Inspections Ordered for the 171 Aircraft

The FAA issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive regarding a particular configuration of Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft after a high-profile incident with an Alaska Airlines flight. The EAD affects all 7370-9 aircraft, certificated in any category, that have a mid cabin door plug installed.. The FAA says that there are 171 such aircraft, and will require about 8 hours of inspections in order to return them to service. The inspections will hopefully prevent the “potential in-flight loss of a mid cabin door plug, which could result in injury to passengers and crew, the door impacting the airplane, and/or the loss of control of the airplane.”

Cavanaugh Flight Museum Down for the Count

Addison, Texas has lost the Cavanaugh Flight Museum after more than 30 years in the business. Cavanaugh Flight Museum announced its end in a facebook post, stating that the final weekend of 2023 would be the last time it opened its doors. The airport manager of Addison, Texas had ended the museum’s lease in order to make room for new jet hangars, office space, and parking. All aircraft, educational displays, and memorabilia will be moved to the NOrth Texas Regional Airport, where they will presumably become part of the “new chapter in {Cavanaugh Flight Museum’s} history.”

Okay, It’s Just a 3% Bump, but Fines are Fines

The 2024 Federal Register has been published with updated penalty schedules for various infractions, kicking up the price of some crimes for those who run afoul of regulations with the Department of Transportation. This year, rates are rising by about 3.241%, as pegged to the Consumer Price Index. Overall, it’s not a tremendous difference, since violations are generally around tens of thousands of dollars, but those who have to pay penalties have to pay lawyers, too.

Former United Exec On the Job Later This Month

The Women in Aviation International board of directors announced a new CEO for the group, Lynda Coffman, who will begin her tenure on January 22, 2024. She will "lead the future business development and strategic direction of the 17,000-member strong nonprofit organization while partnering with the board of directors and overseeing staff and daily operations."

EAA's Educational Program Gathers Speed as Students Discover Flight

The Experimental Aviation Association's AeroEducate program announced yet another milestone, with 40,000 registered users ringing in the new year. The free program aims to bring the world of aviation into the classroom, giving kids and teachers a bevy of tools, activities, and lessons to motivate and dazzle them on their educational journey. The most recent count of users has shown that AeroEducate onboarded more than 3,000 new people since they closed out 2022.

7.6 Magnitude Rocks Central Japan

The US will begin leveraging its military logistics system to provide aid to the embattled regions affected by Japan’s recent 7.6 New Years’ earthquake, according to promises from Ambassador Rahm Emanuel. The death toll has neared 100 as the damage is surveyed and missing persons are accounted for. The US military is always up for a humanitarian mission, however, and food, logistics, and supplies are on their way soon.

Oral & Practical Exam Guide Assists Students With Stressful Checkouts

ASA Has updated its Oral & Practical Exam Guide into the 5th Edition of the work, providing applicants a handy, modern prep resource. "Oral and Practical exams are the last steps for the certification of an aviation mechanic," said the ASA announcement. "Applicants work one-on-one with a designated mechanic evaluator (DME) who determines if they possess the knowledge, risk management, and skill level needed to be issued an FAA Aviation Mechanic certificate. The Aviation Mechanic Oral & Practical Exam Guide helps applicants prepare for this significant step in their career."

Airplane Entered An Inadvertent Aerodynamic Stall, Impacted The Ground On The Main Landing Gear, Skidded About 20 Ft, And Flipped Over

On December 11, 2023, about 1850 central standard time, a Vans RV-6A, N113DT, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at the Searcy Municipal Airport (SRC) in Searcy, Arkansas. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot-rated passenger, who is also an airframe and power-plant mechanic, the pilot requested that he accompany him on a test flight after the number 1 cylinder was replaced and the idle was adjusted. The passenger reported that the engine run-up

From 2022 (YouTube Version): The Well-Appointed Eye in the Sky

Established in 2009 as the Vision Products Division of SA Photonics Inc. and spun-off as an independent business entity in 2021, Vision Products LLC is a privately held concern specializing in the development and deployment of augmented and virtual reality systems, night-vision products, and human-machine interfaces. The company’s helmet-mounted, monocular and binocular displays aid military, police, and civilian pilots, as well as warfighters and personnel engaged in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) actions by providing data overlays conducive to ai

Aero Linx: National Agricultural Aviation Association Agricultural aviation is an important part of the overall aviation and agriculture industries. The industry consists of small businesses and pilots that use aircraft to aid farmers in producing a safe, affordable and abundant supply of food, fiber and bioenergy. Aerial applicators protect forestry and play an important role in protecting the public by combating mosquitoes carrying West Nile Virus, encephalitis and other diseases.

Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot weather reports (urgent PIREP/UUA), center weather advisories (CWA), airmen's meteorological information (AIRMET/WA), graphical airmen's meteorological information (G-AIRMET) and any other weather such as isolated thunderstorms that are rapidly developing and increasing in intensity, or low ceilings and visibilities that are becoming widespread which is considered significant and are not included in a current hazardous weather advisory.

“This AD prohibits further flight of affected airplanes, until the airplane is inspected and all applicable corrective actions have been performed using a method approved by the manager... if final action is later identified, the FAA might consider further rulemaking then.” Source: A portion of the Emergency Airworthiness Directive issued after a Boeing 737 MAX 9 lost a hatch in flight due to causes yet unknown.