Will Update And Modernize The Agency's 'Basic Regulation'

On December 1, Transport Ministers from across the European Union’s Member States reached agreement on a new mandate for the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The agreement opens the door for final negotiations among the European Parliament, EU Member States, and the European Commission to agree on a final text. This step followed a  November 10 vote in the European Parliament, where Members of the Transport & Tourism Committee overwhelmingly approved to open negotiations with the other EU institutions in order to update EASA’s existing ‘Basic Regulation.’

Operations Ended After Two Years Aboard ISS

NASA's International Space Station Rapid Scatterometer (ISS-RapidScat) Earth science instrument has ended operations following a successful two-year mission aboard the space station. The mission launched Sept. 21, 2014, and had recently passed its original decommissioning date.

Introduces New Glass-Mirror Collimated Displays

Esterline Simulation Visual Systems has been awarded a follow-on contract by CAE USA to provide glass-mirror collimated display systems for the U.S. Navy MH-60 Technical Refresh and Procurement of Simulators (TRPS) Program.

To Be Used At Bell Helicopter Training Academy Beginning Next Year

Textron company TRU Simulation + Training Inc. will provide Bell Helicopter’s Training Academy with avionics bench training systems for the Bell 407GX and Bell 412EPI helicopters. These two training systems are expected to be delivered to Bell Helicopter, also a Textron company, in the summer of 2017.

First Installations Completed Aboard Global 5000 Aircraft

North American MRO, completions, and refurbishment company Flying Colours has completed its first installations of the Satcom Direct Router, (SDR). The first was fitted as part of a Global 5000 cabin refurbishment package, and the second as part of a new Global 5000 completion project for an undisclosed private Middle Eastern owner.

VLT Observations Of Neutron Star May Confirm 80-Year-Old Prediction About The Vacuum Birefringence

By studying the light emitted from an extraordinarily dense and strongly magnetized neutron star using ESO’s Very Large Telescope, astronomers may have found the first observational indications of a strange quantum effect, first predicted in the 1930s. The polarization of the observed light suggests that the empty space around the neutron star is subject to a quantum effect known as vacuum birefringence.

Says Site Will 'Change The Way Customers Shop For Launch Services'

Well, this sounds a little like shopping for a rocket booster on Amazon.com. United Launch Alliance (ULA) has unveiled a new website that enhances the way customers shop for launch services and sets a new standard for pricing transparency. It also provides insight into reliability, schedule assurance and performance, allowing users to make a true value comparison.

Wichita-Based Center Is Authorized To Sell And Install Garmin G1000 Through G5000 Avionics On Broad Range Of Business Aircraft

Yingling Aviation has been named a Garmin Integrated Flight Deck Dealer and approved by Garmin Avionics to install its new G5000 glass upgrade suite. The G5000 is Garmin’s latest line of satellite-based navigation capabilities, digital management tools, NextGen/SESAR/Eurocontrol operational support for ADS-B and Data Comm/Link 2000+ and graphical display technologies for enhanced safety and crew coordination.

Aero Linx: The Colorado Airport Operators Association (CAOA) The Colorado Airport Operators Association (CAOA) serves the common interests of the owners, operators and users of the 74 public use airports located throughout the State of Colorado. CAOA provides a unified voice for airport operators to State and Federal agencies, the General Assembly and the Congress of the United States of America, on proposed or pending legislation and regulations. It further provides a medium for the exchange of ideas, methods, information and experiences relative to airport operations, promotes and encourages the public’s understanding of the value of aviation and airports throughout Colorado communities, cooperates with local gover

Downburst A strong downdraft which induces an outburst of damaging winds on or near the ground. Damaging winds, either straight or curved, are highly divergent. The sizes of downbursts vary from 1/2 mile or less to more than 10 miles. An intense downburst often causes widespread damage. Damaging winds, lasting 5 to 30 minutes, could reach speeds as high as 120 knots.

“All three institutions have now sent a strong signal in favour of modernizing the Agency and the European aviation system as a whole. There is clear political will to ensure a risk-based, proportionate approach guides all future EASA work... For general aviation, it is imperative that we have the appropriate level of regulation for each activity, combined with efficient oversight that facilitates the development of new and innovative products. With the Basic Regulation amended so infrequently, we must ensure these concepts are framed correctly for the future.” Source: Pete Bunce, president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), commenting on the European Union’s Member States having reache