SAFE Says Not A Shocker, Some Good

The FAA-Industry advisory group formed in June of 2019 to investigate problems with the agency's Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) system has issued a 101-page report. SAFE notes that the report largely codifies many suggestions for increasing DPE availability circulating in the industry for years. But the report also reflects disagreements as to who and how to test applicants efficiently for certificates and ratings and offers suggestions. The group highlighted many still unresolved questions in the airman testing process.

Remote Lessons Are Coordinated By SAFE and NAFI Instructors

The Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021 is expanding its reach this year, as it is offering its high-quality simulation exercises and scenarios even for those who can’t be at Oshkosh in-person. The remote opportunities are in coordination with flight instructors who are members of the National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) and the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE). These dedicated aviation instructors staff the Pilot Proficiency Center at Oshkosh each year.

The 7,200-Foot Runway Project Began In 2020

The Ponca City Regional Airport hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, July 9, in honor of the airport's newly reconstructed 7,200-foot runway. The project, which began in 2020, was one of the largest single-phase undertakings at a general aviation airport in Oklahoma. The project reconstructed a majority of the runway, replaced the runway lights and guidance signs and significantly enhanced the drainage of the area. The FAA funding for the $8.1M project was directed through the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission's (OAC) 5-year Airport Construction Program and consisted of a combination of FAA Supplemental Appropriations, Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding and Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic

Completion of Hardware/Software Upgrade Enables Network Expansion

SmartSky's ground-based remote radiohead for its air-to-ground network has received FCC certification. This marks another technical milestone for SmartSky and further progress toward the commercial launch of their network later this year for aviation operators and passengers. "Deployment of the FCC-certified tower radios for our network, coupled with the availability of our shipset products (high-performance antennas, aircraft radios) gives our service-partners and dealers great confidence to begin accepting orders. We are already seeing increased interest and demand with the business aviation markets rebounding ahead of schedule in 2021. The timing is great as we plan for our

DDC Will Commence Deployment Of Site Infrastructure Shortly

Drone Delivery Canada, with the assistance of Air Canada, has entered into multiple commercial agreements with each of Edmonton International Airport, Apple Express Courier, and Ziing Final Mile, to deploy DDC's drone delivery solution at the airport. DDC will enable defined-route delivery from EIA to deliveries off airport property utilizing the Sparrow drone and its DroneSpot takeoff and landing zones as well as additional drone flight infrastructure as required. The Customers will use DDC's Sparrow delivery drone solution to transport a wide variety of cargo.

From 2016 (YouTube Version): Proof That Good Things Do Come in Small Packages...

When the Academy of model Aeronautics held its AMA Expo 2016, one would assume that the Expo dealt only with model aircraft. But when ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, took a look at what was there, he also found an aircraft that expanded model technology to carry a person aloft. In this video Jim talks with, Joseph Aletky, who is an Unmanned Systems Instructor for Rotor F/X. The aircraft they’re talking about is a single place, very light-weight, personal manned helicopter, and it’s called the ‘Mosquito.’ Aletky likened building this kit h

Veered Left And Pitched Up, Then Descended And Tumbled On The Ground Into A Bean Field

On July 1, 2021, about 0755 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22 airplane, N123RE, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident at Lamoni Municipal Airport (LWD), Lamoni, Iowa. The private pilot and passenger sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of preliminary air traffic control (ATC) information revealed that the airplane departed about 0640 from Millard Airport (MLE), Omaha, Nebraska, and flew a visual approach at 0735 to Creston Municipal Airport (CSQ), Creston, Iowa. At 0736, the airplane departed CSQ, and the pilot received flight following from ATC until about

AD 2021-14-14 Prompted By Reports Of Detected Smoke And Burning Smell During Flight

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AW119 MKII helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of detected smoke and burning smell during flight, caused by chafing of electrical wiring. This AD requires an inspection of the instrument panel electrical wiring, corrective actions if necessary, a modification of the wiring installation, and, for certain helicopters, an additional modification of the wiring installation, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD becomes effec

AD 2021-12-07 Requires Removing Affected HPT Disks From Service Prior To Reaching Specified Compliance Times

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG (RRD) BR700-710A1-10, BR700-710A2-20 and BR700-710C4-11 model turbofan engines. This AD was prompted by an investigation by RRD, which revealed a quality escape during the high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 disk rim cooling air hole manufacturing process. This AD requires removing affected HPT disks from service prior to reaching specified compliance times or at the next engine shop visit, whichever occurs first. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 12, 2021.

Aero Linx: Pilots N Paws Pilots N Paws® is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our site is intended to be a meeting place for volunteers engaged in the valuable services of rescuing, sheltering and adopting animals, and volunteer pilots and plane owners willing to assist with animal transportation. The intent of Pilots N Paws is to provide an environment in which volunteers can come together and arrange or schedule rescue flights, overnight foster care or shelter, and all other related activities. Through the Pilots N Paws discussion board, volunteers can exchange information regarding animal transports, coordinate and schedule transports, share rescue stories and recruit volunteers.

Light Gun A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of light transmitted can be used to approve or disapprove anticipated pilot actions where radio communication is not available. The light gun is used for controlling traffic operating in the vicinity of the airport and on the airport movement area.

"Some easily implemented improvements in IACRA such as embedding the CFI endorsements should be a no-brainer. Also mentioned in the report is the integration of FAA WINGS for successful pilot candidates." Source: SAFE Executive Director David St George, explaining the organization's thoughts about aspectts of the recently issued DPE report that largely codifies many suggestions for increasing DPE availability. The report also reflects disagreements as to who and how to test applicants efficiently for certificates and ratings and offers suggestions. The group highlighted many still unresolved questions in the airman testing process.