Also: Genesys AP on E-480B, Seaplane Mishap, B-29 Doc Resked, Mississippi ANG AH-64 Down
The team behind the Switchblade 'flying car' has updated their fanbase on the aircraft's current state, describing their recent issues, challenges, and desires for the program. The most recent news pertains primarily to polishing certain aspects of the design, less than a year after they first completed a successful test flight. Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-48) is demanding answers from FBI Director Christopher Wray on the agency’s knowledge of, and analysis performed on, the Chinese spy balloon that traveled more than 4,000 miles across the United States just over a year ago. Issa’s letter was sent as a response to the Biden Administ
Spacefaring Company Builds On The Success Of Starship’s Second Flight Test
Elon Musk's revolutionary space company is disclosing some of the lessons learned from the most recent Starship flight trials. They explained that, "The second flight test of Starship and Super Heavy achieved a number of important milestones as we continue to advance the capabilities of the most powerful launch system ever developed."
Flying Car Revisions Focusing on Easier Production, Increased Payload
The team behind the Switchblade 'flying car' has updated their fanbase on the aircraft's current state, describing their recent issues, challenges, and desires for the program. The most recent news pertains primarily to polishing certain aspects of the design, less than a year after they first completed a successful test flight. With many of their bases covered, Switchblade staff are looking to decrease production costs through refinement of existing processes and procedures, and snagging whatever performance improvements they can in the process.
Aero-Ignorant State Would Lock Funding For Those Who Fail to Enforce New AvGas, Noise Mitigation, and Governance Guidelines
Colorado battles over aviation in the state have continued with the latest progressive salvo, a bill titled "Reduce Aviation Impacts on Communities." The bill includes more or less what anyone familiar with the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) battles waged near any airport with valuable real estate nearby - A handful of reasons from climate-affecting fuels and noisy aircraft to lead exposure and discrimination offer a plush toolkit to any who see aircraft and their operations as an eyesore or impediment to increased portfolio value.
Airwolf Aerospace to Provide STC'd TB17 Battery, Aviation Specialty Insurance Enstrom-Specific Program
Enstrom Helicopter Corp has expanded its deal with Airwolf Aerospace to include the firm's TB17 Lithium-Ion battery line from True Blue Power. The change will see an STC-approved TB17 added as an option for all Enstrom 480B aircraft. As with nearly all lithium batteries, the change offers improved power delivery, reliability, and weight savings over traditional lead-acid batteries. Over the lifecycle of a traditional battery, operators see additional savings thanks to an 8-year average battery life for the True Blue Power kit.
Testing Aims to Develop Doctrine, Assess Capabilities of Newfangled Aircraft
Pivotal has delivered 4 of 8 of its eVTOL BlackFly aircraft to the US Air Force for evaluation, kicking off a test regime to carve out doctrine for the next generation of lightweight aircraft. The BlackFlys were accompanied by a pair of flight simulators leased to Modern Technology Solutions, Inc (MTSI), a prime support contractor for the AFWERX program. They appear to be the bunch spearheading the testing program, emblazoning previous BlackFly aircraft with combined Opener/MTSI branding.
ANN correspondent Rex Alexander took a beat to check in with Joby Aviation, getting the news from Head of Government Affairs Greg Bowles on how things are going for the nascent eVTOL industry. Joby is faced with a complex soup of government regulations at home and abroad, helping to carve out a regulatory niche for aircraft that straddle multiple categories of aeronautical novelty at the same time - Joby’s aircraft sports 6 battery-powered tiltrotors and seating for 4, a never-before-seen recipe in the world of commercial aviation. As such they’re writing the book as they go, working with the Air Force&
Recoil Aerospace says they are "on the brink of a major milestone" in the course of offering their T1000-E Wildfire Suppression System. The suite is 'nearing final approval' of the Supplemental Type Certificate required to bring it to market. The T1000-E offers operators a "leap forward in aerial firefighting capabilities", offering a well-rounded combination of features and capabilities at a pricepoint more accessible to smaller operators. Recoil has already begun ramping up production of the tanks to meet demand ahead of the toasty 2024 wildfire season, and is now taking deposits.
Also: Intuitive Machines Moonbound, Ansett Av Scholarships, Airbus 2023 Report, Armchair Airshow
A US Atty, Jacqueline C. Romero, is hitting the media with the announcement that she has filed a complaint in US District Court against Michael DiCiurcio of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In this complaint, the United States alleges that DiCiurcio operated drones, 'unlawfully and unsafely in the Philadelphia area between at least December 2019 to the present. The FAA has published the notice and preflight info for this year's Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, getting aviators ready for a jaunt down to Lakeland, Florida. The notice establishes arrival and d
Also: Intuitive Machines Moonbound, Ansett Av Scholarships, Airbus 2023 Report, Armchair Airshow
A US Atty, Jacqueline C. Romero, is hitting the media with the announcement that she has filed a complaint in US District Court against Michael DiCiurcio of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In this complaint, the United States alleges that DiCiurcio operated drones, 'unlawfully and unsafely in the Philadelphia area between at least December 2019 to the present. The FAA has published the notice and preflight info for this year's Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, getting aviators ready for a jaunt down to Lakeland, Florida. The notice establishes arrival and departur
Looking Ahead, NEMSPA Remains Focused On Its Mission: To Be The Leading Voice For Air Medical Pilots...
In the midst of all the hoopla at HAI24, the National EMS Pilot Association (NEMSPA) celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of dedication to advancing the professionalism, safety, and advocacy of Air Medical Pilots nationwide. Founded in 1984, NEMSPA has played a pivotal role in shaping the Air Medical Transport industry, championing excellence and ensuring the highest standards of patient care for communities across the United States.
Engine Continued To Produce Some Power Until They Were About 50 Feet Above The Road, “And It Just Quit”
On February 4, 2024, about 1535 eastern standard time, a Cessna 150G, N3747J was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Parkland, Florida. The pilot and pilot rated passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight had departed Pompano Beach Airpark (PMP), Pompano Beach, Florida, and was destined for Airglades Airport (2IS), Clewiston, Florida. According to the pilot, after topping off the fuel, getting a weather briefing, conducting a preflight inspection, and doing a run-up, he and the pilot rated passenger did a safety revi
Aero Linx: Aircraft Electronics Association
Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of aircraft electronics systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of aircraft electronics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers, and educational institutions.
Aviation Watch Notification Message
The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) issues Aviation Watch Notification Messages (SAW) to provide an area threat alert for the aviation meteorology community to forecast organized severe thunderstorms that may produce tornadoes, large hail, and/or convective damaging winds as indicated in Public Watch Notification Messages within the Continental U.S. A SAW message provides a description of the type of watch issued by SPC, a valid time, an approximation of the area in a watch, and primary hazard(s).
"More Starships are ready to fly, putting flight hardware in a flight environment to learn as quickly as possible. Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable launch system capable of carrying satellites, payloads, crew, and cargo to a variety of orbits and Earth, lunar, or Martian landing sites."
Source: From a recent report by SpaceX, detailing some of the many lessons they learned from the test flight of Starship 2.
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