Airbus Racer Demonstrator Makes Inaugural Flight

Airbus Helicopters' ambitious Racer demonstrator has achieved its inaugural flight as part of the Clean Sky 2 initiative, a cornerstone European research project aimed at enhancing aviation sustainability. Taking to the skies over Marignane, the aircraft completed a 30-minute test flight, marking the beginning of a two-year intensive flight campaign intended to expand the aircraft's flight envelope and demonstrate its advanced high-speed capabilities. Developed with the collaboration of 40 partners across 13 countries, the Racer stands out with its 90 patents, showcasing a high level of innovation that European cooperation can foster.

A little Bit Quieter, Said Testers, But in the End it's Still a DA40

Diamond Aircraft recently completed a little pilot project with Lufthansa Aviation Training, putting a pair of their battery powered eDA40s to the test in some true-to-life training operations. The results are good enough to brag about, apparently, since both Diamond and Lufthansa Training said the eDA40 passed muster. The project saw engineers and flight test pilots head to Dübendorf Airport in Germany to carry out five assessment flights. Diamond hoped to uncover any developmental issues, weaknesses, or irritations ahead of full commercial release, and who better than one of the biggest customers of the DA40 NG?

Margrit Waltz Almost to the 50-Year Mark in 48 Years

Daher highlighted the efforts of one of their most experienced ferry pilots after her 960th flight for the business. Margrit Waltz made flight number 960 in a very appropriate TBM 960. Like so many other trips for Daher, Waltz flew the single engine turboprop from its birthplace in Tarbes, France on to the Daher Aircraft Division's American home in Pompano Beach, Florida. The ferry flight took Waltz 15 hours and 38 minutes, with stops in the United Kingdom, Iceland, and Canada. Once hitting the eastern seaboard, Walts stopped at Bangor, Maine before making the final leg home to Pompano.

Also: 1st Kodiak 100 Series III, Kaman Buyout, Airmate Hits 250,000, Airbus Names Robin Hayes

Vermont-based Beta Technologies has marked a significant advancement in the eVTOL aircraft sector with the successful piloted transition of its Alia-250 from vertical hover to cruise flight. This development underscores Beta's commitment to pioneering practical and commercially viable eVTOL solutions. The transition, which occurred with a pilot on board, involved moving from a stationary hover to forward flight, showcasing the aircraft's dual capabilities. The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) has lodged a formal complaint with t

NBAA Applauds New FAA SMS Rule

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has officially praised the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for integrating essential feedback from the association into the newly finalized rule on Safety Management Systems (SMS). This rule extends SMS requirements, previously limited to Part 5 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, to include all Part 135 operators, certain Part 21 certificate holders, and §91.147 air tour operators.

Also: Fernandina Beach Airport $$$, Controller Duty Time, Wheels Up Axes CO Ops, Elixir USA

Diamond Aircraft recently completed a little pilot project with Lufthansa Aviation Training, putting a pair of their battery-powered eDA40s to the test in some true-to-life training operations. The results are good enough to brag about, apparently, since both Diamond and Lufthansa Training said the eDA40 passed muster. In a significant step forward for aviation education in Alabama, Leadership in Flight Training Academy (LIFT) and Tuskegee University have unveiled the inaugural Tuskegee University Flight School. This marks a pioneering collaboration aimed a

Also: Junkers A50 Heritage, Montaer Grows, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Vans' Latest 

Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase', meaning it's just about to head into the oven, but the recipe isn't inked just yet. CubCrafters VP Brad Damm wants to see everyone chip in with their two cents to see how they feel about the prospective aircraft. So far, everything that's been shown off paints a very attractive portrait of a lightweight, capable, eager little bird, boasting an empty weight "well below 900 lbs..." CKD Aerospace hit innovation preview with a couple goodies right off the bat, updating fans

ZeroAvia Expands Market Approach in Hydrogen Cell Propulsion

ZeroAvia, a leader in hydrogen-electric aviation technology, has announced a significant expansion in its market approach by offering some of its proprietary components to other innovators in the clean aviation sector. This strategic move aims to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for sustainable aviation solutions and further its impact on reducing environmental harm from aviation. The company has initiated the certification process for its ZA600 engine designed for up to 20-seat aircraft and is advancing development of the ZA2000 engine for aircraft with up to 90 seats.

GAMA Issues White Paper on Euro Electric Aviation

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association took a significant step forward in promoting the development of electric aviation in Europe by releasing a white paper at the Aero Friedrichshafen event in Germany. The document, titled "Recommendations for Accelerating the Development of the Electric Aviation Sector in Europe," outlines critical measures that European regulators and policymakers should adopt to nurture this burgeoning industry. The white paper encapsulates GAMA's ongoing advocacy efforts, pushing for essential policy and legislative support necessary to spur the growth of electric aviation across the continent.

From 2016 (YouTube Version): No Kidding.... This Is Electro-Nostalgia At Its Best!

While at the AMA Expo 2016, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, came across a real “blast from the past.” Jim met up with Brian Curry, the owner of “Memories From the Past,” and Jim re-lived some of those days when he received his introduction to aviation through model aircraft. It sometimes seems like everybody has to collect something, and for Curry it’s model aircraft radio control units from the past. Curry tells the fascinating story of how he got started with his collection, and it is quite a story.

Controller Asked The Instructor If She Wanted To Declare An Emergency, And She Replied “Yes”

On March 30, 2024, about 1320 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-44-180, N595ND, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident at the Treasure Coast International Airport (FPR), Fort Pierce, Florida. The flight instructor was fatally injured, and the private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal  Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The private pilot was training for his multi-engine rating at the time of the accident. He and the flight instructor departed FPR about 1140 and climbed to 5,000 ft mean sea level (msl), where they practiced single-engine emergency procedures

Aero Linx: The International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) The International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) is comprised of Mission organizations, flight schools, and individuals who are using aviation to facilitate the cross-cultural spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as to aid the needy in Christ's name.

DETRESFA (Distress Phrase)   The code word used to designate an emergency phase wherein there is reasonable certainty that an aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger or require immediate assistance.

But Take A Moment To Do It The Right Way

While broadband has become very much the default internet connection everywhere from homes to offices and coffee shops, there are still a lot of places where a high-speed connection is not available, or you're stuck tethering to your phone with only one "civilization bar" to get your Aero-News. ANN goes through a lot of trouble to make the graphics flashy and cool and an integral part of the story. But let's face it, they're bandwidth-intensive. So here are a couple of thoughts on how to get the most out of Aero-News in the least amount of time.

"General aviation is at the forefront of developing and introducing innovative technologies that will transform the entire aviation industry..." Source: Kyle Martin, Vice President of European Affairs at GAMA, highlighting the pivotal role that general aviation plays in introducing innovative technologies that promise to transform the broader aviation landscape.