Also: Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena, B-21 Raider, Airobotics, CIAM Legends Award
In keeping with the expectations of myriad aviation industry stakeholders, the FAA announced on 13 September 2023 that it would extend the Remote ID enforcement date by six-months. Ergo, owners and operators of Radio Controlled (RC) Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)—known colloquially as drones—now have until 16 March 2024 to either retrofit extant UAS with aftermarket Remote ID broadcast modules, or purchase new standard Remote ID-equipped drones. Pyka and Dole plc - the Dole of produce fame - have completed the 1st trial phase using Pyka's Pelican Spray, a fixed-wing, twin-prop UAV. The testing began in late 2022 at Dole Fresh Fruit's operation in Honduras. Pyka's Pelican was test flown and gauged for spray efficacy testing at Dole's Isletas Farm. Bell has delivered a High-Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing (HSVTOL) test-article to Holloman
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.
Also: EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship, WOW STEM Conference, Remote ID, Avionics Theft
PSA Airlines has kicked up a little extra cash in the hopes of bringing fresh blood to the flight deck. The best deal is a sign-on bonus of $100,000 for direct entry captains, with $75,000 for "experienced pilots. That's available through the end of the year, with captain pay starting at $150/hr and $93/hr for FOs. Captain pay can be seen at 750 hours of part 121 time, too. Matt Everett, the grandson of a U.S. Air Force veteran, grew up surrounded by the sights, sounds, science, sport, and romance of aviation. Now an adult, a marketing professional, and a certificated Private Pilot, Mr. Everett has earned the distinction of being the latest recipient of Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship. The last 12-months have seen the FAA certify a total of 10,191 new Airline Transport Pilots (ATP). In August 2023 alone, upwards of 1,200 new ATP
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.
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 by which the Columbus, Ohio-based charter and fractional-ownership concern will retain options to purchase up to 1,500 additional Cessna Citation business jets over a 15-year period. Delta Air Lines is
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!”
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.
Charter Heavyweight Retains 1,500 Cessna Citation Options
Textron Aviation and NetJets have entered into an agreement by which the Columbus, Ohio-based charter and fractional-ownership concern will retain options to purchase up to 1,500 additional Cessna Citation business jets over a 15-year period. The newly-announced agreement extends NetJets’ extant fleet agreement and includes options for an increasing number of aircraft, thereby enabling NetJets to expand its fleet via strategic additions of Cessna Citation Ascend, Citation Latitude, and Citation Longitude aircraft.
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