Hard Landing, On Target, Destroys Starship SN8

It was one of the most remarkable things we've ever seen... the launch of a SpaceX Starship prototype to 40,000 feet, the repitching to a belly-level descent precision-guided by control surfaces attached to each side, and then a last-minute radical pitch-up followed by reignition of the Raptor rocket engines to a targeted landing... and it came SO close to working this time around. But... the final approach appeared to show problems with getting the engines up to full thrust, followed by what appeared to one or more failures... and the vehicle hit the target ramp at about 70 mph. Flames followed.

Also: Commemorative Air Force, Blue Origin, Virgin Orbit, USPA Nat'l Collegiate Skydiving Championships

The instrument platform of the 305-meter telescope at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico collapsed last week, resulting in damage to the dish and surrounding facilities. No injuries were reported as a result of the collapse. The U.S. National Science Foundation ordered the area around the telescope to be cleared of unauthorized personnel since the failure of a cable Nov. 6. Local authorities will keep the area cordoned off as engineers work to assess the stability of the observatory’s other stru

Yeager Supported EAA In A Variety Of Ways Over A 30-Year Period

EAA is mourning the death of Brig. Gen. Chuck Yeager, one of America's preeminent aviators who also supported EAA in a variety of ways over a 30-year period. Yeager died Monday evening in California at age 97. Gen. Yeager, EAA Lifetime 258188, was best known as the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound when he flew the Bell X-1 at Mach 1 in October 1947. He also had a decorated military career as an Army Air Forces ace in World War II and flew combat missions in the Korean and Vietnam Wars prior to retiring from the military in 1975.

Flights Allow For Development Of Software Components And Testing Of The Aerial Refueling Hardware

Boeing and the U.S. Navy have for the first time flown the MQ-25 T1 test asset with an aerial refueling store (ARS), a significant milestone informing development of the unmanned aerial refueler. The successful 2.5-hour flight with the Cobham ARS – the same ARS currently used by F/A-18s for air-to-air refueling – was designed to test the aircraft’s aerodynamics with the ARS mounted under the wing. The flight was conducted by Boeing test pilots operating from a ground control station at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah, Ill.

The 2021 Show Season Will Celebrate Their 50th Anniversary

Today the Canadian Forces (CF) Snowbirds are releasing their tentative schedule for the 2021 Show Season, which will celebrate their 50th Anniversary. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this schedule is subject to change. The CF Snowbirds are committed to the health and safety of their audiences and will adhere to the highest level of COVID-19 precautions. The team will work with each air show and event to ensure COVID-19 measures are in place for both the Snowbirds team and the general public. “We are looking forward to celebrating our 50th season with Canadians in 2021. We are going to ensure that we follow recommended health measures in order to see our fans again in a safe env

Announced at Virtual ICAS Convention This Week

After a brutal 2020 schedule that saw so many airshows cancelled due to COVID concerns, pretty much destroying the efforts for an entire industry during the year. Earlier; the commander of Air Combat Command, Gen. Mark D. Kelly, approved a one-year extension for the 2019 – 2020 officers to remain on the United States Air Force Thunderbirds for the 2021 demonstration season. This decision was made to maintain the team’s continuity and operational readiness to perform world-class demonstrations. This was a difficult decision, but one that was ultimately in the best interest of the Thunderbirds after a majority of the team’s 2020 air show demonstrations were canceled due to th

From 2016: An Ultralight Trike That Fits In Your Car For Drive And Fly Fun…

While at EAA AirVenture 2016, ANN’s Earl Downs traveled south to the ultralight area (The Fun Zone) on a mission to search out some real ultralights. One that caught his eye was named the Aeros Nonolight Trike. Earl talked with Alexander Voronin, the director of Aeros; the company is located in Ukraine. First up was the question about this good-looking little machine’s ability to meet the FAR 103 ultralight regulations. Voronin assured Earl that with an empty weight of 90 kilograms, it is easily within th

First Of 70 A220 Aircraft For JetBlue To Be Delivered

The first Airbus A220-300 for JetBlue Airways has completed its inaugural test flight from the Mobile Aeroplex at Brookley in Mobile, Alabama. The aircraft performed its test sequences and landed safely at 5:22 p.m. The first of 70 A220 aircraft for JetBlue is scheduled to be delivered to the New York-based airline before year end. The airline’s first A220 aircraft debuted this fall featuring a brand new tailfin livery called “Hops”, designed by JetBlue. The aircraft will be outfitted with a modern single-class cabin configuration and carry passengers on many short trips together as part of a larger journey, commonly referred to as “hopping.”

On The Previous Flight The Pilot Reported Engine Issues

On September 21, 2020, about 1430 central daylight time, an unregistered experimental Quicksilver airplane was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at a private grass strip. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A pilot rated witness stated that on the previous flight the pilot reported engine issues and was unable to achieve more than idle power. He landed the airplane without incident and suggested that the engine issues might have been to due carburetor ice or it was “loaded up” when he decreased the throttle to land.

Aero Linx: The Aerospace Medical Association The Aerospace Medical Association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. It is the largest, most-representative professional membership organization in the fields of aerospace medicine and human performance. AsMA is an umbrella group providing a forum for many different disciplines to come together and share their expertise for the benefit of all persons involved in air and space travel. The Association has provided its expertise to a multitude of Federal and international agencies on a broad range of issues, including aviation and space medical standards, the aging pilot, and physiological stresses of flight. AsMA's

Cleared For The Option ATC authorization for an aircraft to make a touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop and go, or full stop landing at the discretion of the pilot. It is normally used in training so that an instructor can evaluate a student’s performance under changing situations. Pilots should advise ATC if they decide to remain on the runway, of any delay in their stop and go, delay clearing the runway, or are unable to comply with the instruction(s).

"Chuck Yeager's aviation accomplishments are well documented and legendary. His personal support of EAA and its programs helped take them to new levels, and thousands of people had the opportunity to meet and hear him when he was at Oshkosh. We will remember Gen. Yeager for those generous commitments of his time to EAA, along with his immortal aviation achievements." Source: Jack J. Pelton, EAA's CEO and Chairman of the Board, speaking in remembrance of the late Brigadier General Chuck Yeager.