SpaceX Has Recently Received A 300 Million Payment On Their Work Thus Far The running battle between Blue Origin Boss Jeff Bezos and NASA over a prominent contract to build the next Moon Landing vehicle has run into yet another road block. After recently losing an attempt to contest the contract award to Spacex, who not only underbid Blue Origin, but also already had extensive experience in landing vehicles that had achieved orbital velocities, Bezos lawyers went back to work after the GAO went against their wishes. The latest legal assault has resulted in a NASA decision to temporarily halt progress on the program (all but guaranteeing that the 2024 date for the next landing is but a pipe dream) and holding up continuing payments on a $2.9 billion

Pathways Program Provides Opportunity To Fly For Southwest

iAero Airways has provided new hire training to the first graduates of their partnership with Southwest Airlines Destination 225° Employee Pathway. The first two cadets now serve as first officers for iAero Airways. The pilots received their ATP certificate along with a Boeing 737 type rating from the FAA. The initiative between iAero and Southwest provides the opportunity for aspiring pilots to meet their goals and ultimately take flight with Southwest. iAero Airways plans to employ the first two participants for two years as 737 officers which will put them on the pathway to joining the Southwest team. Prior to joining the program, both of the first officers were working as flight cr

MissionGO MG Velos 100: A Fully Autonomous, High-Speed UAS Solution For Blood/Organ Delivery

As donation and transplantation needs continue to rise in Maryland and across America, a faster, safer and more efficient solution for organ and blood transport has arrived. MissionGO and The Living Legacy Foundation of Maryland (The LLF), the state’s organ procurement organization (OPO) responsible for organ, eye and tissue donation services, has demonstrated a successful flight demonstration. The flight took place on August 10 using the new MissionGO MG Velos 100, a fully autonomous, high-speed UAS solution for blood and organ delivery. The demonstration revealed an approximately 292 percent time improvement over ground transportation, th

Congressional Mandate Has Not Been Fulfilled After Years of FAA Delay

As the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, ALPA is once again imploring transportation officials to carry out the will of Congress and provide greater security for the flying public by issuing a final secondary flight deck barrier regulation before September 11, 2021. In a recent letter to Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, ALPA noted that at a time of increased passenger disruptions, assaults on frontline aviation workers, and heightened international security concerns rooted in tense geopolitical shifts, including the recent hostile regime change in Afghanistan, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to ignore a vulnerability that jeopardizes the sec

Where Does This All End... If Anywhere?

The FAA has proposed another $531,545 in civil penalties against 34 airline passengers for alleged unruly behavior, bringing the total for 2021 to more than $1 million. Since Jan. 1, 2021, the FAA has received approximately 3,889 reports of unruly behavior by passengers, including about 2,867 reports of passengers refusing to comply with the federal facemask mandate. The most recent fines are part of the agency’s Zero Tolerance campaign against unruly passenger behavior. Earlier in August, the FAA sent a letter to airports requesting they coordinate more closely with local law enforcement to prosecute egregious cases. The FAA does not have criminal prosecutorial authority. The letter also requested tha

Witness: Helicopter Was Initially Straight And Level, However, Suddenly Made A Sharp Left Turn

On August 1, 2021, about 1251 Pacific daylight time, a Robinson R66 helicopter, N7000J, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Colusa, California. The pilot and 3 passengers were fatally injured. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness, who was driving south on a highway about 0.5 miles east of the accident site, reported that he noticed a helicopter flying on an easterly heading about 50 to 100 ft above ground level (agl), and initially thought it may have been a crop duster. The witness stated that the helicopter was initially straight and level, however, sudde

AD 2021-16-14 Describes The Unsafe Condition As Failure Of The Envelope Vertical Load Tape

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain BALÓNY KUBÍCEK spol. s r.o. Models BB78Z, BB85Z, BB92Z, and BB130P balloons. This AD was prompted by mandatory continuing airworthiness information (MCAI) issued by the aviation authority of another country to identify and correct an unsafe condition on an aviation product. The MCAI describes the unsafe condition as failure of the envelope vertical load tape. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective September 7, 2021.

AD 2021-16-13 Requires Repetitive Inspections Of The Vertical Fin Vibration Absorber Installation

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for Leonardo S.p.a. (Leonardo) Model A109S and AW109SP helicopters with a certain part-numbered vertical fin vibration absorber installation installed. This AD requires repetitive inspections of the vertical fin vibration absorber installation and the surrounding structure and depending on the inspection results, removing certain parts from service. This AD also prohibits installing certain  part-numbered vertical fin vibration absorber installations on any helicopter. This AD was prompted by a report of cracks and damage detected on the vertical fin absorber installation and surrounding stru

Aero Linx: American Association of Airport Executives We are the largest professional organization for airport employees, delivering results for dedicated individuals like you, who serve as the backbone of AAAE and our nation’s airport system. AAAE members are leaders in key roles from the C-Suite to the terminal and on to the airfield. You can turn to AAAE for the resources you need to advance your airport and your career, including dynamic professional development and networking, cutting-edge training, comprehensive airport solutions, and effective representation in Washington.

Prominent Obstacle An obstacle that meets one or more of the following conditions: An obstacle which stands out beyond the adjacent surface of surrounding terrain and immediately projects a noticeable hazard to aircraft in flight. An obstacle, not characterized as low and close in, whose height is no less than 300 feet above the departure end of takeoff runway (DER) elevation, is within 10NM from the DER, and that penetrates that airport/heliport’s diverse departure obstacle clearance surface (OCS). An obstacle beyond 10NM from an airport/heliport that requires an obstacle departure procedure (ODP) to ensure obstacle avoidance.

“We learned on 9/11 the vulnerability of the flight deck and are being reminded almost daily that the threats persists despite the FAA’s clear direction from Congress to address it. The FAA’s inaction is particularly egregious considering Congress mandated this nearly three years ago.” Source: Capt. Joe DePete, ALPA president -- As the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, ALPA is once again imploring transportation officials to carry out the will of Congress and provide greater security for the flying public by issuing a final secondary flight deck barrier regulation before September 11, 2021.