Surprising Return to 2019-Era Numbers, With Increases Across the Board to Make up for Lost Ground

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association released the year-end 2021 General Aviation Aircraft Shipments and Billings Report at its State of the Industry press conference. How are things looking? Overall, when compared to 2020, all aircraft segments saw increases in shipments and preliminary aircraft deliveries were valued at $25.2 billion, an increase of 10.2%. Of course, with the black-swan performance of 2020, nearly any increase would be expected. Despite the erratic behavior of a range of economic indicators, the general aviation market still found a healthy number of buyers, ultimately delivering $22.8 billion worth of aircraft.

FMS Order for 12 Expected to Manufacture Late-Model Cobra and Hueys Through 2023

Bell has officially begun production on the first of the AH-1Z Viper helicopters bound for the Czech Republic at their Texas assembly center. The Viper is a part of an FMS deal for the country that will also see delivery of another H-1 Program aircraft, the UH-1Y. The deal was worth an estimated $272 million for Bell to build a series of 4 AH-1Z Viper attack and 8 UH-1Y "Venom" utility helicopters (or more colloquially, "Super Huey" - despite the efforts of Textron marketers, "venom" hasn't taken hold as a popular nickname for the legendary helicopter's newest version).

Announces Additional Order Slots Available for 70% Scale P-51

ScaleWings has announced that another batch of their P-51 recreation, the SW-51 Mustang, will make its way to customer hands around the world, after a pair of planes were sold to pilots in Switzerland and South Africa from the company's Polish home. The buyers took the opportunity to head to the factory in Krosno, Poland and see how the plane is made alongside design head Arek Walecki and a bevy of executives. Their visit enabled them to select from a variety of pain scheme samples and livery options prepared by the team as they designed their dream Mustang. 

Launch Delivers Projects, Supplies, and Experiments to Mission 66

Taking on the perceived dominance of SpaceX in taking on resupply missions for the International Space Station, Northrop Grumman successfully delivered an 8,300-pound supply run aboard a Cygnus spacecraft. The delivery marks the 17th contracted mission under the company's Commercial Resupply Services contract. The Cygnus will remain at the station until May, when it will deploy CubeSats and drop thousands of pounds of garbage during re-entry for easy disposal. Aboard the resupply mission, a number of scientific projects, equipment, and experiments were delivered alongside the regular day to day living and operational cargo needed to survive in orbit.

Klyde Remembers Friendship 7... and Rightly So

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Working Group of Local Leaders, Business to Analyze Economic Effects and Systems of Air-Taxi UAVs

Wisk Aero has partnered with the city of Long Beach, California to establish the foundation of future all-electric, autonomous air taxi operations throughout the area. The two organizations will create an "Advanced Aerial Mobility working group composed of business, local government, and community leaders"  that will "focus on evaluating, planning, and implementing AAM in Long Beach, with a focus on autonomous flight." As things start off, the group will be headed by a combination of both entities. 

From 2012 (YouTube Version): One Of The Many Hits Of The Oshkosh Experience...

If you think when the sun slips beyond the western horizon and the calm of night spreads over EAA AirVenture that this is the time for quiet contemplation of the day’s activities, then you haven’t been to AirVenture since the advent of the nighttime airshows. Nighttime airshows are new to the airshow world and EAA AirVenture is the place to see the greatest of nighttime aerial activities. This video is a masterpiece of videography. You’ll see skydivers, single aircraft aerobatics, and formation aerobatics. There just seems to be someth

Also: Solar Farm Drone Monitoring, Drone Training Course, Astra Failure, Israeli CAA 1st UAV Cert

Singapore UAV manufacturer Steadicopter has released the specifications of its Black Eagle 50H, the first of its Rotary UAS family. The helicopter is designed for anything from law enforcement, maritime surveillance, civilian survey, and special low profile missions. The Black Eagle is a hybrid featuring elements of the company's all-electric 50E and its gas-powered 50, resulting in a cost-effective, long-legged platform. Steadicopter says the Black Eagle can fly up to 5 hours at a time... Jaunt Air Mobility is one of 11 companies that won a United States

A380 Testbed Will Analyze Efficiency, Engine Emissions in Flight

CFM and Airbus have announced a joint demonstration aircraft aimed at testing next-generation hydrogen tech. Using the element as the basis for a sustainable fuel system has long been a goal in the industry, but until recent breakthroughs in storage and processing were made, it remained little more than a futuristic curiosity. Now, with investor interest higher than ever in sustainable, green fuels and the industrial backbone to create necessary liquid hydrogen in the works, the time is right for CFM to work with Airbus and complete a direct combustion engine. Should development proceed smoothly, the firms expect an entry into commercial service by 2035. 

'Airplane Was At The Same Altitude As The Top Of A Flagpole Before It Collided With Trees'

On February 1, 2022, about 1340 eastern standard time, a Cessna 182T airplane, N716MC, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Heath, Ohio. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal crosscountry flight. At 1338, the pilot completed a touch-and-go landing at Newark-Heath Airport (VTA), Newark, Ohio, then departed to the east. The airplane climbed to about 500 ft above ground level (agl), then descended to 85 ft agl over a residential area. During the last 30 seconds of the flight, the airplane flew about 100 ft agl and about 145 kts groundspeed before it descended into tr

AD 2022-05-01 Requires Removing Certain Spoiler Assemblies From Service

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Learjet, Inc., Model 35, 35A (C-21A), 36, 36A, 55, 55B, 55C, and 60 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report indicating that a repair station approved Learjet spoiler assemblies for return to service after extending their life limit. This AD requires removing certain spoiler assemblies from service and prohibits their installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective March 9, 2022.

Aero Linx: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) was born through the merger of three institutions, namely the Institute of Space and Astronautical Science (ISAS), the National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan (NAL) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). It was designated as a core performance agency to support the Japanese government's overall aerospace development and utilization. JAXA, therefore, can conduct integrated operations from basic research and development, to utilization.

Minimum Friction Level The friction level specified in AC 150/5320-12, Measurement, Construction, and Maintenance of Skid Resistant Airport Pavement Surfaces, that represents the minimum recommended wet pavement surface friction value for any turbojet aircraft engaged in LAHSO. This value will vary with the particular friction measurement equipment used.

“The strength and tenacity of the general aviation industry has provided a strong foundation for the industry to rebound from pandemic-related setbacks with a powerful showing in 2021. Total aircraft shipments are converging on figures that were seen before the outset of the pandemic. The industry has been able to weather the storm by strategically managing workforce and supply chain challenges, which unfortunately are still ongoing. Despite this adversity, there is robust interest and excitement in our industry as we continue to further our advancements in innovation, technology and environmental sustainability."  Source: Pete Bunce, GAMA President and CEO, commenting on the 2021 sales figures from GAMA, just announced.

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