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November 22, 2017

Airborne 11.22.17: AOPA Plays Icon Apologist, Lancair Mako, Mooney Ovation Ultra

Also: Airbus A380 Deal, Acting PM Belize In A/C Accident, Hartzell Propeller, Crop Duster Shooting

ANN’s senior editorial staff was stunned to read a recent article by the AOPA Air Safety Institute’s Executive Director, Richard McSpadden, in which the ASI Boss not only seemed to offer a probable cause long before the NTSB report is due (and even before the NTSB Prelim was published) but seemed intent on appointing itself an apologist for all things icon. This piece lauded Icon and their errant CEO, Kirk Hawkins, despite the fact that the company has proven itself incompetent on a number of levels, has engaged in fraudulent statements and conduct, has acted wildly and recklessly through its promo and demo programs, is over a half decade behind

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NASA's Mars 2020 Mission Performs 1st Supersonic Parachute Test

Next Test Planned For February, 2018

Landing on Mars is difficult and not always successful. Well-designed advance testing helps. An ambitious NASA Mars rover mission set to launch in 2020 will rely on a special parachute to slow the spacecraft down as it enters the Martian atmosphere at over 12,000 mph. Preparations for this mission have provided, for the first time, dramatic video of the parachute opening at supersonic speed.