Also: Blue Angels Homecoming Cancelled, Upgraded Puma, Virtual Rotorcraft Conference, Aviation Safety Resources

Engineered Propulsion Systems, Inc, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company undertook this development of its own initiative via their debtor’s attorney, James D. Sweet of Steinhilber Swanson LLP.  The EPS Diesel engine program had been getting serious attention from civilian and military parties while the company reportedly spent some $60 million in private investment dollars to seek a working production version and eventual certification. Textron has flown its

Targeting No Earlier Than Oct. 23 For First Operational Flight

NASA and SpaceX are targeting no earlier than Oct. 23 for the first operational flight with astronauts of the Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as a part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. NASA’s SpaceX Crew-1 mission will be the first of regular rotational missions to the space station following completion of NASA certification. The mission will carry Crew Dragon commander Michael Hopkins, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialist Shannon Walker, all of NASA, along with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) mission specialist Soichi Noguchi...

Cites DOT's Jurisdiction Over Air Travel And DOT's Own Recommendations

FlyersRights.org has formally submitted a rulemaking petition to the DoT to mandate mask wearing by all persons on planes and at airports. The DOT has just published the rulemaking petition, even though the petition was submitted 9 days ago on August 4, 2020. In late April, the CDC recommended the wearing of masks in public settings, especially when social distancing is hard to maintain. Air travel requires the close gathering of people from various parts of the country. DOT has acknowledged the need for mask wearing, among other safety precautions, in its joint guidance with DHS and HHS titled "Runway to Recovery."

Flights Make Use Of ‘Drone-In-A-Box’ Technology

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been used to inspect the runway at Cranfield Airport remotely for the first time. The flights make use of ‘drone-in-a-box’ technology with the aim of enabling routine inspections to take place with UAVs that can be automatically deployed, recovered and recharged without the need for an on-site pilot. In the future, drones could be used to inspect other areas such as perimeter fences and take place regularly – for example, in the morning before the Airport opens, and in the evening after closing – to detect damage or the presence of foreign objects which can be dangerous for aircraft.

Will Assist The Association’s Policy Priorities And Advocacy Efforts

NATA has established a General Aviation Airports Committee to assist the Association’s policy priorities and advocacy efforts impacting general aviation airport stakeholders. Lara Kaufmann, Associate Director at the Greenville Downtown Airport (KGMU), has been named Co-Chair along with Ben Harrison, General Manager at the Cullman Regional Airport (KCMD). The General Aviation Airports Committee will provide NATA’s airport membership a voice for the safety, quality, and security issues impacting airports and aviation businesses.

From 2015: The Stunning Technology Behind What Keeps Much Of The Aero-World Flying

In this video we have the pleasure of meeting, J.J. Frigge, the Executive Vice President for Hartzell Propeller, and we receive a personal guided tour of the Hartzell production facility. The Hartzell Propeller Company goes back to the early days of aviation when they were innovators in airplane propeller research and development. The spirit of those days has not been lost on the modern company.

Destined For Helicopter Express and Equipped For Firefighting

Wysong Enterprises has completed the conversion of an Eagle Copter 407 HP from a VIP transport aircraft to a firefighting aircraft for Helicopter Express. Wysong installed new equipment from Dallas Avionics including two Technisonic Industries TDFM 136B radios, Jupiter Avionics JA-94 audio controller, radio adapter, and interface. An ELT, Blue Sky Hawkeye, and provision were also included in the conversion. Special equipment was installed specifically for firefighting. The new upgrades included a Forestry Service GPS Port, water bucket and Heli-Torch Relay. A new LED position light conversion and various Garmin installations with provisions including GTS800 Traffic System, Garmin GTX 34

Every Air Station Housing Aircraft From 3rd MAW Now Has Operational Support Airlift Capabilities

Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron with Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, made history by becoming a flying squadron for the first time in the unit’s existence. The Marines and sailors of H&HS took ownership of a UC-12W Huron aircraft July 31, and took the plane on its first flight with the squadron four days later.

Before He Had Time To Adjust The Throttle Control, The Engine RPM Dropped To Between 1,000 And 1,200

On August 5, 2020, about 1333 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235, N223AB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Miami, Florida. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 banner tow flight. The pilot stated that he performed a thorough preflight inspection and no discrepancies were reported.

AD 2020-16-05 Requires A One-Time Inspection Of The Rudder Control Cable Attachment Screws And Hinge Bolts

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Blanik Aircraft CZ s.r.o. Model L 23 Super-Blanik gliders. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the rudder control cable attachment screws and hinge bolts, replacement of the cable attachment screws and hinge bolts if a crack is found, and reporting the inspection results to the manufacturer. This AD was prompted by reports of cracked rudder cable attachment screws. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 28, 2020.

AD 2020-16-04 Refers To Incorrect Illustration Of The Screw Jack Assembly In The Airplane Maintenance Manual

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pacific Aerospace Limited Model 750XL airplanes. This AD results from mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as an incorrect illustration of the screw jack assembly in the airplane maintenance manual, which may cause potential errors with installation. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective September 2, 2020.

Aero Linx: The Peachtree DeKalb Airport Association (PDKAA) The Peachtree DeKalb Airport Association (PDKAA) represents a diverse aviation community comprised of pilots, businesses, and general aviation enthusiasts who are dedicated to the purpose of promoting general aviation and the DeKalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), providing a voice in matters concerning the airfield and its use by everyone. The Association is a member-supported organization committed to supporting both aviation and non-aviation industries at PDK.

"Crew-1 will launch in late October to accommodate spacecraft traffic for the upcoming Soyuz crew rotation and best meet the needs of the International Space Station. Launch will follow the arrival of NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos aboard their Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft and the departure of NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner from the space station. The launch timeframe also allows for a crew handover with NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 mission next spring." Source: From a NASA statement explaining why the SpaceX/NASA Crew-1 mission was pushed back from late September to late October.

Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) An airport lighting facility providing vertical visual approach slope guidance to aircraft during approach to landing by radiating a directional pattern of high intensity red and white focused light beams which indicate to the pilot that he/she is “on path” if he/she sees red/white, “above path” if white/white, and “below path” if red/red. Some airports serving large aircraft have three-bar VASIs which provide two visual glide paths to the same runway.