Also: CTS First PW2000, Hypersonic Weapon Contract, Nat'l Airspace System Book, Alaska Accident

In light of the increasing use of questionable marketing and some deceptive tactics by companies like Icon Aircraft and Cirrus, ANN has attempted to cut through the fog and list companies and aircraft we feel comfortable in recommending to our readers and viewers. This year, we’re pleased to report a solid and growing list of great planes and companies that deserve your consideration, and that we’re also attempting to ease your chores by adding an ‘Integrity rating” to our evaluation process to indicate the confidence we have in the data and companies we evaluate. The FAA is requesting public comment on the agency's proposal to discontinue the Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS). According to the Federal Register, Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS

Also: Aerion Supersonic, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Australia GA Maintenance, Flight Training Legislation

The Bell 525 Relentless program is closing in on an anticipated 2019 certification, as yet another milestone was completed as part of a series of rigorous test protocols. The Bell 525 program recently completed hot weather testing in Yuma, Arizona at temperatures up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit as well as high altitude operations to density altitudes of 14,000 feet. “We successfully completed hot weather testing last week in yuma, arizona,” said Troy Caudill, Chief Test Pilot, Bell 525 Program. “The aircraft performed very well and we are gathering test data for certification.” NASA’s Parker Solar Probe launched Sunday to begin its journey to the Sun. The spacecraft will transmit its first science observations in December. Roughly the size of a small car, the spacec

Also: Illinois Drone Rules, San Diego FD, 2018 UAS Summit & Expo, Drone Ops over DOD Facilities

The aero-political scene remains active and a bit frustrating but AMA remains an active participant in important model aviation issues. AMA tells us that, “The AMA Government Affairs team has been working persistently with lawmakers this year to ensure our hobby is protected in FAA reauthorization legislation. The Senate’s August recess gave our team a few days to adjust our strategy towards preserving Section 336 and to address some state and local concerns.” The largest professional drone racing league in the world hosted the biggest drone sports gathering in history last week. The 2nd annual MultiGP International Open took place Aug. 8-12 at the Academy of Model Aeronautics headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, USA. The week long event attracted the best pilots from all over the

Also: Colorado Reservists, Flight Examiner Bribe Attempt, Boeing 737 Logjam, World Helicopter Day

An airport worker, first identified as a mechanic, and then as a ramp agent, apparently took unauthorized possession of a Horizon Air Q400 twin turboprop, powered it up, and somehow took off without permission from Sea-Tac Airport late Friday night. There are extensive questions (and few answers) as to how he took control, got the aircraft powered up, and then gained access to a runway to engage in a takeoff -- and how much supervision/surveillance surrounded the airplane. Throughout the flight, the only person on board, Richard Russell, engaged in sightseeing and radical maneuvers that included rolls and inverted flight. Russell admitted that much of his flight experience came from flight simulator gaming. A recent flight by a NOAA Gulfstream IV Hurricane Hunter aircraft to Hawaii is thought to be th

Also: Aerion Supersonic, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Australia GA Maintenance, Flight Training Legislation

The Bell 525 Relentless program is closing in on an anticipated 2019 certification, as yet another milestone was completed as part of a series of rigorous test protocols. The Bell 525 program recently completed hot weather testing in Yuma, Arizona at temperatures up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit as well as high altitude operations to density altitudes of 14,000 feet. “We successfully completed hot weather testing last week in yuma, arizona,” said Troy Caudill, Chief Test Pilot, Bell 525 Program. “The aircraft performed very well and we are gathering test data for certification.” NASA’s Parker Solar Probe launched Sunday to begin its journey to the Sun. The spacecraft will transmit its first science observations in December. Roughly the size of a small car, the spacec

Also: Cyberhawk, Oceans Unmanned, VerdeGo Aero, Swift Engineering

A pioneering commercial BVLOS delivery by drone brought ice cream to a two-year-old in a demonstration conducted in Virginia by Alphabet's Wing. The delivery flight covered 1.4 miles, and arrived within eight minutes from the time the order was completed by the mom of the lucky toddler. It was conducted under new rules that allow some states and other government entities to experiment with BVLOS drone flights put in place last year. Among those in attendance at the demonstration was Earl Lawrence, director of the FAA's UAS Integration Office. “You did see something historic today,” Lawrence said. “They can share the fact that the U.S. does have package delivery in its future.” dvancements in unmanned technology and the possibility that actual pilots may be minimized, as a result, is creating some turbulence a

Also: Colorado Reservists, Flight Examiner Bribe Attempt, Boeing 737 Logjam, World Helicopter Day

An airport worker, first identified as a mechanic, and then as a ramp agent, apparently took unauthorized possession of a Horizon Air Q400 twin turboprop, powered it up, and somehow took off without permission from Sea-Tac Airport late Friday night. There are extensive questions (and few answers) as to how he took control, got the aircraft powered up, and then gained access to a runway to engage in a takeoff -- and how much supervision/surveillance surrounded the airplane. Throughout the flight, the only person on board, Richard Russell, engaged in sightseeing and radical maneuvers that included rolls and inverted flight. Russell admitted that much of his flight experience came from flight simulator gaming. A recent flight by a NOAA Gulfstream IV Hurricane Hunter aircraft to Hawaii is thought to be th

New Airborne Program Highlights News & Features Dedicated To Women in the Aviation/Aerospace Community

The Aero-News Network, the producer of aviation’s longest running Daily aviation video news program series, Airborne, is pleased to announce the addition of ‘Airborne-Aviatrix’ to this year’s upcoming production schedule. It is the Airborne news team’s intention to produce innovative and compelling programming dedicated to the role of women in aviation and aerospace. Airborne-Aviatrix (AAx) will start as a weekly web news program produced under the Airborne programming mantra and will consist of stories, news and features about the important and under-reported role many of today’s women are playing in the Aero-Verse. The topic is so compelling that the potential for greater than weekly frequencies, as well as longer formats, are both significant – and anticipated. AAx will be produced by the Aero-News Network in partnership with a number of parties that will be announced at the 2018 AirVenture F

Flight Training Facility Expands Services To Include Twin Engine Aircraft

Bell Helicopter has announced a signature from Edic Horizon International Flight Academy to purchase two Bell 429 aircraft. Based at Al Ain International Airport, Edic Horizon International Flight Academy utilizes their fleet of entirely Bell aircraft to provide flight training to a variety of international students.

Transaction Valued At $250 Million

Jet Aviation has completed its acquisition of Hawker Pacific, a leading provider of Civil MRO, Fleet and FBO Services, and Aircraft Sales across Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The transaction is valued at $250 million.