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September 22, 2023

Airborne 09.22.23: SC Ultralight Ban, 1500 Jet Order, Wheels Up Bought

Also: Missing F-35B Found, Rocket Lab Failure, Fake Bell 206B Parts, New Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

The town council of Holly Hill, a town in South Carolina’s Orangeburg County, has promulgated an ordinance prohibiting operations of ‘ultralight’ aircraft massing less-than six-hundred-pounds at Holly Hill Airport (5J5). The legally-questionable fiat was predicated largely upon two accidents, both of which involved 'ultralight-type' aircraft, at the Holly Hill airport during the preceding 2 years. Councilmembers rationalized their collective overreach, ascribing such to a nebulous obligation to protect the health and welfare of the town’s citizenry. Textron Aviation and NetJets have entered into an agreement b

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Van’s Asserts Web Portal Nearly Complete

Company Actively Supporting Replacement of Defective Parts

Oregon-based Van’s Aircraft is reviewing, testing, and finalizing a web portal by which customers in receipt of cracked aircraft parts may report such and arrange to take delivery of replacement components. In the interest of ensuring proper function, a number of Van’s customers have been invited to preliminarily assess the portal. Information pertaining to the portal and instructions for accessing such will be sent to Van’s customers upon the testing-regimen’s conclusion.

Stalwart Rotorcraft Completes 59th Red Planet Flight

NASA's Ingenuity helicopter, while executing a 16 September 2023 sortie, broke its own Martian altitude record, ascending 66-feet above the inhospitable expanse of Mars’s surface. The achievement lent an august air to the contraption’s 59th flight, and evinced the remarkable resilience of a machine now well into its 31st month on the iconic Red Planet.

Miley Out

The U.S. Senate has confirmed United States Air Force Chief of Staff General Charles Q. Brown Jr. as the next Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The 20 September confirmation heralds Brown’s installation as the first Airman in 19-years to serve as the U.S.’s top military officer. General Brown’s approval was via a bipartisan 83-11 vote cast days before the term of current Chairman U.S. Army General Mark A. Milley.

New Trainers Greener and Safer than Legacy Models

Citing parent entity Air France-KLM Group’s commitment to greener flight training, KLM Flight Academy—the Dutch flying school and wholly-owned subsidiary of Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM)—is replacing its extant training fleet with no fewer than one-dozen single-engine Diamond DA40 NG and two additional twin-engine Diamond DA42-VI aircraft. The firm order calls for the first deliveries of the antecedent aircraft to be made in 2024’s first quarter. Moreover, the acquisition will increase KLM’s fleet of Diamond training aircraft to a total 18 airplanes comprising six DA42-VI and 12 DA40 NG models.

The Makings of a Memorable 50th Anniversary Event

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.

Airborne Affordable Flyers 09.14.23: Van's Parts, MWLSA Expo, 10K Young Eagles

Also: Affordable Flying Expo, Aero-Pup Cowling, Young Eagles Air Academy, FAA Admin Nom

Oregon-based Van’s Aircraft is developing a web-portal by which customers in receipt of cracked aircraft parts may report such and arrange to take delivery of replacement components. Customers visiting the portal will be presented lists of the heretofore problematic laser-cut parts from which they may specify the replacements they require. The ANN crew had an immensely successful trip to Mt., Vernon Illinois for the very busy 15th Annual MidWest LSA Expo. Not the biggest show in the world, there was still LOTS of flying, an overtly friendly atmosp

Something Old, Something New …

The Association of Professional Warbird Operators (APWO) is a cooperative established to facilitate the development and sharing of best practices in Warbird operations—to include pilot and maintenance training, standardization, and safety protocols. The association is building a consolidated community, the collective resources of which shall be plied to increasing the knowledge, competency, and proficiency of Warbird operators, thereby occasioning the reduction of risk and the enhancement of survivability and sustainability of Warbird aircrews and aircraft.

Award Recognizes Dedication and Contribution to U.S. Aviation

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA)—the Washington D.C.-based U.S. non-profit organization—will award 2023’s Bruce Whitman Memorial Trophy to Mr. Ross Perot, Jr. The trophy recognizes Mr. Perot’s commitment to recognizing the achievements of America’s military heroes and sharing such for purpose of inspiring future generations of aviators. A native of Dallas, Texas, a graduate of Vanderbilt University, and a retired United States Air Force fighter pilot, Perot, in 1982, was the first person to successfully circumnavigate the Earth in a helicopter.

In the Service of the King

Wichita, Kansas-based McCauley Propeller Systems—a division of Textron Aviation Inc.—has delivered the first of its new C780 propellers for Beechcraft’s storied, eminently-capable King Air B300 series twin-turboprop aircraft. The new propeller model, which features four aluminum swept blades spanning a 105-inch diameter, was granted FAA type-certification in July 2023. The newly-delivered propellers, the first of their kind to enter service, were installed on a Beechcraft King Air 350 owned by Tampa, Florida-based ExecuJet Charter Service, Inc. The retrofit was performed by personnel in the employ of Textron Aviation’s Tampa Service Center.

BETA Technologies Takes Pole Position for This Milestone, But More Are Always Up for Grabs

The Department of Defense has tapped BETA Technologies for the installation of Eglin AFB's first electric aircraft charging station. The partnership, begun in 2020, has seen a few intriguing milestones between the two operators so far, with the firm's Alia aircraft being put through its paces by USAF and Army test pilots. Until now, things have remained largely exploratory, evaluating the progress of electric aircraft and the greater applicability of BETA's charging infrastructure.

Aero Linx: CAF-Houston Wing Welcome to the Houston Wing. The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) honors the men and women who built, maintained, and flew in these airplanes during World War II. The organization believes that is best accomplished by maintaining the airplanes in flying condition, taking the airplanes to the public, and allowing them to experience the sight and sound of the aircraft in flight. As a unit of the CAF, the Houston Wing is dedicated to preserving and honoring our military history with the rallying cry to “Keep ‘Em Flying!”

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (09.22.23): Minimum En Route IFR Altitude (MEA)

Minimum En Route IFR Altitude (MEA) The lowest published altitude between radio fixes which assures acceptable navigational signal coverage and meets obstacle clearance requirements between those fixes. The MEA prescribed for a Federal airway or segment thereof, area navigation low or high route, or other direct route applies to the entire width of the airway, segment, or route between the radio fixes defining the airway, segment, or route.

“Over the years, Ross has contributed mightily to our industry as a record-setter, a pioneer, and as a supporter of so many causes that seek to inspire future generations while venerating the past. I know Bruce [the late Bruce Whitman] would enthusiastically endorse his selection as this year’s recipient.” Source: NAA chair Jim Albaugh, discussing the org's award of the 2023’s Bruce Whitman Memorial Trophy to Mr. Ross Perot, Jr. The trophy recognizes Mr. Perot’s commitment to recognizing the achievements of America’s military heroes and sharing such for purpose of inspiring future generations of aviators.