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All News

March 26, 2022

FAA Improves Alaskan Charts

New Updates Display Mountain Passes So Everyone can Fly Like a Local

The FAA has added 2 mountain passes to the VFR charts in Northern Alaska, improving operational safety in the region amid a concerted agency effort to improve Alaskan aviation conditions. The new terrain identifies the Naqsralugiaq and Carter passes after consultation with local aviators, FAA personnel, and stakeholders in the area. The agency says that more than 60 mountain passes are charted, hopefully enhancing the situational awareness of pilots operating under visual flight rules, and offering them another, safer route.

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Airborne 03.18.22: Textron Buys Troubled Pipistrel, Space Balloon, Mars Heli

Also: Genesys Heli-Auto Pilot, Ameriflight, Webb Telescope, Falcon 6X Arctic Testing

Textron appears to be ready to buy up lightweight electric aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel. The acquisition may see the same benefits given to other brands under the Textron banner, granting access to "greater resources, technical, and regulatory expertise," says the company. The deal will also unlock a "global aircraft sales and support network, enabling it to accelerate its development and certification of electric and hybrid aircraft. Maybe. Not discussed, though, is the state of resolution (or lack thereof) concerning complaints and in-process litigation lodged aga

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Carlisle IT Offers new 10Gbps Ethernet Connector

High-Speed Aviation Connectors, Cables, Sold Under Octax Product Line

Carlisle Interconnect Technologies is set to release its new Octax 10 Gbps single-port ethernet connector for commercial aviation applications at the AEA 2022 show. Cables are not necessarily high up on the list of cool, "must-have" aeronautical accessories when creating an avionics shopping list, but they play a valuable role in drawing everything together and ensuring consistent, reliable data transmission throughout the aircraft. The new Octax cables are guaranteed to handle altitudes encountered during flights up to 50,000 feet, specifically designed to function in rugged environments.

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Original Commercial Satellite Donated to Smithsonian

Intelsat 1, Telecom Relay for Apollo 11, Will Join New Spacecraft Exhibit in 2025

Intelsat will donate a piece of its company history to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. The unit, Intelsat 1, was the backup for the the first commercial communications satellite in geosynchronous orbit. Its twin was successfully launched on April 6, 1965. With its elder sibling safely in orbit, the understudy was left to be put on display at the company's US headquarters. The piece of history is credited with carrying the broadcast of the Apollo 11 moon landing to viewers around the world...

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Heven Drones Announces Land/Air Combination Carry Drone

H100R Designed to Carry Tracked and Wheeled UAVs for Remote Deployment

Heven Drones revealed their new "full turnkey robotic solution with land and air integration" at the Israeli defense exhibition, showing off a combination aerial drone and tracked UAV. The drone contains 8 electric motors surrounding a carriage bay with a dropping ramp for wheeled and tracked vehicles, allowing small, lightweight payloads to be air-dropped while human operators remain safely away.

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Classic Aero-TV: The Stratos 714 at Oshkosh - Developing a 'No-Excuses' S/E Jet

From 2017 (YouTube Version): Aircraft Will Be Exhibited At NBAA In Las Vegas This Month…

Fresh from the completion of its first phase of flight testing, the Stratos 714 Jet made its debut at AirVenture in July on display in Boeing Plaza. Kevin Jordan, Chief Sales Officer for Stratos Aircraft, told ANN news editor Tom Patton at AirVenture that the company is looking at a 4-5 year timeline for certification and production of the airplane. The Stratos 714 is a “multi-role” VLJ. It is designed to support personal, busi

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Columbia Granted Sikorsky Support Deal

Sikorsky S-61 and CT58 Engines Receive Dedicated Licensor for Repair, Parts, Support

Columbia Helicopters entered into an agreement with Brightwater UAG for the support of the brand's S-61 Sikorsky helicopter. The deal will see Columbia work cooperatively on an integrated Supply Chain Agreement, in addition to supporting the GE CT58 engine and Sikorsky S-61. Their expertise in maintaining the engine goes back more than 60 years, enabling them to build a strong relationship with the OEM.

