Procedure Demonstrated Across Distributed Simulator Locations

In a first for the U.S. Air Force, an industry team led by Northrop Grumman has successfully conducted a high-fidelity virtual aerial refueling demonstration, networking geographically dispersed flight simulators and providing a realistic simulation of an air-to-air refueling process. The Air Force Air Mobility Command has pursued integrating the separate systems used today for training pilots, air crews and boom operators to simulate an actual in-flight refueling mission as a way to maintain readiness and reduce costly live flights.        

Pete McDonald Is Retiring After 45 Years With The Carrier

United Continental Holdings has announced that Greg Hart will be named executive vice president and chief operations officer, succeeding Pete McDonald, who is retiring after nearly 45 years with United.

AAR Airlift Group To Support NATO Training Mission In Afghanistan

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) Joint Theater Support Contracting Command has awarded an Airlift division contract to provide fixed- and rotary-wing support for the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) under the NATO Training Mission — Afghanistan (NTM-A) and Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A) to AAR Airlift Group.

Dedication Thanks Customers, Employees And Partners For Decades Of Service In Seattle

In celebration of its 80th anniversary of service and growing presence in Seattle, Delta Air Lines has unveiled at Boeing Field a new Boeing 737-900ER aircraft as the 'Spirit of Seattle,' dedicated to the city of Seattle and the airline's customers, employees and partners in the region. The dedication took place in a ceremony at Boeing Field, the same location that Delta began service in Seattle on Dec. 3, 1933, through Northwest Airways, which eventually became Northwest Airlines.

NROL-39 Mission Boosted From Vandenberg AFB Thursday Night

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifted off from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg AFB in California on Dec. 5 at 2314 PST. Designated NROL-39, the mission is in support of national defense. 

Lost Communications Loss of the ability to communicate by radio. Aircraft are sometimes referred to as NORDO (No Radio). Standard pilot procedures are specified in 14 CFR Part 91. Radar controllers issue procedures for pilots to follow in the event of lost communications during a radar approach when weather reports indicate that an aircraft will likely encounter IFR weather conditions during the approach.

Aero Linx: The Story Of World War 1 Aviation The Spark That Set the World Aflame: The assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to throne of Austria-Hungary, and his wife in Sarajevo, Bosnia on June 28th of 1914 set off a conflict that engulfed Europe, and America. When Austria declared war on Serbia that day. By the end of the year the regional conflict exploded into a war that spanned the globe. The history of World War One aviation is a rich and varied story. The Great War consumed the world in a conflict that was unrivaled until that time.

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"(The) successful launch of the NROL-39 mission is a testament to the tremendous government-industry partnership. We greatly appreciate the teamwork with the NRO Office of Space Launch and our many mission partners. We are honored to be entrusted to launch these one-of-a-kind national assets to orbit to protect our national security and to support the many brave men and women serving around the world." Source: Jim Sponnick, ULA vice president, Atlas and Delta Programs, following the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket liftoff, carrying a payload for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg AFB in California on Dec. 5 at 2314 PST. 

Also: Mohr Retires-Quietly, iFly on iOS, Record Female Skydive, China Goes To The Moon, SAFE Resources

EAA Counsel Alan Farkas has filed a 48 page Petition for Review of FAA Action and Other Relief with United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit in support of EAA's attempt to overturn last spring's surprise FAA decision to bill the organization for the annual AirVenture Fly-In. The Farkas brief, again, seems very well-constructed and takes the FAA to task on several key points. Shell has reportedly become the first major oil company to develop a lead-free replacement for aviation leaded gasoline, and will now begin a strict regulatory approvals process. The Screamin’ Sasquatch presented by John Klatt Airshows was unveiled Monday night at the International Council of Air Shows in Las Vegas. The airplane, a Taperwing Waco made famous by barnstormers of the 1920s and 30s, adds the modern twist of a jet engine bolted to its belly. A