Way Too Close For Comfort

As if in response to the Pentagon’s 17 October 2023 release of video evidence depicting a preponderance of reckless and antagonistic Chinese intercepts of U.S. warplanes, a Chinese fighter jet, on 24 October, closed within ten-feet of a U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber during a nighttime intercept over the South China Sea. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command deemed the Chinese pilot’s actions “unsafe and unprofessional.” The incident marked the latest white-knuckle encounter of Chinese and U.S. combat aircraft in the region.

Clearer Skies Ahead for Business Aviation

The Third Quarter 2023 Market Report released by the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA) predicts a significantly larger market going forward. The report includes hard sales data in addition to the perspectives of IADA’s global members.

Novel Space-Plane Nears Operational Readiness

Sierra Space has completed the first mission Flight Operations Review of the inaugural Dream Chaser mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Subject review, which was completed at NASA's Johnson Space Center by dint of a collaboration between Sierra Space Dream Chaser flight control team and its NASA counterpart, was a crucial step in preparation for the mission.

Slouching Toward Bethlehem

The United States Air Force U.S. has begun training Ukrainian pilots to fly General Dynamics’s F-16 multirole fighter. Controversial in the utmost, the training was heralded by USAF Brigadier General Pat Ryder, who stated on 24 August 2023 that U.S. training of Ukrainian aviators would commence “within two months.” Ryder’s assertion missed the mark by only 24-hours. While Ryder cited no specific numbers, he set forth Ukrainian pilot and maintenance trainees would number “several” and “dozens” respectively. The training is being carried out at Tucson, Arizona’s Morris Air National Guard Base under the auspices of the Air National Guard’s 162nd Wing.

Knee-Deep In the Hoopla

On Tuesday, 24 October 2023, the U.S. Senate, by way of a 98-0 vote, confirmed Michael Whitaker as the Federal Aviation Administration’s new permanent Administrator. Whitaker’s confirmation affords the FAA its first stable leadership since Stephen Dickson vacated the Administrator’s office in March 2022. Adding its powerful voice to those of airline and aviation industry organizations the likes of ALPA, GAMMA, NBAA, and NATA, the Experimental Aircraft Association has weighed in on Whitaker's confirmation and imminent ascension to the FAA's top job.

Drone Deliveries of Medications Commence

The means by which commerce is conducted changed forever on Friday, 23 December 2022. As the larger world occupied itself with holiday parties and last minute Christmas shopping, citizens of Lockeford, California and College Station, Texas braced for the rolling out of Prime Air—Amazon’s much-anticipated drone delivery service—which the online giant debuted in the two towns. Comes now October 2023 and the advent of Amazon Pharmacy, a service by which College Station residents can have prescription medications delivered by drone. Eligible customers are able to access upwards of five-hundred medications, to include treatments for common ailments such as asthma and the flu,

Popular Powerplant, Popular Airport, Popular Service

StandardAero, the Scottsdale, Arizona-based provider of aircraft Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services, now offers CFM International CFM56-7B turbofan engine test services from its DFW Center of Excellence at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.  StandardAero recently completed test cell correlation for the popular CFM56-7B powerplant at its state-of-the-art, six-cell DFW test complex.

Actually... It's Klyde Standard Time

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

It All Adds Up …

Replete with useful tips for solving math problems without benefit of paper or calculator, Mental Math for Pilots, Third Edition, by Ronald D. McElroy improves overall pilot mathematical acumen and sharpens skills germane to the cockpit and the airline interview. The book was written for purpose of helping pilots remain ahead of their airplanes and careers by virtue of mental math tools and shortcuts by which flight and navigation are rendered more intuitive and efficient.

Louis Dreyfus Armateurs to Build Three Ships

Airbus, the European multinational aerospace consortium comprising discrete commercial, defense and space, and helicopter divisions, is making ready to renew the fleet of chartered ocean vessels by which the company transports aircraft subassemblies between its European and U.S. assembly facilities. The ships currently utilized by the air-framer will be replaced with a trio of modern, low-emission, roll-on/roll-off vessels featuring wind-assisted propulsion. Airbus has commissioned French merchant firm Louis Dreyfus Armateurs to build, own, and operate the three new vessels, which are slated to commence entering service in 2026.

From 2017 (YouTube Version): Fun and Fantasy through Drone Technology…

Drones come in all shapes and sizes, and we’re finding out that their design purpose is almost limitless. In this video, we find a series of small drones that are based on the Star Wars movie series. While at the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas in January 2017, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, talked with Jack Bishop, who is the Head Development Pilot for Propel RC. While these drones are obviously aimed at the market of fun and fantasy, the technology involved in their design and controllability is stunning. During the discussion

NFL Star Russ Francis and AOPA Official Richard McSpadden Lost

The NTSB has released its preliminary report on a 01 October 2023 accident in which a Cessna 172 RG (Retractable Gear), registration N545PZ, was substantially damaged and its pilot and pilot-rated passenger fatally injured shortly after departing New York’s Lake Placid Airport (LKP). The accident aircraft was operated as an aerial photography flight under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

Aero Linx: The American Society of Aerospace Medicine Specialists

The Society is a non-profit organization created to serve as a voice for and represent the professional needs of Aerospace Medicine specialists in the United States. The Society is a constituent organization of the Aerospace Medical Association (AsMA). Members are specialists in the field of Aerospace Medicine dedicated to the advancement of aviation and space medicine.

Ground Clutter A pattern produced on the radar scope by ground returns which may degrade other radar returns in the affected area. The effect of ground clutter is minimized by the use of moving target indicator (MTI) circuits in the radar equipment resulting in a radar presentation which displays only targets which are in motion.

“We very much appreciate the Senate’s swift action to confirm Michael Whitaker as FAA Administrator, as it brings long-term stability and leadership to the agency. With the administrator’s confirmation complete, Congress can now turn its attention to the urgent matters of FAA authorization and appropriations to provide further stability for the entire spectrum of aviation in our country.”

Source: EAA's Jack Pelton, reacting to the confirmation of Michael Whitaker as the new FAA Boss.