Trevor Jacobs Takes to Skies Again in Narcissistic Non-Apology Video

Trevor Jacob, of "intentionally crashed Taylorcraft for Youtube" fame, recently uploaded a new video to his channel bragging about getting his pilot license back. In typical fashion for his social-media presence, Jacob started off opaque about exactly what "getting a pilot license back" means, but 7 minutes into the platitude-ridden slog he admits that he has "passed my written and got permission from a CFI to retake my check ride...6/17 this year, I passed my checkride." Passing it means he holds a temporary paper license awaiting the FAA to issue his pilot license once again.

Locals Complain in Classic Airport Fashion

The 2022 runway extension and expansion project as Lake Elmo Airport has rankled a few neighbors, with nearly 4,300 noise complaints issued from 16 locations near the airport. Unfortunately, the local news has reported the story with much fanfare for the nearly 4300 complaints without mentioning that it comes from a handful of NIMBY airport haters. As is always the case, those living adjacent to the airport hate hearing aircraft, and the new runway alignment brings fresh complaints as the larger 3,500-ft runway realigned the airport layout for safer and roomier operations.

Alaskan Coast Guards On the Mend After Downed Jayhawk Flight

The Coast Guard recovered its downed MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter on Alaska's Read Island after nearly a month, putting a cap on an unfortunate end to a stressful rescue mission. “We are grateful our four crewmembers were released from Harborview Medical Center and are on the road to recovery,” said Coast Guard Capt. Brian McLaughlin, head of the Crisis Action Team, who led recovery efforts. “We are also incredibly thankful to the many people and organizations who helped us recover the aircraft. Getting the helicopter to where our investigators can better examine the wreckage is the next step in the ongoing investigation.”

Zephtali Walsh Takes Home the Prize in Last Uncrewed Race

Airspeeder's 2023 EXA Series Championship saw the last of its 3-car races finish this month, capping off the 2023 season with a win to Zephtali Walsh. The win capped off the "world's inaugural three-craft EVTOL race at Stonefield Airfield, South Australia", pitting Airspeeder pilots Bruno Senna (of Ayrton Senna's fame), Lexie Janson, and the victorious Walsh against each other.

Also: Rolls Royce Nixes Electrics, 3rd RS-25 Test, Eve Air Mobility and Flynas, ArianeSpace 

Skyworks Aeronautics has been busy in recent months, announcing sales, developments and patents in a matter of weeks. Its most recent was an issued US patent for its Precision Airdrop System, an airborne vehicle designed to deliver payloads much like a standoff munition. The PAS offers intermediate-distance deliveries with a gliding stage to target before autorotating down to ensure precise landings. ZeroAvia found a like-minded partner abroad, finding a deal with up-and-comer Ecojet. Ecojet, a nascent carrier promising to be the "flag carrier

With 4 Delivered, 4 More Are Ordered

Elixir Aircraft sold a handful of brand-new 4th generation Part 23 aircraft to Airbus Flight Academy Europe, highlighting their approved all-glass cockpit. Airbus Flight Academy Europe sees its new Elixirs as an easy, achievable way to reduce carbon emissions in the course of their normal operations, adding another 4 planes to their order books. Those next aircraft are slated for delivery in 2024, not too surprising given Elixir's lofty production goals. At the moment, Elixir Aircraft has more than 80 firm orders on hand, and pre-orders for at least 200 more.

Also: Bell Training, FAA Reauthorization, Coulson Aviation, More Pegasus Tankers

A Piper PA-28R-201 crashed in Conway, South Carolina on September 14, 2022, causing fatal injuries to 2. "Shortly after departure, on the first flight following maintenance, the pilot reported a loss of engine power," reads the NTSB report. "The pilot attempted a forced landing onto a gravel road, but the airplane impacted trees and powerlines on final approach. The airplane came to rest against a berm and a post crash fire ensued." During their investigation, the NTSB found a good deal of engine damage, oil, and heat discoloration. Rolls-Royce's recent strate

As Wildfire Activity Breaks Headlines, Industry Attunes to Market Potential

Airbus has begun flight testing its A400M Roll-on/Roll-off firefighting prototype kit, evaluating the plane's ability to drop 20,000 liters of retardant on lines over 400 meters long. A 2-week test campaign throughout south-western Spain, saw the A400M run through its paces, completing 6 successful drops using a mix of retarded and water. The "roll-on/roll-off" nomenclature reminds customers that the aircraft requires no permanent modification for installation, allowing it to be used in an A400M fleet as necessary.

