Major Progress Made on Nation's New Space Exploration Plan

Construction began this week on the first new NASA spacecraft built to take humans to orbit since space shuttle Endeavour left the factory in 1991, and marked a significant milestone in carrying out the ambitious exploration vision President Obama and Congress have laid out for the nation.

New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) Gains New GPS Technology To Help Direct Air Traffic

Software that enables the use of GPS technology has been delivered to the New York Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), which is responsible for air traffic in the nation's second busiest airspace. The ADS-B enabling software enhancements, developed by Lockheed Martin, were delivered via the FAA's Common Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) program, which helps air traffic controllers safely separate departing and arriving aircraft.

Recognized For Long-Standing Service To The Industry

Jim Cannon, an accomplished airman, author, and advocate in business aviation, will be honored this year with the NBAA's John H. Winant Award. The Winant Award recognizes former NBAA directors whose service to business aviation continues well beyond their tenure on NBAA's Board of Directors. Winant's association with NBAA extended over five decades.

Steven J. Isakowitz As Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer

Former NASA, White House and Department of Energy official Steven J. Isakowitz has been named as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Virgin Galactic, the company announced Thursday. In his role, Isakowitz will have leadership responsibilities across a range of areas as the company prepares to begin commercial operation of its space vehicles. 

Barry Vincent-Smith Became One Of America's First Female Pilots

It was 1944 and with America in the midst of World War II, female aviators were being accepted as Women's Airforce Service Pilots to test aircraft and fly support missions in the U.S., freeing up men for combat roles overseas. Barry Vincent-Smith, now 91, began her journey to becoming one of America's first female pilots in Chittenango, NY, in 1942.

Florida FBO Now A Provider Of All Services For Phenom 100 And 300 Airplanes

Embraer has named Naples Jet Center in Naples, FL, as an Authorized Phenom Service Center. As such, the FBO will offer maintenance, service, upgrades and warranty work for owners and operators of the popular Embraer Phenom 100 and Phenom 300 aircraft. The company will also be able to support the EEC and ESP maintenance programs offered by Embraer and engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.

SDO Greatly Increases Accuracy Of Radiation Measurement From Solar Activity

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, or SDO, has provided scientists new information about solar flares indicating an increase in strength and longevity that is more than previously thought. Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation from the release of magnetic energy associated with sunspots. They are the solar system's largest explosive events and are seen as bright areas on the sun.

Comes To Corporate Jet Management Firm From Porter Airlines

Executive and private travel firm Partner Jet has hired James (Jim) A. Morrison as Managing Director. In this capacity Jim will be the responsible for the day-to-day management, oversight and direction of business along with heading up the growth and development plans and activities that Partner Jet and its team undertake.

Center Has Delivered First Engine To Asia-Pacific Region

Pratt & Whitney Global Service Partners' Shanghai Engine Center recently delivered its first overhauled CFM56 engine to Jetstar Pacific Airlines. The engine is the first the center has delivered to an overseas customer in the Asia Pacific region.

'The Space Station' Latest Effort Of The W Foundation

The W Foundation (TWF) will be opening a new space exploration museum in the San Francisco Bay Area. The emphasis will be on the history of space exploration, and how discoveries in science and technology allowed the U.S. to be the leader in space travel.

Octogenarian's Face Slashed, But Injuries Reportedly 'Not Life Threatening'

An 80-year-old man from Tabor, IA, was injured Wednesday when he was hit by the still-moving tail rotor of a helicopter. Authorities say they are not sure if Robert Smith walked in to the rotor, or tripped and fell.

FAA Office Appears To Have Little Problem Throwing Its Weight Around -- For The Second Time In A Month

In breaking the story about the FAA's shutdown of an LSA manufacturer via a "prototype" auditing system that was so new that only a few such audits had been conducted, ANN heard a number of rumblings from the aviation industry about concerns with the FAA's AIR-200 office and its alleged willingness to come down hard on segments of the sport aviation community.

