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March 08, 2022

Boeing Wants to Ramp Up 737 Production

With Growing Order Books and Resurgent Market Demand, Firm Looks to Capitalize on Travel Demand

Industry rumor says Boeing has signaled intent to double its monthly 737 production by the end of 2023, bumping output to around 50 aircraft a month. The manufacturer has been recovering steadily from its stagnation during the pandemic, bouncing back alongside rival Airbus as each looks to capitalize on resurgent airline passenger traffic. Supposed insiders privy to plans at the company say that preparations are in the works, with a few caveats that could hamper their efforts amid a spotty economic recovery.

Also: Hydrogen-Powered Turbofan, Outgoing FAA Administrator, Wisk, Northrop Grumman

AUVSI, or the now former Association for UnManned Vehicle Systems, has announced its name change into the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems in order "to reflect ongoing efforts to promote gender inclusivity," effective immediately. The association says the change will bring additional talent in the business. “In this groundbreaking industry, we know that inclusivity accelerates innovation,” said Mignonne Hollis, Chair of the new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisory group. An integrated, communications-seeking drone has been developed for Teledyne

After One Year in Service, the R66 has Earned its Keep

After a year with the department's first Robinson R66, the Polk County Sheriff's Office has purchased another pair of the aircraft to add extra redundancy and capability for their busy flight crew. The lightweight, turbine helicopter is well suited for the Sheriff's mission that sees around 1,100 hours a year providing air support over its 2,000 square mile jurisdiction located between Orlando and Tampa. Last year, the office's freshly painted, show-ready R66 was displayed as an example of the design's law enforcement capabilities to departments across the country.

Issues Surrounding Sport, Experimental Aircraft, Recreational Aviation Reviewed by Industry Stakeholders

The Annual FAA Recreational Winter Summit was held online this year, with staff and officials from both entities coming together to assess the state of sport and general aviation. Among the topics presented were the effects of "current safety trends and enhancements to flight-training exemptions and processes to help maintain legacy aircraft," as well as the handling of special medical certificate issuances and pilot education. Some areas of particular interest for the EAA were the expansion of the Additional Pilot Program for use in qualifying homebuilt aircraft types.

AeroSync Allows Long-Range Data Uplink for Ambulance, SAR, and Special Helicopter Missions

Astronautics has released a new real-time data/video streaming suite at Heli-Expo 2022, aiming to provide an integrated, fast, and reliable data transmission system for helicopter operators. The AeroSync Mission is a TSO-approved single-box solution that stores and routes data streams between aircraft and ground contacts throughout a mission, allowing for automatic retention and broadcast mission information. Astronautics intended the system as a supporting apparatus for air ambulance, law enforcement, SAR, and executive transport missions, an all-in-one solution to simplify flight, mission, and maintenance data for new and retrofitted aircraft.

Begins Hiring Pilots, Flight Attendants to Staff With Sign-On Bonuses

Piedmont Airlines will soon open a new crew base out of Pennsylvania's Harrisburg International, beginning operations in May. The airline hopes to attract enough of their flight crew to make the switch by sweetening the deal with series of bonuses in order to bring the Harrisburg base up to speed as soon as possible. Piedmont CEO Eric Morgan said that travel demand will dictate the exact level of activity, but at the outset, things would start manageably.

Classic Aero-TV: Active Winglets -- Tamarack Aerospace Partners with Cessna

From 2014 (YouTube Version): Innovative Aerodynamic Technologies Produce Game-Changing Results

At the NBAA 2013 convention, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell had a chance to talk with Tamarack Aerospace Group about their partnership with the Cessna to provide winglet modifications for certain Cessna jet models. Nick Guida, founder and president of Tamarack Aerospace Group explained to Jim the uniqueness of their product.

Also: King FOI Course, AUVSI Changes Name, Dassault, Flightradar24 Takedown

In light of the many tragedies we are seeing arising out of the wanton destruction of Ukraine by Russia, it almost seems silly to note that a one-of-a-kind aviation treasure also appears to have been destroyed. While still not quite official, numerous reports strongly suggest that the world’s largest operational transport aircraft, the Antonov AN-225 ‘Mriya’ (‘Dream’ in Ukrainian), may have been destroyed in the Russian invasion. The massive six-engine transport was the only one of its kind, after insufficient money was allowed to finish an in-proce

The Instructor Had To “Push The Nose Down And Add Power On Several Occasions.”

On January 12, 2022, about 1427 eastern standard time, a Piper J3C-65 float-equipped airplane, N88509, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Winter Haven, Florida. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that the airline-transport-pilot-rated pilot receiving instruction was already seaplane rated, so he viewed the training flights as review.

AD 2022-05-05 Requires Inspecting The Affected Parts Of The Flaperon Control In The Wings...

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH Model Ventus-2a and Ventus-2b gliders. This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as severe corrosion on the inboard flaperon actuation push rods and ball bearing connecting the flaperon push rod to the bell crank inside the wing. This AD requires inspecting the affected parts of the flaperon control in the wings and taking corrective actions if necessary. The FAA is is

AD 2022-03-21 Related To Fuel Tank Ignition Prevention And The Nitrogen Generation System

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. This AD was prompted by significant changes, including new or more restrictive requirements, made to the airworthiness limitations (AWLs) related to fuel tank ignition prevention and the nitrogen generation system. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective April 11, 2022.

Aero Linx: The Caterpillar Club On April 19, 1919, Leslie Leroy Irvin made the world’s first premeditated freefall parachute descent using a rip cord, rather than using a canister or tether line attached to the aircraft to pull open the parachute. Working with the U.S. Army’s Air Service parachute research team, Irvin made the historic jump from a plane over McCook field near Dayton, Ohio. During the jump, Irvin broke his ankle but was inspired to start his own parachute business.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (03.08.22): Radar

Radar A device that provides information on range, azimuth, and/or elevation of objects by measuring the time interval between transmission and reception of directional radio pulses and correlating the angular orientation of the radiated antenna beam or beams in azimuth and/or elevation.

“We are adding a second and third R66 because of our confidence in the helicopter’s ability and functionality. It’s a great aircraft that has reduced our operating costs by nearly fifty percent. Having a robust aviation unit is critical to our mission of keeping people safe. We are thrilled to add the Robinson R66 turbine helicopter to our aviation fleet. Not only is this aircraft a great asset to law enforcement, it allows us to cost effectively support and protect our citizens better than other options out there.” Source: Sheriff Grady Judd, commenting about the purchase of their first R66. Judd alluded to the affordability of the Robinson product as a decisive factor in its selection.