Now Working Toward May 25 Launch of Crew Flight Test

Remember the May 21st launch date that was put forward just a day or two ago ??? Well.. now it's set for May 25th... for now. Maybe. Now, NASA, Boeing, and ULA teams say they will take additional time to work through spacecraft closeout processes and flight rationale before proceeding with the launch of the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test. The teams now are targeting a launch no earlier than 3:09 p.m. EDT Saturday, May 25, for the flight test carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station.

Applauds The Long-Delayed Signing of FAA Reauthorization/Political Football into Law

Capt. Jason Ambrosi, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), has joined the bandwagon of alphabet groups sighing with relief as FAA Reauthorization became reality. ALPA issued the following statement after the President signed the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 into law: “Today’s signing of the bipartisan, bicameral FAA Reauthorization into law is a major step forward for the safety of our nation’s aviation system. This bill addresses runway and airport near misses, maintains rigorous pilot training standards and ensures that the United States remains the global leader in aviation safety..."

Some 1,102 Women Wore The Silver Wings Flying Over 70 Million Miles And Delivering 12,650 Airplanes

Extraordinary... The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) were inducted into WAI’s International Pioneer Hall of Fame in 1993. The WASP flew for the U.S. Army Airforce from September 1942 to December 1944. Some 1,102 women wore the silver wings flying over 70 million miles and delivering 12,650 airplanes across the country during their time of operation. Women in Aviation International (WAI) members and friends will honor the valiant service of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) by visiting their graves and leaving an appropriate decoration in the form of flowers or other remembrances.

Accessible To Both Members Of The Aviation Community And The Public

NAV CANADA has launched the Aviation Meteorology Reference; which they claim to be a new, first-of-its-kind and definitive guide on meteorology and aviation operations. In response to the dynamic challenges posed by weather in the aviation industry, NAV CANADA, in collaboration with experts from across the aviation industry, developed the new reference as an educational tool that will complement existing weather training and course curriculums in support of enhanced situational awareness and safety during any planned flight.

The 2024 AMA National Fun Fly Is Set For June 28-30

The folks at the Academy of Model Aeronautics tell us that the upcoming 2024 AMA National Fun Fly will be a celebration unlike any other! They plan it to be a combination of a traditional fun-fly and a community day and it being a free event doesn't hurt the prospects, at all, for the community of model aviation enthusiasts. AMA notes that the vision for the 2024 AMA National Fun Fly, set for June 28-30, is to foster a renewed spirit for model  pilots, with enhanced community engagement.

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Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooking onlookers. The aircraft were performing as a part of the Polaris Ghost Squadron, a team of urban-camo milsurplus jets hailing from across Eastern Europe. The Polaris Ghost Squadron features an eye-catching MiG-29, a trio of Alpha Jets, and a quartet of Albatros L39s. The US Air Force won't be bringing back a damaged B-2A Spirit bomber, further whittling away at the irreplaceable fleet of strategic aircraft. The plane in question was contrasted against one that had a minor crash in 2010. That aircraft was shipped back to Northrop Grumman for repair. The latest incident won't see the same amount of TLC, however, as a recent Force Structure Report showed that the B-2 fleet would head into 2025 one plane short. Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wr

Also: New Shepard Targets May 19th, Gulfstream G700, Citation Ascend, FAA Reauth

Hummingbird's 300L helicopter was awarded "Best Helicopter" at the recent Sun 'n Fun fly-in, garnering some serious bragging rights for the design. Vertical Aviation took a brief moment to make a little victory lap for their Hummingbird 300L, noting its popularity around the show. Their display aircraft was completed by Frank McMullan and Vic Syracuse, who did a great job with a multi-layer black, red, and gold striped livery. It's a nice showing for a fresh addition to the world of kit helicopters. Hybrid eVTOL manufacturer, or better said, developer, showed off its latest flight test using a smaller-scaled version of its high-wing Cavorite X5. The short tethered test flight shows the Cavorite take off from a standstill, lifting off and testing its behavior as it gently moves through a handful of power settings and control checks. NASA, Boeing, and ULA (United

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The Popular Rotorcraft Association is reaching out for help in rebuilding their private runway in Mentone, IN -- the home of the PRA, itself. "We are reaching out to you today on behalf of the Popular Rotorcraft Association because we need your help. We are dangerously close to losing a critical resource that if lost, will have a negative and lasting effect on the gyro community..." An interesting surprise occurred this week as Wag-Aero customers logged on to their site in order to order a few things...no Wag-Aero. Instead, the site was redirected to Aircraft Spruce, which has apparently bought out the once popular Wag-Aero operations shortly after the same operation divested itself of its interest in Leading Edge Air Foils. The Young Eagles Program has been one of the Experimental Aviation Association's best tools in their repertoire when it comes to fostering a contin

Tampa Bay Wing’s PT-19 Calls Hangar C, at SUN 'n FUN, Home 

It's a plane! The Tampa Bay Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) has reached a significant milestone with the delivery of their first assigned aircraft, a Fairchild PT-19A, bearing the Army Air Corps serial number 42-48004. This occasion marks a new chapter for the Tampa Bay Wing, highlighting their dedication to preserving and honoring aviation history. The Fairchild PT-19 was a cornerstone in the training of countless pilots who would go on to serve in the war.

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UVify is claiming a new Guinness World Record for the most unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) airborne simultaneously. This event took place in Songdo, Korea, where UVify orchestrated a display of 5,293 IFO drones that lit up the night sky. The fleet of IFO drones created intricate patterns and visuals above the crowd, showcasing UVify's programming and drone control technology. The record-breaking feat exceeded the previous record. Airbus has completed the acquisition of US-based Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system (UAS), Flexrotor. Flexrotor is a small tactical unmanned aerial system designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions at sea and over land. The AAIB has disclosed its findings after an accident befell an unmanned, remotely pilots test vehicle which suffered a forced landing following power unit failure, at