Missing Plane Took Off Without Permission

A missing AN-2 biplane is still missing after wreckage found by a search party proved to be that of a different AN-2. A massive search, involving nearly 1500 people, 300 vehicles and 11 aircraft has been underway for almost 3 weeks but to no avail. The Moscow Times reports the still missing aircraft took off from the Urals city of Serov with 13 people on board, including the local traffic police chief. The aircraft departed June 11 on an unauthorized flight and then mysteriously disappeared.

North Star Group Receives Four-Year Package Which Includes Engineering, Technical Training

The FAA ATO Office of Technical Training (AJL) has awarded a prime contract to North Star Group, LLC  for technical training and professional support services. The contract is for four years consisting of one 12 month base period with three 12 month options.

Industry's 'Consensus Standards' Still Subject To Heavy-Handedness From FAA

Aero-News Analysis by Jim Campbell, ANN CEO/E-I-C ANN has noted the hub-bub that has been started by the recent publication of an FAA 'Notice Of Policy' LONG after we raised concerns about the potential of such actions like those now being taken... While being accused of over-reacting in our stories about the FAA's actions against a few LSA manufacturers during "Audits" they conducted here in the States; we now find ourselves, again, in "I told you so" mode. We're not happy to be in that mode at all, but what we feared then, now appears to be taking place as the FAA, who has ignored far greater dangers and problems facing other aspects of aviation, now seems to be interested

Five More Phases Of Flight Tests Are Planned

The Terrafugia Transition production prototype has completed the first phase of its flight test program.  Phase 1 flight testing, conducted at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, NY, allowed Terrafugia to check off many critical early testing objectives for the Transition program.  The company said in a news release that the prototype performed exceptionally well.

Organizers Hopeful Of A 2013 Event

A $42,000 public safety fee has proven to be the death knell for the 2012 PNC Airshow. Originally scheduled for June 8-9, 2012, and then postponed to later in the summer, the organizers announced their decision last week. At issue was a $42,000 fee required by the cities of Peoria, East Peoria and the Peoria Park District. The proposed fee was to cover the cost of police security and cleanup services after the show. The $42,000 would have been split with $20,000 going to Peoria, $17,000 to East Peoria and at least $5,000 to the Park district.

City Had Proposed Paying Flight Schools To Conduct Training Elsewhere

The NIMBY's who live near the Santa Monica (CA) airport (KSMO) are still looking for a way to restrict the number of operations at the airport. The most recent was a move by the city government to offer flight schools $150 for each qualifying flight they conducted at another airport. The goal is to cut back on air traffic using KSMO by as many as 4,800 operations, mostly on weekends and holidays.