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September 18, 2015

Airborne 09.18.15: AMA v FAA UAV Data, AW609 Speed Record, NetJets Picket

Also: Age/Color/Gender In Aviation, ATC Privatization, VA Flight Training, Airbus US Site, BA777 Failed Engine, B-2 Ops Availability, 2000th AE 2100

The Academy of Model Aeronautics has released a detailed analysis of the FAA’s drone data. A close examination of 764 records, which were publicly released last month, reveals a more complex picture of unmanned aircraft systems activity in the United States than initial media headlines suggested. There are military crashes and a UFO sighting in the data. Only a fraction of the records were legitimately reported “close calls” and “near misses,” and some didn’t involve drones at all. The AgustaWestland AW609 TiltRotor aircraft recently set a speed record on a 1000 kilometer ‘point-to-point&rsq

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NASA Completes Key Milestone For Orion Spacecraft

But First Manned Flight Has Been Delayed By Two Years

NASA’s mission to send astronauts to deep space destinations where no other human has traveled has taken another important step forward with the completion of a critical milestone for the Orion spacecraft currently in production. However, the agency says that due to budget constraints, the first manned mission will not take place until April 2023, at the latest.

NASA Says First Manned Orion Launch 'Not Later Than April, 2023'

NASA's announcement that the Orion spacecraft will be ready for a manned launch "not later than April, 2023" drew a sharp rebuke from House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX).