Initial Reports Only Partially Accurate

On 13 August 2023, a MiG-23 went down while taking part in the Thunder Over Michigan air-show. The accident aircraft, a MiG-23UB built in 1981 and imported from the Czech Republic, had been largely restored by, belonged to, and was flown by Dan “Files” Filer, a U.S. Navy combat veteran who flew A-6 Intruders in the Gulf War. Following the mishap, Michigan’s Wayne County Airport Authority set forth: “While it did not appear they [the Mig-23’s occupants] sustained any significant injuries, first-responders transported the pair to a nearby hospital as a precaution.” The Airport Authority’s statement proved inaccurate, however. Filer and his backseater, after being fishe

Fly-in Not to be Confused with Recent American Shindig

Canadian fly-in AeroVenture (Aer-O-Venture, mind you) has set a date, taking place in Casey’s CSQ4 aerodrome near Lake Wet, Canada from September 1-4, 2023. The fly-in will bring all kinds of Canadian aircraft together to celebrate the “spellbinding world of aviation” with other enthusiasts from across the country. Last year, Camp de Base Casey, a former Cold War installation abandoned by time, saw the first AeroVenture to impressive turnout. In 2022 the location saw “241 aircraft, 28 seaplanes, 22 helicopters, 260 RVs, and 92 camping planes”, accompanied by 2600 visitors in all. 

Helo Manufacturer Searching for Engineers, Managers, Mechanics

Enstrom Helicopter Corporation is bouncing back under the “passionate ownership” (their words, not ours) of Chuck Surack and now looking for an infusion of fresh talent as it makes the most of its upswing. The firm has continued plugging away on “exciting new rotorcraft models and features” as it addresses an “unprecedented level of product demand” from the helicopter market. Under Surack’s leadership, the company has more than 125 employees, but is ripe for expansion. Right now, Enstrom particularly wants “ skilled engineers, managers, mechanics, and more.”

Virginia Teacher to be Honored

The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF)—a Dayton, Ohio-based institution founded to inspire appreciation of the United States’ extraordinary aviation heritage—has announced Megan Tucker, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) Specialist and Dean of Curriculum at Hillsboro Charter Academy in Hillsboro, Virginia, has been named the NAHF’s 2023 A. Scott Crossfield Educator of the Year.

Opinions and Suggestions

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has formally submitted comments to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s proposed Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for Integration of Powered-Lift: Pilot Certification and Operations; Miscellaneous Amendments Related to Rotorcraft and Airplanes. GAMA methodically worked with its membership to review subject proposal and put forward comments that reflect the SFAR’s role in facilitating initial powered-lift operations. Moreover, the SFAR will provide the regulatory environment requisite the collection of necessary operational data by which future permanent rulemaking will be informed.

New Gadgets, Old Dominion

Founded in 1958, the Mitre Corporation (stylized MITRE) is an American non-profit organization managing federally-funded research and development centers (FFRDC) supporting various U.S. government agencies in the aviation, defense, healthcare, homeland security, and cybersecurity sectors. On 15 August 2023, MITRE announced the opening of a new, Orange, Virginia test-range dedicated to the development, testing, and evaluation of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), commercial robotics, autonomous systems, and drone and counter-drone systems.

Encore Performance

ParaZero has announced a leading automotive manufacturer had placed its second order for ParaZero’s SafeAir UAS safety system. The repeat order follows a previous agreement entered into by the automotive OEM and ParaZero for the development of a bespoke safety solution for the carmaker’s proprietary UAS program. Moreover, the new agreement calls for the design-stage integration of ParaZero’s SafeAir drone safety system into a proprietary aircraft being developed by the automotive manufacturer.