AD 2022-03-13 Supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-21-03
The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2014-21-03, which applied to Airbus Helicopters Model AS332L2 helicopters with a certain yaw control damper support (support) installed. AD 2014-21-03 required repetitively inspecting the support attachment points for a crack. Since the FAA issued AD 2014-21-03, an improved (reinforced) support was developed. This AD retains the inspection requirements of AD 2014-21-03 and requires installing the improved support 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 becomes effective March 1, 2022.
Lycoming Jacks Price Up 14% Again for Second Time In Last Year
In a notice to customers, Van's outlined the state of the company and the steps they're taking to keep the company in good health, from increased interaction with customers; increasing the output of their manufacturing; and limiting sales of raw materials, aircraft and crates to those in the Van's community. More bad news is never a good thing to hear, but fans of Van's Aircraft have to at least give credit to the company for shooting straight. Price increases are on the way, with an RV kit price bump going into effect on Sunday, February 20th. Lycoming's prices have again increased across the board, which will go into effect on the Van's site on March 15th.
For Once, Someone Names The Cause of Dwindling First Officer Numbers
Mesa Air Group CEO Jonathan Ornstein argued before lawmakers earlier this month that the knee-jerk imposition of the 1,500 flight hour requirement for airline pilots has put the country on the back foot compared to others, specifically laying out the tremendous difference in experience demanded of pilots overseas. “It seems crazy that a 300-hour FO can land a Lufthansa A350 into JFK flying over Queens, and a U.S. pilot can’t do the same thing,” Ornstein said, naming the minimum time European pilots need to fly for carriers. “No other country in the world has adopted this, not a single one.”
Palihapitiya Resigns, Virgin Begins Public Ticket Sales at $450,000
Chamath Palihapitiya, the executive who led the investment firm that took Virgin Galactic public in 2019, abruptly resigned from his position as board chair on Thursday. His departure follows a prolonged stock slump that has left some wondering just how much of a market there is for ultra-high-cost, 6-minute flights in zero gravity. Galactic made some other changes to the company, removing their old quintessentially Virgin logo that contained the iris of company founder Richard Branson. The new one replaces the eye with an outline of their custom aircraft, Spaceship One.
Easygoing, Nontoxic Rocket Makes Headway in Testing
Vaya Space successfully launched its hybrid rocket on a suborbital course from Mojave, California at the end of January, demonstrating the utility of the design. Unlike other launch systems, Vaya's rocket uses 3D printed fuel grains created from recycled thermoplastics. They hope that the launch will allow them to pick up the pace to reach the market as they scale for production. If all goes well, they hope to have their first commercial orbital launch planned for 2023. Besides the 3D-printed components, the proprietary Vaya STAR-3DTM Engine represents a more benign alternative to the usual high-output but volatile fuels used in launch systems.
Luke AFB Shindig Pushed to 2024 Amid Rising Costs, Covid
Luke Air Force Base, a mainstay of the Arizona flight training scene, has announced the cancellation of the Luke Days air show scheduled for March. In the announcement, the 56th Fighter Wing said that the change was due to a number of factors outside their control, but future shows are hoped to return. Due to logistical and economic strain, as well as COVID-19 challenges, base leadership deemed it in the best interest of all parties to cancel the 2022 show and looks forward to overcoming these issues for future events."
Seals Deal for 50 eVTOLS to Tourism, Charter, and Commuter Operators
Eve Air Mobility has further strengthened its position in the Australian market after finalizing a partnership that will see up to 50 eVTOL aircraft enter service with two arms of the HM Consolidated group, HeliSpirit and Avair. The Embraer subsidiary has made healthy inroads into the region, previously creating partnerships throughout the Queensland and Sydney areas. During the Singapore Airshow, Eve managed to made multiple agreements for some of the most iconic tourist attractions in the Kimberley, South-West, and Greater Perth regions. The partnership with Aviair and HeliSpirit
From 2017 (YouTube Version): Not Everything At Heli-EXPO Was Brand New…
People attend shows like Heli-EXPO to see what is the latest and greatest in aircraft and associated systems and equipment. But not everyone exhibiting at the show in Dallas in March had something brand new on display. Such was the case with the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), which is dedicated to restoring and flying vintage military aircraft. At their booth, attendees saw the bones of an iconic rotorcraft, the Sikorsky Hoverfly. Keegan Chetwynd, Curator for the Commemorative Air Force, told ANN CEO and Editor in Chief Jim Campbell that the Hoverfly wa
Adds 4th A350 FFS in Continued Growth to Address Asian Airline Training Demand
The Airbus Asia Training Centre has completed the installation of its 4th A350 Full Flight Simulator (FFS). Now that it's ready for action the center boasts the greatest A350 simulator capacity than any other training facility on Earth. The expansion of their services positions the Singaporean center as the largest Airbus-run training spot in the world, and true to its status it offers the greatest number variety of the manufacturer's aircraft. The majority of the Airbus portfolio is included, with multiples of A320s, A330s, and A350s available for high student throughput. The center even offers an A380 and ATR 72-600 sim.
Aero Linx: The Stearman Restorers Association
The Stearman Restorers Association is an independent “Not for Profit” 501C-3 Corporation dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and safe flying of Stearman Aircraft through the education of both members and the public. We are passionate about all models of Stearman biplanes. Originally founded in 1966, the SRA has almost 1500 members in 25 countries.
Performance-Based Navigation (PBN)
Area navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft operating along an ATS route, on an instrument approach procedure or in a designated airspace.
Note: Performance requirements are expressed in navigation specifications (RNAV specification, RNP specification) in terms of accuracy, integrity, continuity, availability, and functionality needed for the proposed operation in the context of a particular airspace concept.
“It seems crazy that a 300-hour FO can land a Lufthansa A350 into JFK flying over Queens, and a U.S. pilot can’t do the same thing... No other country in the world has adopted this, not a single one.”
Source: From Mesa Air Group CEO Jonathan Ornstein argument before lawmakers, earlier this month, that the knee-jerk imposition of the 1,500 flight hour requirement for airline pilots has put the country on the back foot compared to others, specifically laying out the tremendous difference in experience demanded of pilots overseas.
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