Would-Be Program Ends in Disappointment for Homegrown Manufacturer

The Multi-Mission Aircraft would have consisted of a Bombardier Global 6500, overhauled with the assistance of General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada to provision missile pylons, electronic warfare equipment, and an interior ordnance bay. Unfortunately for Bombardier, Canada has decided not to go ahead with the aircraft, leaving the would-be model on the shelf until another customer desides to procure it.

Also: Rolls Royce Nixes Electrics, 3rd RS-25 Test, Eve Air Mobility and Flynas, ArianeSpace 

Skyworks Aeronautics has been busy in recent months, announcing sales, developments and patents in a matter of weeks. Its most recent was an issued US patent for its Precision Airdrop System, an airborne vehicle designed to deliver payloads much like a standoff munition. The PAS offers intermediate-distance deliveries with a gliding stage to target before autorotating down to ensure precise landings. ZeroAvia found a like-minded partner abroad, finding a deal with up-and-comer Ecojet. Ecojet, a nascent carrier promising to be the "flag carrier

Also: Bell Training, FAA Reauthorization, Coulson Aviation, More Pegasus Tankers

A Piper PA-28R-201 crashed in Conway, South Carolina on September 14, 2022, causing fatal injuries to 2. "Shortly after departure, on the first flight following maintenance, the pilot reported a loss of engine power," reads the NTSB report. "The pilot attempted a forced landing onto a gravel road, but the airplane impacted trees and powerlines on final approach. The airplane came to rest against a berm and a post crash fire ensued." During their investigation, the NTSB found a good deal of engine damage, oil, and heat discoloration. Rolls-Royce's recent strate

Prior To The Accident Flight, The Pilot Reported Experiencing Vibrations In The Helicopter

Analysis: Prior to the accident flight, the pilot reported experiencing vibrations in the helicopter. The pilot (who was also a mechanic) and another mechanic adjusted the main rotor dampers to address the issue. Following this adjustment, a 10-minute ground run was performed without any observed problems. The pilot then conducted a test flight during, which no issues were detected.

From 2020 (YouTube Version): Change Is In The Wind For King Schools

King Schools customers are seeing a new flight instructor in King Schools’ online video courses. CEO Barry Knuttila has taken on an additional role as one of the on-camera instructors for King Schools. Barry holds an ATP certificate with a Falcon 10 type rating and flight and ground instructor certificates with all available airplane ratings. He also owns a Beechcraft Debonair, and regularly flies the King Schools Falcon 10 with John and Martha. “The goal of this change is to provide our customers with more great King video content, at a faster rate. John and

Aero Linx: Popular Rotorcraft Association Welcome to the Popular Rotorcraft Association. We are based in Mentone, Indiana, USA at the PRA-owned Mentone Airport.  Founded in 1962 by Dr. Igor Bensen, the inventor of the Bensen Gyrocopter, we have grown to include rotorcraft of all sorts with members in over 80 countries.  We are a group of people who love rotorcraft – gyroplanes and helicopters, some homebuilt from scratch, some from kits, and some factory-assembled.

Minimum Vectoring Altitude (MVA) The lowest MSL altitude at which an IFR aircraft will be vectored by a radar controller, except as otherwise authorized for radar approaches, departures, and missed approaches. The altitude meets IFR obstacle clearance criteria. It may be lower than the published MEA along an airway or J-route segment. It may be utilized for radar vectoring only upon the controller's determination that an adequate radar return is being received from the aircraft being controlled. Charts depicting minimum vectoring altitudes are normally available only to the controllers and not to pilots.

“In today’s strategic environment, the requirement to preserve critical skills in our Air Force has never been more important. Specifically, aviation-related skillsets, formed through the crucible of combat and daily execution of high-intensity operations, is the foundation necessary to continue to effectively deliver warfighting capability to the Joint Force and the American people. Retaining these professional aviators’ experience and expertise within the Total Force is imperative in order to outpace future challenges that may emerge throughout the spectrum of conflict.” Source: Maj. Gen. Adrian Spain, Director of Training and Readiness, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations at Headquarters, Air Force, explain