On Behalf of A Grateful Nation...

The Congressional Medal of Honor Society has announced that Larry L. Taylor, 81, a Recipient of the Medal of Honor for the Vietnam War, passed away January 28, 2024, at his home in Signal Mountain, Tennessee. President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., presented Taylor with the Medal of Honor at the White House in Washington, D.C. on September 5, 2023, for his actions near the village of Ap Go Cong, Binh Du'ong Providence, Vietnam.

Demo'ed At An Italian Coast Guard Search And Rescue Exercise

TEKEVER demonstrated the successful deployment of a lifeboat from its AR5 drone as part of a search and rescue exercise conducted by the Italian Coast Guard, in partnership with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). Via a fully automatic operation, sensors onboard the drone enable the detection of vessels or humans on the water. Using artificial intelligence, the drone calculates the optimal time to release the lifeboat close to the vessel or person in distress without human intervention, enabling the lifeboat to be deployed at a close enough, but safe, distance.

There Were Once 8,000 Dedicated U/L Instructors... But Not Any More

Another aviation-oriented Change.org petition has surfaced... at least until it offends someone and the Change.Org folks take it down... this time, the petition addresses the serious deficit in our ultralight instruction ranks and seeks the FAA's action in fixing this serious matter. Started by Jim Pfarr, the chairman of the EAA Ultralight and Light Sport Advisory Council, who has been, "tirelessly advocating for the ultralight aviation community's needs and concerns. The most pressing issue we face as a community is a severe shortage of dedicated ultralight aircraft instructors. Prior to the inception of the Light Sport rules, there were approximately 8,000 dedicated instructors

It's Time For The FAA To Express More Paranoia Over Drones

As expected (and has been the habit) Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is a ‘No Drone Zone’ for Super Bowl LVIII. Drones also are prohibited around several additional locations during the days leading up to the event. Pilots were previously warned to anticipate a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in the Las Vegas area on Sunday, February 11, 2024. Typical TFRs limit the availability of certain operations, including glider operations, flight training, and unmanned aerial system (UAS) operations.

Boeing CEO To Employees: ‘Increased Scrutiny Will Make Us Better’

Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun sent the message, below, to the entire cadre of Boeing employees, in concert with the release of their year-end 2023 results... which weren't all that impressive. "While we report our fourth-quarter and full-year 2023 results today, my focus remains on the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident and the actions we are taking as a company to strengthen quality at Boeing. Over the last several weeks I’ve spoken to many of you, and I’ve had tough and direct conversations with our customers, regulators and lawmakers...

B4UFLY Is A Collaboration Between The FAA And Private Industry Leaders

Airspace Link has been approved to provide the FAA's B4UFLY service. As an integral part of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) commitment to safety and seamless integration of recreational drones into the national airspace, this recognition upholds the next generation of responsibility and awareness for drone pilots nationwide. B4UFLY is a collaboration between the FAA and private industry leaders, dedicated to ensuring the safety of drone operations by providing tailored safety information and airspace awareness to recreational and commercial drone pilots.

2024 CAF Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony And Banquet Will Occur On Saturday, March 2

The CAF has selected the individuals to be inducted into the CAF Hall of Fame in 2024. These individuals were nominated by their peers for outstanding contributions to the CAF over many years. Each year up to four individuals are inducted and recognized for their role in furthering the mission of the CAF. The 2024 CAF Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet will occur on Saturday, March 2, at the CAF National Airbase in Dallas, Texas.

Klyde ID's The 'Universal Villain'

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Also: NBAA Wants Reauth ASAP, New IAC Boss Wanted, Airbus Helos, Air Borealis 

Southwest Airlines pilots ratified their tentative agreement to the tune of 93% in their recent vote, solidifying the last of the 'Big Four' in domestic airlines. The deal stands for a 5-year contract, which will grant an immediate 29.15% increase in pay rates upon ratification, followed by yearly increases of 4% in 2025, 2026, and 2027. That drops to a smaller 3.25% bump in 2028. ARC Aerosystems has reported to ANN that it has finalized a transaction for the sale of five Pegasus aircraft to a Scottish investor to lease to a pilot training school and an aerial service operator

From 2017 (YouTube Version): Bringing Back The Round Cowl…

There is just something about a radial engine. They harken back to what many call aviation's "Golden Age" of classic airplanes and barnstorming. Now, the radial engine is making something of a resurgence, thanks to Rotec Aerosport, which had several engines and airplanes on display at Sun 'n Fun in April, including a Vans RV-8 with a round cowl. Paul Chernikeeff, Founder and Director of Rotec Aerosport, told ANN new editor Tom Patton that the company didn't start with much of a business plan. "We thought r

The Carcasses Of Several Geese Were Located In The Debris Field As Well As One Embedded In A Flight Control Servo

On January 20, 2024, about 2323 central standard time, a Bell 206L-3 helicopter, N295AE, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hydro, Oklahoma. The pilot, flight nurse, and flight paramedic were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 positioning flight. The helicopter dropped off a patient at the Mercy Health Center Heliport (OL16), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and the crew was returning to their home base, Air Evac 112 Heliport (4OK1), Weatherford, Oklahoma. The company GPS monitoring program stopped tracking the helicopter about 2330 and a search began

Aero Linx: Ercoupe Owners Club We fly an airplane that was the peak of pre-World War II development. It took more than a decade and a half before the features of the Ercoupe were the norm in civil aviation. Yet the industry finally followed. The members of the Ercoupe Owners Club provide each other mutual support as we keep these classic aircraft in the air. Along the way, we've found that Coupe people are a little bit special, themselves. Please browse our site and enjoy.

Back-Taxi A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft on the runway opposite to the traffic flow. The aircraft may be instructed to back-taxi to the beginning of the runway or at some point before reaching the runway end for the purpose of departure or to exit the runway.

"...Prior to the inception of the Light Sport rules, there were approximately 8,000 dedicated instructors providing ultralight specific training across the United States. Immediately after these rules came into effect this number dropped to zero and has not recovered in any meaningful way to support transitioning pilots and new pilots wishing to take up the sport.  This is a critical safety shortfall, evidenced by the numbers of GA pilots who crash on landing due to inappropriate responses to low mass/high drag aircraft landing characteristics, and by the significant number of new pilots seeking readily available and convenient training without success."   Source: Jim Pfarr, the chairman of the EAA Ultralight and Li