Aero-News Network: The aviation and aerospace world's daily/real-time news and information service

Transport Canada Certifies Bell 505 Jet Ranger X

Aircraft Was First Introduced In 2013

Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) has granted type certification to Bell Helicopter for the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X. Unveiled in 2013, the new, five-seat helicopter went from concept to a successful first flight in 20 months.

Airborne 12.21.16: Huerta Staying On?, WAI Hall of Fame, Another SubSonex

Also: Vintage Air Rally, 'Texas Raiders' B-17, Facebook Aquila, Swiss Space Systems, SS-4 Solo, Rockford AirShow, WTO-Boeing

When FAA Administrator Michael Huerta introduced the revised Part 23 rules during an online briefing last week, he was questioned at the end of the briefing by a Politico reporter about his continued status as the FAA Administrator based on the recent election results. Huerta said that he planned to stay on after the administration shifts from President Obama to President Trump January 20. Women in Aviation International has selected the 2017 inductees into its Int

Orbital ATK Takes NASA's Scientific Balloon Program to Record New Heights

Five Successful Launches Achieved In Antarctica

Orbital ATK has completed a record total of five successful scientific balloon flight launches at this year’s NASA Antarctica Long Duration Balloon Flight Campaign. The launches occurred in Antarctica from November 28 through December 12. All five balloons remained airborne for six days through December 18 marking a new flight record for NASA’s scientific balloon team.

Don't Look For Amazon Drones In Your Neighborhood Soon

Analyst Jonathan Rupprecht Points Out The Reasons Why

One of the "holy grails" of the UAV world is delivery of goods by autonomous aircraft directly to the consumer's door. And Amazon recently demonstrated the technology in the U.K., sparking a lot of buzz about when drones might be crisscrossing neighborhoods with packages.

Continental Motors Group Southern Avionics Operating Unit To Move To Fairhope

Will Lead To Further Integration With MRO Services And Easier Access

Southern Avionics and Interiors, an operating division of Continental Motors Group, will be relocating to the H. L. Sonny Callahan airport (KCQF) in Fairhope, AL from its current location at the Mobile downtown Airport (KBFM).

Navy Test Pilot School Selection Board To Convene February 15

Will Select Qualified Naval Aviators And Flight Officers For The Specialized Training

The Navy Test Pilot School (USNTPS) selection board will convene Feb. 15, 2017 to select highly qualified naval aviators and naval flight officers (NFO) for the school. To be eligible, applicants must submit a command-endorsed application as outlined in BUPERS Instruction 1500.62B which must be received by Navy Personnel Command by Jan. 16, 2017.

Members Of DOT Working Group Announced

Members Will Focus On Improving Air Service To Small Communities

U.S. Department of Transportation Acting Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs Jenny T. Rosenberg have announced the members of the new Working Group on Improving Air Service to Small Communities (Working Group). The Working Group will consist of 25 stakeholders involved in air transportation to small communities.

Buzz Aldrin's ShareSpace Foundation Awarding More Mars Maps to Educators

Second National Essay Contest Winners Will Receive An Exclusive Giant Destination Mars Map With Accompanying Curriculum To Enhance Learning Environments

Buzz Aldrin's ShareSpace Foundation will continue providing its highly-praised Giant Destination Mars Map educational resource at no cost through a second teacher essay contest hosted on its website. Interested educators may submit a short essay to ShareSpace describing how their ability to inspire children in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math would be enhanced by integrating a Mars Map into their classrooms.

Wings Over The Rockies Air & Space Museum Selects John Barry As Chief Executive

Former Superintendent Of Aurora Public Schools And CEO Of Boys & Girls Club Of Metro Denver To Continue Organization’s Rapid Rise To Prominence

Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum has announced the appointment of Major General John Barry, USAF (Retired) as the CEO of the organization. Mr. Barry earlier served as chairman of the board for Wings Over the Rockies – during which time he oversaw major growth in the museum’s infrastructure.

FAA Issues SAIB For Rudder Systems On Certain Air Tractor Models

Rudder Pedals Became Detached On One Airplane

The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) concerning a potential issue with rudder pedals on Tractor, Inc. (Air Tractor) Models AT-602, AT-802, and AT802A airplanes (under Type Certificate Data Sheet A19SW).

