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

Airborne 05.03.21: Crew-1 Returns, Gone West: Chris Heintz, Stratolaunch

Also: WACO Kitchen, Leonardo Opens Heli Academy, TSA Extends Mask Requirement, Warbird Night Flights

Four astronauts splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico in Sunday's wee hours, completing NASA's first commercial crew, long-duration, mission aboard the International Space Station. The return comes nearly six months after the crew members arrived at the microgravity laboratory and also marks the longest-duration mission of a crewed American spacecraft to date. SpaceX's Crew Dragon, carrying NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ast

Airborne 04.29.21: Michael Collins Goes West, Airbus Flightlab, UK Fines

Also: FAI World Paragliding XC Championship, Embraer Delivers, Barksdale Airshow, NBAA Pays Tribute

A true American Hero has gone west. Apollo 11's Mike Collins has passed away. Michael Collins was born Oct. 31, 1930 in Rome, Italy. He graduated from West Point in 1952. He chose an Air Force career. He was a fighter pilot and from 1959 to 1963 served as a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base in California. He logged more than 4,200 hours of flying time. Including the Apollo 11 mission, Collins logged 266 hours in space. He also served as CAPCOM (capsule communicator) for Apollo 8, relaying information b

Airborne-Unmanned 04.27.21: K-MAX TITAN, UPS eVTOL Program, Ingenuity's 3rd Flt

Also: New FAA Drone Regs, Marine Corps MQ-9, Online Recurrent Drone Testing, CBP AMO Guardian UAS

Kaman has conducted the first flight of its new unmanned helicopter, the K-MAX TITAN. Concurrent with commercial development, Kaman is working with the U.S. Marine Corps on upgrading the autonomous capabilities of their two USMC K-MAX air vehicles through a funded government contract. Flight-testing is expected to start in May 2021. UPS, together with its UPS Flight Forward subsidiary, has reported plans to purchase electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft from Beta Technologies (BETA) to augm

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.05.21)

Aero Linx: European Network of Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authorities (ENCASIA) Welcome to the ENCASIA website, designed to provide you with information on the European Network of Civil Aviation Safety Investigation Authorities (ENCASIA) and our role. ENCASIA was established in January 2011 thanks to the entry into force of Regulation (EU) No 996/2010 of 20 October 2010 on the investigation and prevention of accidents and incidents in civil aviation.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.05.21): Procedure Turn Inbound

Procedure Turn Inbound That point of a procedure turn maneuver where course reversal has been completed and an aircraft is established inbound on the intermediate approach segment or final approach course. A report of “procedure turn inbound” is normally used by ATC as a position report for separation purposes.

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.05.21)

"We're very satisfied with our purchase of the 1800th PC-12, and after flying it I'm certain we made the right choice. The return on cost is certainly the best in its category, as the NGX includes the latest engine and avionics technology, and the interior and exterior is a thing of beauty. Pilatus should be proud of the distinctive precision of its Swiss origin." Source: Alán Aguirre, owner of Divine Flavor LLC, a family-run and grower-owned distribution company based in Nogales, Arizona, following the first flight in his new PC-12 NGX.