Letters Inbound to Stakeholders As Part of Reauthorization Push Intensifies

The National Business Aviation Association has summoned the troops to come together and push their congressional reps to approve the FAA's reauthorization legislation. The FAA currently operates under an extension granted, which only allows it to function through May 10th, so the industry is cutting it close. The NBAA has a letter calling for the reauthorization's passage, and those supporting the measure are invited to sign on with their own names to give the letter a little extra 'oomph'. 

More than 2,000 Hours Logged with Prototype, GE Catalyst Engine

The Beechcraft Denali continues moving forward towards certification, having received its FAA Type Inspection Authorization early this year. Textron advertised that their single-engine turboprop competitor has logged more than 2,000 flight test hours across 830+ flights, on track for 2025. Beechcraft's take on the niche will offer buyers something the rest of the field lacks: the brand-new GE Aerospace Catalyst engine, a newfangled turboprop that sits outside the paradigm of Pratt & Whitney's PT6 series.

Duo Aims to Raise Money for Children's Relief Charity

Aerodyne, a new gyroplane manufacturer, will be commemorating its entry into the market with an attempt at setting some records as it runs a lap around the United Kingdom. Founder, executive chairman, and pilot Rangaraja Iyengar will make a full lap around the whole lot with his 8-year-old daughter assisting, aiming to complete a 3-day, 5,000-mile journey. If successful, the daddy-daughter duo will be able to snag records in a couple firsts, with a pair for each. Raja can earn a record as both the 1st UK circumnavigation by gyroplane and the fastest; with similar records given to his second-in-command as the youngest woman to do the same. 

No More Crop Dusters On Payroll Now That the Agras is On the Mission

DJI announced the new Agras T25 and T50 for sale, providing support for smaller and larger growers with application, fertilization, and similar sprays. DJI says that its agricultural drones have already treated more than 980 million acres in more than 100 countries and regions, not too small a record for a lineup that only showed up on scene in 2023. The T25 is the smaller, more affordable model, while the T50 gets to be the flagship of the Agras lineup. 

Also: 1800th E-Jet, Uncle Sam Sues For Landing Gear, Embraer Ag Plane, Textron Parts

A friend of the family reported that Lt. Col. (Ret.) Richard Glenn Rutan flew west on Friday, May 3, 2024 at 7:08 PM PDT. The last time Dick Rutan flew towards the western horizon was on December 14, 1986 when he and copilot Jeana Yeager set the last great aviation record by flying around the world, nonstop and unrefueled, in nine days, three minutes and 44 seconds in an aircraft called 'Voyager.' designed by Burt Rutan. As we understand it, a 'stalking horse bidder' is the initial bid on a bankrupt company's assets from an interested buyer -- chosen by the bankrupt company. The proposed stalking horse bidder, SG Investment America Inc., has been designated to 'set the floor price for the sale of ICON’s assets.' Icon claims that this step is aimed at maximizing value for the company’s stakeholders and facilitating a smooth transition through the

Governor Aims to Highlight Impact of General Flight on State Economy

Governor Spencer Cox of Utah announced that the month of may would be known as General Aviation Month in the state, highlighting the "rich history, significant contributions, and promising future of general aviation in our state and across the nation." Governor Cox highlighted the particular impact of general aviation today, which sends out more than 200,000 aircraft on 26 million flight hours a year. 

Also: Skydio Chief, Uncle Sam Sues, Dash 7 magniX, OR UAS Accelerator

US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft, or VISTA, to illustrate just how far autonomous aircraft have come. The aircraft sounds much snazzier than it is in reality, being a 30-year old, 2-seat F-16D with a nifty paint job and an R2-D2 in one of the seats. The aircraft has long been in the US Air Force Test Pilot School, where it received modifications for multi-axis thrust vectoring and aerodynamics. AgEagle Aerial Systems will ship 40 of its eBee VISION systems, along with 9 more eBees, with all the parts, support, connections, control stations, and miscellany required to keep the fleet operational in French army service. Maxar Intelligence has confirmed that the first two WorldView Legion satellites are performing well after being launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket last wee

Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization

After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to discontinue the manufacture of the Bushcat, the Knoll family (AeroSport) has come up with a heck of a second act... and it should be a strong one. Advanced Powerplant Solutions, LLC (APS), under the new ownership of Jeremy and Daniela Knoll has acquired Leading Edge Air Foils, LLC (LEAF). Better yet, effective immediately, APS will serve as the ROTAX independent Service Centre for the Central United States. 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 gy

Electric Aircraft Shaping Up to Be Hot Commodity for Military Logistics

Pyka has leveraged its expertise in building electronic uncrewed cargo aircraft to offer the RUMRUNNER, a defense-oriented variant of their Pelican Cargo. in order to offer something workable to military clientele, Pyka tapped in SNC Partner for their "expertise in customizing solutions for the world's most complex challenges". The RUMRUNNER is the result, the "largest 100% electric cargo UAS for sustainment in contested operations."

Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview

Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with the Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly (now in production with Pitman Air), has been lost in an aircraft test accident. Shortly after his appearance at SUN n FUN 2024, Bailey reportedly was asked to test fly a customer-built Dragonfly out of the Groveland airport in Florida... Recent investigations and a great deal of data has resulted in ANN’s SportPlane Resource Guide’s report card system having to deal with new and worrisome reports on a number of companies. Evidence and data received from customers of the Czech-based Orlican sportplane operation has resulted in a ‘Not Recommended’ rating for the troubles documented by at least one one owner who has been trying to get his aircraft for nearly two years... The US Parachute Association tel