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The FAA is proposing to fix a technicality in the Federal Aviation Regulations that prevents pilots flying under BasicMed from operating, in most cases, as safety pilots under simulated instrument conditions. The fix is included in a recently released notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that requires commercial balloon pilots to hold second-class medicals, to fulfill a Congressional mandate implemented after a high-profile accident several years ago. When the FAA created BasicMed in 2017, it directly copied the law passed by Congress that re

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The Beechcraft Denali took flight Tuesday, marking its first test with the new GE Catalyst turbine engine. The milestone is a major step for the all new, all original design. With a single turboprop, pressurized cabin, economic fuel burn, and advanced avionics, Textron hopes to see certification sometime in 2023. The Denali was flown by senior test pilot Peter Gracey and chief test pilot Dustin Smisor. The duo tested the aircraft's performance, stability, maneuverability, controllability throughout the nearly 3-hour flight. The note we received late Monday

The Yron Now Has A 124 Horsepower Electric Motor

Luminati Aerospace brought the latest iteration of their gyroplane to Oshkosh 2021. The company has been busy, setting records with their solar-powered, perpetual flight airplane and developing their all-electric rotorcraft systems. With Gyrodyne’s plans for the QH50, they now have a small portfolio of small gyro projects in the mix. Their Yron now has their 124 horsepower electric motor, capable of almost an hour of hover time.

GA Service Expansion At Kelowna, B.C

Canada's Kelowna International Airport is the 10th busiest airport in the country. With service to the Western U.S. and Canada, the airport serves as a hub for British Columbia. In a surprising turn for general aviation, all too often the recipient of ambivalent service at airports hosting passenger service, Kelowna has announced major expansion plans to its general aviation infrastructure. The Kelowna Flying Club spearheaded the effort to improve GA service through greater access to parking and accommodations for smaller aircraft. The expansion will be the first improvement for the local flying community in more than 2 decades, costing $5.5 million CAD.

Each System Includes A 1 Year Warranty

David Laurin, CEO of SRS Aviation, shares his company's newest product, the Jet Java aircraft-installed coffee maker. Smaller and better than ever before, the American made machine stands apart from other airborne coffee makers, all too often little more than rebadged kitchen appliances. Laurin says his company builds theirs from scratch, tailor-made and custom designed for aircraft service. That focus allows his maker to come in lighter, at 5.4 pounds, and small enough to fit within a 10" by 5" by 10" cabinet.

Sweepstakes Raised $1.7M For Space Democratization

Charity fundraising platform Omaze, in conjunction with Virgin Galactic, has announced the winner of two seats aboard a future Virgin space flight. The lucky recipient is Keisha S. of Antigua and Barbuda, a health and energy coach focused on the empowerment and health of women. With her win, she can achieve her lifelong dream of going to space, bringing her daughter, an astrophysics student, as her selected guest on their voyage above. A group including Richard Branson, Virgin Founder, Omaze CEO Matt Philson, and Space For Humanity executive Rachel Lyons flew to Antigua to share the good news with Keisha personally.

First Study on Commercial Jet Travel on 100% Sustainable Fuel

A joint study on the impact of 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on both engines of a commercial jet have shown highly promising results in the early phases of analysis, says Airbus. Working with fellow industry veterans Rolls-Royce, fuel production specialist Neste, and German Research Centre DLR, the test is the first time that both engines of a commercial passenger aircraft have been run on 100% sustainable fuel, a departure from the norm. The study focuses on the in-flight emissions on the Airbus A350 and its Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines.

Next Generation eVTOL Simulator Launched

German company MOC Simulation Services GmbH has announced their development of a simulator geared towards pilot training for the fast-growing eVTOL market. With aircraft that fly differently from standard rotary and fixed-wing competitors, operators have been faced with an issue of how to more efficiently, affordably, and safely train aviators on such a different aircraft from the norm. While more affordable than conventionally-powered aircraft, actual flight is inherently less efficient to train multiple students or focus on particular flight conditions.

