JKE Works Still Hard at Work on Wooden VIP Transport

JKE Works of Mount Dora, Florida is hard at work bringing a 1929 Lockheed Vega 5C back to life, and EAA Chapter 534 dropped by to provide the world with an update on the project. The rebuilder, JKE Works, has completed its fair share of restorations in its time, with the company recently handed down to its 2nd and 3rd generation owners. Jim Kimball started things off, restoring some mundane GA Aircraft and good old classics like the Stearman, Travelair, and Beech Staggerwing. Today, Jim's son Kevin and his son Kalin have taken up the mantle, keeping up the grind of bringing the old Vega back to life. Throughout much of its life, the 1929 aircraft had been sitting as a static exhibit at the

Merger Canceled Since Timeline Unlikely to Work

The would-be merger between JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines is done for good, since the carriers fail to see a way where it could be completed within the shareholders' agreed-upon July 24th deadline. Despite their attempt to expediently handle the appeals process after the merger's blockage in court, both airlines feel that "terminating is the best path forward for both companies as required closing conditions, including receiving necessary legal and regulatory approvals, were unlikely to be met by the merger agreement’s outside date of July 24, 2024."

Cyber Warfare Capability to Reside in Returning Officer Rank, Stemming Personnel Attrition

The first of the Air Force's new batch of warrant officers will be selected in the summer of 2024, with their class beginning in the near future. The change marks a return to form for the Air Force, which had gotten rid of the senior enlisted position in the late 50s. Today, they believe the time is right to bring it back, citing widespread needs for personnel with serious technical skills that can be had without the comprehensive schooling (and oftentimes unrelated college education) of an officer. The position isn't new to the other services, though: Only the USAF and Space Force have gone without warrant officers for the last 60+ years.

Pilot Order Adds 90 More E175s with Options for 43 More

American Airlines has been on a tear heading into March, inking deals left and right. For their regional jet needs, they once again headed down south to Brazil to chat with Embraer, walking out the door with a firm order for 90 more of their E175 aircraft, with options for 43 additional planes should they need them. The aircraft were specced with a 76-seat layout in dual-class configuration, the bread and butter for American's regional operations. The deal, with all purchase rights exercised, would be worth more than $7 billion at list price (though it's quite unlikely they will be invoiced anywhere close to MSRP, as negotiations often go).

Dallas Satellite Shop Begins Support for Commercial Cargo UAVs

Duncan Aviation's Texas facility now supports uncrewed aircraft, starting work on commercial delivery drones from the surrounding area. Now that drones have moved from the realm of the hobbyist to the world of actual money makers, the accompanying support infrastructure will grow to ensure they stay airworthy, safe, and profitable. Duncan's team in Dallas, Texas says they're ready to "provide scheduled and unscheduled work, troubleshooting, wire harness repair, GPS signal inspection, and replacement of failing components."

MRO Purveyor Expands the Brand With New Additions

AAR Corporation announced the finished acquisition of Triumph Group's Product Support Business. The acquisition builds out AAR's capacity to provide maintenance, overhaul, and repair services with additional growth to its more specialized capabilities. Triumph's now former Product Support Services arm was sold to AAR last December, when it entered into sell the whole kit and kaboodle for $725 million in cash. That deal was financed with the proceeds from AAR’s previously announced $550 million note offering, with some extra borrowings done under its amended revolving credit facility.

Training Provider Adds Capacity for Growing Region

Ansett Aviation Training and signed a purchase agreement for a single AIRFOX Level D Full Flight Simulator emulating the Airbus A320 CEO and -NEO models. The sim is expected to be up and running in the 3rd quarter of this year. Its new Dubai home currently houses one of Ansett's ATR 72-600 simulators, allowing them to provide training to commuter lines operating the twin turboprop throughout the Middle East. Ansett's network of training facilities stretches across Australia, Italy, and Taiwan at the moment, offering 27 full flight sims in the whole collection. The Dubai center will enjoy having the A320 on offer, giving them a ticket to take care of the bigger carriers in the region.

Klyde Has The Down and Out WiFi Blues

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Boeing 737-8, N47280, Experienced “Stuck” Rudder Pedals During The Landing Rollout

On February 6, 2024, about 15:55 eastern standard time, United Airlines (UAL) flight 1539, a Boeing 737-8, N47280, experienced “stuck” rudder pedals during the landing rollout at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Newark, New Jersey. The airplane taxied to the gate without further incident and all occupants (2 flight crewmembers, 4 cabin crewmembers, and 155 passengers) deplaned at the gate without any injuries. The flight was operating under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 as a scheduled international passenger flight from Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), Nassau, Bahamas to EWR.

From 2021 (YouTube Version): ANN Talks With John ‘Lites’ Leenhouts, President & CEO, Sun ‘n Fun

“We truly believed that we would have a reduced crowd, by a substantial number, we estimated a 25% reduction in participation and attendance, and boy were we wrong. They came out in droves. It was a gigantic, massive onslaught of humanity coming to enjoy the aviation experience. As we approached the fly in, we realized our advanced ticket sales were skyrocketing,” says Leenhouts.

Aero Linx: The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum Welcome to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. The Strategic Air Command (SAC) & Aerospace Museum, located between Lincoln and Omaha near Interstate 80, utilizes over 300,000 square feet of exhibit, education, and event space to entertain, educate, and inspire its guests who come from Nebraska, across the country, and around the world. The museum, first opened in 1959, began with the mission to commemorate the aircraft of SAC. It became well-known by allowing the public to visit an impressive array of aircraft that helped SAC preserve the peace and ultimately win the Cold War.

Radar Traffic Advisories Advisories issued to alert pilots to known or observed radar traffic which may affect the intended route of flight of their aircraft.

“We are excited to begin serving customers who are investing in this emerging technology. Providing services for UAV operators is an extension of our core business and a good example of how we grow and innovate to better serve the industry and our customers as they evolve.“ Source: Mark Cote, Vice President of Duncan Aviation Components Services and Satellites, as the company announces its ability to enter the drone support and service market.