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December 11, 2020

Airborne 12.11.20: SpaceX Starship Test, Falcon 6X, Chuck Yeager Goes West

Also: Joby Takes On Uber Elevate, SkyHawks Season Cancelled, MQ-25 Test, JetBlue A220

It was quite an explosion...shortly after the launch of a SpaceX Starship prototype to 40,000 feet. The steel rocket prototype that SpaceX hopes will be used to put human on Mars had a successful launch and for a few minutes everything was looking good until -- reignition of the Raptor rocket engines to a targeted landing. 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 be one or more failures... and the vehicle hit the target ramp at about 70 mph. The final assembly team at Dassault Aviation in Bordeaux-Merignac (France) opened the doors of Charles Lindbergh Hall this week

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GE H-Series Aerobatic Engine Powers Its First Flight On Diamond DART-550

New GE H75-A Features Single-Lever Electronic Engine And Propeller Control

On 4 December 2020, Diamond Aircraft’s DART-550 performed its first flight with the new fully aerobatic GE Aviation H75-A engine at Wiener Neustadt East Airport (LOAN) in Austria. This new turboprop engine is the first aerobatic engine developed by GE Aviation at its Turboprop headquarters in the Czech Republic to provide 550shp for the next generation of aerobatic turboprop training aircraft. After an extensive testing campaign inside the propeller and dyno test cells at the GE Aviation Czech, the new GE H75-A is set to undergo several flight and aerobatic tests on board the brand-new DART-550 that has already been flying with the modified standard H75 engine.

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

US Navy Blue Angels Will Headline

Airshow London is obviously 'extremely excited' to announce that their 2021 show will make a return as a drive-in event, August 27-29, after what they reported to be a sell-out success in 2020 with Canada's first 'socially responsible and physically distant air show.' Headlining the show will be the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Demonstration Team, and added to 2021 will be a Friday evening show. As the only air show that took place in Canada in 2020, SkyDrive was created as a result of Covid-19 and adheres to advanced safety measures. Airshow London is excited to once again host a safe, innovative and exciting tail-gate experience that conforms to public health guidelines and offers a family-friendly, memorable experienc

CF Picking Up The Pace After Cancelling 2020 Demo Schedule

Like Many, The 2020 Airshow Was Tough On The Revered Canadian Forces... 2020 was not good for the CF-18 demo team. Uncertainty regarding COVID-19, the cancellation of most air shows on their 2020 schedule, as well as the need to protect the health and safety of spectators and their team members, resulted in the cancellation of the 2020 CF-18 Demo Team season. This did not go over well with the powers-that-be in the Canadian Forces, "We are disappointed that we won’t get to see any of our amazing and supportive fans this summer. We know that this is a difficult year for our airshow community and want to say thank you to the organizers and countless volunteers who worked so hard to pre

From 2009: Measuring Up At Arlington 2009

There is a reason that ANN dubbed the annual Arlington Fly-In the Friendly Fly-In -- no other event produces as positive a vibe as Arlington and does it with such consummate professionalism... and yeah, its chock full of aviation goodness, to boot. ANN sent two of our best folks to Arlington (last) year, to enjoy and document the sites, sounds, stories and personalities of Arlington 2009. ANN E-Media producer Paul Plack and Videographer Nathan Cremisino wore out a lot of shoe leather but came back with big grins on their faces and a sin

Fort Worth Jet & Associates Takes Off At Meacham Int'l

FWJ&A Boss Is Also An A&P

Fort Worth Jet & Associates, under the leadership of James Robertson, an industry veteran and Fort Worth native, has opened for business at Meacham International Airport (KFTW) in Fort Worth, TX. Fort Worth Jet & Associates is located inside the new LEED Silver Certified Administration Building at 201 American Concourse in Fort Worth, Texas just five miles from downtown Fort Worth. The airports boast two museums, a 24-hour control tower, two 7,501 x 150 ft. runways and two 4,006 x 75 ft. runways equipped for ILS approaches which serve as a premier corporate and general aviation facility in North Texas. American Aero, a world-class IS-BAH Stage III FBO, calls KFTW home along with Northrop Grumman, Bell Heli

