Women in Aviation International capped off its 2024 Conference with a flurry of activity, completing its year get-together for the 35th year running - and things were busier than ever. The Conference saw some record attendance and exhibition numbers, with more than 5,200 attendees representing 35 countries. The WAI Chapter network has grown, too, reaching 180 chapters in 26 nations. There's more international growth to do, though, since the USA accounts for 140 chapters domestically, with only 40 outside the states. The scale is also apparent from the level of industry support at WAI2024, with more than 200 distinct companies, groups, and organizations making an appearance.
Also: 2024 AMA National Fun-Fly, B-29 Doc and B-25 Berlin Express, Rex B737 FFS, Dreamliner Pilot Seats
The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center has embarked on a search for the remains of its WWII ace namesake's aircraft, working with preservation specialist Pacific Wrecks in an effort to find the P-38 Lightning "Marge". Richard, or 'Dick' as friends and internet-adepts today know him, racked up a healthy medal case throughout his time in the Army Air Corps, downing 40 Japanese aircraft in the Pacific Theater. Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lunar lander is not answering their calls, despite hopes that its solar system would possibly provide enough juice to answer the phone. They called an official "time of death" on March 23, 10:30 CST, officially ending the program. Those displeased with the sometimes spotty outcomes of manual food delivery are in luck now that DoorDash is partnering with Wing to provide drone deliveries to customers in selec
Also: Altitude Angel, AeroMech Starlink STC, True Blue Power TB50, Remote ID Authorizations
Joby Aviation committed to delivering an additional 2 eVTOL aircraft to MacDill Air Force Base under the branch's continued testing of novel tech. The delivery is set to take place next year under the AFWERX Agility Prime contract. Joby originally delivered the first of its eVTOLs to Edwards AFB in 2023. Netherlands ANSP LVNL and Altitude Angel broke news of a revamped iteration of GoDrone's flight planning app. GoDrone has managed to secure a strong foothold in the domestic Dutch market since its launch in the Spring of 2020. The company's UTM software has continued to build speed at a number of British airfields, too. end Solutions brought out their Spoof Proof Airtext+ product line, capping off "extensive research and development efforts" with an independently created, secure GPS receiver. The threat of GPS spoofing hasn't yet caught on too deeply in the
The FAA is awarding $20 million to the creation or refurbishment of 20 airport-owned traffic control towers across 17 states under the 'Contract Tower Program'. The money comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, specifically earmarked to "smaller and regional airports to improve safety and support critical aviation operations such as commercial passenger flights, cargo flights, emergency services, agricultural aviation, and flight training." The airports range from Bullhead International in Arizona, where the tower will gain better fire protection, comms equipment, security, mechanical, and interior enhancements along with ADA-compliant layouts.
Domestic Carrier Digs In Its Heels, Establishing Own Trading Facility After Leaseback Loggerheads
Rex, the “largest independent regional and domestic airline” in Australia, stood its ground in a beef with international but somehow surprisingly Australian Ansett Aviation Training, deciding to move their expensive, spiffy 737 sim to a new facility instead of selling it off. The tale is interesting - or as close to interesting as drama in the aviation training industry goes - as the Rex Level D FFS, a Boeing 737NG, UPRT-approved model, had spent its life at an Ansett facility in Brisbane, Australia. Its term of residence expired in 2023, and Ansett Aviation Training refused to extend its term with a new contract. Rex says that they were only given the option of selling the simulator to Ansett, or de-installing it and making the costly trek to facilities elsewhere at a not-inconsiderable cost.
Bring Older Aircraft Up to Factory Spec With Ready-Made BasiX-Pro
Bell Textron has gotten FAA certification for its Basix-Pro Glass Retrofit Kit, creating a new flight deck upgrade compatible with all Bell 412EP models. The new glass cockpit retrofit suite offers all the usual benefits of a glass panel, with synth vision, reduced workload, greater screen space for mapping and charting, and better all-around situational awareness. The retrofit kit offers installers the same gear used in the production line at Textron, with the same Astronautics displays and Garmin avionics included with everything needed to hook them up. It's a great way to upgrade a faithful old aircraft, doing away with old, finicky vacuum gauges and replacing them with dependable digital gear.
MRO Further Adds Capability to Portfolio of Services
StandardAero, having completed the CFM LEAP engine stand up, is now ready to offer Continued Time Engine Maintenance (CTEM) workscopes for LEAP powerplants. It's good news for those operating the LEAP-1A found in the Airbus A320neo family, or the LEAP-1B from the Boeing 737 MAX. StandardAero can perform high-pressure turbine shroud replacements for either version of the LEAP engine. The company moved pretty quick in getting ready to service them, since the news comes scarcely one year after it signed a CFM Branded Service Agreement covering the LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B.
From 2009 (YouTube Version): Nalls Summarizes the Civilian Harrier’s First Year on the Air Show Circuit
Art Nalls’ made history when in the 2009 air show season, he premiered the first civilian “Harrier” show on the circuit. Aero-TV caught up with Nalls at the 2009 ICAS Convention. In addition to successfully completing the six show benchmark, Nalls’ announced several other accomplishments; beyond completing the designated air show schedule, another pilot received qualification for the civilian Harrier. Though the retired USMC major general has had over 2,500 hours in the Harrier, Joe Anderson is not new to the Harrier cockpit; however, at 63 years old, Anderson is now the oldest, currently flying Harrier pilot in the world.
When The Pilot Raised The Landing Gear, The Engine Immediately Lost All Power
Analysis: The pilot observed a high voltage warning during the experimental amateur-built airplane’s takeoff roll on the 5th flight during phase 1 testing. The pilot continued the takeoff and the airplane climbed normally to an altitude of 50 ft. When the pilot raised the landing gear, the engine immediately lost all power. He performed a forced landing straight ahead to a field, during which the fuselage sustained substantial damage. A postaccident examination of the airplane by the pilot revealed that the primary alternator circuit breaker was open.
Also: 2024 AMA National Fun-Fly, B-29 Doc and B-25 Berlin Express, Rex B737 FFS, Dreamliner Pilot Seats
The Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center has embarked on a search for the remains of its WWII ace namesake's aircraft, working with preservation specialist Pacific Wrecks in an effort to find the P-38 Lightning "Marge". Richard, or 'Dick' as friends and internet-adepts today know him, racked up a healthy medal case throughout his time in the Army Air Corps, downing 40 Japanese aircraft in the Pacific Theater. Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lunar lander is not answering their calls, despite hopes that its solar system would possibly provide enough juice to answer the phone. They called an official "time of death" on March 23, 10:30 CST, officially ending the program. Those displeased with the sometimes spotty outcomes of manual food delivery are in luck now that DoorDash is partnering with Wing to provide