Also: Aerosim Scholarship, Santa Monica's Nonsense, Marine One, UAV Developer Kit, FAA Penalty, F-35 Weapons Test, Coastal Helicopters

 

The Cessna Citation Longitude moves closer to its first flight as initial ground engine tests on its Honeywell HTF7700L turbofan engines have been completed. This paves the way for the prototype aircraft to take its first flight in the coming weeks. The engine tests verified the functionality of the engine start, fuel system and auto-throttle as well as interfaces with the avionics, electrical and hydraulic systems. Elon Musk has made good on his promise to memorialize the first recovery of a Falcon 9 booster by having the rocket placed on permanent display outside the company's California headquarters. The booster was placed upright outside the building over the weekend. The booster was recovered at Cape Canaveral on December 21, 2015, after delivering 11 satellites to orbit. It was the first time a booster had been recovered after an orbital insertion mission. The FAA has extended the life of the controversial north shore helicopter corridor by four years, according to a final rule posted in the Federal Register. The final rule extends through August 6, 2020 the requirement for pilots of civil helicopters to use the North Shore Helicopter Route when transiting along the north shore of Long Island. The FAA expects that four years will be sufficient time to consider results of the described research efforts in determining appropriate future actions on the rule. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne!!!