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December 16, 2020

Airborne-Unmanned 12.16.20: NAVY's New AVOs, Hydrogen Fuel-Cell, 500 Drone Saves

Also: Ampaire Test, FLIR Acquires Altavian, AMA Works With Congress, New Drone Advocacy Group

The Navy announced a new warrant officer specialty designator whose job will be to operate carrier-based MQ-25 Stingray unmanned aerial vehicles, which are expected to start appearing in fleet carrier air wings sometime in 2024. The establishment of the Aerial Vehicle Operator (AVO) warrant officer specialty became a reality Dec. 9 with Secretary of the Navy approval of the new designator. Over the next 6-10 years, the Navy will recruit, train and send to the fleet, a community of roughly 450 warrants in grades W-1 through W-5. The MAHEPA consortium has confirmed the successful proving flight of a fascinating technology aboard an Hy4 aircraft. In November 2020, the (Hy4) high 4 hydrogen

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AEA Convention Moves to June 2021

Show Re-Set for June 22-25 at Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas

The Aircraft Electronics Association has moved the dates of its 64th annual AEA International Convention & Trade Show to June 22-25, 2021. The event will take place at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas. "The health and well-being of attendees and exhibitors is our top priority," said AEA President and CEO Mike Adamson. "In consultation with hotel and health officials in Dallas, we have decided to move the event dates to allow more time for COVID-19 vaccinations and for the possibility of fewer travel restrictions. We will continue to work with our hotel partner to ensure that we can meet safely by following established protocols along with guidance from the CDC and local governmen

Also: 100 Falcon 9 Launches, Submarine Drone Delivery, Walmart Drone Shows, FAA Drone Registrations

The FAA published airworthiness criteria for the proposed certification of 10 different UAS as special class aircraft. This is a crucial step to enabling more complex drone operations beyond what is allowed under the small unmanned aircraft rule (Part 107), including package delivery. Director of Aircraft Certification Service Policy and Innovation. Dr. Michael C. Romanowski said, "The development of airworthy, durable, and reliable unmanned aircraft is a crucial step forward for this innovative sector...

Oshkosh 2021's Flying Demos Will Commemorate End Of World War II

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 will feature expanded warbird flying activities as the annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention commemorates the 75th anniversary (plus one) since the end of World War II. The 68th EAA fly-in convention takes place July 26-August 1 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. EAA AirVenture will tell the many aviation stories of The Greatest Generation and the worldwide conflict during its renowned afternoon air shows. It will feature flying displays and groups that are favorites for EAA audiences. Highlighting the weeklong commemoration will be major air show flying activities on Friday and Saturday, July 30-31. There will also be additional

A Fourth Crew Member Will Be Added At A Later Date

NASA and the European Space Agency have selected three astronauts to serve as crew members for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 mission to the International Space Station, which is expected to launch in the fall of 2021. The trio will consist of NASA astronauts Raja Chari and Tom Marshburn, who will serve as commander and pilot, respectively, and ESA astronaut Matthias Maurer, who will serve as a mission specialist. A fourth crew member will be added at a later date, following a review by NASA and its international partners.

CAP Is Flying The Pfizer Vaccine To Smaller Communities w/o Scheduled Air Service

The South Dakota Wing delivered Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Dec. 15 to Prairie Lakes Hospital in Watertown on behalf of the South Dakota Department of Health. At the Health Department's request, the wing is flying the Pfizer vaccine to certain smaller communities in the state without regularly scheduled air service. Other wing members will assist with mission planning and logistical support. Civil Air Patrol is assisting with vaccine distribution in its role as the U.S. Air Force auxiliary, part of the Air Force Total Force.

RAA Applauds, Urges Passage of the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act

Bill Includes A Partial Extension Of The Highly Successful Payroll Support Program

Following Monday's introduction of Covid-relief legislation backed by bicameral, bipartisan support, Regional Airline Association (RAA) President and CEO Faye Malarkey Black urged Congress to support the measure and offered the following statement: "Yesterday, Congress formally introduced the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act, marking a crucial step forward in the bipartisan, bicameral effort to bring much-needed relief to Americans who remain deeply impacted by the pandemic, including tens of thousands of displaced aviation workers, who could return to work if this legislation is enacted..."

From 2017: A Truly Unique Flying Experience…

Most of us have dreamed of being able to fly like a bird. And while that’s not an option for most of us, unless you’re interested in a wingsuit, one company has devised a way to at least get close. At I/ITSEC 2016 in Orlando, Florida, Tony Isaacs, VP of Development for PLW Model Works, told ANN CEO and Editor in Chief Jim Campbell that they have married high-resolution virtual reality with a fully-immersive simulation to allow you to “fly” over cities, like New York City, for a bird’s-eye view. “It’s

eTT Will Take Over All Development And Marketing

eTT Aviation has purchased the software assets of Eagle Cap Software. As part of the transaction, eTT will take over all development and marketing of the Eagle Cap flight planning and aviation charting software products. The first priority for eTT is to quickly integrate the flight planning and dispatch management software into the SkedFlex suite. Two undisclosed airlines have committed to being the launch customers for the newly integrated capabilities.

L3 Platform Provides Connectivity At 3,000 Feet AGL

Peregrine has completed an STC for installation of the Gogo AVANCE L3 airborne connectivity solution for the Pilatus PC-12 aircraft. The AVANCE L3 system provides full internet connectivity allowing passengers to stay connected to email, send text messages and make voice calls with Gogo Text & Talk, cockpit app data, and comes equipped with Gogo Vision for inflight entertainment.

Radar Contact Was Lost And Voice Communication Became Intermittent

On November 30, 2020, at 1213 central standard time, a Piper PA-38-112 airplane, N9879T, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Franklin, Arkansas. The certificated flight instructor and the private pilot being instructed were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 instructional flight. Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) data was obtained for the accident flight.

Aero Linx: Parachute Association of South Africa The Parachute Association of South Africa is a non-profit association of members with the mission statement: "To foster, develop and facilitate sport parachuting, in all its facets, within South Africa, in the safest and most progressive manner, on behalf of its members." For many people the words parachuting and skydiving conjure up images of adrenalin junkies and daredevils with little regard for their own safety. One of the questions most frequently asked of sport parachutists is, "who in their right mind would want to willingly throw themselves out of a perfectly serviceable aircraft?" In truth, sport parachuting is a disciplined sport that op

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.16.20): Airport Rotating Beacon

Airport Rotating Beacon A visual NAVAID operated at many airports. At civil airports, alternating white and green flashes indicate the location of the airport. At military airports, the beacons flash alternately white and green, but are differentiated from civil beacons by dualpeaked (two quick) white flashes between the green flashes.

“This is truly a turning point in the battle against COVID-19. Through the efforts by the South Dakota Department of Health, its health partners and Civil Air Patrol we were able to coordinate an effective way to contribute to this mission. Our professional volunteers stepped up today to provide a service to the local communities. We will continue to be of service and look forward to ways we can continue to contribute.” Source: Col Nick Gengler, South Dakota Wing commander, discussing CAP efforts to distribute vaccines to smaller communities without scheduled air services.