35% B29 Replica Is Powered By Four Honda Engine Conversions

We're not sure we'd have believed it if we hadn't seen the video... but the long-awaited first flight of the Tom Hodgson B29 Replica made its flight last week... in style. A one-hour first flight featured a number of fly-bys and low passes before the builder/pilot decided that he had all the data he needed and brought it back to its home drone in Kokomo, Indiana. Hodgson reported that the aircraft was pretty much in trim and that there were no significant issues during the test flight. The four Honda Fit engines appear to be more than adequate for the monster homebuilt, as demonstrated by a short departure roll and fairly decent climb-outs both on takeoff as well as in each of s

Expanded Pilot Pipeline Hoped to Fill Some Right Seats

Emirates has announced that its national cadet pilot program has been opened to trainees all over the world. The training facility, Emirates Flight Training Academy, sports all the upscale accouterments expected of the line, with SR22s and Diamond DA-42s for the early phases of training, and Embraer Phenom 100s for later turbine coursework. Previous alumni have "all been snapped up by Emirates after a stringent recruitment process", with cadets ranging from 17 to 26 years old. The ATPL course takes "approximately 113 weeks".

T-7A Red Hawk Reports for Duty for the Very First Time

The long-awaited replacement for themilitary’s T-38 Talon twin-engine jet trainer has finally arrived at Edwards Air Force Base, with the initial T-7A tendered to the Integrated Test Force. The newfangled aircraft has faced some setbacks in the development process, from ejection seat issues to next-gen electronics interfaces. Now that the force has it in-hand and in-flight, the testing and certification process begins in earnest. The particular plane is APT-2, the first production plane off the line.

Life After the ISS Continues to Take Shape

The pathway for a post-ISS Europe is taking shape after a Memorandum of Understanding was formed between the ESA, Airbus and Voyager Space. The trilateral MoU outlines the collaboration of all parties on the Starlab space station, ensuring that the parties "intend to commonly foster science and technology development" while ensuring continued European access to space in 2030 and beyond.

Remote Learning Adds Flexibility, Certifications to Young Pilots' Resumes

Epic Flight Academy has partnered with online university Purdue Global to offer a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management or Professional Flight through their Global Aviation Program. The move allows flight training students to simultaneously work on a foundation for their later flight career, adding expertise in the industry and checking the 4-year degree box on a number of legacy carrier's pilot applications. Participants of both Purdue and Epic Flight Academy courses can "save up to $28,400 in tuition and complete the degree online in 2 to 3 years," according to the program writeup.

Another Cargo Operator Throttles Back

Cargojet will be easing up on its plans to continue converting Boeings to freighter specifications, in addition to selling off a few of its Boeing 757s. The move is just another in recent ripples throughout the air cargo market that betray a cooling off throughout the industry.  Cargojet will be listing 4 of its surplus 757 freighters despite their relative freshness. The firm recently dropped more than $5 million on each of the aircraft, converting them from passenger layouts and overhauling their engines.

A Beauty Amongst Ghastly Federal Agencies

Founded in 1971 and based in Oklahoma City, the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) is a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). The Transportation Safety Institute is tasked with providing high-quality safety, security, and environmental training to federal, state, and local governmental, private sector, and foreign transportation professionals in the aviation, highway traffic, transit, motor carrier, and hazardous materials sectors.

Companion Piece to ASA Textbook Free of Charge

An accompanying workbook for a recent ASA publication is now available free of charge. The Pilots In Command Student Workbook can now be had as a PDF for use in teaching from "Pilots In Command: Your Best Trip, Every Trip". The publication should help those teaching the next generation of PICs as they hone their nascent skills and CRM capabilities outside and inside the flight deck.

Industry Plans Ahead For Packed Post-AAM Airspace

NASA’s aeronautical innovators have completed a significant step in their pursuit of safer, more efficient aviation technologies that spot hazards before they occur" said a presser regarding the System-Wide Safety project. The project recently completed Technical Challenge 1 (TC-1), focusing on Terminal Area Risk Management. It is the first completed step along the way towards something NASA calls the "In-Time Aviation Safety Management System", a more dynamic, proactive approach to moderating aircraft transit demand.

