Aero Linx: The International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) The International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) is comprised of Mission organizations, flight schools, and individuals who are using aviation to facilitate the cross-cultural spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as well as to aid the needy in Christ's name.

DETRESFA (Distress Phrase)   The code word used to designate an emergency phase wherein there is reasonable certainty that an aircraft and its occupants are threatened by grave and imminent danger or require immediate assistance.

But Take A Moment To Do It The Right Way

While broadband has become very much the default internet connection everywhere from homes to offices and coffee shops, there are still a lot of places where a high-speed connection is not available, or you're stuck tethering to your phone with only one "civilization bar" to get your Aero-News. ANN goes through a lot of trouble to make the graphics flashy and cool and an integral part of the story. But let's face it, they're bandwidth-intensive. So here are a couple of thoughts on how to get the most out of Aero-News in the least amount of time.

"General aviation is at the forefront of developing and introducing innovative technologies that will transform the entire aviation industry..." Source: Kyle Martin, Vice President of European Affairs at GAMA, highlighting the pivotal role that general aviation plays in introducing innovative technologies that promise to transform the broader aviation landscape.

Beta Technologies Alia 250 MAkes Transition Flight

Vermont-based Beta Technologies has marked a significant advancement in the eVTOL aircraft sector with the successful piloted transition of its Alia-250 from vertical hover to cruise flight. This development underscores Beta's commitment to pioneering practical and commercially viable eVTOL solutions. The transition, which occurred with a pilot on board, involved moving from a stationary hover to forward flight, showcasing the aircraft's dual capabilities. Beta's journey began in 2020, quickly positioning itself as a leader in real-world eVTOL application, a stance bolstered by military airworthiness approval for manned electric flights in 2021.

SPEEA Union Files NLRB Complaint Against Boeing

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) has lodged a formal complaint with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging retaliation by Boeing management against two of its union members. These engineers, who were tasked as representatives of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under the Organization Delegation Authorization (ODA), challenged Boeing to revisit engineering evaluations on the 777 and 787 models following new FAA advisories. According to SPEEA, the engineers' insistence on reevaluating previous assessments to ensure compliance with FAA guidance led to pushback from Boeing managers.

Aura Aero Inks Deal for INTEGRAL E to Norwegian Sporting Group

Norges Luftsportforbund chose Aura Aero's little 2-seater in electric trim for their next glider tow aircraft. The INTEGRAL E takes the low-wing, tricycle gear, bubble canopy design of the usual tandem-seat LSA design and replaces an assortment of piston engines with Safran's ENGINeUS electric power plant. The 'E' model should offer some of the best of both worlds, the easy and simple maintenance of an electric motor with the affordable refueling costs of plugging 'er into an outlet. Aura Aero says the Integral E should be good for about 60 minutes of flight time at a stretch, with a sub-30 minute recharging time.

Climate Protesters Arrested for Invading Hanscom Field

On the morning of April 20, a protest by climate activists at Hanscom Field airport in Bedford, Massachusetts, led to the arrest of 20 individuals. The protesters, believed to be associated with the group Extinction Rebellion, were part of a larger gathering of approximately 25 people voicing opposition to the proposed expansion of the airport to include 17 new private jet hangars. Massachusetts State Police spokesperson Dave Procopio reported that the demonstrators breached a security perimeter, prompting a response from state and local police forces. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) noted that the breach led to a temporary closure of the airport as a precautionary measure. Charges against the arrested individuals included trespassing and disorderly conduct.

NTSB Praises New FAA Policy on Controller Rest and Duty Time

The NTSB has long highlighted the risks associated with fatigue among air traffic controllers, advocating for changes to ensure they receive adequate rest. Recently, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy praised the new FAA regulation requiring air traffic controllers to have at least 10 hours off between shifts and 12 hours off before a midnight shift. This policy adjustment aims to enhance safety by ensuring controllers are well-rested and alert. This initiative comes after tragic incidents that underscored the severe implications of controller fatigue. A notable example is the Comair flight 5191 crash on August 27, 2006, in Lexington, Kentucky, where 49 lives were lost when a plane took off from the wrong runway. The controller on duty had returned to work just nine hours after completing his previous shift, having managed only a two-hour nap in the interim. The lack of rest was pointed out in the investigation as a significant factor contributing to the accident.