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January 05, 2015

Airborne 01.05.15: Fly-In Gets FAA Refund, Harrelson Circling Globe, Korean Air Hijinks

Also: UAL Fined, AVW, Airlines Sue 'Legal' Website, Boeing Production, Airbus Heli SAIB

The Northwest EAA Fly-In in Arlington, Washington, received a late new year’s surprise. The FAA has decided to return fees once mandated for ATC services at the event. After a review, The FAA’s determined that the service provided during the Fly-in is not more than the usual service provided for the airport. However, they also said that if the Fly-in services do increase, the issue of levying charges will be reviewed. Last week we reported that Bill Harrelson had departed his home base in North Carolina on December 28 in an attempt to set a polar route around the world record in his in his purpose-built Lancair IV. Here’s an update on his progress... A former Korean Air exec

Branson Signals Strong Commitment To Complete Virgin Galactic Mission

Branson: 'In Short – Was Virgin Galactic And Everything It Has Stood For And Dreamt Of Achieving, Really Worth It?'

A New Year's message from Richard Branson seems to indicate that he's bound and determined to stick the private space program out, despite the tragic loss of pilot Mike Alsbury, the serious injuries to Pete Siebold, and the destruction of the first SpaceShipTwo flight test vehicle. To many in such programs and especially for those of us who have been a part of this community for over a decade, the answer seems clear... but then again, few of us have the responsibilities borne by Branson....

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FAA Proposes $317,500 Civil Penalty Against United Airlines

Allegedly Operated An Aircraft That Was Not Properly Maintained

The FAA is proposing a $317,500 civil penalty against United Airlines, Inc. of Chicago, IL for allegedly operating an aircraft that was not in compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations.

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As Many As 15 Q400 NextGen Airplanes Acquired By GECAS

Leasing Company Places Five Firm Orders And Holds 10 Options

A firm purchase agreement for five Q400 NextGen aircraft has been signed between Bombardier and lessor GE Capital Aviation Services (GECAS) valued at approximately $160 million. At the same time, GECAS took options on 10 additional aircraft, which could push the value of the order to $448 million if all options are exercised.

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Technology Innovations Spin NASA's SMAP Into Space

It's Active, It's Passive, And It's Got A Big, Spinning Lasso

Scheduled for launch on Jan. 29, 2015, NASA's Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) instrument will measure the moisture lodged in Earth's soils with an unprecedented accuracy and resolution. The instrument's three main parts are a radar, a radiometer and the largest rotating mesh antenna ever deployed in space.

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Construction Industry May Be Next On The UAV Bandwagon

Skycatch CEO Says Aircraft Could Save Developers Billions Of Dollars

The co-founder and CEO of San Francisco start-up UAV company Skycatch says that one of the next big players in the UAV market may be the construction industry ... and it could be a multi-billion dollar market.

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Russian Aviation Authorities Certify Anasat Passenger Helicopter

Had Been Previously Approved For Non-Passenger Commercial Operations

Russia's Interstate Aviation Committee (AR IAC) has certified Russian Helicopters' new light multirole commercial Ansat helicopter to carry passengers the civilian market. Commercial deliveries are due to start in 2015.

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Airborne 01.05.15: Fly-In Gets FAA Refund, Harrelson Circling Globe, Korean Air

Also: UAL Fined, AVW, Airlines Sue 'Legal' Website, Boeing Production, Airbus Heli SAIB

The Northwest EAA Fly-In in Arlington, Washington, received a late new year’s surprise. The FAA has decided to return fees once mandated for ATC services at the event. After a review, the FAA determined that the service provided during the Fly-in is not more than the usual service provided for the airport. However, they also said that if the Fly-in services do increase, the issue of levying charges will be reviewed. Last week we reported that Bill Harrelson had departed his home base in North Carolina on December 28 in an attempt to set a polar route around th

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Arlington NWEAA Fly-In Gets Special Event ATC Fees Returned

Prominent NW Fly-In Gets A Late Christmas Gift

Happy New Year and a belated Merry Christmas has to be the current sentiments among the folks that run and support the highly-regarded NW EAA Fly-In in Arlington, Washington, each summer -- in light of a recent, surprising, FAA decision to return fees once mandated for ATC services at the event. Our very good friend, Arlington Mayor, Fly-In Director, and Private Pilot Barbara Tolbert passed along the news that, "Thanks to Senator Patty Murray, who was our advocate for having the FAA Administrator review this policy, the FAA has changed their policy about charging for the temporary control tower at our Fly-In. The review worked! We are receiving a refund for last year's costs..."

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Embattled Blue Angel Leader Speaks Out, Gives Thanks For Support

Capt. Gregory McWherter, Highly Controversial Target Of Navy 'Witch-Hunt' Breaks Silence

One of the most distressing events of 2014 may have been found in our observations of the US Navy's investigation and judgement of someone who had once been one of that service's most lauded flyers and commanding officers... until a quasi-secretive proceeding was brought against him that was condemned by hundreds of Naval aviators and other personnel who had served with him. At an Admiral's Mast proceeding on June 2, 2014, a former commanding officer of the U.S. Navy's Flight Demonstration Squadron - the Blue Angels - was found guilty of violating Uniform Code Military Justice articles 92 (failure to obey an order or regulation) and 133 (conduct unbecoming of an officer) by fostering

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Classic Aero-TV: Jack Pelton -- Is It Time For The FAA To Revamp LSA?

