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May 09, 2023

Airborne-NextGen 05.09.23: FL v DJI, New Mars Heli, FAA Expands Counterdrone Ops

Also: Vertical Flight Society, New FAA Admin Nom?, Droneup-Iris, A2Z Drone Delivery

The Florida legislature has enacted a law by which Sunshine State governmental, police, fire, and similarly-critical agencies were barred from utilizing drones made by a “foreign country of concern.” The legislation tacitly but clearly refers to China, and strongly implies Chinese drone-maker Shenzhen DJI Sciences and Technologies Ltd.—more widely known as Da Jiang Innovations, or simply DJI. AeroVironment has been awarded a $10-million contract by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to co-design and co-develop rotary-wing concepts germane to NASA’s Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter mission—a near-future initiative

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Beechcraft Denali Cockpit Jumps On The AutoLand Bandwagon

Will Be Available As A Standard Feature At Time Of Entry Into Service

Claiming that customer input was a part of the decision-making process, Textron is adding Emergency Autoland capability to its new Beechcraft Denali single-engine turboprop. The new feature is being implemented into the aircraft’s development and flight test program and will be available as a standard feature at time of entry into service. The Emergency Autoland system provides a means for the aircraft to land automatically in the unlikely event of pilot incapacitation. A passenger can activate the Emergency Autoland system by pressing a dedicated button in the cockpit.

Aug. 1-3 At The Baltimore Convention Center In Maryland

The FAA and AUVSI will again co-host the 8th Annual FAA Drone Symposium and the first-ever Advanced Air Mobility Summit this summer. The two events, from Aug. 1-3 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland, will bring together representatives from the FAA, other government agencies, international aviation experts, industry leaders and academia. The presenters and panelists will discuss the latest information and advancements related to the diverse uses of drones and the safe integration of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, like air taxis, into the National Airspace System.

Joe Benson Leads Sales For Boeing’s Family Of Business Jets

Boeing has named Joe Benson as president of Boeing Business Jets (BBJ), the company’s VIP jet division. Benson oversees sales, support and operations for Boeing Commercial Airplanes’ portfolio of business jets operated by heads of state, VIP, corporate and charter customers -- i.e., people with serious bucks.

Air Taxis Are Expected To Fly In Corridors Between Major Airports And Vertiports In City Centers

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released an updated blueprint for airspace and procedure changes to accommodate future air taxis and other Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations. Under the blueprint, AAM operations will begin at a low rate with air taxis flying much as helicopters do today. They’ll use existing routes and infrastructure such as helipads and early vertiports. Pilots will communicate with air traffic controllers where required.