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June 19, 2023

Airborne 06.19.23: Diamond DART-750, Virgin Galactic 'Ready', Ryanair Scandal

Also: C-390 Millennium FlightSim, Space-Launch Airspace Protocols, Elixir Aircraft Bucks, Nolen's New Gig

Diamond Aircraft’s PT6A-25C-powered DART-750 aerobatic trainer has made its first flight at the company’s Austrian headquarters. The test-flight, which spanned thirty-minutes and covered all basic flight-maneuvers and performance and handling checks—was piloted by Diamond’s head of flight test Sören Pedersen and senior test pilot Niko Daroussis. Despite a fairly small number of "test flights," Virgin Galactic announced the date for its very first commercial spaceflight, planning on launching between June 27 and 30 of this year, with another mission on tap for early August. On 15 June 2023, R

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Klyde Morris (06.15.23)

Klyde Tries To Keep It Educational...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

New Guidelines to Mitigate Re-Routes and Delays

Based on analyses of past space launches and data provided by the U.S. Space Force and major space launch concerns—the FAA has determined existing airspace restrictions pertaining to Florida launches are generally excessive and may be safely reduced.

“Galactic 01” Planned for Takeoff, with “Galactic 02” following in August

Despite a fairly small number of "test flights," Virgin Galactic announced the date for its very first commercial spaceflight, planning on launching between June 27 and 30 of this year, with a following mission to take place in early August. Virgin Galactic has been hammered by the stock market in recent years, when it fell from its optimistic high of $55.91 in June of 2021 to the single-digit range. It’s no secret that space travel is exceedingly expensive, and one unforeseen delay after another chipped away at investor confidence as commercial service looked increasingly unlikely.

Free Course Allows Instructors to Get Back in the Action

Sporty’s has updated its online Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) for 2023, adding a bevy of new topics for up-to-date focus areas and a sleeker, higher quality user interface than previous packages. "As always," said Sporty's, "the FIRC is "completely free for all active flight instructors and educators." The offering is a fine way to get lapsed flight instructors back up to speed, particularly in a time when the FAA has increasingly looked to them to serve as the bulwark of GA flight safety.

Smoke, Fire, and the Immolation of Due Process

On 15 June 2023, Ryanair fired its chief pilot following an investigation into the latter’s alleged "pattern of repeated inappropriate and unacceptable behavior towards a number of female pilots.” Named in reports as Aidan Murray, the sacked individual has been with Ryanair for 28-years and was appointed the carrier’s chief pilot in 2020.

€13-Million in French Taxpayer Money to Elixir Aircraft

The French Have a Word for It: Voler l'Argent des Autres

Founded in 2015, LaRochelle France-based Elixir Aircraft has set itself the goal of designing and producing “safer, more economical, more environmentally-friendly, and more versatile aircraft.” French president Emmanuel Macron announced on the eve of 2023’s Paris Air-Show that France’s taxpayers had unknowingly provided Elixir Aircraft a €13-million grant. As part of a total financing package totaling some forty-million euros, the funds will be plied to the company's industrialization.

Experimental Aircraft Designs Celebrated at AirVenture Number 70

EAA’s upcoming AirVenture fly-in to the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin will celebrate a handful of timeless homebuilt aircraft, with some all-star kits on tap to celebrate milestones. Events will vary by design, with anniversary aircraft being featured throughout the week in flying demonstrations, forums, displays, and other events.

Experienced Huey-Hauler Malinois to Demonstrate, Be Awarded for Work at Kid-Friendly Event

The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center (AHMEC) will be holding its FamilyFest on Saturday, June 24, from 10:00 to 15:00 at its West Chester, Pennsylvania home. FamilyFest will have an appearance by “The Dog with the Most Flights in a Huey Helicopter,” Torque. The Belgian Malinois will be accompanied by her assistant to present the history of rotary-wing dogs, her record, and the ins and outs of her work. Paul Kahan, AHMEC’s Executive Director, will present Torque with a plaque honoring her accomplishments.

From Oshkosh 2017 (YouTube Version): The Traditional "Zip Tie" Is Dead…

That's the assessment of Mark Patey, Director of Strategic Innovations and Co-Owner of LockRight LLC, who told ANN CEO and Editor in Chief Jim Campbell at AirVenture that the product developed by his company ... GripLockTies ... will make the universally-known version of the fastener obsolete. The rubber lining on the GripLockTies prevents the zip tie from sliding around on whatever it is securing, Patey said. Worse, he said, the tie has chaffed through a wiring bundle and shorted out a system.

Austria’s Answer to Beech’s T-6 & Embraer’s 314

Diamond Aircraft—the Austria-based, Chinese-owned maker of general aviation aircraft with manufacturing facilities in Wiener Neustadt, Austria and London, Ontario, Canada—announced its PT6A-25C-powered DART-750 aerobatic trainer had made its first flight at the company’s Austrian headquarters. The test-flight, which spanned thirty-minutes and covered all basic flight-maneuvers and performance and handling checks—was piloted by Diamond’s head of flight test Sören Pedersen and senior test pilot Niko Daroussis.

During Takeoff After The Second Landing, (The CFI) Heard An Unusual Noise In The Cockpit

On June 1, 2023, about 1155 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-181 airplane, N4376H, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Pellston, Michigan. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight.The flight instructor reported he and the student pilot had completed two non-eventful touch and go landings, and during takeoff after the second landing, heard an unusual noise in the cockpit.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.19.23)

Aero Linx: Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) The FAA Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI) is the medical certification, research, education, and occupational health wing of the FAA's Office of Aerospace Medicine. The goal of our activities is to enhance aviation safety.

Low Approach

An approach over an airport or runway following an instrument approach or a VFR approach including the go-around maneuver where the pilot intentionally does not make contact with the runway.

“This next exciting chapter for Virgin Galactic has been driven by innovation, determination and a commitment to delivering an unparalleled and truly transformative customer experience,” Source: From a statement by CEO Michael Colglazier, as Virgin Galactic rushes toward the start of commercial service later this month.