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February 12, 2021

Airborne 02.12.21: SnF Digital News!, LearJet DOA, NTSB On S-76B Crash

Also: Hawaii Weather Cam, SecTrans Chats w/NBAA, A300 Facelift, LuxStream

The Aero-News Network and Sun 'n Fun have teamed up to add something timely, mobile-centric and vital to the upcoming Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, set for April 13-18 in Lakeland FL on the campus of the Aerospace Center for Excellence. We call it the ‘Sun ‘n Fun Digital Daily.’ Designed to be the most accessible aviation news event program extant, the Sun ‘n Fun Digital Daily will be easily accessed by cellphone, tablet, or any other connected device. "We are excited to partner with ANN to bring this new feature to SUN ‘n FUN," said John "Lites" Leenhouts, President/CEO. NTSB determined a pilot’s spatial disorientation and loss of control, l

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Two For One: Dual AirVenture Air Show Performances Promote Social Distancing

Will Allow Two Acts To Safely Fly Their Rehearsed Routines At The Same Time

An innovative air show format to promote social distancing will be part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021, as the afternoon air show will at times feature a split performance area that accommodates two acts flying at the same time. The split performance areas along Oshkosh's 11,000-foot flightline will be used for aerobatic displays with aircraft that have a smaller performance footprint. It will allow two acts to safely fly their rehearsed routines at the same time — one at the north end of the aerobatic box while another flies simultaneously at the south end.

RIP LearJet: 1963-2021 -- LearJet Production To End In Q4 2021

Bombardier... now solely dependent on its aviation business, has been cutting out a lot of less than profitable aspects of its portfolio and the much revered Learjet has gotten the axe... along with well over 1000 staffers. Bombardier announced it will end production of Learjet aircraft later this year, 'allowing the Company to focus on its more profitable Challenger and Global aircraft families and accelerate the expansion of its customer services business.'

'Super' Is 20% Larger, 7,000 Lbs Heavier Empty Weight, And 15,000 Lbs Heavier Max Weight

The Blue Angels are celebrating their 75th season this year, and the US Navy's storied Flight Demonstration Squadron is marking that milestone with the unveiling of new jets for the team - the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The Blues' public debut performance in this incredible multi-role fighter will happen in Lakeland, FL at the 47th annual SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo, April 13-18, 2021. The move to the Super Hornet will be the first time the team has changed aircraft since it transitioned from the A-4F Skyhawk II to the F/A-18 Hornet 35 years ago in 1986.

'56 Seconds to Live' Video Is Aimed at Saving Lives

Can you imagine yourself in a situation where you only had 56 seconds to live? If you are a helicopter pilot and you find yourself in Unintentional Instrument Meteorological Conditions (UIMC), those precious 56 seconds may be a reality. "U.S. accident statistics reveal that a helicopter pilot operating under Visual Flight Rules who unintentionally continues flight into IMC will very likely lose control of their aircraft and be dead within an average of 56 seconds," according to Nick Mayhew, industry co-chair of the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team. "We must join industry stakeholders to do everything we can to reverse this alarming and unacceptable trend."

From 2018: Textron Unveils X5-55 Experimental Platform At AUVSI

Textron Systems unveiled its new X5-55 engineering test bed at AUVSI earlier this month. Textron’s senior vice president and general manager for unmanned systems, Bill Irby, told ANN at the show that the X5-55 aircraft is a blended-wing design that is powered by four independently-controlled rotors. There are no traditional control surfaces on the aircraft, giving it better maneuverability and greater resilience in windy conditions. The aircraft is an electric-powered aircraft, a departure from the company's Aeroson

FAA Upgrades Costa Rica’s Safety Assessment Rating

Costa Rica Originally Received A Category 2 Rating In May 2019

The FAA has announced that the Republic of Costa Rica complies with international safety standards and has been granted the highest international ranking -- something of an upgrade. The FAA International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) focuses on a country’s ability to adhere to international aviation safety standards and recommended practices. The standards apply to regulators and are set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations’ technical agency for aviation.

Also: Tenfold PC-24, DA62 MPP, NBAA Cancels Events, Senate Confirms Buttigieg

EAA notes that 'coordinating the countless moving parts of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is a challenge in the best of times, but coming back from 2020's COVID-caused cancellation raises expectations regarding health and safety measures in planning this year's event on July 26-August 1.' An important phrase to remember is "At this time… ." As the return to events begins throughout the country, plans will change in conjunction with the current state of the pandemic. "We will be hosting AirVenture 2021, but there will be areas t

While At That Low Altitude The Airplane Struck A Cable

On January 25, 2021, about 1200 pacific standard time, an experimental Randy Wayne Maloney M1, N322TR, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Eagle Point, OR. The pilot and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot and ATP rated passenger departed Shady Cove, OR (OG31) enroute to Ashland, OR (S01). While cruising straight and level at 3,000 msl the engine began to sputter and the airplane began to descend. In anticipation of a forced landing, the pilot flew towards farm fields.

Aero Linx: The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities designs, constructs, operates and maintains the state’s transportation infrastructure systems, buildings, and other facilities used by Alaskans and visitors. These include more than 5,600 miles of paved and gravel highways; more than 300 aviation facilities, including 237 airports; 21 harbors; and a ferry system covering 3,500 nautical miles serving 35 coastal communities.

Very High Frequency (VHF) The frequency band between 30 and 300 MHz. Portions of this band, 108 to 118 MHz, are used for certain NAVAIDs; 118 to 136 MHz are used for civil air/ground voice communications. Other frequencies in this band are used for purposes not related to air traffic control.

"We are thrilled to return to the 2021 SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo, where we will have the opportunity to debut our new jet platform, the F/A-18 Super Hornet and logistics support aircraft, the C-130J Super Hercules. We are humbled by the support and hospitality the Lakeland community provides us and we are excited to showcase the capabilities of Naval Aviation." Source: Cmdr. Brian Kesselring, commanding officer and flight leader of the Blue Angels, speaking of the impending return of the team to the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo... with their new Super Hornets.