Schillen’s Military Career Stretched From 1963-87, Rising To The Rank Of Lieutenant Colonel

At 81, Nicholas Schillen, a U.S. Air Force veteran who completed his M.S. in Aeronautics through Liberty University Online Programs in December, is the oldest graduate among the 29,000-plus students in the Class of 2024. He and his wife drove from their home near Miami to Lynchburg, Va., so he could see the university for the first time, attend Liberty’s Military Graduate Recognition Ceremony on Thursday morning, and walk the stage at Thursday afternoon’s School of Aeronautics degree presentation ceremony. 

The Flight Training Security Program (FTSP) Was Initially Called The Alien Flight Student Program

Recently, the TSA published updated regulations for the flight training industry, effective this July. The Flight Training Security Program (FTSP), initially called the Alien Flight Student Program, was implemented by the TSA via an Interim Final Rule in 2004. Since that time, flight schools and flight instructors have been required to implement security awareness training, and non-U.S. citizens seeking flight instruction have been required to obtain special vetting and approval prior to initiating training.

Pilots Reportedly Underwhelmed By The WestJet Group Offer

WestJet Encore pilots have rejected the Tentative Agreement presented to them last month. The pilots were reportedly underwhelmed by the WestJet Group’s attempts at using compensation to gloss over many of the core structural issues of the operation. Of the 92 percent of eligible pilots who cast ballots, 53 percent voted against the agreement. This result reiterates that there is a deep-seated feeling that management fails to recognize the pilots’ needs beyond matters tied to compensation.

EXP 71 Crew Stays Busy, Awaits Starliner Arrival

Following the problems that occurred when a valve upended much-anticipated/much-delayed launch plans, preparations continue ahead of the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test launch to the ISS microgravity laboratory. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, still in quarantine ahead of the flight test, returned to Houston this weekend as work progresses on a valve replacement on the United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket Centaur upper stage.

Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview

Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with the Bailey-Moyes Dragonfly (now in production with Pitman Air), has been lost in an aircraft test accident. Shortly after his appearance at SUN n FUN 2024, Bailey reportedly was asked to test fly a customer-built Dragonfly out of the Groveland airport in Florida... Recent investigations and a great deal of data has resulted in ANN’s SportPlane Resource Guide’s report card system having to deal with new and worrisome reports on a number of companies. Evidence and da

The CAM Program Is Accredited By The National Commission For Certifying Agencies

NBAA’s Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program has welcomed Wes Maness, director of maintenance at Flight Group Corporation, as the 900th professional to earn this certification – a significant milestone for a program has become the benchmark of leadership excellence in business aviation. Launched in 2003, NBAA’s CAM program is recognized as the premier management certification program for aviation professionals. The program’s momentum has grown in recent years, with NBAA welcoming the 700th CAM recipient in 2021 and its 800th in 2022.

Acquisition Expected To Close In The Second Half Of 2024

Axon has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dedrone. Ultimately, upon completion of the acquisition, Dedrone will reportedly strengthen Axon's ability to help customers safeguard their communities, improve response to critical incidents and protect even more lives in more places. "By combining Axon's 30-year legacy of innovation with Dedrone's cutting-edge airspace security solutions, we aim to revolutionize public safety once again," said Axon Founder and CEO Rick Smith.

From 2014 (YouTube Version): A Peaceful Resurrection For A Valued Wartime Boeing PT-17

While at EAA AirVenture 2014, ANN Special Correspondent Michael Maya Charles had the opportunity to talk with a young man about his career in aircraft restoration. While standing in front of a beautifully restored Stearman biplane, we find out that Mike Porter has restored more airplanes than seems possible for his age. It turns out that Porter got his start very young in aviation because it was a business he was born into. His father was a commer

Airplane Entered A Left Descending Turn Until The Left Wing Contacted The Ground

Analysis: The airplane was landing on the ultralight field when the accident occurred. The pilot stated that she made a wide base to final turn because she was unsure about the placement of the runway. Although the pilot added power, the airplane entered a left descending turn until the left wing contacted the ground near the beginning of the runway's displaced threshold. 

Aero Linx: FlyPups FlyPups transports dogs from desperate situations to fosters, no-kill shelters, and fur-ever homes. We deliver trained dogs to veterans for service and companionship as well as bringing aid and relief to areas of natural disaster. FlyPups is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

ILS PRM Approach An instrument landing system (ILS) approach conducted to parallel runways whose extended centerlines are separated by less than 4,300 feet and at least 3,000 feet where independent closely spaced approaches are permitted. Also used in conjunction with an LDA PRM, RNAV PRM or GLS PRM approach to conduct Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approach (SOIA) operations. No Transgression Zone (NTZ) monitoring is required to conduct these approaches. ATC utilizes an enhanced display with alerting and, with certain runway spacing, a high update rate PRM surveillance sensor. Use of a secondary monitor frequency, pilot PRM training, and publication of an Attention All Users Page are also required f

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Even with the vast resources and incredibly far-reaching scope of the Aero-News Network, every now and then a story that should be reported on slips through our fingers. There's a lot of news out there, and sometimes we just don't get to all of it... so we came up with the idea of News Spies.

“People ask me, ‘Why would you get a master’s at this point in your career?’Completing it was a big measure of honor in and of itself. I graduated with distinction, which I never thought I could or would. But I just did my best. If I made a mistake, the instructor let me know. Their feedback was always excellent, and so were their words of encouragement.” Source: The words of Nicholas Schillen, an 81 year-old U.S. Air Force veteran who completed his M.S. in Aeronautics through Liberty University Online Programs in December, is the oldest graduate among the 29,000-plus students in the Class of 2024.