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Airborne 12.29.14: AirAsia A320 Down, Cyprus Closing?, Orion's Amazing View

Also: $4.1B Autopilot Industry, Airline Pilot Jailed, RC Concorde, MGL Partners w/Holland, Don't Block Helos!

An AirAsia Airbus A320, carrying the registration number PK-AXC, is now the subject of a search after it failed to check in with Air Traffic services, Sunday, some 42 minutes after departure. The flight originated in the Indonesian city of Surabaya and was enroute to Singapore. Some 162 passengers are reported to have been on board the aircraft. Embattled Cyprus Airways could face the possibility of closure, after the holidays, if it fails to bring forth an acceptable restructuring program and verify it

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.29.14): Visual Approaches

Visual Approaches An approach conducted under Instrument Flight Rules that authorizes the pilot to proceed visually and clear of clouds to the airport. Usually this will be used in conjunction with Visual Separation. When using Visual Separation, a pilot sees the other aircraft involved, and upon instructions from the controller, provides his own separation by maneuvering his aircraft as necessary to avoid it. Visual Separation requires less spacing between aircraft than radar separation allowing more aircraft to land in a given period of time.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.29.14)

Aero Linx: The EAA Warbirds of America The EAA Warbirds of America, a division of the Experimental Aircraft Association in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is a family of owners, pilots and enthusiasts of “warbirds,” or ex-military aircraft. Our purpose is: (a) To promote and encourage the preservation and operation of World War II and other such aircraft that are representative of military aviation operations, and (b) to educate its members and other interested persons in methods of safe operation and maintenance of World War II and other such aircraft that are representative of military aviation operations.

Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (12.29.14)

“Today’s flight is a key step in the next generation of tankers. We know flight testing will lead to some discovery; today’s flight kick-starts that work. There is an aggressive schedule going forward into the Milestone C decision point for approval to start Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP), but we remain cautiously optimistic we can meet the mark.” Source: Col. Christopher Coombs, the KC-46 system program manager, following the KC-46's first flight.