“Strong Indications” Putin Approved Missile System Transfer

Speaking to the subject of the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service’s Joint Investigation Team set forth on Wednesday, 08 February 2023, that it had identified “strong indications” that Russian President Vladimir Putin had personally approved the decision to provide Ukrainian separatists the Russian-made Buk-TELAR missile system by which MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine. The investigators stated that in the week’s prior to the MH17 atrocity, leaders of the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) appeared to have been in “close contact” with Kremlin advisers and the Russian int

Hydrogen-Electric Powertrain to be Evaluated

On Monday, 06 February 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Universal Hydrogen—a California-based energy concern about the commendable endeavor of making hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality—clearance to proceed with a first flight of its hydrogen-powered test aircraft at east-central Washington State’s Grant County International Airport (MWH).

Also: USN Multi-Engine Trainer, Russia To Be Tried On MH17, Hartzell Engine Tech, Air India Buys Big

Elektra Solar GmbH announced that its two-place, all-electric, training and towing aircraft, the Elektra-Trainer, had received ultralight certification from the German Ultralight Flight Association (DULV)—a representative agency of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV). Based on 2011’s Elektra One single-seat, ultralight, solar-assisted-electric-propulsion aircraft and designed with an eye toward flight-schools and flying clubs, the Elektra Trainer’s hourly operating cost of about sixty-euros is full

Pilots Emerge from Burning Wreckage with Minor Injuries

On 6 February 2023, a Boeing 737-3H4 aerial tanker owned by New South Wales-based Coulson Aviation—a company specializing in the provision of aircraft and aircrews for aerial firefighting, intelligence, emergency personnel/cargo transport, and industrial heavy-lift operations—went down in the Great Southern Region of Western Australia’s Fitzgerald River National Park while fighting multiple fires. The aircraft’s sole occupants—its two pilots—survived the harrowing accident and were transported to hospital with minor injuries. The instance occasions the first hull loss of a Boeing 737 on the Australian continent.

Also: USN Multi-Engine Trainer, Russia To Be Tried On MH17, Hartzell Engine Tech, Air India Buys Big

Elektra Solar GmbH announced that its two-place, all-electric, training and towing aircraft, the Elektra-Trainer, had received ultralight certification from the German Ultralight Flight Association (DULV)—a representative agency of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV). Based on 2011’s Elektra One single-seat, ultralight, solar-assisted-electric-propulsion aircraft and designed with an eye toward flight-schools and flying clubs, the Elektra Trainer’s hourly operating cost of about sixty-euros is full

Planemaker to Bolster Engineering and Manufacturing Staffs

Seeking to simplify its much-impugned corporate structure, Boeing, the aerospace giant and builder of iconic, world-changing aircraft such as the 707, 747, 777, B-52 Stratofortress, and F-18 Super Hornet, is making ready to slash some two-thousand jobs in its finance and human resources divisions. The job cuts will be realized by dint of a combination of planned attrition and layoffs.

In Service of Those Who Served

The aviation community abounds with largess. Air ambulance services save and safeguard lives. Charitable organizations such as the Flying Doctors of Mercy, Flying Samaritans, and the Missionary Air Force deliver physicians, medication, food, disaster relief provisions, and hope to communities in critical need of such. The Corporate Angel Network transports cancer patients and their families to treatment centers otherwise inordinately difficult to reach. Challenge Air for Kids and Friends and Children’s Flight of Hope provide air transportation for ill and injured young people, as well as those with di

Leonardo & Friends Begin Laying Groundwork for Future Fighters

A roster of Italian companies have signed on to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to support the Italian MoD. The next phase in the GCAP program will generate concepts and assess preliminary findings while demonstrating the state of the industry today. Leonardo is front and center in the effort, heading up a team that includes Elettronica, Avio Aero and MBDA Italia.

Robotics Specialist Chosen by SpaceWERX for Pilot Program to Reduce Amount of Orbital Trash

Motiv Space Systems has been selected by the U.S. Space Force's innovation arm, SpaceWERX, for a Phase 1 STTR to develop robotically aided Active Debris Remediation (ADR) services. Motiv sees the opportunity as a chance to "expand the application space" of its xLink robotic product suite, pairing up their proprietary tech to address the hot-button issue of orbital debris removal. Motiv is partnered with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for the Orbital Prime contract.

Houston Company Aligns with NASA Artemis Objectives

Intuitive Machines, LLC—the Houston, Texas-based supplier of space products and services that support sustained robotic and human exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond—is collaborating with NASA to prioritize the accumulation and return of lunar scientific data in support of the space agency’s Artemis Program. As part of the joint effort, Intuitive Machines will shift the landing site of its Nova-C lunar lander—the company’s first planned lunar endeavor—to the moon’s south pole region, where NASA intends to land astronauts during its 2024 or 2025 Artemis III mission.    

A Likely Story

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a 20 June 2021 Likely, California accident in which a Kitfox Series 6 aircraft operated under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations suffered substantial damage after impacting the ground shortly after takeoff.

Aero Linx: ERA (European Regions Airline Association) ERA (European Regions Airline Association) is the trade association representing more than 55 airlines and over 130 associate members, including manufacturers, airports, suppliers and aviation service providers, across the entire spectrum of the aviation industry. The power of one collective voice, representing multiple businesses, to promote and protect one industry sector is incredibly strong.

Light Gun A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of light transmitted can be used to approve or disapprove anticipated pilot actions where radio communication is not available. The light gun is used for controlling traffic operating in the vicinity of the airport and on the airport movement area.

"We’ll make a business out of converting ATR-72s. It’s a good business. But the real aim is to demonstrate to the flying public, the airlines, and the customers of Airbus and Boeing that flying aircraft on hydrogen—particularly with this modular solution that we have for getting that hydrogen to the aircraft and loaded onto the aircraft—is a viable solution for that next generation of single-aisle aircraft.” Source: Universal Hydrogen chief technology officer Mark Cousin remarked as the FAA granted Universal Hydrogen—a California-based energy concern about the commendable endeavor of making hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality—clearance to proceed with a first flight of its h