Was the Amphibious LSA Maker Targeted for Illegal Technology Transfer? 

Icon Aircraft has been the subject of increased scrutiny in recent weeks, as investors worry that the Chinese gov-backed investment company purchased nearly 47% of the manufacturer. Some American shareholders have accused the firm of carving out the plane maker to improve its own technology back home, taking the technological know-how back home to advance their domestic industry and undercut Icon at home. Reportedly, shareholders petitioned the U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment to check into the situation, which began looking into the situation in November 2021. The FBI has also, reportedly, begun probing possible criminal violations stemming from the tech transfe

Space Magnate Offered $5k to Withdraw Online Flight Tracker 

A 19-year-old aviation enthusiast received an interesting message regarding one of a handful of online twitter bots, finding an offer from Tesla and SpaceX celeb Elon Musk. He had requested that the young student pull down the @ElonJet flight tracker, an account that automatically updates the status and arrival of Musk’s Gulfstream G650. Those in the industry are familiar with the lack of privacy, with the amount of tracking and identification possible between flight plans and air traffic control, but Jack Sweeney put quite a bit of work into tying a disparate amount of data together. 

Piper Cruisers May Require Replacement for Aging Rudder Posts

The results of an investigation into a number of incidents involving vintage Piper aircraft have been released, exposing a vulnerability in aircraft that have remained in service to the point that lifetime fatigue could take its toll to the point of breakage. Notable pictures of example aircraft show the upper portion of the rudder bent beyond 90°. The part in question can be found in Piper PA-12, PA-14, and PA-18s still in service. A series of incidents with similar patterns of parts failure have been investigated by the NTSB, bringing about concerns over the steel selection used in Piper rudder posts built prior to 1974.

USAF Told to Let Systems Mature Before Going All-In On Expensive, Unrefined Systems

The US Air Force has been warned of re-treading mistaken ground in their troubled KC-46 Pegasus tanker program, being warned against accepting a redesign of its floundering Remote Vision System without taking appropriate precautions against waste, said the GAO. The plan as-is essentially places the USAF on the hook for increased financial responsibility as it commits to the new design of the marginally functional system before the technology involved is adequately developed. The accountability office recommends the force fully assess and test the technology involved, and keep an open mind towards waiting for more maturation and engineering to take place before

Air and Marine Ops Locates, Retrieves Abandoned Woman

The Air and Marine Operations (AMO) and US Border Patrol agents reported a successful evacuation of a female migrant from the Baboquivari Mountains on the night of January 20. The rescue was set into action when local emergency responders were called from the lost migrant who reportedly was abandoned in the midst of the desert. She said she could no longer attempt to trek on her own, as she had been left to wander for 4 straight days. “The desert is dangerous, and smugglers take no issue abandoning migrants once their profit is made,” said Tucson sector chief patrol agent John Modlin. “A cell phone can be the difference between life and death. But the bottom line for migr

Kitfox’ McBean: “...New And Exciting Things Coming Out”

Kitfox President & CEO John McBean gives us a quick rundown on their Kitfox Series 7 trim packages and recent updates at EAA AirVenture 2021. Builders can choose from three trim levels: The Super Sport, the Speedster, and the STi, the STOL specialist of the trio. No matter the trim, each Kitfox retains the trademark folding wings, Nose and tailwheel compatibility, and short takeoff performance. McBean shares his company’s newest offering, “a pre-wired harness, along with the instrument panel and the equipment that it populates with, and we us

AIRS-400 Records Video, Audio, Noise with Cloud Transfer

Appareo has obtained certification for its AIRS-400 system, a 4K ultra-high-definition Airborne Image Recording System. AIRS-400 has been given a Supplemental Type Certificate from the FAA for use in the Airbus AS350, Bell 206, and Bell 407. The AIRS records flight data, audio, and video to both a removable SD card and internal crash-hardened memory with the ability to transmit it over the air via cell networks for offsite backup. The tool is a helpful aid to monitor or critique flights, whether addressing safety concerns, evaluating aircraft use, or reviewing flight instruction. 

Last Track Data Showed The Airplane At An Altitude Of 200 Ft MSL And A Groundspeed Of 105 Knots

On December 17, 2021, at 1224 eastern standard time, a Lake LA-250 amphibious airplane, N1402C, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident in Auburndale, Florida. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. According to Federal Aviation Administration preliminary tracking data, the airplane departed from Lake Hartridge, Winter Haven, Florida, about 1130. The airplane departed to the south, then turned  north and flew about 25 miles before heading southwest toward Lake Arietta.

AD 2022-03-03 Supersedes Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-22-20

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-22-20 which applied to certain Austro Engine GmbH E4 and E4P model diesel piston engines. AD 2021-22-20 required, for engines with an affected cylinder head, inspection of the high pressure pump (HPP) driving gear and, depending on the results of the inspection, replacement of the HPP driving gear with a part eligible for installation. AD 2021-22-20 also required, for engines with an affected HPP driving gear, replacement of the HPP driving gear before further flight or within a certain number of flight hours, depending on the engine configuration and number of affected engines installed.

Aero Linx: The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) is a non-profit association formed in 1961 as Canada's voice for business aviation. Since its inception, CBAA has assumed an increasing role in its advocacy for Canadian business aviation interests. With a membership of approximately 400 companies and organizations, including operators, management companies an suppliers, CBAA represents the entire business aviation community with a unified and collective voice.

Hold-Short Point A point on the runway beyond which a landing aircraft with a LAHSO clearance is not authorized to proceed. This point may be located prior to an intersecting runway, taxiway, predetermined point, or approach/departure flight path.

"GAO is making three recommendations including that, prior to approving the contractor's redesign of the remote vision system, or soon thereafter, the Air Force assess technology readiness, develop a technology maturation plan, and test the prototype in an operational environment. (The Air Force) did not concur with these recommendations."  Source: From the GAO -- who has warned the USAF against re-treading mistaken ground in their troubled KC-46 Pegasus tanker program, being warned against accepting a redesign of its floundering Remote Vision System without taking appropriate precautions against waste.