Daher's Nicolas Chabbert Will Serve As Chair Of The Board

GAMA has updated its Executive Committee leadership team for 2021. The Executive Committee is comprised of members of GAMA's Board of Directors, who provide strategic leadership for the association and lead its policy committees. Nicolas Chabbert, Senior Vice President of Daher's Aircraft division and CEO of Daher Aircraft and Kodiak Aircraft, will serve as Chair of the Board. Previously, Chabbert has served as Vice Chair and chair of the Safety Affairs & Accident Investigation Committee. Michael Amalfitano, President and CEO at Embraer Executive Jets, will serve as Vice Chair. Previously, Amalfitano served as chair of the Communication Committee...

Pilot "Saw A 'Puff Of Smoke' And Watched As A 'Jug' Passed By The Cockpit"

On September 21, 2020, about 1949 eastern daylight time, a Stearman E75, N1524M, was involved in an accident in Honea Path, South Carolina. The private pilot and his airline transport pilot-rated student were seriously injured. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot and his passenger were interviewed by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety inspectors, and their versions of events were consistent throughout. According to the pilot, he performed the takeoff and a few minutes into the flight he saw a “puff of smoke” and watched as a “jug” passed by the cockpit. He said th

AD 2020-22-10 Requires An Inspection Of The Foam Insulation On The Overhead Panel Support Structure

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-14-02, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 777-200, -200LR, -300, and -300ER series airplanes. AD 2018-14-02 required an inspection for foam insulation on the dripshield above the overhead panel support structure and replacement if necessary. For certain airplanes, AD 2018-14-02 also required replacement of foam insulation on the overhead panel support structure. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2018-14-02, and, for certain airplanes, this AD requires an inspection of the foam insulation on the overhead panel support structure, and replacement if necessary. This AD

AD 2020-21-17 Prompted By Reports Of Bolt Rotation In The Engine Drag Fitting Joint And Fastener Heads

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-16-05, which applied to certain The Boeing Company Model 757 airplanes. AD 2018-16-05 required repetitive inspections for skin cracking and shim migration at the upper link drag fittings, diagonal brace cracking, and fastener looseness; and applicable on-condition actions. This AD retains the actions required by AD 2018-16-05, reduces the compliance times for certain inspections, and adds repetitive inspections at certain fastener hole locations and applicable on-condition actions. This AD was prompted by reports of bolt rotation in the engine drag fitting joint and fastener heads; an inspe

Aero Linx: The Aircrew Association (ACA) The Aircrew Association (ACA) was formed in 1977 to foster comradeship amongst those who, having been awarded an official flying badge, qualified to operate military aircraft in the armed services of the UK, its allies and the Commonwealth. Under the central ACA organisation, many branches were established in the UK and overseas where aircrew could meet and enjoy like-minded company. The Intercom house magazine enabled members worldwide to exchange news. The great majority of members were aircrew from WWII and inevitably time has taken its toll. As a result of declining membership, the central ACA organisation disbanded in Summer 2011, leaving branche

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.11.20): Airspace Flow Program (AFP)

Airspace Flow Program (AFP) AFP is a Traffic Management (TM) process administered by the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) where aircraft are assigned an Expect Departure Clearance Time (EDCT) in order to manage capacity and demand for a specific area of the National Airspace System (NAS). The purpose of the program is to mitigate the effects of en route constraints. It is a flexible program and may be implemented in various forms depending upon the needs of the air traffic system.

"After an amazing 2020 event, with incredible and extensive feedback from our fans to continue with the SkyDrive format, we look forward to hosting another drive-in air show in 2021. We are excited build on this innovative concept and provide our fans with an awesome show!" Source: Jim Graham, Chair, Airshow London, discussing the plans for the 2021 SkyDrive event. Their 2021 show will make a return as a drive-in event, August 27-29, after what they reported to be a sell-out success in 2020 with Canada's first 'socially responsible and physically distant air show.'