The Flying Sunfish Takes Flight, Logs 4 Minutes of Untethered Flight Time

Zeva has completed the first untethered flight test for its Zero flying wing airframe, where the aircraft took off and flew under its 8 electric propellers. With the first flight completed, the Zero now boasts the bragging rights of being a functional, real aircraft, with flight time in its logbook in an industry rife with ground demonstrators and digital renders. The flight is an important milestone in the airworthiness certification process, proving the unmanned demonstrator could take off and maintain position in a controlled hover, as well as taxi, climb, and maneuver at low altitude. The pancake-ish single-pilot aircraft is an unusual addition to the eVTOL race, sp

Reid-Hillview, San Martin Airports Officially End Sale of Leaded AvFuel, Only UL94 From Now On

Despite the warnings, the cajoling, and the requests from a range of stakeholders, the County of Santa Clara, California, has gone ahead with its plans to end the sale of leaded fuels in their county, particularly 100LL at Reid-Hillview and San Martin airports. The move is said by the Board of Supervisors to be solely aimed at eliminating airborne contaminants following studies that showed "elevated levels of lead attributable to aircraft activity at Reid-Hillview Airport in children living nearby." The San José area authorities have come a bit closer to their ultimate goal of obtaining the land occupied by their local airports, finally

Also: Allegiant Goes Boeing, Gogo Gets Going, Iran Shootdown Fallout, Tamarack Petitions NTSB

T'is the season.... for a good holiday story in which a SportPlane, and its pilot, gets to play hero. And in this case, it's yet another case of a Zenith to the rescue. Pilot Jerry Ebke noted, via Facebook, that his nephew’s little boys received a pony for Christmas in rural southeastern Nebraska. But... the Yule-time pony-joy was short-lived as the four-legged Christmas gift was spooked by their dog and ran off. The search started in earnest... "Many FB posts, stops at neighbors and driving roads had been unsuccessful in locating Scout," (the Pony). Jer

'Good' News for Hand-Flying Aficionados: New NOTAMs May Prohibit Some Automation at 5G-Affected Airports

The FAA has published its first round of Notices To Air Missions regarding the soon-to-be activated 5G cell networks, placing warnings over 1,462 airports in an effort to ease the industry into a post-5G world with minimal issue. The restrictions put into place warn that radio altimeters are unreliable and not authorized for use unless equipped with approved alternative methods of compliance. Nearly 1,500 of the warnings were published overnight to airports throughout the United States, primarily located at public-use airports within 42 miles of 46 metropolitan test markets for the country's biggest cell network operators. Verizon and

Also: NASA Selects College Teams, Aviation Experts Look Back, Kelowna Flightcraft, British Aviation Safety Trust

The Texarkana Independent School District has revealed a new partnership with Tango Flight, a 501c3 non-profit corporation aimed at fostering STEM participation. The program will get students experience in building a Vans RV-12iS. Tango Flight is an educational charity with its own turnkey program made alongside Wichita State University and the Airbus Foundation. The United States Air Force is continuing to modernize its future fighter force, and part of that evolution includes the sunsetting of the F-15C Eagle division of the United States A

Also: Allegiant Goes Boeing, Gogo Gets Going, Iran Shootdown Fallout, Tamarack Petitions NTSB

T'is the season.... for a good holiday story in which a SportPlane, and its pilot, gets to play hero. And in this case, it's yet another case of a Zenith to the rescue. Pilot Jerry Ebke noted, via Facebook, that his nephew’s little boys received a pony for Christmas in rural southeastern Nebraska. But... the Yule-time pony-joy was short-lived as the four-legged Christmas gift was spooked by their dog and ran off. The search started in earnest... "Many FB posts, stops at neighbors and driving roads had been unsuccessful in locating Scout," (the Pony). Jer

Manufacturer Gets Closer to 2019-Era Deliveries, But Sales of Widebodies Remain Anemic

Boeing announced its major program deliveries over 2021, with the company bouncing back to deliver 340 aircraft throughout the year. The announcement saw shares in Boeing rise by 2% after its orderbook was scrutinized, revealing 535 net orders after performing the requisite accounting voodoo. Boeing had a surprising year in 2021, better than many expected following the prior year full of lockdowns and closures. Boeing still trailed behind its archrival Airbus, receiving 479 orders to their 507 after cancellations. The demand for narrowbody jets in recent months was a boon to Boeing, bringing in orders that dwarf the quantities of its widebody jets.

