Also: UAVOS Joins HAPS, Schiebel Monitoring Ship Emissions, US–Swiss Drone Agreement, EHang 216 Sightseeing Demos

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has published a proposal of airworthiness standards for the certification of the vast majority of light unmanned aircraft. These standards will greatly contribute to the safe operation of drones for a wide variety of services, such as parcel delivery in urban environments, railways and power lines inspection or delivery of essential supplies into crisis zones. The proposed standards, now open for public consultation, are known as Special Condition Light UAS and will be applicable to unmanned aircraft under 600 Kg... In partnership with NASA's Ames Research Center, Swift Engineering's high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial system, completed its maiden flight. The only US-made platform in its class, Swift's flight team, perform

Also: Pakistan License Scandal, United A/L Pilots, Sterling Adds Frasca, King Schools Giveaway

King Schools has been busy these last few months, despite the ravages of a global pandemic... As a result, Pilots taking flight training via the Cessna Flight Training System will find their learning easier and more fun as a result of upgrades to their courses. New features include updated navigation, design and functionality on their iPhones, iPads, laptops and desktops. Flight instructors will also see major modifications to features in the Course Tracking Application (CTA). Want to win a FREE King School’s course, kneeboard, and flight bag? Enter to win by completing either of two options… Survey: https://forms.gle/tMNZmg2ebzZCXxQH7. The Air Force Test Pilot School bid farewell to outgo

Designed for Next-Gen High Speed Travel

Now, things are getting interesting... Virgin Galactic and The Spaceship Company have unveiled the first stage design scope for the build of its high speed aircraft design, and the signing of a non-binding MOU with Rolls-Royce to collaborate in designing and developing engine propulsion technology for high speed commercial aircraft. This follows the successful completion of its Mission Concept Review ("MCR") program milestone and authorization from the FAA Center for Emerging Concepts and Innovation to work with Virgin Galactic to outline a certification framework. 

Modifications Have Been Made To Planned Events In Oahu And The Washington D.C./Northern Virginia Area

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, aerial tributes in Hawaii and Washington D.C. will take place in August and September. After lengthy discussions and coordination with federal and local officials, the 75th WWII Commemoration Executive Committee has made modifications to planned events in Oahu and the Washington D.C./Northern Virginia area to address health protocols established by state, county and local officials as they pertain to public gatherings.

Two-Month, 27.1-Million-Mile Mission

NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday afternoon aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon “Endeavour,” wrapping up a two-month, 27.1-million-mile mission to the International Space Station on the agency’s SpaceX Demo-2 mission. The splashdown at 2:48 p.m. EDT, Sunday, off the coast of Pensacola, Florida, marked the first time a commercially built and operated American crew spacecraft returned from the International Space Station.

Flight Test Program Will Now Evolve To Progressively Open The Flight Envelope

The prototype of Airbus Helicopters’ VSR700 UAS has performed its first free flight. The VSR700 performed a ten minute flight at a drone test centre near Aix-en-Provence in the south of France. This is a significant step in the programme following the first flight in November 2019 when the prototype was tethered to comply with regulatory requirements. To enable this free flight, Airbus Helicopters implemented geofencing, a virtual perimeter, which enabled and justified a flight clearance from airworthiness authorities for free flight.

RV-10 Construction Just Got A LOT Easier

Van’s Aircraft has initiated the process of phasing in the production of final-size, matched-hole RV-10 parts. Until now, all parts for the RV-10 have been produced with slightly undersized holes, which the builder must up-size with a drill and then debur prior to assembly. The company notes that, "We will be transitioning the RV-10 kit to final-sized holes, much like the RV-14 and RV-12iS kits. There is no increase in kit prices associated with this planned change.

"It Would Be A Mistake To Dismiss Expressjet's Scenario As Simply Economics"

The Regional Airline Association (RAA) released a statement on long-time member ExpressJet's announcement of its potential phased wind-down by the end of the year. ExpressJet provided safe, professional air service to communities of all sizes as a United Express carrier and, with the loss of this contract with its major airline customer, will now evaluate alternative business strategies for 2021 and beyond in an attempt to preserve its business, flying, and workforce.

First Block II Chinook for Army SpecOps Aviation Command

Boeing recently signed a $265 million contract for nine more MH-47G Block II Chinook helicopters that employees in its Philadelphia plant will assemble for the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC). Boeing is now on contract for 24 of the next-generation Chinooks.

From 2019: Panel Possibilities Range From LSA To eVTOL Aircraft

For the most part, pilots care about the information being presented to them rather than how that information arrives at the panel. That's the assessment of Avilution founder Mark Spencer, who says that the company is working towards making panels that are custom to an aircraft and the type of flying that particular pilot and aircraft are going to do.