Celebrates Greatest Achievement in Aeronautics for 2023 

The Robert J. Collier Trophy has been awarded by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) since 1911 for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year. This year's award will go to the OSIRIS-REx Team at the Robert J. Collier Dinner on June 13, 2024 in Washington, D.C. In September 2023, the OSIRIS-REx Mission stunned the world when it became the first U.S. mission to collect a sample from an asteroid and return it to Earth. The material is the most significa

This Will Facilitate Maintenance For The French Piper Fleet From The Archer Up To The New M700 FURY

Piper Aircraft, Inc. and Authorized Piper Dealer, Flying Smart Aero, have announced the appointment of Troyes Aviation as the Approved Piper Service Center in France. Founded in 1973 by Françoise Horiot and transferred to new ownership in 2023, Troyes Aviation is a fully-owned subsidiary of JGH SAS and the sister Company of JG AVIATION, the Authorized Pilatus Service Centre for France. “Flying Smart is proud to add Troyes Aviation to our established network of approved service centers, covering France,” stated David Fabry, Dealer Principal at Flying Smart.

Though Negotiations Lag the Industry, Breeze Pilots Are Ready for a Fight

Breeze Airways pilots held the company's first informational picket at the Norfolk International Airport, aiming to "send a clear message to Breeze management that it's time to stop putting its profits over its pilots and deliver an industry-standard contract." "The airline is on track for a profitable quarter while our pilots are experiencing unilateral pay cuts and worsening work rules without protections," said Alexander Kluge, Breeze Airways ALPA Master Executive Council chair. "The airline has become profitable on the backs of all labor and especially the pilots through cutting our pay, work rules, and schedules."

New Twin Turboprop Sees Acceptance Abroad

Cessna's brand-new regional turboprop, the SkyCourier, has received type certification from the Australia Certification & Accreditation Service Agency (ACASA). "The SkyCourier's incredible performance makes it a reliable business tool for customers all over the world," said Lannie O'Bannion, senior vice president, Global Sales and Flight Operations. "This certification marks yet another milestone in the SkyCourier program. With the ability to load, fly, unload and repeat -- along with low operating costs and maximum cabin flexibility -- the SkyCourier is a game-changer in reaching remote destinations."

A Fun Name for a Run-of-the-Mill Project

Bell Textron showed off its new Bell 429 testbed aircraft for the ALFA project, showing the way forward for an industry eager to advance. The program, 'Aircraft Laboratory for Future Autonomy', seems more like a nice-sounding backronym, but the end result should be the same: Advanced, self-flying aircraft that can be trusted to operate with minimal human oversight. The ALFA platform will be dedicated to performing flight maneuvers with an aircraft safety system and executing autonomous fly-by-wire flights. That integration is a critical aspect of its development, Bell says.

Yearly Training Adventure Warms Everyone Up for Summer

As the nation heads full tilt into spring, the northern Coast Guard stations bone up on their rescue ops as they ready themselves for an active Alaskan summer. This year's SAREX was, like so many others in a long string of yearly outings, successful at warming up everyone involved. "The 2024 SAREX enhanced collaboration among different organizations and first responders united by a shared objective of saving lives," said Capt. Vincent Jansen, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Sitka. "Ongoing cooperation and understanding of each other's strengths are essential for overcoming potential challenges and during this SAREX we accomplished that. We are constantly humbled by our partner ag

Also: Electra Aero, AMO-CBP v Smugglers, Naval King Airs, Boeing Deal

To the surprise of everyone involved, Waco Kitchen shut down both airport operations with little warning and has not said much since. Lakeland’s Airport reported that, "WACO Kitchen, owned and operated by Dimor Eats LLC, which leases space on the second floor of the terminal building at Lakeland International Airport, notified officials on Monday that they will be temporarily suspending operations..." After months of wrangling, an agreement has been reached on a final bill to reauthorize the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the NTSB for five years. The legislation priori

Klyde Notes Some Issues In Messaging...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Aviation Education Efforts Capitalize on National Teacher Day

Oklahoman kids got to have a little fun for National Teacher Appreciation Day, in the sense that "fun" means "mandatory after-school education activities". The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics embarked on its first-ever partnership with the Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Star Program, introducing an after-school activity for 6th and 7th grade students across the state. 

Also: NAAA Asks UAVs To Give Way, Viasat-uAvionix, Oshkosh Defense, Wright Intros WEAETC

Skydweller Aero successfully completed the first flight of its solar-powered aircraft, the Skydweller, earlier this month. This groundbreaking aircraft, which boasts a wingspan exceeding that of a Boeing 747, undertook its inaugural flight autonomously--without any human pilot onboard or in direct control--from Stennis International Airport in Bay St Louis, Mississippi. VoltAero has commenced certification testing for the innovative electric-hybrid powertrain of its Cassio 330 aircraft. This testing phase marks a crucial step in the development of the Cassio e

Pilot Started The Engines, He Noticed The Fuel Gauge Was Flickering And Thought It Was Malfunctioning

Analysis: The pilot was taking the airplane on a flight to another airport for maintenance. During the preflight inspection, the pilot turned on the electrical power and noticed that the fuel gauge was indicating 80 gallons of fuel. The pilot reported the airplane holds a maximum of 156 gallons of fuel and he calculated that he needed 113 gallons of fuel to legally complete the flight. He informed the fixed base operator (FBO) that he wanted the fuel tanks topped off, but was informed by the ramp technician that the fuel tanks were full and he did not need fuel.

From 2017 (YouTube Version): Zenith Offers Workshop For Beginners At Sebring Sport Expo…

The concept of building your own airplane can be daunting for a lot of people. Most wouldn't consider building their own car, much less an airplane. In an effort to demystify the process, Zenith Aircraft held a four-day workshop at the Sebring Sport Aircraft Expo in January to introduce beginners to the process of building their own airplanes. Zenith Aircraft owner Sebastian Heintz told ANN news editor Tom Patton that there were 17 rudder

Aero Linx: B-21 Raider The B-21 Raider will be a dual-capable penetrating strike stealth bomber capable of delivering both conventional and nuclear munitions. The B-21 will form the backbone of the future Air Force bomber force consisting of B-21s and B-52s. Designed to operate in tomorrow’s high-end threat environment, the B-21 will play a critical role in ensuring America’s enduring airpower capability.

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Hold Procedure A predetermined maneuver which keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control. Also used during ground operations to keep aircraft within a specified area or at a specified point while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control.

"Fly-by-wire flight, coupled with additional capability that are being integrated into ALFA, provide a great foundation for Bell to expand on its autonomous capabilities. This aircraft will serve as a flying lab that will inform future autonomous technology development, which we can ultimately leverage to deliver the best rotorcraft solutions to global operators." Source: Jason Hurst, executive vice president, Engineering, Bell, in comments made as Bell Textron showed off its new Bell 429 testbed aircraft for the ALFA project, showing the way forward for an industry eager to advance.