Also: Dunbar Named SnF Airshow Director, Aircraft Seat Size Regs, NTSB Updates Definition, SmartSky

A flying car 14-years in the making has received FAA approval. Mind you; first flight approval and airworthiness  certification are markedly different states of being. Approval, conversely, indicates only that the FAA has deemed an aircraft concept—in this instance, Samson Sky’s Switchblade—sufficiently developed for flight-testing. In terrestrial applications, the Switchblade is a three-wheeled vehicle after the fashion of the 1970s Robin Reliant. It accommodates two occupants in a side-by-side, enclosed cockpit with fifty-pounds of baggage space. The U.S. military’s Special Operations Command (SOCOM) has selected the AT-802U Sky Warden—produced by Air Tractor and L3Harris Technologies—for its Armed Overwatch program. Subject program seeks to replace the U-28A Draco intelligence, surveillance and reconnaiss

Also: VerdeGo Aero, Airbus 1st Half/22, Space Perspective, Emirates Reduces Service

On Tuesday, 02 August 2022, a Snowbirds aircraft suffered what Canadian military officials are calling a hard landing while departing North Peace Regional Airport (CYXJ) in Fort St. John, British Columbia. The aircraft’s pilot is said to have escaped serious injury. Emergency crews from the North Peace Regional Airport Fire Department converged on a hay-field southeast of the departure end of CYXJ’s Runway-11. The City of Fort St. John Fire Department reportedly arrived to find the fire resultant of the incident already extinguished. One of Aviation's most important events also leads each year in terms of its time, prominence, and ability to energize the aviation community for the coming year. With that in mind, the SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo is announcing a way to energize the aviation community in an exciting and powerful presentation format that

A Rising Tide Lifts All Airframes

In a decisive refutation of the gambler’s fallacy, Boeing avoided a crippling work stoppage at its St. Louis defense manufacturing hub when nearly 2,500 machinists who’d previously voted to strike accepted a last-minute contract offer from the airframer. Boeing made its offer during a marathon, overnight bargaining session on 30 July, averting a strike set for two days later. Rank-and-file workers had rejected the company’s initial offer at the urging of union leadership.

07.29.22: Tempest Aero, I Hart Flying, B-25 Restoration, Vintage A/C Montage, Pelton Int'vw #5

The EAA Education Center is a massive undertaking designed to help new and experienced pilots build their skill sets... and it's set in the shadow of the EAA Museum, itself. Tempest Aero is doing its best to keep up with the insane demand of a number of products in their extensive product line... especially oil filters, at the moment. Everyone has high hopes for the future of aviation at a time when it's hard to see better prospects... I HART FLYING is one group that’s taking an active role in helping aviation grow. RANS Aircraft has new management and Randy Schlitter may finally get a chance to do a little recreational flying... The Archon is here -- the poor-man’s fighter plane, attached to a Rotax 912, is on display at Oshkosh and should be available for kit-builders by this time next year. One thing’s for sure... taxi up to the ramp in on

Also: Masten Bankruptcy, Personal A/C Use Handbook, Dassault’s FalconEye, Drone Regs Upheld

If you were there, you knew it... massive traffic, LOTS of airplanes, VERY cool toys at every turn, and people everywhere... in other words, record territory for an AirVenture event. Total attendance? Approximately 650,000 – A record total (previous mark: 642,000 in 2019) and 7 percent above 2021’s attendance of 608,000. U.S. regulators have granted Boeing clearance to recommence 787 deliveries, thereby marking the ostensible end of a regrettable epoch that has seen the storied airframer’s cash reserves dented and its reputation for quality sullied. Despite being a milestone for the Seattle aerospace titan, the FAA agreement—which includes approval of Boeing’s plans to repair the manufacturing defects with which the Dreamliner is afflicted—will not facilitate an immediate resumption of 787 deliveries.John and Marth

07.28.22: Virtual Fly, D-Day Squadron, Jack Pelton Int'vw, Part 4

The name “King Schools’ is at the top of the list for nearly every student pilot looking for guidance on the recreational or vocational paths... King’s Barry Knutilla provides an update on what we can expect next. The National Association of Flight Instructors is proposing to hold a major meeting of flight instructors in 2023 and broadening their reach after selecting new leadership last year. Virtual Fly shows off a number of next generation flight sims for both recreational and professional student training programs... including a number of type specific platforms. A somewhat muted ‘Meet The Boss’ session was held in EAA’s Theater in The woods once again with Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen... and while a lot of issues were addressed... few concrete answers were provided. The historic D-Day Squadron Has Announced A European Tour In

07.26.22: Sun ‘n Fun 2023 Update, Hartzell Companies Rebrand, Bob Hoover Legacy Foundation, Pelton Interview, Part 2

One of the biggest attractions at Oshkosh 2022 is the very first appearance the high-winged RV-15... and since it showed up, flyers have been flocking to see it for themselves. Aspen Avionics joined ANN for a quick report on how their Airo Group adoption is proceeding as well as some cool new offerings for the Aspen avionics line. Able Flight is doing extraordinary work in bringing new aviators into our fold... no matter their impediment... and we couldn’t be more pleased to see them do so. Sun ‘n Fun 2023 is going to be a barn-burner! ANN’s Maria Morrison got the skinny from new Sun ‘n Fun Boss Gene Conrad about what we might expect for next year... and, hint, hint... it’s a LOT! The Hartzell line grows again... with some impressive news about their future and how they will continue to have a mass

With Bells On …

Bell’s 505 is the clean-sheet progeny of the company’s storied 206 JetRanger helicopter. Unveiled at 2013’s Paris Airshow, the metal-composite, five-place, multi-mission 505 has proved a robustly capable, eminently adaptable machine, and a worthy successor to Bell’s 206. Bell’s announcement of the recent 400th delivery of the 505 evinces the aircraft’s popularity, and underscores the likelihood of the model remaining a staple among helicopter operators for years to come. The milestone 400th 505 was delivered to Mr. Al Barratt, Grenade energy-drink co-founder and owner of Cotswold Aviation, a U.K.-based air-charter concern. Joined by Bell management personnel, Mr. Barratt took delivery of his customized 505 during a delivery ceremony at Bell’s Mirabel, Canada facility.

07.25.22: Piper's eArcher, Titan/SW51, Stratos 716X, Pelton Int'vw Part 1

EAA Boss Jack Pelton started off the week at AirVenture with some sad news... the passing of former EAA President Tom Poberezny. Poberezny was first elected president of EAA in 1989. CubCrafters is looking to the future and has massive plans to expand their service to aviation by going public. The manufacturer of a whole new generation of Super Cub upgrades, CubCrafters has taken the STOL/Adventure market by storm. The Daher Kodiak 100 was a monster lifter... a rugged high winged beast... and now it's gotten bigger... and faster... and even cooler than before. Piper has entered into an agreement with int’l training powerhouse CAE, to STC a modification that would electrify the Piper Archer. The Titan Aircraft/Scalewings SW-51 partnership is off to a roaring start as the SW-51 makes its first appearance here in the states. The Stratos 716X program is hitting all its ta

Nonprofit Saves Lives One Flight At A Time

By: Maria Morrison Samaritan Aviation, a Christian nonprofit, is going above and beyond the call for service. Mark Palm traveled to Papua New Guinea in 1994 and saw people dying while trying to reach a hospital. In this rural area, it took days to reach the nearest medical facility. After noticing all the rivers and lakes in the area, and came up with an idea.