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Rocket Lab has successfully completed a mid-air recovery test – a maneuver that involves snagging an Electron test stage from the sky with a helicopter. The successful test is a major step forward in Rocket Lab’s plans to reuse the first stage of its Electron launch vehicle for multiple missions. The test took place in early March, by dropping an Electron first stage test article from a helicopter over open ocean. A parachute was then deployed from the stage, before a second hel

Enhanced Health And Safety Procedures Instituted For Employees At Facilities

Boeing will resume all Commercial Airplanes production in a phased approach at its Puget Sound-region facilities next week, after suspending operations last month in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At all of its sites, the company has taken extra precautions and instituted comprehensive procedures to keep people safe and fight the spread of COVID-19. "The health and safety of our employees, their families and communities is our shared priority," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes and senior executive in the Pacific Northwest. "This phased approach ensures we have a reliable supply base, our personal protective equipment is readily availabl

“Sheet Metal Basics” Kit Added To All RV Tail/Empennage Kits

Van's recently made a small addition to every RV tail/empennage kit we ship. They’re now including our OP-51 “Sheet Metal Basics” kit, a small and practical learning exercise that folks can use to practice/develop their skills before jumping into building the actual tail kit. It certainly doesn’t replace their more advanced practice kits like the toolbox, lightbox sign or practice airfoil. In other words, this one ain’t purdy – It’s practical! Think of it as an extra opportunity to try things before you jump in, if desired. It’s especially good to use for practice in *fixing* mistakes – something we all need to feel c

Event Includes Drone Racing And Parachuting Canopy Piloting

The International World Games Association (IWGA) and the Birmingham Organising Committee (BOC) have announced that the next edition of the World Games, which includes drone racing and parachuting canopy piloting, has been moved from 2021 to 2022 (7-17 July). This change follows the IOC’s decision to reschedule the Tokyo Olympic Games to 2021. The BOC stated: “Keeping to the original dates in July 2021 would have meant excluding many athletes and officials involved in the Olympics, and would have led to a potential reduction in public and media interest. When the IOC announced its decision, the BOC urgently set about assessing what alternative dates might be viable, particularl

1.7-Hour Flight Covered A Standoff Distance Of 62 Miles

During a trial designed to validate a highly automated delivery flight from a vendor to a destination and back, across precisely pre-selected pathways, UAVOS successfully tested its cargo delivery UVH-170 unmanned helicopter. During the 1.7-hour flight that covered a standoff distance of 62 miles, critical humanitarian aid that weighed 17.6 pounds was delivered without the UAS having to land, and without the need for a ground control station on the receiving side.

DeltaHawk Engines Reportedly Closing In On Certification

DeltaHawk Engines displayed an enhanced 180HP GA engine at AirVenture this past July. DeltaHawk is in the final stages of preparation for certification. The company has invested significantly in the analysis and testing of its engine, resulting in numerous enhancements to the design. For example, the new head design provides improved efficiency, simpler inspection and maintenance, a lower parts count and a reduced engine weight. A redesigned exhaust system offers enhanced exhaust flow and improved packaging.

A Free-Flying, Spherical Technology Demonstrator With Artificial Intelligence

CIMON-2, the updated version of the CIMON astronaut assistant, developed and built by Airbus for the German Aerospace Center Space Administration (DLR), has now demonstrated its capabilities during initial tests on the International Space Station (ISS). The free-flying, spherical technology demonstrator with artificial intelligence (AI) showed off a number of its features during interactions with ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano. CIMON-2 started its journey to the ISS on 05 December 2019, launching with the CRS-19 supply mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. It is scheduled to stay on the ISS for up to three years. Just shy of two months after the

Klyde Can't Get The Hang of Sheltering In Place

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Funds Reportedly Aid Airports Impacted by COVID-19

SecTrans Elaine Chao has awarded approximately $10 billion to commercial and general aviation airports from the Trump Administration's newly created Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Airport Grant Program. The effort will provide unprecedented and immediate relief to American families, workers, and businesses. “This $10 billion in emergency resources will help fund the continued operations of our nation’s airports during this crisis and save workers’ jobs,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

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The FAA has posted a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input from the manned aviation community regarding whether and/or how they can potentially receive and use UAS remote ID information to further enhance safety, by reducing collision risks at lower altitudes. The FAA says the posting is not an RFP. Drones can do many things, but avoiding obstacles is not their strongest suit yet – especially when they move quickly. Although many flying robots are equipped with cameras that can detect ob

The NBAA HERO Database Aggregates Data About The People, Aircraft And Other Resources

NBAA has unveiled a first-of-its-kind partnership to pair the assets available through the association's Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database with the COVID-19-coordination capabilities of the American Hospital Association (AHA). NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen said, "Business aviation is uniquely positioned to provide assistance to the citizens, companies and communities grappling with the COVID-19 crisis. Our HERO database will connect supplies and services with hospitals across the country, including those in small towns and rural communities. We thank the American Hospital Association for coordinating with us, to ensure we reach the people

First Delivered In 2011, The AH-64E Has Been Used In Combat Operations And Peacekeeping

Production, flight test and deliveries of the AH-64E Apache helicopter continue at the Boeing site in Mesa, Arizona. With 500 AH-64E Apaches in service with the United States Army and defense forces around the world, the ‘Echo’ model provides enhanced performance; joint digital interoperability; situational awareness and survivability with reduced operational and support costs. The U.S. Army Apache fleet has accumulated more than 4.5 million flight hours. With more than 2,400 Apaches delivered to customers around the world, first delivered in 2011, the AH-64E has been used in combat operations and peacekeeping efforts. Planned modernization of this

AIRMET In-flight weather advisories issued only to amend the area forecast concerning weather phenomena which are of operational interest to all aircraft and potentially hazardous to aircraft having limited capability because of lack of equipment, instrumentation, or pilot qualifications. AIRMETs concern weather of less severity than that covered by SIGMETs or Convective SIGMETs. AIRMETs cover moderate icing, moderate turbulence, sustained winds of 30 knots or more at the surface, widespread areas of ceilings less than 1,000 feet and/or visibility less than 3 miles, and extensive mountain obscurement.

Aero Linx: The Rosamond Skypark The Rosamond Skypark is a privately-owned and operated residential skypark located in Southern California's Antelope Valley (AKA "Aerospace Valley"). Our FAA designator is L00 (Lima-Zero-Zero) and our airport is open for public use. This website is operated by the Rosamond Skypark Association as a service to our owner/members. We also provide various items of interest to pilots and the general public.  

"The health and safety of our employees, their families and communities is our shared priority. This phased approach ensures we have a reliable supply base, our personal protective equipment is readily available and we have all of the necessary safety measures in place to resume essential work for our customers." Source: Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes and senior executive in the Pacific Northwest, discussing the return to production underway at Boeing, Puget Sound.