First Human Flight Scheduled For July 20

Jeff Bezos' Instagram post says it all... "Ever since I was five years old, I’ve dreamed of traveling to space. On July 20th, I will take that journey with my brother. The greatest adventure, with my best friend. #GradatimFerociter" Blue Origin has confirmed that Jeff Bezos and his brother Mark will join the auction winner on New Shepard’s first human flight on July 20th. Bidding is underway now at BlueOrigin.com and concludes with a live online auction on June 12th. Anyone interested in bidding in the live auction must register by June 10th. Registration details can be found at the Blue Origin website. The winning bidder will fly to space on New Shepard’s first human flight on July 20th.<

MQ-25 T1 Test Asset Refuels A US Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet

For the first time in history, the Navy and Boeing have demonstrated air-to-air refueling using an unmanned aircraft – the Boeing-owned MQ-25 T1 test asset – to refuel another aircraft. During a test flight June 4, MQ-25 T1 successfully extended the hose and drogue from its Navy-issued aerial refueling store (ARS) and safely transferred jet fuel to a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet, demonstrating the MQ-25 Stingray's ability to carry out its primary aerial refueling mission.

Also: Bombardier, Rocket Lab Approved, Air Shows May Request Exception, Kittyhawk = Aloft

On 20th of May 2021, the SW-51 Mustang successfully performed its first flight at Mlada Boleslav airport (LKMB) in the Czech Republic. Aircraft serial number #001 took off at 11:37 am into a light cloudy sky. Chief Test Pilot Jirko “Jiri” Hybler subsequently praised the balanced and maneuverable handling of the aircraft, managing crosswinds of more than 10kts. Within the first flight hours, all systems were checked to proof their functionality. These flights already included the retraction of the electr

Unique Sport Aviation Platform Shows Off Curves At Sun ‘n Fun

Throughout sport aviation history, there have been a number of small jet-like aircraft designs that managed to get the attention of pilots all over the world. The BD-5J was among the most famous, or infamous, of the lot -- though the success of that project left much to be desired. BUT... the concept of a line of piston-to-jet hotrods, with a common basic airframe, has remained elusive despite the intense interest in the breed.

Also: 2021 FAA UAS Symposium, OneWeb Launch, Curiosity Rover Captures Clouds, XPO Atlanta!

Halo has placed a firm order for 200 Eve Urban Air Mobility vehicles -- making it the launch customer for this aircraft. The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft have an expected delivery date in 2026. One hundred of the vehicles will be used for operations in the United States and 100 will operate in the United Kingdom. In addition, Halo announced the alignment of U.K.-based Halo Aviation Ltd. (Halo) and U.S.-based Associated Aircraft Group (AAG) under the Halo brand. Both companies had be

Gigi Coleman Will Speak About The Life Of Bessie Coleman

EAA is hosting Gigi Coleman, great niece of legendary aviator Bessie Coleman, at the EAA Aviation Museum on June 15 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Bessie earning her pilot’s license on June 15, 1921. Gigi Coleman will speak about the life of Bessie Coleman, such as her first inspiration to becoming a pilot, moving to France, getting her license, and finally becoming an air show pilot. There will be two presentations held at the museum’s Founders’ Wing at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

H145 Was Using A Second-Generation Biofuel Which Reduces CO2 Emissions Up To 90%

A rescue helicopter has flown on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for the first time, achieving a new milestone in international aviation. Operated by the German non-profit organization ADAC Luftrettung, the Airbus H145 rescue helicopter had its Arriel 2E engines ceremonially refueled with biofuel, a type of SAF, at the air rescue station at Munich's Harlaching Clinic in the presence of the ADAC Foundation's board of directors, as well as the managing directors and top management of ADAC Luftrettung, the engine manufacturer Safran Helicopter Engines, the helicopter manufacturer Airbus Helicopters, and the energy company TotalEnergies.

Will Develop UAM Products And Services With Initial Order Of Up To 50 eVTOLs

Eve Urban Air Mobility and Helisul Aviation have embarked upon a partnership that will focus on creating an ecosystem-wide approach to prepare for UAM operations in Brazil. In addition to collaborating on a suite of products and services, the partnership includes an order for up to 50 eVTOLs with deliveries expected to start in 2026. Over the last few years, Eve and Helisul have been collaborating to evaluate how to co-create solutions for Urban Air Mobility, leveraging Brazil's existing air taxi infrastructure for the use of Eve's electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL).

Examination Of The Elevator Trim Tabs Revealed That They Were Installed Upside-Down And Reversed

On May 21, 2021, at 1814 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-31P, N575BC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The airline transport pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was the airplane’s first flight after maintenance was performed and prior to the flight, the airplane was fueled with 167.5 gallons of 100 low lead aviation fuel. The airplane departed Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR), Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at 1812 with the intended destination of Grand Strand Airport (CRE), North Myrtle Beach

AD 2021-11-08 Requires An Eddy Current Inspection Of Each Fuselage Wing Fitting

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-25-04 for all Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-6, PC-6-H1, PC-6-H2, PC-6/350, PC-6/350-H1, PC-6/350-H2, PC6/A, PC-6/A-H1, PC-6/A-H2, PC-6/B-H2, PC-6/B1-H2, PC-6/B2-H2, PC-6/B2-H4, PC-6/C-H2, and PC-6/C1-H2 airplanes. AD 2014-25-04 required incorporating revised airworthiness limitations into the aircraft maintenance manual (AMM) for your FAA-approved maintenance program. This AD requires incorporating new airworthiness limitations and an eddy current inspection of each fuselage wing fitting if an earlier version of the service information was accomplished. This AD was prompted by a determination that the

Aero Linx: The Japan Business Aircraft Association (JBAA) The Japan Business Aircraft Association (JBAA) was established in May 1996 as an incorporated nonprofit organization (in April 2001 it was renamed the Japan Business Aviation Association). Up until the present, we have contributed to the development and expansion of Japanese business aviation with our members’ cooperation. It is essential to have more knowledge and informational exchange between our members for the further development of Japanese business aviation. We sincerely hope that you will understand the aviation policy and present situation in Japan as well as the process for achieving the smooth operations of business aircraft i

Be Aware... Air Traffic Ramps Up This Summer

The FAA notes that as the summer approaches, we can expect a rise in airport traffic in the air and on the runways. With this in mind, the Feds are redoubling their efforts to offer guidance, resources and expertise to preempt any airfield errors by general aviation pilots, especially those who have spent a year away from the cockpit. On June 16, the FAA is hosting a Runway Safety Town Hall for all General Aviation pilots. It will be a live online event that will offer best practices and a lively discussion from GA pilots, air traffic controllers and runway safety experts.

Precision Approach Radar Radar equipment in some ATC facilities operated by the FAA and/or the military services at joint-use civil/military locations and separate military installations to detect and display azimuth, elevation, and range of aircraft on the final approach course to a runway. This equipment may be used to monitor certain non-radar approaches, but is primarily used to conduct a precision instrument approach (PAR) wherein the controller issues guidance instructions to the pilot based on the aircraft’s position in relation to the final approach course (azimuth), the glidepath (elevation), and the distance (range) from the touchdown point on the runway as displayed on the radar scop

"Ever since I was five years old, I’ve dreamed of traveling to space. On July 20th, I will take that journey with my brother. The greatest adventure, with my best friend. #GradatimFerociter" Source: From an Instagram post by Jeff Bezos... Blue Origin has confirmed that Jeff Bezos and his brother Mark will join the auction winner on New Shepard’s first human flight on July 20th. Bidding is underway now at BlueOrigin.com and concludes with a live online auction on June 12th.