There's A Lot To Like On ANN's Latest Social Media Site

We all know how important Social Media is to a lot of people, particularly those under 30. We also know how important those folks are to the future of aviation. In so many forums and at so many events, we talk about how to attract the next generation of pilots, mechanics, and enthusiasts to our industry, and social media is certainly critical to getting the message out to those who practically live online.

"We are going to go fast and leverage the best technology available to get hypersonic capability to the warfighter as soon as possible." Source: Secretary of the Air Force Heather A. Wilson, in reference to the USAF award of a contract not to exceed $480 million to Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control to begin designing a second hypersonic weapon prototype. This contract will provide the critical design review, test and production readiness support for the Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW).

Also: CTS First PW2000, Hypersonic Weapon Contract, Nat'l Airspace System Book, Alaska Accident

In light of the increasing use of questionable marketing and some deceptive tactics by companies like Icon Aircraft and Cirrus, ANN has attempted to cut through the fog and list companies and aircraft we feel comfortable in recommending to our readers and viewers. This year, we’re pleased to report a solid and growing list of great planes and companies that deserve your consideration, and that we’re also attempting to ease your chores by adding an ‘Integrity rating” to our evaluation process to indicate the confidence we have in the data and companies we evaluate. The FAA is requesting public comment on the agency's proposal to discontinue the Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS). According to the Federal Register, Hazardous Inflight Weather Advisory Service (HIWAS

Also: Aerion Supersonic, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Australia GA Maintenance, Flight Training Legislation

The Bell 525 Relentless program is closing in on an anticipated 2019 certification, as yet another milestone was completed as part of a series of rigorous test protocols. The Bell 525 program recently completed hot weather testing in Yuma, Arizona at temperatures up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit as well as high altitude operations to density altitudes of 14,000 feet. “We successfully completed hot weather testing last week in yuma, arizona,” said Troy Caudill, Chief Test Pilot, Bell 525 Program. “The aircraft performed very well and we are gathering test data for certification.” NASA’s Parker Solar Probe launched Sunday to begin its journey to the Sun. The spacecraft will transmit its first science observations in December. Roughly the size of a small car, the spacec

Also: Illinois Drone Rules, San Diego FD, 2018 UAS Summit & Expo, Drone Ops over DOD Facilities

The aero-political scene remains active and a bit frustrating but AMA remains an active participant in important model aviation issues. AMA tells us that, “The AMA Government Affairs team has been working persistently with lawmakers this year to ensure our hobby is protected in FAA reauthorization legislation. The Senate’s August recess gave our team a few days to adjust our strategy towards preserving Section 336 and to address some state and local concerns.” The largest professional drone racing league in the world hosted the biggest drone sports gathering in history last week. The 2nd annual MultiGP International Open took place Aug. 8-12 at the Academy of Model Aeronautics headquarters in Muncie, Indiana, USA. The week long event attracted the best pilots from all over the

Also: Colorado Reservists, Flight Examiner Bribe Attempt, Boeing 737 Logjam, World Helicopter Day

An airport worker, first identified as a mechanic, and then as a ramp agent, apparently took unauthorized possession of a Horizon Air Q400 twin turboprop, powered it up, and somehow took off without permission from Sea-Tac Airport late Friday night. There are extensive questions (and few answers) as to how he took control, got the aircraft powered up, and then gained access to a runway to engage in a takeoff -- and how much supervision/surveillance surrounded the airplane. Throughout the flight, the only person on board, Richard Russell, engaged in sightseeing and radical maneuvers that included rolls and inverted flight. Russell admitted that much of his flight experience came from flight simulator gaming. A recent flight by a NOAA Gulfstream IV Hurricane Hunter aircraft to Hawaii is thought to be th

Also: Aerion Supersonic, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, Australia GA Maintenance, Flight Training Legislation

The Bell 525 Relentless program is closing in on an anticipated 2019 certification, as yet another milestone was completed as part of a series of rigorous test protocols. The Bell 525 program recently completed hot weather testing in Yuma, Arizona at temperatures up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit as well as high altitude operations to density altitudes of 14,000 feet. “We successfully completed hot weather testing last week in yuma, arizona,” said Troy Caudill, Chief Test Pilot, Bell 525 Program. “The aircraft performed very well and we are gathering test data for certification.” NASA’s Parker Solar Probe launched Sunday to begin its journey to the Sun. The spacecraft will transmit its first science observations in December. Roughly the size of a small car, the spacec

Also: Cyberhawk, Oceans Unmanned, VerdeGo Aero, Swift Engineering

A pioneering commercial BVLOS delivery by drone brought ice cream to a two-year-old in a demonstration conducted in Virginia by Alphabet's Wing. The delivery flight covered 1.4 miles, and arrived within eight minutes from the time the order was completed by the mom of the lucky toddler. It was conducted under new rules that allow some states and other government entities to experiment with BVLOS drone flights put in place last year. Among those in attendance at the demonstration was Earl Lawrence, director of the FAA's UAS Integration Office. “You did see something historic today,” Lawrence said. “They can share the fact that the U.S. does have package delivery in its future.” dvancements in unmanned technology and the possibility that actual pilots may be minimized, as a result, is creating some turbulence a

Also: Colorado Reservists, Flight Examiner Bribe Attempt, Boeing 737 Logjam, World Helicopter Day

An airport worker, first identified as a mechanic, and then as a ramp agent, apparently took unauthorized possession of a Horizon Air Q400 twin turboprop, powered it up, and somehow took off without permission from Sea-Tac Airport late Friday night. There are extensive questions (and few answers) as to how he took control, got the aircraft powered up, and then gained access to a runway to engage in a takeoff -- and how much supervision/surveillance surrounded the airplane. Throughout the flight, the only person on board, Richard Russell, engaged in sightseeing and radical maneuvers that included rolls and inverted flight. Russell admitted that much of his flight experience came from flight simulator gaming. A recent flight by a NOAA Gulfstream IV Hurricane Hunter aircraft to Hawaii is thought to be th