Chosen As A Sole Contractor, The Award Surprised Many

NASA is getting ready to send astronauts to explore more of the Moon as part of the Artemis program, and the agency has selected SpaceX to continue development of the first commercial human lander that will safely carry the next two American astronauts to the lunar surface. At least one of those astronauts will make history as the first woman on the Moon. Another goal of the Artemis program includes landing the first person of color on the lunar surface. The agency's powerful Space Launch System rocket will launch four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft for their multi-day journey to lunar orbit. There, two crew members will transfer to the SpaceX human landing system (HLS) for the final le

ANN and Sun 'n Fun Are Ready To Debut The SnF Digital Daily At www.snfdd.com

The Aero-News Network and Sun 'n Fun have teamed up to add something timely, mobile-centric and vital to the upcoming Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, set for April 13-18 in Lakeland FL on the campus of the Aerospace Center for Excellence. We call it the ‘Sun ‘n Fun Digital Daily.’ This year’s event is set to be the first major aviation gathering since the onset of the pandemic. The Digital Daily will be taking on the speedy and mobile capabilities of the best in online media to offer exciting daily news programming via a number of rich media a

Companies Announce Landmark Development and Supply Agreement

At the annual Sun n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, FL, Aviation Safety Resources announced that it has reach agreement with Marcie LaVanway to acquire 100% of the stock of Strong Enterprises, a leader in the parachute industry. Strong Enterprises designs, engineers, tests, and manufactures complete parachute systems. “The acquisition of Strong Enterprises adds a global leader in the parachute industry to the extensive product lines of ASR, and we are grateful for the opportunity to expand our capabilities. We look forward to a successful transition”, commented Larry Williams, ASR president and CEO.

More Than An Incredible Restoration, This Aircraft Was Part Of The Author’s Young Aviation Experience

By Anthony J. Liberatore As part of an evening stroll by the ANN team to survey the grounds before the show opening to look for stories, one plane stood out for this author. There it was… a rare 4 Place Taylorcraft 15A. It got me thinking, could it be? Growing up as a seaplane kid at Walt O'Connor's Seaplane Base in Agawam MA, it was well known Walt was a died in the wool Taylorcraft guy. Walter held 2 STC's for the 12D's included one for a H & W Muffler Conversion and the other for a C-85 conversion that utilized the short engine mount with a dished firewall.

This Event Is Free And Open To The Public

W&R Vets will host the largest birthday tribute of 2021 to celebrate World War II paratrooper Jim “Pee Wee” Martin’s 100th Birthday. The event will be at Skydive Greene County on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Three historic aircraft will fly over with a mass parachute drop to honor Martin, a paratrooper who jumped on D-Day as part of the 101st Airborne Division. The aircraft participating include, C-47 Placid Lassie of the Tunison Foundation, C-47 That’s All Brother and C-53 D-Day Doll are owned and operated by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).

Completed Interior Elements Join Flight-Test Program

Gulfstream's G700 aircraft dedicated to testing the cabin experience has flown for the first time and now joins the five other test aircraft already in the certification program. The fully outfitted aircraft took off Thursday and flew 3 hours and 36 minutes, reaching an altitude of 48,000 feet and a top speed of Mach 0.935. The test regimen will encompass more than 15,500 test points, validating every facet of the cabin to ensure the utmost in interior comfort and reliability upon customer delivery.

This Is The Company's Second Time At Sun 'n Fun

As airplanes become more precise, the levers to control them must become more precise as well. Enter McFarlane Aviation Products' newest line of throttles. The Vernier-Assist series at McFarlane, on public display at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo, features a screw-action throttle control. Because it is completely friction-controlled, and does not have a locking mechanism, it cannot jam in the way that older throttle models do. "No matter what happens in flight, you can always move it," said founder and CEO Dave McFarlane.

Klyde Notes That Everyone Wants A Piece Of The Action

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

'...As It Turns Out, General Aviation Is Resilient'

The previous year brought hardships for all businesses, and King Schools, Inc. was no exception. However, the aviation instruction giant is back at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo this year with optimism and new courses. "We had a lot of concerns and a lot of insecurity," said King Schools CEO Barry Knuttila. "But as it turns out, general aviation is resilient. We have the kinds of people who don't give up easily on their goals."

