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September 28, 2022

Airborne 09.28.22: Eviation 1st Flight!, Airship Race, Yamaha LSA/Engine

Also: NBAA V Bloomberg, CA COVID Restrictions Cut, FAA Reauthorization, ATP Increases

Following years of intensive development and choruses of naysaying, Alice, the all-electric, nine-passenger commuter aircraft designed and built by Eviation, has made its inaugural flight. The nine minute undertaking saw the unconventional machine liftoff at approximately 07:10 PDT from Grant County International Airport (MWH) in Moses Lake, Washington. Test pilot Steve Crane urged Alice to an altitude of 3,500-feet and made several passes over the airport vicinity before bringing the sleek, low-wing aircraft to safe landing. Prince Albert II, of Monaco, has announced first details of the World Sky Race—a race around the world by airships (blimps, dirigibles, and

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Eviation Announces Successful Test-Flight of All-Electric Aircraft

Go Ask Alice …

Following years of intensive development and choruses of naysaying, Alice, the all-electric, nine-passenger commuter aircraft designed and built by Israeli-headquartered, Washington State-based Eviation has made its inaugural flight. The nine minute undertaking saw the unconventional machine liftoff at approximately 07:10 PDT from Grant County International Airport (MWH) in Moses Lake, Washington. Test pilot Steve Crane urged Alice to an altitude of 3,500-feet and made several passes over the airport vicinity before bringing the sleek, low-wing aircraft to safe landing.

Light-Sport Prototype Unleashed in the East

On 21 September 2022, at Fujikawa Gliding Field in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, ShinMaywa conducted an early-stage flight-test of a prototype, Yamaha-powered small aircraft. Dubbed the XU-L (Experimental Utility aircraft Large type), the high-wing; single-engine; fixed tricycle undercarriage airplane flew without incident, thus validating a number of design elements upon which the two Japanese powerhouses intend to base future joint aeronautical ventures.

Winner Gets $5,000,000

Prince Albert II, of Monaco, has announced first details of the World Sky Race—a race around the world by airships (blimps, dirigibles, and zeppelins). Winner's prize: $5 million. Explorers Club member Prince Albert, Google co-founder Serge Brin, and Iron Maiden front man Bruce Dickinson are all among the world figures who now see airships as a way to reduce global warming: Airships are the greenest form of aviation. They need far less fuel to fly than comparable aircraft, and they leave only a tiny carbon footprint.

Getting the Lead Out and the Dollars In

The first Capitol Hill hearings appurtenant 2023’s FAA reauthorization bill are scheduled to commence on Wednesday, 28 September 2022. The hearings—in a literal and profound sense—will determine the objectives, limitations, and budgets with which the world’s most powerful and influential civil aviation authority will be respectively charged and constrained for the next five-years.

Fleet Stretched Thin

U.S. Air Combat Command General Mark Kelly has called for dramatically increased taxpayer monies to be allocated to the acquisition of new Air Force fighter aircraft. During his keynote address at the Air Force Association’s Air Space Cyber conference, General Kelly alleged the USAF’s current complement of 48 fighter squadrons and nine attack squadrons is being prevailed upon to do the work of sixty squadrons.

NBAA Boss Responds to Bloomberg Article

Where the Sun Doesn’t Shine

On 20 September 2022, Bloomberg News published an article titled “American Air CEO Wants Rockets, Private Jets to Help Fund FAA” in which the news agency circuitously maligned business aviation, insinuating operators of business aircraft fail to pay appropriately for their use of the global aviation system and air traffic control infrastructure. In a sapient and measured written response to the Bloomberg article, NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen asserted that Isom’s statement “fails the credibility test with experts the world over ..."

From 2016 (YouTube Version): Add IFD Capability To Your Cockpit…

While at Sun ‘n Fun 2016, ANN News Editor, Tom Patton, talked with Avidyne about their new IFD100 for iPad. Tom talked with Tom Harper, the Director of Marketing for the Avidyne Corporation to get the scoop on this new app. During the demonstration, Harper is using an iPad Pro, but he says it can be used on a regular iPad or an iPad mini. The way Harper puts it, it’s like having another IFD in the cockpit. He says it does everything that the panel mounted IFD can do by having IFD information transmitted to the iPad through a Wi-Fi signal. Basically, it provide

Airplane Was Seen Flying At Low Altitude Over A Residential Area Before It Impacted

Analysis: Before the accident flight, the pilot was seen conducting maintenance on the airplane in front of his hangar. Witnesses heard the pilot start the engine and saw the airplane take off from the hangar/ramp area and stated that the pilot appeared to be struggling to control the airplane. About 1.5 hours later, the airplane was seen flying at low altitude over a residential area before it impacted the ground. Witnesses stated that the engine was running normally before the accident and that the airplane appeared “out of control.”

Aero Linx: Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum Foundation The Balloon Museum Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that believes in the power of the Balloon Museum to inspire visitors to do amazing things. The Foundation hosts a variety of special events and unique community outreach activities throughout the year to nurture an appreciation of the history, science, and adventure of ballooning.

Jet Route A route designed to serve aircraft operations from 18,000 feet MSL up to and including flight level 450. The routes are referred to as “J” routes with numbering to identify the designated route; e.g., J105.

"I am pleased to be involved with the World Air League as they are embracing the idea that we must find new ways of doing things to move toward sustainable aviation." Source: Dr. Bertrand Piccard, Member of the Explorers Club and World Air League Advisor on Solar Power, discussing details of the World Sky Race—a race around the world by airships (blimps, dirigibles, and zeppelins). Winner's prize: $5 million.