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2023’s Microsoft’s Xbox Games Showcase has wrapped. Among the bigger surprises sprung during 2023’s showcase was the news that Asobo Studio is hard at work on a wholly new version of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Predating Windows by three-years, Flight Simulator is Microsoft’s longest-running software product line and one of the longest-running PC video game series of all time. An announcement from Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly noted the seizure of an An-124 pursuant the nation’s Special Economic Measures Act. The Antonov’s seizure was made possible by a new asset seizure and forfeiture prov
On 06 May 2023, Aero-News Network reported Toronto, Canada’s Pearson International Airport (YYZ) was charging an An-124 cargo aircraft an exorbitant parking fee of nearly one-penny-per-second. At the time, the An-124’s parking tab totaled north of $330,000. Comes now June 2023 and an announcement from Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly setting forth the Canadian government has ordered the seizure of the long-suffering An-124 pursuant the nation’s Special Economic Measures Act.
Cardano founder and developer Charles Hoskinson became the subject of some interesting headlines after being singled out as the top name in "private jet pollution". The info was provided by Climate Jets, a website that tracks the estimated emissions from private aviation users in a kind of 'name & shame' approach to curbing jet use. What should be interesting to jet owners and operators is the overall approach to singling out jet users who seem particularly "egregious" or hypocritical in the public eye - whether their actual flight hours are out of the norm or not.
On 12 June 2023, Electra unveiled the newly-completed test-vehicle by which it intends to vet its hybrid-electric Short Take-Off and Landing (eSTOL) platform. The event marked a significant milestone in the company’s stated mission of helping decarbonize aviation and revolutionize urban and regional transportation. The test-aircraft rolled out of Electra’s development facility at Manassas, Virginia’s Manassas Regional Airport (MNZ) during a ceremony attended by guests representing the aviation industry, government, the investor community, and Electra customers.
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Boeing has acquired full ownership of Wisk Aero, the California-based, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) joint-venture undertaken by Boeing and Kitty Hawk Corporation. Kitty Hawk’s sale of its stake in Wisk follows the company’s 2022 decision to abandon work on its aviation and aerospace ventures and gradually shutter its operations in their entirety. Autel Robotics is making ready to showcase its wares at the upcoming 7th Annual Energy Drone & Robotics Summit. The event will see Autel debut Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (
Since its 1979 founding, Para-Phernalia, Inc. has designed and manufactured the Softie line of pilot emergency parachutes. The products are renowned among aerobatic, glider, and warbird pilots, formation fliers, and kit-plane builders for their high-quality, comfort, and perennial reliability. Emergency parachutes comprise two primary components: the parachute canopy and the harness and container system. The harness attaches a parachute’s canopy to its wearer.
Popular Textron Helo Continues its March Across the Globe
The Bell 407GXi is remaining a popular option with customers around the world, with the first of its namesake soon headed for Turkey under operator Sancack Air. The aircraft will be delivered to share a stable with a handful of Bell 206s and a pair of 430s, providing Sancack some of the latest and greatest from Bell. The firm's focus on flight training, maintenance, and air taxi services will be further enhanced by an aircraft decades newer than the rest of their fleet.
Low-Cost Euro Carrier Pilot Group Publishes First Salvo in Battle for Improved Working Conditions
The Ryanair Transnational Pilot Group (RTPG) has published a request on behalf of the European ULCC's working aviators, calling for the company to “share the unprecedented economic success of the airline with its workforce”. The move follows a series of successful contract negotiations stateside, where pilots have snatched one victory after another in their efforts to stay ahead of the inflation curve and maintain as much purchasing power as possible.
On 09 June 2023, ALPA announced the pilots of member airlines WestJet and Swoop have ratified a new four-year employment contract with industry-leading pay increases, strong job-security protections, and major scheduling and quality-of-life improvements.
The Tactical Airlift Program Office delivered the first of 2 C-40A aircraft to Marine Transport Squadron VMR-1, prepping the Corps for affordable long-distance airlift capability. The C-40As were "uniquely configured" for the USMC, beginning their lives as Boeing 737 passenger aircraft before being overhauled. They now sport palletized seating and a "Combi Soft Barrier" system allowing the carriage of cargo and pax simultaneously.
This Time, it's the Luftwaffe Folks in the Hot Seat
Another training controversy between western pilots and their Chinese employers has made headlines, this time involving former German Luftwaffe aviators and the Chinese Air Force. German news outlets referenced a meeting between the Minister of Defense and his Chinese counterpart at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The summit saw both parties touch on the ongoing phenomenon of ex-Luftwaffe pilots training counterparts abroad as civilian instructors.
Also: NW-230 Heavy-Fuel UAV Engine, 28th ISS Resupply Mission, Ameriflight, Boeing’s Starliner Delayed... Again
Boeing has acquired full ownership of Wisk Aero, the California-based, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) joint-venture undertaken by Boeing and Kitty Hawk Corporation. Kitty Hawk’s sale of its stake in Wisk follows the company’s 2022 decision to abandon work on its aviation and aerospace ventures and gradually shutter its operations in their entirety. Autel Robotics is making ready to showcase its wares at the upcoming 7th Annual Energy Drone & Robotics Summit. The event will see Autel debut Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (
Camera Footage From A Car Traveling East Bound On Interstate 80, Captured The Airplane Descending In A Nose-Down Attitude
On June 2, 2023, at about 0907 Central Daylight Time, a Vans RV-7, N977RV, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Gibbon, Nebraska. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data revealed that the airplane departed Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC), Denver, Colorado, at 0610 and proceeded direct toward Red Oak Municipal Airport (RDK), Red Oak, Iowa. The pilot filed an instrument flight plan. About two hours after departure from BJC, at an altitude of 15,000 ft me
Aero Linx: The Aerospace Industries Association
For over 100 years, the American aerospace and defense industry has shaped the world around us. From the first flight to the moon landing, the impact of A&D is immeasurable. And the next great aerospace achievement is on the horizon. We are critical to the health of the U.S. economy and serve as a seamless, fundamental part of daily life. Now more than ever, it’s vital that our collective industry has a strong voice speaking on its behalf. The Aerospace Industries Association has been that voice since 1919. Our work as an advocate and leader is essential to shaping policy, shedding light on the industry’s impact, and fortifying its future.
Mode
The letter or number assigned to a specific pulse spacing of radio signals transmitted or received by ground interrogator or airborne transponder components of the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS). Mode A (military Mode 3) and Mode C (altitude reporting) are used in air traffic control.
"...Canada is sending a clear message to the Russian regime that there will be nowhere left to hide for those who support and profit from the Kremlin’s war of aggression. Canada has been there to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom since day one and we will continue to be there through their victory to aid in their reconstruction efforts.”
Source: Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly, explaining the seizure of an Antonov AN-124 that got stuck in Canada after the imposition of restrictions associated with the war Russia declared on Eukraine.
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