All MAX 9 Aircraft in Time-Out Until FAA Sees 'Extensive and Rigorous' Fixes

The FAA announced a grounding for all Boeing 737 MAX-9 aircraft equipped with a certain plugged-exit layout in response to apparently unimpressive results throughout the operating fleet. While the FAA had initially appeared as if it would let Boeing and its customers work things out between themselves, expanded inspections throughout the Max-9 fleet generated rumors that there were more loose bolts out there in the wild than expected. How true that is remains unknown, but rumors are as good as truth to the flying public - and Boeing's increasingly lackluster track record certainly doesn't buy them any credibility now. As such, the FAA won't let them fly until it appr

April Showcase Brings Out the Best in Drone Tech

Friederichshafen, Germany announced the return of a 3-day trade fair devoted to uncrewed aircraft and their infrastructure, named "AERODrones". The exhibition will run from April 17th to 19th, 2024, as the "ideal platform for drone providers and operators to present their products and services to an expert audience". AERO Friederichshafen says it has already been collecting registrations from the movers and shakers in the UAV market.  Leading players in this up-and-coming aviation segment have already registered.

The A350 Boasts More Than 1,206 Orders From 58 Customers 

Delta Air Lines is adding new A350-1000 airliners to its lineup... much to the approval of the folks at Airbus. The A350-1000 will be a new aircraft type in Delta’s fleet. “We are thankful for Delta’s continued confidence in Airbus’ solutions to meet its fleet needs,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial Aircraft business, Airbus.

42 Rafale Combat Aircraft Comprise “Tranche 5” Order

At the end of December 2023, the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA) awarded Dassault Aviation an order for 42 Rafale combat aircraft, known as “tranche 5”, for the French Air Force (AAE). “On behalf of Dassault Aviation and the 400 companies involved in the Rafale program, I would like to thank the Ministry for the Armed Forces, the DGA, and the AAE for their renewed confidence..."

New Agreement Develops Low-Carbon Hydrogen Supply at Key Sites in UK

ZeroAvia has embarked on an agreement with UK power specialist ScottishPower, moving forward to "develop low carbon hydrogen supply to key airport locations". In addition to infrastructure development, the duo will explore airport hydrogen supply models and financing" as well as "clean power requirements and hydrogen production infrastructure for potential future ZeroAvia sites". ScottishPower will aim to provide suitable locales under its purview inside Scotland, North West England and North Wales.

Twelve KC-46As Are Expected To Replace A-10C Thunderbolt IIs and KC-135 Stratotankers 

The Department of the Air Force selected Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, as the preferred location to host the next KC-46A Pegasus pending the outcome of a planned environmental impact analysis in 2025. Twelve KC-46As are expected to replace the aging A-10C Thunderbolt IIs and KC-135 Stratotankers at Selfridge ANGB. The A-10s at Selfridge ANGB are expected to begin divestment in 2026, and the KC-135s there are expected to begin divestment in 2027.

Like So Many Of Us, Klyde Ponders Boeing...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

The Sirius Jet May Take Flight In Two Versions

Swiss aviation startup Sirius Aviation AG has proposed their new Sirius Jet – which might become the world's first hydrogen-powered VTOL aircraft. The Sirius Jet is described as a high-performance, zero-emission VTOL aircraft, propelled by a hydrogen-electric propulsion system. The company boasts of expectations that include extended flight distances, impressive speeds, and high altitudes at near-silent levels. 

From 2018 (YouTube Version): Pilots Bill Of Rights 3 Is Working Its Way Through Congress

One of the highlights of AirVenture for the Aero-News team is a chance to sit down with U.S. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) to get his insights into what is happening in Washington as it relates to our industry. This year, Senator Inhofe has introduced the Security and Revitalizing Aviation (SARA) Act of 2018. In addressing the pilot shortage in the U.S., the SARA Act lays out a number of initiatives to help revitalize the future of general aviation. A proposed Aircraft Pilot Education Program would make aviation careers more accessible through enabling high

From 2014 (YouTube Version): One Of the Airshow Industry's Most Creative Performers Talks Shop With ANN

While at EAA AirVenture 2014, ANN News Editor Tom Patton caught up with Kyle Franklin at the Concorde Battery display booth. Patton has been checking up on the health of the airshow industry and he asked Franklin to give his views. Franklin indicated that, in his opinion, the industry is coming back from the doldrums it was in last year. Franklin ranks as one of the most popular performers because of the type of routines he performs and the airplanes he uses.

Two Witnesses Reported There Was Smoke Trailing From The Airplane And That The Engine Was Running Rough

On December 10, 2023, about 1019 central standard time, a Beech A23-24 airplane, N6945Q, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The pilot and his passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to recordings of air traffic control (ATC) tower communications at Wiley Post Airport (PWA), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, about 1015:37, the pilot told the tower controller that he was holding short of runway 35R on taxiway A1 and was ready to depart to the north under visual flight rules (VFR). The tower controller then cleared

Aero Linx: International Committee on Aeronautical Fatigue and Structural Integrity (ICAF) ICAF brings together civil and military aircraft operators, manufacturers, research centres, academia and regulatory agencies from all over the world. We aim to promote the development of working relations and the exchange of information between experts in the multi-disciplinary field of aircraft structural integrity.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) A TFR is a regulatory action issued by the FAA via the U.S. NOTAM System, under the authority of United States Code, Title 49. TFRs are issued within the sovereign airspace of the United States and its territories to restrict certain aircraft from operating within a defined area on a temporary basis to protect persons or property in the air or on the ground. While not all inclusive, TFRs may be issued for disaster or hazard situations such as: toxic gas leaks or spills, fumes from flammable agents, aircraft accident/incident sites, aviation or ground resources engaged in wildfire suppression, or aircraft relief activities following a disaster. TFRs may also be issue

"Upon a full review of the data the FAA will make a determination whether the instructions satisfy compliance with the highest standard of safety. If the FAA approves Boeing’s inspection and maintenance instructions, operators will be required to perform that regimen on every aircraft before it is returned to service." Source: From an FAA statement in which the regulatory agency has decided to tighten the screws a bit as additional data is compiled about the recent Alaska Airlines inflight decompression and hatch failure.