DJI’s Mini Pro 3 Pocket-Sized Drone Has Arrived

Chinese drone maker DJI recently launched its DJI Mini 3 Pro, a palm-able device weighing a tad over 0.5 lbs, featuring tri-directional obstacle sensing, true vertical shooting, focus track, and 4K high dynamic range (HDR) video. HDR is a feature that allegedly shoots videos with higher contrast and more colors than standard video, and playback is similarly so, depending on equipment capabilities. It folds out from its collapsible compact form like its larger siblings, with the exception being that this one can probably fit in your pocket!

Hard-Charging Director, Jana Filip, Has Left The Post... Now What?

ANN has learned that the 2022 DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase is NOT going to happen, according to Airport Manager John Eiff, who noted that, "hopefully, we can do  something next year..." in response to questions about the event's future as we learned that Event Boss Jana Filip had left her position with the city. Filip was well-known to be the backbone of the event, after creating it to pick up where she left off after departing a similar event in Sebring, FL, which went AWOL thereafter.

Also: Sporty's Sport Pilot Course, 777x Pushed to 2025, DJI Nixes Russia/Ukraine, B-29 History Restored

Elixir Aircraft announced a few updates at this year's Aero, ranging from coveted CS-23 certification, to a new trim level boasting a Rotax 915iS Turbo. Elixir Aircraft showed off their spiffy new CS-23 approval at the show, which has spurred them on to greatly expand their manufacturing capability with such a large, wide ranging market at stake. The French manufacturer holds more than 40 backorders for aircraft. Vertical Aviation Technologies has announced that it's on the hunt for a strategic partner for the manufacture of their Hummingbird S-52L h

Also: DJI 'Nyet' To Russia/Ukraine, Kea Aerospace, Mars Helo, Wings For Val

XPONENTIAL 2022 was HUGE! The ANN media team was in attendance and wound up spending time with dozens of companies pushing the capabilities of modern uncrewed and autonomous vehicle technology. The exhibit halls were packed and the general consensus among those we talked with, was that XPO 22 was one to remember. In addition to the exhibitors, much news was made by AUVSI itself... Not long after the announcement of its service agreement with Florida Power & Light, Percepto has announced it will open a new facility in Riviera Beach, Florida. The new office will employ around 1

Aerox Dispels Myths On Use Of Supplemental Oxygen: Plug, Set, And Forget It

We caught up with an excited Scott Ashton, President and CEO of Aerox at one of the exhibitor booths at Sun n Fun 2022, and got him talking about Aviation Oxygen systems.  He shared with us that they’ve got a wide range of products, and pointed to the portable oxygen, masks, replacement cannulas, and everything you need to maintain and enjoy your oxygen system. He added that two of the key things they’re trying to focus attention on this year are trying to dispel myths around using oxygen systems and to show how easy it is to use the Aerox o

Also: DJI 'Nyet' To Russia/Ukraine, Kea Aerospace, Mars Helo, Wings For Val

XPONENTIAL 2022 was HUGE! The ANN media team was in attendance and wound up spending time with dozens of companies pushing the capabilities of modern uncrewed and autonomous vehicle technology. The exhibit halls were packed and the general consensus among those we talked with, was that XPO 22 was one to remember. In addition to the exhibitors, much news was made by AUVSI itself... Not long after the announcement of its service agreement with Florida Power & Light, Percepto has announced it will open a new facility in Riviera Beach, Florida. The new office will employ a

Virgin Orbit Buys Two 747s, Modifies One For Airborne Satellite Launchpad

Earlier today on 10 May 2022, Virgin Orbit signed on the line with L3Harris Technologies to gain additional ‘ground’ to meet satellite launch demands. The deal involves the delivery of two Boeing 747-400 airframes sometime in 2023, one of which will be modified to as an additional launchpad to support Virgin Orbit’s small satellite launch service. Much like Virgin Orbit did with customizing their first 747-400 for low-orbit payload delivery on project ‘Cosmic Girl’, L3Harris will perform a similar modification by overhauling the airframe and configuring it for cargo delivery, thereby allowing Virgi

