The Secondary Perils of Deliberately Crashing Aircraft

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on 11 May 2023 that a YouTuber who deliberately crashed an airplane for purpose of increasing his online viewership has agreed to plead guilty to a felony charge of obstructing a federal investigation. Trevor Daniel Jacob, 29, of Lompoc, California, who—in addition to the aforementioned, willfully destroyed the wreckage of the crashed aircraft—agreed to plead guilty to one count of destruction and concealment with the intent to obstruct a federal investigation, a crime that carries a statutory maximum sentence of twenty-years in federal prison.

CASA Reminds Pilots to Check their Seat Rails for Proper Locking Capability 

A reminder from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau brought a classic Cessna bugbear to the fore with a review of a recent incident during takeoff, this time in a more modern Sling 2 taking off for a training flight. Luckily the incident did not turn out poorly for the student pilot, who was starting off their very first solo flight when the seat locking mechanism unlatched, dumping them backwards upon rotation. The incident highlights a bit of the convenience of a floor mounted stick, since all it required was the reduction of throttle and some hand braking to bring the Sling 2 back to rest without leaving the runway.

12 H-225 Caracal Delivery Slots Could be Up for Grabs After Contract Termination

THe United Arab Emirates canceled an outstanding €800 million contract for the sale of a dozen H-225 Caracal multirole helicopters from Airbus, citing high lifecycle costs and a limited mission envelope. “We recently terminated a contract with Airbus Helicopters to purchase H225 helicopters," said Muammar Abdulla Abushehab, defense industry affairs sector chief on the Tawazun council. The body acts as a sort of advisory board for defense procurement for the UAE. "We found it difficult to continue the contract due to the high lifecycle cost, the limitations in adapting to modular designs of future mission requirements, and the complex technical pro

eVTOL Sportster Will Integrate the SafeAir Recovery System

Jetson has announced the selection of ParaZero's SafeAir parachute recovery system for their ONE, the firm's single-person electric VTOL aircraft. The company has captured attention with a handful of adverts that show a more sporty, personal approach to eVTOL design, less focused on utilitarian cargo carriage and more on the visceral excitement of a flying sports car. Just as general aviation manufacturers have seen success in courting a wider customer base using airframe parachute systems, the ONE's incorporation of a safety chute should help to open up an even wider swathe of prospective pilots.

Also: NetJets Sued, CAE Opening C Europe Facility, Flight Education Access Act, AirVenture Jobs

Thrust Flight, an Addison, Texas-based flight academy, announced that it has entered into a partnership with Rising Aviation High School by which the two institutions will provide comprehensive flight training to students, thereby helping populate tomorrow’s flight-decks with a new generation of qualified pilots. Army Chief of Staff James McConville has grounded all Army aviators not currently involved in critical missions following a trio of 2023 helicopter accidents in which a total of 16 service-members have lost their lives. Army spokesman Lieutenant

Next Spaceflight Due for 'Late May', with 1st Commercial Flight in June

Virgin Galactic announced the results of the first quarter of the year, giving some investors good news in the form of a healthy launch schedule and relatively secure position. Like always, the endeavor remains a money-burner, with a net loss of $159 million, up from a $93 million net loss in the same span last year. That is somewhat mitigated by where that money was spent, however, as Virgin notes that the increase was "primarily driven by investments related to the development of the future fleet and enhancements for the current fleet."

Also: More Honors For The Kings, FedEx Mother/Daughter, Skyhawk Panel, Aviation Bill

The T-7A Red Hawk jet trainer won't be expected to reach initial operational capability until spring of 2027 according to an Air Force release. The aircraft was supposed to be the next-generation replacement for the long-in-the-tooth, but venerable, T-38 Talon. Following his 28 April aviation safety stand-down order, U.S. Army Chief of Staff General James McConville set forth he expects the service’s helicopters to be airborne in a matter of days. Speaking before the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subpanel, McConville explained he had directed aviation

Also: NetJets Sued, CAE Opening C Europe Facility, Flight Education Access Act, AirVenture Jobs

