Heat-Sensitive Metallurgy Allows for Retractable, Simple Vortex Generators

Normally vortex generators have always been welded onto whatever aerodynamic surface requires their surface. Yet, these little aero-rakes are normally only required for very specific modes of a given flight, such as low speed. During the rest of the flight regime, the devices simply generate drag. Of course, that drag impacts fuel efficiency. If, however, the vortex generators could be retracted to any degree, that drag could largely be reduced. NASA is showing off a unique and passive system for self-retracting vortex generators at Airventure 2023. The basics of this device are demonstrated in a small model of a wing section in the NASA pavilion.

Memories of March

A U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operating over Syria was “severely damaged” by flares discharged by a Russian Su-35 (Flanker-E) fighter jet then engaged in what Pentagon officials called “blatant disregard for flight safety.” In a 25 July statement, the USAF contended the Russian fighter had harassed the MQ-9 while the latter was carrying out a mission against the Islamic State.

Turn of a Friendly Wrench

The need for aviation mechanics is even more acute than the well-publicized and documented pilot shortage. There’s a current and worsening aviation mechanics shortfall expected to exceed 600,000 jobs in the next two decades. The new King Schools Cleared for Aviation Maintenance product includes a fully-integrated home-study course, written exam test prep, and a complete syllabus that meets the requirements for aviation maintenance technician schools under the new FAA FAR Part 147.

Contamination of PW1100G-JM Turbofans Suspected

Against the possibility of powder contaminants affecting the PW1100G-JM Geared Turbofan (GTF) engines by which Airbus’s A320neo narrow-body airliner is powered, Pratt & Whitney—the engine’s maker—intends to disassemble and inspect the interior components of as many as 1,200 such powerplants.

With a Fistful of Orders, Can a Small French Upstart Beat the Odds?

French LSA manufacturer Elixir kicked off its own AirVenture week with a flurry of happenings, one after the other. While surrounded by so many ambitious sport planes - some survivors, some successes, but a whole lot of ghosts - it makes you wonder just how high they’re aiming. Happily humming with a few hundred orders in hand, Elixir announced to the world that they will be undergoing yet another upgrade to its manufacturing facilities, targeting an ambitious total of pumping out 300 brand spankin’ new LSA’s per year.

Creative Gimmick Makes the Best of a Missing Plane

An Interesting little marketing stunt was spied on the grounds of AirVenture 2023 in the form of an empty booth space, some floating tie-down ropes, and a sign exhibiting “The World’s First Invisible Plane”. The stunt is aimed at driving traffic for the operator of N665CC, a fresh new Carbon Cub FX-3 called the ‘Cheshire Cat’ by its owner Mike Daniel. He’s proud of his bird, wrapped in a full body scheme featuring the classic character. When outfitting the aircraft, he elected to create an ‘augmented reality’ addition that results in an animated caricature of the cat coming to life through the phone screen.

A Farewell to 100LL

Continental announced that the FAA has granted Validated Type Certification (VTC) to the company’s CD-300 Jet-A Piston engine. This achievement validates the engine's compliance with the agency’s airworthiness and safety standards and exemplifies the streamlined validation process deriving of the FAA-EASA bilateral agreement.

Airbus Finally Sees Certification for H175 in China

A popular Airbus helo will finally fly in one of the biggest markets in the world after seeing certification from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). First deliveries are expected this year. The deal unlocks one of the "most demanding markets worldwide for civil helicopters with a growing need for the super-medium segment", with at least 4 aircraft on track to be tendered to Chinese customers by the end of 2023. The certification comes after 8 years on the market for one of Airbus' better sellers, with the H175 building up a steady market in the public service sector.

Archipelago to See First Operator of Late-Model Boeing MAX

Cabo Verde showed off its newest aircraft with a shiny new livery, a 737-8 clad in the Cape Verdean carrier's colors. While the overall coloration isn't quite as sumptuous as the full-body colorations seen on a number of other operators, the teal, purple, and gold coloration is something new for a change. The aircraft was unveiled as part of the carrier's new "take-off" rebranding, intending to raise awareness of the line's aim to "reconnect the Cape Verdean diaspora and boost tourism for the island nation from Africa, Europe, North America and South America."

Moondust in the Wind

Blue Origin—the space-launch subsidiary of Amazon boss Jeff Bezos’s business empire—has been awarded a $35-million NASA Tipping Point partnership by dint of which the Kent, Washington-based aerospace concern will further the development of its Blue Alchemist initiative. Announced in February 2023, Blue Origin’s Blue Alchemist is a nascent, end-to-end, scalable, autonomous solution by which solar-cells are produced from silicates derived of lunar regolith—which is to say, the fine dust and crushed rock with which the moon’s surface is replete.

A Lesson for Those Inclined to Learn

Among the most visited locales at EAA’s AirVenture 2023 is the NASA pavilion. Often a queue of event attendees forms outside the venue, each waiting patiently to enter therein—not only because the space is well air-conditioned, but because it houses a preview of aerospace’s future. Near the pavilion’s center sits a small table atop which a model of a blue-and-white aircraft is displayed. Subject model depicts NASA’s X-57, an unusual high-wing monoplane bristling with underwing pods and fitted with sizable wingtip fixtures—an aircraft that could have been built but wasn’t.  

Latest Air Series Model Offers Expanded Features

On 25 July 2023, DJI debuted its Air 3 model, a formidable addition to the company’s Air Series featuring dual primary cameras—a wide-angle and a 3x medium tele-camera—of eminent usefulness to aerial photography enthusiasts. The advanced and well-rounded Air 3 drone captures highly-detailed 48-Megapixel (MP) photos and 4K/60-Frames-Per-Second (FPS) videos, and is capable of remaining aloft for up to 46-minutes between charges. What’s more, the Air 3 model offers users omnidirectional obstacle sensing, DJI’s O4 HD Video Transmission System, and numerous additional flagship features.

Space Agency Readies for Lunar and Extraplanetary Explorations

NASA has selected 11 U.S. companies to develop technologies germane to long-term space and lunar exploration. The technologies under development—which range from lunar surface power systems to tools for extra-atmospheric 3D printing—stand to collectively expand the U.S. domestic industrial sector’s ability to facilitate a sustained human lunar presence through NASA’s Artemis program and similarly ambitious government and commercial missions.

Aero Linx: International Fellowship of Flying Rotarians IFFR is one of the oldest Rotary Fellowships and was formally established through the efforts of a dedicated Rotarian, E. Edison Kennell, of Seattle, Washington, in 1965. In countries where distances are great and communications are limited IFFR pilots have used their aircraft to help with medical and other emergencies, and several Sections hold meetings at which young people are introduced to the world of aviation. The activities of IFFR bring together flying and non-flying Rotarians alike in local section meetings all over the world. Many members have flown their private aircraft over the oceans of the earth for Conventions, fly-in events, Rot

Digital-Automatic Terminal Information Service (D-ATIS) The service provides text messages to aircraft, airlines, and other users outside the standard reception range of conventional ATIS via landline and data link communications to the cockpit. Also, the service provides a computer-synthesized voice message that can be transmitted to all aircraft within range of existing transmitters. The Terminal Data Link System (TDLS) D-ATIS application uses weather inputs from local automated weather sources or manually entered meteorological data together with preprogrammed menus to provide standard information to users. Airports with D-ATIS capability are listed in the Chart Supplement U.S.