Reno Air Racing Association Sets Sights on 2021 Event

The Reno Air Racing Association has announced the cancellation of the 2020 STIHL National Championship Air Races originally scheduled for Sept. 16–20. The Reno Air Racing Association Board of Directors reiterated their principal concern for the safety and health of all involved and in light of continuing uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus and government-imposed restrictions for large scale events has decided to turn all efforts to 2021. “This decision was not made lightly. It’s difficult to capture the sadness we feel for our September Family who we won’t have the chance to see this year. However, we need to approach this with safety for all involved as our highest

One Enhancement Expands The Cross-Wind Limits Of The MQ-9A

As part of the ongoing USAF contract for MQ-9A Reaper modernization, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) demonstrated three expanded Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) enhancements that provide the MQ-9A with a dramatic increase in operational flexibility. One enhancement enables the MQ-9A to land at an alternate or "divert" airfield in which no Ground Control Station (GCS) is present, and under satellite communication (SATCOM) control. The second enhancement expands the cross-wind limits of the MQ-9A. The third increases the maximum landing weight for normal and emergency landings.

Standing Down To Allow Additional Time For Pre-Launch Checkouts

SpaceX stood down from Friday's twice-delayed launch in order to allow additional time for pre-launch checkouts in advance of its tenth Starlink mission. Falcon 9 and its payloads, 57 Starlink satellites and 2 satellites from BlackSky, a Spaceflight customer, remain healthy. SpaceX teams are evaluating the next earliest launch opportunity and will announce a new target date once confirmed. Falcon 9’s first stage previously supported Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission to the International Space Station, launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, and the fourth and seventh Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage

Spacewalk Took Six Hours And Seven Minutes

NASA astronauts Chris Cassidy and Robert Behnken concluded their spacewalk, Friday, at 1:39 p.m. EDT, after six hours and seven minutes. The two NASA astronauts completed all the work planned for this first of four spacewalks to replace batteries that provide power for the station’s solar arrays on the starboard truss of the complex as well as initial tasks originally planned for the second scheduled spacewalk next Wednesday. The new batteries provide an improved and more efficient power capacity for operations.

Four-Day Event Program Has Been Designed Around Social Distancing

The Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA) staff and air show performers have finalized the plans for the 2020 Pensacola Beach Air Show in July. The four-day event program has been designed around social distancing in observance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for the COVID-19 virus. To further comply with CDC recommendations, the 2020 air show has no center point, which allows the footprint to be expanded substantially.

Deliveries Are Expected To Begin In 2024

We hope they got the quantity discount... Morocco is the 17th country to acquire the Boeing AH-64 Apache through a contract for 24 of the helicopters that was recently signed. Boeing has delivered nearly 2,500 Apache helicopters to 16 nations to date, including the U.S., Netherlands, Greece, United Kingdom, Japan, India, Singapore, South Korea and Saudi Arabia. Deliveries to Morocco are expected to begin in 2024.

From 2009: When You Want the "Prettiest" Tank-Killer In The World, You Want A WartHog!

To those who look upon the A-10 for the first time, there is a sense that they're not looking at an airplane -- but the box it came in. BUT, to those who need to kill heavy enemy armament and do it in a serious way, the A-10 suddenly becomes one of the prettiest sights you ever saw... especially if said enemy armament is aimed your way. The Air forces notes that A-10 Thunderbolt IIs have excellent maneuverability at low airspeeds and altitude, and are highly accurate weapons-delivery platform

AD 2020-11-12 Ensures Adequate Shielding Of The Underlying Wiring From The Electromagnetic Effects Of HIRF

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-8 and 737-9 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that certain exterior fairing panels on the top of the engine nacelle and strut (the thumbnail fairing and mid strut fairing panels) may not have the quality of electrical bonding necessary to ensure adequate shielding of the underlying wiring from the electromagnetic effects of high intensity radiated fields (HIRF), which could potentially lead to a dual-engine power loss event and/or display of hazardously misleading primary propulsion parameters. This AD requires a detailed inspection of th

'Airplane Flew Over The House Before Making A Climb Straight Up'

On June 16, 2020, about 0730 central daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-502B, N879JA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Atmore, Alabama. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. According to the pilot's spouse, he departed earlier on the morning of the accident to dispense two small "loads." On his return home he called and asked her to come outside of their residence to watch the airplane fly over. She said that the airplane flew over the house before making a climb straight up. The airplane then banked to the left, rolled right, descended straight down, and s

Aero Linx: The Professional Women Controllers, Inc. (PWC) The Professional Women Controllers, Inc. (PWC) is a professional organization founded in 1978 by Sue Townsend and Jacque Smith. The organization was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 1979 and was officially recognized by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1980. Since its inception, PWC has been an advocate of a culturally diverse workforce. PWC works with the FAA and other organizations to create an environment where all employees are able to contribute. For a Historical Walk through Professional Women Controllers, INC. please read about our wonderful Co-Founder and First President of PWC, Sue Mostert Townsend. 

Abbreviated IFR Flight Plans An authorization by ATC requiring pilots to submit only that information needed for the purpose of ATC. It includes only a small portion of the usual IFR flight plan information. In certain instances, this may be only aircraft identification, location, and pilot request. Other information may be requested if needed by ATC for separation/control purposes. It is frequently used by aircraft which are airborne and desire an instrument approach or by aircraft which are on the ground and desire a climb to VFR-on-top.

“This decision was not made lightly. It’s difficult to capture the sadness we feel for our September Family who we won’t have the chance to see this year. However, we need to approach this with safety for all involved as our highest priority. We recognize and appreciate the great responsibilities Nevada’s government leaders bear as they weigh health concerns against economic well-being for Nevada as a whole. With the June 24th announcement that the state of Nevada will remain under Phase Two guidelines for the foreseeable future we cannot feasibly move forward with planning our event.” Source: Fred Telling, CEO of the Reno Air Racing Association, detailing some of the issues inherent in the cancellation of thi