EchoStar XIX Satellite Boosted Into Orbit

Will Power HughesNet Gen5 High-Speed Internet Service

An Atlas V 431 lifted off at 1413 EST from Space Launch Complex 41 Sunday, placing EchoStar XIX in orbit for customer Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES), an EchoStar company, and marking the 139th consecutive successful Atlas launch to date.

Global Military UAV Market Worth $13.9 Billion By 2022

MUAV/MAVs Dominant In Terms Of Units Delivered, UCAVs In Terms Of Value

The global military UAV market is projected to grow to $13.9 billion by 2026, at a CAGR of 38,7% from 2016 to 2022. MUAV/MAVs expected to be dominant in terms of units delivered, and the UCAVs in terms of value.

AD: Airbus Airplanes

AD NUMBER: 2016-25-23

PRODUCT: Certain Airbus Model A319- 115 and -132 airplanes, and Model A320-214, -232, and -233 airplanes.

AD: International Aero Engines AG Turbofan Engines

AD NUMBER: 2016-25-11

PRODUCT: Certain International Aero Engines AG (IAE) V2522-A5, V2524-A5, V2527-A5, V2527E-A5, V2527M-A5, V2530-A5, V2533-A5, V2525-D5, V2528-D5, and V2531-E5 turbofan engines.

Huerta Staying On During Trump Administration... At Least For Now

Would Be Perhaps The Most Visible Holdover From The Obama Administration

As we reported last week when FAA Administrator Michael Huerta released the revised Part 23 rules, he said at the end of his news conference that the planned to stay on after the administration shifts from President Obama to President Trump January 20.

NBAA Welcomes Final Rule On Revised Part 23 Certification Standards

Bolen: New Standards Will Be Particularly Beneficial To NBAA's Membership

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) joined other general aviation proponents in welcoming the announcement of a final rule overhauling the Part 23 aircraft certification process, adopting consensus-based, performance-driven standards for light GA aircraft weighing less than 12,500 pounds.

FAA Has Issued Nearly 23,000 Commercial Drone Certificates

Translates To More Than 300 People Per Weekday Being Certificated

They knew it was going to be popular, and they were right. The FAA is reporting that since they released rules for commercial drone operators on August 31, more than 28,000 people have applied to become professional UAV pilots, and nearly 23,000 certificates have been issued.

Hornets, Growlers Grounded Following Whidbey Island Incident

Flight Operations Resumed Monday

The U.S. Navy grounded all of its F/A-18E/F Hornets and EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft over the weekend following an incident involving a Growler on Friday at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in Washington State.

AeroSports Update: EAA’s Take On FAR 23 Rewrite

Part 23 Aircraft Certification Rewrite Includes EAA, GA Recommendations

The recent announcement from the FAA of the completion of the FAR 23 rewrite is aimed at type certificated aircraft, but the EAA, experimental aviation, and light sport aircraft regulations played a big role in this giant step forward. Here’s EAA’s take regarding the new FAR 23 as recreational aviation move forward.

Fly Safe: Prevent Loss of Control Accidents

Explaining The Flight Risk Assessment Tool

Flying safely and preventing Loss of Control (LOC) accidents is the responsibility of every pilot, of course, and there are tools available that can make it easier for pilots to assure they arrive safely at their destinations. One of those is a FRAT, or Flight Risk Assessment Tool.

Year-Ending Ariane 5 Launch Is 'Go' For Liftoff

Final 2016 Mission Scheduled For Wednesday

The 11th Arianespace mission of 2016 has been given the go-ahead for its December 21 liftoff from the Spaceport in French Guiana, carrying the Star One D1 and JCSAT-15 satellites for deployment into geostationary transfer orbit.

Airborne 12.20.16: G600 1st Flt, Aldrin Honors Glenn, EAA Airshow Lineup

Also: Jet Embargo, Aero-Calendar, Trump and BizAv, Part 23 Update, Leonardo-China, ForeFlight Update, Runway Safety

In one of the few, enduring success stories in business aviation, the Gulfstream program continues to develop and innovate new airframes that they seem to have comparatively little trouble selling. Indicative of this fact is the announcement received from Gulfstream Aerospace as the Gulfstream G600 has completed its first flight, officially kicking off the aircraft’s flight-test program. Two additional G600 test aircraft have been inducted into the flight-test center

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (12.21.16)

"We applaud these changes to streamline the certification process for GA manufacturers, bolstering industry innovation and adoption of vital new safety technologies, and ultimately leading to swifter regulatory approval for new aircraft designs and equipment." Source: NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, reacting to the new Part 23 rules.