Latest 'Robbie' Is Heading Out To Work In Part 135 Air Taxi And Tour Operations

On April 23, 2021 Robinson Helicopter delivered it’s 13,000 helicopter, R44 S/N 14438 to longtime Robinson dealer SKY Helicopters of Dallas, Texas. S/N 14438 has a brand-new paint scheme and is equipped with the latest in R44 options; a Lithium-ion battery, heated seats, and a 4K cockpit video camera. The aircraft also includes a well configured glass panel featuring Garmin’s 700L TXi, GTN 650Xi navigator, and a Genesys HeliSAS Autopilot.

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After the covid pandemic halted operations in 2020, Liberty Aviation Museum's 1928 Ford Tri-Motor 5-AT-B will return for a full EAA national tour this year. The first portion of the 2021 tour schedule includes a stop in Illinois before the aircraft heads south to Kentucky and Tennessee. The tour will continue into the summer, with the Tri-Motor returning to Oshkosh for the full week of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh on July 26-August 1. EAA's Ford Tri-Motor 4-AT-E is currently undergoing continued restoration and maintenance a

The Pilatus PC-12 Is Used By Air and Marine Operations (AMO) To Conduct Overland Aerial Patrol

CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) partnered with U.S. Border Patrol and Kennedy County Sheriff’s Office deputies to rescue two individuals near an emergency call location in the Rio Grande Valley area. On April 12, while on patrol in the Rio Grande Valley sector, a NASOC-SA, PC-12 crew responded to a 911 call to locate a lost child in the Rio Grande Valley. The PC-12 crew located two distressed and lost individuals in the brush near a ranch road and coordinated with Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol agents to assist. The aircrew remained on scene until Kennedy Sheriff’s Office deputies arrived to render assistance to the rescued indivi

Order Backlog Currently Totals USD 14.2 Billion

Embraer reports that they delivered a total of 22 jets in the first quarter of 2021, of which nine were commercial aircraft and 13 were executive jets (10 light and three large). As of March 31st, the firm order backlog totaled USD 14.2 billion. During 1Q21, KLM Cityhopper, the regional subsidiary of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, received its first E195-E2 jet. This first E2 delivery to KLM, and lessor ICBC Aviation Leasing, elevated the total number of Embraer jets in the KLM Cityhopper fleet to 50 aircraft.

Astronauts Alter Station Command Before Cargo and Crew Ships Depart

The International Space Station has a new commander now as four astronauts prepare for their return to Earth this Saturday. The orbital residents also sent off a Russian cargo craft Tuesday evening, completing its year-long stay at the orbital lab. The four SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts have a new splashdown date after mission managers waved off Wednesday’s planned departure due to weather conditions at the landing site. The quartet of Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and Soichi Noguchi, is now targeting a splashdown off the coast of Florida for Saturday at 11:36 a.m. EDT.

Each Allegedly Interfered With With Flight Attendants

The FAA has proposed civil penalties of $31,750, $16,750 and $14,500 against three passengers for allegedly interfering with and, in two cases, assaulting flight attendants who instructed them to obey cabin crew instruction and various federal regulations. Federal law prohibits interfering with aircraft crew or physically assaulting or threatening to physically assault aircraft crew or anyone else on an aircraft. Passengers are subject to civil penalties for such misconduct, which can threaten the safety of the flight by disrupting or distracting cabin crew from their safety duties. Additionally, federal law provides for criminal fines and imprisonment of passengers who interfere with the perfo

Milestone Set Before Completion Of Ford Post Delivery Test & Trials

The Navy's futuristic Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) and Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) achieved 8,000 aircraft recoveries and launches aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) on April 19, during the final independent steaming event of her 18-month Post Delivery Test & Trials (PDT&T) period. Capt. Kenneth Sterbenz, Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) program manager (PMA-251) for EMALS and AAG, said ALRE finished PDT&T strong, and they are ready for the next step, as Ford prepares for Full Ship Shock Trials, which is scheduled to begin summer 2021.  

From 2019 (YouTube Version): Hartzell Propeller Secures STC For King Air Propellers

Hartzell Propeller has secured an FAA Type Certificate for a new five-blade carbon fiber propeller system for the King Air 200 fleet. These custom designed props will be available through Raisbeck Engineering via STC for King Air 200, B200, and B200GT aircraft. This new propeller system, which increases performance across the board, is the first five-blade structural composite propeller certified on the King Air 200 series.

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On Tuesday, March 30, SpaceX launched its fourth high-altitude flight test of Starship from Starbase in Texas. Similar to previous high-altitude flight tests, Starship Serial Number 11 (SN11) was powered through ascent by three Raptor engines, each shutting down in sequence prior to the vehicle reaching apogee – approximately 10 km in altitude. SN11 performed a propellant transition to the internal header tanks, which hold landing propellant, before reorienting itself for reentry and a controlled aerod

After Completing A Left Turn Back To The Field, The Engine Experienced A Total Loss Of Power

On July 30, 2020, at 2045 Pacific daylight time, a Bell OH-58A helicopter, N901XV, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Holtville, California. The pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 137 agricultural flight. The pilot stated that after his initial departure, he touched down to pick up his first load. After he completed dispersing two loads he returned back to the loader and added another load. He made a normal takeoff and completed three passes over the intended field.

AD 2021-09-03 This Correction Is Effective May 4, 2021

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that was published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to certain Airbus Canada Limited Partnership Model BD-500-1A10 and BD-500-1A11 airplanes. As published, two references to a Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA) AD number specified in the regulatory text are incorrect. This document corrects those errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same. This correction is effective May 4, 2021. The effective date of AD 2021-09-03 remains May 4, 2021.

AD 2021-08-17 Prompted By The Discovery Of A Main Gearbox (MGB) With Worn Ramps And Broken Roller Cages

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 helicopters. This AD was prompted by the discovery of a main gearbox (MGB) with worn ramps and broken roller cages. This AD requires installing a placard on the pilot instrument panel and replacing certain MGBs. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD becomes effective May 12, 2021.

Aero Linx: The SAFE Association The SAFE Association (formerly known as the Survival and Flight Equipment Association) is dedicated to the preservation of human life. It provides a common meeting ground for the sharing of problems, ideas and information. SAFE, is a non-profit international association headquartered in Oregon, with chapters located throughout the world.

"The FAA notes that it is strictly enforcing a zero-tolerance policy toward passengers who cause disturbances on flights, fail to obey flight crew instructions in violation of the FAA’s regulations, or engage in conduct proscribed by federal law. The passengers have 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency. The FAA does not identify individuals against whom it proposes civil penalties." Source: A portion of a statement issued by the FAA along with the announcement that three airline passengers are facing fines for interference with a flight crew member.