What $858-Billion Buys

Following the Biden administration’s addition of $45-billion to initial defense budget requests, lawmakers have made public a compromised version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)—a convoluted feat of legislative and fiscal legerdemain slated to cost U.S. taxpayers a dizzying $858-billion. The NDAA’s language connotes the Pentagon’s ambitions to develop and field next-generation aircraft and high-tech battlefield technologies for purpose of countering increasingly relevant Chinese and Russian threats.

Small is the New Big

On 09 December 2022, DJI introduced its Mini 3, a compact, ultra-lightweight camera drone which—at a mass of less than 249-grams—is exempt from UAV regulations in many parts of the world.

Also: 500th Licensed Space Launch, NetJets Adds Global 8000, Hartzell Prop Discounts, R-R Hydrogen Engine

On 25 November 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada fatuously allowed the release of the AC624 Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcripts for use in a class action proceeding—thereby sharply, and dangerously contradicting ICAO annex 13, which states plainly and persuasively that the sole objective of an accident investigation is, “the prevention of accidents and incidents without apportioning blame or liability.” A team of veterans are aiming for a world-record to support Gold Star families - skydiving all 7 continents in the span of a

Also: 500th Licensed Space Launch, NetJets Adds Global 8000, Hartzell Prop Discounts, R-R Hydrogen Engine

On 25 November 2022, the Supreme Court of Canada fatuously allowed the release of the AC624 Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) transcripts for use in a class action proceeding—thereby sharply, and dangerously contradicting ICAO annex 13, which states plainly and persuasively that the sole objective of an accident investigation is, “the prevention of accidents and incidents without apportioning blame or liability.” A team of veterans are aiming for a world-record to support Gold Star families - skydiving all 7 continents in the span of a

Of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Security

The United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy have entered into a partnership by which the three countries seek to develop, build, flight-test, and ultimately deploy a sixth-generation jet fighter. The initiative—which has been ascribed the prosaic, perhaps overly-broad moniker Global Combat Air Program (GCAP)—proposes to field an aircraft sporting advanced sensors, cutting-edge weapons, and innovative data systems by 2035.

Five for the Show

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)—the industry trade association representing general aviation aircraft manufacturers—announced on 08 December 2022 that its membership roster would thenceforth be graced by the additions of MD Helicopters as an association Member; Archer, Overair and Volocopter as Associate Members, and Odys Aviation as an Associate Member EPIC (Electric Propulsion & Innovation Committee).

Aero Linx: Short Wing Piper Club Short Wing Piper Club members share a common dedication to the enjoyment, flying, preservation, restoration and maintenance of five of Piper?s finest aircraft – the Piper Vagabond, Clipper, Pacer, Tri-Pacer and Colt. SWPC Members enjoy the use of a free lending library offering technical information, books, videos, an extensive collection of tools, plus the ability to take advantage of discounted parts and even free product drawings for such items as LED Landing and Taxi lights, Vortex Generator kits, and aircraft batteries, to name but a few. Our members participate in online forums dedicated to sharing social, technical, safety, and general aviation

Nonprecision Approach Procedure A standard instrument approach procedure in which no electronic glideslope is provided; e.g., VOR, TACAN, NDB, LOC, ASR, LDA, or SDF approaches.

"People from all walks of life are forced to drive hours to a city with air service because there are too few pilots to take them by air. Talented, aspiring pilots, without $200,000 to finance flight training, cannot enter the career because student loans are not geared to provide equitable access to aviation careers." Source: Faye Malarkey Black, CEO of the RAA, making comments about RAA's yearly report, providing stakeholders a comprehensive image of the regional airline market, and worrying things to come.