Also: SUN ‘n FUN 2024 Tickets, McFarlane FAA-PMA, Soyuz MS-24 Docks, Gulfstream Completes Appleton
Two pilots are confirmed dead after the completion of a T-6 Gold Race as they returned to the field and collided in the process. Pilots at the site have furnished multiple reports that both aircraft collided while heading for final... with one aircraft getting its tail severed and impacting shortly thereafter, with the other continuing a short distance before going down. Reno officials ID’ed Nick Macy and Chris Rushing, as the pilots lost. Tragedy has hit again... with the Italian Frecce Tricolori Flight Demonstration Team at the center of it all. During a formation fly-by at the Turin Caselle Airport, this weekend, one airc
Updated Report 09.17.23, 1949ET: A new statement from the Reno racing organization reads as follows...
"The Reno Air Racing Association is heartbroken to announce that around 2:15 p.m. this afternoon, two members of our racing family, Nick Macy and Chris Rushing, passed away in a landing accident. Both expertly skilled pilots and Gold winners in the T-6 Class, Macy piloted Six-Cat and Rushing flew Baron’s Revenge. Families of both pilots have been notified and support services are onsite as they deal with this tragedy. There were no civilian casualties and RARA is doing everything we can to support the families and friends of the involved pilots. A
Bird Strike Suspected In Downing Of Team Jet During Formation Fly-By
Tragedy has hit again... with the Italian Frecce Tricolori Flight Demonstration Team (officially known as the 313th Gruppo Addestramento Acrobatico) at the center of it all. During a formation fly-by at the Turin Caselle Airport, this weekend, one aircraft was seen to drop out of a dual 'V' formation, followed scant seconds later by the pilot's ejection and the aircraft's impact near the end of the airshow runway. The pilot has apparently survived but the jet's momentum on impact drew it through the perimeter of the airport, through fencing and into oncoming traffic that traversed the outskirts. The debris collided with at least one vehicle subjecting a family inside to
The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced on 09 June 2023 that Greg Principato, the organization’s president and CEO, intended to step down from the positions he so sagely and competently filled since 2016. Comes now 15 September, and a final, eminently distinguished executive communique from Mr. Principato.
Tickets are currently on sale for 2024’s SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida. Moreover, buyers availing themselves of advanced online ticket sales will enjoy fifty-percent off event parking. 2024 will mark the 50th anniversary of the SUN ‘n FUN fly in. The 09 through 14 April event will strive to honor the pioneers and volunteers by whose industry and expertise the organization has grown from a small local gathering of pilots and aircraft owners to one of the world’s preeminent celebrations of all things aeronautical.
The North American B-25J medium-bomber dubbed Miss Mitchell will make a 04 through 08 October 2023 tour stop at Wichita, Kansas’s B-29 Doc Hangar, Education and Visitors Center. Miss Mitchell is lovingly maintained and operated by the Commemorative Air Force’s (CAF) Minnesota Wing. Miss Mitchell’s arrival and corresponding tour stop in Wichita will coincide with 07 October B-29 Doc WSU Tech Pull a Plane event. In addition to B-25 ride flight experiences offered during the Pull a Plane event, Miss Mitchell will be available for ride flights between 05 and 08 October. B-29 Doc Flight Experiences will be available 08 October.
New Springs Compatible with 182, 206, 210, and 337 Models
McFarlane Aviation has been granted FAA- Parts Manufacture Approval (PMA) for the production of replacement door springs for the majority of Cessna’s 182 Skylane, 206 Stationair, 210 Centurion, and 337 Skymaster models. Subject door springs function by applying pressure to the cabin door stop arm, resulting in solid, smooth, and controlled opening and closing. The OEM-installed springs have a history of premature failures. McFarlane’s new door springs are available as kits, or as individual part numbers.
Western African Air Carrier Undertakes Fleet Modernization Effort
Embraer S.A., the multinational aerospace manufacturer of commercial, military, executive, and agricultural aircraft founded in 1969 and headquartered in São Paulo, Brazil, announced that Nigeria based Air Peace, Western Africa’s largest airline, has placed a firm order for five Embraer E175 narrow-body airliners, thereby embarking upon an ambitious fleet-modernization effort. The acquisition speaks compellingly to Air Peace’s ambition to operate Western Africa’s largest and youngest fleet of transport category aircraft. Deliveries of the 88-seat aircraft are slated to commence in 2024. The order’s list-price value is $288.3-million.
At 0957 The Airplane Reached Its Highest Altitude Of 14,950 Ft, Then It Began A Left Turn And Rapid Descent.
On August 27, 2023, about 1000 Alaska daylight time, a Beech B36TC airplane, N6709Q, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Cape Yakataga, Alaska. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The airplane departed Snowshoe Lake Airport (5AK4), Glennallen, Alaska, at 0850, destined for Ketchikan, Alaska.
From 2009 (YouTube Version): Educational Organization Aims to Inspire by Sharing Tuskegee Story
Founding leader Don Hinz summarized the Red Tail Project’s mission in simple, yet eloquent words: “Inspire youth and tell the story of the Tuskegee Airmen all across America.” Since its inception, the non-profit organization has dedicated itself to sharing the extraordinary legacy of the first African Americans to be trained as WWII military pilots;
Aero Linx: The Australian Warbirds Association (AWAL)
The Australian Warbirds Association (AWAL) is the administering body for all Limited category (ex-military and historic) aircraft operations in Australia. Through delegations granted by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, AWAL issues Certificates of Airworthiness, oversees maintenance systems for Limited category aircraft, provides safety guidance, manages Adventure Flight operations and facilitates Permit Index assessments.
Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS)
MANPADS are lightweight, shoulder-launched, missile systems used to bring down aircraft and create mass casualties. The potential for MANPADS use against airborne aircraft is real and requires familiarity with the subject. Terrorists choose MANPADS because the weapons are low cost, highly mobile, require minimal set-up time, and are easy to use and maintain. Although the weapons have limited range, and their accuracy is affected by poor visibility and adverse weather, they can be fired from anywhere on land or from boats where there is unrestricted visibility to the target.
"I believe the NAA is a national treasure. There is a reason that leaders at the top of our government have recognized the achievements and people we celebrate. When we were founded, aviation had a limited past and a limited present. All it really had was a future. We were founded to provide a means to launch into the future, whatever it might hold. One hundred and eighteen years later, we can say that the future our founders imagined has come true. And then some..."
Source: Outgoing NAA president and CEO, Greg Principato, in his farewell message as he handed over the reins of the organization.
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