Also: Drone Attack, Energia Aircraft Family, AAM Working Group, Skydio-Axon

DJI revealed their newest top-tier "prosumer" drone, the Mavic 3. The Mavic 3's primary strengths come from its enhanced camera system, flight time, sensing performance, and transmission range. DJI seems to be approaching the limits of generational advancements, as each new version lacks the dramatic leaps in capability the early models once had. Iterative, consistent improvements are the order of the day, now, and the Mavic 3 delivers. Much of the marketing material at launch touts the “legendary Hasselblad camera” supplied with the Mavic 3, a custom L2D-20C aerial

Also: Bristow Group, B757-200 FFS Certified, EXP Safety Record, Rostec Training Chute

Sarah Tamar, a Caravan seaplane pilot for Tailwind Air in New York City, is the 6th annual recipient of the WAI / Martha King Scholarship for Female Flight Instructors. Prior to winning this year’s Women in Aviation assistance, she worked at an advertising job in an office by New York’s East River, watching float planes come and go. She felt a calling then, saying, “I didn’t know I was meant to fly, I didn’t know I had the potential to become a pilot. I didn’t know flying seaplanes for a living would become my life’s purpose.&

Sustainable Fuel Research Continues at Bell Textron

Bell Textron has continued its operational testing of sustainable aviation fuel in its fleet, making a successful flight of a 525 Relentless on the green technology. Bell has notably incorporated the fuel throughout its training and demonstration fleet since March 2021. The 525 team is working with the FAA on Type Inspection Authorization flight testing, and submitting certification artifacts to the FAA in parallel. The aircraft is designed to support all long-range rotary-wing missions with a significant reduction in fuel consumption compared to other large twin-engine aircraft. Bell's SAF is sourced from Avfuel, and, as one of the brand's biggest rotorcraft user clients, has contributed to

PC-7 Updated for the Next Generation of Students

Renewing the competition between the Embraer Super Tucano and the Beechcraft T-6 Texan, the Swiss have decided to enter the fray with an advanced, tandem-seat, turbine-powered "smart basic trainer". Designed for flight training as an advanced, trustworthy, and reliable bridge between small introductory aircraft and high-performance jets, the PC-7 is built to provide air forces around the world with their dream trainer. Pilatus states that the MKX is suitable to replace even lighter piston aircraft for elementary training, and emphasizes the docility of its cost-efficient PT6A-25C engine, with 700 horsepower. Built on a solid history of the PC-7 that dates back to the 1970's, the PC-7 MKX renews the

NASA Responds to Russian Satellite Downing, Debris in Range of ISS

Astronomers were treated to a front-row seat to a space whodunit, as a Russian ELINT satellite, Kosmos-1408, was turned into a cloud of high-speed debris. The long-defunct Tselina-D satellite was replaced in service in 1994 and has been inoperative for decades, making it a possible target for anti-satellite technology (ASAT) testing. On November 15, when the initial debris cloud began to trigger warnings throughout space monitoring platforms, the cause was only speculative. Soon, however, mounting evidence- a Russian NOTAM blocking off airspace above a  launch complex that aligns perfectly with the orbital track of the

Akasa Air Buys 72 of Their 737 MAX Aircraft

Boeing added another banner sale to its order book, with 72 of its 737 MAX aircraft set to go to Indian Airline Akasa Air. The brand, under SNV Aviation, is set for the $9 billion list value for Boeing's former problem child. It would seem the MAX is past the worst of its troubles, back in service and cleared for mostly worldwide service after concerns of its safety systems arose in 2019. The Sale includes two variants, the 737-8 and the higher capacity 737-8-200.

Wingtip Lighting System Saves Weight, Hassle

Kadex announced their newest addition to the Hyperion II product line with a Wingtip LED assembly for Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft. Developed in conjunction with KAD Aerospace, the manufacturing house for Kadex Aero Supply, the STC is the result of extensive prototyping and photometric testing.  With the assembly built from full TSO approved components and robust elements, the Hyperion II series is ready to meet the mission profiles of all 350 operators around the world. Just like the older Hyperion I series, the II allows for plug and play installation and easy maintenance of the high voltage power supplies. 

