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May 15, 2020

Airborne 05.15.20: MAF Pilot Lost, NZ Bearhawk Wins, Gulfstream G700

Also: Nat'l Aviation Hall of Fame, Robinson Windshield Upgrades, Pipistrel USA, FAA Examiner Bribe

ANN is saddened to report the loss of a missionary pilot, Joyce Lin, flying for Mission Aviation Fellowship... an organization that flies and works worldwide for the most selfless of reasons. Official MAF Statement: 'The Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) family is deeply saddened by the loss of their colleague and friend, Joyce Lin. She departed the Sentani, Papua, Indonesia airport early in the morning of May 12, piloting an MAF Kodiak aircraft. Joyce was responding to the needs of the village of Mamit in the Papua highlands and cargo on the plane included COVID-19 rapid test kits for the local clinic. Within minutes of takeoff, she reported an emergency and the aircraft descended

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Stunningly Stupid! Drone Pilot Flies Close to Blue Angels Flyover

Multiple Federal Agencies Alerted and Investigating

It is the epitome of stupid (drone) pilot tricks... as an online video has been posted showing an exceptionally moronic drone pilot flying his UAV way too close to a Blue Angels flyover. The Blues were performing one of their highly visible and heavily publicized 'America Strong' flyovers to honor health workers and other heroes in a demonstration flight over the city of Detroit on May 12th when the incident (see attached screen capture from alleged video) reportedly took place. Posted to Facebook and Instagram (since removed) by Giovanni Lucia (@giolucia), the video, at one point, shows a small drone flying in exceptionally close proximity to the Blue Angels who flew slightly above the came

Also: New ANN Staff, Mask Mandates Continue, SWA 737 Hits Trespasser, Practical Aviation & Aerospace Law

Piper Aircraft, who hasn't exactly been vocal of late, has started speaking up... via a mysterious YouTube video posted Friday. Outside of the video, itself, the description, only says, "This will change everything. For everyone. Forever. Keep an eye on our page to see how aviation history will be made." The video, just under 30 seconds in length, shows an orange jump-suited test pilot walking out to what appears to be an M600 airframe, with a parachute slung over his shoulder, to head out on a f

Regional Contest Takes Place Each Year In February

Bearhawk tells ANN that Jonathan Battson has taken top honors, for two years running, in his Bearhawk in a New Zealand STOL Competition. The regional contest takes place each year in February. Battson and his Bearhawk continued their winning ways by a wide margin. "We managed to clean up the heavy touring category again this weekend, convincingly this time with a total combined distance of 71m compared to 108m and 131m for second and third place. There was less wind than usual, so I was pleased with the landing," he commented.

Make No Mistake About It... Klyde Remembers!

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Rescheduled For Later in 2021

Chief Executive, Ian Honnery, for the AMDA Foundation is another one of those folks who have had to make a tough call... especially with potential effectsa on the celebration of the Centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force to be dealt with, in the future. As a result, he has announced that the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition (AVALON 2021) needs to be rescheduled. Honnery noted that, "After extensive consultation and review, it has become clear that the impacts of COVID-19, including lengthy logistical lead times and uncertainty about availability of international travel, would pose unacceptable risks to AVALON 2021, should it continue with its original February dates...<

Classic Aero-TV: The Stratos 714 at Oshkosh17--Developing a 'No-Excuses' S/E Jet

From 2017: Aircraft Will Be Exhibited At NBAA In Las Vegas This Month…

Fresh from the completion of its first phase of flight testing, the Stratos 714 Jet made its debut at AirVenture in July on display in Boeing Plaza. Kevin Jordan, Chief Sales Officer for Stratos Aircraft, told ANN news editor Tom Patton at AirVenture that the company is looking at a 4-5 year timeline for certification and production of the airplane. The Stratos 714 is a “multi-role” VLJ. It is designed to support personal, business and air taxi use. Seating six people, it can travel 1,200 NM at 400 knots. With a li

