Proximity’s Perils

A Chinese fighter jet reportedly neared to within ten-feet of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over contested waters of the South China Sea. The Chinese pilot’s shortsightedly aggressive antics forced the USAF plane to take evasive action to avoid a midair collision of potentially dire consequence in international airspace—so said the Pentagon on Thursday, 29 December 2022.

Unsung ISR Platform Key to Counterdrug Ops

Based on Fairchild Swearingen’s Metroliner twin-turboprop commuter airliner, the RC-26 is an Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform in service with the United States Air Force, Navy, and Army. Notwithstanding the extent to which the aircraft is relied upon to monitor fentanyl smuggling across the U.S./Mexico border, the National Guard received orders in November to advance the RC-26’s retirement date from April 2023 to year’s end 2022. No plans currently exist to replace the platform.

16 CH-149 Cormorants to be Brought Up to Modern SAR Spec Under CMLU Program

The Canadian Department of National Defence has chosen Leonardo to revamp their AW101/CH-149 “Cormorant” helicopter fleet. The $1 billion CAN contract will provide 16 aircraft with a Mid-Life Upgrade (CMLU), with 13 of them drawn from Canada's fleet of Cormorant Search and Rescue Helicopters. The other 3 slots will be used for other aircraft at a later date.

From 2011 (YouTube Version): An Innovative Company Dreams Up Yet Another Novel Gadget!

Intercom company PS Engineering has introduced its first 760-channel VHF comm radio fully integrated with the audio control panel. The PAR100EX system combines an audio control panel, audiophile stereo intercom with IntelliVox, Bluetooth connectivity, and a remote mounted VHF aviation communications transceiver. PS Engineering partnered with Microair and integrated an important piece of avionics, with an advanced audio panel system. By working with an established radio manufacturer, PS Engineering's customers will benefit from their individual talents. This system will save cockpit space, weight, prov

Recipients Required to Wait 48 Hours Prior to Performing Duties

The FAA has followed through on a COVID-19 vaccination approval, now allowing the Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) COVID-19 vaccine for pilots, controllers, and similar roles. The news honors an Emergency Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FAA has determined that the vaccine is allowable under the conditions of their FAA-issued airman medical certification. FAA and contract air traffic controllers, who are subject to FAA medical clearance, may also receive the vaccine.

Approval Offers 3" Replacement to Honeywell IVA-81A/D AML

Southeast Aerospace has obtained an STC for the use of a GI 275 in Part-25 Instantaneous Vertical Speed Indicator (IVSI). installations. The installation of the small, ~3" electronic display opens up additional, much needed panel space in a variety of aircraft using obsolete Honeywell IVA-81As -81Ds. The GI 275 may replace a single or dual installation of an old IVA-81, allowing operators to retain one of their still-functional indicators or replace them entirely. 

Also: Stillwater High School, Women's Aviation Symposium, Aeronautical Chart User's Guide, Bogus Pilot

The Air Force's recruiting and training situation is scarcely better than it was last year, amid a growing industry-wide pilot shortage. The USAF thinks it can train 1,470 new pilots in fiscal year 2023, something its own AF Times calls a "lofty goal amid an enduring shortage of flyers". The target is not far off the original plan to graduate 1,500 new, combat-ready pilots per year by 2024. EAA’s Young Eagles program has rebounded after languishing in low turnout since the pandemic, with more than 49,000 participants taking part this year. Almos

After The Flight Instructor Took Control Of The Airplane, The Airplane Descended Below The Proper Glidepath

On September 1, 2022, about 1707 central daylight time, a Cirrus Aircraft SR22 airplane, N420SS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Tomball, Texas. The flight instructor was fatally injured; the pilot and passenger sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. Earlier in the week, on August 29, 2022, the pilot accepted delivery of his factory-new Cirrus SR22 airplane at the Cirrus Aircraft Vision Center located at the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS), near Knoxville, Tennessee. He had no previous pilot flying experience in a Cirrus airpl

Aero Linx: The Swift Museum Foundation The Swift Museum Foundation is a 501(3)c non-profit, member supported organization. Membership details are available by contacting the Museum Headquarters. Membership benefits include sharing over 60 years experience in the care and maintenance of the Swift by thousands of owner members. The Swift Museum Foundation was started by Charlie Nelson, our President, over 40 years ago with an ad in Trade-A-Plane to Swift owners inquiring about any interest in forming a type club. It started as the International Swift Association, grew and ten years later became the only type club to purchase the FAA Type Certificate for it’s aircraft. It also acquired with the Ty

Minimum Sector Altitude [ICAO] The lowest altitude which may be used under emergency conditions which will provide a minimum clearance of 300 m (1,000 feet) above all obstacles located in an area contained within a sector of a circle of 46 km (25 NM) radius centered on a radio aid to navigation.

“The U.S. Indo-Pacific Joint Force is dedicated to a free and open Indo-Pacific region and will continue to fly, sail, and operate at sea and in international airspace with due regard for the safety of all vessels and aircraft under international law.” Source: From a statement by the U.S. military following some really dumbass moves by Chinese fighter pilots, who harassed a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over contested waters of the South China Sea.