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October 31, 2017

Airborne-Unmanned 10.31.17: Trump Drone Integration, Vanilla Aircraft, Wynne Analyzes

Also: 'Hoot' Gibson Leaves FAA, Delphi Acquiring Nutonomy, Block 5 MQ-9, Measure Launch, AVIDRONE Partners With PRODRONE

President Trump has directed SecTrans Elaine Chao to launch an initiative to safely test and validate advanced operations for drones in partnership with state and local governments in select jurisdictions. The UAS Integration Pilot Program implements a directive signed by the President, and the results will be used to accelerate the safe integration UAS into the national airspace and to realize the benefits of unmanned technology in our economy. Vanilla Aircraft's VA001 UAS recently completed a notable flight -- flying for a little over five days for a total of 121.4 hours. After taking off on October 18 from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, the UAS began its

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Airborne-Unmanned 10.31.17: Trump Drone Integration, Vanilla A/C, Wynne Analyzes

Also: 'Hoot' Gibson Leaves FAA, Delphi Acquiring Nutonomy, Block 5 MQ-9, Measure Launch, AVIDRONE Partners With PRODRONE

President Trump has directed SecTrans Elaine Chao to launch an initiative to safely test and validate advanced operations for drones in partnership with state and local governments in select jurisdictions. The UAS Integration Pilot Program implements a directive signed by the President, and the results will be used to accelerate the safe integration UAS into the national airspace and to realize the benefits of unmanned technology in our economy. Vanilla Aircraft's VA001 UAS recently c

New Cuban Overflight And Landing Procedures Put In Place

Changes Are Not Dramatic, But Worth Noting

Effective October 12, Cuban and U.S. ATC changed some routes and procedures to facilitate traffic between Cuba and Southern Florida.

NASA Langley Energy Budget Instrument To Launch Aboard NOAA Satellite

The Last In A Series Of Instruments That Measure The Solar Energy Reflected By Earth And Other Parameters Will Launch To Orbit Next Month

The Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System Flight Model 6 (CERES FM6), developed by Northrop Grumman and managed by NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, is scheduled to launch Nov. 10 aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Joint Polar Satellite System-1 (JPSS-1) from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Velodyne LiDAR Partners With YellowScan For Integrated LiDAR For UAVs

YellowScan To leverage Velodyne’s Lightweight VLP-16 Puck LiDAR Sensors

Velodyne LiDAR has announced that it is partnering with YellowScan to integrate its VLP-16 Puck and VLP-16 Puck LITE LiDAR sensors into YellowScan’s Surveyor for a turn-key and reliable LiDAR system for demanding UAV applications.

Joint Unmanned ERAU Air Traffic Team Working To Improve UAS Safety

Is Testing Air Traffic Control System At Prescott, AZ Campus

The Joint Unmanned Air Traffic Team (JUATT) at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott Campus is working to change the way commercial unmanned operators and participating hobbyists safely fly their aircraft. They have developed an unmanned air traffic control system based on the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS). The use of this grid system is common for current military operations and students at Embry-Riddle have been educated on how to use MGRS.

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ALPA Commends FAA’s Stance On Lithium Batteries

Agency Has Called For Such Batteries To Be Banned From Checked Baggage

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), the world’s largest non-governmental aviation safety organization, applauded the FAA's recent proposal to prohibit lithium batteries installed in certain electronic equipment from checked baggage on passenger aircraft. The FAA issued its recommendations to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Dangerous Goods Panel after internal tests repeatedly demonstrated substantial fire concerns.

Boeing, Ethiopian Airlines Celebrate Delivery Of First 787-9 Dreamliner

Ethiopian Is The First Airline In Africa To Operate The 787-9

Boeing and Ethiopian Airlines recently celebrated the delivery of the carrier's first Boeing 787-9. Ethiopian is leasing the Dreamliner through an agreement with AerCap.

Gripen E Goes Supersonic

Mach 1+ Flight Took Place October 18

Defence and security company Saab announces that the Gripen E smart fighter recently flew supersonic for the first time. The aircraft broke the sound barrier over the Baltic Sea on the October 18th.

Prolific Earth Gravity Satellites End Science Mission

For 15 Years, Tracked Movements Of Water, Ice And Solid Earth

After more than 15 productive years in orbit, the U.S./German GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) satellite mission has ended science operations. During their mission, the twin GRACE satellites have provided unprecedented insights into how our planet is changing by tracking the continuous movement of liquid water, ice and the solid Earth.

'Warbird Diner' Pays Homage To WWII

Couple Opened The Restaurant In Courtland, AL

A small town in Alabama may not seem like the most likely place to open up a WWII-themed diner, but that's exactly what Lisa and Greg Pace have done in the town of Courtland, which boasts a population of about 600.

Seal Sunbathing On Alaska Runway Was Reluctant To Move

Eventually Had To Be Carted Off On A Sled To Reopen The Airport

Here's an "only in Alaska" moment. Imagine approaching to land at an airport in the northernmost town in the U.S. ... and encountering a 450 pound bearded seal sunbathing on the runway.

