Multi-Asset Search Saves Lives

On Monday, 14 August 2023, the United States Coast Guard and Navy rescued four divers—Ben Wiggins, 64; Luke Lodge, 26; Daniel Williams, 46; and Evan Williams, 16—gone missing some forty-nautical-miles southeast of North Carolina’s Cape Fear. A Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City HC-130 Hercules crew notified Coast Guard Sector North Carolina watchstanders at 00:45 EDT on the morning of 14 August that they’d spotted an SOS-strobe light, located the four missing divers, and launched a life raft.

Underwriting Dreams

Utilizing a new online platform, the 2024 Women in Aviation International (WAI) scholarship program is officially open, and members can review dozens of scholarships at www.WAI.org/scholarships. Currently, there are over 105 scholarships valued at more than $1-million offered for flight-training, engineering, maintenance, dispatch, drones, and professional development for individuals in all stages of life. The total amount of scholarships awarded by WAI since 1995 is now more than $16.4-million.

Also: Opener Aero, Piper M600/SLS HALO System, History Restored Tour to UT/CA, Cessna 120-140 Convention

Recently, the FAA published its long-anticipated and much-discussed proposal to expand opportunities—certification and otherwise—for Sport Aircraft and Pilots. Dubbed Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC), the proposed legislation’s ramifications are broader, considerably, than many LSA enthusiasts yet realize. The FAA contends it is moving to improve the collective safety of air-tours across Hawaii. The agency has outlined, more or less, what it touts a “consistent new process where air-tour operators can re

Also: Opener Aero, Piper M600/SLS HALO System, History Restored Tour to UT/CA, Cessna 120-140 Convention

Recently, the FAA published its long-anticipated and much-discussed proposal to expand opportunities—certification and otherwise—for Sport Aircraft and Pilots. Dubbed Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC), the proposed legislation’s ramifications are broader, considerably, than many LSA enthusiasts yet realize. The FAA contends it is moving to improve the collective safety of air-tours across Hawaii. The agency has outlined, more or less, what it touts a “consistent new process where air-tour operators c

South Florida Pilot Pathway Established

Florida aerospace college Wyman Aviation Academy has announced a unique partnership with Spirt Airlines through the Miramar, Florida-based air-carrier’s Spirit Wings Pilot Pathway Program. The partnership will provide graduates easily accessible, local mentorships with Spirit Airlines pilots and a fast-track to a flight-deck career as a First Officer with the airline.

Of Sad Stories and Happy Endings

On 13 August 2023, a MiG-23 went down while taking part in the Thunder Over Michigan air-show. Held yearly at Ypsilanti, Michigan’s Willow Run Airport (YIP), Thunder Over Michigan is among the U.S.’s premier air-shows, drawing aircraft from around the wide world. The accident aircraft, a MiG-23UB built in 1981 and imported from the Czech Republic, had been largely restored by and belonged to Dan “Files” Filer, a U.S. Navy combat veteran who flew A-6 Intruders in the Gulf War. A number of years ago, Mr. Filer happened upon a MiG-23 up for sale and pursued purchase of such. While seeking out parts for the jet, he discovered 17 additional MiG-23s (in various states of disrepair) for sale, and p

Local Investment Pays Off

Ethiopian Aviation Excellence Center in partnership Ethiopian Airlines—flag-carrier of the West-Central African nation of Ethiopia—has graduated over 1,500 students from its pilot-training, aviation-maintenance, cabin-crew, commercial, and hotel-operations curricula.

Dreamliner Engine Alone Accounts for 32 Million Flight Hours Since 2012

GE Aerospace’s GEnx engine family hit a milestone this year, with the 50-million mark passed faster than ever “for a commercial widebody engine”. While that niche is understandably small, it’s still a point of pride for the brand, when the GEnx-1B’s entry into service stands at just over 10 years ago. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has been the standard bearer for the type, racking up 32 million hours alone. 

From 2019 (YouTube Version): Able Flight Welcomes New Pilots At AirVenture

After seven weeks of intensive flight training and ground school, seven 2019 Able Flight scholarship recipients are now licensed pilots. Six trained at Purdue University and one at The Ohio State University, and they were honored at Able Flight’s annual Wings Pinning Ceremony at EAA AirVenture 2019. Among them is Leslie Irby, who lives in Georgia and was paralyzed in an auto accident in 2013. She told Aero-News that was inspired to learn to fly after learning the story of Bessie Coleman, who was the first woman of African-American descent, and the first of Native

From 2009 (YouTube Version): Just When You Think All Is Lost, You Can Find The Strength And Friends To Survive

August 8th, 2008 should have been the end of Aerosonic Corporation. Instead, it was a new beginning... albeit one fraught with despair, pain and (nearly) a loss of hope. Yes, it could have been the end... but, instead, it was an opportunity for a rugged company and the industry it was such a pivotal part of, to show what they, and the rest of the aviation community, was made of. And what was that? Stern stuff... amazing stuff... survivor stuff. Aerosonic suffered a catastrophic fire... it was an event that des

Airplane Proceeded Out Over The Lake, Reached A Peak Altitude Of 3,900 Ft, Before It Descended Rapidly Into The Lake At 0905

On July 29, 2023, at 0905 central daylight time, a North American AT-6D airplane, N49961, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was at the annual Experimental Aircraft Association AirVenture fly-in, held at the Wittman Regional Airport (OSH), Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Aero Linx: United Flying Octogenarians

We are an international group of more than 1,900 pilots who have acted as a certificated PIC on or after our 80th birthday. The UFO was "born" on November 2, 1982, in Las Vegas, NV. There, a group of senior pilots who mutually shared a love of aviation, set about to form a tax-exempt organization that would attract other 80-year-olds to join their quest. They adopted a charter, elected officers, set an original annual dues of $20, and determined to meet regularly in order to share stories (exaggerations?) of their piloting expertise and enjoy each other's company.

Say Altitude

Used by ATC to ascertain an aircraft's specific altitude/flight level. When the aircraft is climbing or descending, the pilot should state the indicated altitude rounded to the nearest 100 feet. 

“WAI proactively works to address our industry’s challenges, and one of those priorities is investing in our current and future global workforce. The support of our annual scholarship program is one of the major benefits of being a WAI member, and we appreciate the generosity of our scholarship sponsors.”   Source: WAI Interim CEO Stephanie Kenyon, discussing WAI's most recent scholarship efforts.