Also: Beringer Aero Takes Stand, Hill Helicopters, AMA Updates Testing Details, Crew 1 In Position

We're pleased to note that a story we did a few days appears to be heading towards a proper resolution. Miss Pick Up is the name of one of the world's only airworthy PBY Catalina flying boats and is currently operated by Plane Sailing based in Duxford, Cambridge. After hopes for a simple fix were dashed, they asked for help from aviators the world over. Their funding target was just short of 30,000 pounds, and they have exceeded that number handily...  A recent update was filed as the failed starboard

Can Use Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) Toward Living Expenses While Working Toward Their A&P Certification

Thanks to the inquisitive, action-oriented nature of Duncan Aviation Airframe Mechanic II Brody Wullschleger, the Duncan Aviation Airframe and Powerplant Apprenticeship programs have received approval from the Veterans Administration for the use of VA Benefits for living expenses while participating in either of Duncan Aviation’s Apprenticeship programs. Although the programs hadn’t yet received US Department of Labor certification at the time Wullschleger went through orientation at Duncan Aviation’s Lincoln, Nebraska, location in August 2018, he realized other veterans would eventually be able to take advantage of the

Bluetooth Adapter Enables Aircraft Operators To Wirelessly Stream Aircraft Data

AEROCOR has acquired the BlueMAX wireless data transfer unit from Australia based Control-J Pty Ltd. The BlueMax is a bluetooth adapter that enables aircraft operators to wirelessly stream aircraft data to a portable device such as a phone or tablet. Originally developed for a line of aircraft equipped with Avidyne Entegra avionics, the BlueMAX unit is also compatible with other common engine monitors, such as those from JPI.

Boeing's Latest Forecast Dropped 5% From Last Year's

By Brian Foley The word "forecast" sounds far more sophisticated than "educated guess", which it really is. Boeing released its annual Pilot And Technician Outlook for the next 20 years estimating a need for 763,000 new civil aviation pilots which is a whole lot of swagger. But not taking into account the technological progress being made in semi- and fully-autonomous flight, this number would seem drift away from the educated part of a guess. Let's first put that number of new pilots required into perspective. That's more airmen than the entire population of Boeing's birthplace of Seattle. It's more than the number of people living in De

From 2016: An Ultralight Trike That Fits In Your Car For Drive And Fly Fun…

While at EAA AirVenture 2016, ANN’s Earl Downs traveled south to the ultralight area (The Fun Zone) on a mission to search out some real ultralights. One that caught his eye was named the Aeros Nonolight Trike. Earl talked with Alexander Voronin, the director of Aeros; the company is located in Ukraine. First up was the question about this good-looking little machine’s ability to meet the FAR 103 ultralight regulations. Voronin assured Earl that with an empty weight of 90 kilograms, it is easily within th

Construction of Qualia, Canada's First-Ever RPAS, Is Well Underway

Following the announcement of the project earlier in 2019, the construction of Qualia, Canada's first-ever Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), is well underway. The Mayor of Alma, Marc Asselin, accompanied by the President of the UAS Centre of Excellence (CED), Alain Fortin, immortalized the start of construction with a symbolic shovelful of earth at the Alma construction site in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (Quebec, Canada).

Prototype Demonstrating Long-Range Naval Ship-To-Ship And Ship-To-Shore Cargo Transport At Pax River

The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) recently acquired a logistics Unmanned Air System (UAS) prototype to demonstrate long-range naval ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore cargo transport at Naval Air Station Patuxent River. Delivered in late October, NAWCAD engineers, testers and military test pilots are now evaluating the commercially procured air vehicle – dubbed Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS – and tailoring it to requirements set by Military Sealift (MSC) and Fleet Forces Command (FFC).

The Airplane’s Engine Sputtered And Lost Complete Power

On October 17, 2020, about 1742 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N4673R, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near the Pierce County Airport – Thun Field (PLU), Puyallup, Washington. The certified flight instructor (CFI), one student, and one passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The CFI and student pilot reported that they conducted two uneventful touch and go landings. After turning crosswind to set up for another touch and go, the airplane’s engine sputtered and lost complete power. The CFI took over the controls and executed a forced landing

AD 2020-22-11 Prompted By A Report Indicating That The Material Used To Manufacture The Upper Frame Feet Was Changed

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-18-17, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A300 B4-603, A300 B4-620, A300 B4-622, A300 B4-605R, A300 B4-622R, A300 F4-605R, A300 F4-622R, and A300 C4-605R Variant F airplanes. AD 2017-18-17 required modifying certain fuselage frames and a repair on certain modified airplanes. This AD continues to require the actions in AD 2017-18-17, and also requires, for certain airplanes, an inspection to determine if rotating probe inspections were performed prior to oversizing of the open-holes, and repair if necessary; as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD,

AD 2020-23-01 Prompted By Reports Of Engine Power Fluctuations

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) M601D-11, M601E-11, M601E-11A, M601E-11AS, M601E-11S, M601F, H75-200, H80-100, H80-200, and H85-200 model turboprop engines. This AD was prompted by reports of engine power fluctuations occurring during ground tests. This AD requires the removal and replacement of the fuel control unit (FCU). The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 24, 2020.

Aero Linx: The National Coalition for Aviation and Space Education The National Coalition for Aviation and Space Education is a membership organization that was formed in 1993 when the founding member groups signed a formal charter and established a partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Together with the FAA and other agencies we actively promote aviation and space education while supporting schools’ initiatives at the local, state and national levels.  

"Boeing's latest forecast dropped 5% from last year's to take into account the large number of current pilot furloughs and layoffs. Still, they predict pilot demand will return driven by a combination of crew retirements and aircraft fleet growth. That may be, but only if the world of cockpit technology stands still for the next two decades, which would seem highly unlikely." Source: From a report by Brian Foley, examining the recent Boeing Pilot And Technician Outlook and providing some thoughtful analysis and counterpoints.

VOR A ground-based electronic navigation aid transmitting very high frequency navigation signals, 360 degrees in azimuth, oriented from magnetic north. Used as the basis for navigation in the National Airspace System. The VOR periodically identifies itself by Morse Code and may have an additional voice identification feature. Voice features may be used by ATC or FSS for transmitting instructions/information to pilots.