Ten GE9X Engines Have Been Delivered For Boeing’s Four 777X Flight Test Airplanes

GE Aviation's GE9X engine has been certified by the FAA, a key milestone in its journey to power the new twin-engine Boeing 777X family. The FAR Part 33 certification involved eight test engines. This certification achievement culminates GE Aviation’s renewal of its commercial jet engine portfolio, including the GEnx for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and the CFM LEAP engine. “It takes the world’s best talent in jet propulsion to create a game-changing product like the GE9X engine,” said John Slattery, president and CEO of GE Aviation.

Also: NASA Polishes Image, Drone Airspace Access, All-Electric Ecomax Heli, 1st Brazilian Gripen

One of the efforts ANN and Jim Campbell are best known for, are our flight test reports. However; the amount of work required to keep ANN on the straight and level hasn’t allowed us to do any for a while. Further; we’ve been aggressively pursuing a new plan for how to conduct them in terms of the many media options currently available. Well... for now, the highly detailed and long-awaited flight test report on the Pipistrel Panthera is now online with parts 1 and 2, so far, of the massive 8000 word 6-part report. The rest of the report will be unveiled in  portions every few days. Shortly thereafter; we will also produce a video report once we have finalized our video test criteria. What a crushing disappointment... Due to weather conditions, the aircraft participating in the Arsenal o

Also: Sterling Flight Training, National Aviation Academy, Young Eagles Workshops, ERAU Suspensions

One of our favorite training birds is back... and upgraded, to boot! The high demand for single engine training aircraft has led to the return to production of the Diamond DA20-C1, powered by a 125HP Continental IO-240 engine and equipped with new state-of-the-art G500TXi Avionics. With over 1,000 DA20’s already operating worldwide, the strong desire for lower cost new single engine aircraft in training environments continues. The DA20 is proven to be the safest and most efficient aircraft for primary training, and fleet operators are raving about its return to production. A new program could have a significant impact on your access to flight training... CAE has launched a new financing initiative for aspiring pilots in collaboration with financial institutions around the world. With this init

Features Ruth Fleisher, WASP and Longtime IWASM Member

The International Women’s Air & Space Museum (IWASM) has a new exhibit on Ruth Fleisher, a pilot, longtime member of IWASM, and member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). Fleisher joined the WASP in 1943. Although 25,000 women applied to join the WASP during World War II, Fleisher was one of only 1,102 pilots accepted. The WASP worked as test pilots for aircraft, ferried aircraft, and transported equipment, among other duties, until they were disbanded in December 1944, without recognition as military veterans until 1977.

Cleared by ANAC and FAA

Embraer has confirmed that the Synthetic Vision Guidance System (SVGS) for the midsize Praetor 500 and super-midsize Praetor 600 business jets was awarded certification by both the civil aviation authority of Brazil, Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), and the FAA. Embraer is the first OEM to receive SVGS certification approval. The SVGS provides pilots with a dynamic perception of position, trend, and motion, facilitating the transition to utilizing visual references and enabling the safe completion of more missions during inclement weather and lower ceiling approaches. The system allows pilots to operate the aircraft to a decision height of 150 feet (SA-CAT I), as opposed to the regular decision height of 200 feet, increasing operational efficiency and allowing access to several airports during inclement weather and lower ceiling approaches.

Four USAF Demo Teams, Three Aerobatic Shows, Tora! Tora! Tora! -- and Now, The F-35!

ANN Real-Time Update, 1955ET, 09.28.20: We just got the word... the F-35 is coming! The F-35A Lightning II Demo has now been added to the CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow lineup - for the first time, ALL of U.S. Air Force demonstration teams will be flying in the same show in the United States! The F-35A Lightening II, the U.S. Air Force's latest fifth-generation fighter, features incredible aerodynamic performance and next-generation stealth capabilities. Last year, Wings Over Houston was one of only 19 shows hosting the demo in its premier season.

Pilot Furloughs Cancelled, 13000 Pilots Stay Employed

Our friends flying for United Airlines tell us that they "worked hard for this one." What they're talking about is their approval of a Pandemic Recovery Letter of Agreement (LOA) with United Airlines management. The agreement keeps all 13,000 United pilots employed and cancels the 2,850 previously announced furloughs. “Our members understood that in order to protect pilot jobs, we needed to approve this agreement,” said Capt. Todd Insler, United ALPA Master Executive Council chairman. “We’re spreading the existing flying among our pilot group while locking in permanent contractual gains. I am proud of our pilots for showing the unity and resolve needed in the face of uncertainty.”

From 2015: Long-Time Rotorcraft Manufacturer Looks To Build North American Presence

While at EAA AirVenture 2015, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, checked in on the world of kit-built helicopters by visiting with Raul Oreste, the Chief Commercial Officer for Cicare SA Helicopters. Cicare helicopters is located in Argentina but they are now setting up operations in the United States. Oreste tells us that their company now has four models of helicopters on the market. As he discusses each model, you’ll see each one being flown in the video. An unusual twist in their line of helicopters is a tandem seat version.

The USAF Recently Launched Agility Prime

AirMap was awarded a contract to provide unmanned aircraft system (UAS) traffic management (UTM) services to the United States Air Force (USAF)’s Agility Prime program. The USAF will use AirMap’s UTM platform to support testing of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in preparation for scaling of advanced air mobility operations. The USAF recently launched Agility Prime, a non-traditional program seeking to accelerate the commercial market for advanced air mobility vehicles (i.e., “flying cars“). Leveraging unique testing resources and government use cases for distributed logistics and disaster response, the USAF plans to mitigate current commercial market and regulatory risks.

Training Of Royal Thai Air Force Pilots/Maintenance Professionals To Begin In 2022

The Royal Thai Air Force has contracted with Textron/Beedchcraft for an Integrated Training System in support of operations at the Royal Thai Air Force Flying Training School at Kamphaeng Saen air base. The contract is for 12 Beechcraft T-6C Texan II advanced military training aircraft, ground-based training systems for pilots and maintenance professionals, a mission planning and debrief system, spare parts and ground support equipment. The work will take place at the company's Wichita, Kansas facilities. "The Royal Thai Air Force operates one of the most advanced air forces in Asia Pacific and is a key U.S. security ally," said Thomas Webster, regional director of Textron Aviation Defense Asia Pacific Sales.