Object May Be Among Night Sky's Brightest Lights This Fall

The NASA Hubble Space Telescope has given astronomers their clearest view yet of Comet ISON, a newly-discovered sun grazer comet that may light up the sky later this year, or come so close to the Sun that it disintegrates. A University of Maryland-led research team is closely following ISON, which offers a rare opportunity to witness a comet's evolution as it makes its first-ever journey through the inner solar system.

Will Power 18 Airbus A350-1000 Aircraft For The Leasing Company

An order for Trent XWB engines to power 18 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft valued at $1.6 billion has been place by International Airlines Group (IAG) with engine manufacturer Rolls-Royce. The order includes long-term TotalCare service support. In addition, IAG has placed options for a further 18 A350 aircraft. The A350-1000 aircraft is powered exclusively by the higher-thrust version of the Trent XWB.

Will Assume New Role At The Aviation Accreditation Board International In The Fall

The Board of Trustees of the Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) recently selected Dr. Gary Northam, dean of the College of Aviation at Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus, as the new AABI president, effective fall 2013.

Appropriations Committee Approves Nearly $2.2 Million For A 2001 King Air

After being rejected by the same panel only a few days earlier, the Nebraska Legislature Appropriations Committee restored a $2.2 million line item in the state budget for the purchase of a 2001 Beech King Air currently owned by the Nebraska University Foundation.

Took Sleeping Pills Soon After Takeoff, Survives Desert Crash

An NTSB preliminary report from a accident in Nevada earlier this month includes a statement by the pilot of the Cirrus SR22 that he took sleeping pills shortly after takeoff in an attempt to commit suicide. He was seriously injured, but survived when the airplane came down in the desert near Silver Peak, NV.

Teams With Peters Software To Provide Updatable Content For Multiple Platforms

Jeppesen has teamed with Peters Software GmbH, a leading provider of training and test preparation software programs for EASA private and commercial pilot license preparation, to deliver airline transport pilot training materials for flight schools and universities in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

Questions Across-The-Board Cuts At Aviation "Choke Points"

Paul Hudson, President of FlyersRights.org, has called on DOT Secretary Ray LaHood and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to explain to the public why it did not designate FAA air traffic controllers (ATC) as essential federal employees, making them exempt from the sequestration. He further asks why it has not followed the principle of "graceful degradation" instead of across-the-board cuts at choke points like Chicago and New York City, which could cause massive nationwide flight delays. 

BalloonSats Carried To The Fringe Of Earth's Atmosphere

As members of the Women in Aerospace for Leadership and Development (WIALD) student organization launched their payloads from a weather balloon on a windy Texas morning, they bid farewell to Bevo the Dragon, with high hopes that their miniature satellites would be retrieved and intact after landing.

Salutes The Role Of Space-Based Technology In Protecting And Understanding Earth’s Environment

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) noted Earth Day on Monday with a special recognition of the role that space-based systems play in the protection and understanding of our planet’s environment.

Emirati Students Fly UAVs They Designed And Built

A competition held in coordination with the Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT), Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments (ADASI) and the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) featured unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed and built by United Arab Emirates (UAE) student teams who were mentored by Northrop Grumman engineers. NGC is the industry sponsor for the event, called the 2013 Innovation Challenge Flying Competition.

AD NUMBER: 2013-08-23

PRODUCT: All Boeing Model DC-10-10, DC-10-10F, DC-10-15, DC-10-30, DC-10-30F (KC-10A and KDC-10), DC-10- 40, DC-10-40F, MD-10-10F, MD-10-30F, MD-11, and MD-11F airplanes.

AD NUMBER: 2012-25-04

PRODUCT: Eurocopter France (Eurocopter) Model AS350B3 helicopters with certain part-numbered laminated half-bearings (bearings) and tail rotor (T/R) blades installed.

Seasoned Politicians Talk About The Aero-Political Scene At NBAA 2012

The last few months have not been good to the world of aviation... but last fall, there was plenty of data to support the premise that 2013 would be no easier than 2012... and NBAA 2012 provided an amazing place to discuss these issues. In this segment, Senator Jerry Moran, representing the "Very-Aviation" state of Kansas opined as to the what the political climate might have in store for the world of aviation... and it was a most interesting discussion. 

Pilot Reports of Worrisome ATIS Transmission Confirmed by FAA, Feds

After a tumultuous few days involving threats, real and potential, to events, transportation systems and a number of North American targets, it appears that aviation has not escaped the ire of erstwhile terrorists. ANN has received and confirmed multiple reports late Wednesday about the content of at least one ATIS transmission reporting the potential of a MANPADS threat to aircraft in the LA (Los Angeles) area. MANPADS are otherwise known as man-portable air-defense systems and can take the form of portable, often shoulder-fired, surface-to-air missiles often used to target aircraft and associated airborne targets.  According to one ANN Reader report, the KTOA ATIS reported

Taking General Aviation Back

On August 6, 2012, Gene Yarbrough wrote a fantastic editorial on "Can We Afford Ultimate Safety". In that editorial he asked would could be done. This editorial will put forth some ideas for thought, discussion, and dialog.

Attributes Over 1,000 Delays To Staffing Reductions

The FAA released a statement late Tuesday concerning air traffic delays caused by reduced staffing that is the result of the agency's furlough program. As a result of employee furloughs due to sequestration, the FAA says it is implementing traffic management initiatives at airports and facilities around the country.

Republicans Skeptical About Cuts Made By The Agency

The House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee heard testimony from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta Wednesday that did little to convince some members of the committee that cuts in staffing that are causing airport delays and other issues were the only available option.

Looking Beyond Single Incident To Underlying Process

The NTSB on Tuesday opened two days of hearings focusing on the battery fire that occurred aboard a Boeing Dreamliner in January, and to hear from representatives of the FAA, The Boeing Company, GS-Yuasa and Thales about the design, testing, certification and operation of the lithium-ion battery on the Boeing 787 and the battery fire incident.

LOT Forecasts Its Dreamliners Will Be Flying Again By June

EASA has approved the design change of the Boeing 787-8 Auxiliary Power Unit battery, battery charger and battery enclosure installation and certifies that the changes proposed by Boeing meet the EASA Type Certification Basis requirements. The applicable airworthiness directive will now be updated which will allow the European operated aircraft to return to service as soon as the modification will be installed.

Authorities Cite Sequester As Reason For Cutting The Event

The announcement came in the form of a terse statement on the "Events" page of the JPL website. "Due to budget restrictions, plans for a JPL Open House in spring 2013 have been suspended. If budget considerations improve, JPL hopes to host an Open House at a future date, perhaps as early as fall 2013. Please check back here for updates."

Police Asking For Help From The Public To Catch Person Or Persons Responsible

Panchito, a B-25 which is often seen at airshows around the country, was damaged during the Sun 'n Fun Air Show at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport last weekend, and police are hoping someone has evidence that will help them catch the culprit.

"We are looking for lessons learned, not just for the design and certification of the failed battery, but for knowledge that can be applied to emerging technologies." Source: NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman.

Clouds that exhibit brilliant bright spots, bands, or borders of colors, usually red and green, observed up to about 30 degrees from the sun.

Roger's Soaring Blog

Roger Worden's adventures in becoming a sailplane pilot. His hope is that this will be helpful to other students and low-time pilots. Updates appear to be infrequent, but good contain good information.