Stationed In Albuquerque For Bombardier Training

The Lobo Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, based in Moriarty, New Mexico, is in the process of rebuilding a World War II-era Beechcraft AT-11 Kansan that was used to train bombardier students, and after thousands of those students flew her, the aircraft is being restored to its former glory.

Military Heritage Foundation Housed, Maintained ‘Island Doll’ Since 1980s

The World War II-era Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon “Island Doll” was recently ferried to the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as a generous donation from the American Military Heritage Foundation. The Foundation had acquired the aircraft in the mid-1980s and housed and maintained it at the Indianapolis Regional Airport (KMQJ) in Greenfield, Indiana.

Lithium-Ion Batteries Targeting Gulfstream for the First Round of STC Approvals

True Blue Power and 101 Aviation are moving toward a series of STCs that would bring lithium-ion batteries to some of the most widely operated Part 25 business jets, starting with the Gulfstream GIV, G450, GV, and G550. The program centers on the 50-amp-hour True Blue Power TB50: a lightweight lithium-ion unit that cuts weight by roughly half compared to the nickel-cadmium and lead-acid batteries still common in long-range aircraft. Gulfstream approvals, expected by the first quarter of 2026, will be trailed by a Challenger lineup that spans the 601 through 650, plus several CRJ variants, with additional aircraft types queued through 2027.

Pilot’s Decision To Attempt Takeoff With Frost Covering The Airplane’s Wings

Analysis: The pilot of the light sport airplane was preparing to depart for a cross-country flight. A witness reported that when he arrived at the airport that morning, he saw the airplane on the parking ramp, not moored down, and the engine was running. As the airplane taxied through the ramp area, he saw that it was covered with frost. Soon after the witness had gone inside the airport office, he was notified from an airplane flying over the airport that an airplane had crashed on the runway. A photo of the accident site minutes after the accident revealed that the upper surfaces of the horizontal stabilizers were covered in frost.

Aero Linx: United Flying Octogenarians WELCOME to a most extraordinary group of aviators, the United Flying Octogenarians (UFO). Founded in 1982 with just a handful of pilots, we have grown to around 1,700 members worldwide, all of whom have acted as a certificated pilot in command (PIC) on or after their 80th birthday. We invite you to learn more about who we are. UFO exists to promote longevity, safety and, especially, fellowship among senior pilots. We represent the interests of senior pilots worldwide and aim to inspire youth to fly.  

Convective SIGMET A weather advisory concerning convective weather significant to the safety of all aircraft. Convective SIGMETs are issued for tornadoes, lines of thunderstorms, embedded thunderstorms of any intensity level, areas of thunderstorms greater than or equal to VIP level 4 with an area coverage of 4/10 (40%) or more, and hail 3/4 inch or greater. 

As Long As You Ask Us, It's Usually OK

It's a question the ANN staff is asked too many times per week to count. The message usually goes something like this: "I really enjoyed the story Aero-News did on (fill in topic here.) I'd love to post it on my blog/newsletter/website... is that OK?"

"The launch site was inspected, as is done every time after a rocket launch. Damage to a number of launch pad elements was detected. Such damage may appear after launch, so an inspection like this is mandatory in international practice.... The condition of the launch complex is currently being assessed. All the necessary spare parts are available for restoration, and the damage will be repaired in the near future." Source: Roscosmos issued a statement late in November 27 after damage occurred to a primary launch site, presumably imperiling future launches until the damage is fixed.

Station Crew Expands To 10 For Next Two Weeks

NASA astronaut Chris Williams, along with Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergei Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, arrived safely at the International Space Station on Thursday November 27. During the next two weeks the station’s complement will expand to 10 crew members.

Operational Criteria Favored Lightning II By Wide Margin

Canada’s Future Fighter Capability Project conducted an evaluation in 2021 of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II versus the Saab Gripen E, and it wasn’t close: overall, the F-35 scored 57.1 out of 60 (95%) and the Gripen E achieved 19.8 points (33%). Both aircraft met Canada’s mandatory requirements but diverged significantly when scores for operational criteria were included.