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Touchdown! Mars Perseverance Rover Safely Lands on Red Planet

The Mars 2020 Mission Launched July 30, 2020, From Cape Canaveral

The largest, most advanced rover NASA has sent to another world touched down on Mars Thursday, after a 203-day journey traversing 293 million miles. Confirmation of the successful touchdown was announced in mission control at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California at 3:55 p.m. EST. Packed with groundbreaking technology, the Mars 2020 mission launched July 30, 2020, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Perseverance rover mission marks an ambitious first step in the effort to collect Mars samples and return them to Earth.

Airborne 02.16.21: F-15EX Progress, French MoD Buys TBMs, Coulson FireLiners

Also: Lunar Outpost Launch Assignments, SWA Pilot's Union, NATA Schools Washington, Embraer 2020 Deliveries

The first F-15EX completed its initial flight in St. Louis Feb. 2. It was announced in August 2020 that the 173rd Fighter Wing will begin transitioning as the F-15EX formal training unit in 2024. “Being selected as the F-15EX formal training unit is an outstanding mission for the 173rd Fighter Wing,” said Col. Jeff Edwards, 173rd FW commander. The French Ministry of Defense has announced a framework agreement to acquire four Daher TBM 940 very fast turboprop aircraft for use by the cou

Surf Air Mobility To Acquire Ampaire

Aimed At Upgrading A First Generation Fleet Of Vehicles Focused On 9- To 19-Seat Aircraft

Surf Air Mobility has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire hybrid electric aviation technology pioneer Ampaire. The addition of Ampaire's proprietary hybrid electric powertrain technology is a critical component in Surf Air Mobility's plans to dramatically improve the affordability, accessibility, and environmental footprint of aviation, beginning with regional travel. "With flight demonstrations and testing already in progress, Ampaire's hybrid electric powertrain technology brings us closer to the next great shift in air travel: sustainable aviation that's accessible to everyone," said Sudhin Shahani, Surf Air Mobility's co-founder and CEO.

StandardAero to Acquire Signature’s Engine Repair and Overhaul Business

Transaction Is Expected To Close Mid-2021

StandardAero has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Signature Aviation’s Engine Repair and Overhaul (ERO) business. The transaction is expected to close mid-2021, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Like StandardAero, ERO is an engine MRO provider primarily for business jet and rotorcraft platforms made up of the following five entities: Dallas Airmotive, H&S Aviation, W.H. Barrett Turbine Engine Company, International Governor Services (IGS) and International Turbine Service (ITS). ERO is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with two overhaul facilities (one in Dallas and the other in Portsmouth, England), ten regional

Associations Advocate for US Homebuilts Flying to Mexico

Change In Policies Have Grounded Many Amateur-Built Flights To Mexico

A number of aviaion associations, including EAA, have sent a joint letter to the AFAC, the civil aviation authority of Mexico, asking it to correct a regulatory snag that has prevented many US-registered amateur-built aircraft from crossing the border in recent months. Unlike other neighboring countries like Canada and The Bahamas, Mexico does not use a standardized blanket flight authorization to validate the airworthiness certificates of homebuilts based in the United States. This makes permission for flights from the U.S. susceptible to changes in policy, interpretation, and/or enforcement.

Royal Flying Doctor Service Selects Upgraded King Air 360s

Four Beechcraft King Air 360CHW Purchased -- With An Option To Purchase An Additional Two

The Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) has agreed to purchase four Beechcraft King Air 360CHW turboprop aircraft, with an option to purchase an additional two aircraft. The new aircraft will add to their already large fleet of Beechcraft King Air aircraft. Deliveries are expected to begin in 2021 and continue through 2023. “By providing a wide range of essential healthcare services to regional, rural and remote communities, the mission scope of the RFDS requires 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week operational availability for the vast territory of the state of Queensland,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Missions Sales.<

Classic Aero-TV: Evolutionary Rotors–Cicaré Helicopters Offer Versatile Airframe

From 2015 (YouTube Version): Long-Time Rotorcraft Manufacturer Looks To Build North American Presence

