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The FAA has released long-awaited final rules for drones. The new rules will require Remote Identification (Remote ID) of drones and allow operators of small drones to fly over people and at night under certain conditions. These rules come at a time when drones represent the fastest-growing segment in the entire transportation sector – with currently over 1.7 million drone registrations and 203,000 FAA-certificated remote pilots. Remote ID will help mitigate risks associated with expanded drone operations, such a

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

Pivotal Flight Training Organization Notes That Recent Termination Illustrates Need for Improvement

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) tells ANN that the recent termination of a popular DPE by the San Antonio FSDO has highlighted common questions about FAA management in the DPE program nationwide, and SAFE is asking the FAA to study and implement systemic improvements. An FAA Examiner designation is a one-sided arrangement favoring the FAA. The designation is, in the FAA's words, a "privilege not a right" and may be terminated at any time with or without cause, which makes many DPEs uncomfortable and inhibits the participation of many otherwise qualified aviation professionals. Despite these terms, the FAA has recently increased a

Lone Star Flight Museum Sells Boeing B17 To Mid America Flight Museum

The Lone Star Flight Museum (LSFM) has entered into an agreement with the Mid America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas (MAFM) whereby LSFM has agreed to sell its Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Thunderbird to MAFM. Mid America has agreed to display Thunderbird at Lone Star’s facility at Houston’s Ellington Airport for several months each year through 2024. Mid America has also agreed to make other aircraft from its collection available for display at LSFM during the same time frame. The agreement marks the beginning of a new relationship between the two aviation museums that reportedly holds future benefit for both. The move of the B-17 later this Spring to Mount

Objective Of Remote ID Is To Ensure That A UAS In Flight Is Providing Identification And Location Information

AUVSI has weighed in on recent proposals by the FAA to provide regs for remote ID and other drone programs. Just before year's end, FAA delivered a Final Rule on Remote Identification for UAS. Thought of as a digital license plate for drones, the objective of Remote ID is to ensure that a UAS in flight is providing identification and location information that authorities can access. The FAA also released the final rule for Operations Over People, which includes rules for operations at night.

Happy Holidays!

No matter which holiday you're celebrating these days (and believe me, we're covered back here at ANN... with a diverse variety of Christian, Jewish and Buddhists among our families, these days). The hard-working and long-suffering gnomes that publish ANN, Airborne, and Aero-TV will finally get to take a short holiday break this week [we gnomes thank you --ed]. ANN's normal DAILY news schedule will be on a somewhat reduced Holiday schedule, through the 4th of January.

Australia Currently Has A Fleet Of 33 F-35As

Initial Operational Capability (IOC) has been claimed for Australia's F-35As, making Australia the seventh country to declare IOC for its F-35 fleet. "This IOC ushers in a new era of Australian air power that gives the RAAF transformational and game-changing capabilities," said Joe North, Lockheed Martin Australia chief executive. "As the Original Equipment Manufacturer and lead industry sustainment partner for Australia's F-35A fleet, Lockheed Martin congratulates the RAAF on achieving this milestone, and we stand ready to support the fleet with our industry partners."

From 2017: So You Want To Be A Drone Racing Pilot?…

One of the fastest growing segments of the model aviation industry is the use of First Person View, or FPV, on drones for racing and other applications. At the AMA Expo West in Ontario, CA, ANN CEO and Editor in Chief Jim Campbell spoke to Derek Sachtleben, Associate Brand Manager for Blade at Horizon Hobby, about how to get into FPV flying. Sachtleben said that there are a lot of younger people getting into FPV drones and drone racing using aircraft ranging in sizes from the palm of your hand to larger, purpose-built racing drones. He said that the rapid p

EASA Certificate Issued By French DGAC for Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT)

SIMAERO France has upgraded its Boeing 737-800 level D Full Flight Simulator (FFS) and has received an EASA certificate from French DGAC for Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), full stall and icing capabilities as per CS-FSTD(A) Issue 2. This project is the part of the last stage of SIMAERO’s UPRT training integration in its training organization capabilities according EASA requirements, which were delayed due to the Covid crisis. All type rating programs are already updated with UPRT scenarios, instructors familiarized accordingly, and theoretical part has been created in SIMAERO’s new state of the art learning management system.

He Felt The Tail "Bump" And Noted The Airplane Was Off The Left Side Of The Runway

On August 1, 2020, about 0750 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300T, N3025L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The pilot and four passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. On the day of the accident, the pilot and the passengers were planning to fly from Cherry Ridge Airport (N30), Honesdale, Pennsylvania, to Ocean City Municipal Airport (OXB), Ocean City, Maryland.

Wes' Computer had a Serious Meltdown (Foreign Saboteurs, No Doubt)... So, We Present 'Classic' Klyde Episodes Until His PC is Resurrected

This Klyde Morris Cartoon Was Originally Published on June 23rd, 2016 FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Aero Linx: The International Society for Aviation Photography (ISAP) The International Society for Aviation Photography (ISAP) is an international non-profit organization whose membership spans the entire spectrum of aviation and aerospace photography. Founded in 2001, it includes full-time professional photographers, videographers, graphic artists, writers, historians, editors, publishers, trade organizations, pilots, and serious enthusiasts. ISAP offers an opportunity to learn from some of the most talented aviation photographers in the world, to become familiar with new photographic software and hardware, and perhaps most importantly, to develop and renew lasting friendships in an atmosp

Air Route Surveillance Radar Air route traffic control center (ARTCC) radar used primarily to detect and display an aircraft’s position while enroute between terminal areas. The ARSR enables controllers to provide radar air traffic control service when aircraft are within the ARSR coverage. In some instances, ARSR may enable an ARTCC to provide terminal radar services similar to but usually more limited than those provided by a radar approach control.

“AUVSI welcomes the progress made with the delivery of these final rules. Remote ID will enable more complex UAS operations, which will have additional untold benefits for American society. Operations over people, and at night, are important steps towards enabling integration of drones into our national airspace. We look forward to reviewing these rules and working with the FAA on implementation.” Source: AUVSI President and CEO Brian Wynne, in a statement made after the FAA proposed a final rule covering a number of drone capabilities and disciplines long awaited by the drone community.