“The Air Force is using a great opportunity to recapitalize investments made by the National Guard and upgrade the capabilities of the current Aggressor fleet. This is going to provide more capability and realism so that the aircraft and the pilots that are being trained here in the JPARC (Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex) can have a better adversary and they can train to a higher quality threat.” Source: Lt. Col. Chad Richards, 354th Operations Group deputy commander, as the 354th Fighter Wing accepted delivery of its first pair of F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Alabama Air National Guard.

Ohm My!

Elektra Solar GmbH—the German designer and manufacturer of solar-electric powered aircraft and winner of both the Lindbergh Prize for Electric Aircraft and the Swiss eTrophy—announced on 31 January 2023 that its two-place, all-electric, training and towing aircraft, the Elektra-Trainer, had received ultralight certification from the German Ultralight Flight Association (DULV)—a representative agency of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV).

E.U. Court Substantiates Dutch Allegations

The European Court of Human Rights has agreed to hear a case that could see Russia held responsible for the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. The government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has long asserted that Russia played a key role in subject disaster, alleging the region of eastern Ukraine over which Flight MH17 was shot down by a Russian-made Buk missile fired by pro-Russian separatists was—from 11 May 2014 up to at least 26 January 2022—under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation. In January 2023, the European Court of Human Rights ruled the Netherlands’ case admissible, stating: “the evidential threshold for the purposes of admissibility had been met in respect of the complaints of the Government of the Netherlands.”

T-54A to Supplant T-44 Pegasus

The U.S. Navy announced on 25 January 2023 that it had awarded Textron Aviation a single, firm-fixed-price contract to develop the T-54A Multi-Engine Training System (METS) aircraft. Subject airplane will provide advanced instrument and multi-engine training to student naval aviators selected for multi-engine aircraft operations. The base $113.1-million contract is for ten aircraft. The contract’s total value, including options, is $677.2-million for the procurement of up to 64 aircraft, with deliveries to commence in 2024 and continue through 2026.

Combined Company Output Placed at 130+ Launches Per Year After Inaugural Mission

Rocket Lab's 33rd Electron rocket launch was successful, starting off operations from its Virginia base on the right foot. The mission, “Virginia is for Launch Lovers”, lifted off at 18:00 eastern on January 24th from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (LC-2) at Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (part of NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility). The mission deployed a trio of satellites for radio frequency geospatial analytics provider HawkEye 360 for use as relays and and analysis platforms at 550 kilometers above the earth.

Updates to Electrocardiogram Approach Grant ME's More Latitude

The EAA has weighed in on changes to the FAA's standards on electrocardiogram (ECG) findings, complimenting it as part of a "pattern of positive reform". The change will help to minimize the hassles and diagnostics required for those with abnormal - but asymptomatic and acausal - ECG readings for medical applicants. The change should decrease the chances of an undue medical deferral. Class II and III medical holders are not subject to routine ECG testing, but a similar change was implemented for heart arrhythmias.

All-Around Training, Maintenance, and Support Location at Craig Field

Resicum International announced the start of a new training academy in Selma, Alabama. Resicum's work involves the usual breadth of general aviation services, which will be carried on by its new facility, over the next decade. The company will provide flight training, maintenance, and support to government, commercial and general aviation customers. Current contracts include support for the AH-64E Apache, USDA survey missions, and a range of Part 145 repair services. 

A Matter of Semantics

Blackhawk Aerospace Composites—the Morgantown, Kentucky-based aerospace composite design and manufacturing firm—announced on 30 January 2023 that it has rebranded and changed its name to Aerospace Composites Solutions (ACS). The company’s new appellation speaks to an expanded focus on niche aerospace and defense applications resultant of a latterly ownership change.

From 2016 (YouTube Version): The Canadian Forces Snowbirds Can Best Be Described As ‘Elegant’…

EAA AirVenture 2016 was a great show and, in no small part, it was because of the participation of the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron from Canada - better known as the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. Their appearance at AirVenture was a special treat, and that’s what this video is all about. There’s something about their performances that seems to stand out as being more than a presentation of military prowess; it also seems to be a demonstration of elegance. Maybe it’s because they fly jet trainers that seem to stay closer to the crowds, closer to the ground, and easier for all to see the finesse and details of their formations.

Accident Flight Was The First Flight After The Airplane Had Undergone Maintenance

On January 16, 2023, about 1242 central standard time, a Piper PA-32-301T, N8266D, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Kingfisher, Oklahoma. The pilot and certificated flight instructor were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)Part 91 instructional flight. According to witnesses, the airplane was seen trailing black smoke before it rolled over and dove into the ground. A witness provided cell phone video confirmed the presence of the black smoke and an explosion after impact.