Subcommittee Chair Call Mars Mission A Congressional Priority

The House Science Committee Subcommittee on Space held a hearing Tuesday to examine possible options for the next steps in human space flight and how these options move the U.S. closer to a human mission to Mars and beyond. Witnesses debated whether the Obama administration’s proposed asteroid rendezvous mission is a better precursor for an eventual manned mission to Mars compared to other missions, such as a return to the Moon.

Pipistrel Aircraft Engaged In Circumnavigation Attempt With A Science Twist

A one-year around the world flight aboard a Pipistrel Virus SW aircraft, organized by "Wings for Science" in association with renowned Universities and Research Institutes, is progressing according to schedule according to a report out of Luxembourg where the project is based. The project is supported by AOPA-Luxembourg and many local AOPA's around the world.

Contract Also Includes Additional 60 Reconfirmable Aircraft And 100 Options

Embraer and SkyWest Inc. have announced a firm order for 40 Embraer 175 aircraft. SkyWest will operate the aircraft under a Capacity Purchase Agreement (CPA) with United Airlines. Another 60 firm orders are reconfirmable aircraft, which are subject to SkyWest being awarded CPA agreement contracts with major U.S. airline partners. In addition to that, the agreement includes options for another 100 E175s, taking the total order potential up to 200 airplanes.

Local Annapolis Businesses Feeling The Pinch

The cancellations of the Blue Angels performance schedule for 2013 did not spare one of its traditional outings ... flying for graduation at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD.

Two Volcanoes In The State Have Been Active For Several Days

Few Alaska Airlines flights have been affected by volcanic activity from Mount Cleveland, located west of Dutch Harbor, and Mount Pavlof, located near Cold Bay, Alaska. No Alaska Airlines operated flights have been canceled at this time.

Recognized For DARPA-Funded SPHERES Program

Aurora Flight Sciences was honored by the Small Business Administration with its Tibbetts Award which recognizes technological innovation made possible through the federal government's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The award is named for Roland Tibbetts, who is acknowledged as the father of the SBIR program.

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Ten Of The Airplanes Ordered In January Of This Year

Rolls-Royce has won an order from US leasing company CIT Aerospace for Trent XWB engines to power ten Airbus A350 XWB aircraft and Trent 700 engines to power 13 Airbus A330 aircraft. The Trent XWB engines will power ten CIT A350 aircraft that were announced in January 2013 which were in addition to five A350 XWB aircraft already on order.

Approval Of Lease Financing Arrangement Requested From Bankruptcy Court

The 130 Airbus A320 family airplanes that American Airlines has on order will be leased to the carrier, if a federal bankruptcy judge approves.

Cockpit Upgrade Replaces 25 Legacy Instruments, Improving Reliability, Efficiency And Situational Awareness

Universal Avionics’ partnership with Duncan Aviation to launch a technologically advanced flight deck upgrade program for the Dassault Falcon 900B is well underway after its announcement at the 65th Annual NBAA Meeting and Convention last year. The first installation is nearing completion with the aircraft scheduled to be delivered in June.