FAA Comments on Pacific Air Traffic Stop Raise Eyebrows
Some in the collective aerospace community have expressed a measure of annoyance at the recent non-statement issued by the FAA in regards to a ground stop issued on January 10. The halt saw departures from west coast airports paused for around 15 minutes with little forewarning or post-hoc explanation. The FAA's twitter account posted a picture containing a short, terse statement, stating "As a matter of precaution, the FAA temporarily paused departures at some airports along the West Coast on Monday night. Full operations resumed in less than 15 minutes. The FAA regularly takes precautionary measures. We are reviewing the process around this ground stop as we do after all such
Resurrected Russian Bomber Makes Headway On Flight Testing
The Tupolev "strategic missile carrier" version of its supersonic, variable-wing Tu-160 has taken flight from the Kazan Aviation Plant for initial checks of its stability and control systems. The flight is a landmark for the resurrected aircraft following work on bringing a modernized, updated variant back into production. The Tupolev has been the focus of efforts to create a modernized, updated aircraft of the 40-year old design. United Aircraft Corporation CEO Yuri Slyusar said the project was essentially the manufacture of a brand-new Tu-160 from the ground up, telling reporters the Tu-160 is “completely rebuilt from scratch. It’s systems and equipment have been up
Airline Passenger Goes on Small Cockpit Rampage, Damages Flight Controls
An American Airlines Passenger boarding a flight to Miami, Florida from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, providing waiting passengers with a moment of pre-flight "entertainment" that led to them waiting for a replacement aircraft to be dead-headed from the US. The passenger caused problems when he sprinted down the jetway and made his way into the open cockpit. Once there, he is said to have begun damaging and breaking controls and switches throughout the flight deck, shortly thereafter attempting to escape the flight crew's attempts to stop him by opening the starboard cockpit window in an attempt to escape. Onlookers saw his capture and arrest, but the damage was done, with
Taiwan's newly converted F-16V's are grounded, following an accident that saw the complete loss of an aircraft during a routine training mission from its base in southwest Taiwan. The ROCAF said the jet appeared to have plunged into the ocean with no signs the pilot ejected before impact. The national rescue center reported wreckage had been found during the nocturnal search of the surrounding area. The incident has led to a fleet-wide grounding order for the type as officials look to find the cause. Last spring, a similar order was issued when two of the fighters collided in what was then the 3rd fatal crash in half a year, a dangerous attrition rate for fighters that the country cannot easily replace.
Goodbye "Caldwell Industrial", Hello "Treasure Valley Executive"
Caldwell, Idaho will change the name of its local Caldwell Industrial Airport to Treasure Valley Executive Airport. The move comes after the Caldwell City Council unanimously voted in December in favor of the name change, hoping to revamp the image of the field into a more appropriate, upscale posture to further entice development. Locals remember the original intention behind the former name, being called an industrial airport as the city's expansion saw the addition of numerous hangars, aircraft operations, and businesses, but ultimately that vision has passed. The city's position in the Treasure valley is better advertised as a secondary feeder airport for private air travel
From 2010: Balloons Are Crafted Using ALL Kinds Of Images Now... and Here's How They Do It!
The sight of a stereotypical balloon is immediately recognizable... and somewhat iconic... but what's happened to this sport over the last few decades would have shocked the folks who pioneered this industry... with balloons now crafted to take on all manner of topics, figures, faces and images. It's hard to imagine what it takes to make something as immediately recognizable as the Energizer Bunny or Darth Vader actually FLY... but Cameron Balloons' Andy Baird and his team have probably been behind more aerial double-takes than anyone in the history of ligh
Pilot Requested That The Runway Lights For Runway 27R Be Increased
On December 27, 2021, about 1914 Pacific standard time, a Gates Learjet Corporation 35A, N880Z, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near El Cajon, California. The 2 pilots, and 2 flight nurses were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 repositioning flight. Earlier in the day, the flight crew had flown from Lake Havasu City Airport (HII), Lake Havasu, Arizona, to John Wayne / Orange County Airport (SNA), Santa Ana, California, for a patient transfer. They departed SNA about 1856 to reposition to their home base at Gillespie Field (SEE), El Cajon, California.
AD 2021-25-13 Requires Revising The Existing Maintenance Or Inspection Program
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bombardier, Inc., Model CL-600-1A11 (600), CL-600-2A12 (601), and CL-600-2B16 (601-3A, 601-3R, and 604 Variants) airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective February 15, 2022.
AD 2022-02-02 Continues The Required Actions In AD 2021-15-51 And Expands The Applicability To Add Model 210 Helicopters
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-15-51, which applied to Bell Textron Inc. (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.) Model 204B, 205A, 205A-1, 205B, and 212 helicopters. AD 2021-15-51 required removing certain main rotor hub strap pins (pins) from service and prohibited installing them on any helicopter. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-15-51, it was determined that a defective pin could also be installed on Bell Textron Inc. Model 210 helicopters. This AD continues the required actions in AD 2021-15-51 and expands the applicability to add Model 210 helicopters. The FAA is issuing thi
Aero Linx: The Aeromedical Center (AMC)
The Aeromedical Center (AMC) in Duebendorf is the Swiss center of excellence for the medical and psychological assessment of men and women with regard to safety and performance in military and civil aviation, transport and management. Today, the AMC comprises flight medicine and flight psychology sections and the AMC director’s staff. A team of some 35 specialists is made up of aviation physicians, psychologists and medical experts, sports scientists, physiotherapists and technical support and secretariat staff. The AMC is a key mission-oriented element in the air force, and in civilian aviation it is also fully recognised as an aeromedical center in acco
Off Course
A term used to describe a situation where an aircraft has reported a position fix or is observed on radar at a point not on the ATC-approved route of flight.
"As a matter of precaution, the FAA temporarily paused departures at some airports along the West Coast on Monday night. Full operations resumed in less than 15 minutes. The FAA regularly takes precautionary measures. We are reviewing the process around this ground stop as we do after all such events."
Source: Some in the collective aerospace community have expressed a measure of annoyance at the recent non-statement issued by the FAA in regards to a ground stop issued on January 10. The halt saw departures from west coast airports paused for around 15 minutes with little forewarning or post-hoc explanation.
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