Also: 1st Block 70 F16, Covington Aircraft, Lazer v Helo, S Pole Starlink

NUNCATS has seen the first flight of its Zenith CH750-based Electric Sky Jeep at the UK's Old Buckenham airport. The project aims to create an affordable, sustainable, electric courier aircraft to provide health service to remote communities. NUNCATS (No Unnecessary Novelty Community Air Transport Services) hopes to provide a stable, reliable form of backcountry transport for doctors, teachers and medical supplies. The Aircraft Electronics Association has sweetened the pot for members of the group, adding a website to recruit and retain employees throughout the avionics industry.

In Service of Efficiency

Sandpoint, Idaho-based Tamarack Aerospace has submitted a claim to the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and the European Federation Aeronautique International (FAI) for two city-pair flight records. The first—a 15 October, non-stop 2,033-nautical-mile flight from Spokane, Washington (GEG) to Orlando, Florida (MCO) in a King Air 350 retrofitted with Tamarack’s innovative Performance SMARTWING technology—was completed in a brisk 7-hours and 46-minutes. The second flight—a one-stop, 1770-nautical-mile, westbound (against the wind) odyssey from Orlando, Florida (MCO) to Henderso

Sum of a Ditch

On 19 September 2020, a North American B-25N Mitchell, registration N7946C, suffered substantial damage after losing engine power and coming to ground in a field near California’s Stockton Metropolitan Airport (SCK). Two of the aircraft’s occupants suffered serious injuries. A third suffered minor injuries. Salvage personnel reported that during recovery of the B-25’s wreckage, approximately one-gallon of fuel was removed from its two forward and two aft wing tanks.

Also: 1st Block 70 F16, Covington Aircraft, Lazer v Helo, S Pole Starlink

NUNCATS has seen the first flight of its Zenith CH750-based Electric Sky Jeep at the UK's Old Buckenham airport. The project aims to create an affordable, sustainable, electric courier aircraft to provide health service to remote communities. NUNCATS (No Unnecessary Novelty Community Air Transport Services) hopes to provide a stable, reliable form of backcountry transport for doctors, teachers and medical supplies. The Aircraft Electronics Association has sweetened the pot for members of the group, adding a website to recruit and retain employees throughout the avionics industry.

Chinese Spy Balloon Incident “Undermines Purpose of Trip”

In what marks a significant escalation in tensions between Washington and Beijing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed a planned trip to China in response to a Chinese spy balloon the Biden administration allowed to pass uncontested over Hawaii, the Aleutian Archipelago, and the entirety of the continental United States—to include several sensitive military and nuclear installations.

Aero Linx: Reno Air Racing Association Over 50 years ago, the first plane went up in the Nevada desert to kick off what would become the National Championship Air Races and a legacy was born. A legacy of history, heritage and preservation. Of daring, imagination and wonder. Of memories made, traditions formed and legends created one amazing race at a time. Engines roaring. Crowds cheering. Hearts pounding. Eight planes racing wing-tip to wing-tip, 50 feet above the ground at speeds up to more than 500 mph. This is the fastest motorsport on Earth – a one-of-a-kind thrill you have to see, hear and feel to believe. This is classic, cool and contemporary all rolled into one. This is life at 500 mil

"Our robust and rigorous flight operations training program has not changed, and all current and future first officer candidates must pass all elements of the curriculum prior to flying for Southwest. As this recruiting change is aligned with hiring at or above FAA requirements, we’ll continue selecting competitively-qualified, world-class aviators who demonstrate extensive flight experience, professionalism, and Southwest’s values." Source: From a SouthWest Airlines statement explaining their decision to reduce hiring standards for incoming pilots.