Appropriate Precautions Are Still Advised 

Following the Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen COVID-19 vaccine, the FAA has determined that pilots and others who perform safety sensitive duties may receive the vaccine under the conditions of their FAA-issued airman medical certification. FAA and contract air traffic controllers, who are subject to FAA medical clearance, may also receive the vaccine. To maintain the highest level of safety in the National Airspace System, the FAA will require the affected recipients of this single-dose vaccine to wait 48 hours before conducting safety sensitive aviation duties, such as flying or controlling air traffic.

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Getting a flying car to the market is hard but PAL-V notes latest milestone. Following their obtaining on-the-road operating permissions for Europe, PAL-V is now reportedly also the first to complete the full certification basis with EASA. Based on PAL-V's 10 years of test results, EASA specialist teams finalized the requirements for the PAL-V Liberty. The final phase is compliance demonstration before CarFlying becomes reality for PAL-V's customers. Air Race E, a hopeful electric air race promoter, has announced it i

Four Years of Work Culminates in First Taxi Test

After nearly four years of perseverance, the Embry-Riddle's Eagle Flight Research Center (EFRC) team is celebrating a milestone in its electric propulsion research: its Diamond HK-36 completed a successful taxi test exclusively on electrical power at the Daytona Beach International Airport. Dubbed the eSpirit of St. Louis — in honor of Charles Lindbergh’s notion of balance between aviation and the environment — the aircraft serves as a testbed for students to gain experience on the interdisciplinary aspects of mixing electrical engineering skills with aerospace engineering. As faculty and student researchers develop a unique fully electric propulsion system for the eSpirit, they br

Dr. Northrup Is A Retired Air Force Colonel And A Senior FAA AME

EAA and other general aviation groups had the opportunity earlier this month to connect with the FAA's new Federal Air Surgeon, Dr. Susan Northrup, to welcome her to her new position and briefly discuss some of the major issues faced by GA pilots relating to medical certification. "Having a Federal Air Surgeon such as Dr. Northrup, who grew up in an aviation family and has long been involved in general aviation, is certainly a benefit in future discussions about the issues that GA pilots face," said Sean Elliott, EAA's vice president of advocacy and safety. "We also look forward to working with her in more detail and in conjunction with EAA's Aeromedical Advisory Council."

Current Target For New Glenn’s Maiden Flight Is Q4 2022

As major progress is being made on the New Glenn launch vehicle and its Cape Canaveral facilities, Blue origin admits that the schedule has been 'refined' to match the demand of Blue Origin’s commercial customers. The current target for New Glenn’s maiden flight is Q4 2022. The Blue Origin team has been in contact with all of their customers to ensure this baseline meets their launch needs. This updated maiden flight target follows the recent Space Force decision to not select New Glenn for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Services Procurement (LSP).

Seven Aviation And Space Achievements Will Compete For The 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy

The National Aeronautic Association announced that seven aviation and space achievements will compete for the 2020 Collier Trophy. Commissioned in 1910 by aviator, humanitarian, and sportsman, Robert J. Collier, with the intent to encourage the American aviation community to strive for excellence in aeronautic development, the Collier Trophy has served as the benchmark of aerospace achievement for over a century. Awarded annually “… for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America,” it has been bestowed upon some of the most important projects, programs, individuals, and accomplishments in history.

From 2016 (YouTube Version): It’s So Simple to Operate, Anyone Can do it… And We’re Not Kidding

The drones were up and flying at the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas in January 2017. Our ANN crew was there to cover the events, and ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, found a drone called the Hover Camera Passport, this thing is really cool! Jim talked with Hover Camera founder and CEO, MQ Wang, and started off by asking about the thought process behind this unusual drone. Wang said it was intended to be a simple drone to use so that anyone could easily cover their own actions or events without being an expert at dron

Must Have An Air Traffic Control Certification Or Facility Rating Within Five Years Of Application

The FAA is accepting applications nationwide from people with experience in controlling air traffic, such as former civilian and military controllers. The application period is Feb. 26 – Mar. 2, 2021. The announcement is open to candidates who have maintained at least 52 consecutive weeks of air traffic control experience involving the full-time active separation of air traffic.

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The National Transportation Safety Board has decided to decommission the TWA Flight 800 reconstruction as the agency prepares for the expiration of the lease for its Ashburn, Virginia, Training Center. The reconstruction, housed in the 30,000 square foot hangar along with other training tools at the NTSB’s Training Center, has been used in the NTSB’s accident investigation training courses for nearly 20 years. However, advances in investigative techniques such as 3-D scanning and drone imagery, lessen th

Pilot Heard A Single Chirp With No Corresponding Caution Panel Lights

On February 4, 2021, about 0015 eastern standard time, a Bell 206B, N820H, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Pahokee, Florida. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 agricultural flight. According to the pilot, the flight was to maintain crop temperatures above 32° F by rotating a warmer thermocline air layer onto crops using the helicopter’s downwash. The preflight inspection, start, and checks were normal, and the first 2 hours of the flight were uneventful. The pilot reported that at the time of the accident, there was about 45 minutes of fuel remaining.

AD 2021-04-03 Identifies The Unsafe Condition As Improperly Manufactured Cockpit And Cabin Evaporator Filters

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC-24 airplanes. This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as improperly manufactured cockpit and cabin evaporator filters installed during production on some PC-24 airplanes. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective March 30, 2021.

Aero Linx: The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association is a craft specific, independent aviation union. It is not an industrial union and represents only aircraft maintenance technicians and related employees in the craft or class in accordance with the National Mediation Board Rules and their dictates. AMFA is committed to elevating the professional standing of technicians and to achieving progressive improvements in the wages, benefits, and working conditions of the skilled craftsmen and women it represents. AMFA was created in 1962 but did not represent any carrier until 1964 at Ozark Airlines.

VFR Not Recommended

An advisory provided by a flight service station to a pilot during a preflight or inflight weather briefing that  flight under visual flight rules is not recommended. To be given when the current and/or forecast weather conditions are at or below VFR minimums. It does not abrogate the pilot’s authority to make his/her own decision.

"To maintain the highest level of safety in the National Airspace System, the FAA will require the affected recipients of this single-dose vaccine to wait 48 hours before conducting safety sensitive aviation duties, such as flying or controlling air traffic. The waiting period, which accounts for potential side effects, applies to those holding an Airman Medical Certificate issued under 14 CFR Part 67 or a Medical Clearance issued under FAA Order 3930.3C." Source: From an FAA document published just after the latest vaccine approval, providing guidance to aviaion professionals as to when and how they may perform activities that may be affected.