16th Edition of Mt. Vernon, Illinois Fly-In Open to All

The 16 Annual Midwest Aviation Expo is on for next September, running from the 5th to 7th. The event is held at the Mt. Vernon Outland Airport (KMVN) in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, open to all comers in the aeronautical scene no matter their niche. That being said, the Expo has traditionally catered to the light aviation scene, offering more affordable smiles-per-mile than other markets of aircraft. Midwest Expo management promises that despite the growth they'll retain its distinctive "hometown-feel-show" that it has in the past. Solid hospitality, charm, demonstrations, and some old-fashioned horse trading lend the affair a good down-home vibe, at a price to match (free!).

Baroneers Add One More Panel Option to the Collection

Dynon's SkyView HDX is now available for Beechcraft Baron 58 and 58As, offering a cost-effective upgrade and 3-axis autopilot system. The system is capable of flying instrument approaches when combined with a compatible IFR nav device, which altogether packs quite a bit of capability into a flight deck. When added to an existing SkyView HDX, the 3-axis autopilot lists at $11,192 for the hardware, modules, servo harnesses, and brackets. Additional niceties like the Autopilot Control Panel and Knob Control Panel are extra. The former allows for a panel of A/P controls for about $664, with the latter granting the kind of fine controls enjoyed by fastidious operators like altitude, heading, an

The Hall Of Fame Honors Men And Women Who Have Made Significant Contributions To The Sport Of Aeromodelling

AMA is excited to announce that the following seven individuals were inducted into the 2023 AMA Model Aviation Hall of Fame class: Tom Cook, Robert “Hoot” Gibson, Frank Kagele, Walter “Walt” Moucha, Jerald “Jerry” Murphy, Mike Welshans, and Joyce Hager. Established in 1969, the Hall of Fame honors men and women who have made significant contributions to the sport of Aeromodelling. Contributions may be in volunteer or administrative activities, product development, competition performance, or a variety or combination of activities. In January 2009, the Executive Council voted to change the award's name

Officers to Train with Canadians on Variety of Test Planes 

The International Test Pilots School in Canada has renewed a contract with the Royal Netherlands Air Force, allowing them to continue providing its Masters Test Pilot and Flight Test Engineer courses. The school is the "world's biggest independent school of experimental flight testing", and has all the required accreditation for international students to gain a desired certification. Starting this month, Dutch military pilots and engineers will begin a "rigorous 12-month program which includes over 500 hours of lectures and exam and 120 flight hours of instruction and exercises."

Custom Paint, Interior Caps Brand-New Addition to Corporate Customer Fleet

Duncan Aviation finished off its first complete G650 paint job from its full-service maintenance, repair, and overhaul facility in Provo, Utah. The firm was able to ply its trade on an aircraft recently purchased by a long-time Duncan customer who just made the jump from a Falcon 50. He tendered the aircraft straight from its pre-purchase evaluation in order to strip it down and rework the styling to match the client's branding.

Jazz Pilots Elected Four Officers For A Two-Year Term

Jazz Aviation pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int'l (ALPA), elected four officers for a two-year term beginning February 7, 2024, and ending February 6, 2026. Capt. Claude Buraglia was reelected chair of the Jazz Aviation Master Executive Council (MEC) for an eighth consecutive term. Capt. Buraglia is a Bombardier CRJ200/900 pilot based in Montreal, QC. “It's been a privilege to serve Jazz pilots for nearly 13 years as MEC chair. I appreciate the continued support and trust of the MEC in advocating for Jazz pilots. In addition, I look forward to continuing to build a relationship of trust with the Air Canada MEC and supporting their negotiations towards a

Also: NBAA Wants Reauth ASAP, New IAC Boss Wanted, Airbus Helos, Air Borealis 

Southwest Airlines pilots ratified their tentative agreement to the tune of 93% in their recent vote, solidifying the last of the 'Big Four' in domestic airlines. The deal stands for a 5-year contract, which will grant an immediate 29.15% increase in pay rates upon ratification, followed by yearly increases of 4% in 2025, 2026, and 2027. That drops to a smaller 3.25% bump in 2028. ARC Aerosystems has reported to ANN that it has finalized a transaction for the sale of five Pegasus aircraft to a Scottish investor to lease to a pilot training school and an aerial service ope

FBO Merges Ops Into Single Unit On-Field

Reading, Pennsylvania has newly streamlined operations at General Carl A. Spaatz Field now that Reading Aviation has merged both Fixed Base Operators into one. The operation is now entirely overseen by local government, with a full rebrand and refresh planned to begin in the next 2 years. Once done, Reading will sport updated facilities, more conference space, rest areas, and day offices for local businesses opening at the field. Currently, Reading’s FBO sports an 18,000-square foot building, originally operated by Millennium Aviation, with lounges, offices, and an onsite eatery.

A final report regarding the fatal spin of an Aeronca Champ in September 2022 has been released, with suspicion given to carb ice during the initial climbout. The crash killed both the pilot and passenger-pilot not long after departure, when the 7AC Champion they were flying crashed into the ground 500 feet from the runway threshold. Bystanders said the aircraft had been climbing at a steep angle before entering a descending left turn. Given the conditions at the time, the NTSB believes it's most likely that the aircraft had been afflicted by carburetor icing, leading to a stall and spin upon climbout. 

From 2016 (YouTube Version): Onboard The Flying Fortress

Our ANN video crew was at the ‘Wings Over The Rockies Blue Star Weekend’ event that occurred during the first weekend of May, 2016. This event, with support from the National Museum of World War II Aviation, presented a Blue Star Weekend, which is a special Mother’s Day event honoring veterans and mothers of veterans. One of the features of the weekend was the arrival of EAA’s B-17G, known as the ‘Aluminum Overcast.’ The B-17 and its crew were there to display the aircraft and provide rides in this historical airplane. Those who elected to fly in the aircr

Aero Linx: The Space Studies Institute  The Space Studies Institute is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization founded by Gerard O’Neill in 1977 exclusively for charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes. Our goals are to conduct and support theoretical and experimental research related to the knowledge, understanding and use of energy and material resources in space for the improvement of the human condition. SSI will achieve these goals by engaging in research itself and by funding and otherwise supporting research and related educational activities at selected colleges, universities and other scientific institutions.

Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) The lowest MSL altitude at which an IFR aircraft will be vectored by a radar controller, except as otherwise authorized for radar approaches, departures, and missed approaches. The altitude meets IFR obstacle clearance criteria. It may be lower than the published MEA along an airway or J-route segment. It may be utilized for radar vectoring only upon the controller's determination that an adequate radar return is being received from the aircraft being controlled. Charts depicting minimum vectoring altitudes are normally available only to the controllers and not to pilots.

“While we will continue to promote the light aviation industry, our goal for Midwest Aviation Expo 2024 is an enhanced attendee experience, and we are beginning preparations now to make that happen. Come and be a part of us, let us welcome YOU!" Source: Good news from the renamed Midwest Aviation Expo... an event that we strongly recommended... we'll be there in '24.