The Electric Powered 103 Amps Up The Crowd at Sun & Fun

By Anthony J. Liberatore Along one of the main thoroughfares in the Paradise City Lightplane area of Sun n Fun sits an Aerosport 103 that is sure to grab your attention via its bright Orange, Blue, and Lime Yellow sail cloth covering, shining in the Florida sun. But, that is not why the display is crammed with onlookers asking questions to Aerolite's Dennis Carley and his team. Instead, it is the 103's electric propulsion system (EPS) that is creating such a spark with the attendees. While Aerolite has been producing a 2-stroke powered version of their popular 103, this EPS is a 1st for them and according to the sales brochures, it is a purchasable option.

From 2016 (YouTube Version): The Stemme S12 Powered Glider Offers Cadillac Features and a Glide Ratio of 53 to 1…

While at EAA AirVenture 2016, our ANN news crew visited with the Director of Flight Operations and Maintenance for Stemme USA. Wes Chumley gave us an inside view of their new motorglider, known as the Stemme S12. The aircraft’s appearance at AirVenture is the first time it has been shown in the USA. Motorgliders come in various sizes and shapes, but the Stemme is quite different from most of them. It’s unique in that the engine is mounted in the front of the aircraft a

Also: Pipistrel Brings An Air Force, A Blackhawk Pilot Visits Sun ‘n Fun, SnF 21 Second Day Montage

It wouldn't be an aviation event without ANN’s Jim Campbell taking to the skies, so he took off on a  Piper 100i in the midst of Sun ‘n Fun arrival traffic. The latest generation of GA Piper trainer has an all-glass panel and three seats... There are few more iconic GA companies than the Hartzell family... and Hartzell Engine Technologies. We got the chance to have a one on one with both presidents... AeroSport Wants To Take Over The LSA World, first becoming a powerhouse in th

Also: CGS Hawk Is Back, NX Cub Converts Tailwheel Adherents, First Day Montage

With the beginnings of the pandemic now a year behind us, the aviation community is coming together once again, safely and responsibly, to celebrate all things aviation! The staff of the Aero-News Network and Sun ‘n Fun have partnered to bring you all the news from the show via the Sun ‘n Fun digital daily at www.snfdd.com. Sun ‘n Fun Boss “Lites” Leenhouts opens SnF21 with enthusiasm. With r

Also: Epic Aircraft Update, Artistic Aviation Plane Painter, Night Airshow Scenes

Piper has a new CEO and ANN got the very first interview! Piper’s John Calcagno chatted up the amazing technology in Piper’s automated landing system as well as the new Piper 100i flight trainer and the Piper Seminole... which is also making an impression on many as the current hot bird for the multi-engine flight training market. Piper’s Buddy Sessoms also outlined some of the technology driving Piper thinking now and into the future. The Blue Angels have arrived for their new airshow season, despite hav

Switched Fuel Tanks And Shortly After, The Engine Began To Sputter

On July 26, 2020, about 1110 mountain daylight time, a Vans RV7, N514BS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Henefer, Utah. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that during an uneventful flight, at an altitude of about 10,000 ft mean sea level, he switched fuel tanks and shortly after, the engine began to sputter. The pilot turned on the electric fuel boost pump and switched the fuel selector valve to the original position, and the engine began to operate normally.

Aero Linx: The Rhode Island Pilots Association The Rhode Island Pilots Association has more than 300 members in and around the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. As a member of RIPA, you can both participate with and benefit from us. We are here to promote the mutual benefit and welfare of our members as a part of the aviation community. We: Promote aviation safety Exchange information among our members as well as the general public concerning the aviation industry and general aviation Foster good will and camaraderie among our members Assist our members with issues relative to general aviation <

Contaminated Runway A runway is considered contaminated whenever standing water, ice, snow, slush, frost in any form, heavy rubber, or other substances are present. A runway is contaminated with respect to rubber deposits or other friction-degrading substances when the average friction value for any 500-foot segment of the runway within the ALD fails below the recommended minimum friction level and the average friction value in the adjacent 500-foot segments falls below the maintenance planning friction level.

"With this award, NASA and our partners will complete the first crewed demonstration mission to the surface of the Moon in the 21st century as the agency takes a step forward for women's equality and long-term deep space exploration. This critical step puts humanity on a path to sustainable lunar exploration and keeps our eyes on missions farther into the solar system, including Mars." Source: Kathy Lueders, NASA's associate administrator for Human Explorations and Operations Mission Directorate, after the selection of SpaceX to provide a manned lunar landier to bring America back to the moon.