At Mach 0.90, The G600 Offers 5,500NM Nonstop

Gulfstream's G600 has earned type certificate approval from EASA, enabling aircraft registrations and deliveries to begin for EU customers. “The Gulfstream G600’s advanced technology, high-speed performance and unparalleled efficiency will serve the intercontinental European business traveler well,” said Mark Burns, president, Gulfstream. “We are excited to get this aircraft in the hands of customers throughout the continent.” At its high-speed cruise of Mach 0.90, the G600 can carry passengers 5,500 nautical miles nonstop — enough range to travel from London to Los Angeles or from Paris to Hong Kong. At its long-range cruise speed of Mach 0.85, it can fly 6,500 nm.<

Delta’s 777s To Retire By End Of 2020

Delta plans to retire its 18 widebody Boeing 777s by the end of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The retirement will allegedly accelerate the airline’s strategy to simplify and modernize its fleet. “We’re making strategic, cost-effective changes to our fleet to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic while also ensuring Delta is well-positioned for the recovery on the backside of the crisis,” said Gil West, Delta’s Chief Operating Officer. “The 777 has been a reliable part of Delta’s success since it joined the fleet in 1999 and because of its unique operating characteristics, opened new non-stop, ultra-long-haul markets that only it could fly at

Military Derivative of the Boeing 737 NG

The U.S. Navy received its 100th P-8A aircraft from Boeing [NYSE: BA] today as the global fleet, which also includes the Indian navy and the Australian and U.K. air forces, approaches 300,000 flight hours of hunting submarines and providing aerial reconnaissance capabilities around the world. “We’re honored by the Navy’s faith and confidence in our employees and the P-8 system,” said Stu Voboril, vice president and program manager. "Our focus has been, and will be, on delivering the world’s best maritime patrol aircraft, bar none.”

Mid-Continent Remains 'Certain That Air Transportation Has An Exciting Future'

Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics today announced the promotion of Cindy Highbarger to Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations and the addition of Matthew Harrah as Senior Vice President of Technology and Products. "In these new roles, Cindy and Matt will provide valuable industry experience and leadership to our organization," said Todd Winter, President and CEO of Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics. "I remain certain that air transportation has an exciting future, despite the temporary recession. Through our strong leadership and dedicated employees, we remain focused on delighting our customers and using this time to competitively enhance every aspec

During The Initial Climb, The Engine Lost Power

On April 18, 2020, about 1041 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna T206 airplane, N756TH, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Auburn Municipal Airport (AUN), Auburn, California. The pilot was fatally injured, and the pilot rated passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The passenger reported that the pilot planned to fly another airplane he owned, however, noted discrepancies during the preflight and opted to fly the accident airplane, that he also owned.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.15.20)

Aero Linx: General Aviation Airport Coalition GAAC's Mission: To preserve and promote our nation's general aviation airports. Educate local communities and the federal government on the significant impact that GA airports have on the economy. Monitor issues that impact general aviation airports. Launch an advocacy campaign in Washington. Create the tools and materials to make GA airports an effective voice in their local communities, as well as with Members of Congress and the Administration in Washington and at home. Provide an open forum for GA airport stakeholders to share best practices and other he

Missed Approach a. A maneuver conducted by a pilot when an instrument approach cannot be completed to a landing. The route of flight and altitude are shown on instrument approach procedure charts. A pilot executing a missed approach prior to the Missed Approach Point (MAP) must continue along the final approach to the MAP. b. A term used by the pilot to inform ATC that he/she is executing the missed approach. c. At locations where ATC radar service is provided, the pilot should conform to radar vectors when provided by ATC in lieu of the published missed approach procedure.

“We’re making strategic, cost-effective changes to our fleet to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic while also ensuring Delta is well-positioned for the recovery on the backside of the crisis. The 777 has been a reliable part of Delta’s success since it joined the fleet in 1999 and because of its unique operating characteristics, opened new non-stop, ultra-long-haul markets that only it could fly at that time.” Source: Gil West, Delta’s Chief Operating Officer, discussing Delta's plans to retire its 18 widebody Boeing 777s by the end of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The retirement will allegedly accelerate the airline’s strategy to simplify and modernize its fleet.