Finally! Someone (Besides ANN) Is Ready To Face LSA Reality

At the Redbird Migration 2013 meeting, EAA Chairman of the Board, Jack Pelton took questions from many of the attendees during his forum presentation. One question asked was (yes, by ANN); is it time for the FAA to revamp the light sport aircraft certification regulations? Pelton’s short answer to that question was yes; changes need to be made. Pelton addressed three areas that he thinks need attention. One of these areas related directly to the way equipment changes can be made to an aircraft that is certified as a special- light sport.

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Tuskegee Airmen Receive The 2014 Omar N. Bradley ‘Spirit of Independence Award’

More Honors Offered To Some Of This Nation's Greatest Heroes

The Tuskegee Airmen were recognized for their courage and valor in combat, as they helped pave the way for racial integration in the armed services, by receiving the 2014 Omar N. Bradley "Spirit of Independence Award" in a ceremony held at the 2014 Duck Commander Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. Representing the Tuskegee Airmen at the ceremony were Homer Hogues and Calvin Spann.

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Klyde Morris 01.05.15

Klyde Is About Up To 'Here' With All The Instant Aero-Experts

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

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AeroSports Update: AAA Under New Leadership

The Antique Airplane Association Announces Its 2nd President Since Founded In 1953

In July of 1953 the oldest antique airplane was fifty and not flying much. Jets were beginning to squeeze props from the sky, and airplanes from the 1920s and 30s were disappearing, some barely old enough to vote. Progress has a way of trampling the pioneers until they’re gone, which is when new generations look around wondering, "Hey, whatever happened to...?"

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SpaceX's Next Launch May Be Imperiled by Weather and Tight Launch Window

If Tuesday Is A No-Go, Friday Is The Next Open Slot For An ISS Launch/Rendezvous

No one said the rocket business was easy... but it can be downright tedious when you have to contend with Mother Nature. The next launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 to the ISS and the potential for their first landing of a robotically guided first stage at sea, could turn out to be a nail-biter. Meteorologists were calling for a 60 percent chance of acceptable conditions early Tuesday morning, Jan. 6, for the launch of the SpaceX cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. The primary concern lies with thick clouds expected to develop over the Florida launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station adjacent to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

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Barnstorming: OK… What’s This 'Airborne Unlimited' Thing REALLY All About?

An Old Chinese Proverb Warns… Be Care In What You Wish For -- You May Get It!

Analysis/Commentary/Observations by Jim Campbell, ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief For a number of years, we’ve pondered what steps we might take to jump-start a woefully needed revolution to improve the fortunes of the aviation and aerospace world. And while we never felt it was our job to accomplish this all by ourselves, we did feel that we could have a positive effect and aid this biz in finding its way to better times. After years of careful consultation, a few bumps in the road, and a LOT of experimentation and brain-storming, we have embarked on the first CAREFUL tentative steps toward a multi-pronged approach to build a foundation and conduit for changes that we know

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Airborne 01.02.15: Airborne Unlimited Debuts!, KC-46 Flies, EAA Sweepstakes

Also: New Test Pilot School, Barnstorming: The Best Of 2014, More UAV Activity, ISS Resupply, Silent Falcon Production, Radar Blimps

Next Monday, Aero-News and Airborne start our first steps in a complex series of initiatives that will be rolled out, slowly and professionally, over the coming years. You’ve heard bits and pieces of it here and there, but next week, Airborne comes to you daily, Monday through Friday... and with the added participation, backing and support of over 112 aviation and aerospace associations--and by this time next year, that number is expected to be even more substantial. The KC-

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ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (01.05.15)

Aero Linx: National E-N-G Helicopter Association A "full membership" in NEHA is available free of charge to anyone who currently works directly in an ENG aviation operation. Pilots, reporters, videographers, aviation mechanics and engineers currently working in airborne ENG operations are among those eligible. "Full membership" allows the member to vote on association business and in elections, and also serve in any position on the board of directors, as a NEHA officer and/or as a voting member of a NEHA committee.

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ANN's Daily Aero-Term (01.05.15): TiltRotor

TiltRotor An aircraft that combines the vertical lift capability of a helicopter with the speed of a turboprop aeroplane. As the name implies, it uses tiltable (rotating) propellers, or proprotors, for lift and propulsion. For vertical flight the proprotors are angled to direct their thrust downwards, providing lift. In this mode of operation the craft is essentially identical to a helicopter. As the craft gains speed, the proprotors are slowly tilted forward, eventually becoming perpendicular to the ground. In this mode the wing provides the lift, and the wing's greater efficiency helps the tiltrotor achieve its high speed. In this mode, the craft is essentially a turboprop aircraft. 

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Aero-News: Quote Of The Day (01.05.15)

"That's fantastic and I am excited that the Tuskegee Airmen are being recognized in front of all of America... I take great pride in being one of the pioneers who paved the way for all African-Americans in aviation.... We are happy that the Tuskegee Airmen are being recognized for their contributions." Source: Tuskegee Airman, Calvin Spann, once a lieutenant in the Army Air Corps who served in Italy during World War II where he was a P-51 Mustang pilot and flew in 26 combat missions. Spann spoke while visiting Barksdale Air Force Base to meet with aviators and maintainers.

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