Department of Defense Exercises Contract Options

Leonardo sold a batch of 36 TH-73A helicopters to the United States Department of Defense, adding to a previous U.S. Navy contract for their Advanced Helicopter Training System. The $159.4 million firm fixed-price modification exercises options in the original deal, as well as their requisite spares and equipment. The Leonardo affiliate AgustaWestland Philadelphia corporation was given its first contract in January 2020 to begin production and delivery of 32 of the TH-73A helicopters, which included spares, support, equipment, and training services.

Amid Increased Cargo Demand, Boeing's Faithful Workhorse  Remains Popular

Boeing received another order for its 767 Freighter from long time customer UPS. The sale marks another notch in the continuous popularity of the staid, beloved pack mule of the air cargo industry. The order for 19 freighters proves that while aging, the 767 isn't going anywhere soon especially with Boeing's own in-house outlook forecasting an annual 4% increase in air cargo demand for the next two decades. This year has been very good to Boeing's freighter offerings, bringing in 80 firm orders for brand new widebody aircraft, as well as 80 orders for converted freighters. The post-pandemic economy has seen continuous growth in cargo demand, with no signs that the

Klyde's Having A Hard Time Feeling The Holiday Spirit...

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Helicopter Specialist Pre-Orders 20-50 'Butterfly' Aircraft

Bristow Group, a "vertical flight solutions" company, has pre-purchased a batch of the as-yet unmade Butterfly eVTOL aircraft from OverAir. Along with the deal, the two companies agreed to explore commercial aerial taxi service in emerging, densely populated markets. OverAir is yet another entrant into the burgeoning Urban Air Mobility market, boasting a 5-seat, intercity, quad rotor aircraft the company sees as an efficient metro runabout. The company combines forces of chief engineer Abe Karem with Korean defense contractor Hanwha Systems, combining Karem's large body of aeronautical experience with the company's stout funding to start.

Opens Order for 100 eVTOL Aircraft, Joint Working Group for Urban Mobility

Sustainable Embraer subsidiary Eve Air Mobility has had a busy week, signing a deal with SkyWest for a non-binding letter of intent to purchase 100 of Eve's eVTOL aircraft, once ready for deployment. The MOU will see the two companies work to develop a portfolio of services to optimize eVTOL performance in a selection of early adopter metro areas. They will dedicate a composite team to urban air mobility flight options, with the first order of business focused on vertiport specifications and integrated vehicle design as well as a certification roadmap for eVTOL operations.

Azim Sumar Chosen to Lead Flight Operations at Fractional HondaJet Company

Volato’s rapid growth throughout 2021 has brought one of the most experienced HondaJet pilots in the industry, onboarding Azim Sumar as their new Chief Pilot. The fractional jet operator boasts a notable fleet composed entirely of the Honda aircraft, setting them apart from the crowd with the bulbous, cetacean cockpit and distinct overwing engine pylons. Sumar brings almost a quarter century of aviation experience in all operational aspects of passenger carriage. Throughout his career, he has gotten familiar with customer service, airline cargo, ticketing, flight testing, training, and simulator instruction.

Lou Mancuso Speaks About His Experience With The Aircraft

At the end of Sun ‘N Fun 2021, we had the opportunity to speak with Lou Mancuso about his experience flying the 915 Bristell and what the future holds for the aircraft. Mancuso says that the 915 light sport Bristell was the only light sport that has been able to qualify with the Rotax 915 iS engine. “The last time I flew it I went from 400 feet to 18000 feet in 12 minutes with an average 1500 feet a minute climb all the way up there, and when I was at 18000 I was still getting 1400 feet a minute climb,” Mancuso says. “I couldn’t stop smiling for the whole day, and w

Also: FAA Stops Astro Wing Program, EAA and AMA Museums, First Airbus A321XLR, Cathay Pilots Lauded

A number of California cities are escalating their war on private aviation. A long running dispute with locals about the impact of airborne lead has finally taken effect, banning the sale and distribution of 100LL fuel at Reid-Hillview and San Martin, both airports within the Santa Clara area. Airport authorities note that 2 of the 4 fuel providers at Reid have already switched to Swift Fuels brand (unleaded) UL94, the only available unleaded aviation gasoline in the region. Flight Design General Aviation has received EASA CS-23 certification on their 2

