Climate Protesters Arrested for Invading Hanscom Field

On the morning of April 20, a protest by climate activists at Hanscom Field airport in Bedford, Massachusetts, led to the arrest of 20 individuals. The protesters, believed to be associated with the group Extinction Rebellion, were part of a larger gathering of approximately 25 people voicing opposition to the proposed expansion of the airport to include 17 new private jet hangars. Massachusetts State Police spokesperson Dave Procopio reported that the demonstrators breached a security perimeter, prompting a response from state and local police forces. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) noted that the breach led to a temporary closure of the airport as a precautionary measure. Charges against the arrested individuals included trespassing and disorderly conduct.

NTSB Praises New FAA Policy on Controller Rest and Duty Time

The NTSB has long highlighted the risks associated with fatigue among air traffic controllers, advocating for changes to ensure they receive adequate rest. Recently, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy praised the new FAA regulation requiring air traffic controllers to have at least 10 hours off between shifts and 12 hours off before a midnight shift. This policy adjustment aims to enhance safety by ensuring controllers are well-rested and alert. This initiative comes after tragic incidents that underscored the severe implications of controller fatigue. A notable example is the Comair flight 5191 crash on August 27, 2006, in Lexington, Kentucky, where 49 lives were lost when a plane took off from the wrong runway. The controller on duty had returned to work just nine hours after completing his previous shift, having managed only a two-hour nap in the interim. The lack of rest was pointed out in the investigation as a significant factor contributing to the accident.

Situational Awareness and Flight Planning Application Picking Up Speed in App Market

Airmate celebrated a milestone of reaching a quarter-million registered users of its application at AERO 2024, heading to Friedrichshafen with good news in tow. Airmate is an EFB app, like so many others, but it manages to maintain a blessedly grassroots feel. It offers most of the same EFB accouterments one expects from the breed, like charting, mapping, flight planning, and situational awareness while in-air. Perhaps where it really shines is that it breaks from the pack of requiring hundreds of dollars a year just to maintain basic functionality - Airmate prides itself on being the "first fully free EFB," providing their services as a safety enhancer and trusting in the goodwill of its userbase to keep them afloat.

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UAVOS has recently achieved a significant milestone in public safety and emergency services with the first operational deployment of its UVH 170 unmanned helicopter, designed specifically for wildfire suppression. The deployment, which involved both day and night operations, represents a critical advancement in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in managing natural disasters. In a landmark agreement announced on April 22, 2024, magniX, a leader in electric aviation technology, has entered into a Letter of Intent with Harbour Air to supply 50 magni650 electric engines. This initiative is set to transform Harbour Air, North America's largest seaplane operator, by electrifying its fleet starting with the iconic De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver aircraft. The Vertical Flight Society (VFS) announced a significant milestone in the electric vertical takeoff and landing

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Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase', meaning it's just about to head into the oven, but the recipe isn't inked just yet. CubCrafters VP Brad Damm wants to see everyone chip in with their two cents to see how they feel about the prospective aircraft. So far, everything that's been shown off paints a very attractive portrait of a lightweight, capable, eager little bird, boasting an empty weight "well below 900 lbs..." CKD Aerospace hit innovation preview with a couple goodies right off the bat, updating fans on their line of kit aircraft, Fisher Flying Products. Now, Fisher Flying Products are looking to moving from spruce into rag & tube. The Affordable Flying Expo is on the books for January 9th through the 11th of 2025. The new fly-in offers a well-timed excuse to take the family down south to e

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The FAA is hiring thousands of air traffic controllers, but the window to apply will only be open for a short time. The FAA has issued a call to action, requesting anyone and everyone meeting the relatively accommodating standards. They will have to bolster their numbers soon, with plans to hire 1,800 more controllers this year, and another 2,000 in 2025. Spirit Airlines announced its decision to defer the delivery of new Airbus aircraft and furlough approximately 260 pilots. The budget airline, headquartered in Miramar, Florida, is taking these measures as part of its strategy to boost liquidity amidst challenging times. Redbird Flight, manufacturer of flight simulators and training devices, came out in force to Sun 'n Fun 2024, with all kinds of new goodies in tow. Their new friends at the Recreational Aviation Foundation have kept up their momentum in keeping a presenc

Add-On Crowdsources Turbulence Data From Users, Free with Performance Plus, Pro Plus Plans

ForeFlight has published a new feature showing live, automated turbulence information constantly updated with crowdsourced data. The feature should help those in lighter aircraft avoid and survive particularly turbulent weather conditions, though any pilot looking to provide a smoother ride for passengers will enjoy it too. As is often the case with nifty ForeFlight additions, the Reported Turbulence function will be available as an add-on for some ForeFlight plans. The Reported Turbulence (Low) grants access to turbulence reports below 14,000 feet, with an add-on for Reported Turbulence (All) that removes that altitude instruction. Those operating a Sentry or Sentry Plus device can get a 50% discount on the (All) layer by registering with the program. For those subscribed to the ForeFlight plans of Prop Plus and Performance Plus will see the feature included by default.

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Boom Supersonic got the first instance of Special Flight Authorization to go supersonic, planning to push their XB-1 aircraft beyond the sound barrier. The FAA granted the authorization for them to test fly at Mach 1+ in the R-2508 Complex and part of the R-2515 High Altitude Supersonic Corridor. The FAA says that it completed a thorough review and Environmental Assessment, paving the way for future supersonic flight testing in the commercial sphere. Paul Poberezny's work needs little introduction in the world of experimental aviation, sport flying, and hobbyist aeronautics, being attached to what has grown into a titan today. Sometimes, growth makes it easy to miss the little things, and today's "little guy" is smarting more than ever just looking at the price tags of "cheap" aircraft. Poberezny, seeing similar things while he was still with us, tried to forestall su

Airbus Taps Robin Hayes, Former Jetblue CEO as New Chairman and CEO of Airbus Americas

Airbus has named Robin Hayes, the former CEO of JetBlue Airways, as the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Americas, Inc. This leadership transition comes as C. Jeffrey Knittel prepares to retire on June 3, 2024, after a successful tenure at the helm since 2018. Hayes, a seasoned leader with 35 years in the aerospace sector, including significant roles at British Airways and JetBlue, is set to bring his extensive experience to Airbus. During his time at JetBlue, Hayes not only led the airline through a transformative phase but also served as Chair of the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Board of Governors from 2020 to 2022.

Klyde Is Having Some Issues Comprehending The Fed's Priorities

FMI: www.klydemorris.com