With a Simmering 'Omicron' Outbreak in China, Authorities Expected to Eye Lockdowns

The website for ABACE 2022 was updated to notify prospective attendees of its third cancellation, formerly planned to take place from April 12-14, 2022. The NBAA and Shanghai Airport Authority may well have decided that the conditions leading up to the expo are not likely to remain stable amid COVID concerns throughout Asia. China’s border remains largely impassable to the average non-emergency tourist, requiring particular visas or citizenship to enter the country for the foreseeable future.  

Facetime at 35,000 Feet Begins

A new era of aeronautical internet connectivity has begun, with the rollout of the Gogo Business Aviation's 5G network. December 2021 saw the completion of the first series of 5G towers, completed just in time for a January launch. The services are only a prelude to a greater whole, with a flurry of additional sites set for launch throughout the first half of 2022. "These seven sites will serve as a testbed for our 150-tower nationwide network," said Mike Rupert, vice president of network operations for Gogo Business Aviation. "The testbed includes sites in both remote and populated locations in order to validate the network is operating as designed in all types of environments."

Says Air Travel Disruptions Will Be Reduced With Postponed 5G Activation

AT&T and Verizon have agreed to a 2-week pause before activating their new section of the C-band for 5G service, pushing their activation date from January 5 to the 19th. Also in the works are plans to limit output of certain transmitters in the vicinity of "priority" airports for 6 months while the effects are monitored. Network activation has been delayed multiple times, to the chagrin of speed-hungry technorati throughout the country. The introduction of 5G will bring a much-desired speed increase for consumers streaming high density data applications like video conferencing, high-def content streaming, or low-latency gaming.

AD 2021-26-14 Retains The Requirements Of AD 2018-11-01 And Requires A Modification For Replacing Aluminum Splices

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-11-01, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. AD 2018-11-01 required installing a cut-out for the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) rail support junction profiles and repetitively inspecting splices, frame 5295, and related equipment for a crack. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-11-01, the manufacturer has developed a modification for in-service helicopters for replacing aluminum splices with steel splices on frame 5295. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2018-11-01 and requires a modification for replacing aluminum splices with steel

AD 2021-26-18 Prompted By Several Reported Occurrences Of Loss Of Tightening Torque Of The Shur-Lok Nut

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-21-01 for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, and SA-365N1 helicopters. AD 2020-21-01 required modifying the main gearbox (MGB) tail rotor (T/R) drive flange installation. This AD was prompted by several reported occurrences of loss of tightening torque of the Shur-Lok nut, which serves as a retainer of the MGB T/R drive flange. This AD continues to require modifying the MGB T/R drive flange installation, and includes additional helicopters in the applicability  for the required actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on t