Speak Now, or …

In light of the likelihood of MOSAIC ascending, imminently, from NPRM to the decidedly more august station of fully-ratified Federal Aviation Regulation, Brad Clark, president of light-helicopter maker Vertical Aviation Technologies, Inc. has set forth the following communique to his company’s customers ...

Tragedy’s Long Shadow

On 02 October 2019, seven people perished when a World War II-era Boeing B17 Flying Fortress dubbed Nine-O-Nine went down minutes after departing Windsor Locks, Connecticut’s Bradley International Airport (BDL). Comes now 2023, and a settlement has been reached between the downed B-17’s operator, a number of the accident’s six survivors, and families of the deceased—so stated attorneys representing eight of the ten passengers either killed or injured in the mishap.

NFL Star and AOPA V.P. Perish in C177 Mishap

Retired New England Patriots tight end Russ Francis (70) and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) senior vice-president and Air Safety Foundation head Richard McSpadden (63) perished on Sunday, 01 October 2023 when a Cessna 177 Cardinal single-engine airplane piloted by the one-time NFL star went down shortly after departing Upstate New York’s Lake Placid Airport (LKP).

Pilot Union Lauds U.S. Lawmakers

Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) president Captain Jason Ambrosi has issued a statement praising Congress for averting a shutdown of the U.S. federal government.

Hydrogen in the High Desert

Hawthorne, California-based Universal Hydrogen is an energy concern about the speculative business of making hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality. In June 2023, Lightning McClean undertook a ferry-flight from Moses Lake to California’s Mojave Air and Space Port (ERO), thereby significantly expanding the hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain’s operational envelope. Comes now September 2023, and Lightning McClean, by dint of ten successful test-flights, continues to advance upon Universal Hydrogen’s ambition to see its powertrain technology enter into commercial service in 2026.

Duckworth 'Will Oppose' FAA Reauthorization Bill Should The 1,500 Hour Rule Not Be Upheld

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA) praised Illinois Democrat Senator Tammy Duckworth for what the union called “holding the line on aviation safety” during remarks she made at the Aero Club of Washington D.C. In an address to the organization, Duckworth stated she will oppose the passage of the FAA reauthorization bill should the 1,500 hour rule not be upheld.

Airplane’s Engine Began To “Cough” And Experienced A Partial Loss Of Engine Power

On September 3, 2023, about 1420 Pacific daylight time, a Piper PA-18-135, N7199K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Compton, California. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 banner tow flight. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, during a banner tow operation, the pilot seat broke, and he slid aft about a foot.

Airplane Reportedly Turned Back To The Airport After Takeoff Emergency

ANN has learned and verified that an accident took the life of a Senior AOPA official with an extensive aviation and aviation safety background. AOPA has issued a statement that notes, "We are deeply saddened to report that Richard McSpadden, AOPA Senior Vice President, died in an aircraft accident outside Lake Placid, New York, on Sunday afternoon. The Cardinal 177 in which Richard was in the right seat experienced an emergency after takeoff. The airplane attempted to return to the airport but failed to make the runway..."

… So States Skyfly

The Federal Aviation Administration is set to recognize the Axe eVTOL as a Light Sports Aircraft (LSA) under the agency’s newly-proposed MOSAIC certification scheme. Under the FAA’s extant certification model, only single-engine aircraft may be classified as LSAs. It is expected, however, that the agency’s cognizance of the high-probability of a near-future proliferation of electric aircraft will compel the FAA to reform regulations in a manner commensurate with the LSA category being broadened to include multi-engine aircraft.  

Righting Past Wrongs

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) and Warbirds of America have filed joint comments germane to an FAA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) codifying new rules for flight-training in experimental, limited, and primary-category aircraft. The NPRM upon which the EAA and Warbirds of America have commented confirms additional FAA authorization is required only in instances in which an experimental aircraft is utilized in a commercial flight training operation—the selfsame policy in effect prior to June 2021.