North Dakotan BVLOS Network to Serve as Incubator for Automated Cessna Testing, Development

Reliable Robotics has begun working alongside Dakotan drone services specialist Vantis in their efforts to advance "repeatable, scalable and economically viable operations of uncrewed aircraft systems". The company has made a name for itself with footage of its remotely piloted Cessna 172 and 208 prototypes, demonstrating the capability to retrofit older, more affordable general aviation aircraft. Their use as an uncrewed, fixed-wing, full-size aircraft brings with it a few operational requirements that make the scale of testing more demanding than a smaller, VTOL UAV.

Pilot Planned To Spray Product Over Five Separate Parcels Of Land

On February 16, 2022, about 2130 Pacific standard time, a Bell UH-1H helicopter, N72297, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Coalinga, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. According to the supervisor of the ground crew, who supported the operation, the pilot planned to spray product over five separate parcels of land. He arrived at the first location about 1800.

AD 2022-05-10 Prompted By Hoists Failing Lower Load Limit Inspections

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for various model helicopters with certain part-numbered Goodrich externally-mounted hoist assemblies (hoists) installed. This AD was prompted by hoists failing lower load limit inspections. This AD requires replacing unmodified hoists, installing placards, revising the existing Rotorcraft Flight Manual (RFM) for your helicopter, deactivating or removing a hoist if a partial peel out occurs, reviewing the helicopter's hoist slip load test records, repetitively inspecting the hoist cable and overload clutch (clutch), and reporting information to the manufacturer. This AD also requires establishing operating limitations on the

AD 2022-06-01 Prompted By Reports Of A Main Rotor (M/R) Blade Lead-Lag Damper In A Tilted Position

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH Model MBB-BK 117 D-3 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of a main rotor (M/R) blade lead-lag damper in a tilted position. This AD requires inspecting the Flex Control Unit (FCU), and corrective actions if necessary, as well as rework and re-identification of the bearing pin, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective April 20, 2022.