Also: Private Airport Under Fire, Soyuz Returns, Volocopter’s VoloDrone, Nat’l Av Hall of Fame
An interesting rumor has made its way through the inboxes of aviation enthusiasts this week. A business for sale, labeled “Legendary Aircraft Manufacturer”, with an asking price of $15 million, accompanied by a short video of the Mooney factory. The unusual listing includes the owners’ 2020 overview and strategy document, now nearly a year out of date. The price may seem somewhat small in an industry that regularly headlines hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions, but some fans of the troubled marque worry that there isn’t much meat left on the bones. Interviews with the new president last year sounded pragmatic and
After a Year of Ownership, Last September’s Buyers Appear To Tap Out
An interesting rumor has made its way through the inboxes of aviation enthusiasts this week. A business for sale, labeled “Legendary Aircraft Manufacturer”, with an asking price of $15 million, accompanied by a short video of the Mooney factory. The unusual listing includes the owners’ 2020 overview and strategy document, now nearly a year out of date. The price may seem somewhat small in an industry that regularly headlines hundreds of millions of dollars in transactions, but some fans of the troubled marque worry that there isn’t much meat left on the bones. In the investor document, presented now as a “for sale” brochure, presents a so
Also: Mars Helicopter Delay, Vertical Aerospace, Space Transportation Conference, Aero-TV At XPO21: Skydio
Here is some good news for those looking to capture nighttime drone video, Night Authorization Available for Part 107 Drone Pilots. The capabilities of licensed drone operators are taking another leap forward with the news that the FAA is allowing for night operations via the LAANC authorization process... which continues to mature. Drone pilots with current Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificates may now obtain near real-time authorizations to fly at night through FAA-approved providers of Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capabil
A Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) has been issued, preventing United Airlines from denying certain requests for religious and medical accommodations from its COVID-19 vaccination mandate, until October 26. It disallows denial specifically for applications received after August 31st, preventing "hundreds of workers" from being placed on indefinite unpaid leave. The TRO is a continuation of an agreement last month to maintain the status quo, until outstanding legal action reaches a verdict.
German company VoloCopter has carried out its first successful test flight for the new VoloDrone, their upcoming heavy-lift UAV. The 3-minute test flight reached an altitude of 72 feet while carrying a Euro-pallet sized lest load. The aircraft delivered its payload to a DB Schenker Cargo Bike that completed ground delivery to its final destination.
ShieldAI reported another series of successful test flights for Martin’s UAV project, the V-BAT 128. A long endurance, automated, VTOL UAS with a minimal operational footprint, Martin’s recent acquisition by Shield AI has brought added software capabilities that users were eager to put to the test. Martin’s UAV was selected in April for joint development with the US Navy, opening up a real-world field testing ecosystem few drone manufacturers enjoy. The newest iteration of the V-BAT has flown a number of missions aboard the Navy’s San-Antonio-class amphibious transport, the USS Portland, with the 11th Marine Expeditionary unit.
The University of North Dakota has released the identity of the student lost in October 19th’s fatal accident, a 19-year-old commercial aviation major from Chicago. John Hauser was found dead at the scene by the North Dakota Highway Patrol at 20:30, with no other casualties found. Details are sparse at the moment, but given the time frame, many have assumed he was logging necessary night flight time for an upcoming pilot certification. The 2018 Piper Archer, N820ND, is assumed to be the only aircraft involved. The aircraft came to rest in a field southeast of Buxton, 28 miles south of Grand Forks, ND.
French Defence Agency Tests Automated Scanning, Mapping Tech
A French Defense Innovation Agency program, in conjunction with 8tree, Donecle and Dassault, has completed a year-long field trial for an autonomous, non-destructive surface checking system. Using 8Tree's dentCHECK, a proprietary 3d dent-mapping technology, loaded on a Donecle drone, operators are able to scour the surface of an aircraft for dents automatically in less than an hour. Focusing on the Dassault Rafale Fighter, the program is set for continued field trials, with lessons applied to future commercial service.
From 2016: Rotax Supports Their Engines With Training, Information, And Rapid Parts Service…
Anyone who is even slightly familiar with sport aviation and home built experimental aircraft has heard of the name Rotax when it comes to engines. However, they are different from the engines that we are used to in general aviation aircraft in the United States. While at EAA AirVenture 2016, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, talked with the experts at Rotax to find out where information about the engines and maintenance is available. Jim spoke with Marc Becker, the Aircraft Business Manager for Rotax. Becker starts off by explaining that Rotax
Integration with Airborne Mission Systems Allows Mobile Data Capture
Aiding firefighting operators in their efforts, Flightcell has announced integration between their flagship product, the DZMx and Airborne Mission Systems’ AFDAU-T1 (Aerial Firefighting Data Acquisition Unit) to enhance the accuracy of data tracking, mission capability, and targeting accuracy. The AFDAU-T1 already contains automated bucket calibration, volume detection, and data logging for contractual reporting needs, with the ability to mark the precise location of each fill and drop event. The DZMx is an all-in-one satellite and cellular solution for data transmission.
ION Aircraft, LLC, has found a buyer in Geode Capital Management, of La Jolla, California. Ion is the designer of the 120, a twin boom LSA, sporting a pusher layout, tandem seating and a glass panel. Throughout the development process, Ion pared down their intended offerings to the 100, the kit aircraft, and the 120, the factory-built aircraft meeting light sport requirements. The company’s small size made the transition from research, development, and design to production too hard to make without outside help. Geode Capital completed the purchase in September 2021. It would seem that
Also: Mars Helicopter Delay, Vertical Aerospace, Space Transportation Conference, Aero-TV At XPO21: Skydio
Here is some good news for those looking to capture nighttime drone video, Night Authorization Available for Part 107 Drone Pilots. The capabilities of licensed drone operators are taking another leap forward with the news that the FAA is allowing for night operations via the LAANC authorization process... which continues to mature. Drone pilots with current Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificates may now obtain near real-time authorizations to fly at night through FAA-approved providers of Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capabil
Pilot Experienced A “Jolt” And Suddenly The Helicopter “Dropped”
On September 23, 2021, about 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Hiller UH-12E helicopter, N5334V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bovill, Idaho. The pilot was not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. The pilot reported that he had been applying dry fertilizer over trees as part of a timber company contract and had flown about 5.7 hours that day. As he was approaching the service truck to refill his bucket, about 40 ft above ground level and about 20 ft from the truck, the pilot experienced a “jolt” and suddenly the helicopter “dropped&r
Aero Linx: The Order Of Daedalians
The order was organized on March 26, 1934 by a representative group of American World War I pilots to perpetuate the spirit of patriotism, love of country, and the high ideals of sacrifice which place service to nation above personal safety or position.
The order:
Advocates for air and space power;
Ensures American preeminence in air and space power;
Encourages flight safety;
Fosters an esprit de corps in the military air forces;
Promotes the adoption of military service as a career;
Honors its founder members, the combat aviators of WWI
Minimum Fuel
Indicates that an aircraft’s fuel supply has reached a state where, upon reaching the destination, it can accept little or no delay. This is not an emergency situation but merely indicates an emergency situation is possible should any undue delay occur.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to John’s family, friends, classmates, and fraternity brothers. They are all in our thoughts and prayers.”
Source: The sad missive from UND President Andrew Armacost, following the University of North Dakota having released the identity of the student lost in October 19th’s fatal accident, a 19-year-old commercial aviation major from Chicago. John Hauser was found dead at the scene by the North Dakota Highway Patrol at 20:30, with no other casualties found.
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