Oxygen Purveyor Improves Situational Awareness

Aerox has now made its Cylinder Sentinel application compatible across the board, allowing operators to wirelessly check the current condition of their aviation O2 bottles wherever they are in the plane from a simple phone. The system doesn't require the installation of any extra batteries or wiring, either, though that doesn't quite mean it does the job with air pressure. Instead, a CR2050 battery is retained in the install kit, which includes a T-fitting to retain the manual pressure gauge as backup. The Aerox app is available for both iOS and Android systems. 

Yak 52 Display Turns Fatal, But Still No Answers Yet

A combined Spanish-Portuguese aerobatic demo team suffered a fatality at the Beja AirShow, when one of their aircraft clipped another during a performance. Apparently, the lost pilot was the only one to die, with the other making a landing without incident. The other pilot, also a Yakstars man, was taken to the hospital despite light injuries just to make sure everything turned out okay. In the end, they expect the case will be complete with only one fatality, making it a rarity for Continental Europe, but another somewhat high-profile reminder for summertime show runners. As always, the incident is under investigation there.

Rescheduled Launch Schedule Results in First Refund

A Japanese billionaire announced he would be pulling out of a prospective flight aboard one of SpaceX' Starships about 6 years after buying a ticket, citing a morass of delays and scheduling issues. The basic problem comes down to the launch schedule, as it always does. SpaceX hoped to help bootstrap development with fresh funding from would-be space tourists, but NASA's selection of the Starship platform for serious space missions threw all those plans into disarray. 

Next-Gen Industries Invited to Bed Down in the Uintahs

Utah publicized a bevy of AAM plans centered around their new Air Logistics Transportation Alliance project, or Project Alta. They describe it as a "collaborative partnership with a mission to establish an advanced air mobility system for Utah," but it seems to be closer to a public-private middleman designed to ease integration into existing infrastructure. New tech brings a lot of new headaches, with all kinds of demands for each little system and design. Having a public bridge to help ease installation, or agree on standards ahead of time, should help Utahns roll out AAM with minimal waste and orphaned infrastructure in the far future.

Reserve Components Looking to Improve In-House

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems announced a fresh order for a dozen Gray Eagle 25M UAVs with accompanying equipment, for fulfillment to the Army National Guard (ARNG). The manufacturer will see the order paid out of 2023 congressional funding, which helps to bring them ups to speed. Tossing some Gray Eagles into the mix provides the ARNG with full multi-spectrum intel gathering capability, even a modest complement of ordnance from the air, which greatly enhances their capacity to leverage their artillery and field components. With a few Gray Eagles on Tap, they can be more or less self reliant in planning, targeting, coordinating, and communicating.

Another Day, Another AFWERX Contract

The Air Force's toy box has granted a contract for $10 million to UASD developer RapidFlight, specifically to 'develop and produce a 3D-printed, autonomous, fixed-wing aircraft system. The contract's Phase 1 will put RapidFlight to the grindstone designing SPX UAVs for T&E at the Autonomy Prime Proving Ground, after which it will conduct demonstrations of its performance before the USAF at their corporate flight test facility. Throughout the process, RapidFlight will train USAF operators on "comprehensive operations and maintenance training".

John W. Winter of AEA and Avionic Fame Passes

John W. Winter brought Mid-Continent Instrument Company into the modern era in 1980, purchasing the firm and using it as a base for expansion throughout the aviation industry. “My father mastered a unique trio of skills, being an exceptionally good mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, and astute businessman,” said Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics President and CEO, Todd Winter.

From 2014 (YouTube Version): After Restoring Mustangs, What Could Possible Be Next? A JN-4D Jenny, Of Course!

While at EAA AirVenture 2014, Special Aero-News Correspondent Michael Maya Charles has a chance to take a step back in time with Bob Baker from Alva, Oklahoma who is restoring a World War I era Curtis JN-4 Jenny. Baker is well known and recognized for his restoration of two P-51 Mustangs, and he tells Charles that he wanted to try something different. The JN-4 Jenny certainly qualifies as something being different from a P-51.

Less Than 8 Ounces Of Fuel Was Drained From The Fuel System

On April 24, 2023, at 1030 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built, Thatcher CX4, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near West Palm Beach, Florida. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was unable to provide an initial statement due to his injuries. Witnesses at a golf club reported that the airplane struck palm trees during an emergency landing, resulting in substantial airframe damage.

Aero Linx: National Air and Space Museum Take your curiosity to new heights. Explore the world’s premier collection of air and space artifacts, stories, and expertise. One museum, two locations. Discover the wonder of air and space by exploring our two premier locations, where you can see artifacts that took humans to new heights and truly were out of this world.

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Standard Terminal Arrival (STAR) Charts Designed to expedite air traffic control arrival procedures and to facilitate transition between en route and instrument approach operations. Each STAR procedure is presented as a separate chart and may serve a single airport or more than one airport in a given geographical location.

“My father mastered a unique trio of skills, being an exceptionally good mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, and astute businessman. He set the bar high for himself and all to follow; supporting the pursuit of education as a means to achieve success. He taught us all not to shy away from obstacles or challenges, to be action oriented, and focus on achieving results. When I became President of the company, he handed me a commemorative plate with a picture of President Harry Truman, and one of his favorite quotes: The buck stops here!” Source: Current Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics President and CEO, Todd Winter, remembering his late Father, John W. Winter, who brought Mid-Continent Instrument Company into