Also: Great Aircraft Raffle, Cancel Culture Strikes Boeing, ABQ Balloon Fiesta Postponed, USCG Rescue

Stratos Aircraft has conducted the first flight of its Stratos 716X model - registration N716X. The flight lasted 22 minutes. Flown by test pilot Sean VanHatten, the Stratos 716X is a spacious six-place jet with generous space for baggage. The all-carbon airframe, single-engine jet is designed to cruise at 400 knots. The first flight was a full power takeoff and climb to 13,500 ft. A series of maneuvers were then conducted to evaluate handling characteristics. The flight is the first of an extensive fli

Trailblazer Prop Will Be Standard Equipment

CubCrafters has chosen two of Hartzell Propeller's next generation carbon fiber structural composite propellers as the sole options for the airplane manufacturer's new nosewheel NXCub, which is headed to certification and production. "The Hartzell team is very pleased to continue our excellent and longstanding relationship with CubCrafters," said Hartzell Propeller President JJ Frigge. "The new NXCub has the opportunity of opening up backcountry flying to a much broader portion of the pilot population, and we are privileged to take part." Hartzell's carbon fiber composite two-blade Trailblazer prop will be standard equipment on the NXCub. Hartzell's newly certified three-blade Pathfinder propeller w

Will Incorporate Aerial Photography Systems To The Helicopter Before It Is Officially Put Into Service

Bell Textron recently delivered an Electronic News Gathering (ENG) Bell 429 to the Chinese national television broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV). This Bell 429 is the first dedicated ENG configured helicopter in China as well as the first ENG configured Bell 429 to operate in North Asia.  "It's a great milestone for Bell to collaborate with the Chinese TV station like CCTV," said Jacinto Monge, Managing Director of North Asia- Bell. "We appreciate the support we have received from the media community all over the world."

Next Launch Attempt Time/Date Yet To Be determined

SpaceX is standing down from today's launch of its tenth Starlink mission due to weather conditions. The SpaceX teams are working with the Range to determine the next available opportunity for launch of 57 Starlink satellites and 2 BlackSky satellites, a Spaceflight customer, from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Falcon 9’s first stage previously supported Crew Dragon’s first demonstration mission to the International Space Station, launch of the RADARSAT Constellation Mission, and the fourth and seventh Starlink missions. Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the “Of Course I Still Love You” droneship, w

Now Available For Delivery In Both New Praetor Jets

Embraer has announced a series of cabin enhancements for its Praetor 500 midsize and Praetor 600 super-midsize business jets, consolidating the Praetor position as the best cabin environment among all medium jets. In addition to the lowest cabin altitude in the class (5,800 feet) and 100% fresh air capability, Embraer is now making the HEPA filter standard on all Praetor aircraft, announcing the certification of a new electric lavatory pocket door, and approving the use of MicroShield360.

From 2010: Decorated Champion Offers Unique Perspective on Aerobatic Community

On December 6th through December 9th, the Paris Las Vegas Hotel hosted over 1,500 air show professionals and enthusiasts to the 2009 International Council of Air Shows Convention. Started in 1967, the annual ICAS Convention provides professionals a community forum in which to network with industry leaders, plan upcoming air shows, and offer continued support to fellow performers and representatives. One of the many professionals in attendance was the 2006 and 2008 U.S. National Aerobatic Champion, Debb

Will Support Air Ambulance And Medevac Missions Throughout Greece

Textron was awarded a contract by Sundt Air for two Beechcraft King Air 350C turboprop aircraft to support air ambulance and medevac missions throughout Greece. The Athens-based aircraft will be owned by the country’s Ministry of Health, with the Hellenic Air Force overseeing maintenance and operation in support of disaster relief, medical rescue, inter-hospital transfer and repatriation to mainland health care services. Medical staff from the National Centers for Emergency Care will administer medical care to patients aboard the aircraft.

Over 34 Years Of Experience In The Industry

Hal Chrisman has taken over as president of Raisbeck Engineering, Inc. headquartered in Seattle, Washington. A seasoned aviation, aerospace and defense professional with over 34 years of experience in the industry, Chrisman has split his time between consulting and executive level industry positions which span all major market segments including business aviation, commercial air transport, defense, and rotary wing. Most recently, Chrisman was Chief Strategy Officer with Acorn Growth Companies.

Engine Seemed To Lose Power Without Any Associated Indication, Vibration, Or Abnormal Noise

On July 1, 2020, about 1930 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28-140 airplane, N6530W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Bridgeport, Texas. The pilot and two passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that after takeoff, about 150 ft. above ground level, the engine seemed to lose power without any associated indication, vibration, or abnormal noise. His attempts to determine the cause of the problem and restore engine power were not successful. He executed a forced landing "to a field of medium-maturity mesquite trees"that resul

AD 2020-14-01 Removing Affected Bolts From Service

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Bell Textron Inc. (Bell) Model 214ST helicopters. This AD was prompted by the discovery of bolts with nonconforming external thread root radii. This AD requires removing the affected bolts from service and prohibits installing an affected bolt on any helicopter. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 11, 2020.

Aero Linx: Texas Aviation Association Our goal is to preserve and protect Texas airports and to advance public understanding of general aviation to the citizens of Texas. In 1999 there was a grass roots effort to save Robert Mueller Airport in Austin, Texas. “Friends of Robert Mueller” was formed after it was learned that the city of Austin planned to close the airport and move all commercial and general aviation facilities to the new Austin Bergstrom International Airport. “Friends of Robert Mueller” successfully raised awareness of the impending loss of facilities but could not save Mueller and Austin Executive airports, both of which closed in the summer of 1999.

Sectional Aeronautical Charts Designed for visual navigation of slow or medium speed aircraft. Topographic information on these charts features the portrayal of relief and a judicious selection of visual check points for VFR flight. Aeronautical information includes visual and radio aids to navigation, airports, controlled airspace, permanent special use airspace (SUA), obstructions, and related data.

"The Hartzell team is very pleased to continue our excellent and longstanding relationship with CubCrafters. The new NXCub has the opportunity of opening up backcountry flying to a much broader portion of the pilot population, and we are privileged to take part." Source: Hartzell Propeller President JJ Frigge, discussing the news that CubCrafters has chosen two of Hartzell Propeller's next generation carbon fiber structural composite propellers as the sole options for the airplane manufacturer's new nosewheel NXCub, which is headed to certification and production.