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FAA Enhances China Aviation Safety Partnership

Bilateral Agreement Implemented Recognizing Airworthiness Requirements

The FAA and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) late last week announced the signing of an implementing agreement under the U.S. – China Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) recognizing each other’s regulatory systems with respect to the airworthiness of aviation products and articles.

FAA Approves The Trio Pro Pilot Autopilot For Piper Cherokees

Adds The PA-28 To The STC Group's Supplemental Type Certificate

On October 20, 2017, the FAA, Chicago Aircraft Certification Branch, approved the application by the STC Group LLC to add Piper Cherokee PA 28 aircraft to the list of certificated aircraft eligible for installation of the digital, two-axis “Pro Pilot” autopilot. This approval adds these popular Pipers to the complete line (all models) of Cessna 172s, 175s and 182s approved in connection with The STC Group’s initial STC application. Orders are being taken now for delivery in 3 – 4 weeks.

Plans Announced For National Air And Space Museum Revitalization

Future Exhibitions Will Showcase Favorite Icons In Innovative Settings

The Smithsonian has announced plans to revitalize the National Air and Space Museum and transform its exhibitions. The project, which will take approximately seven years, will be done on a phased sequencing schedule that will keep many exhibitions open during the construction process. The building will undergo complete refacing of the exterior cladding, replacement of outdated mechanical systems and other repairs and improvements. The visitor experience will also change when all of the museum’s 23 galleries and presentation spaces are updated or completely redone.

Vanilla Aircraft's VA001 Successfully Completes Five Day Flight

Diesel-Powered Aircraft Traveled Over 7,000 Miles Without Refueling

After five days, one hour twenty-four minutes, and traversing over 7000 miles, Vanilla Aircraft's VA001 touched down at NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, successfully completing the longest unmanned internal combustion powered flight in history. The 36-foot wingspan, diesel-powered aircraft landed with three days of fuel remaining on board, successfully meeting its goal of a five day flight.

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Avolon Expects 43,000 New Aircraft To Be Delivered Over The Next 20 Years

World Jet Airliner Fleet Predicted To Double To 51,800 Aircraft

Avolon, an international aircraft leasing company, has issued its World Fleet Forecast, which projects growth in and changes to the global commercial jet fleet over the next twenty years. The analysis includes forecasts of aircraft deliveries, retirements, funding requirements and passenger-to-freighter conversions.

Saudi Arabia Plans $1 Billion Investment In Virgin Galactic

Would Shore Up Space Tourism, Associated Companies

Virgin Galactic, along with spinoff companies The Spaceship Company and Virgin Orbit, are in line for an investment of $1 billion from the government of Saudi Arabia, which has an option to invest nearly another half-billion dollars in the future.

DELTA Air Lines Slammed By Nevada Jury For Employment Discrimination

Awarded $1.3 Million Judgement Under The ADA Act Saying Employees With HIV Were Not Accommodated

A Nevada Federal Jury on Friday October 20 rendered a $1.3 million verdict under the Americans with Disabilities Act against Delta Air Lines including $800,000 in punitive damages. Delta was found guilty of both failing to accommodate the HIV protected disability of the Plaintiff and terminating Plaintiff on account of his disability. Back pay, front pay and legal fees to be awarded under the Federal Statute have not yet been decided. The jury found Delta's actions were knowing and reckless, and awarded punitive damages.

Airborne-Unmanned 10.24.17: Amazon Patent, Local Gov'ts, Controlled Airspace

Also: Airborne Updates, Yamaha Ag-Multirotor, WASP Aerostat, LAPD UAS, Alphabet Drones, Firefighters v Drone

A patent granted to Amazon could someday lead to a drone landing on top of an electric car and transferring power to the vehicle while it is underway. The patent drawing shows a docking station attached to the roof of a electric vehicle (EV) ... and a tree for some unknown reason. If the driver of the EV felt he or she could not make it to the next charging station, the drone would meet the car at a predetermined location, scan to be sure it's the correct vehicle, then land and plug in. The car c

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (10.31.17)

“The icons people associate with the National Air and Space Museum are as inspiring today as they were when they made history. But through stimulating new exhibition techniques and innovative digital engagement, we will tell exciting and relevant stories in ways that resonate with our modern communication-savvy world that can be readily shared with broad audiences.” Source: Peter Jakab, chief curator at the National Air and Space Museum.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (10.31.17): Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI)

A flight navigation instrument that combines the heading indicator with a CDI, in order to provide the pilot with better situational awareness of location with respect to the courseline.

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ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (10.31.17)

Jonathan Rupprecht Parses President Trump's Drone Integration Pilot Program

One of the recognized experts in drone law, Jonathan Rupprecht has exceptional insight into nearly all aspects of this emerging market. In a recent blog post, Rupprecht provided an in-depth look at the FAA's Drone Integration Pilot Program announced last week by Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao at the request of the President.

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