Duel Iranian/French Citizen Held On Suspicion of Spycraft for Drone Photography

Iran has sentenced a globetrotting tourist to nearly a decade in prison after his arrest along the Iran-Turkmenistan border last May. The sentence given consists of 8 years for spying, and an additional 8 months for the creation of propaganda against the regime, charges which the French Foreign Affairs Office refers to as "groundless". Benjamin Brière, says his lawyer, was not given a fair trial in front of impartial judges, nor was he given information on his charges. His arrest in the Karakum desert occurred near what is described by the Iranian government as a "restricted area", and his possession of photographic equipment and drones was proof positive o

2021 a Mixed Year for the Manufacturer, Finally Cash-Positive, but Tanker and Dreamliner Programs See Setbacks

The 787 Dreamliner's production issues will add at least $2 billion to the cost, said the company, doubling an earlier prediction. Boeing saw a rebound in demand for its 737 Max airliner over 2021, coming back from a strange year before it that saw the plane grounded nearly worldwide. No sooner had it returned to the public's good graces, however, that its larger sibling faced its own issues. The delays have resulted in additional manufacturing costs, inspections, and compensation for customers still waiting on their planes to be delivered. 

Oversize Cargo Transportation Airline Begins Operation for Use Around the World

Bespoke, large cargo demands around the world, can now be shipped via the unique Airbus BelugaST fleet. The international makeup of the company has brought considerable requirements for ferry flights of outsize cargo to produce some of the biggest Airbus aircraft, which have led to the creation of 5 A300-600 BelugaSTs. The Belugas have been the backbone of the aerial transport system for airbus, flying missions that would be impossible to fit in any other aircraft. The aircraft have flown entire intact helicopters, 10-foot by 12-foot historical artworks, and large satellites too sensitive for ground shipment. 

Old World, Leather Design With Modern Capabilities

Fans of old world, lasting flight gear have a newly introduced option from flight gear specialist Lightspeed Aviation, the Duke Flight Bag. While cordura and nylon have made a lot of headway in becoming the de facto pilot bag standard, they lack the old world romance and tradition of leather. Lightspeed follows their series of bags named after notable aviators, this time bringing to the fore Neville Frederick Duke. The Second World War British test pilot and fighter ace later compiled his experiences writing stories Lightspeed hopes to recall with a full grain, oiled cowhide backpack. Like so much of Duke's wartime flying kit, the bag will develop authentic wear on its uncoated South American

Airline Enforcing Non-Competes for Increasingly Desperate Captains, FOs Seeking Accommodation

One captain for United Airlines is decrying her treatment at the company's hands, saying her placement on unpaid leave for insisting on remaining unvaccinated against Covid-19 has left her unable to move onward with her career. Sherry Walker says that she can't find another job while cut off from the ability to earn an income, and United has blocked her retirement fund access, preventing her from being able to weather the leave until the issue shakes out in court. The founder of Airline Employees 4 Health Freedom, a 501C3 nonprofit supporting employee freedom of choice, told reporters "I am out on unpaid leave. I am prohibited from getting another jo

Airmen Advised to Do Their Homework If Flying to the Game

The Federal Aviation Administration has drawn attention to the special procedures surrounding the upcoming Los Angeles area for the Super Bowl held on February 13. The SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California will receive special protections and Temporary Flight Instructions with a No Drone Zone to limit flight activity before, during, and after the game.  The restrictions are serious business, listed as a national security concern, but that level of importance has led to a series of assists from the agency. 

Klyde Is Waiting For Spring to Be Sprung...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Looks Like A Jet, Flies Like A GA Airplane…

While at Sun ‘n Fun 2016, ANN News Editor, Tom Patton, saw a light-airplane that looked like a stylized F-15. The airplane is called the PJ-II “Dreamer”. To get the details, Tom talked with Len Bechtold, who designed the engine for the aircraft, as well as the technical director of design, Ben Kolotilin. The Design of this fascinating airplane originated in Russia and has now been brought to the United States with the hopes of placing it into production. Kolotilin explains that the intent was to produce a stylized fighter-like airplane with flying characteristics that any general avia

Small Batch, Custom ORB-6 to Serve as Basis of Upcoming Xcraft Satellite

Xplore Inc signed a contract with small-batch manufacturer Orbital Astronautics (OrbAstro) for the use of their satellite bus design for a series of missions, beginning with Orbitals ORB-6 platform. Xplore's company tagline is "Space as a Service', with additional mentions of "Data-, Sensor-, and Satellite- as a service". Their service offerings include a variety of orbital offerings, from selling their exclusive spatial data collected by their constellation, retasking Xplore instruments to collect new data, and delivery of payloads into Earth orbit. 

Also: Masten Expands, Sonex Aerospace Sold, Collier Nominations, SuperBowl TFR

Zeva has completed the first untethered flight test for its Zero flying wing airframe, where the aircraft took off and flew under its 8 electric propellers. With the first flight completed, the Zero now boasts the bragging rights of being a functional, real aircraft, with flight time in its logbook in an industry rife with ground demonstrators and digital renders. The flight is an important milestone in the airworthiness certification process, proving the unmanned demonstrator could take off and maintain position in a controlled hover, as well as taxi, climb, and maneuver at

Pilot Reported An Engine Failure At 2330:42 But Did Not Specify Which Engine

On December 10, 2021, about 2330 eastern standard time, a Swearingen SA-226AT, N54GP, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Bedford, New Hampshire. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on demand cargo flight. According to preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration, the airplane was on the instrument landing system approach to runway 6 at Manchester Boston Regional Airport (MHT), Manchester, New Hampshire. During the approach, the pilot reported an engine failure at 2330:42 but did not specify which engine. Radio and radar contact were lost at 2330:51, w

AD 2022-03-07 Requires Establishing A Life Limit Of 5 Years For Certain Propeller Gearbox Tooth Belts

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Stemme AG TSA-M Model S6 and S6-RT gliders. This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as a new version of the propeller gearbox tooth belt with a reduced life limit. This AD requires establishing a life limit of 5 years for certain propeller gearbox tooth belts. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective March 2, 2022.

Scheduled Time Of Arrival (STA) A STA is the desired time that an aircraft should cross a certain point (landing or metering fix). It takes other traffic and airspace configuration into account. A STA time shows the results of the TBFM scheduler that has calculated an arrival time according to parameters such as optimized spacing, aircraft performance, and weather.

Aero Linx: International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations IFATCA is an international collective of air traffic controller associations. It was established in 1961 and is the largest and most comprehensive representative body for air traffic control in the world. Objectives of the Federation: The objects of the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations are: To operate as a non-­profit and non-political federation of air traffic controllers' associations; To promote safety, efficiency and regularity in International Air Navigation; To assist an

"The rework process is going well — it's long, it's disciplined, but it's going well, our mechanics are learning a ton in the process.” Source: Boeing CEO David Calhoun describing the B787 fix as coming along just fine. The 787 Dreamliner's production issues will add at least $2 billion to the cost, said the company, doubling an earlier prediction. Boeing saw a rebound in demand for its 737 Max airliner over 2021, coming back from a strange year before it that saw the plane grounded nearly worldwide. No sooner had it returned to the public's good graces, however, that its larger sibling faced its own issues.