Rehoming a Legend

On 09 March 2023, the Reno Air Racing Association’s (RARA) board of directors regretfully announced that 2023’s 59th National Championship Air Races (NCAR) were to be the last held at Nevada’s Reno-Stead Airport (4SD). On 30 May, RARA set forth it was accepting bids from airports and localities seeking to partner with the Association for purpose of hosting future air racing events. Comes now 19 October 2023, and upwards of fifteen hundred pages of supporting documents have been submitted by six cities vying to earn the distinction of being named the new home of the National Championship Air Races.

Millions of Dollars In Expected Claims Affect A Large Number of Sport Rotorcraft Community

When reports started surfacing about issues in the Rotor X community, ANN did two things that are highly unusual in the aviation journalism world. First, we researched, corroborated, and looked into both sides of the issue to find out what appeared to be the truth of the matter -- not a short or easy process. Second, we actually reported on it -- one of the more unusual aspects of such stories like these today. Now, ANN has learned that Rotor X has filed for bankruptcy in the state of Arizona. The official documents we've seen so far indicate that Rotor X is filing their bankruptcy, pro se (both unique and questionable considering the size of

Also: 100th Citation Longitude, FalconWays Route-Optimization, Virgin Galactic, Sporty's Christmas Ornament 

Embraer has unveiled the Phenom 100EX. The $5-million (approximately) Phenom 100EX is powered by a pair of 1,730-lbf-thrust Pratt & Whitney twin-spool, reverse-flow-combustor, dual-channel FADEC-controlled PW617F1-E engines which motivate the little jet to a Vne of Mach 0.70, a high-speed cruise of 406-knots (Mach 0.60), and a service-ceiling of FL410. Airbus Helicopters's demonstrator FlightLab has successfully tested an electric flight control system salient to a new Human Machine Interface (HMI) destined for installation

Also: 100th Citation Longitude, FalconWays Route-Optimization, Virgin Galactic, Sporty's Christmas Ornament 

Embraer has unveiled the Phenom 100EX. The $5-million (approximately) Phenom 100EX is powered by a pair of 1,730-lbf-thrust Pratt & Whitney twin-spool, reverse-flow-combustor, dual-channel FADEC-controlled PW617F1-E engines which motivate the little jet to a Vne of Mach 0.70, a high-speed cruise of 406-knots (Mach 0.60), and a service-ceiling of FL410. Airbus Helicopters's demonstrator FlightLab has successfully tested an electric flight control system salient to a new Human Machine Interface (HMI) destined for installation

The Pilot Observed That The Airplane’s Climb Rate Was Insufficient. This Was Accompanied By A Drop In Engine RPM

On September 02, 2023, about 0806 mountain standard time, a Piper PA-28-140 Cherokee, N6834W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Prescott, Arizona. There were no injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that they departed with full power and the airplane utilized the entire available runway for the takeoff roll. At approximately 117 feet above ground level, the pilot observed that the airplane’s climb rate was insufficient.

Multi-Tier Curriculum: Certified, Advanced, and Master

CAE announced at the NBAA Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition the launch of its innovative Master Technician Program for organizations and individuals seeking to attain the highest standards of technical excellence and professionalism in business aircraft maintenance. The new program builds on CAE’s previous Master Technician program by offering technicians the flexibility to enhance their skills and competencies along two distinct tracks: Specialist and People Leader.

Successor to Honeywell’s JetWave SATCOM System

Honeywell has unveiled its JetWave X architecture, a next-generation high-speed in-flight connectivity solution optimized for the business aviation industry. JetWave X will provide customers with unprecedented coverage and data speeds by leveraging Viasat’s Ka-band network, including its ViaSat-3 satellites and the Global Xpress (GX) satellites from its recently acquired Inmarsat business, offering the highest capacity available in the market today. JetWave X builds upon the success of Honeywell’s JetWaveTM SATCOM system by being easier to install and having greater service network flexibility, with the capability to connect to any Viasat Ka-band satellite.

Support to Business Aviation Customers Expedited

StandardAero aspires to continuously deliver better mobile engine service and support to business aviation operators. The company achieves its stated aims by increasing operational capabilities and strategically locating technicians and tooling in key customer operating regions. StandardAero’s Business Aviation Mobile Service Team (MST) has added 13 technicians to its team in 2023 and is hiring more to accommodate the increased need for mobile and AOG engine services in the field.

Aviation Organizations Urge Temperance

A coalition of aviation stakeholder organizations issued the following joint statement pertaining to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) endangerment finding on lead in aviation gasoline (avgas) as issued 18 October 2023 ...

ICAS Sword of Excellence Recipient Remembered

Charles Hutchins, the former team lead for Tora Tora Tora, passed away in his Texas home on the morning of 17 October 2023. He was 86-years-old. For the final two years of his life, Mr. Hutchins fought bravely against dementia’s unremitting advance. Mr. Hutchins is a former chairman of the ICAS Board of Directors, the 2006 recipient of the ICAS Sword of Excellence, and part of the Tora team that took home the Art Scholl Memorial Showmanship Award in 2001.

5G-Tolerant RA Granted FAA Approval

FreeFlight Systems, a NextGen aviation leader specializing in avionics design, development, and manufacturing, today announced that the TERRAIN Series RA-4500 MK II radar altimeter has received a Technical Standard Order (TSO) certification to meet performance standards required for airborne low-range radar altimeters from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

From 2016 (YouTube Version): Fly Along With Chief Pilot Hissem…

Goodyear’s Wingfoot One Zeppelin is not the blimp (Navy slang, “Poopy Bag”) that you have known from the past. It’s a modern lighter-than-air machine, and this video will provide a fascinating insight as to how it operates and what makes it work. Your guide in this captivating video is Spirit of Goodyear chief pilot, Gerald Hissem. The first part of the video discusses the operational requirements of the zeppelin, and you’ll probably hear things that you have never thought of before. Hissem formats his discussion by describing his tr

Hold Procedure A predetermined maneuver which keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control. Also used during ground operations to keep aircraft within a specified area or at a specified point while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control.

“We are working with the Administration toward the ultimate elimination of lead from avgas, and this finding mirrors and reinforces our shared goal of, and plan for, an unleaded fuel future. This finding is another step in the process, with rulemaking and other regulatory steps still to come, for developing and deploying viable unleaded avgas alternatives. We remain committed to removing lead from avgas by the end of 2030 or sooner, and are making considerable progress toward the introduction of market-viable high-octane unleaded replacement fuels that meet the safety performance needs of the entire U.S. fleet of piston aircraft.   Source: Part of a statement by the Alphabet org's in response to EPA's not-unexpecte