Also: Paramotor Champ's, Electric Ultralight, ICON BK Update, Burt Rutan at Oshkosh!

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

Senate Confirmation Also Grants 5-Year Extension to Board Tenure

Jennifer Homendy has been approved to embark on her second 3-year term as Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), coinciding with a confirmation to serve another 5-year term on the board itself. The selection was approved by a grateful industry, with General Aviation Manufacturers Association CEO Pete Bunce welcoming her back into the fold.

‘Nice Low Cost Carrier’ Well on its Way to All-A220 Fleety by 2025

Azorra has handed off its first leased Airbus A220-300, delivering it to Breeze Airways direct from Mirabel, Canada. The delivery marks the first of 22 such aircraft on order to the aircraft lessor, highlighting their faith in the narrowbody A220 as a hot ticket for regional airlines. The delivery continues building momentum for the ULCC as they keep moving on to become the third largest operator of the A220 family in the world.

Also: 'Space Weather', USAF Rescue, Atlanta Warbirds, WestJet Encore Pilots Vote NO

The Perris SkyDive DC-9 is ALIVE! Following initial test flights and practice landings that were flown by a flight crew that had to be brought in all the way from Florida, the California DZ put the DC9 back in service and made at least three jump runs on Saturday, taking about 60 jumpers each to about 15K'. 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 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 the Cotswold Airport (Kemble), Gloucestershire on 9

Also: Axon Acquires Dedrone, 'Space Weather', SOCOM Goodies, Pivotal Awards

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 the Cot

Integration Begins Ahead of Instrument Evaluations

Skyfire Consulting has embarked on a partnership with Thales USA to integrate the Skyfire SF2 into the Vantis, North Dakota UAS test range. The SF2 offers a payload-agnostic design, enabling comprehensive testing of advanced airspace management tools and air traffic systems in the UAS ops range. Thales already took delivery of some SF2s for testing in warming springtime weather.

Unusually Talky Industry Really IS Grateful for Some Legislation for a Change

The Alliance for Aviation Across America joined in the chorus approving of the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration's new reauthorization through the House of Representatives. Devin Osting, the interim executive director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America, said the industry really could not do without the bill. "This FAA reauthorization is critically important for general aviation and our national air transportation infrastructure. It includes vital investments in our local airports, increasing the authorization of the Airport Improvement Program from $3.4 billion to $4 billion annually, and promotes significant advancements in areas such as workforce development and advanced air mobility, which are essential for the future growth of industry."

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 from the pilot. “We’re talking about safety, probably, number one. Sort of the teams we’ve been thinking about putting together has all those players. You’ve got to h

Postaccident Examination Of The Engine Revealed That The Crankshaft Was Fractured At A Crank Cheek

Analysis: The pilot had recently finished building the airplane and it had amassed about 55 hours of flight time on the airframe and engine (A UL Power Engine--Ed). While the pilot was maneuvering at about 700-900 feet above ground level (agl), the engine made “rough” sounds and vibrated. About 20 seconds later the propeller seized and the pilot made a forced landing in the field below. A postaccident examination of the engine revealed that the crankshaft was fractured at a crank cheek, just aft of the journal of the No. 2 connecting rod. A materials analysis revealed that the crankshaft fracture resulted from fatigue cracks originating at the surface of the aft radius on the No. 2 rod journal, likely due to high operating stresses on the fillet radii.

Aero Linx: VC-25 - Air Force One The mission of the VC-25 aircraft — Air Force One — is to provide air transport for the president of the United States. The presidential air transport fleet consists of two specially configured Boeing 747-200B's — tail numbers 28000 and 29000 — with the Air Force designation VC-25. When the president is aboard either aircraft, or any Air Force aircraft, the radio call sign is "Air Force One."