Sim Update VII Adds the eVTOL Aircraft As Free DLC

The Volocopter VoloCity eVTOL aircraft has been officially added to the roster of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, granted through the application's Sim Update VII. The 33.4 gigabyte update added the first vertical takeoff and rotorcraft to the game as part of a joint effort with Volocopter as a multi-function advertisement, update, and training tool. The announcement of the impending release was given the day before release at CoMotion LA from Volocopter's CCO, Christian Bauer, saying: “We partnered with the experts at Urban Movement Labs to approach important stakeholders in Los Angeles, a highly relevant US city for us. Now, we are bringing our aircraft to the city to empower pe

Unmanned eVTOL Taxi Shows Off Tourism Capabilities in Bali

EHang's 216 autonomous electric vehicle completed an aerial sightseeing demonstration at the tourist favorite of Bali, Indonesia working alongside local partner Prestige Aviation. During a 5-minute unmanned flight at Villa Blackstone Beach, VIP guests saw the aircraft take off and hover amidst the beautiful backdrop before returning to earth on the painted landing target. Guests from Indonesia's directorate of civil aviation, industry authorities, and other VIPs preceded the momentous flight by speeches and photos. 

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The Beechcraft Denali took flight Tuesday, marking its first test with the new GE Catalyst turbine engine. The milestone is a major step for the all new, all original design. With a single turboprop, pressurized cabin, economic fuel burn, and advanced avionics, Textron hopes to see certification sometime in 2023. The Denali was flown by senior test pilot Peter Gracey and chief test pilot Dustin Smisor. The duo tested the aircraft's performance, stability, maneuverability, controllability throughout the nearly 3-hour flight. The note we received late Monday

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The folks at Roll-Royce tell ANN that they believe their all-electric ‘Spirit of Innovation’ aircraft is the world’s fastest, setting three new world records. They have submitted data to the FAI – that on 16 November 2021, the aircraft reached a top speed of 345.4 mph over 3 kilometres, smashing the existing record by 132 mph. In further runs at the UK Ministry of Defence’s Boscombe Down experimental aircraft testing site, the aircraft achieved 330 mph over 15 km – 182 mph faster than the previous record – and broke the fastest time to climb

The Airplane Appeared To Pitch Down And Descend, And Its Nose Struck The Ground

On October 28, 2021, about 1311, a Cessna 172M, N1870V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Ukiah, California. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The pilot was flying his second solo cross-country flight and had planned for a full stop landing at Ukiah Municipal Airport. According to preliminary FAA ADS-B data, the airplane departed Napa County Airport at 1219, and flew a direct course to Ukiah, arriving in the traffic pattern at 1308.

AD 2021-22-15 Requires Modifying The Hoist Control Power Supply

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 and EC225LP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a design deficiency. This AD requires modifying the hoist control power supply, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective January 3, 2022.

Aero Linx: Honourable Company of Air Pilots We are a Livery Company of the City of London; a philanthropic membership organisation which represents and protects the interests and welfare of pilots and navigators and strives to encourage and assist all those (from any background) who wish to become a pilot. To establish and maintain the highest standards of air safety through the promotion of good airmanship. To maintain a liaison with all Authorities connected with licensing, training and legislation affecting pilot or navigator whether private, professional, civil or military. To constitute a body of experienced airmen available for advi

Radar Point Out An action taken by a controller to transfer the radar identification of an aircraft to another controller if the aircraft will or may enter the airspace or protected airspace of another controller and radio communications will not be transferred.

“The successful flight demo fully showcased EHang 216’s potential for efficient island hopping and air transportation. We are pleased to join hands with Indonesian local partners to bring our leading AAVs and UAM solutions to Indonesia, one of the most promising UAM markets in Southeast Asia."  Source: Hu Huazhi, CEO of EHang, commenting as EHang's 216 autonomous electric vehicle completed an aerial sightseeing demonstration at the tourist favorite of Bali, Indonesia working alongside local partner Prestige Aviation.