Type Certificate Expected By July

Tecnam has announced the introduction of a new airframe, with an aero-diesel engine and a Type Certificate expected by July. Burning just 5.2 US Gal per hour, the P-2010 TDI offers roomy, Italian-style shaped cabin interiors, and takes advantage of the high-wing configuration with 3 access doors plus another dedicated one for the baggage compartment. It can cover 1,000nm with the full tank capacity of 63 US Gal. The P2010 TDI role is to fill a gap in customer choices, as they can now order the "Twenty-Ten" with three different powerplants, and three different fuel capabilities: automotive unleaded (approved on 180hp version), Avgas on the most powerful 215hp variant and, from now on, Jet/Diesel.

Also: Ligado Takes More Flak, ERAU Makes Return Plans, CG Helo Rescue, UND Plans Restart

It was not the best of days for the team at Virgin Orbit, but it was an educational one. After having to scrub a launch attempt on Sunday, May 24th, due to sensor issues, the VO team, finally had the chance to launch a rocket from the belly of their 747 carrier aircraft, 'Cosmic Girl' on Memorial Day. However, while they finally had the chance to release a rocket in real life, things went bad shortly thereafter. The LauncherOne liquid-fueled two-stage rocket angled skyward about 27°, as expected, at the moment of release. After a 4-second freefall, the first stage engine, NewtonThree, was supposed to ignite and allow the vehicle to accelerate to more than 8,000 miles per hour before staging and allowing the second stage to finish the trip to orbit. It was supposed to... but like many things in rocket testi

Also: EAA Confirms COVID-19 SFAR Problems, Tech School Revoked, Rudy Frasca Goes West, FAA Examiner Bribe Attempt

We’re a few steps closer to ‘normalcy.’ With many Ohio businesses open and others preparing for a restart, Sporty's Academy tells us they have resumed training operations last week. Sporty's maintenance staff has carefully examined the entire fleet and cleared each aircraft for return to service, but also notes that each pilot should do the same for themselves as they prepare to return to the flight deck. In light of the new reality, Sporty's has made changes. Getting a pilot’s license is expensive... right? I mean, WAY EXPENSIVE... like over $10K or something... or so they tell us. Well... maybe not. Right Rudder Aviation of Florida’s Inverness Airport (KINF) looked over the regs and then looked over at their Pipistrel Motor-Glider and realized that a gli

Also: Dive Delivery, Wingcopter Emergency Delivery, MQ-8C Fire Scout, Remote ID Development

DJI has unveiled what they call their most advanced commercial drone platform, the Matrice 300 RTK (M300 RTK), and the Zenmuse H20 Series - a hybrid, multi-sensor camera. The M300 RTK integrates advanced AI capabilities, 6 Directional Sensing and Positioning System, a UAV health management system, and 55 minutes' flight time. Alongside AES-256 encryption and an IP45 weather resistant enclosure, the drone platform comes built-in with an all-new OcuSync Enterprise transmission system The M300 RTK can support up to 3 payloads simultaneously and has a maximum payload capability of up to 2.7 kg. In support of Human Rights Watch’s mission of investigating human rights abuses around the world, Parrot has announced that it will provide the organization with its ANAFI drones and advanced software and technical

Deliveries Declined Across All Segments During The First Quarter Of 2020

GAMA has released its report of general aviation aircraft shipments and billings for the first quarter of 2020... and the news is NOT good. Piston, turboprop, business jet and rotorcraft deliveries declined across all segments during the first quarter of 2020 as compared to the first quarter of 2019. "While the year started off strong, the health and safety restrictions put in place to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic began to significantly impact global operations, supply chains and deliveries towards the end of the first quarter. Companies rapidly implemented a wide range of health protocols in accordance with local, regional and national level guidance to keep production, maintenance and training activity churning. Many companies then supplemented ongoing activities with the production and transport of health care materials needed by front line health care workers and communities across the globe. These actions serve as a testament to the adaptability and resili

VO: The Rocket Did Not Explode The folks at Virgin Orbit, displaying an uncommon level of transparency (especially this soon after a launch failure) have filed the following report: Virgin Orbit Report As we’ve delved into the data from yesterday’s flight, the more we see, the happier we get. We’ve taken an enormous step forward as a team, and we wanted to share more about the flight, including both the many things that went well and what we know about the areas where we’ll need to improve. The context of everything that happened before the release of the rocket is incredibly important, and we’ll describe that in detail below. But we won’t make you wait for the part that’s of most interest.

They Only Needed Another 10-20 Minutes To Get Past The Worst of The Weather...

NASA and SpaceX scrubbed Wednesday’s launch attempt of the Demo-2 test flight to the International Space Station with astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley due to unfavorable weather conditions around Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch of the SpaceX Crew Dragon to the ISS was scrubbed less than 20 minutes before the scheduled liftoff due to several 'launch violations' created by different hazards presented by the inclement weather. SpaceX began removing propellant from the Falcon 9 rocket right away before 'safing' the emergency escape system and allowing the astronauts to exit the Crew Dragon spacecraft. The instantaneous launch window reopens at 3:22 p.m. EDT, or 19:22 UTC, with a backup instantaneous launch opportunity available on Sunday, May 31 at 3:00 p.m. EDT, or 19:00 UTC.

First 6,770 Of US Team Members Being Notified

In a letter released Wednesday by Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun, the Boeing boss has started involuntary layoffs as the pandemic continues to take a horrid toll on the aviation community.  Calhoun, while noting that, "I wish there were some other way..." stated that, "Following the reduction-in-force announcement we made last month, we have concluded our voluntary layoff (VLO) program. And now we have come to the unfortunate moment of having to start involuntary layoffs (ILO). We’re notifying the first 6,770 of our U.S. team members this week that they will be affected. We will provide all the support we can to those of you impacted by the ILOs — including severance pay, COBRA health care coverage for U.S. employees and career transition services."

Avoid The Need For A Comeback... Get Your Marketing Right, Right Now!

Some time ago, the Aero-News Network, responding to numerous requests, established a marketing and communications sister company by the name of AEROPRENEUER... and it's been doing amazing work under these difficult circumstances -- and getting results! We're getting rave reviews from our clients, and working hard to earn the trust of a number of new marketing partners along the way. ANN's Amber Cedroni has come up with a few tips to help aero-businesses stay alive in these tough times, and will reach out each week to offer you all a few more from here on out... With millions of people forced to shelter in place, the digital market has a new “captive audience” to entertain. While many people may not be making big purchases, there is still an opportunity to take advantage of this time and ensure that your brand survives this pandemic. Th

From 2016: Sit Back, Relax, and Let’s Go Flying With “FIFI”…

Our ANN video crew took the opportunity at EAA AirVenture 2016 to capture a lot of video of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) B-29 named “FIFI”. Our montage of this airplane includes lots of scenes on the ground, in the air, and onboard the airplane. As you watch the scenes be sure to note such things as the amount of aileron control wheel motion necessary just to get this lumbering giant into a turn. You might also take a look at the flight engineers panel to see what it took to keep those four ‘Wright 3350’ engines running smoothly. You’ll see videos from the outside, from the inside, and from the inside looking out at various angles as the airplane is in flight. You’ll probably agree that the best seat in the house would have to be the bombardier’s position in front