Also: Cranfield Airport Uses UAVs, uAvionix, PrecisionHawk, Drone Flying Park

The Department of the Air Force’s X-37B spaceplane, a reusable, multi-purpose, system that operates without an onboard crew, won the prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy Aug. 13 for advancing technology that pushes “the boundaries of flight and space exploration.” In announcing the award, Jim Albaugh, chairman of The National Aeronautic Association which sponsors the competition, praised the X-37B, “As the world’s only autonomous, reusable spaceplane, it continues to contribute to our understandin

$33.5 Million in Venture Capital Funding Dedicated to Transform Aviation

Reliable Robotics has reportedly achieved successful test flights of remote-piloted passenger airplanes in United States airspace. In the first flight, the pilot pressed a button on a remote user interface and an unmanned four passenger Cessna 172 Skyhawk (C172) automatically taxied, took off, and landed. Most recently, the company demonstrated fully automated remote landing of an even larger aircraft, the Cessna 208 Caravan (C208), capable of carrying 14 passengers. “By bringing advanced automation to aviation, we will deliver higher safety, reliability and convenience for cargo operators and eventually for passengers," said Robert Rose, Co-founder and CEO of Reliable

FYI... In The CAP World, This Is A Really Big Deal

Cadet Col. Elizabeth T. Forbush of the New Hampshire Wing’s Greater Nashua Composite Squadron has achieved Civil Air Patrol’s top cadet honor, the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award. “I would not have been able to achieve the Spaatz award without the help of my friends, family and the amazing Civil Air Patrol community,” Forbush said. “The Spaatz award means that I have accomplished something beyond myself.” Less than 0.5% of cadets receive the award, which requires devoting an average of four years to progressing through 16 achievements in the CAP cadet program and passing a series of rigorous exams. Along the way they develop self-discipline, a strong sense of personal

Aircraft Mishap Occurred While Conducting Aviation Training

Staff Sgt. Vincent P. Marketta (pictured here), 33, of Brick, New Jersey, and Sgt. Tyler M. Shelton (pictured below), 22, of San Bernardino, California, died August 27, from injuries sustained during an aircraft mishap while conducting aviation training on San Clemente Island, California. “The loss of Staff Sgt. Marketta and Sgt. Shelton has left a scar in this Regiment that will never completely heal,” said Col. Andrew R. Graham, commander of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne). “Their level of dedication to the 160th SOAR (A) and their exemplary service in the Army is the embodiment of what it means to be a Night Stalker and a Soldier. Our priorit

...For Allegedly Failing To Ensure Safe Airline Operations During Snowy And Wet Runway Conditions

Apparently, all the bad news about problems in Chicago now extend to their aviation efforts, as well. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $1,567,968 civil penalty against the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) for allegedly failing to ensure safe airline operations during snowy and wet runway conditions. The CDA’s Snow and Ice Control Plan requires the airport to take specific safety actions if two consecutive flight crews report poor braking action after landing. On Nov. 11, 2019, at least two consecutive flight crews reported poor braking action three separate times after landing on

Klyde Spills The Beans On APOO's Private Island...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

From 2016: Gliding Into The Future On Electric Power?

Here’s a video that shows you that affordable recreational flying is not down for the count. While at the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo 2016, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, visits with Chip Irwin, the owner of Aero Marine LSA. This year, Aero Marine was at the Expo with its new single-place LSA, but they also produce what looks like a great little FAR 103 legal ultralight called the Zigolo. The Zigolo is a classic looking ultralight, but Erwin explains that it’s more like a powered glider than an ultralight. That is, he says,

Built For The DJI Matrice V2 200 Series And Matrice 300 Airframes

The FLIR Vue TZ20 is the first high resolution, dual thermal sensor gimbal built for the DJI Matrice V2 200 Series and Matrice 300 airframes. Ideal for public safety teams—including police, fire, and search and rescue—as well as industrial and critical infrastructure inspectors, the Vue TZ20 gives drone pilots the situational awareness they need to complete their missions. Featuring both a wide-angle Boson sensor with a 95-degree field of view and a narrow-angle Boson with a 19-degree field of view, the Vue TZ20 enables pilots to put more pixels on target with ease. With 640x512 resolution and a 20-times digital thermal zoom capability, pilots can safely capture thermal

He Pitched Up The Airplane To Avoid Two Rows Of Trees And Impacted A Third Row Of Trees

On August 9, 2020, about 1430 central daylight time, a Piper PA-22-150 airplane, N6849B, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Burlington, Wisconsin. The pilot and passenger were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to law enforcement personnel who spoke to the pilot after the accident, the pilot reported that the engine was not developing the RPMs he expected during the takeoff, which resulted in a reduced rate of climb. During the attempted initial climb, the pilot performed various pitch maneuvers to gain airspeed and lift. About 1 mile from

AD 2020-18-08 Continues To Require Inspecting Those Previously Affected Hoses

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-12-18 for Robinson Helicopter Company (Robinson) Model R44 II helicopters. AD 2019-12-18 required inspecting certain engine air induction hoses (hoses) and replacing any hose that was not airworthy. AD 2019-12-18 also prohibited the installation of certain hoses. This AD continues to require inspecting those previously affected hoses and amends the applicability, clarifies an inspection requirement, adds a requirement to repeat the inspection, and expands the installation prohibition. This AD was prompted by an additional report of separation between the outer and inner hose layers. The FAA is issuing this AD to ad

Aero Linx: The Independent Pilots Association (IPA) The Independent Pilots Association (IPA) is an airline pilots association and trade union for aviation professionals.  Our members are commercial airline pilots, as well as flying instructors and those who fly a wealth of operations globally.  Most of our work is based in the UK; and, if you fly under a UK contract as a full member of the IPA, we will be able to assist you in issues arising in your employment.

Close Parallel Runways Two parallel runways whose extended centerlines are separated by less than 4,300 feet and at least 3000 feet (750 feet for SOIA operations) for which ATC is authorized to conduct simultaneous independent approach operations. PRM and simultaneous close parallel appear in approach title. Dual communications, special pilot training, an Attention All Users Page (AAUP), NTZ monitoring by displays that have aural and visual alerting algorithms are required. A high update rate surveillance sensor is required for certain runway or approach course spacing.

“I would not have been able to achieve the Spaatz award without the help of my friends, family and the amazing Civil Air Patrol community. The Spaatz award means that I have accomplished something beyond myself.” Source: Cadet Col. Elizabeth T. Forbush of the New Hampshire Wing’s Greater Nashua Composite Squadron, discussing her being honored with the Civil Air Patrol’s top cadet honor, the Gen. Carl A. Spaatz Award. Less than 0.5% of cadets receive the award, which requires devoting an average of four years to progressing through 16 achievements in the CAP cadet program and passing a series of rigorous exams.