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Airborne 03.18.22: Textron Buys Troubled Pipistrel, Space Balloon, Mars Heli

Also: Genesys Heli-Auto Pilot, Ameriflight, Webb Telescope, Falcon 6X Arctic Testing

Textron appears to be ready to buy up lightweight electric aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel. The acquisition may see the same benefits given to other brands under the Textron banner, granting access to "greater resources, technical, and regulatory expertise," says the company. The deal will also unlock a "global aircraft sales and support network, enabling it to accelerate its development and certification of electric and hybrid aircraft. Maybe. Not discussed, though, is the state of resolution (or lack thereof) concerning complaints and in-process litigation lodged aga

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New V-Tail Completed for MQ-9B SkyGuardian, SeaGuardian

UK Predator Variant Obtains Lightweight, Domestically Produced Empennage for Upcoming Protector RPA

The first new advanced composite V-tail assembly for the MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft has been shipped for installation on the newest iteration of the aircraft. The SkyGuardian, the frontline drone of the UK's Royal Air Force,  will see the new tail as part of an upgrade that will be placed into service as the Protector RPA. GKN Aerospace designed and manufactured the tail section in their facility at Cowes, England, before shipping it to Poway, California to be fitted on the drone.

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Airborne-Flight Training 03.17.22: Airline Training 4 Alaska, JetBlue and Breeze

Also: Embry-Riddle, EAA AeroEducate, Flight Sims Donated, One Air Group

Alaska Airlines and its regional partner, Horizon Air, have launched an effort to establish a flight school of their own in the Redmond, Oregon area: the Ascend Pilot Academy. The new program is launched with Hillsboro Aero Academy as an effort to guarantee a steady pipeline of incoming professional pilots as the looming shortage of ATP-qualified personnel approaches. The academy will register and train up to 250 students per year, with support for cadets ranging from low-interest financial aid, a $25,000 stipend to cover their commercial pilot license, mentorship, and the requisite

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Airborne 03.16.22: Certified-SkyCourier, Blue Origin NS20, Russian Airline Theft

Also: One Air Group, Gulfstream to Digitize, UK MoD Falcon 900LX, Breeze Airways

Cessna's Utilitarian twin turboprop has gotten closer to open release after receiving type certification from the FAA. The new, clean-sheet design stands out from the rest of the Cessna portfolio, a notably fresh addition to a roster of planes that all too often date back decades. The SkyCourier, a little late following the global delays incurred during the disruptions of 2020 and beyond, is now proceeding along on its way to production and delivery. Blue Origin has released the passenger list for the NS-20 launch, making headlines with the presence of a celebrity often in

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NTSB Prelim: Grumman AA1

Pilot Purchased The Airplane About 6 Months Prior And Had Not Flown It Previously

On March 11, 2022, about 0230 central standard time, a Grumman AA1, N5774L, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Bay Minette, Alabama. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. According to a family member, the pilot purchased the airplane about 6 months prior and had not flown it previously. He departed his residence in Mobile, Alabama about 0030 and traveled to Bay Minette Municipal Airport (1R8), Bay Minette, Alabama to run the airplane’s engine and taxi around the airport property.

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AD: Bell Textron Canada Limited

AD 2022-06-20 Prompted By New Bellcrank Assemblies, Which Have Been Upgraded With Corrosion Resistant Steel Bearings

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-20-06, which applied to certain Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited (now Bell Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. AD 2020-20-06 required repetitive inspections of certain cyclic and collective assembly bearings. This AD was prompted by new bellcrank assemblies, which have been upgraded with corrosion resistant steel bearings. This AD retains certain requirements of AD 2020-20-06, and depending on the inspection results, requires removing certain parts from service and installing the upgraded cyclic and collective bellcrank assemblies. This AD also requires instal

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ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (03.26.22)

Linx: Aircraft Electronics Association

Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including government-certified international repair stations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.

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ANN's Daily Aero-Term (03.26.22): Meteorological Impact Statement

Meteorological Impact Statement An unscheduled planning forecast describing conditions expected to begin within 4 to 12 hours which may impact the flow of air traffic in a specific center’s (ARTCC) area.

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Aero-News: Quote of the Day (03.26.22)

“For years, the safest routes through passes were known primarily to local pilots. Now, all pilots will have the critical terrain information they need to fly safely.” Source: Outgoing FAA Administrator Steve Dickson, commenting as the FAA added 2 mountain passes to the VFR charts in Northern Alaska, improving operational safety in the region amid a concerted agency effort to improve Alaskan aviation conditions. 

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