Also: Jetblue Diversifies, PWI's Ice Light, AA Scales Back, Titan’s T-51

The Privateer Amphibian, a clean-sheet design made to improve amphibious aircraft, has seen delays in its flight testing program owing to a number of bureaucratic requirements and agency decisions that have led to an exasperated crew and increasing costs of compliance for the fledgling company. The Amphibian is the result of inventor John Meekins' quest to purchase a modern seaplane. Joint Base San Antonio, Texas held an event as part of its year-long celebrations for the Air Force's 75th Anniversary, congratulating former Tuskegee Airman Brigadier General Charles E. McGee o

Also: FAA Accepts DRL, NASA Explores, All-In-One Drone Pad, Parrot UAS

Doroni Aerospace introduced its showroom model, digital replica, and 1:1 scale propulsion system to investors during a webinar. The H1 is an electric, multirotor vertical takeoff aircraft with seating for 2. The H1 is slated to carry up to 500 lbs of cargo when piloted remotely, or a pilot and up to 200 pounds of passenger/payload. It will include an energy dissipating, lightweight body with cabin air bags, an emergency parachute, and an anti-collision avoidance system. AFWERX, the Air Force research laboratory's innovation arm, has selected the companies to move forward with its HS

The FAA Was Not Providing Any Air Traffic Control Services During The Accident Flight

On October 31, 2021, about 1900 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-28-236, N2186U, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Orleans, Massachusetts. The private pilot was not located. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to a fuel receipt, the pilot fueled the airplane with 53.8 gallons of 100LL aviation fuel at Freeman Municipal Airport (SER), Seymour, Indiana, at 1203. According to preliminary Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) track data provided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane departed SER at 1256.

AD 2021-24-21 Requires Revising The AFM To Incorporate New And Revised Airspeed Limitations And Procedures

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Embraer S.A. Model EMB-500 and EMB-505 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the operational envelope does not contain airspeed limitations and procedures for operating the airplane at static air temperatures below -54 °C. This AD requires revising the airplane flight manual (AFM) to incorporate new and revised airspeed limitations and procedures. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective January 25, 2022.

AD 2021-25-12 Requires Repetitive Lubrications Of The Trailing Arm Of The NLG

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2017-19-09, which applied to certain De Havilland Aircraft of Canada Limited (Type Certificate Previously Held by Bombardier, Inc.) Model DHC-8-400 series airplanes. AD 2017-19-09 required modifying the nose landing gear (NLG) shock strut assembly. This new AD requires repetitive lubrications of the trailing arm of the NLG. This new AD also requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program to include new and revised airworthiness limitations (life limits for certain bolts). This AD was prompted by reports of a certain bolt being found missing or having stress corrosion cracking. The FAA is issuing this AD

Aero Linx: The Massachusetts Air and Space Museum This endeavor began in January 2007 when several experienced members of Massachusetts aviation/space organizations came together and started the initiative to form The Massachusetts Air and Space Museum. Since that time, the group has grown into a nonprofit tax-exempt organization to achieve this goal. Contributions from the founding members plus a number of private and corporate donations and grants have enabled the Museum to raise over a quarter million dollars. We have established an Advisory Committee of prominent individuals who we believe will add the necessary leadership and experience to assist in meeting our initial goals. Coincident to this

Intermediate Landing On the rare occasion that this option is requested, it should be approved. The departure center, however, must advise the ATCSCC so that the appropriate delay is carried over and assigned at the intermediate airport. An intermediate landing airport within the arrival center will not be accepted without coordination with and the approval of the ATCSCC.

"Our MOU with Overair allows us to advance our leadership position in the vertical transportation market that we’ve built over the past seventy plus years and will now set the stage for the next generation of vertical flight. Our collaboration facilitates expansion into new high-density geographic markets with sustainable, innovative and efficient vertical lift and aerial transport services. As the global leader in vertical lift, Bristow's operational expertise and efficiency, supported by the trust and confidence of our customers, can safely bring eVTOL aircraft into the market.” Source: Bristow CEO Chris Bradshaw, commenting on their pre-purchase of a batch of the as-yet unmade Butterfly eVTOL aircraft from OverAir.