Company Claims Highest Number Of Annual Orders Since 2008

MD Helicopters is bragging about a record order book for the fiscal year 2023. The company experienced an increase in demand, resulting in the highest number of annual orders since 2008. MD Helicopters reportedly credits this accomplishment to its renewed commitment to customer satisfaction, enhancing aftermarket services, and striving for excellence in both the military and commercial sectors. The company's focus to 'providing top-tier products and services have resonated with customers worldwide and across various markets,' resulting in the substantial growth observed in 2023. 

Opener Hocks 2nd Iteration of Personal eVTOL

Pivotal, nee Opener, is accepting orders for its successor to the BlackFly eVTOL, the "Helix". The opening price stands at $190,000 (sans taxes, fees, etc) with a $250 deposit securing place in line. First customer shipments are expected to begin on June 10, 2024.

5-10 Missing Planes Leave Gaps in Summertime Schedules

Euro carrier Ryanair says it plans on being a little shorthanded this summertime travel season, to the point it will have to reduce its expected travel growth. Chief exec Michael O'Leary told journos that Ryanair would likely be about five to ten aircraft short of where it would like to be by the end of spring 2024, despite some fresh deliveries on the calender in the coming months. Originally, the carrier expected 57 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft delivered by May 1st, but Boeing's myriad issues in recent years have seen that expectation come and go.

Design Work Continues on Transonic Truss-Braced Wing X-Plane

Boeing has begun working on its future X-66 Sustainable Flight Demonstrator, taking off its engines removing engines and completing 3D metrology scans to make their plan of attack. The donor aircraft, an MD-90, will see its wings replaced with a Transonic Truss-Braced Wing, a design featuring ultrathin chords braced by struts with larger spans and higher-aspect ratios. Boeing has dismantled some of the bulkiest elements of the MD-90 as it begins rendering out each element in 3D software.

Private Ceremony Recognizes the Value of the Noncom Ranks

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force completed a new exhibit featuring the successes and travails of the noncommissioned since the military arm was created. "The Enlisted Force Exhibit is the museum’s newest permanent exhibit and honors the highly skilled, trained, and talented enlisted force that has been the backbone of daily operations of the U.S. Department of the Air Force throughout its 76-year history," said a USAF press release.

Also: PSA Buck$$$, FedEx Pilots NOT Happy, Embry-Riddle, USCG Awards DFC 

The Harrier's time is coming to a close in US Marine Corps service, as the last 2 pilots in the type enter the training pipeline. The AV-8B Harrier will be replaced by the totally functional, showtime-ready (but still somehow in LRIP after 10 years) F-35 Lightning II and the steadfast F/A-18C/D Hornet. The transition will (theoretically) be completed by 2030, meaning the USMC can coast on its stocks of Harrier pilots for the next 7 years without much concern. Julie Rosseter of Suwanee, Georgia has been announced as the lucky recipient of the National Aviation Hall of Fame's Educati

Laila UAV Set to Become Cargo Delivery Drone with Aramex Assistance

Odys Aviation, would-be AAM and eVTOL manufacturer, has partnered with Middle Eastern logistics company Aramex to adapt Odys designs for the uncrewed cargo market. The new partnership will see the duo develop their wares for the Emirati, Omani, and wider regional market using Odys' range of aircraft sizes. The first models will leverage the firm's Laila aircraft, offering a 22-ft wingspan and 130-lb payload. Eventually, the partnership will adapt the Odys Alta, a "full scale vehicle with payload capabilities up to one ton". Aramex will contribute to the effort by providing pilot training and a test flight program which will demonstrate the movement of cargo between its variou

Also: PSA Buck$$$, FedEx Pilots NOT Happy, Embry-Riddle, USCG Awards DFC 

The Harrier's time is coming to a close in US Marine Corps service, as the last 2 pilots in the type enter the training pipeline. The AV-8B Harrier will be replaced by the totally functional, showtime-ready (but still somehow in LRIP after 10 years) F-35 Lightning II and the steadfast F/A-18C/D Hornet. The transition will (theoretically) be completed by 2030, meaning the USMC can coast on its stocks of Harrier pilots for the next 7 years without much concern. Julie Rosseter of Suwanee, Georgia has been announced as the lucky recipient of the National Aviation Hall of Fame's Ed

Snowbirds, Angels and More for Attendees Next October

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) will be hosting an air show at Reno–Stead Airport from Friday, October 4th through Sunday, the 6th as it celebrates its 60th anniversary. The event will feature headliners from some of the world's best performers, the United States Navy Blue Angels and the Canadian Royal Air Force Snowbirds. Additional performances from the United States Air Force F-16 Viper Demo and a full roster of 'first-class civilian acts' will add even more eye candy to attendees.

The Initial Point Of Impact Was The Top Of A 70 Ft-Tall Hardwood Tree

On December 29, 2023, about 2157 Eastern Standard Time, an experimental, amateur-built Zenith STOL CH 701, N4209W, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Marienville, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Preliminary automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) track data revealed that the airplane departed runway 24 at Erie International Airport/Tom Ridge Field (ERI), Erie, Pennsylvania about 2058, destined for John Murtha Johnstown/Cambria County Airport (JST), Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

From 2015 (YouTube Versions): RC Aviation Offers Stunning Technologies and TRULY Exciting Flying Fun For Today's Model Aviators

While at eFest 2015, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, talks with a company known as Horizon Hobby to find out what’s going on in the rapidly changing world of remote control (RC) aircraft. In this interview, Jim talks with David Payne, the senior product developer of airplanes for Horizon Hobby, about the airplane facet of RC flying. Payne starts off by saying one of the most important achievements in recent years is the development of a technology referred to as “SAFE.” SAFE is the acrony

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Severe Weather Forecast Alerts Preliminary messages issued in order to alert users that a Severe Weather Watch Bulletin (WW) is being issued. These messages define areas of possible severe thunderstorms or tornado activity. The messages are unscheduled and issued as required by the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) at Norman, Oklahoma.

"We're proud to begin selling, and soon delivering, our Helix aircraft. The market is ready for the wonder of aerial recreation and short-hop eVTOL travel. We are ready to provide the beauty and freedom of personal flight to a whole lot of people with a passion for flying and an interest in creating a new generation of aviators and aviation.”  Source: Ken Karklin, CEO of Pivotal, reflecting on the news that their Helix eVTOL sport vehicle is ready for market.