While at EAA AirVenture 2015, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, checked in on the world of kit-built helicopters by visiting with Raul Oreste, the Chief Commercial Officer for Cicare SA Helicopters. Cicare helicopters is located in Argentina but they are now setting up operations in the United States. Oreste tells us that their company now has four models of helicopters on the market. As he discusses each model, you’ll see each one being flown in the video. An unusual twist in their line of helicopters is a tandem seat v

One More Time! NBAA to Welcome FAA Administrator to Virtual BizAv Town Hall

It Will Be Dickson's Second NBAA Virtual Town Hall Appearance

Demonstrating the association's engagement with administration officials on legislative priorities and regulatory initiatives affecting the industry, the NBAA will welcome back Steve Dickson (pictured), administrator of the FAA, to a Virtual Business Aviation Town Hall taking place Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at 1300 (EST). Dickson will join with NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen in the special NBAA News Hour presentation to discuss a variety of topics of importance to business aviation stakeholders, including the latest developments affecting the industry stemming from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

NTSB Prelim: Piper PA46

The Elevator Then Began To Shake And Become Ineffective

On February 2, 2021, about 1645 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-46-350P, N221ST, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Leicester, Massachusetts. The commercial pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the airplane was on approach to runway 11 at Worcester Regional Airport (ORH), Worcester, Massachusetts. During that time, “a little ice” began to build up on the wings and he activated the deicing system (boots) twice upon entering clouds.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (02.19.21)

Aero Linx: Michigan Department Of Transportation - Aeronautics Aeronautics is an integral part of our transportation system, moving people and goods throughout the world. The airports that support these activities are significant assets and highly important to Michigan’s economy. We now compete globally for opportunities to attract jobs. Good airports play a notable role as people and businesses consider Michigan as a place to live and work. Business growth in Michigan depends on the aviation system being safe and efficient. The estimated economic impact of aviation in Michigan is more than $22 billion annually.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (02.19.21): On-Course Indication

On-Course Indication An indication on an instrument, which provides the pilot a visual means of determining that the aircraft is located on the centerline of a given navigational track, or an indication on a radar scope that an aircraft is on a given track.

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (02.19.21)

“This landing is one of those pivotal moments for NASA, the United States, and space exploration globally – when we know we are on the cusp of discovery and sharpening our pencils, so to speak, to rewrite the textbooks. The Mars 2020 Perseverance mission embodies our nation’s spirit of persevering even in the most challenging of situations, inspiring, and advancing science and exploration. The mission itself personifies the human ideal of persevering toward the future and will help us prepare for human exploration of the Red Planet.” Source: Acting NASA Administrator Steve Jurczyk, in remarks made after the historic landing of Mars 2020 Perseverance.

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February 19, 2021

Airborne 02.19.21: MARS!!!!, 1st DA62 SurveyStar, American Legend Aircraft

Touchdown! Mars Perseverance Rover Safely Lands on Red Planet

The Mars 2020 Mission Launched July 30, 2020, From Cape Canaveral

Airborne 02.16.21: F-15EX Progress, French MoD Buys TBMs, Coulson FireLiners

Also: Lunar Outpost Launch Assignments, SWA Pilot's Union, NATA Schools Washington, Embraer 2020 Deliveries

Surf Air Mobility To Acquire Ampaire

Aimed At Upgrading A First Generation Fleet Of Vehicles Focused On 9- To 19-Seat Aircraft

StandardAero to Acquire Signature’s Engine Repair and Overhaul Business

Transaction Is Expected To Close Mid-2021

Associations Advocate for US Homebuilts Flying to Mexico

Change In Policies Have Grounded Many Amateur-Built Flights To Mexico

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Royal Flying Doctor Service Selects Upgraded King Air 360s

Four Beechcraft King Air 360CHW Purchased -- With An Option To Purchase An Additional Two

Classic Aero-TV: Evolutionary Rotors–Cicaré Helicopters Offer Versatile Airframe

From 2015 (YouTube Version): Long-Time Rotorcraft Manufacturer Looks To Build North American Presence

One More Time! NBAA to Welcome FAA Administrator to Virtual BizAv Town Hall

It Will Be Dickson's Second NBAA Virtual Town Hall Appearance

NTSB Prelim: Piper PA46

The Elevator Then Began To Shake And Become Ineffective

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (02.19.21)

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (02.19.21): On-Course Indication

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Aero-News: Quote of the Day (02.19.21)

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