Thrust Flight, an Addison, Texas-based flight academy, announced that it has entered into a partnership with Rising Aviation High School by which the two institutions will provide comprehensive flight training to students, thereby helping populate tomorrow’s flight-decks with a new generation of qualified pilots. Army Chief of Staff James McConville has grounded all Army aviators not currently involved in critical missions following a trio of 2023 helicopter accidents in which a total of 16 service-members have lost their lives. Army spokesman Lieutenant Colo

As Tech Advances, the Line Between Mil-Tech and Toys Blurs

Red Cat Holdings has announced its intent to deliver 200 long-range, high-speed FPV drones to Ukrainian units in June, further reinforcing the utility of the type in military service. The model to be delivered will be the firm's Teal 2, a compact little sprinter with first-person controls and high-tech FLIR imaging. The continued use of drones both civilian and military has come to emphasize a few consistent features for a successful ISR platform: Easy handling, first-person pilotage, good battery life, robust construction, and detailed sensors. The Teal 2 sports all of the above and more, enough to be a more upscale, reliable, and hardened rendition than similar - but inferior - comm

Colgan Air Families Oppose Non-ATP Pilots in Commuter Cockpits

“Families of Flight 3407”, lobbying group centered around those lost in the Colgan Air crash in 2009, have weighed in on the application to provide commuter service by SkyWest Charters, LLC. The group, represented by Takia Boujaoude, sent a letter to DoT Secretary Pete Buttigieg requesting that the administration deny SkyWest Charter’s request. The group objected to the proposed operation, taking issue with the possibility that the anticipated commuter service would use first officers without an Airline Transport Certificate under their belt. In a passively worded press release, the group credited the span of relative airline safety over the last 10+ years&n

From 2015 (YouTube Version): E-Fest: The Greatest Indoor Airshow We've EVER Seen!

While at E-Fest 2015, it’s obvious that ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, had a great time, and he talked with E-Fest committee member Frank Noll to get some background on this great event. Noll explained that E-Fest is an annual indoor electric R/C Festival that brings together about 250 pilots every February to fly, and to advance their sport. The event takes place at the University of Illinois Track and Field Armory in Champaign, Illinois. The primary sponsor of E-Fest is Hobbico, a major source of the equipment that makes flying indoor electric RC aircraf

"Company Continues to Exploit Decade-old Contract" Says ALPA Reps

United Airlines pilots are planning to do a nationwide picket at 10 airports on Friday, May 12th, bringing attention to their frustration with the state of their contract. The industry's raft of fresh contracts has set off a wave among pilot groups eager to defray their rising cost of living and obtain parity with smaller, less prestigious carriers - and United pilots are no exception.

The Right Wing Separated In Flight, At Approximately The Mid-Length Section Of The Right Flap

On April 26, 2023, about 1425 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 177B (illustrated below), N123DS, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Watkinsville, Georgia. The private pilot and a pilotrated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The fight departed Leesburg International Airport (LEE), Leesburg, Florida about 1131 on an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan to Barrow County Airport (WDR), Winder, Georgia. Approaching WDR, the pilot established communication with the Atlanta Approach (A80) air traffic controller while descending to 4,000 ft.

Aero Linx: The Helicopter Safety Advisory Conference (HSAC)

The HELICOPTER SAFETY ADVISORY CONFERENCE (HSAC) was formed in January, 1978 after an accident in which 19 people lost their lives when a helicopter came in contact with a platform crane. Realizing there was a lack of communication between oil companies, service organizations, helicopter operations, and the helicopter industry, representatives of these companies agreed to work toward improved safety offshore. The HSAC continues to identify critical issues that affect safety in the Gulf of Mexico. Through interaction of HSAC subcommittees and associated responsible organizations, HSAC has been, and continues to be, proactive in reso

Maximum Authorized Altitude

A published altitude representing the maximum usable altitude or flight level for an airspace structure or route segment. It is the highest altitude on a Federal airway, jet route, area navigation low or high route, or other direct route for which an MEA is designated in 14 CFR Part 95 at which adequate reception of navigation aid signals is assured.

“We recently terminated a contract with Airbus Helicopters to purchase H225 helicopters. We found it difficult to continue the contract due to the high lifecycle cost, the limitations in adapting to modular designs of future mission requirements, and the complex technical proposal." Source: Muammar Abdulla Abushehab, defense industry affairs sector chief on the Tawazun council. The body acts as a sort of advisory board for defense procurement for the UAE.