Activism Codified

The Federal Aviation Administration contends it is moving to improve the collective safety of air-tours across the state of Hawaii. The agency has outlined, more or less, what it touts a “consistent new process where air-tour operators can receive authorization to safely descend below specific altitudes to avoid flying into bad weather. The FAA's plan is broadly opposed and its underlying rationale contested.

Safety Goes International

Transport Canada’s Civil Aviation (TCCA) authority has granted approval for the HALO safety system feature of Piper Aircraft’s M600/SLS model. Owners of M600/SLS aircraft already operating in Canada may avail themselves of the HALO safety system’s full suite of features, to include Autoland and stand-alone auto-throttle, via installation of a simple kit.

Lands Safely Under Canopy

A glider pilot taking part in 2023’s World Glider Aerobatics Championships in Toru?, Poland, bailed out of his imperiled aircraft and landed safely under canopy on Friday, 04 August 2023. Little is known of the incident, which occurred shortly before 19:00 Central European Summer Time (Zulu +2), excepting that it occurred whilst the glider was in the midst of the aerobatic box.

All Roads Lead to the Gem City

In October 2023, the United States will host the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s (FAI) 117th Annual Conference. The event, which will take place in Dayton, Ohio—Aviation’s birthplace and the final resting place of both Orville and Wilbur Wright—will welcome FAI delegates, designated representatives of international affiliate members, FAI elected officers, presidents of honor, honorary patrons of FAI, designated representatives of corporate patrons of FAI, companions of honor, and delegates appointed by presidents of commissions. The conference’s major highlight will be the 25 October awards dinner, which recognizes the achievements of distinguished members i

Workday Pressures

The United States Coast Guard (USCG), on Saturday, 05 August 2023, medivaced a man who sustained barotrauma while diving in Gulf of Mexico waters approximately 87-nautical-miles south of Galveston, Texas. Coast Guard District 8 watchstanders received a cell-phone call at 09:30 CDT from the master of a dive-boat who reported a 29-year-old man exhibiting symptoms consistent with decompression sickness. Watchstanders consulted the on-duty flight surgeon, who recommended evacuation of the individual to an appropriate medical facility.

U.S. Army Experimental Demonstration Gateway Exercise

Avilution LLC, a Huntsville-based avionics software startup company, successfully demonstrated a number of its emergent technologies at 2023’s U.S. Army Experimental Demonstration Gateway Exercise (EDGE 23). The event, in which Avilution participated from 15 through 18 May, was held at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in southwestern Arizona.

Change of the Guard

Atlantic Aviation, the Plano, Texas-based FBO giant with 103 locations on airports from Addison to Waukesha has announced that Jeff Foland will succeed Mr. Lou Pepper as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, effective 14 August 2023. Mr. Pepper has served in the capacity of Atlantic Aviation CEO for upwards of thirty-years and will continue to ply his considerable expertise and experience to Atlantic Aviation’s benefit as a member of the company’s board of directors. The incoming Mr. Foland’s C.V. includes nearly three decades of experience in the aviation, travel, and transportation industries, including stints as a senior executive at United Airlines and Hertz Global Holdings. 

AX-4 Slated to Launch After August 2024

NASA and Axiom Space have signed an agreement heralding the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The enterprise is targeted to get underway no earlier than August 2024 and launch from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Commercial Space Station Race Sees New European Entrant

Voyager Space joined hands with Airbus Defence and Space in an agreement to develop, build, and operate Starlab, a commercial space station successor to the ISS. The US-led joint venture will "bring together world-class leaders in the space domain, while further uniting American and European interests in space exploration," further reinforcing ties in an international space community that's quickly drifting apart in the wind-down of the ISS program.

From 2017 (YouTube Version): Remembrances Of An Israeli Air Force Test Pilot

Early in 2016, ANN contributor Maxine Scheer traveled to Israel, where she had the opportunity to sit down with retired Israeli Air Force Col. Danny Shapira, who served 25 years in the Israeli Air Force. Shapira was among the first pilots for the Israeli Air Force, which was formed shortly after the State of Israel was established in 1948. He and several others, including some Americans and pilots from other countries, went to Czechoslovakia to train in Avia S-199 aircraft, a variant of the Bf 109. 

Aero Linx: The Abbotsford International Airshow The Abbotsford Airshow was born in 1962 as a partnership between the Abbotsford Flying Club and the Abbotsford Rotary Club to promote aviation at the Abbotsford Airport. Since then, the event has grown to become one of the Fraser Valley’s largest and most exciting annual events. Through the support of volunteers, sponsors and spectators alike, the Abbotsford International Airshow delivers an annual economic impact of more than $6-million and contributes more than $100,000 each year to local charities, community groups and youth organizations.

Low Approach An approach over an airport or runway following an instrument approach or a VFR approach including the go-around maneuver where the pilot intentionally does not make contact with the runway.

“From aviation’s earliest days, FAI has taken a leading role in supporting and promoting the art, sport, and science of aviation. As a founding member of FAI, the National Aeronautic Association is proud to welcome FAI, for the first time, to the Birthplace of Aviation: Dayton, Ohio. The Wright Brothers themselves played key roles in both organizations so it is natural that the aviation world should reconvene in Dayton. NAA looks forward to welcoming all of you.”   Source: National Aeronautic Association president and CEO Greg Principato, remarking about the news that the United States will host the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale’s (FAI) 117th Annual Conference.