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We've learned that Lightsquared may be back... under a new name. That's right -- An old nemesis to aviation GPS signal integrity made a new appearance this month as a satellite company named Ligado advanced its 5G wireless plan with a questionable  approval from the FCC. The company, formerly known as LightSquared, is pushing for permission to begin terrestrial 5G cellular and data service on frequencies it owns that were intended for satellite use. The proposal has caused divisions among government agenc

"Ingenuity Is What Allows People To Accomplish Amazing Things..."

Destined to become the first aircraft to attempt powered flight on another planet, NASA's Mars Helicopter officially has received a new name: Ingenuity. Vaneeza Rupani, a junior at Tuscaloosa County High School in Northport, Alabama, came up with the name and the motivation behind it during NASA's "Name the Rover" essay contest. "The ingenuity and brilliance of people working hard to overcome the challenges of interplanetary travel are what allow us all to experience the wonders of space exploration," Rupani wrote in her contest submission. "Ingenuity is what allows people to accomplish amazing things, and it allows us to expand our horizons to the edges of the universe."

Will Fly Over The Country, Starting In Nova Scotia This Weekend

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will cross the country to salute Canadians doing their part to fight the spread of COVID-19. This unique mission is being aptly dubbed 'Operation Inspiration.' The team’s signature nine-jet formation, with trailing white smoke, will fly over cities across the country starting in Nova Scotia this weekend and working west throughout the week. The team will release anticipated locations, routes, and times on their social media platforms each day. Flyovers will occur at an elevation no lower than 500 feet above all obstacles.

Most Principal Workers Returning On May 3 Or May 4

Boeing will resume 787 operations at Boeing South Carolina (BSC), with most teammates returning on May 3 or May 4. The return includes all operations that were temporarily suspended on April 8 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Managers will contact each teammate returning to work with report date and shift information. Those who are not contacted should not return to the site until contacted by their manager to do so. Teammates who are able to work from home should continue to do so.

Her Interest In Aviation Began As A Child

Capt. Ouma Laouali, the Nigerian air force’s first female pilot, accomplished the next step in her pilot career April 22, by completing her training to become a C-130 Hercules pilot in the C-130 Formal Training Unit’s six-month international pilot training program at Little Rock Air Force Base. The 314th Airlift Wing, in close partnership with the 189th Airlift Wing, trains more than 1,200 students a year. Approximately 150 of those are international students who travel from countries around the globe to become combat-minded C-130 Hercules crew members. According to Laouali, her interest in aviation began as a child while chasing planes overhead, imagining what it would be like to be in the sky

The Standardized Curricula Are Voluntary

NBAA and NATA welcome the release of FAA guidance on a new standardized curriculum for Part 135 training that will improve safety and increase administrative efficiencies for on-demand operators. The advisory circular streamlines the relationship between Part 142 training centers and on-demand air carriers, and reduces inefficiencies in the approvals and qualification processes. The guidance also creates a Training Standardization Working Group composed of industry and FAA experts that will develop standardized training procedures for the most common aircraft types. The guidance was developed by the FAA after NBAA, NATA, Part 135 operators and training centers recommended the concept through the Air Carrier

Able Flight Welcomes New Pilots At AirVenture

After seven weeks of intensive flight training and ground school, seven 2019 Able Flight scholarship recipients are now licensed pilots. Six trained at Purdue University and one at The Ohio State University, and they were honored at Able Flight’s annual Wings Pinning Ceremony at EAA AirVenture 2019. Among them is Leslie Irby, who lives in Georgia and was paralyzed in an auto accident in 2013. She told Aero-News that was inspired to learn to fly after learning the story of Bessie Coleman, who was the first woman of African-American descent, and the firs

CNATT Is One Of 12 "Learning Centers" Under The Naval Education And Training Command

Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) Commander, Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, has relieved the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Commanding Officer, Capt. Nate Schneider, of command on April 28, 2020. The commanding officer's relief was due to loss of confidence. Capt. Bryant Hepstall, CNATT's executive officer, will assume duties as commanding officer effective immediately. Schneider has been assigned to Naval Air Station Pensacola headquarters.

These Courses Are Available 24 Hours A Day 7 Days A Week

In response to COVID-19’s impact on pilot training and safety globally, Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) has rolled out a new line-up of free and paid 24/7 online Upset Prevention & Recovery Training (UPRT) courses to offer remote training opportunities during pilot downtime. Pilots and flight departments can credit paid courses to future practical UPRT programs. Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) has announced a new line-up of free and paid online Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) course options. These courses, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7), allow pilots to study critical academic portions of upset training remotely at their own pace. Participati

Accident Airplane Had Not Been Flown In Several Months

On April 4, 2020, about 1900 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 177RG airplane, N98SW, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a total loss of engine power at Santa Paula Airport (SZP), Santa Paula, California. The private pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot as a personal flight, conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a visual flight rules (VFR) flight plan was not filed for the local flight, which was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to maintain currency in the accident airplan

AD 2020-08-12 Created Due To Fatigue Damage

SUMMARY: The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 747-8 and 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by an evaluation by the design approval holder (DAH) indicating that the skin lap joints at certain stringers are subject to widespread fatigue damage (WFD). This AD requires modifying the left and right side lap joints of the fuselage skin, repetitive post-modification inspections for cracking, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.

Aero Linx: Airport Operators Association (AOA) Founded in 1934, the Airport Operators Association (AOA) is the national voice of UK airports. We are a trade association representing the interests of UK airports, and the principal such body engaging with the UK Government and regulatory authorities on airport matters. The AOA’s members include over 50 airports and more than 150 Associate Members, made up of companies representing a wide range of suppliers in the aviation industry. Working on behalf of these members, the AOA’s mission is to influence governments, regulators and opinion formers at national and international level, in order to secure the policy outcomes that will deliver its

Obstacle Free Zone The OFZ is a three dimensional volume of airspace which protects for the transition of aircraft to and from the runway. The OFZ clearing standard precludes taxiing and parked airplanes and object penetrations, except for frangible NAVAID locations that are fixed by function. Additionally, vehicles, equipment, and personnel may be authorized by air traffic control to enter the area using the provisions of FAA Order JO 7110.65, Para 3−1−5, Vehicles/Equipment/Personnal Near/On Runways. The runway OFZ and when applicable, the inner-approach OFZ, and the inner-transitional OFZ, comprise the OFZ.

"NATA is pleased about this exciting advancement in Part 135 training that provides efficiency and safety gains for both operators and the FAA alike. This is the result of a tremendous four-year effort from many industry stakeholders, and we are pleased that the FAA is implementing the recommendations of the FAA's Air Carrier Training Aviation Rulemaking Committee. We'd also like to thank NATA's Vice President of Regulatory Affairs John McGraw for his leadership as Chair of the ACT ARC Working Group, and NBAA's Brian Koester and Mark Larsen, along with our members who served on the ARC and provided their expertise and time to this effort." Source: NATA President and CEO Timothy Obitts, in comments made with the release of FAA guidance on a