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August 09, 2021

Airborne 08.09.21: Oshkosh21 Stats, Raptor Down, Cub v Kayak

Also: A-10s on Highway, Virgin Galactic Prices Double, Norwegian DA62 MPP, B-29 Doc Setback

At a final Oshkosh briefing from EAA Boss Jack Pelton, he noted that, “This was perhaps the most challenging set of circumstances we’ve ever faced as an organization to make the event happen. I could not be more proud of our volunteers, staff, and participants on the way they came together to exceed our expectations and make AirVenture 2021 a truly memorable experience.” One of the SportPlane world's most controversial kit development programs may be ending. Following years of setbacks, delays and no end of questionable development decision, followed by a flight test program that reportedly got past the minimum 40 hours, the Raptor Aircraft prototype is down in a corn fi

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No Great Surprise: Troubled 'Raptor' Kit Aircraft Prototype Down In Cornfield

Powertrain Failure Results In Significant Damage To Prototype Airframe, Pilot Safe

One of the SportPlane world's most controversial kit development programs may be near an end. Following years of setbacks, delays and no end of questionable development decision, followed by a flight test program that reportedly got ast the minimum 40 hours, the Raptor prototype has been reported down in a corn field after a drive system failure resulted in an unplanned landing (one of three that we know of) tearing off the gear and apparently damaging other parts of the airframe. As those that have done so can tell you, cornfield landings are not without serious consequence and the damage may keep this airframe from flying again.

Bahamas Increases Covid Entry Requirements

Our friend, Jim Parker of Caribbean Flying Adventures, has informed us that things have changed with Bahamas entry requirements... again. He notes that as of August 6th, vaccinated individuals must also submit a negative PCR or Antigen test to enter the Bahamas. Unvaccinated individuals are still required to present a negative PCR test for entry.

'We'll Probably Have Around 50% Of 2019 Traffic For All Of 2021'

Eurocontrol has issued a new forecast looking at the possible evolution of domestic and international air traffic in Europe over the coming four years taking into account the expected evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report's key finding is that traffic is not expected to reach 2019 levels until 2024 at the earliest. Eamonn Brennan, Director General Eurocontrol said "The situation remains very challenging for European aviation..."

Will Replace CNATRA TH-57B/C Sea Ranger As The Undergraduate Training Helicopter

The first operational TH-73A “Thrasher” training helicopter landed at Naval Air Station (NAS) Whiting Field in Milton, Aug. 6. The helicopter will be assigned to Training Air Wing (TW) 5 and will replace Chief of Naval Air Training’s (CNATRA) TH-57B/C Sea Ranger as the undergraduate training helicopter for the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The helicopter made the two-day transit to the base from the Leonardo Helicopters facility in Philadelphia, where the aircraft was manufactured. CNATRA leadership welcomed the aircraft alongside representatives from Leonardo Helicopters, Vertex Aerospace, who will provide maintenance support for the TH-

Pilot Was Able To Call For Help Using A Satellite Phone Shortly After The Crash and Activated A PLB

The Coast Guard rescued two people from a Cessna 180 floatplane accident, Saturday, 40 miles southeast of Ketchikan, Alaska. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Sitka rescued the two from the U.S. Forest Service Cabin at Humpback Lake in the Misty Fjords National Monument after their float plane crashed during takeoff. The helicopter crew lowered a rescue swimmer who safely hoisted both individuals before transferring them to awaiting emergency personnel in Ketchikan. The two survivors were the only passengers aboard the privately-owned aircraft.

More Signs Of The Times -- NASA Offers Guidance for Drone Use

NASA Advises Drone Operators Viewing Antares NG-16 Launch

It should go without saying (but, sadly, it does not), that Drone operators are being urged to exercise caution if using their aircraft to view the August 10 Antares rocket launch and avoid flying over the public and NASA's Wallops Flight Facility property. Drones, a/k/a unmanned aerial systems (UAS), should not fly over NASA's Wallops Flight Facility property, the marsh areas between Wallops Island and the mainland, or over the Atlantic Ocean east of Wallops Island. A Temporary Flight Restriction and other Special Use Airspace will be activated by the Federal Aviation Administration. Fines and penalties are applicable and will be enforced. There will be several thousand people in the

Controller Then Immediately Issued Two Low Altitude Alerts With No Response From The Pilot

On July 13, 2021 about 1042 Pacific daylight time, a Cessna 421C, N678SW, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Monterey, California. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Review of recorded communication from the Monterey air traffic control tower revealed that the pilot canceled their initial instrument flight rules (IFR) clearance and requested a Visual Flight Rules (VFR) on top clearance.

Aero Linx: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA is an agency that enriches life through science. Our reach goes from the surface of the sun to the depths of the ocean floor as we work to keep the public informed of the changing environment around them. From daily weather forecasts, severe storm warnings, and climate monitoring to fisheries management, coastal restoration and supporting marine commerce, NOAA’s products and services support economic vitality and affect more than one-third of America’s gross domestic product. NOAA’s dedicated scientists use cutting-edge research and high-tech instrumentation to provide citizens, planners, emergency managers and oth

See And Avoid When weather conditions permit, pilots operating IFR or VFR are required to observe and maneuver to avoid other aircraft. Right-of-way rules are contained in 14 CFR Part 91.

"The Raptor is an extremely spacious 5 place, pressurized, composite aircraft with a 62" wide cabin with a possible top speed of 300 knots that can cruise at 230 knots true on 7 gph of Diesel or Jet-A. It will come equipped with an optional BRS airframe parachute, constant speed propeller and anti-lock brakes. It's a luxury SUV for the sky." Source: From some unmet promises made by Designer Peter Muller, a few years back, hyping a program called the Raptor, which after months of not-uneventful flight test, has failed to prove out its promise. The aircraft made an emergency landing in a Nebraska cornfield, Friday, with signicant damage to the prototype.