Modification, Testing, Needed Before Italian Air Force Mission

Virgin Galactic will take time from their projected launch schedule for the upcoming Unity 23 flight to begin an enhancement program for VMS Eve and VSS Unity.  As part of their continuing quality assessments, material testing returned data outside of planned specifications, specifically a reduction in the strength margins of materials used in a number of joints in the aircraft. As a result, the projected launch for Unity 23 has been postponed, and commercial service of the aircraft tentatively expected in the 4th quarter of 2022. 

Charged with Misleading FAA Regulators, Withholding Information

A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Texas returned an indictment today charging a former Chief Technical Pilot for The Boeing Company with deceiving the FAA’s Aircraft Evaluation Group (AEG) in connection with their evaluation of the Boeing 737 MAX, as well as scheming to defraud Boeing’s U.S.-based airline customers to obtain tens of millions of dollars for Boeing. Mark A. Forkner, 49, former Chief Technical Pilot for Boeing, has been charged with two counts of fraud involving aircraft parts in interstate commerce and four counts of wire fraud. If convicted, he could receive a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each count of the former, and up to 2

Also: New Radar Altimeters, Net-Zero Pledge, SmartSky Networks, ThrustSense Autothrottle Deliveries

Honda Aircraft took the wraps off their new "HondaJet 2600 Concept”, at a special event hosted by Honda Aircraft Company at NBAA 2021 where the displayed a mockup. The HondaJet 2600 Concept inherits Honda’s Over-The-Wing Engine Mount (OTWEM) configuration, Natural Laminar Flow (NLF) technology on wings and fuselage nose, and carbon composite fuselage. What might it do? The HJ2600 has a range of 2,625 nautical miles, and also features a high speed cruise of 450 knots and a ceiling of 47,000 feet. Diamond Aircraft’s experimentation with e

Belgian Trainer to Reinforce Fleet at Portuguese Flight School

Portuguese international flight school Pull Up Academy announced the selection of the Sonaca 200 for its newest trainer aircraft at the 5th Portugal Air Summit. The school selected the Sonaca 200 Pro, the highest trim level of the aircraft, including all-EFIS instrumentation provided by a Garmin G500 Txi, Gi 275, and other products from the Garmin portfolio. Powered by a Rotax 914F granting 115 hp through a three-bladed propeller, the aircraft is good for 7 hours of cruise flight between refuelings. Built by Sonaca's Aircraft subsidiary, the lightweight two-seater is well suited to be the airborne classroom. Incorporating all the elements of a trainer aircraft, being controllable,

FAA Report Recommends Initiatives

The FAA has released recommendations on how to increase aviation safety in Alaska after a yearlong, sweeping examination of safety issues specific to the challenges of flying in Alaska, where more than 80 percent of its communities are accessible only by air. Among the recommendations are: increasing and improving weather data reporting and forecasting, expanding satellite-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air-traffic control coverage to more areas, and improving navigation charting. The FAA will now begin developing a roadmap for implementing the recommendations in the near- and mid-term, focusing on initiatives with the greatest safety benefits.

Time To Upgrade Your Avionics

It’s time to upgrade your avionics, according to John Uczekaj, President and CEO of Aspen Avionics. The company announced on the second day of Oshkosh the availability of its Pro Max to integrate with Genesis 3100 autopilot, allowing users to control the autopilot directly from the display. Uczekaj spoke with us at Oshkosh about the new technology.

Fund Grants Pilot, Technical, and CE Funding

Sheltair Aviation, in conjunction with Avfuel Corporation, have announced an expansion of the scope of their partnership to include an educational program aimed at replenishing the industry’s stock of pilots, technicians, and professionals. The Future Takes Flight Scholarship fund will provide $30,000 annually. Each year, it will distribute 6 $5,000 awards across 3 categories. Two for learning to fly and advanced pilot ratings, two for aviation technicians, and two for continuing education. Funds in the learning to fly or advanced pilot ratings categories can be used for; course work, flight lessons, type ratings (both initial and additional), ATP and CAM certification, or upset flight recove

The “Audiophile’s” Audio Panel Upgrade

PS Engineering announced the availability of their PAC45J Audio Controller in the Falcon 900B STC flight deck Upgrade, offered through Chicago Jet Group. As part of the comprehensive modernization process, each system in the cockpit was selected to provide the longest, forward-looking performance possible. The STC suite, when installed, consists of a Universal Avionics (UA) InSight EFIS with 4 EFI-1040P displays. Complemented by dual UA UNS-1Fw flight management systems with LP and LPV approach capability, a CVR-120A cockpit voice recorder, UniLink UL-801 comms management unit, and a Latitude Technologies Iridium SkyNode safety voice satcom. 

Accident Site Was Located In The Desert Terrain About 830 Ft From The End Of Runway 14

On September 12, 2021, about 1609 mountain standard time, a Cessna 177RG, N2085Q, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lake Havasu Airport, Lake Havasu, Arizona. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was planning on making a long cross-country to Reno, Nevada in the next several days and the purpose of the accident trip was for him to get fuel at Lake Havasu for the flight to Reno. The airplane was based in at Eagle Airpark in Bullhead City, Arizona and the pilot performed maintenance there earlier in the day including replacing the

Aero Linx: The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) The Air Transport Action Group (ATAG) is a highly respected not-for-profit association that represents all sectors of the air transport industry. ATAG provides a platform for the commercial aviation sector to work together on long-term sustainability issues. It is funded by its members. These include airports, airlines, airframe and engine manufacturers, air navigation service providers, leasing companies, airline pilot and air traffic controller unions, aviation associations, chambers of commerce, tourism and trade partners, ground transportation and communications providers. The membership, which is spread across the aviation value chain, provides a

Precision Obstacle Free Zone (POFZ) An 800 foot wide by 200 foot long area centered on the runway centerline adjacent to the threshold designed to protect aircraft flying precision approaches from ground vehicles and other aircraft when ceiling is less than 250 feet or visibility is less than 3/4 statute mile (or runway visual range below 4,000 feet).

“Our decisions are driven by detailed and thorough analysis, and we fly based on the most accurate and comprehensive data available. Virgin Galactic vehicles are designed with significant margins for safety, providing layers of protection that far exceed loads experienced and expected to occur on our flights. The re-sequencing of our enhancement period and the Unity 23 flight underscores our safety-first procedures, provides the most efficient path to commercial service, and is the right approach for our business and our customers. We are deeply appreciative of the Italian Air Force Research Mission and grateful for their continued partnership with us in this test flight program.” Source: Michael Colglazier, CEO of Virgin Galac