With a Simmering 'Omicron' Outbreak in China, Authorities Expected to Eye Lockdowns

The website for ABACE 2022 was updated to notify prospective attendees of its third cancellation, formerly planned to take place from April 12-14, 2022. The NBAA and Shanghai Airport Authority may well have decided that the conditions leading up to the expo are not likely to remain stable amid COVID concerns throughout Asia. China’s border remains largely impassable to the average non-emergency tourist, requiring particular visas or citizenship to enter the country for the foreseeable future.  

Begins the Switch to Boeing With Order for 50 737 MAX

Allegiant Air has confirmed its plans to make the jump to the Boeing 737 MAX, setting to rest rumors that the previously all-Airbus fleet would be bolstered and even replaced by the Boeing competition. The first purchase of 50 comes at an estimated $5.5 billion if made at list price. Rumors of the impending purchase made the rounds to notes of surprise among many, the airline industry generally of the opinion that changing horses midstream causes more trouble than it's worth. Wiping the slate clean and rebuilding the logistical ecosystems in place for a completely new aircraft brand and type is a tall order, and even the mixed-fleet approach brings its own host of challenges.

A Proprietary, High-Inertia Rotor That Maintains An Impressive Amount Of Energy

Mark Sprigg of Magni USA brought their M-24 Orion to the  Deland Sport Aviation Showcase, a fully enclosed, side by side gyro. The Italian made aircraft is powered by a 115hp turbocharged Rotax 914, cruising up to 105 mph on its 21 gallon fuel tank. The Orion represents an unusual offering in the gyro world, being closer in design to traditional aircraft with its two-abreast seating and dual controls. Instructors and new owners find it the perfect classroom for learning the gyro ropes and honing vital senses unique to the type.

Also: EZ-UP Inspection Cover, XA100 Engine, USAF Vax Exemptions, Boeing/Airbus v 5G

Rotax unveiled another option for its range of light aircraft engines with a 24 volt option on its 915iS. The change will "provide pilots with a wide range of opportunities to upgrade their cockpits and flying experience - without added engine weight." The new 915iS C24 enables aircraft to operate 24V aircraft board systems, digital displays, glass cockpits, and reserves for auxiliary instruments, tablets, and gadgets. In a strongly worded letter to Santa Clara County’s (California) leadership, the FAA is investigating the County’s ongoing airport safety iss

Facetime at 35,000 Feet Begins

A new era of aeronautical internet connectivity has begun, with the rollout of the Gogo Business Aviation's 5G network. December 2021 saw the completion of the first series of 5G towers, completed just in time for a January launch. The services are only a prelude to a greater whole, with a flurry of additional sites set for launch throughout the first half of 2022. "These seven sites will serve as a testbed for our 150-tower nationwide network," said Mike Rupert, vice president of network operations for Gogo Business Aviation. "The testbed includes sites in both remote and populated locations in order to validate the network is operating as designed in all types of environments."

Says Air Travel Disruptions Will Be Reduced With Postponed 5G Activation

AT&T and Verizon have agreed to a 2-week pause before activating their new section of the C-band for 5G service, pushing their activation date from January 5 to the 19th. Also in the works are plans to limit output of certain transmitters in the vicinity of "priority" airports for 6 months while the effects are monitored. Network activation has been delayed multiple times, to the chagrin of speed-hungry technorati throughout the country. The introduction of 5G will bring a much-desired speed increase for consumers streaming high density data applications like video conferencing, high-def content streaming, or low-latency gaming.

Intentional Missile Attack Ruled as Terrorism, Iran Found at Fault in Canadian Court

Families of the Flight 752 seeking relief for the loss of their families aboard Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 found themselves victorious in their fight, when Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Belobaba found on a balance of probabilities that the intentional release of the missiles on the part of Iranian personnel amounted to an act of terrorism. That finding results in the invalidation of Iran's immunity against civil litigation, which led to the finding of a $107 million CAD verdict for the families. 

Klyde Wonders What's 'Next' For Flight Training

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Also: EZ-UP Inspection Cover, XA100 Engine, USAF Vax Exemptions, Boeing/Airbus v 5G

Rotax unveiled another option for its range of light aircraft engines with a 24 volt option on its 915iS. The change will "provide pilots with a wide range of opportunities to upgrade their cockpits and flying experience - without added engine weight." The new 915iS C24 enables aircraft to operate 24V aircraft board systems, digital displays, glass cockpits, and reserves for auxiliary instruments, tablets, and gadgets. In a strongly worded letter to Santa Clara County’s (California) leadership, the FAA is investigating the County’s ongoing airport safety iss

AD 2021-26-14 Retains The Requirements Of AD 2018-11-01 And Requires A Modification For Replacing Aluminum Splices

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-11-01, which applied to certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. AD 2018-11-01 required installing a cut-out for the left-hand (LH) and right-hand (RH) rail support junction profiles and repetitively inspecting splices, frame 5295, and related equipment for a crack. Since the FAA issued AD 2018-11-01, the manufacturer has developed a modification for in-service helicopters for replacing aluminum splices with steel splices on frame 5295. This AD retains the requirements of AD 2018-11-01 and requires a modification for replacing aluminum splices with steel

AD 2021-26-18 Prompted By Several Reported Occurrences Of Loss Of Tightening Torque Of The Shur-Lok Nut

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2020-21-01 for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS-365N2, AS 365N3, EC 155B, EC155B1, and SA-365N1 helicopters. AD 2020-21-01 required modifying the main gearbox (MGB) tail rotor (T/R) drive flange installation. This AD was prompted by several reported occurrences of loss of tightening torque of the Shur-Lok nut, which serves as a retainer of the MGB T/R drive flange. This AD continues to require modifying the MGB T/R drive flange installation, and includes additional helicopters in the applicability  for the required actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on t

Aero Linx: The UK Space Agency The UK Space Agency funds a variety of space missions and programmes. The UK is involved in a variety of missions that help us understand and monitor how our planet is changing. Data from these missions helps support environmental management and aid efforts. UK Space Agency is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. We employ about 200 people based across Swindon, London and Harwell.

Obstruction Light A light or one of a group of lights, usually red or white, frequently mounted on a surface structure or natural terrain to warn pilots of the presence of an obstruction.

“This agreement ensures that there will be no disruptions to air operations over the next two weeks and puts us on track to substantially reduce disruptions to air operations when AT&T and Verizon launch 5G on January 19th...” Source: Comments by President Biden while reminding voters that the delays are essential to maintain the safety of air operations, and the consequences had providers not voluntarily complied.