Aero-News Network: The aviation and aerospace world's daily/real-time news and information service

Airborne 02.23.17: Sonaca 200, Yuneec H920 Plus, SpaceX Delays Mars Mission

Also: NextGen Blimps, AEA/HAI Coverage, L-39 Suit, Drone User Group, Red Arrows Pilot Inquest, 2nd T-50A, Steve Fossett Honored

Sonaca Aircraft is getting ready to start certification tests for the Sonaca 200, with the beginning of 2017 devoted to the assembly of the first two aircraft intended for the ground and flight tests of the single-engine two-seater. The first aircraft will be entirely dedicated to ground tests. A second plane will be used for the flight tests which are scheduled this April. Yuneec International has announced significant upgrades to its H920 airframe -- creating the H920 Plus an

Aero-TV: Versatile AND Practical - The All-Seeing Aeroprakt A-22 LSA

A Quality LSA For Well Under $100k…

Aeroprakt unveiled its new LSA at the Deland Sport Aviation Showcase in November. Dennis Long, U.S. Importer and Distributer for Aeroprakt U.S.A., told ANN’s Tom Patton that the design has been around for nearly two decades. “What makes them special is their handling, anywhere between 100 miles per hour to 30 miles per hour,” Long said. “It’s just spectacular the way they handle thermals, and bumps and crosswinds.”

Airborne 02.22.17: CAF Dixie Wing P-63A, AF1 Price Cut, SLS Manned Flt?

Also: Drone Light Show, Remotely Piloted Helos, TFR Busts, Gulfstream, XTI Aircraft, CA Airlines, Icelandair

After more than 40 years since it’s last flight, the Commemorative Air Force Dixie Wing Bell P-63A-6 Kingcobra serial number 42-68941 flew for the first time last Saturday. Just after 1300hrs local time, pilot Jim Dale took off from the Atlanta Regional Airport. For this important test flight, the Dixie Wing asked experienced pilot Jim “JD” Dale to perform the all-important first post-restoration flight. JD is the director of maintenance for the Lewis Air Legends Collectio

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (02.23.17)

“The report came from the SpaceX mission director ... that Dragon had aborted its approach to the International Space Station because of an apparent problem with what is called the filter on the relative Global Positioning System hardware.” Source: Rob Navis, NASA's mission control commentator at the Johnson Space Center In Houston.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (02.23.17): Tarmac Delay Aircraft

An aircraft whose pilot−in−command has requested to taxi to the ramp, gate, or alternate deplaning area to comply with the Three−hour Tarmac Rule.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (02.23.17)

Tools of the Trade: Drones for the 21st Century Investigator

The NTSB began experimenting with small UAS (sUAS) technology that could support on-scene accident investigation in 2013. By 2015, the NTSB had taken the first real steps toward using UASs to support multimodal accident documentation, obtaining authorization to research sUAS methods and to fly in the DC Special Flight Rules Area, and they began test flights.