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December 21, 2020

Airborne 12.21.20: Nat'l Park Service Attacks GA, Superior AMOC, Pilot 100i

Also: ANN Holiday Schedule, FAA v A/L Pax, Illegal Charters, Astro Transfer, ALPA Canada

We couldn't make this up if we tried... but a unique GA airport (Stovepipe Wells) in the middle of historic Death Valley is under attack by some folks at the National Park Service because they want to turn it into a locale for star gazing... NPS has specifically put forward questions about the removal of the airstrip to create a night-sky viewing area... as if the current airport location was the only place one could look at the sky... this idea is obviously not the brightest... as it destroys one of the few remaining GA airports in the area -- a unique location to say the least, in favor of a concept that could be accomplished virtually anywhere else. Superior Air Parts has been working wit

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Nat'l Park Service Proposes Destruction of Unique GA Airport

NPS Wants to Wipe out Airport To Provide Area For Night Stargazing (!?)

We couldn't make this up if we tried... but a unique GA airport (Stovepipe Wells) in the middle of historic Death Valley is under attack by some folks at the National Park Service, under the direction of Superintendent Mike Reynolds of the Death Valley National Park, because they want to turn it into a locale for star gazing... A tweet by the San Carlos Airport Association (@KSQL_Assoc) alerted us to this bizarre state of affairs with a call for action by 23 December (two days from now, folks... get busy). NPS has specifically put forward questions about the removal of the airstrip to create a night-sky viewing area... as if the current airport location was the only place one

Also: Aviation Safety Resources, MAHEPA Hy4 Flies, Nat'l Warbird Operator Conference, EASA-Certified G600

There may be a spring 2021 tradeshow season, after all... After a one-year hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic, Aero 2021 will take place next year from April 21 to 24, 2021, at the Friedrichshafen Exhibition Center. The show team at Lake Constance expects a large number of exhibitors. AERO Project Manager Tobias Bretzel is confident that the trade show can take place in a well-organized manner and in compliance with the relevant hygienic measures such as compulsory masks and mandatory online tic

For SpaceX, 2020 Was A Good Year

On Saturday, December 19 at 9:00 a.m. EST, Falcon 9 launched the NROL-108 mission from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, completing SpaceX’s 26th and final mission of 2020 -- a record for the company. Falcon 9’s first stage booster previously supported launch of SpaceX’s 19th and 20th cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station, a Starlink mission, and the SAOCOM 1B mission. Following stage separation, SpaceX landed Falcon 9’s first stage on Landing Zone 1 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida – the 70th landing for SpaceX.

Addresses Rusty Manual Handling Proficiency 'Head-on'

Aviation Performance Solutions (APS) is offering a ½ day in-flight jet pilot training session focused on improving manual flight operations proficiency. This course offers a turnkey solution to the COVID-induced decline of manual handling skills, a growing industry safety threat. In response to professional jet pilots’ reduced operational activity due to COVID-19, APS announced today a ½-Day Jet Manual Handling Skills Course. This single-flight safety training course directly addresses the threat of declining manual flight operations proficiency for jet pilots across the aviation industry.

Wes' Computer had a Serious Meltdown (Foreign Saboteurs, No Doubt)... So, We Present 'Classic' Klyde Episodes Until His PC is Resurrected

This Klyde Morris Cartoon Was Originally Published on September 30th, 2013.

Classic Aero-TV: ‘A Dream Come True’ – Zenith’s One-Week-Wonder

From 2014: One of 2014's Most Enjoyable Events Continues To Empower Sport Aviation

Sebastien Heintz, the president and owner of the Zenith Aircraft Company said it was like a dream come true. What he’s talking about in this video is the special event that took place at EAA AirVenture 2014 called, the One Week Wonder. EAA AirVenture has, for many years, offered training forums covering various subjects in all skill sets needed for home-building an airplane. At EAA AirVenture 2014, a new idea was tried when a building ce

Keller Has Been Promoted To Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Learning pilots using King Schools’ courses have had greatly increased access to learning due to the inspiration and management of Tom Keller of San Diego, California who has been promoted to Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at King Schools. CEO & Co-Owner of King Schools, Barry Knuttila explained, “Tom came to us in early 2005 to run our Internal Technology (IT) department. I knew he would be a star player but could only dream that he would contribute his talents to King Schools and most importantly, to the success of our customers for more than 15 years. After coming on board, Tom’s responsibilities have grown to include software development, software quality assuranc

As Part Of The Process, A Test Flight Occurred In November 2020

EHang has reported that the Civil Aviation Authority of Austria issued a trial flight permit for the EH216 passenger-grade AAV. The permit allows trial operation of full unmanned flights in Austrian national airspace. This is the first flight permit for EHang’s passenger-grade AAVs within the European Union. Through the joint efforts of the Civil Aviation Authority of Austria, the EHang European team, and local partners, the Company has achieved another regulatory breakthrough in the geographical heart of Europe.

Deserving LGBTQ+ Members Win Major Scholarship Awards

NGPA, The Worldwide LGBT Aviation Community, announces the winners of their 2020 Scholarships. In the 22nd year of offerings, NGPA saw a record number of applications which signifies the increased need for financial support for flight education amid the current global pandemic. NGPA has long prided itself in its scholarship program which helps make aviation dreams come true for aspiring aviators. “In a year like we are living in, there is even more pride in the ability to continue to offer the financial support needed for our members to continue their lofty dreams.” said NGPA President Brian Gambino.

Recently, The Committee Approved A Standard Guide For A/C Certifications Of Aerospace Engineers And Professionals New activity from ASTM International's aerospace personnel committee (F46) focuses on standardizing certification in the aerospace industry. Committee F46 oversees the development and maintenance of internationally-accepted standards and guidance materials for aerospace personnel education, qualification, testing, certification requirements, and continued education concurrent with technological advancement. Recently, the committee approved a standard guide for aircraft certifications of aerospace engineers and professionals (F3457).

He “Pumped The Throttle” 2-3 Times But The Engine Did Not Respond

On December 7, 2020, at 1528 central standard time, a Vans RV-4 airplane, N423WH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Sadler, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot told investigators that he had been practicing low approaches at a private grass airstrip when he elected to land. He determined he would land too far down the runway and initiated a go around. He said the engine initially responded, but then the engine power rolled back to idle.

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.21.20)

Aero Linx: The Naval Helicopter Association NHA was founded in 1971 and is incorporated in California as a 501(c)6 nonprofit professional organization to promote the development and use of naval vertical lift aircraft in the United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard; provide a forum whereby persons in these organizations involved with vertical lift aircraft can interact with each other at meetings and conventions; to provide recognition to those persons who have made significant contributions to those purposes. In pursuing these objectives NHA keeps members informed of new developments and accomplishments in vertical lift aircraft.

Air Taxi Used to describe a helicopter/VTOL aircraft movement conducted above the surface but normally not above 100 feet AGL. The aircraft may proceed either via hover taxi or flight at speeds more than 20 knots. The pilot is solely responsible for selecting a safe airspeed/altitude for the operation being conducted.