One Of The Most Inventive Companies In GA Propulsion Updates ANN On Their Plans For The Future

It would be hard to make a list of some of the most inventive and innovative companies in GA without putting Tornado Alley near the top. The creator of a number of upgrades and the inventor of a host of GA technologies, this company (we believe) is poised for even greater things than it has accomplished already... despite some pretty tough impediments in recent years (even beyond the vagaries of an economy hitting for the dumpster). TAT has put their stamp on a number of upgrades for some of GA's most popular birds... The Beech Bonanza, the Cessna Cardinal and C-185, the

Do We REALLY Have ALL The Facts? Each year, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation publishes a statistical report of general aviation accidents. This is called the Nall Report. It's named after Joseph P. Nall, an NTSB Board member who died as a passenger in an airplane crash in Caracas, Venezuela, in 1989. Regrettably, based upon the paucity of new information contained in each annual Nall Report, I'm likely one of only a dozen or so people who actually read the 2010 edition cover-to-cover. I did so this year in the vain hope of discovering something other than the positive spin on our chronic fatal accident rate that its editors and statisticians so dutifully apply year after year. Instead, it was the same findings, rationals, and defense of an industry that should be ashamed of

Klyde Is Not Earning Any Friends At A-POO

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Implores President Obama And U.S. Congress To Reach Agreement On Necessary FAA Bill

Just ahead of President Obama's speech to a joint session of Congress Thursday night, the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) – the voice of the global business travel industry – released a statement urging the Executive and Legislative branches of the government to come to an agreement on long-term funding for the FAA.

Council Says ISS Staffing, Contingency Plans Will Require More Than 61

The National Research Council is out with a report which says the United States is at risk because we have too few astronauts. The NRC is warning that the number of astronauts currently employed by NASA, 61, is too low. The number was almost 150 as recently as 2000.

Legendary Combat Aircraft And Military Demonstration Teams Prepare To Awe Crowds At 48th Annual Event

In less than a week, the skies of northern Nevada will be filled with the familiar sounds of thundering engines and cheering crowds as the National Championship Air Races gets underway at the Reno Stead Airfield. In addition to the elite race pilots that travel from around the world to compete in the world’s fastest motorsport, military demonstration teams and daring performers take to the skies to awe thousands of  aviation aficionados and curious spectators.

GPS Signals Jammed During Joint U.S.-South Korean Exercise In March

While conducting a major military exercise in March, a U.S. reconnaissance plane was subjected to an electronic attack from the southwestern area of North Korea which caused the aircrew to execute an emergency landing.

Aero Linx: September 11th Families' Association The September 11th Families' Association supports victims of terrorism through communication, representation and peer support. Our mission is to unite the September 11th community, present evolving issues, and share resources for long-term recovery. The Association serves 9/11 family members with consistent communication through quarterly newsletters, website is updated weekly providing the most up-to-date listing of events, current issues and areas of interest for family members. The September 11 Families`Association is the umbrella organization that inspires the work of the Tribute WTC Visitor Center. Many family members share their stories with the public through lead

Hover Taxi Used to describe a helicopter/VTOL aircraft movement conducted above the surface and in ground effect at airspeeds less than approximately 20 knots. The actual height may vary, and some helicopters may require hover taxi above 25 feet AGL to reduce ground effect turbulence or provide clearance for cargo slingloads.

“There is currently no way of knowing for certain what impact ANY changes we make in the GA system has or will have on our fatal accident rate. None, nothing, nada. We're only guessing - and that ain't no way to run an airline. So, nay-sayers, and that includes you, AOPA, let's get behind this effort to objectively quantify our annual hours flown by aircraft type, make and model. When you do so and this system is finally implemented, the Nall Report will finally offer genuine benefit to the industry. Until then, it's simply another way to spend member pilot dollars in a totally non-effective way. Flying has risks. Choose wisely." Source: CFI Bob Miller... in Monday's Guest Editorial bemoaning the lack of hard stats in look