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The FAA has issued 2 new airworthiness directives regarding the impending (and temporarily postponed) rollout of 5G networks.An addition to the approved AFMs for transport and commuter category aircraft will be amended with updated radio altimeter flight restrictions, for select locations to be named by NOTAMs for the area. The agency also invites aeronautical, avionics, and telecommunications companies to help identify exactly which areas are most likely to develop signal interference or altimeter errors. Civil Air Patrol members throughout the United States and in overseas squadrons have been celebrating a commitment that began Dec. 1, 1941, and has continu
AFMs to Prohibit Radio Altimeter Use by NOTAMS At Appropriate Airports
The FAA has issued 2 new airworthiness directives regarding the impending (and temporarily postponed) rollout of 5G networks. An addition to the approved AFMs for transport and commuter category aircraft will be amended with updated radio altimeter flight restrictions, for select locations to be named by NOTAMs for the area. The agency also invites aeronautical, avionics, and telecommunications companies to help identify exactly which areas are most likely to develop signal interference or altimeter errors. The agency is on a shorter timeline than usual, noting that a number of 5G network providers are due to begin service in January 2022. The
Also: Commemorative Air Force, Skydiving Museum Fundraiser, SmartSky, Shadin Avionics
The Experimental Aviation Association has passed a big milestone for the once niche aviation organization. Begun in 1953 by a group wanting grassroots, enthusiastic support for aviation, the EAA has grown to over 250,000 members for the first time in history. The quarter of a million mark comes at the tail end of a bonanza over the last 5 years that saw group membership grow by 25%. Daher's Kodiak celebrated a milestone when it recently delivered the 300th plane, an important moment for the high-wing, turboprop workhorse. Introduced in 2007 as a STOL option for those
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For those of you looking to make sure that ANN’s Jim Campbell gets a great Christmas gift, we have an idea for you... A 1960 Douglas A-4 Skyhawk has been listed for sale at an asking price of $995,000. Downright cheap in comparison to other veteran aircraft, often in multiples of the price when available at all. Not only collectible for its civilian airworthiness, combat pedigree, or historical value, the Skyhawk represents one of the few aircraft on the market that could provide a user with the full fighter-jet experience. Aura Aero has received Part 21
First of the Artemis Generation Set to Begin Training in January
The National Aeronautic Space Administration released the list of its newest class of astronaut candidates, naming 10 of the newest generation to a pilot corps that hasn't seen new blood in more than 4 years. Administrator Bill Nelson presented the membership at an event at Ellington Field Near the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. “Today we welcome 10 new explorers, 10 members of the Artemis generation, NASA’s 2021 astronaut candidate class,” Nelson said in his address. “Alone, each candidate has ‘the right stuff,’ but together they represent the creed of our country: E pluribus unum – out of many, one."
American Airlines Chooses Flight Animation Software for Re-playable Debriefing
French software company CEFA Aviation saw its first large airline customer to adopt their electronic flight bag application, CEFA FAS, allowing American Airlines pilots to virtually review flight data on their tablet after landing. The addition of the app to the company's approved EFB ecosystem follows the move last summer to roll out issued devices to personnel throughout the company, expanding the program to ground crew, support, and passenger facing personnel in a bid to streamline interconnectivity.
F-35 Steals Competition from Cheaper, Older Gen 4 Competition in Surprise Win
Finland's upcoming replacement for their aging Boeing F/A-18C/D Hornets has reportedly been chosen, with the rumor mill kicking into high gear prior to any official Ministry of Defense announcement. The deal is expected to buy ~65 of America's top of the line F-35, a surprise selection to some, as the platform had been seen by leaked Finnish documentation as exceedingly expensive compared to the competition. The contenders for the Finnish Air Force multirole fighter included the successor to their legacy aircraft, the Super Hornet, the Eurofighter Typhoon, the Dassault Rafale, and the Saab Gripen E.
