Lack of Long-Term Confidence Harms Industry, Says Stakeholder

A handful of GA advocacy groups have taken issue with the "continued short-term extensions of authorization for the FAA", telling Congress that they could "challenge the certainty that industry and the FAA depend on to enable long-term planning and investment in many critical areas required to ensure the safety of the NAS and America's global leadership in aviation." The FAA is only authorized through December 31st of this year, despite months of negotiations. Last July, the House passed bipartisan reauthorization legislation that would see the FAA set through 2028, but the Senate has yet to act on the bill. Patience, it seems, is wearing thin in the industry.

Aerojet Rocketdyne Continues Work on Rocket for Lunar Return

NASA finished the 3rd of a series of 12 ground tests of the SLS rocket that will one day power Artemis program missions to the moon - and beyond. As installed, 4 engines will generate a combined 1.6 million pounds of thrust at launch, and 2 million during ascent. Artemis missions I through IV will use "modified holdover space shuttle main engines", scavenged by NASA and Aerojet Rocketdyne in a feat of thriftiness.

ForeFlight Runway Analysis Comes to Hondajet

Honda's work with ForeFlight has borne fruit for the clientele of both brands, with HondaJet operators now able to integrate accurate "Runway Analysis" into their everyday flights. The tool "transforms the tedious task of calculating takeoff and landing performance into an integral and effortless part of any jet pilot’s preflight workflow", saving pilots some trouble in their flight planning. Of course, nothing comes free with ForeFlight - the addition must be purchased as an add-on to an existing ForeFlight subscription.

Wittman Regional Remains Home for AirVenture for Years to Come

The Experimental Aviation Association has confirmed dates for their yearly AirVenture fly-in all the way through 2027, confirming each week to take place at Wittmann Regional Airport in late July. The change is great news for those who like to plan a long way into the future, with each convention held in the region since 1970. The EAA knows that it's just about the biggest thing in sport aviation throughout the Western Hemisphere (and even beyond), so it's something of a courtesy to provide a heads-up to the rest of the industry.

Breadth of 500, 550, 560 Series Covered with Backup EFIS

Blackhawk Aerospace Technologies has obtained the STC for the retrofitment of the GI-275 Electronic Standby Instrument System for Cessna Citation aircraft. The models included in the STC vary, including all serial number aircraft for 500,501,550,S550,560,560XL series Citations. As usual, the GI-275 is a fave for those running older, less reliable systems - a well-placed unit can be a very affordable way to have faithful standby instruments that operators can go the distance with minimal fuss. A Blackhawk Aerospace PMA kit rounds out the ease of installation.

Klyde Examines How NASA and SpaceX Both Made Progress

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

From 2023 (YouTube Version): Germany’s Best by Way of Florida

Established in 1980 by German aerobatic pilot Walter Extra as a means by which to design and develop his own airplanes, EXTRA Aircraft—EXTRA Flugzeugbau in its founder’s native tongue—has evolved into one of the world’s premier makers of aerobatic aircraft. EXTRA’s aircraft line-up comprises the EXTRA 330 SC, a single seat, low-wing, aerobatic monoplane possessed of the sort of aerobatic performance that won world championships in 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022; the EXTRA 330 LX, a two-seat, tandem arrangement, low-w

Despite the Continental Offerings Abroad, BAA Still Buys American

International flight enterprise BAA training inked a deal for 48 C-172s, expanding their educational Cessna fleet around the world. BAA Training is a full-spectrum GA provider with facilities in Spain, Lithuania, France and Vietnam. Additionally, pilot training services are provided through a consultancy office in India and a sales representative office in the UAE. Their sprawling flight training kingdom means they need plenty of trusty trainer planes, and they're willing to pony up for the blue chip of the GA world in the C-172 Skyhawk. They went all-in on a purchase for 48 spiffy new Cessnas, taking a bit of an unusual tack in a region where Diamond's little DA-20 Katana or do-all DA-40

Prototype UAV Expected to Fly in 2025

Airbus finalized a deal with the Spanish Ministry of Defence for the development and acquisition of SIRTAP, a "High Performance Tactical UAS that will reinforce the tactical capabilities of the Spanish Army and the Air and Space Force." The contract will include 9 total systems, each including a suite of 3 uncrewed aircraft and one control station. To help provide cost-effective training, a pair of simulators will be included too. SIRTAP sports a payload of 330 lbs and a range of 1,200 sm. Its 20-hour endurance provides a flexible, stationable, responsive day/night operator even in controlled airspace. All of that remains somewhat theoretical at the moment, with the first prototype flight expected to take plac

Finished with Testing and Evaluation, the 6th Aircraft Delivery Heralds Start of Mass Production

Boeing has begun its move towards low rate initial production for the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter after tending the 6th and final test aircraft to the USAF in October, ending its Research, Development, Test & Evaluation phase. LRIP will begin assembling 13 new aircraft as contracted, with up to 80 more on order should they be chosen. The first of the new batch has already headed into final assembly, and Boeing believes they can have the first completed unit of the batch in customer hands in 2024.

Conducting A Low Pass Over An Off-Airport Landing Strip At An Altitude Of 100 Ft Above The Ground

Analysis: The pilot reported that, while conducting a low pass over an off-airport landing strip at an altitude of 100 ft above the ground, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The pilot felt the airplane was unable to climb out of the valley without stalling, so he maintained airspeed, but the airplane descended and impacted the ground. The airplane subsequently rebounded and came to a rest in an upright position, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operatio

Aero Linx: Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST)  CAST’s initial goal was to reduce the commercial aviation fatality risk in the United States by 80 percent from 1998 to 2008. By 2008, CAST was able to report that by implementing the most promising safety enhancements, the fatality risk of commercial air travel in the United States was reduced by 83 percent. CAST’s goal over the next decade is to transition to prognostic safety analysis. CAST aims to reduce the remaining U.S. commercial fatality risk by 50 percent from 2010 to 2025 and continue to work with our international partners to reduce fatality risk in worldwide commercial aviation.

Lost Communications Loss of the ability to communicate by radio. Aircraft are sometimes referred to as NORDO (No Radio). Standard pilot procedures are specified in 14 CFR Part 91. Radar controllers issue procedures for pilots to follow in the event of lost communications during a radar approach when weather reports indicate that an aircraft will likely encounter IFR weather conditions during the approach. 

"This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the FAA’s aviation safety and infrastructure programs for five years and provides the multi-year structure, resources, and direction the FAA needs. Additionally, H.R. 3935 recognizes the vital national role of our industry by including the first-ever general aviation title, which makes critical reforms to FAA services of specific interest to our industry segment. This bill enables the FAA to move forward on areas of significant importance to general aviation including workforce development, regulatory process improvement, airspace modernization, and the development and enabling of new technologies."   Source: From an address by the NBAA concerning after the House passed bip