Also: Navy Laser v Drone, Virgin Orbit Update, Black Hawk-Genesys Cockpit, CAF Mississippi Wing

Epic Aircraft has completed delivery of its first two E1000 all composite, single-engine turboprop aircraft, following the successful conclusion of its FAA Type Certification program last year. “Completing these deliveries is a tremendous milestone for our company and our customers. The E1000 is a remarkable aircraft and seeing the enthusiasm of our owners as they take delivery is extremely gratifying. This is the successful culmination of eight years of hard work, extensive investment, and a passionate

Ligado, Formerly Known As LightSquared, Failed Twice In Recent Years To Win Approval

On June 3, the AEA and a group of 69 aviation organizations wrote to Marlene H. Dortch, secretary of the Federal Communications Commission, in support of a petition for stay filed by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The petition to the FCC was filed May 22, and it opposed the FCC’s April 20 order of approval for Ligado Networks’ proposed high-speed broadband cellular network operating near frequency bands currently used by GPS and satellite communications networks. The petition noted a variety of concerns with the FCC’s April 20 order of approval for the nationwide 5G cellular service, including Ligado’s failu

Celebration Now Sked for April 22–24, 2021, at Skydive DeLand, DeLand, Florida

Under normal circumstances, it's a heck of a party... Created in 2010, the International Skydiving Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those who, through leadership, innovation and/or accomplishments have defined, promoted, inspired and advanced skydiving at the highest and sustained levels such that they have made it possible for generations of skydivers to enjoy the sport. The organization's President/CEO, JF Curtis III, has just informed us that the 2020 event is now scheduled for 20121... for the usual reasons... COVID-19.

Italian A/C Manufacturer Reportedly Draws 19 Bids

For those of you who thought the innovative Piaggio Aerospace program may be toast, you may be wrong. Piaggio Aerospace, best known for the curvy Avanti EVO Twin Turbo-Prop, filed for the equivalent of bankruptcy protection late in 2018. Since then, some 19 international concerns have expressed interest in acquiring the stumbling company. Via a public statement, the company’s special administrator Vincenzo Nicastro, reported that, “Bids came in a bit from all over the world but especially from North America, Europe and the Far East.”

Boeing Has Modified Blue Angel Airframes Since 2008 And Delivered 23 Aircraft To Date

Boeing has delivered the first Super Hornet test aircraft for the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angel flight demonstration squadron. The unpainted aircraft now enters the flight test and evaluation phase at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. Boeing expects to deliver a total of 11 aircraft for the squadron in 2020. “The Super Hornet is an iconic representation of excellence in naval aviation,” said ret. Admiral Pat Walsh, vice president of US Navy & Marine Corps Services for Boeing. Walsh flew with the Blue Angels from 1985 to 1987 as the Left Wingman (#3) and Slot Pilot (#4).

Scheduled To Launch Oct. 14 On A Soyuz MS-17 From Baikonur

NASA has assigned astronaut Kate Rubins to a six-month mission to the International Space Station as a flight engineer and member of the Expedition 63/64 crew. Rubins, along with cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, are scheduled to launch Oct. 14 on the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Among some of the hundreds of experiments ongoing during her mission, Rubins will conduct research using the Cold Atom Lab to study the use of laser-cooled atoms for future quantum sensors, and will work on a cardiovascular experiment that builds on an investigation she completed during her previous mission.

From 2018: Ascent Vision X-MADIS - Mobile Air Defense Integrated System

Ascent Vision highlighted its X-MADIS Counter UAV System at AUVSI XPONENTIAL in May. X-MADIS is Ascent Vision's latest advancement in on-the-move counter-UAS.  The mounted unit is capable of long range UAV Detection, Identification and Defeat while moving at speeds up to 30mph on rough terrain. This system was designed to operate in the most demanding environments, including harsh downrange conditions and various homeland security applications. With dozens of these systems in operation worldwide, you will not find a more capable and p

Coast Guard Air Ops Personnel Continue to Impress... and Amaze

Two Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak C-130J Hercules aircraft and two MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crews coordinated efforts to perform a long-range medevac of an injured fisherman who was approximately 300 miles northwest of St. Paul Island, Alaska, Monday. The man was safely transferred to awaiting emergency medical services personnel in St. Paul, who further transported him to Anchorage for further care. At approximately 1:00 a.m. Monday, District 17 Command Center watchstanders received a call requesting a medevac of an injured 31-year-old fisherman aboard the 196-foot fishing vessel Baranof. The command center personnel conferred with a duty flight surgeon and launched four total Kodiak

Thus Far; FAA Has Refused to Require Their Installation

As expected for some time, the NTSB, in a safety recommendation report issued Tuesday called on helicopter manufacturers to equip turbine-powered helicopters with crash-resistant systems to record data, audio, and images. The NTSB asked the manufacturers – Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Leonardo, MD Helicopters, Robinson and Sikorsky – to act since the FAA has not implemented a series of NTSB recommendations made in 2013 and 2015. Those recommendations were issued after NTSB investigators found the lack of recorded data hindered their understanding of several crashes that could have serious flight safety implications.

Engine Failure After Maintenance

On May 13, 2020, about 0842 mountain standard time, a Mooney M20J airplane, N201HH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (DVT), Deer Valley, Arizona. The commercial pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to observe the airplane's performance following a propeller overhaul that was completed about 2 weeks prior. The pilot performed two initial ground runs prior to the accident, but was unable to achieve maximum takeoff rpm on either occasion. Following each ground run, the pilot would return the airplane to his hang

Aero Linx: International Seawind Pilots Association Welcome to the International Seawind Pilots Association. The ISPA is an organization of Seawind builders, pilots, and enthusiasts. We have no formal agreements or affiliation with SNA Inc., the manufacturer of the Seawind airplane. Our organization began in September 1994 when our first printed newsletter was published by Dick Adams in Canada. For a few years, we published printed newsletters. Following Dick's effort, Mike Bowes became the editor of the newsletter through the year 2000. All of our printed newsletters are now available on the website.

Ground Controlled Approach A radar approach system operated from the ground by air traffic control personnel transmitting instructions to the pilot by radio. The approach may be conducted with surveillance radar (ASR) only or with both surveillance and precision approach radar (PAR). Usage of the term “GCA” by pilots is discouraged except when referring to a GCA facility. Pilots should specifically request a “PAR” approach when a precision radar approach is desired or request an “ASR” or “surveillance” approach when a nonprecision radar approach is desired.

“The more information we have, the better we can understand not only the circumstances of a crash, but what can be done to prevent future accidents... We are asking that currently available recording technology be put to use in a way that will improve aviation safety.” Source: Dana Schulze, Director of the NTSB Office of Aviation Safety, in conjunction with the NTSB's safety recommendation report issued Tuesday, in which they called on helicopter manufacturers to equip turbine-powered helicopters with crash-resistant systems to record data, audio, and images. The NTSB asked the manufacturers – Airbus Helicopters, Bell, Leonardo, MD Helicopters, Robinson and Sikorsky – to act since the FAA has not