After Getting Past Dozens of Possible Hitches, Mirror Unfolds

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope team fully deployed its 21-foot, gold-coated primary mirror, successfully completing the final stage of all major spacecraft deployments to prepare for science operations. A joint effort with the European Space Agency (ESA) and Canadian Space Agency, the Webb mission will explore every phase of cosmic history – from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe.

5 Planes Totaled While Volunteers Saved What Aircraft They Could

A severe windstorm struck Alaska earlier this week, wreaking havoc across the south central region, with winds up to 91 mph causing damage to vehicles, power lines, and equipment. Witnesses were surprised to see the level of damage caused by breakaway aircraft, which were subjected to such forces that tiedown anchors and ropes were ripped from their attachment points. The airport at Palmer Municipal saw at least 5 aircraft totaled from the storm in Matanuska-Susitna, and locals say they were able to batten down the hatches just in time to stop worse damage. Local Don Hammond saw the winds pick up his PA-32 Cherokee Six and dash it inverted against the tarmac.

Board of Directors Project Covid Surge in February, Decide Against Gathering

The Soaring Society of America has canceled its annual convention, believing that the late winter period will not see measureable pandemic recovery amid increasing cases from state to state. In an email to attendees, executive director of the association, Denise Layton, described the board's thought process. "Sometimes hard decisions have to be made for the safety and welfare of our members, and this is one such time. After many weeks gathering data and careful consideration, the Board feels with the COVID pandemic, and numbers expected to rise in mid-February, it is not wise to have a large gathering at this time. We are working to postpone the convention to a date

Looks to Speed Up Pace of Certification, Flight Testing, and Approval for 2022

Joby Aviation has completed its second prototype aircraft in an effort to speed up its flight testing schedule heading into 2022, recently receiving its Special Airworthiness Certificate and US Air Force approval. JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO said the pre-production campaign has been an enormous effort for the young eVTOL design, logging 65 terabytes of test data in 2021 alone. The addition of a second demonstrator will help to quicken the pace, and Joby intends for it to help see the design obtain FAA certification in time for a commercial operations launch in 2024. The as-yet-unnamed aircraft #2 will see service as a part of the company's Agility Prime contract with

Order Caps of 2021 As Greatest Sales Year Ever

Boeing experienced a "record-setting 2021" with the final last minute addition of Atlas Air Worldwide's order for 4 777 Freighters, capping off a strong and unforeseen year of new-production and conversion sales for their cargo aircraft portfolio. The pandemic slump in aircraft purchasing quickly gave way to fleet expansion that is forecast to continue with the global freighter fleet slated to grow by 70% over the next 20 years. Boeing's sometimes underappreciated 777 is finding renewed vigor as a twin-engine widebody option in a world of increasing e-commerce and quickly morphing supply chains.

Non-Pilot Indicted for Offering Instruction Without CFI Rating

The first prosecution of an airman operating without a certificate has been filed, with the filing of indictments for wire fraud and uncertificated airmanship. Matthew Jones of Spanish Fork, Utah, is accused of falsely presenting himself as the owner and operator of Noctem Aviation and a Certified Flight Instructor for fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Jones stands accused of defrauding prospective students by presenting himself through text messages and Instagram posts to be a capable and legal instructor for the purposes of obtaining funding for his daily living expenses. The indictment describes Jones establishing a contract to instruct a student in pursuit of a pilot rating, whi

From 2016 (YouTube Version): Fly Along With Chief Pilot Hissem…

Goodyear’s Wingfoot One Zeppelin is not the blimp (Navy slang, “Poopy Bag”) that you have known from the past. It’s a modern lighter-than-air machine, and this video will provide a fascinating insight as to how it operates and what makes it work. Your guide in this captivating video is Spirit of Goodyear chief pilot, Gerald Hissem. The first part of the video discusses the operational requirements of the zeppelin, and you’ll probably hear things that you have never thought of before. Hissem formats his discussion by describing his

Also: EAA-AMA Museum Coop, Flight Design F2, Air Force Policy, IFALPA Applauds

Jetblue announced its new hiring pipeline, JetBlue Gateways. The initiative is designed to meet the growing need for aviation professionals from aviators to AMT's, that come from backgrounds other than the common straight, white male that has formed the base of the aviation industry. The program focuses on offering "a range of pathways  into the industry, while also opening the door to more candidates from underrepresented communities, including women and people of color." The Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology announced its recent addition of an Aviation Mai

Pilots Observed The Accident Airplane’s Left Wing Contact The Edge Of The Canyon

On December 8, 2021, about 1013 mountain standard time, a Vans RV-4 airplane, N456MC, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Walsenburg, Colorado. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to two other pilots involved in the flight, the accident flight was a three-airplane formation flight with position changes planned during the course of the flight. The three airplanes departed the Meadow Lake Airport (FLY), Colorado Springs, Colorado, and headed south with the accident airplane as the lead airplane.

Aero Linx: The Air Accidents Investigation Branch The Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigates civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents within the UK, its overseas territories and crown dependencies. We also provide assistance and expertise to international air accident investigations and organisations. Our purpose is to improve aviation safety by determining the circumstances and causes of air accidents and serious incidents, and promoting action to prevent reoccurrence.

Procedure Turn Inbound That point of a procedure turn maneuver where course reversal has been completed and an aircraft is established inbound on the intermediate approach segment or final approach course. A report of “procedure turn inbound” is normally used by ATC as a position report for separation purposes.

"Sometimes hard decisions have to be made for the safety and welfare of our members, and this is one such time. After many weeks gathering data and careful consideration, the Board feels with the COVID pandemic, and numbers expected to rise in mid-February, it is not wise to have a large gathering at this time. We are working to postpone the convention to a date this fall, or early next year when we feel it will be safer to gather." Source: Soaring Society of America executive director, Denise Layton, describing the SSA board's thought process as they canceled their 2022 annual convention.