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January 18, 2022

Airborne-Unmanned 01.11.21: Joby's New eVTOL Prototype, NASA Webb!, Skydio 2+

Also: Unmanned Carrier Ops, eHang Opens AMC, MagniX CEO Steps Down, Michigan AMC

Joby Aviation has completed its second prototype aircraft in an effort to speed up its flight testing schedule heading into 2022, recently receiving its Special Airworthiness Certificate and US Air Force approval. JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, said the pre-production campaign has been an enormous effort for the young eVTOL design, logging 65 terabytes of test data in 2021 alone. The addition of a second demonstrator will help to quicken the pace, and Joby intends for it to help see the design obtain FAA certification in time for a commercial operations launch in 2024. NA

Aero Linx: Latino Pilots Association (LPA) In 2015, five friends attending Jacksonville University in Florida noticed the absence of a professional pilot organization representing the Latino community. Accordingly, they founded the Latino Pilots Association (LPA). Subsequently, the Latino Pilots Association became a nonprofit organization committed to empower, support, and mentor the underrepresented in our communities by providing education programs, training, mentoring, and scholarships. With their mission statement in hand, they integrated Latino cultural values as the framework for LPA.

Outer Fix A general term used within ATC to describe fixes in the terminal area, other than the final approach fix. Aircraft are normally cleared to these fixes by an Air Route Traffic Control Center or an Approach Control Facility. Aircraft are normally cleared from these fixes to the final approach fix or final approach course.

“Today’s successful flight demonstrates and validates improvements to the carrier aircraft’s systems and overall flight performance. We will take the data we gathered today and continue to advance the aircraft’s operational performance to support hypersonic testing in 2022.” Source: Dr. Zachary Krevor, Stratolaunch President and Chief Operating Officer, commenting on the third flight of the Stratolaunch vehicle. The company took the prototype above and beyond all previous records to an altitude of 23,500 feet at 180 knots. The flight has further proven the aircraft ahead of future testing for its hypersonic testbed vehicle, the Talon-A.