Firm Makes 4th Order of the Year, Doubling Fleet of MAX Aircraft
Boeing inked a deal with Miami investment firm 777 Partners today that will see the outfit's fleet of 737s nearly double. The order for 30 of Boeing's 737 MAX aircraft will bring their total portfolio to 68 of the aircraft type in the 4th order it has placed this year. At list price, the deal is valued at $3.7 billion, and the single aisle jets will see service with the company's affiliated low-cost, affordable carriers around the world. The 737 Max has seen a return to grace this year, following returns to service and accepted revisions after its 2019 grounding fiasco. The order books have bounced back, by most accounts, with the affordable, reliable 737 none the worse for
From 2015: In Flying, One’s ‘Attitude’ is More Important Than Just About Any Other Concept
It’s all about angle of attack (AOA), and ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, took the opportunity at Sun ‘n Fun 2015 to check in with James Buck, the director of flight operations for Aspen Avionics. Jim starts the interview by asking how Aspen came up with an angle of attack system that appears to have no external appendages or measuring systems on the outside of the airframe. Buck describes how they do it and finishes by saying, “Its rocket science.” You’ll have to watch the video to get the details. In th
AD 2021-22-11 Requires A One-Time Visual And Recurring Borescope Inspections Of The Torque Tube
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain MD Helicopters Inc. (MDHI), Model 369D, 369E, 369F, 369FF, 369H, 369HE, 369HM, 369HS, 500N, and 600N helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of a spiral crack in the pilot-to-copilot tail rotor torque tube (torque tube). This AD requires a one-time visual and recurring borescope inspections of the torque tube and depending on the results, removing the torque tube from service. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective January 10, 2022.
The Pilot Elected To Turn Right And Ditch In The Adjacent Bay
On November 9, 2021, about 1605 eastern standard time, a Piper PA-28-151, N40831, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sarasota, Florida. The student pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The student pilot reported that he was returning to his home airport toward the end of a roundtrip cross-country flight. While turning from left downwind leg to left base leg of the airport traffic pattern, with 10° flap extension, he noticed that the throttle lever was stuck at the 2,000-rpm position.
AD 2021-23-21 Requires Repetitive Inspections For Cracking Of Certain Areas Of The Aft Wheel Well Bulkhead
The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 787-8 and 787-9 airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports that shimming requirements were not met during the assembly of certain structural joints, which can result in reduced fatigue thresholds and cracking of the affected structural joints. This AD requires repetitive inspections for cracking of certain areas of the aft wheel well bulkhead (AWWB) body chord and AWWB side fitting and failsafe straps, and repair of any cracking found. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective January 10, 2022.
Aero Linx: The Federal Office of Civil Air
The Federal Office of Civil Air is governed by the Australian Industrial legislation and is currently available to current and former Australian Air Traffic Controllers, Trainee Air Traffic Controllers, Air Traffic Control support staff and Contract Civilian Air Traffic Controllers employed by the Australian Defence Department. The office is staffed by full time and part time employees who are responsible for different services available to Civil Air members. The President and five Vice Presidents form the Association’s Committee of management. This committee meets at least monthly to progress management matters and the implementation of Civ
Precision Approach Radar
Radar equipment in some ATC facilities operated by the FAA and/or the military services at joint-use civil/military locations and separate military installations to detect and display azimuth, elevation, and range of aircraft on the final approach course to a runway. This equipment may be used to monitor certain non-radar approaches, but is primarily used to conduct a precision instrument approach (PAR) wherein the controller issues guidance instructions to the pilot based on the aircraft’s position in relation to the final approach course (azimuth), the glidepath elevation), and the distance (range) from the touchdown point on the runway as displayed on the radar scope
“Each of you has amazing backgrounds. You bring diversity in so many forms to our astronaut corps and you stepped up to one of the highest and most exciting forms of public service.”
Source: Pam Melroy, former NASA astronaut and NASA’s deputy administrator, addressing ten new Astronaut candidates selcted by NASA.
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