World’s Only Flying VariViggen Fifty-Years On

As Thomas Edison, Gottlieb Daimler, and Ron Popeil were to the furtherance of man’s terrestrial technologies, so Burt Rutan is to the advancement of humankind’s aeronautical endeavors. Rutan’s light, strong, unusual-looking, and energy-efficient air and space craft—which the Los Angeles Times characterized as “ … taking on all types of sleek shapes and sizes, looking more like the work of a sculptor than an engineer—have won him accolades and acknowledgements the likes of: the NAA’s Collier and Wright Brothers Memorial Trophies, the NSS’s Von Braun and Robert A. Heinlein Awards, the Daniel Guggenheim Medal, the Bob Hoover Trophy, the Pre

Also: Second Denali, Pilot Frustrations, BMFA Centennial, Opposition to Republic Bid

Sierra Space is creating an astronaut training program comprising a commercial human spaceflight training center and astronaut training academy at its offices at the Kennedy Space Center. The program, which will be headed-up by former NASA astronaut and Sierra Space president Janet Kavandi (pictured), will recruit, train and prepare an astronaut corps requisite the commercialization of space. Piedmont Airlines, Inc.—the American regional airline and wholly owned subsidiary of the American Airlines Group—has reached an agreement with the Air Line Pilots Asso

Upgrading Your Skyhawk’s Engine? Why Not Also Upgrade its Panel?

Air Plains Services— a Kansas-based, FAA approved Certified Repair Station and supplier of aircraft modifications—is now offering an advanced instrument panel kit—the 172XPa—developed specifically for Cessna 172 owners planning to upgrade their aircraft with the company’s 180HP STC. The kit can also be retrofitted into 172s already upgraded with the aforementioned STC. The new avionics panel, like the engine upgrade, can be installed by Air Plains at its Kansas facility or shipped as a complete kit for local installation.

Four Passengers Allege Physical, Psychological Trauma

Four passengers are suing discount Dominican carrier RED Air after an incident that saw the nose-landing-gear of one of the carrier’s MD-82 aircraft collapse upon landing at Miami International Airport. The passengers—Tamar Kalach, Sarkis Okhdjian, and cousins Anabella Perez and Camila Destefano—allege the incident caused them fractured bones, orthopedic injuries, spine damage, and psychological injuries. The lawsuit was filed more than a week after RED Air Flight L5-203–a 32-year-old MD-82 formerly operated by American Airlines—veered sharply after touching down on MIA’s Runway 09, departed the touchdown-zone, and proceeded onto a grassy area where it struck

Klyde's Not Too Impressed With These Passengers, Either

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Making Lemonade the Lockheed Martin Way

A delay precluding delivery of a new engine for Sikorsky’s Raider X prototype helicopter—the company’s candidate for the Army’s Future Assault Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program—will not impact Sikorsky’s design process for the prototype it will offer Army brass, company executives said. During a June media event, Sikorsky senior engineer Pete Germanowski stated the delay afforded additional time to complete Raider X’s design and reduce risk.

Hundreds of Pilots Conduct Absolutely, Positively Informational Picket Over Stalled Negotiations

FedEx pilots have joined the ongoing sideshow of labor disputes, greed, and profiteering into which the post-COVID aerospace industry has deteriorated. In the wake of picketing at American, Southwest. and Alaska Airlines, and the procurement of rich contracts by Piedmont Airlines pilots and Bombardier aircraft builders, hundreds of FedEx pilots, fellow crew-members, and supporters held an informational picket in front of FedEx Express’s Air Operations Center in Memphis. The pilots are frustrated by the ongoing lack of a new pilot employment contract.

Two Airplane Deal Expands Cargo Carrier’s Fleet and Capability 

Azerbaijani Silk Way West Airlines has signed a purchase agreement for two Airbus A350F freighters. The order is a Caspian Region first for the aircraft type and seeks to modernize and further grow the existing Silk Way fleet with efficient and sustainable cargo aircraft. Based on Airbus’s long-range A350 airliner, the A350F serves cargo-markets with a 109-metric-ton payload capacity. The aircraft features a large, main-deck cargo-door and a fuselage length optimized for cargo operations.

From 2018 (YouTube Version): Two Seats, 200 Knot Cruise, Starting At $200K

The latest innovation from Lancair is a new 2-seat “little brother” to the groundbreaking Mako — the Barracuda. Establishing a new standard for value, Barracuda offers high performance, operational economy and Lancair’s trademark aerodynamic style in a cost-effective package. Barracuda’s design is similar to the classic Lancair Legacy. It incorporates numerous airframe improvements, notably a new 1-piece wing with greater span. Th

He Rolled The Throttle Out Of The “Fly” Detent And Into The Emergency Range, But The Engine Did Not Respond

On May 11, 2022, about 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 407, N999GH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Livermore California. The pilot was seriously injured, and the lineman crew member sustained minor injuries. The helicopter was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 133 rotorcraft external-load flight.

AD 2022-11-13 Requires A Detailed Inspection Of A Certain Body Station Bulkhead

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model 737-700, -800, and -900ER series airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly installed fuselage skin fasteners. This AD requires a detailed inspection of a certain body station bulkhead, between certain stringers, for any incorrectly installed fastener common to fuselage skin, and applicable on-condition actions. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective August 3, 2022.

Aero Linx: The Alaska Airmen's Association The Alaska Airmen's Association, established in 1951, is the largest General Aviation(GA) organization in Alaska. With over 2,000 active members, this also makes it one of the largest GA groups in the country. We are a non-profit 501 (c) 3 membership-based organization whose sole purpose is to protect, preserve, and promote general aviation. Each year, we host the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, with over 30,000 attendees and nearly 300 exhibitors from around the world this is one of America's largest free-entry aviation tradeshows. We also host our annual SuperCub raffle, which is the Association's main fundraiser source and the largest raffle hosted in Al

Offshore/Control Airspace Area That portion of airspace between the U.S. 12 NM limit and the oceanic CTA/FIR boundary within which air traffic control is exercised. These areas are established to provide air traffic control services. Offshore/Control Airspace Areas may be classified as either Class A airspace or Class E airspace.

“From an engineering perspective, the real benefit of that delay is that it better aligns the [preliminary design review] with the [competitive prototype] flight test activity. About the time we get to PDR, we’ll be a large percentage of the way through the CP flight test program as well, so you get that test-based validation of your results.” Source: Sikorsky senior engineer Pete Germanowski noting that a delay precluding delivery of a new engine for Sikorsky’s Raider X prototype helicopter—the company’s candidate for the Army’s Future Assault Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program—will not impact Sikorsky’s design process for the prototype it will offer Army brass.