Aero-News Quote of the Day Initial examination of the right engine fire damage found it was primarily contained to the engine's accessory components, thrust reverser skin, and composite honeycomb structure of the inboard and outboard thrust reversers. The spar valve, which stops fuel flow to the engine when the fire switch is pulled in the cockpit, was found closed – there was no evidence of a fuel-fed fire. Initial examination of the right engine fan revealed the spinner and spinner cap were in place and appeared undamaged. All fan blade roots were in place in the fan hub, two blades were fractured. Source: Just a few of the details released by the NTSB in their latest update following the United Airlines #328 inflight emergency.

Also: ERAU Electric Plane, Collier Trophy, Air Race E Expands, Hydrogen Powered Propulsion

Emergency response and healthcare company Falck has announced a collaboration with Kitty Hawk. The companies will establish a joint innovation platform creating a framework for Project Heaviside, Kitty's Hawk's latest high performance aircraft, to be used in emergency response operations. The new collaboration adds to Falck's drone initiative, Vertical, which aims to assess the potential of drone technology in the prehospital and ambulance services of the future. With Kitty Hawk's Project Heaviside, the company plans to test and evaluate new technologies on a large scale, making emergency healthcare more accessible and affordable. A new film festival highlighting creative content made by aerial filmmakers is set to debut in Southern California this March. The inaugural Southern California Drone Film Festival

Agency Delays 2021-22 'Most Wanted List' Meeting

The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators has noted that the NTSB has postponed the March 9 unveiling of its 2021-2022 Most Wanted List (MWL) of transportation safety improvements, with no future announcements set. The agency said only it will post the new date on the NTSB Board Calendar. SAFE has long advocated for flight training reform based on educator improvement. SAFE convened the GA Pilot Training Reform Symposium in 2011 (which was extensively documented by ANN's video teams). This event led to the creation of the FAA ACS. SAFE members including Rich Stowell and Doug Stewart, testified at NTSB hearings.

Bill Will Now Go Back To The House Of Representatives

NBAA is applauding the United States Senate passage of the $1.9 trillion COVID-relief package which provides additional targeted relief for the aviation industry -- despite the fact that the bill is being extensively criticized for being packed with 'pork' and only dedicates a small percentage of the proceeds to actual COVID relief. The bill will now go back to the House of Representatives for final consideration and passage before being sent to President Biden.

Haul Is Worth Over $58 Million

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) National Air Security Operations Center (NASOC) P-3 crews partnered with federal authorities to disrupt a narcotics smuggling attempt in the Eastern Pacific Ocean leading to the seizure of 1.7 tons of cocaine in February, denying transnational criminal organizations more than $58 million in illicit proceeds. On February 14, in a Joint Interagency Task Force-South (JIATF-S) led operation, a NASOC P-3 Long Range Tracker crew detected a suspicious vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. The aircrew conducted a hand-off to a partner aircraft that vectored U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Munro (WMSL-755) for interdiction. A USCG team detained four people and seized 1.7 tons of cocaine.

Klyde Needs To Learn To Wager More Wisely...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

This Particular Dauntless, BuNo 36175, Was Recovered From The Bottom Of Lake Michigan

The Military Aviation Museum has announced that the most recent addition to the collection in Virginia Beach is a Douglas SBD Dauntless. This particular Dauntless, BuNo 36175, was recovered from the bottom of Lake Michigan where it was lost during a training exercise in 1944. The exhibit is expected to be on display until 5pm on March 31st at 1341 Princess Anne Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23457 and is included with regular Museum admission. The aircraft, which was located in 177 feet of water by A and T Recovery, is a time capsule that tells the story of the Naval Aviators training on the Great Lakes, as well as connecting us with the broader story of World War II in the Pacific.

From 2017 (YouTube Version): High-Precision Instrument Guidance System Coming Soon To The Market…

An Italian start-up company is working on an ADS-B-based technology to enhance safety of helicopter approaches and landings. Luka Branca, Director of Business Development for Palu, told Aero-News CEO and Editor in Chief Jim Campbell at Heli-EXPO 2017, in Dallas, that Angels is a precision, ground-based approach system. It downlinks data from the helicopter to the ground station, which makes a predictive elaboration of the data and uplinks it back to the aircraft giving lateral and vertical alignment. Pilots can use an iPad in the cockpit to present the data from Angels, or the aircraft’s cockpit displays can be utilized by the system on larger aircraft, Branca said.

Volocopter Expects First Commercial Air Taxi Routes To Open Within The Next Two Years

Volocopter announced the signing of their Series D funding round raising €200 million ($240M US) in additional capital. Cumulatively, Volocopter has raised €322 million. The funding will be used to bring the VoloCity, the battery-powered air taxi for cities, to certification and by accelerating the launch of its first commercial routes. Volocopter is in the final stages of providing new, sustainable mobility options for cities around the world. Their future services range from electric autonomous air taxis flying passengers directly and safely to their destinations, to transporting goods with the company’s VoloDrone.

As The Airplane Descended Through 2,300 Ft, The Radar Target Disappeared

On February 7, 2021, about 1648 central standard time, a Cessna 441, N44776, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Belvidere, Tennessee. The airline transport pilot and a commercial pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to preliminary radar and communications information obtained from the Federal Aviation Administration, the pilot took off from Thomasville Regional Airport (TVI), Thomasville, Georgia about 1527 with a destination of Winchester Municipal Airport (BGF), Winchester, Tennessee.