Legislation Establishes Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee

The recent passage of the multi-year reauthorization of the FAA now sees its effects spring up around the industry, to the applause of those who got a fresh infusion of support. One group has celebrated their own return, with the members of the defunct 2022 Women in Aviation Advisory Board thanking the apparatus for bringing their own group back to life. Additionally, the WAAB won't be the only group resuscitated, since the reauthorization bill also mandates the establishment of the Bessie Coleman Women in Aviation Advisory Committee. 

Revisions to IFR, PPL, CPLL, CFI Finally Here After Years of Work

The FAA will soon put the new Airman Certification Standards into effect for a handful of outstanding certificates, capping off years of work in moving away from the serviceable but imperfect Practical Test Standards of yore. The changed ACS will include some of the bigger names in any young pilot's lineup of boss battles, with particular attention given to the helicopter folks this time around...

From 2019 (YouTube Version): King Schools Founders See A Shift In Flight Training Focus

The founders of one of the best-known flight training businesses say they are seeing a shift in the focus of people beginning flight training. In an interview with Aero-News Editor in Chief Jim Campbell at AirVenture 2018, John King said that more people are starting their flight training with the intention of going into an aviation career, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. King said that as they continue their training, they may realize that they don't want to work for a big company and be traveling all the time, but will fall in love with flying. Martha King said that the surge in interest in drones will have an overall positive impact on the general aviation community. As people get more involved in drones and RC model aircraft, they learn more about aviation in general, and will sometimes transition to manned aircraft.

Pilot Most Likely Experienced An Acute Cerebrovascular Event

Analysis: The 84-year-old pilot and the passenger made two attempts to take off on a cross-country flight. According to the passenger, once she and the pilot boarded the airplane, the pilot said he forgot where they were going and had to ask the name of the airport. After informing the pilot of their destination, the pilot taxied to the runway and began to accelerate for takeoff. The pilot aborted the takeoff because he thought the passenger’s door was open. The door was secured, and the pilot taxied back to the runway. Just before taking off again, the pilot asked a second time where they were going. The passenger again had to tell the pilot their destination.

Construction Work Poses Risk to West 30th St Heliport

Vertical Aviation International Regional Rep Josh Rousseau briefed VAI members at the Eastern Regional Helicopter Council about the group's work on preserving infrastructure and airspace access throughout the often contentious New York City and New Jersey markets. One item of interest is the Gateway Project, a planned phased expansion of the Northeast Corridor rail line between NJ and NYC. That project would add new rail bridges and tunnels under the Hudson River, building on existing tunnel work from a century prior. The improvements should double rail passenger capacity throughout the Northeast US, rendering yet another challenge to aerial supremacy as the go-to for the high-falootin' of the city. 

Robust Adventure Piece Gets an Upgrade

While it seems to be a ride of passage for young pilots to snag one of many slide-rule pilot watches, those who want something ready for a more rough-and-tumble lifestyle tend to jump for something a little more robust like the Casio Gravitymaster, a design that has been updated with all the latest and greatest from the brand. Sure, it doesn't have the same busy, nearly inscrutable-for-old-eyes look of classics like the Navitimer, Skyhawk, or Flightmaster, but that's the point: Casio wanted to give travelers everything they'd actually use in a flight watch, and nothing they don't. Out is the tiny 1-inch E6b, and in comes a world clock, bluetooth connectivity, and a nigh impenetrable case of carbon fiber armor. 

Eagle Engine Proves to Be a Capable Partner for Hypersonic Ambitions

Hypersonic startup Hermeus provided an update on their engine testing, describing some of the progress made on their F100 engine installation. The big deal lately has been integrating the Pratt & Whitney F100 into their 'Quarterhorse Mk 2', and understandably daunting issue given the excessive heat generated by pretty much every aspect of supersonic flight. Lately they've focused on cooling, developing a pre cooler to increase the max output of the F100 by chilling its pre-intake air. 

Growing Membership Leads to Increased Outreach for Women on the Corporate Side

Women in Corporate Aviation has announced the recipients of its Spring Scholarship Program, noting that they've had a record amount of applications in the last year. All in all, WCA saw more than 300 applicants for the scholarship, meaning the group also needed a record number of graders to assess just who was most deserving of the honors. Winners of the Spring 2024 scholarships run the gamut from piloting, maintenance, flight attendant, and regulatory themes, with a variety of amounts and donors. 

Color Docs Help Keep Tabs in Student Progress (For a Small Price Tag)

ASA has updated its lineup to accommodate for the new Airman Certification Standards that go into effect on May 31st, providing refreshed Student Flight Records for Instrument and Commercial Airplane, as well as the same for Private, Instrument, and Commercial Helicopter ratings. The new documents include elements for fixed wing and helicopter operations. The first, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot Student Flight Record (SFR-IC7), complies with Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for Commercial Pilot Airplane (ACS-7B) and Instrument Rating Airplane (ACS-8C). 

First LEED-Certified Facility in the Works for 2027 Opening

Canada's air regulator NAV CANADA and the Airport Authority of Victoria Airport have announced the groundbreaking of their new control tower, which is expected to enter service in 2027. The final tower will sport a height of 90 feet and more than 8,500 square feet of floor space for operations, providing operators there a decided improvement in keeping the Victoria show running safely. The new tower will sport NAV CANADA's first 'Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED certification, thanks to drawing its power from local British Columbia Hydro.