Wisconsin Aviation HAll of Fame to Preserve Kohn Aviation Photography Collection

The Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame has embarked on an ambitious project to preserve the invaluable Leo J. Kohn Aviation Photography Collection. The fundraising campaign aims to digitize over 34,000 negatives captured by the late Leo J. Kohn, a renowned aviation photographer from Brookfield, Wisconsin, whose life's work documented pivotal moments and developments in aviation history.

Epic Flight Academy Opens New Mechanic School at CVG

Epic Flight Academy has officially launched its new aircraft mechanic school at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), marking a significant advancement in aviation training and workforce development in Kentucky. The opening of this $8 million, 32,000-square-foot training facility was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by staff, students, and dignitaries.

Texas A&M Takes Home the Gold Despite the Inclement Weather

The Vertical Flight Society Selected the Winners of this year's Design-Build-Vertical Flight Student Competition, sending the team from Texas A&M home with the gold. The competition assesses student's ability to draft, develop, and construct a VTOL drone from the ground up, and this year's wet and windy conditions added an additional level of difficulty on top of the normal trials and travails of the DBVF. Facing winds of 20 miles an hour, gusting up to 40, competing teams had to get knocked down and repair everything in time for another test run.

A little Bit Quieter, Said Testers, But in the End it's Still a DA40

Diamond Aircraft recently completed a little pilot project with Lufthansa Aviation Training, putting a pair of their battery powered eDA40s to the test in some true-to-life training operations. The results are good enough to brag about, apparently, since both Diamond and Lufthansa Training said the eDA40 passed muster. The project saw engineers and flight test pilots head to Dübendorf Airport in Germany to carry out five assessment flights. Diamond hoped to uncover any developmental issues, weaknesses, or irritations ahead of full commercial release, and who better than one of the biggest customers of the DA40 NG?

Margrit Waltz Almost to the 50-Year Mark in 48 Years

Daher highlighted the efforts of one of their most experienced ferry pilots after her 960th flight for the business. Margrit Waltz made flight number 960 in a very appropriate TBM 960. Like so many other trips for Daher, Waltz flew the single engine turboprop from its birthplace in Tarbes, France on to the Daher Aircraft Division's American home in Pompano Beach, Florida. The ferry flight took Waltz 15 hours and 38 minutes, with stops in the United Kingdom, Iceland, and Canada. Once hitting the eastern seaboard, Walts stopped at Bangor, Maine before making the final leg home to Pompano.

Airbus Racer Demonstrator Makes Inaugural Flight

Airbus Helicopters' ambitious Racer demonstrator has achieved its inaugural flight as part of the Clean Sky 2 initiative, a cornerstone European research project aimed at enhancing aviation sustainability. Taking to the skies over Marignane, the aircraft completed a 30-minute test flight, marking the beginning of a two-year intensive flight campaign intended to expand the aircraft's flight envelope and demonstrate its advanced high-speed capabilities. Developed with the collaboration of 40 partners across 13 countries, the Racer stands out with its 90 patents, showcasing a high level of innovation that European cooperation can foster.

ZeroAvia Expands Market Approach in Hydrogen Cell Propulsion

ZeroAvia, a leader in hydrogen-electric aviation technology, has announced a significant expansion in its market approach by offering some of its proprietary components to other innovators in the clean aviation sector. This strategic move aims to capitalize on the burgeoning demand for sustainable aviation solutions and further its impact on reducing environmental harm from aviation. The company has initiated the certification process for its ZA600 engine designed for up to 20-seat aircraft and is advancing development of the ZA2000 engine for aircraft with up to 90 seats.

GAMA Issues White Paper on Euro Electric Aviation

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association took a significant step forward in promoting the development of electric aviation in Europe by releasing a white paper at the Aero Friedrichshafen event in Germany. The document, titled "Recommendations for Accelerating the Development of the Electric Aviation Sector in Europe," outlines critical measures that European regulators and policymakers should adopt to nurture this burgeoning industry. The white paper encapsulates GAMA's ongoing advocacy efforts, pushing for essential policy and legislative support necessary to spur the growth of electric aviation across the continent.

Beta Technologies Alia 250 MAkes Transition Flight

Vermont-based Beta Technologies has marked a significant advancement in the eVTOL aircraft sector with the successful piloted transition of its Alia-250 from vertical hover to cruise flight. This development underscores Beta's commitment to pioneering practical and commercially viable eVTOL solutions. The transition, which occurred with a pilot on board, involved moving from a stationary hover to forward flight, showcasing the aircraft's dual capabilities. Beta's journey began in 2020, quickly positioning itself as a leader in real-world eVTOL application, a stance bolstered by military airworthiness approval for manned electric flights in 2021.

Climate Protesters Arrested for Invading Hanscom Field

On the morning of April 20, a protest by climate activists at Hanscom Field airport in Bedford, Massachusetts, led to the arrest of 20 individuals. The protesters, believed to be associated with the group Extinction Rebellion, were part of a larger gathering of approximately 25 people voicing opposition to the proposed expansion of the airport to include 17 new private jet hangars. Massachusetts State Police spokesperson Dave Procopio reported that the demonstrators breached a security perimeter, prompting a response from state and local police forces. The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) noted that the breach led to a temporary closure of the airport as a precautionary measure. Charges against the arrested individuals included trespassing and disorderly conduct.