Just in the Nick of Time Before the French Bizjets Start Rolling Off the Line 

The Falcon 6X is now a fully Type Certificated aircraft in both the United States and Europe, following a 2-year test campaign. Dassault was happy to put a cap on 1,500 flight hours of testing for their baby, which should see the first of its production brethren rolling off the assembly line in coming weeks. The "first extra widebody business jet" sports a 5,500-nm range and top speed of 0.90 mach, enviable numbers for the kind of clientele the high-end bizjet brand courts. 

A Reasonable and Robust Response

In early 2022, Van’s Aircraft, the famed light-sport aircraft marque and maker of the perennially popular RV6/6A, RV7/7A, and numerous additional kit aircraft models, commenced subcontracting the manufacture of select aircraft parts to fabrication concerns utilizing laser cutting processes. Between February and June 2022, a significant number of Van’s customers reported cracks having formed in parts with laser-cut holes. The company immediately undertook corrective action, conducting testing of cracked parts for purpose of assessing the nature of the defects and devising corrective measures germane to such. Numerous updates have since been posted to the Van's company website...  

Wagner Group Boss Alleged Dead

Yevgeny Viktorovich Prigozhin—Russian oligarch, mercenary leader, and former confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin—is presumed dead after an Embraer Legacy 600 upon which he was reportedly traveling went down north of Moscow. Ten people—three crew and seven passengers—are alleged to have perished in the accident. While Prigozhin’s name appeared on the downed aircraft’s passenger manifest, it has yet to be established that he was, in fact, on board. The presumption is lent plausibility, however, by the fact the lost Legacy jet was owned by Prigozhin.

As Dearth of Pilots Continues, Another Carrier Turns to Growing its Own

Delta Air Lines has opened the Propel Flight Academy in Vero Beach, Florida as part of a greater push to bring up the next generation of company pilots. Working with Delta on the project is local flight instruction outfit Skyborne, itself a fairly big name in the zero-to-hero pilot pipeline scene. The firm is one of a few working along with the carrier on its long-term goal of fostering in-house talent for the flight deck, with a handful of differing paths. Delta's "Propel" program has options for zero-time company people, commercial single pilots, and street hires to work their way through the FAA ratings up past entry-level flying work and turbine time building.

Transportation Stakeholders Invited to Learn About Heliport Design, Verification

The United States Department of Transportation will be holding a course to provide attendees with an understanding of the evaluation process and skills needed to sufficiently evaluate proposed or existing heliports. The 3-day course will take place in West Palm Beach, Florida, from September 12-14. It'll consist of a hybrid lecture and practical component, with students getting experience in hands-on evaluation with a hearty helping of the regulatory know-how surrounding heliports.

Also: Hartzell Engine Tech Alternator, Super Petrel Accident, WV College, VX4 eVTOL Mishap

For more than twenty-years, crowds have thrilled to Thunder Over Michigan, a gala event counted among the U.S.’s premier air-shows. Regrettably, the event’s 25th anniversary was marred by the loss of a Soviet-Era MiG-23 (NATO designation Flogger). The Sunday mishap saw the MiG-23’s two occupants eject from the aircraft as it traversed the airspace over Ypsilanti, Michigan’s Willow Run Airport (YIP). This week, the United States Coast Guard and Navy rescued four divers—Ben Wiggins, 64; Luke Lodge, 26; Daniel Williams, 46; and Evan Williams,

Journey’s End in Feds Meeting

The EAA has filed comments germane to a new FAA advisory circular (AC) titled Destroyed and Scrapped Aircraft. The AC makes extensive references to FAA’s Order 8900.19, with which it shares a title. Set forth in 2018, Order 8900.19 was issued without the customary solicitation of public comment. The order and AC address the means and criteria by which determinations pertaining to the destruction and scrapping of aircraft are made.

Also: Curtiss JN-4 Jenny Restoration, Girls in Aviation Day, MD Helicopters, Private Jet Service$

Adventure Pilot has announced the release of iFly EFB 12.2, an update by which the aviation community may avail itself of advanced EFB features, to include integration with Avidyne's advanced flight displays. iFly EFB 12.2 integrates with Avidyne's advanced Integrated Flight Display (IFD) systems, thereby bringing higher degrees of collaboration and efficiency to users’ flight-planning endeavors. The DoD has mobilized active-duty and reserve military helicopter crews under numerous commands to support firefighting operations across the embattled Hawaiian Is

Witnesses In Virden Observed The Airplane Flying To The Southwest Inverted

On August 12, 2023, about 0848 central daylight time, a Vans RV-14A airplane, N6161, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Virden, Illinois. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration captured the accident flight. The airplane departed the Litchfield Municipal Airport (3LF), Litchfield, Illinois, from runway 27 at 0838.

From 2017 (YouTube Version): EASA Certification Process Nearly Complete…

The Rotax 915 iS engine has been in the pipeline for some time, but now the engine is nearly ready to get flying. Marc Becker, Aircraft Business Manager for Rotax, told ANN editor Tom Patton at AirVenture that the company is nearly finished with the EASA certification process, but there is still some testing to be done. According to the company website, the Rotax 915 iS offers more power, the best power-to-weight ratio in its class, full take-off power up to at least 15,000 feet and a service ceiling of 23,000 feet.

CAAC Approves Largest of the E-Jets

The biggest E-Jet of the roost, Embraer's E195-E2, has been given its Type Certificate by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), hot on the heels of its slightly smaller sibling, the E190-E2, last year. The E195-E2 can be specced out in single or tri-class seating arrangements, offering anywhere from 120 to 132 seats (or, if willing to really pack them in, 146 seats with some fairly upright furniture). The news is just another business-encouraging data point for Embraer as of late, a company who has continued to enjoy a pretty rosy outlook on the industry.

Aero Linx: Wings of Hope Wings of Hope is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization that has been helping the world’s most vulnerable communities since 1962. As our name suggests, we use our wings to connect people to the resources they need to meet their development goals.

Outer Fix A general term used within ATC to describe fixes in the terminal area, other than the final approach fix. Aircraft are normally cleared to these fixes by an Air Route Traffic Control Center or an Approach Control Facility. Aircraft are normally cleared from these fixes to the final approach fix or final approach course.

“The certification of the Falcon 6X is a remarkable milestone for Dassault Aviation. We would like to recognize the EASA and FAA certification teams for their commitment in this demanding process and our customers for their confidence. The Falcon 6X is the first brand new business jet to comply with the latest regulations, which will enhance the safety and security of all new aircraft.”

Source:  Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, praising the certification of the Falcon 6X by both EASA an