Joins Husband, John, as Wright Brothers Master Pilot

Martha King was honored with the FAA’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award and feted by FAA Acting Administrator Billy Nolen—who presented Mrs. King with a commemorative plaque. The FAA's Ken Kelley praised Martha’s aviation contributions, saying, “Martha and her fellow Master Pilot John used technology and clear, simple and fun teaching to make aviation knowledge more accessible to pilots."

Splitting Errs

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is issuing a final rule, amending the definition of “Unmanned aircraft accident” by removing the weight-based requirement and replacing it with an airworthiness certificate requirement. The weight threshold is no longer an appropriate criterion insomuch as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) under three-hundred-pounds frequently operate in high-risk environments—such as beyond line-of-sight and over populated areas. The amended definition will allow the NTSB to be notified of and quickly respond to UAS events germane to the board’s mission of enhancing transportation safety...

Avidyne Slides Into Home Plate To Replace Garmin 430/530

We caught up with Mr. Steve Gubbins, International Sales Manager of Avidyne, to discuss the Garmin to Avidyne transition, and the special deal available only to AirVenture 2022 attendees; a $500 gift card with the purchase/upgrade of a new Avidyne GPS. If you’re seeking to replace your Garmin GNS430/GNS530 WAAS or non-WAAS GPS, consider heading over to the Avidyne booth in Hangar C at EAA AirVenture 2022 to discuss options.

JFK the Hard Way

In an egregious instance that speaks convincingly to the veracity of the contempt in which legions of air-travelers hold air-carriers, American Airlines compelled a plane-load of New York-bound passengers to panic-attacks, tears, and mass-misery when it held them aboard one of its jets for six-hours with limited air-conditioning at Charlotte Douglas International Airport—in late July. The passengers—sweltering, miserable, and sobbing—were denied drink and food during their quarter-day-incarceration—which American alleges was attributable to a fuel-system malady with which the aircraft was afflicted.

Wings of Hope Is Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri

While at EAA AirVenture 2022, we checked in with Mr. Steve Williams, Chief Pilot for Wings of Hope to learn more about their mission. Wings of Hope has a rich and storied history going back to its humble beginning in 1963, thanks to the vision of Mr. Mike Stimac, a missionary with Medical Missionaries of Mary and support from like-minded individuals in the diocese and some fund-raising, they acquired the first aircraft in the fleet, a Piper Super Cub 18A. Then, as today, its mission is one of hope, “to save and change lives through the power of aviation”.

Battle for Spectrum Continues as Dish, SpaceX Make Their Case to the Public

SpaceX is unhappy about recent Dish Network developments that could inhibit operation of their Starlink internet service. The band in question lies in the 12GHz region that Dish intends to use as the base of a 5G network, and according to SpaceX spokesman David Goldman there is no convenient solution to retain Starlink function. He said that the FCC holds Starlink in its hands, and that a 12GHz approval for Dish isn’t something that the company can just code around. “There is no easy fix,” said Goldman. “If the FCC were to go the wrong way, there is not like, a software fix, or another spectrum band.”

Engine Company Begins Joint Effort on Hybrid JetA/Electric Powertrain

Ampaire has announced a key collaborator on their Cessna Grand Caravan conversion project in RED Aircraft, who will soon offer their AO3 series engine to complete the Eco Caravan. Under their new memorandum of understanding, the companies will work together to develop a hybrid system using the compression ignition engine in a parallel configuration. The 550 hp engine will provide base power while the Ampaire electrical system provides peak output, allowing substantial improvements in economy and performance.

Brazilian Jet Maker Sees Solid Growth Against Q2 2021

Embraer has announced the results of its second quarter sales this year, standing at a total of 32 jets shipped as the firm continues its climb back to normalcy. Of those delivered, 11 of the aircraft were bound for standard commercial service, with 21 jets from Embraer’s Executive arm. Throughout the year, they have shipped 46 aircraft in total, predominantly executive at a ratio of 29 executive to 17 commercial. Their order backlog stands at a healthy $17.8 billion, still the highest point since 2018 and an impressive 12% more than the same time last year. 

U.K. Repair Station Offers All-in-One Avionics Flight Line Test Set

Muirhead Avionics—one of the largest independent avionics repair facilities in Europe, and a brand of AMETEK MRO, a global provider of third-party Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) services—has secured exclusive distribution rights for the SDR-OMNI All-in-One Avionics Flight Test Set in Europe. Manufactured by Tel Instruments, the SDR-OMNI Flight Line Test Set provides avionics technicians a comprehensive suite of radio frequency (RF) avionics test capability in a single rugged, lightweight package for demanding commercial and military applications.

Airplane Had Come To Rest, Nose Down With The Empennage In A Near Vertical Position

On July 17, 2022, about 2000 central daylight time, a Just Highlander airplane, N7514N, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Boswell, Oklahoma. The pilot and student pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the family members and friends of the two occupants, the purpose of the local area flight was to conduct low-level flight operations over and on the Red River.

Aero Linx: Aviation Medical Society of New Zealand (Inc) Welcome to the website of the Aviation Medical Society of New Zealand (Inc) - an association of and for doctors and others in New Zealand with an interest in Aviation and Aerospace Medicine. A branch of the British Medical Association of Australia was formed by 15 doctors on 25th November 1949 in Melbourne as the Special Group on Aviation Medicine. In 1962 the Special Group’s name was changed to the Aviation Medical Society of Australia. By 1972 the membership was 258 and due to the large numbers joining from New Zealand the Society was renamed the Aviation Medical Society of Australia and New Zealand (AMSANZ).

Instrument Departure Procedure (DP) A preplanned instrument flight rule (IFR) departure procedure published for pilot use, in graphic or textual format, that provides obstruction clearance from the terminal area to the appropriate en route structure. There are two types of DP, Obstacle Departure Procedure (ODP), printed either textually or graphically, and, Standard Instrument Departure (SID), which is always printed graphically.

“There is no easy fix... If the FCC were to go the wrong way, there is not like, a software fix, or another spectrum band.” Source: SpaceX spokesman David Goldman, explaining whySpaceX is unhappy about recent Dish Network developments that could inhibit operation of their Starlink internet service.