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A bit of a surprise media leak made the ever-innovative folks at Bell Helicopter take the wraps off one of the more intriguing helicopter configurations we’ve seen in many years. Marrying a Bell 429 to something of a quadcopter-style electric multi-rotor tail assembly, the Bell EDAT (Electrically Distributed Anti-Torque), may offer some exciting new capabilities and efficiencies to the already rugged 429 and other Bell airframes. When the sport aviation world was introduced to ‘Jetman’ inventor Yves Rossy, he showed the world what could happen when you strapped a few small hobby-jet engines to a wing and strapped it to a skydiver. The result was a joy to behold a few years back. But recently, things have taken on a whole new aspect with the continued development of the Jetman program to

Also: UAVOS Upgrades, UAV’s Flight Control Solutions, NASA-Collins Aerospace, Black Swift Technologies

The FAA and AUVSI will co-host the 5th Annual FAA UAS Symposium on June 16-18, 2020, at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD. The Symposium will bring together representatives from the FAA, other government agencies, industry, and academia. The presenters and panelists will discuss the latest information and advancements related to the diverse uses of unmanned aircraft, and how these new entrants are being safely integrated into the National Airspace System. Boeing and the U.S. Navy successfully flew two autonomously controlled EA-18G Growlers at Naval Air Station Patuxent River as unmanned air systems using a third Growler as a mission controller for the other two. The flights, conducted during the Navy Warfare Development Command’s annual fleet experiment (FLEX) exercises,

Also: Air-Taxi Feasibility Study, Blind Man Found By Drone, UAS Privacy-Environmental Concerns, Kigali Forum

PHASA-35, a 115-foot wingspan solar-electric aircraft, has successfully completed its maiden flight. PHASA-35 has been designed, built and now flown in less than two years. Designed to operate unmanned in the stratosphere, above the weather and conventional air traffic, PHASA-35 offers a persistent and affordable alternative to satellites combined with the flexibility of an aircraft, which could be used for a range of valuable applications including forest fire detection and maritime surveillance. As a High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) vehicle, PHASA-35 is powered by the Sun during the day and by batteries overnight. The long-life battery and highly efficient solar technology could allow the aircraft to maintain flight for up to a year operating in the stratosphere, the upper regions of t

Information Will Be Relocated To New Websites

The FAA will discontinue publication of the notices of airmen publication (NTAP) effective June 18, with the final NTAP published on May 21. The decommissioning is part of the overall notices to airmen (NOTAM) modernization effort.

Panel Provides Advice On Key UAS Integration Issues

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has appointed two new members to the FAA's Drone Advisory Committee (DAC).

Proposes What Is A Major Push Of Practical Tests; In Essence, A 'Checkride Month'

In an open letter to the industry, Bob Rockmaker, president & CEO of the Flight School Association of North America (FSANA), is calling for a concerted effort to clear the existing backlog of FAA Practical Tests that can erode a pilot candidate's skills before he or she is able to take a checkride.

Will Become The World's Largest Embraer ERJ145 Aircraft Operator

The ExpressJet Airlines pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), responded positively to the announcement today that parent company ManaAir LLC will be adding 36 Embraer 145 regional jets to its existing fleet as the company also works to finalize a multiyear extension of its flying agreement with United Airlines.

Archer Primary Trainer Sales Drive The Increase

Piper Aircraft has announced a 27% increase in aircraft deliveries for 2019. The continued growth was driven by a 70% YOY increase of Piper Archer single engine primary trainer aircraft and an 8% increase of multiengine Seminole trainers.

One Of The Real-Life Women Who Inspired The Movie 'Hidden Figures'

One of the real-life women who were portrayed in the movie 'Hidden Figures' has Gone West. Katherine Johnson passed away Monday at the age of 101.

POA Clears The Way For Manufacturing To Hit High Gear

Switzerland s Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) has granted Production Organization Approval (POA) to Kopter Group, confirming Kopter as a duly recognized Production Organization. It is attesting that Kopter has in place qualified personnel, the necessary methods, processes and procedures, as well as a reliable quality system.