Also: Vertical Flight Society, Volansi Raises $50M, Skyward-Parrot Partnership, FAA Collegiate Training Initiative

The FAA has made it easier for drone pilots to quickly and safely access controlled airspace by adding 133 air traffic facilities to the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system. LAANC is an automated application and approval system for drone pilots requesting to fly below 400 feet in controlled airspace. It directly supports UAS integration into the airspace. The Drone Racing League (DRL) has announced their 2020 DRL Allianz World Championship Season and their

The Airplane Subsequently Impacted Rising Terrain Near The Peak Of The Ridgeline

On September 22, 2020, about 1830 mountain daylight time, an Air Tractor AT-802A, N836MM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Emmett, Idaho. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 aerial firefighting flight. Witness conducting firefighting operations, adjacent the accident site, reported that the accident airplane, a single engine air tanker (SEAT), descended and made an approach similar to the previous SEATs that were dropping fire retardant. The witnesses said the airplane passed over the top of the ridge and descended into the valley, however, the pilot did not drop t

Aero Linx: The Texas Aviation Association In 1999 there was a grass roots effort to save Robert Mueller Airport in Austin, Texas. “Friends of Robert Mueller” was formed after it was learned that the city of Austin planned to close the airport and move all commercial and general aviation facilities to the new Austin Bergstrom International Airport. “Friends of Robert Mueller” successfully raised awareness of the impending loss of facilities but could not save Mueller and Austin Executive airports, both of which closed in the summer of 1999. The city of Austin chose not to provide any hangars for general aviation at the new airport and most of the hundreds of displaced general a

Air Route Surveillance Radar Air route traffic control center (ARTCC) radar used primarily to detect and display an aircraft’s position while enroute between terminal areas. The ARSR enables controllers to provide radar air traffic control service when aircraft are within the ARSR coverage. In some instances, ARSR may enable an ARTCC to provide terminal radar services similar to but usually more limited than those provided by a radar approach control.

“Today's flight was inspiring. Using New Shepard to simulate landing on the Moon is an exciting precursor to what the Artemis program will bring to America. Thanks to NASA for partnering with us, and congrats to the Blue Origin team on taking another step toward returning to the Moon to stay.” Source: Bob Smith, CEO, Blue Origin, following their successful completion of the 13th New Shepard mission to space and back, and the 7th consecutive flight for this particular vehicle, a record. There were 12 payloads onboard including the Deorbit, Descent, and Landing Sensor Demonstration under the NASA Tipping Point partnership.