Powerplant(s) Appeared To Be Operating At Time of Impact

NTSB has issued an investigative update for its ongoing investigation of the fatal, Jan. 26, 2020, helicopter crash near Calabasas, California. The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter collided with hilly terrain and was destroyed by impact forces and fire. The pilot and eight passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter operated by Island Express Helicopters Inc., was on an on-demand passenger visual flight rules flight from John Wayne-Orange County Airport, in Santa Ana, California, to Camarillo Airport, in Camarillo, California. "Our investigators have already developed a substantial amount of evidence about the circumstances of this tragic crash," said NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt. "And we ar

Wisk and NZ to Partner in World’s First Autonomous Air Taxi Trial

The New Zealand Government and Wisk, an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) contender, have announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a passenger transport trial in Canterbury, New Zealand. Wisk’s self-flying, all-electric air taxi, called Cora, is the aircraft selected for the trials. In October 2019, the New Zealand Government announced that it was establishing an industry-wide Airspace Integration Trial to work with leading, innovative domestic and international industry partners to safely test and demonstrate unmanned aircraft. Wisk, based in the United States and New Zealand, was announced as the first industry partner to join this program.

Company Has Over 80 Confirmed E1000 Reservations Worldwide

The FAA has certified the Epic Aircraft E1000 all carbon fiber aircraft design, clearing the way for deliveries in the US. The Epic E1000 is based on the company’s experimental Epic LT model which was introduced to the market in 2005 through an owner-assist build program based at Epic headquarters. Epic has over 80 confirmed E1000 reservations from around the US, as well as Canada, Mexico, Central/South America, Europe, Russia, South Africa, and Australia. The first seven E1000 customer aircraft are in various stages of fabrication, b

Senator Diane Feinstein Demands Heli-Changes Before NTSB Investigation is Complete

Senator Diane Feinstein has hit the airwaves with her demand for additional regs in the wake of the tragic accident that killed nine people while flying in limited VFR conditions through Southern California. Among those lost were Basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter, GiGi. Feinstein joined Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) in jumping on the media bandwagon long before the NTSB could complete a proper investigation. A long-time California Senator, Ms. Feinstein has been at odds with aviation interests a number of times over the years and is not a pilot or otherwise aeronautically educated, as evidenced by some of her anti-aviation stands.