An Argument Poorly Made

For purpose of demanding sweeping governmental bans on private jet ownership and operation, a mob of some one-hundred militant climate activists converged upon Switzerland’s International Airport of Geneva (GVA), blocking the main entry to 2023’s European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE)—one of business aviation’s principal yearly events and a key forum in which aircraft OEMs showcase their wares to prospective buyers.

Walking in Memphis

On 24 May 2023, ALPA announced that hundreds of FedEx Express pilots, in a strong show of support for the air-carrier’s ALPA negotiating team—had participated in an informational picket on the grounds of the FedEx Express Air Operations Center. The picket was undertaken for purpose of protesting fantastically protracted, abjectly unproductive contract negotiations—negotiations convened in May 2021 and relegated to mediation in October 2022.

NATA Calls Attention to Helpful DEF Aids

The NATA brought attention to “another incident of Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) contaminating jet fuel”, offering their guidance to help prevent future catastrophe.The incident happened at a Southwestern US FBO, when the contaminated fuel went unnoticed…until an aircraft was forced to perform an off-airport landing with a pair of dead engines. Since no injuries were reported, the incident remained mostly unknown in the public eye, at once a blessing and a curse. The NATA said that “the risks for more catastrophic results remain high”, citing 5 separate reported instances of similar DEF contamination over the last 5 years. The same luck holds there, too, since none of the inciden

Battle for UAS Market Supremacy Intensifies

Skydio is an American manufacturer of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)—colloquially, drones. Founded in 2014 and based in San Mateo, California, the company comprises personnel possessed of expertise in disciplines such as AI, robotics, aerospace engineering, imaging technology, and electric propulsion. In March 2021, Skydio became the first U.S. drone manufacturer to exceed $1-billion in overall value. On 07 February 2023, following a three-year period during which the company’s resources and market share grew by a reported 2,900-percent, Skydio announced it had raised $230-millio

A few Days in a Swiss Tunnel Help to Suss Out Any Shortcoming

Eve Air Mobility completed wind tunnel testing of its upcoming eVTOL aircraft earlier this month, putting their mock-up through its paces in a facility near Lucerne, Switzerland. The Eve team was able to suss out any issues remaining in the aircraft's design, as well as double-check any discrepancies in lift, efficiency, flying qualities, or performance. Of particular interest to crews was the interplay of air along its more unorthodox structures, something of fresh territory in aeronautical design. While computer-aided-design can do quite a lot to validate ideas and concepts, there's no replacement for physical testing.

Also: KIA WWII Airman Returns, FAA Does Less, TBP Lithium For PC-12, ERAU Rocketry

On 14 May, NORAD disclosed that U.S. fighter jets had intercepted six Russian aircraft operating within the boundaries of the Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ). The intercepted Russian aircraft included TU-95 “Bear” bombers, IL-78 aerial tankers; and Su-35 “Flanker” fighter jets. Honeywell Aerospace’s Pilatus PC-12 test aircraft has successfully completed the first test flight of the company’s Anthem integrated flight deck. Although Honeywell Anthem has been in flight test for more than a year and has accumulated upwards of 120 ho

Bedtime for the Fishbed

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has grounded its entire fleet of MiG-21 fighter jets in the wake of an accident in which a specimen of subject aircraft went down in western India’s Rajasthan state killing three civilians in the vicinity of the impact site. Indian officials set forth the grounding was undertaken precautionarily, for purpose of carrying out mechanical checks on the Soviet-Era fighters—checks specified by IAF accident protocol.

New Specification of HondaJet Sports Better Amenities, Avionics, and Performance than Ever Before

Honda Aircraft Company's newest rendition of their HondaJet Elite II has finally made its way before the public at the 2023 European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition, available for in-person examination after the Elite II was announced last October. The week began with a handful of announcements at EBACE, as usual, as the Euro bizjet industry descended upon Geneva, Switzerland to see the latest and greatest on offer. Honda's Elite II, announced last fall, has so far remained the stuff of photos and websites until now.

Garland says Decision is “Win For Americans Who Rely on Competition Between Airlines” for Affordable Travel

The Justice Department has won in its lawsuit halting a proposed partnership between JetBlue and American Airlines, with the court's finding that the move is tantamount to an actual partnership. US District Judge Leo Sorokin said that the move would preserve a measure of competition in the northeast region of the US, preventing the two airlines from joining hands against their shared rival, Delta.

Purpose Of The Flight Was To Conduct An Airplane Pre-Buy Inspection For One Of The Passengers

On May 01, 2023, about 1402 Pacific daylight time, a Beech A36 Bonanza, N2038Y, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Big Bear City, California. The pilot and two passengers were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. According to one witness, the purpose of the flight was to conduct an airplane pre-buy inspection for one of the passengers, at Big Bear City Airport (L35), Big Bear City, California.

Aero Linx: Beechcraft Heritage Museum A one-of-a-kind aviation museum that traces the lineage of Beechcraft. The Museum began as the Staggerwing Museum Foundation, incorporated in October 1973 under the auspices of the Staggerwing Club. In April 2007, the Museum was renamed Beechcraft Heritage Museum to reflect our commitment to promoting aviation education and preserving the heritage of all Beechcraft models from 1932 through the present.

Nonapproach Control Tower Authorizes aircraft to land or takeoff at the airport controlled by the tower or to transit the Class D airspace. The primary function of a nonapproach control tower is the sequencing of aircraft in the traffic pattern and on the landing area. Nonapproach control towers also separate aircraft operating under instrument flight rules clearances from approach controls and centers. They provide ground control services to aircraft, vehicles, personnel, and equipment on the airport movement area.

“Last week, voting closed on a historic strike authorization ballot, with our pilots overwhelmingly in support of a strike if necessary. Once again, our pilots are holding the line and demonstrating their continued frustration with management’s lack of urgency to close this deal and invest in our pilots.” Source: From comments associated with recent FedEx pilot picketing, made by FedEx ALPA Master Executive Council chair Captain Chris Norman.