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Life is not fair... every now and then, we see a note about an aircraft for sale... and we want it... we want it bad... but none so much as a Corsair. And... it just so happens that a stunning 1951 Chance Vought F-4U-5N Corsair has hit the market. Bu. Num 123168, VH-III... with a price tag of $3,450,000 (plus tax...). It's got an interesting pedigree. According to PFS, "Built in 1951 for the US Navy. Its US Navy history is currently being researched. Bu. Num 123168 was delivered to the FA Hondurena in March 1

A Casualty Of The COVID-19 Pandemic... Or The 737Max Mess?

Boeing has confirmed that it has terminated its Master Transaction Agreement (MTA) with Embraer... According to Boeing, "The parties had planned to create a joint venture comprising Embraer's commercial aviation business and a second joint venture to develop new markets for the C-390 Millennium medium airlift and air mobility aircraft. Under the MTA, April 24, 2020, was the initial termination date, subject to extension by either party if certain conditions were met." Boeing reports that it 'exercised its rights' to terminate after Embraer did not satisfy the necessary conditions.

Aerion Will Build a New State-of-the-Art Campus in Melbourne

FL Governor Ron DeSantis is crowing about Aerion Supersonic -- who will construct a new state-of-the-art campus – Aerion Park – in Melbourne, Florida. Aerion Park will form a new global headquarters and integrated campus for research, design, build and maintenance of the company’s supersonic aircraft. The new project involves a multi-year $300 million investment that is expected to generate at least 675 jobs in Florida by 2026. “The Space Coast has become a hub for the aviation and aerospace industry, and my administration continues to make it a priority to expand this high-wage and important business sector,” said Governor DeSantis. “We are thrilled t

Takes Action Now Due To Lessened Activity

Due to the extreme downturn in aviation activity at Westchester County Airport, the airport will begin construction on Monday, April 27, 2020 on the Airport’s primary runway, as well as a portion that connects both runways. The main runway, 16/34, will close for construction beginning on Monday, April 27 through May 21, and the intersection that connects both runways will be closed from April 29 through May 5, 2020. The decision to close the runways for an extended period of time was made in an effort to reduce construction impact on flights activity when Westchester County Airport operations return to normal.

Adelaide Latest Airport To Attempt Plane Seizures

The COVID-19 pandemic is leaving quite a trail of destruction in its wake and while nowhere near as tragic as the death toll, the toll on international airlines is pretty ugly. One of the latest victims is Virgin Australia Airlines... which entered voluntary administration this week, equivalent to US Bankruptcy reorganization... reportedly being in the dumper to the tune of an estimated 6.8 billion dollars to some 12,000 creditors. To many creditors, there are few options but to take their place in line... but others have more coercive tools at their disposal. A number of Australian airports are reported to be seizing VA airplanes that are still operating from their runways.

Wright 'B' Flyer Organization Is Preserving Aviation History

Wright "B" Flyer Inc. is an all-volunteer, membership-based, not-for-profit corporation located on the Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport near Dayton, Ohio. They fly one Model B look-alike during the summer months, curate a hangar that doubles as a museum. The flying airplane, No. 001, is available for fly-overs and static displays at public and private events. Honorary Aviator Members, who pay the $100 membership fee, are eligible for a free orientation flight at the facility in Dayton. Experience the thrill of pioneer flight. You’ll sit ou

It's Getting Pretty Busy Around The ISS...

Traveling about 260 miles over Northwestern China, south of the Mongolian border, the unpiloted Russian Progress 75 cargo ship docked at 1:12 a.m. EDT to the Zvezda Service Module on the Russian segment of the complex. Carrying almost three tons of food, fuel and supplies for the International Space Station crew, The Progress 75 spacecraft launched Friday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 9:51 p.m. EDT (6:51 a.m. Saturday, April 25, Baikonur time). The resupply ship reached preliminary orbit and deployed its solar arrays and navigational antennas as planned, prior to the rendezvous. Progress 75 will remain docked at the station for more than seven months before departing in December for its de

Nearly 4,000 Waivers Granted Under Part 107

Almost four years after the FAA established rules for the commercial operation of small UAS, a new report by AUVSI found that nearly 4,000 operators across all 50 states have been granted waivers to go beyond current regulations. First responders across the country received about 20 percent of all waivers granted to organizations (398), which demonstrates growing interest and need for public safety applications enabled by UAS, including search and rescue and firefighting at night. Effective Aug. 29, 2016, the small UAS rule, also known as Part 107, created a uniform regulatory framework for UAS. Among the rule’s requirements, UAS must fly below 400 feet above ground level (AGL), within visual line

Fatigued Pilot Says Decision-Making Abilities Were Compromised

The pilot reported that he was attempting to depart a snow-covered runway in a wheel-equipped airplane. On his first attempt the airplane failed to generate enough airspeed, so he aborted the takeoff and exited the runway. On his second attempt, he elected to start the takeoff roll on a taxiway via a 90 degree turn to enter the runway. Just before entering the runway he encountered uneven terrain, and the airplane veered to the left and impacted a snow berm sustaining substantial damage to the right wing. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions that would have precluded normal operations.

New NBAA Resource Page Dedicated To Aircraft Disinfection

Honeywell is the latest OEM to provide guidance on specific cleaning solutions for their products because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Honeywell’s Service Information Letter covers recommendations for cleaning solutions for their products installed in aircraft flight decks. NBAA has posted Honeywell’s information, along with that of similar advisories issued by five other OEMs, on a new resource page dedicated to aircraft disinfection for the coronavirus. "NBAA has gathered a wealth of useful resources related to aircraft operational considerations with the coronavirus online, including business aircraft disinfection guidance,” said NBAA Director of Technical Operations Stewa

Aero Linx: Spirit of St. Louis Airport Spirit of St. Louis Airport has been the Business Aviation Center of the Midwest for more than 50 years.  Much more than just a place to land, it is a benefit-packed resource for pilots, passengers, and businesses that use and serve general aviation.  Spirit provides the environment and physical assets necessary to meet and maintain world-class aviation support services, specifically designed to meet your needs. The “down home” Midwest hospitality, along with the first class professional facilities and personnel, sets Spirit apart from services normally associated with a busy complex aviation facility.  Four full-service Phillips Aviat

Glideslope Intercept Altitude The published minimum altitude to intercept the glideslope in the intermediate segment of an instrument approach. Government charts use the lightning bolt symbol to identify this intercept point. This intersection is called the Precise Final Approach fix (PFAF). ATC directs a higher altitude, the resultant intercept becomes the PFAF.

“The Space Coast has become a hub for the aviation and aerospace industry, and my administration continues to make it a priority to expand this high-wage and important business sector. We are thrilled that Aerion has selected Melbourne for its new global headquarters and look forward to the company’s success.” Source: FL Governor Ron DeSantis -- reporting that Aerion Supersonic will construct a new state-of-the-art campus – Aerion Park – in Melbourne, Florida. Aerion Park will form a new global headquarters and integrated campus for research, design, build and maintenance of the company’s supersonic aircraft. The new project involves a multi-year $300 million investment that is expected to gene