Aerobatic Team, Set to Perform Aerial Ballet

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the country's premier air force demonstration team, is set to make a rare appearance on the east coast of the United States during a practice flight between scheduled air shows. It has been nearly 4 years since they passed by the Space Coast, flying by the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral on a practice flight. This time, however, they will stop by as the headliners of the Space Coast International Air Show taking place on May 21 in Titusville, Florida. 

High Schoolers Set to Build Vans RV-12iS in Tech Program

The Texarkana Independent School District has revealed a new partnership with Tango Flight, a 501c3 non-profit corporation aimed at fostering STEM participation in young students. The program will get students experience in building a fully operational Vans RV-12iS. Tango Flight is an educational charity with its own turnkey program made alongside Wichita State University and the Airbus Foundation. The curriculum provides students with the fundamental technical and mechanical skills they need to build their own LSA, as well as a, "strong mechanical, electrical and aerospace engineering foundation." Texarkana appears to be the second school district to take advantage of their offerings,

Chicago Air And Water Show Director To See Memorial Service

A long time Chicago aviation fixture passed away in his sleep on the morning of December 24. Rudy Malnati, a man who made himself an integral part of the city through his work in the city's air show as well as his family's contribution to traditional Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. A member of a multigenerational culinary dynasty, Malnati's absence leaves a deep hole in the City's landscape. Malnati's wife Annette has revealed his 5-year battle with gallbladder cancer, a part of his life that he had until now kept private. His work with the Chicago Air and Water Show was his "baby", having attended every one since 1959.

From Oshkosh 2021: The Jet It Program Is Built Around The HondaJet

We spoke with Jet It Co-founder and CEO Glenn Gonzales for a chat about their aviator-focused hybrid ownership program. Accompanied by one of their fleet's HondaJets, we go over the basics of putting the plane within reach for pilots and customers who may not want to outright purchase one for infrequent use. In contrast to other fractional ownership arrangements, Jet It allows customers to custom tailor their ownership to their use frequency. "If you know you've got 30

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Archer Aviation has completed the first important hover test of their upcoming Maker aircraft, a two-seater electric VTOL. The brief flight consisted of the company's proprietary propulsion system making its first successful lift off unassisted. The developmental mule received its FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate in Early December, the company finally moved its aircraft from the digital drawing board into the prototype phase. The Maker faces stiff competition in a market that has consistently marched onwards, only reaching hover tests this late in the game could see the tortoise v.

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Good news for Beechcraft Bonanza owners comes just in time, as the Model 36 series autopilot has been approved. Previously paused deliveries of Dynon Certified SkyView HDX displays can now resume immediately, equipped with the newest v16.0 software and most up-to-date hardware. The autopilot is certified for all model 36, A36, and B36 Bonanzas, or available as an option for its SkyView HDX avionics system. The system features a 3-axis autopilot system, yaw damping, and approach coupling with compatible third party IFR avionics. The Aeronautical Repai

Purpose Of The Flight Was To “Warm Up The Oil” Because They Were Going To Change The Engine Oil

On November 8, 2021, at 1257 eastern standard time, a Mooney M20F, N3284F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Villa Rica, Georgia. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to a friend of the pilot who saw him prior to departure, the purpose of the flight was to “warm up the oil” because they were going to change the engine oil and check the cylinders compression in preparation for an upcoming annual inspection. He watched the airplane depart the traffic pattern area and did not hear any di

AD 2021-24-12 Prompted By Significant Changes, Including New Or More Restrictive Requirements...

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 777 airplanes.  This AD was prompted by significant changes, including new or more restrictive requirements, made to the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) and Critical Design Configuration Control Limitations (CDCCLs) related to fuel tank ignition prevention, the engine fuel suction feed system, and the nitrogen generation system. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these pro

Aero Linx: United States Air Force Academy With a history of excellence and a focus on the future, the United States Air Force Academy instills cadets with pride and integrity while preparing them to serve their country and succeed in 21st-century careers. As a public university and a military service academy, we are leading the way into an increasingly complex future, driving advancement and innovation in air, space and cyberspace, among countless other fields. Whether you come to Colorado Springs for the world-class education, military training, Division I athletics, or character-building challenge and adventure, one thing is certain, the Academy experience—more than 60 years in the making&md

Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP) A preplanned instrument flight rule (IFR) departure procedure printed for pilot use in textual or graphic form to provide obstruction clearance via the least onerous route from the terminal area to the appropriate en route structure. ODPs are recommended for obstruction clearance and may be flown without ATC clearance unless an alternate departure procedure (SID or radar vector) has been specifically assigned by ATC.

“The Snowbirds are still flying the same aircraft for the last 50 years. It’s the CT-114 Tutor aircraft. And it's akin to an aerial ballet. The aircraft are super close — up to 4 feet. And it's exactly like watching a ballet in the air. It's a lot of precision... It's not going to be as loud or as intense as the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels, per sé. But people are going to be excited as well. We try to put much more maneuvers in front of the crowd at the same time. So our show is a lot tighter." Source: Some commentary by a Snowbird Spokesperson in advance of their return to Titusville next year...