High-Wing, Full-Cantilever with 650-Hp Turboprop Option
Comp Air Aviation, the Merritt Island, Florida-based manufacturer of high-performance aircraft and float kits, plans to display its Comp Air 6.2 at Booth MD 7-B of Lakeland, Florida’s SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo 2023. A great deal of progress has been made on the Comp Air 6.2 since SUN ‘n FUN 2022, when the model was introduced as little more than a fuselage and some big promises. Development of the aircraft has continued over the past year, and the 6.2 is mere days away from landing in Lakeland and making its first public appearance.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation postponed a Wednesday vote to move Phil Washington’s nomination forward, putting off the selection of the next FAA head. Rationale varies according to rumor and allegiance, with Chairwoman of the Committee, Senator Maria Cantwell, saying the vote awaits additional information. On the other side of the aisle, rumors swirl that the nomination is on the rocks, without enough votes to guarantee Washington's installation.
Challenger Center—the Washington D.C.-based non-profit founded by the families of the astronauts whose lives were lost in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and dedicated to offering dynamic, hands-on exploration and discovery opportunities to students around the world—and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)—the world’s largest aerospace technical society comprising nearly thirty-thousand individual members from 91 countries and one-hundred corporate members—announced on 22 March that 2023’s Trailblazing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Educator Award will be presented to Caroline Little, Aymette Medina, and Taylor Whisenant.
… As Airlines and Regulators Push for Single Pilot Operations
Early in March, the Second In Command (SIC/first-officer) of Virgin Australia Flight VA-717 from Adelaide (ADL) to Perth (PER) was taken ill approximately thirty-minutes after departure. Deeming his counterpart’s condition serious, the flight’s Pilot In Command (PIC/captain) reversed course, returning the Airbus A320 to Adelaide where it made a safe emergency landing. Waiting first-responders transported the incapacitated SIC to hospital.
On 23 March 2023, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)—the Washington D.C.-based non-profit founded to foster the prosperity of business aviation in the United States and worldwide—announced that the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation had unanimously approved amendments proposed by the NBAA and industry stakeholders pertaining to legislation germane to the improvement of the United States’ Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) system.
Also: Int'l Skydiving Museum, Axiom Space, WWII Airman Identified, NAFI Has Plans For Sun 'N Fun
US officials have released video that shows a Russian Su-27 fighter jet colliding with the aft-mounted pusher-propeller of a US MQ-9 Reaper UAV. The newly declassified video, which U.S. European Command released early Thursday, 16 March 2023, depicts—albeit less than transparently—the critical moments leading up to and immediately following the 14 March midair collision that allegedly resulted in the downing of the $20-million USAF drone. Aero-News Network is saddened to report that Sergeant First-Class Michael “Ty” Kettenhofen lost his lif
First Independent, Non-Airline Support Facility Joins CFM Service Network
StandardAero inked a long-term service agreement to support CFM International LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. Under the deal, StandardAero joins the network of CFM-authorized maintenance, repair and overhaul providers for the latest generation of engines. The company is also the first independent, non-airline MRO provider to sign on the dotted line to service the LEAP-1A and -1B, allowing them to service both narrowbody rivals in the global airline market - the 737 MAX and A320neo.
Joint Effort Explores H2 Drone and Aircraft Powertrains
A new partnership between Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and Honeywell Aerospace aims to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint by examining means by which hydrogen fuel-cells may be utilized to power future generations of aircraft. Announced on 22 March 2023, the collaboration focuses on hydrogen storage and power generation technology germane to all forms of air travel, including Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), passenger travel, and cargo transport.
The Air Force has chosen the next livery for the President's aircraft, the modernized VC-25B. The "Next Air Force One", as the Air Force has taken to calling it, will retain many of the same styling cues as the current VC-25A while using a larger 747-8i aircraft. The Air Force emphasized 3 particular differences between the aircraft, though most will require a keen eye to notice.
The Unmanned Aircraft Struck A Large Shrub During Landing And Rolled Inverted As It Came To Rest
On March 14, 2023, about 1030 central daylight time, a Bell Textron APT70 unmanned aircraft, N314AL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Mineral Wells, Texas. The aircraft was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a flight test. According to preliminary information, the unmanned aircraft struck a large shrub during landing and rolled inverted as it came to rest. Substantial damage was sustained to one wing.
The Arizona Pilot’s Association (APA) was organized in 1978 to give Arizona’s general aviation community a voice in aviation matters. Our mission remains much the same today as we continue to promote general aviation through advocacy at various levels of state and federal government, as well as through partnering with other aviation organizations in advocating our common interests: promoting aviation safety, pilot education, and public understanding of general aviation; preserving, maintaining, and even re-opening Arizona’s backcountry and recreational airstrips; broadcasting Arizona aviation news; and c
A safety device consisting of two major components, namely, engaging or catching devices and energy absorption devices for the purpose of arresting both tailhook and/or nontailhook-equipped aircraft. It is used to prevent aircraft from overrunning runways when the aircraft cannot be stopped after landing or during aborted takeoff. Arresting systems have various names; e.g., arresting gear, hook device, wire barrier cable.
“With educators like Caroline, Aymette, and Taylor, STEM experiences are not only introduced to students, but they are brought to life. They go above and beyond to ensure that students of all backgrounds are given the opportunity to see the world of possibilities that STEM careers offer. We are thrilled to award each of these teachers with the 2023 Trailblazing STEM Educator Award.”
Source: Challenger Center president and CEO Lance Bush discussing the awards most recently presented to promising educators. <
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