‘ET’ Phoning Home As Ingenuity Re-establishes Link With Perseverance

At the end of last week, circa 5 May 2022, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) confirmed that the Ingenuity helicopter hopping around Mars had regained communication with the ground-bound Perseverance rover. After more than a year of operation, this was apparently the first time the communications link was broken between the two pair. We’re told the blackout was possibly due to the seasonal increase in atmospheric dust, which reduces the amount of sunlight available to power the solar array.

Pekoske Slated For Second Term As TSA Administrator 

A few days ago, on 6 May 2022, President Joe Biden announced his nomination of David Pekoske, current Administrator of the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) for a second term. Mr. Pekoske’s initial 5-year term was coming to an end, so he will now be staying on through 2027. The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) announced its support for Mr. Pekoske’s nomination.

Boeing Launched The New 777-8 Freighter In January

Boeing and the Lufthansa Group announced a major deal that will see Lufthansa Cargo enter into an an order for seven 777-8 Freighters. The Group has also placed a new order for two 777 Freighters to add to its cargo fleet, providing extra cargo capacity in the near-term until the delivery of its first 777-8 Freighter. In addition, the Lufthansa Group continues to modernize its long-haul passenger fleet with a new purchase of seven 787-9s. The order for more 787s brings Lufthansa Group's total order book for the 787 Dreamliner to 32 firm orders.

Civil Air Patrol In Space: Connecting Past And Future Astronauts

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is showcasing their connection to space and time, through astronauts from the past to the future, beginning with the Mercury 7 mission in 1963 to future astronauts. The original astronauts from the Mercury 7 mission were awarded honorary CAP membership in recognition of “their courageous contribution to the scientific exploration of space”, and that practice became a regular occurrence with successive crews of the Gemini 7 in 1955, Apollo 8 mission in 1968.

Pilot Realized He Would Not Make It To The Runway And Subsequently Landed In A Stand Of Trees

On April 13, 2021, about 1145 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Europa XS Mono airplane, N194XS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Eastsound, Washington. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. The pilot reported that he was orbiting the airport, to confirm that previous modifications to the engine cooling system were working and decided to land.

AD 2022-08-14 Prompted By Reports Of Fuselage Crown Stringer Cracking Between Station (STA) 740 and STA 1000, Stringer (S)-7 to S-12

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all The Boeing Company Model 747-8F series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of fuselage crown stringer cracking between station (STA) 740 and STA 1000, stringer (S)-7 to S-12. This AD requires repetitive detailed inspections for cracking of fuselage crown stringers and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective June 10, 2022.

Aero Linx: Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) ARSA is devoted to the worldwide civil aviation maintenance industry—from its global corporations to the small, independent businesses. ARSA members are located on five continents and in nearly 20 countries. The association’s experts create tools for members to navigate the maze of government mandates while enhancing safety, efficiency and productivity.

Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring (RAIM) A technique whereby a civil GNSS receiver/processor determines the integrity of the GNSS navigation signals without reference to sensors or non-DoD integrity systems other than the receiver itself. This determination is achieved by a consistency check among redundant pseudorange measurements.

"The continuous modernization of Lufthansa Group's long-haul fleet is one of our top priorities. Therefore, we are very pleased to further invest into the newest generation of Boeing aircraft. The purchase will complement our existing orders and further reduce our operating costs, enhance fuel efficiency and provide state-of-the-art customer experiences. Moreover, the purchase highlights our commitment towards enhancing sustainable aviation." Source: Dr. Detlef Kayser, Member of the Executive Board of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, explaining why Lufthansa Cargo entered into an an order for seven 777-8 Freighters. The Group has also placed a new order for two 777 Freighters to add to its cargo fleet, providing extra cargo capacity in the near-term