Coming Soon to a CFR Near You? Subpart F: Space Transportation

Space has begun a renaissance in recent years, seeing immense commercial interest and investment, development, and progress. With private space stations on the horizon, public tourism, and more, the National Transportation Safety Board has proposed the codification of its investigative procedures for commercial space accidents and incidents. A recent Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in the recent Federal Register. The NTSB is accepting comments on the proposed rule to add language on procedures for investigations in the Code of Federal Regulations. “When the NTSB conducted its first commercial space investigation in the

At EAA AirVenture 2016 We Found Flying Ultralights Is Fun, and Cute Is a Bonus…

While at EAA AirVenture 2016, ANN’s, Earl Downs, headed to the south end of the Wittman Regional Airport where the ultralights hang out. This part of AirVenture, also referred to as the ‘fun zone,’ displays some great aircraft that represent the epitome of recreational aviation. Earl stopped to talk with Brian Carpenter, who is the owner of Rainbow Aviation Services and its subdivision, Adventure Aircraft. One of the aircraft they had on display was being referred to as a Motor Glider, and it was about as cute as they get. Carpenter said they call t

Also: Drone Attack, Energia Aircraft Family, AAM Working Group, Skydio-Axon

DJI revealed their newest top-tier "prosumer" drone, the Mavic 3. The Mavic 3's primary strengths come from its enhanced camera system, flight time, sensing performance, and transmission range. DJI seems to be approaching the limits of generational advancements, as each new version lacks the dramatic leaps in capability the early models once had. Iterative, consistent improvements are the order of the day, now, and the Mavic 3 delivers. Much of the marketing material at launch touts the “legendary Hasselblad camera” supplied with the Mavic 3, a custom L2D-20C aerial

Also: XeVision New LED HID Lighting, Upgraded Ka-226T, Carpenter Avionics, Republic Airways

Embraer announced its new family of sustainable concept aircraft as it seeks to prepare for industry, world, and company goals of decreasing carbon emissions.The move will help set the stage for Embraer’s target of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The first, ready by 2030, is the Energia Hybrid E9-HE, a 9-seater aircraft with hybrid electric propulsion, rear-mounted engines, and a 90% CO2 emissions reduction. The second, ready by 2035, is its battery powered sibling, the Energia Electric E9-FE. The 9-seat FE will emit zero CO2 emissions and be

Engine Began Running Rough, Which Was Followed By A Total Loss Of Engine Power

On November 4, 2021, about 0947 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 172A, N172XX, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Decatur, Georgia. The student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The student pilot stated that the flight departed Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (PDK), Atlanta, Georgia. While flying at 1,500 ft mean sea level he noted that the engine began running rough, which was followed by a total loss of engine power. The student pilot pitched the airplane for best glide airspeed and declared an emergency with air traffic control.

AD 2021-22-03 Requires Repetitively Inspecting The NLG Actuator Attachment Lever For Cracks And Damage

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Diamond Aircraft Industries GmbH Model DA 42, DA 42 NG, and DA 42 M-NG airplanes. This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) originated by an aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI identifies the unsafe condition as failure of the nose landing gear (NLG) actuator attachment lever and detachment from the NLG leg. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the NLG actuator attachment lever for cracks and damage and taking any necessary corrective actions. The FAA is issuing this

Aero Linx: Pacific Mission Aviation The primary goal of Pacific Mission Aviation is to glorify God, and make our Lord Jesus Christ known to the peoples of Micronesia and the Philippines. Aircraft and boats are utilized to bring the gospel to remote island peoples who might otherwise remain unreached.

Scheduled Time Of Arrival (STA) An STA is the desired time that an aircraft should cross a certain point (landing or metering fix). It takes other traffic and airspace configuration into account. An STA time shows the results of the TBFM scheduler that has calculated an arrival time according to parameters such as optimized spacing, aircraft performance, and weather.

“Like Secretary Blinken, I’m outraged by this irresponsible and destabilizing action. With its long and storied history in human spaceflight, it is unthinkable that Russia would endanger not only the American and international partner astronauts on the ISS, but also their own cosmonauts. Their actions are reckless and dangerous, threatening as well the Chinese space station and the taikonauts on board. All nations have a responsibility to prevent the purposeful creation of space debris from ASATs and to foster a safe, sustainable space environment. NASA will continue monitoring the debris in the coming days and beyond to ensure the safety of our crew in orbit.” Source: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson describing the Ru