Blue Angels Continue Air Show Season

The Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, will resume all previously scheduled performances for the 2011 season beginning with Quad City Air Show in Davenport, Iowa, June 18-19.

An Honorable Role For A Cool Little Twin

In a day and age when GA can use all the good press it can get, it sure is nice watching a familiar GA bird doing duty in a role that anyone can feel good about. Diamond's double-breasted DA42 MPP, powered by two turbo-charged diesel engines, has accomplished its first test flight with a OPTIMARE IR/UV Line Scanner as well as the OPTIMARE VIS Line Scanner at Diamond’s headquarters in Austria to detect oil spills.

Installations Upgrade 1960s Panels To Aspen Glass

Aspen Avionics 'tells' ANN (though, 'brags' is a more accurate term... and for good reason) that it has long enjoyed a customer list comprised of a wide variety of aircraft, but now that list has become more extensive with two L-39 owners upgrading their 1960s-era panels with the Aspen Avionics Evolution system.

Simcom Upgrades Eclipse Sim Training

SimCom Training Centers tells ANN that it is upgrading one of its Eclipse simulators and has expanded the capabilities and credits of its Eclipse 500 training courses in Orlando, FL. These improvements will allow pilots to train using the most advanced avionics available for the airplane and will provide the most efficient Initial Type Rating program.

ANN Daily Touch-And-Go: 06.10.11 (ANN's Short-Form Daily News Program) ANN Daily Aero-Briefing: 06.10.11 (ANN's Long-Form Daily News Program) ANN Special Feature: Mason Holland, Eclipse Aerospace - 06.10.11 (ANN Special Report, with Eclipse Aerospace Chairman and President Mason Holland)

Avfuel To Brand Kearney Aviation Center (KAC)

Kearney Regional Airport's newest FBO, Kearney Aviation Center, is ready for business and is partnering with Avfuel for the requisite motion lotion. Reported to be fully operational as of June 1, the FBO will offer Avfuel products and services including contract fuel and AVTRIP.

SAR-X Conducted In The Croatan National Forest

The ocean’s choppy waves cause the water to rush inside the boat slowly, causing it to sink. In the middle of the ocean, as a growing fear sets in, a loud rumble is heard overhead in the dark night. Looking up in the sky, a bright light breaks the darkness, and down comes a man on a rope yelling he’s here to help. He then puts a strap around your waist and begins to hoist you from the cold water and toward the helicopter with the spotlight.

How'd You Like To Among The First To Crew A Whole New Generation of Airliners?

Talk about a milestone (and 'no' pressure)... Boeing and ANA (All Nippon Airways) have completed pilot training in Seattle, WA, for the first airline crews who will fly the 787 Dreamliner. Ten ANA pilots concluded their training after each pilot performed flights in ZA001 – the first 787 flight test airplane – over Washington state. These initial crews to go through training are ANA's senior training pilots and check airmen and will conduct both simulator and airplane line training for ANA in Japan. They will be the first pilots on 787 commercial flights for ANA.

Five Souls Lost In Takeoff Accident

According to an NTSB Prelim, the start of a short flight in a Cessna 180 seemed a bit off right from the start, with the bird assuming an excessive pitch angle right at departure and heading off runway heading (toward obstacles).. and flying for only a short while before going down barely a half mile from the airport...

Even in A Tough Economy, Union Insists On Significant Contract Upgrades

As shareholders of United Airlines gather this week for the annual United Airlines shareholders meeting, ALPA tells ANN (using some pretty confrontational language as it postures for position) that, 'it is incumbent upon United CEO Jeff Smisek and his management team to thoroughly explain the facts regarding the progress of the United/Continental merger. Much work remains to be completed before they can proclaim the merger a success, according to the pilots of United and Continental Airlines.'

Awwwww... A Really Cool and Emotionally Satisfying Way To Use Your Airplane!

I dare you to consider the mission of Pilots n Paws... and not be affected. Devoted to helping the helpless, the aviators who comprise Pilots n Paws not only do "a service" to the world... but also show the world how big a heart aviation (and aviators) possess.

Sandia Helps Make Sense of Air-Data... Via the SAC 7-35 ADC

On a recent visit to the wilds of Albuquerque, NM, ANN spent some quality time with the folks of Sandia Aerospace. In this program, Sandia Aerospace details how their recently TSO'd SAC 7-35 Airdata Computer was designed specifically for the new generation of integrated avionics that provides the pilot with a host of information to make his flying safer and more economical.

Training in Experimentals Returns, But Challenges Remain

The FAA has issued a long awaited and desperately needed document with instructions to its Field Service District Offices (FSDO) on the issuance of Letters of Deviation Authority (LODA) allowing compensated flight instruction in experimental aircraft. For some aircraft classes, such aircraft are the only reasonably available trainers in the US, and an FAA block on new LODA three years ago, and the end of training in E-LSAs last year, has all but wiped out access to primary training for some pilots at the low-cost end of the general aviation spectrum.

Latest King Air Gets Its Ticket

Hawker Beechcraft has received type certification from the FAA for the latest derivative of its Beechcraft King Air line, the King Air 250. Developed from inputs received from more than 3,000 customers worldwide, the King Air 250 utilizes new composite technology, lighter weight construction, and engine induction modifications to produce enhanced performance and greater versatility.

ATA 'Reaffirms' Airlines' Support for Our Military

In the wake of the public drubbing Delta airlines got, this week, over stiffing a number of soldiers returning from Afghanistan with at least one too may gear bags, the airline industry is displaying a sudden wave of selfish, uh, selfless patriotism. Mind you, this only happened after some of the soldiers who, collectively, ponied up over $2800 in extra fees... and then took their case to YouTube with a video that, in a number of forms and copies, has received over a half-million views... and counting.

The Acronyms Are Bugging Klyde... Big-Time

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

"PolAir 4" Will Serve Areas From Wollongong To Newcastle In The State

The New South Wales, Australia, Police Force has taken delivery of the latest addition to its Aviation Support Branch. Dubbed "PolAir 4" the force’s newest helicopter is a twin-engine Eurocopter EC135 P2+.

Five-Year Deal For MRO Services On Beech 1900D Fleet

A service agreement for engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) has been signed between Vector Aerospace Corporation and Gulfstream International Airlines (GIA), based in Dania Beach, FL.

"It is encouraging to hear that EAA has a commitment from the FAA to revisit the new LODA policy if it doesn't work, but it's unclear what the definition of "work" will be, or whether it will take another three years for the next step. The first few reports from instructors on wait times for handling of LODA applications will shape an expectation of how long the biennial renewals might take. It might be wise for would-be pilots in general aviation's true entry level, the low-and-slow experimentals, to get training while you can. While you're at it, get at least a Sport Pilot rating in a traditional airplane, because it could one day be the only way to get a flight review and stay legal to fly your PPC, trike or gyro." Source: ... From ANN Staffe

The delay assignment is calculated in 15-minute increments and appears as a table in Traffic Flow Management System (TFMS).

Vintage Aviation Historical Foundation (VAHF)

Have you ever wondered what it might have felt like to be at Kitty Hawk? The Vintage Aviation Historical Foundation (VAHF) was established for people just like you.