Also: 100 Falcon 9 Launches, Submarine Drone Delivery, Walmart Drone Shows, FAA Drone Registrations

The FAA published airworthiness criteria for the proposed certification of 10 different UAS as special class aircraft. This is a crucial step to enabling more complex drone operations beyond what is allowed under the small unmanned aircraft rule (Part 107), including package delivery. Director of Aircraft Certification Service Policy and Innovation. Dr. Michael C. Romanowski said, "The development of airworthy, durable, and reliable unmanned aircraft is a crucial step forward for this innovative sector...

35 Licensed Commercial Space Launches, So Far, in 2020

DoT is having a record year having supported 35 licensed commercial space launches thus far in 2020 with the potential for even more before the year ends. The prior record of 33 was established in 2018. “The record number of launches demonstrates this administration’s commitment to support the innovation and growth of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry and lead the world in aerospace capabilities,” said Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao. For 2021, the FAA is forecasting a continued growth in licensed commercial space launches that could possibly reach 50 or more.

Fascinating Technology Logs Some Air time

The MAHEPA consortium has confirmed the successful proving flight of an Hy4 aircraft. In November 2020, despite the COVID19 repercussions and with all safety precautions in place, the Hy4 hydrogen powered hybrid-electric aircraft successfully flew from Maribor airport, in Slovenia, achieving a milestone for the MAHEPA project. By demonstrating technologies and showcasing that long-endurance and safe zero-emission flights are possible, MAHEPA reports that they are creating the technological foundation to enable clean, quiet, safe and sustainable flight – making Europe Green Deal’s goals related to aviation one step closer to reality.

Receives Delivery Of The 5000th Piper Archer

Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology have expanded their aircraft fleet with the purchase of 32 new Piper Aircraft. Oklahoma state and local officials joined Spartan College and Piper Aircraft leaders for the historic delivery of the 5000th Piper Archer Aircraft at Spartan College’s flight facility at Jones Riverside Airport in Tulsa, Okla.

The Test Flight on December 12, 2020 'Did Not Reach Space as Planned'

Virgin Galactic finally provided an update following its recent test flight on December 12, 2020. During the test flight, the rocket motor did not fire due to the ignition sequence not completing. Following this event, the pilots conducted a safe landing and return to Spaceport America, New Mexico as planned. Virgin Galactic is now conducting post-flight analysis and can so far report that the onboard computer which monitors the propulsion system lost connection, triggering a fail-safe scenario that intentionally halted ignition of the rocket motor. This system, like others on the spaceship, is designed such that it defaults to a safe state whenever power or communication with s

Small UAS Manufacturer Specializes In Defense And Public Safety Customers

FLIR Systems has acquired Altavian -- a Gainesville, Florida, manufacturer of sUAS for defense and public safety customers. Altavian UAS users are provided with decision support and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability, thanks to Altavian's airframes integrating multiple sensors, including FLIR thermal technology. Founded in 2011, Altavian designs and manufacturers Group 1 UAS platforms for long or short range operations. Altavian designs both quadcopter and fixed-wing UAS, so its expertise includes aeronautics, avionics, and software.

From 2017: A 4K Camera and Add-On Modules Make This an Ideal Recreational Drone…

While at the Consumer Electronics Show held in Las Vegas in January 2017, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell stopped to look at a little drone that was design for recreational use. It is compact, has a great 4K camera, and even has add-on modules aimed at the recreational operator. It’s called the S6 Mini Drone and is produced by Wingsland. Sales associate, Taylor Reina, gave Jim some of the background information. It folds down to about the size of an iPhone 6 and is intended to be an ideal drone for backpacking and por

AD 2020-26-06 Prompted By A Report Of A Defective Turbocharger Hose

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Technify Motors GmbH TAE 125-02-99 and TAE 125-02-114 model reciprocating engines. This AD was prompted by a report of a defective turbocharger hose discovered on an airplane during a pre-flight inspection. This AD requires the removal and replacement of the affected turbocharger hose. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective December 29, 2020.

Shortly After Takeoff, The Engine Began Operating “Rough”

On December 1, 2020, about 1430 central standard time, a Grumman G164 airplane, N48594, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Elton, Louisiana. The commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 137 aerial application flight. According to the pilot, the airplane contained a full load of fertilizer and departed from the local grass strip. Shortly after takeoff, the engine began operating “rough”, and the airplane was unable to maintain a positive rate of climb.

AD 2020-24-04 The Regulatory Text Of The Original AD Included Errors In Certain References To The AFM

The FAA is correcting an airworthiness directive (AD) that published in the Federal Register. That AD applies to all The Boeing Company Model 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10 airplanes. As published, the regulatory text of the AD included errors in certain references to the airplane flight manual (AFM) that is required to be revised. This document corrects those errors. In all other respects, the original document remains the same. This correction is effective December 18, 2020. The effective date of AD 2020-24-04 remains December 18, 2020.

Aero Linx: Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance  Welcome to AWAM!! We provide tools for the aviation maintenance community to thrive by staying engaged and connected.  Our website is now interactive for our Corporate, Educational and Individual members. Benefits include jobs board, peer-to-peer forums, interests groups and searchable membership directory. All the while, we remain the same organization established in 1997 helping to promote education, networking opportunities, and scholarships for the aviation maintenance community.

Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) A primary FAA publication whose purpose is to instruct airmen about operating in the National Airspace System of the U.S. It provides basic flight information, ATC Procedures and general instructional information concerning health, medical facts, factors affecting flight safety, accident and hazard reporting, and types of aeronautical charts and their use.

“With the addition of both a low-cost, rapidly deployable quadcopter and a longer range fixed-wing UAS, FLIR is strengthening its already impressive drone lineup, including our Black Hornet and SkyRaider platforms used extensively by militaries around the globe. We’re excited about the multiple new franchise opportunities FLIR will be able to pursue for defense, public safety, and industrial markets worldwide.”  Source: Roger Wells, General Manager of the Unmanned Systems and Integrated Solutions business of FLIR Systems’ Defense Technologies Segment, speaking of their acquisition of Altavian.