Latest Mandate Affects Charter, Commuter And Air Tour Operators

The FAA has proposed a rule that requires charter, commuter and air tour operators, and aircraft manufacturers to implement a critical safety approach that has helped 'create the safest era in aviation history.' The program, Safety Management System (SMS), is described as a set of paperwork-intensive policies and procedures where companies identify, monitor and address potential operational hazards early on, before they become serious problems.

“Aviation’s Man in Washington” (And One Of Us) Comes into Leading Role

US Congressman Sam Graves has been selected to serve as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The selection puts one of aviation's own in charge of one of the biggest movers and shakers of the transportation industry, with oversight of a multitude of operational considerations throughout the country. Graves is hoped to be the right man for the job, bringing years of experience as a commercially-rated pilot and down-to-earth Missouri farmer. In accepting the role, Graves issued a statement outlining his goals and expectations for the "T&I Committee". 

Also: ZeroAvia Hydrogen-Electric, UltraFan Platform, Ukranian Drone School, NASA's InSight

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) has announced its selection of South Korea as the host nation of the 2023 World Drone Racing Championship. The competition, the largest and richest of its kind, offers contestants a prize pool of a cool $100,000. After a three year COVID hiatus, the tournament will see the world’s best drone pilots pit their skills against one another in head-to-head competition. As the larger world frantically occupied itself with holiday parties and last minute Christmas shopping, citizens of Lockeford,

Deal Struck for 88 F-35A JSF for $14 Billion

The CF-18 fleet is indeed set to be replaced with the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter, as rumored. The deal will see $19 billion CAD spent on 88 aircraft, with a plethora of parts, support, and training to set up the new type with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Defence Minister Anita Anand said the country expects the first 4 aircraft to be delivered in 2026, with another 6 for 2 years afterward.

Also: Sikorsky Protests Bell, ZeroAvia Obtains Approval, Airport Worker Killed, Harrier Pilot Extradition

DarkAero is the embodiment of a shared aspiration to develop a kit aircraft of surpassing speed, range, and efficiency. The brothers Ryley, River, and Keegan Karl, have plied their considerable expertise and energies with the DarkAero-1 -- a single-reciprocating-engine, low-wing, retractable-tricycle-undercarriage, normal category airplane. With a wingspan of just under 24-feet, and an empty weight of 750-pounds, the DarkAero-1 is not a large airplane. A Chinese fighter jet reportedly neared to within ten-feet of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance air

Commercial Engine Replacement Program Could Reach Engineering & Manufacturing Phase by in Q4 FY 2023

Rolls-Royce and Boeing have been tapped in to provide a major B-52 engine upgrade that will keep the 76-strong Stratofortress fleet going into 2050 - and beyond. Despite the exciting advances with the B-21 Raider, the B-52 fleet remains one of the mainstays of American bomber capability, slotting in below the high-tech, low-visibility Raider as a high-volume ordnance lobber. Someday, the USAF plans to retire the last of its aged B-1 Lancers, as well as its B-2 Spirits, anticipating a phase-out in the 2030s to slim the strategic fleet down to the B-52 and B-21.

Revised Safety 1st Guide Prevents Misfueling Issues

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has updated its Safety 1st General Aviation Misfueling Prevention Program with new data pertaining to newly-approved unleaded avgas. The program is a "free, online training resource for pilots, line service professionals, and other aircraft refueling stakeholders" aimed at easing the transition from traditional leaded fuels to more eco-friendly, unleaded variants as they enter widespread use. With a number of fuels available at fields across the country, mishaps can become increasingly common, something that Safety 1st's Operational Best Practices should help to prevent.

Coast Guard Medevacs Woman From Cruise Ship 25 Miles Off Galveston, Texas

The Coast Guard medevaced a woman from a cruise ship Monday 25 miles offshore Galveston, Texas. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a medevac request at 5 p.m. from the crew of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Adventure of the Seas stating a 51-year-old passenger was experiencing lower abdominal pain and reportedly suffering from possible appendicitis. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac.

Klyde Bemoans Tough Times For Flight Schools... But, Flea Markets?

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

From 2015 (YouTube Version): Overcoming Obstacles To Achieve Their Dreams…

At EAA AirVenture 2015, FedEx arrived with one of their Airbus freight hauling aircraft and placed it on display for AirVenture attendees to explore. While having the airplane on display added to the AirVenture adventure, there is more to the story. The crew piloting airplane was all-female. In the video you’ll meet two determined women who found a w

Air-Launched Rocket Suffers Anomaly During 2nd Stage Burn, Missing Orbital Delivery

Virgin Orbit's latest launch from Spaceport Cornwall fell a little short of a successful orbital delivery thanks to a 2nd-stage anomaly that sent the payload off its intended trajectory. The launch was much-lauded as proof positive of domestic UK satellite capability, and at the very least successfully completed enough phases of launch to merit some consolation. Virgin's customized 747 launch platform, Cosmic Girl, succeeded in taking off with the company's LauncherOne system, reaching its designated drop point high above.

Also: ZeroAvia Hydrogen-Electric, UltraFan Platform, Ukranian Drone School, NASA's InSight

The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) has announced its selection of South Korea as the host nation of the 2023 World Drone Racing Championship. The competition, the largest and richest of its kind, offers contestants a prize pool of a cool $100,000. After a three year COVID hiatus, the tournament will see the world’s best drone pilots pit their skills against one another in head-to-head competition. As the larger world frantically occupied itself with holiday parties and last minute Christmas shopping, citizens of Lockeford,

Accident Helicopter Was The Second Of Four Helicopters Returning From Kingman, Arizona

On December 27, 2022, at 1635 Pacific daylight time, an Airbus Helicopters EC-130-T2, N835GC, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Boulder City, Nevada. The pilot and five passengers were seriously injured, and one passenger received minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 commercial air tour flight. The accident helicopter was the second of four helicopters returning from Kingman, Arizona to Boulder City Municipal Airport (BVU).

Aero Linx: The Australian Parachute Federation (APF) The Australian Parachute Federation (APF) is the peak body for the administration, regulation and representation of Australian Sport Parachuting. This is achieved by promoting skydiving and maintaining a high level of safety and by improving the standard of Sport Parachuting to encourage participation and excellence in performance. The APF is the organisation which controls skydiving and parachuting at most civilian operations in Australia. With the approval of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) it sets the standards of operation, conducts competitions, issues licenses, certifications and instructor ratings, co

Final Approach Point The point, applicable only to a nonprecision approach with no depicted FAF (such as an on airport VOR), where the aircraft is established inbound on the final approach course from the procedure turn and where the final approach descent may be commenced. The FAP serves as the FAF and identifies the beginning of the final approach segment.

“Expanding Safety Management Systems to other players in the aviation industry will reduce accidents and incidents and save lives. As safe and efficient as our system is today, we must always strive to achieve the next level of safety.” Source: Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen, remarking as the FAA proposed a rule that requires charter, commuter, and air tour operators, and aircraft manufacturers to implement a critical safety approach that has helped 'create the safest era in aviation history.' The program, Safety Management System (SMS), is described as a set of paperwork-intensive policies and procedures where companies identify, monitor and address potential operational hazards early on, before they