Honesty’s Failures as a Guiding Policy

U.S. federal investigators suspect some 4,800 pilots—primarily U.S. military veterans—falsified their medical records for purpose of concealing their receipt of V.A. benefit conducive to the treatment of mental health disorders and similarly serious conditions by dint of which they could be deemed medically unfit to fly. Veterans Affairs investigators discovered the inconsistencies by cross-checking federal databases. The FAA, however, has purposefully concealed the debacle from public scrutiny.

Worrying Incidence of Cockpit Microsleeps Reported

A newly-released report painted a poor picture of fatigue risk management in European aviation. Subject report—compiled by the aviation safety management consultancy Baines Simmons and titled A fatigue survey of European Pilots—analyzed the responses of nearly 6,900 European pilots hailing from 31 countries. The report identified not only significant indicators of fatigue ahead of the busy summer travel season, but shortcomings peculiar to the means by which European airlines manage fatigue risks. Airlines under the safety oversight of several countries—in particular Ireland, Malta, Spain, and the UK—stood out as the worst performers across many of the aspects addr

Also: TFR Violation, AA Pilots Upgraded, Sheriff Helo Downed, SpaceX Crew-7

GAMA has published the second quarter 2023 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report. Compared to the same time period in 2022, the general aviation aircraft manufacturing industry increased the volume and value of aircraft deliveries across all segments. Worldwide, on 23 September 2023, thousands of girls ages eight through 18 will enjoy the Ninth Annual Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) in their local communities through unique events hosted by WAI chapters and corporate members. WAI will continue to offer additional virtual resources, activities, informat

AAL Set to Foment Passenger Outrage

American Airlines’s new pilot contract states deadheading pilots will henceforth be assigned the highest class of service for all transoceanic international flights, flights to Hawaii and Alaska, and flights extending south of the equator. Moreover, deadheading pilots on routes other than the aforementioned will initially be assigned economy-class seating in the following preference order: exit row aisle, exit row window, non-exit row aisle, non-exit row window. Finally, deadheading pilots assigned economy seats will remain in perpetuity atop first-class upgrade lists.

Osh-GOSH!

EAA AirVenture 2023 saw Wisk Aero, the California-based, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) concern and wholly-owned Boeing subsidiary, successfully complete the world’s first public demonstration flight of a fully-autonomous, electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL), fixed-wing air-taxi. The historic undertaking comprised multiple transitions from hover to wing-borne flight and maneuvers carefully chosen to comprehensively demonstrate the unique capabilities of Wisk’s sixth-generation eVTOL. Wisk CEO Brian Yutko stated: “We’re proud to demonstrate the autonomous technology behind our self-flying first approach.

Casualties Reported Likely

A Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft reportedly belonging to and operated by the United States Marine Corps went down off the coast of the northern-Australian city of Darwin during a training exercise. The V-22, according to sources within the Australian Defense Forces, was carrying some twenty U.S. Marines.

Fourth Virgin Galactic Spaceflight Slated for 08 September

The launch-window for Virgin Galactic’s Galactic 03 mission—which, if successful, will mark the company’s fourth spaceflight in four-months—will open on 08 September 2023. So stated Virgin Galactic in a 28 August press release. The Galactic 03 crew comprises three Virgin Galactic Founder 'astronauts'—which is to say, individuals whose belief in Virgin Galactic and early ticket purchases helped actualized the company’s ambition to operate regular commercial spaceflights.

Brinkmanship and Alternative Truths

The U.S. will begin training Ukrainian F-16 pilots within two months—so stated Pentagon Press Secretary USAF Brigadier General Pat Ryder on 24 August 2023. Ryder cited no specific numbers, but set forth Ukrainian F-16 pilot and maintenance trainees would number “several” and “dozens” respectively.

Air-Carrier Delivers Over 65,000 lbs. Emergency Supplies

In a praiseworthy display of commitment and solidarity, Kamaka Air, a regional air freight delivery company serving the State of Hawaii, has expanded its relief operations supporting the citizens of Maui as they commence recovering from the deadly wildfires by which the island—the second-largest of Hawaii’s eight major land-masses—was ravaged. To date, Kamaka Air has facilitated ten evacuation flights and multiple deliveries via which upwards of 65,000-pounds of essential supplies—food, clothing, medications, and household goods—were delivered to Maui’s most embattled communities.

Also: Emergency AD For Bell 407, Coulson USFS Contract, Reliable Robotics, Textron 

EASA and the FAA have issued the type certificate for Dassault’s Falcon 6X. These certifications conclude a more than two-year-long test campaign during which 1,500 flight hours were logged worldwide. First units are undergoing final completion. Russia’s first attempt at establishing a lunar presence in almost 50 years ended in disappointment when their tiny, uncrewed lander impacted the surface following a failed orbital maneuver. Luna 25, named to establish some continuity with decades of Soviet moon missions under the old space race program, would have been a land

Highest Ground Speed Recorded Was 75 Knots Before The Speed Rapidly Decreased

On August 4, 2023, at 1201 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172P, N697FL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at North Perry Airport (HWO), Pembroke Pines, Florida, the flight instructor, and the front seat passenger sustained fatal injuries, and the rear seat passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 sightseeing flight. According to family members of the passengers, the purpose of the flight was a scenic tour of downtown Miami.

Aero Linx: The Historic Aircraft Association (HAA) The Historic Aircraft Association (HAA) was founded in 1979 with the aim of furthering the safe flying of historic aircraft in the UK and, later on, supporting the restoration and preservation of these aircraft. The Association, which currently has over 200 active pilot and engineer members, has made a major contribution to General Aviation, ensuring that British flying heritage is kept alive by promoting the safe flying of valuable, historic and heritage aircraft. The UK Air Display scene is flourishing, with more air displays taking place in this country every year than in the whole of the rest of Europe put together. By this means,

Scheduled Time Of Arrival (STA) A STA is the desired time that an aircraft should cross a certain point (landing or metering fix). It takes other traffic and airspace configuration into account. A STA time shows the results of the TBFM scheduler that has calculated an arrival time according to parameters such as optimized spacing, aircraft performance, and weather.

“We are thrilled to be able to share 13+ years of aviation milestones and now another first with the public. Oshkosh is a particularly fitting milestone venue as it embodies the spirit of passion and innovation at Wisk. We’ve shared something that is really special. For the first time, we have publicly demonstrated fully autonomous flight, conducted by an all-electric, fly-by-wire, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. There was no pilot on board, no pilot controls in the aircraft, and no stick-and-rudder on the ground. The entire flight was operated with the push of a button.”   Source: Wisk chief technology officer Jim Tighe chatting about the public flights they made at Oshkosh 2023 -- to the deligh