Concurrent Development Still the Go-To for New Defense Programs

The Pentagon has apparently approved the B-21 Raider to begin production already, according to a statement from a beltway bureaucrat. “Production of the B-21 ‘Raider’ stealth bomber is moving forward," said a statement from Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment William LaPlante. In a statement to defense journos, he confirmed that things are already galloping along on the next-gen stealth bomber.

Proposal 'Increases Opportunities for Pilots, New Recreational Aircraft'

The Experimental Aviation Association once again urged the FAA to move forward with MOSAIC, or 'Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification'. The EAA notes that the new rule will "significantly benefit general aviation – expanding the capability, size, and scope of aircraft that can be built utilizing industry consensus standards and aircraft that can be flown while exercising Sport Pilot privileges". That's right in their wheelhouse, offering much more capable aircraft to the average pilot while maintaining similar safety standards enjoyed by the last go at "affordable aviation", the Light Sport Aircraft designation.

'Reliable, Consistent, Premium Service' Helps Brand Increase Standing

United Airlines reported its fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 financial results, showing increases in its premium and economy offerings. The company said its "diversified revenue strategy proved, once again, to be a critical, differentiated, competitive advantage. United's premium cabin saw an increase in revenue of 16% for the quarter year-over-year, while its Basic Economy offering again saw a substantial revenue increase of 20% for the quarter year-over-year".

NBAA Recognizes Movers and Shakers of Next Generation

King Schools Content & Marketing Manager Samuel Golden was chosen out of 600+ applicants for the National Business Aviation Association's 2023 40 Under 40 award. The award is relatively new on the scene, having been first issued in 2018, but it has gone on to recognize younger up and comers in the industry "driving meaningful change and big results across all segments of business aviation."

3-Day Event Teaches Ins and Outs of Heliport Planning and Evaluation

The Helicopter Association International in a Heliport Planning and Evaluation Seminar, gaining 3 days of DOT Certificated training. The course is designed to provide attendees with an understanding of the evaluation process and skills needed to evaluate a proposed or existing heliport. The class will include a classroom lecture component to cover material, and a series of hands-on practical exercises. Students are encouraged to bring their own personal equipment, like a GPS unit, rangefinder, and inclinometer.

Commercial Lunar Payload Service Initiative

NASA’s first flight under the commercial lunar delivery service has been completed, and it’s something of a mixed bag. On one hand, Astrobotic was successful in launching a handful of scientific payloads into space, its lunar payload suffered a propulsion issue and smacked into the moon. The mission saw a successful launch and separation from the rocket on January 8th, but a propulsion issue failed to deliver the Peregrine to the moon.

Also: AERODrones Exhibition, Rafale Fighters, Hydrogen VTOL, MDM-1 Fox/Fox-P

The Annual 'Living Legend of Aviation dinner takes place later this week and at least one recent announcement is causing quite a fuss... namely that of pronouncing Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, as an aviation 'legend' -- strangely placing him among the likes of Armstrong, Hoover, Yeager, Aldrin and others. This has not gone down well with a number of aviation luminaries, and has been further complicated by another award for Amazon Boss Jeff Bezos' fiancee... Planning for the D-Day Squadron’s 2024 Legacy Tour continues, with an announcement that the Western Airlines DC-

From 2017 (YouTube Version): So You Wanna Fly Commercial Drones…

What does it take to move from a drone hobbyist to a professional drone operator? That was the question posed by ANN CEO and Editor in Chief Jim Campbell of Harold Sweet, Rental Manager for Samy’s Camera. Sweet said that first thing a potential commercial drone operator needs to consider is how they will be using their aircraft. The choices run the gamut from aircraft that would be appropriate for a photographer documenting a wedding or real estate venture to full cinematic photography.  Sweet said that it’s a good idea for the camera operator to be separate f

During The Forced Landing... The Airplane Exited The Runway And The Landing Gear Collapsed

On January 2, 2024, at 1030 mountain standard time, an experimental amateur-built Vans RV-6, N111XF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Moriarty, New Mexico. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that the airplane was operating normally through preflight and initial takeoff. Shortly after becoming airborne, and still over the runway, the engine began to “stutter” and lose power...

Aero Linx: FAA Managers Association Recognized by the FAA, FAAMA is a professional association dedicated to the promotion of excellence in public service. The Association is a vehicle for managers and other non-bargaining unit employees to communicate their interests in the political arena. Acting as an original source of responsible, balanced, and fact based information to our employer, the White House, Congress, and other relevant venues, FAAMA pursues political solutions representing the interests of our membership.

Visual Flight Rules Rules that govern the procedures for conducting flight under visual conditions. The term “VFR” is also used in the United States to indicate weather conditions that are equal to or greater than minimum VFR requirements. In addition, it is used by pilots and controllers to indicate type of flight plan.

"This past fall, based on the results of ground and flight tests and the team’s mature plans for manufacturing, I gave the go-ahead to begin producing B-21s at a low rate... One of the key attributes of this program has been designing for production from the start — and at scale — to provide a credible deterrent to adversaries. If you don’t produce and field to warfighters at scale, the capability doesn’t really matter." Source: From a statement made by Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment William LaPlante, as the B-21 was cleared for initial production.