Also: Ken Mattingly Goes West, AvCon B300 Modifications, Buttonville Closing, AEM Bluetooth

Under the deft touch and in accordance with the fine air-sense of CAF Colonel Bill Shepard, the Commemorative Air Force’s Rocky Mountain Wing’s Grumman TBM-3 309 delighted attendees at the recent Grand Junction Airshow. The Grumman TBF Avenger—specimens manufactured under license by General Motors were registered TBM—is an American World War II-era torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, but eventually fielded by several Allied air and naval aviation ser

Should All go Well, Up to 200 Midnight Aircraft Sold to InterGlobe

InterGlobe Enterprises, an Indian travel and hospitality conglomerate, has opted for Archer Aircraft's eVTOL with an agreement to "launch and operate an all-electric air taxi service in India", bureaucracy permitting. The two companies will embark on a path to provide "urban mobility with safe, sustainable, and low-noise electric air taxi service that is cost-competitive with ground transportation", as well as begin exploration into a "variety of other use cases for the electric aircraft in India, including cargo, logistics, medical and emergency services, as well as private company and charter services."

Also: Ken Mattingly Goes West, AvCon B300 Modifications, Buttonville Closing, AEM Bluetooth

Under the deft touch and in accordance with the fine air-sense of CAF Colonel Bill Shepard, the Commemorative Air Force’s Rocky Mountain Wing’s Grumman TBM-3 309 delighted attendees at the recent Grand Junction Airshow. The Grumman TBF Avenger—specimens manufactured under license by General Motors were registered TBM—is an American World War II-era torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps, but eventually fielded by several Allied air and naval aviation ser

Trophy to Be Granted for Work in Supporting Aviation Supply Chain

Senator Jerry Moran will be given the 2023 Wichita Aero Club Trophy in recognition of both his contemporaneous accomplishments as well as a lifetime of achievement. "Senator Moran works tirelessly on behalf of the Wichita region’s aviation industry. He has increased opportunities for our local suppliers by hosting industry leaders such as Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin Space. He continues to support our community’s successful attempts to secure large federal grants and has brought key members of the Federal Cabinet to Wichita, including the Secretary of Commerce, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the NASA Administr

After Two Unsuccessful Attempts To Restore Engine Power, The Pilot Ejected At 3,000 Ft Mean Sea Level

Analysis: The vintage military jet was being operated under an experimental certificate. The airplane experienced a partial loss of engine power over an ocean at flight level 240. Specifically, the engine rpm reduced and stabilized to about 5,000. The pilot knew that 6,800 to 7,200 rpm would be required to maintain altitude and return to an airport. After two unsuccessful attempts to restore engine power, the pilot ejected at 3,000 ft mean sea level. 

Aero Linx: The Early Birds of Aviation, Inc. The Early Birds of Aviation, Inc., was an organization of aeronautical pioneers who flew solo before 17 December 1916, which was the thirteenth anniversary of the Wright brothers' groundbreaking flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Justin Gruelle's mural contains not only portraits of many of these aviation pioneers but also their aircraft, and all are depicted with an eye toward detail and historical accuracy that would be difficult to exceed. Justin Gruelle established his reputation as a muralist by work he did in the 1930s for the Federal Art Project of the Works Progress Administration...

Class C Service This service provides, in addition to basic radar service, approved separation between IFR and VFR aircraft, and sequencing of VFR aircraft, and sequencing of VFR arrivals to the primary airport.

“This arrival marks an exciting transition into the next phase of developmental flight. The T-7A gives immense capability updates that will allow the Air Force to train the next generation of combat aviators. Success of first delivery is truly a testament to the joint USAF-industry team we have in place.” Source: Major Jonathan Aronoff, T-7A test pilot, discussing the delivery of the first T-7A to Edwards AFB.