Helo Company Recognized For Navajo Nation Support Missions

The Helicopter Association International (HAI) has announced the 2022 recipient of its Salute to Excellence Humanitarian Service Award. Every year, it honors those who best demonstrate the value of helicopters to the world by providing assistance to those in need. It will be presented on March 7 at the association's Heli-Expo 2022 in Dallas, Texas. When the COVID pandemic began sweeping across the United States in 2020, the Navajo Nation quickly experienced the country’s highest per-capita rate of infections and deaths. Located in the corner of Northeast Arizona, the reservation also expands into the high desert of Southeastern Utah and Northwestern New Mexico.

From 2010: Yeah.... This IS A Really Cool Job

When ANN's Nathan Cremisino took over the lead of our Aero-TV teams, he knew he was in for some extra work and a lot of extra responsibility. Still... with all that, there ARE times when its good to be the top guy.... like when our friends at Aspen Avionics call over and ask if we want to put one of our Aero-TV videographers aboard a formation aerobatic flight with the world famous Aero-Shell Aerobatic Team. At such times, its good to be in a

First Freshman Selected as Piper/Flight Training Promoter

Piper Aircraft has announced the extension of a little-known brand ambassador program, this time opening at Minnesota State University at Mankato (MNSU). Those selected to be Piper Ambassadors advertize Piper products through the publication of updates and posts along their pilot training experience. The program was jointly offered in collaboration with the university as an affordable, interactive way to showcase Piper's portfolio of flight training products and MNSU educational offerings for prospective pilots. 

Also: NASA Selects College Teams, Aviation Experts Look Back, Kelowna Flightcraft, British Aviation Safety Trust

The Texarkana Independent School District has revealed a new partnership with Tango Flight, a 501c3 non-profit corporation aimed at fostering STEM participation. The program will get students experience in building a Vans RV-12iS. Tango Flight is an educational charity with its own turnkey program made alongside Wichita State University and the Airbus Foundation. The United States Air Force is continuing to modernize its future fighter force, and part of that evolution includes the sunsetting of the F-15C Eagle division of the United States A

Heard A “Ticking” Noise That Progressively Got Louder And Eventually Turned Into A “Thumping” Noise

On November 24, 2021, about 1240 mountain standard time, a Beech A36, N4370W, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tooele, Utah. The pilot and 2 passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during a descent to pattern altitude at his destination airport, he reduced the propeller rpm from 2,400 rpm to 2,300, and immediately heard a “ticking” noise that progressively got louder and eventually turned into a “thumping” noise. The pilot said he initially thought something was co

Aero Linx: The International Skydiving Commission, (ISC) The International Skydiving Commission, (ISC), also branded as World Skydiving, is one of 11 Air Sport Commissions (ASC) and three Technical Commissions organised under the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), founded in 1905 and headquartered in Lausanne Switzerland. The FAI is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Other examples of ASCs include gliding, aeromodelling and ballooning. Under delegated powers from FAI, the ISC administers competitions, records and activities for sport parachuting/skydiving. There are over 100 member organisations to FAI. Within each country, a National Air Spo

Expedite Used by ATC when prompt compliance is required to avoid the development of an imminent situation. Expedite climb/descent normally indicates to a pilot that the approximate best rate of climb/descent should be used without requiring an exceptional change in aircraft handling characteristics.

“This obviously continues to be a rapidly-evolving situation, and it is imperative that business aviation operators be aware of all NOTAMs affecting their flights and what they may entail. Guidance included in these NOTAMs may range from simple advisories about 5G network operations in the area to prohibitions of some IAPs due to potential interference affecting radar altimeters.” Source: Heidi Williams, NBAA senior director for air traffic services and infrastructure, commenting as the FAA published its first round of Notices To Air Missions regarding the soon-to-be activated 5G cell networks, placing warnings over 1,462 airports in an effort to ease the industry into a post-5G world with minimal issue.