Launch Operations To Be Conducted From KSC

Space Perspective has announced plans to fly passengers and research payloads to the edge of space with its Spaceship Neptune, a high-performance balloon and pressurized capsule. The human 'space flight' company plans to launch from the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida, with the first un-crewed test flight scheduled in early 2021. “We’re committed to fundamentally changing the way people have access to space – both to perform much-needed research to benefit life on Earth and to affect how we view and connect with our planet,” said Space Perspective Founder and Co-CEO Jane Poynter.

Alleges Dismissal of Additional Comment Time for New Pilot-Reporting Proposal To Be Inadequate

NBAA, one of the few top-level associations in the aviaion community earning its keep, has called on the the FAA to rethink its questionable decision to deny requests from NBAA and others in the industry for additional time to comment on new, onerous pilot-reporting requirements. The FAA’s new data-gathering criteria, outlined in a 200-page NPRM, introduce sweeping new mandates for certain Part 91 operators and others to submit a raft of additional pilot data to the agency, through the use of an electronic Pilot Records Database (PRD). Although the FAA’s new rule was issued March 30, the agency has elected to disallow additional time for

Docket Includes More Than 1,700 Pages Of Factual Reports

The NTSB opened the massive public docket (which will likely grow considerably) as part of its ongoing investigation of the fatal, Jan. 26, 2020, helicopter crash near Calabasas, California. The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter, operated by Island Express Helicopters, Inc., collided with hilly terrain and was destroyed by impact forces and fire. The pilot and eight passengers were fatally injured. The docket includes more than 1,700 pages of factual reports on operations, survival factors, human performance, air traffic control, and aircraft performance. The docket also includes interview transcripts, photographs, and other investigative materials.

Plans A Strong Comeback In 2021 With The Thunderbirds

Officials of the Vectren Dayton Air Show have confirmed that due to the Coronavirus Pandemic impact, it will cancel the 2020 show. This year’s show was originally scheduled for June 27th and 28th. A postponement was announced in April due to COVID-19 safety concerns. This cancellation is based on the uncertainty if the State of Ohio will permit a large gathering event due to safety concerns and if military aircraft will be able to participate. “It was a very difficult decision to cancel,” stated Scott Buchanan, Chair, United States Air and Trade Show Board of Trustees, producers of the event. “There were simply too many unanswered questions significantly increasing

Customer Deliveries Anticipated For The End Of Summer 2020

Airbus Helicopters’ five-bladed H145 has been certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), clearing the way for customer deliveries towards the end of summer 2020. The certification covers the full range of capabilities, including single-pilot and instrument flight rules (IFR) and single engine operations (Cat.A/VTOL), along with night vision goggles capability. The new version of Airbus’ H145 light twin-engine helicopter was unveiled at Heli-Expo 2019 in Atlanta, GA, with launch customers announced for almost every market segment. Prior to the successful high-altitude test campaign in South America, where the aircraft set its skids down on the Aconcagua,

From 2019: A Week-Long Program Open To Young People Ages 13-19

The Academy of Model Aeronautics offers a lot of programs designed to foster interest in model aviation. One of those is Camp AMA, a week-long summer camp program at the organization's headquarters in Muncie, IN. According to the AMA website, the cost of the camp includes instruction time, meals, lodging, and nighttime activities. Campers will get the chance to work personally with some of the best RC pilots in the world, including Nick Maxwell, Andrew Jesky, AC Glenn, and RJ Gritter. The AMA Youth Ambassadors will help the campers work

Agreement Will Demo Aerial Food Delivery This August For Buffalo Wild Wings

Deuce Drone has signed a Demonstration Agreement with Potters Wings Mobile, LLC, a Buffalo Wild Wings Franchisee, to conduct a demonstration of the company’s drone delivery system. The demonstration will be conducted at the franchisee’s Mobile, Alabama Buffalo Wild Wings sports bar and is expected to occur at the end of August 2020. Deuce Drone will be responsible for the design of the Aerial Drone Delivery Interface System, including the design and operation of the landing, recharging and package handling system, software interfacing with both the drone and the Buffalo Wild Wings Point of Sale (POS) operating system, meeting regulatory and code compliance, con

'Engine Began To Vibrate And Then Lost Power'

On June 13, 2020, about 1825 central daylight time, a Beech A24R airplane, N444JR, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Livingston, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured, and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to local law enforcement personnel, the pilot and passenger stated that the engine began to vibrate and then lost power. The pilot attempted a forced landing to the Livingston Municipal Airport (00R), Livingston, Texas; however, the airplane impacted trees and terrain short of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright in a field about 300 yards short of ru

AD 2020-12-08 Requires Inspections Of Flight Control Surfaces

The FAA is superseding airworthiness directive (AD) 2011-20-01 for certain Empresa Brasileira de Aeronautica S.A. (now Embraer S.A.) Model EMB-505 airplanes. AD 2011-20-01 required replacing the bolts that attach the balance mass weights to the elevator structure. This AD requires inspections of the mass-balance weights of the elevators, ailerons, and rudder (flight control surfaces) and their attachment parts and corrective actions if necessary, and revising the airworthiness limitation section of the existing maintenance manual or instructions for continued airworthiness to incorporate new airworthiness limitations. This AD also adds airplanes to the applicability. This AD was prompte

Aero Linx: The Airline Dispatchers Federation The Airline Dispatchers Federation is the only national organization representing the professional interests of the dispatch profession.   ADF's constituency is comprised of licensed aircraft dispatchers and operational control professionals from 100 aerospace companies including every major U.S. airline.   ADF's membership as of August 2016 stood at 2,200 members. It has been estimated that approximate 92% of airline passengers traveling each day in the United States, do so under the watchful eye of ADF members. The ADF is an all volunteer organization (all working dispatchers) and in accordance with our bylaws is an advocacy org

Automatic Terminal Information Service The continuous broadcast of recorded noncontrol information in selected  terminal areas. Its purpose is to improve controller effectiveness and to relieve frequency congestion by automating the repetitive transmission of essential but routine information; e.g., “Los Angeles information Alfa. One three zero zero Coordinated Universal Time. Weather, measured ceiling two thousand overcast, visibility three, haze, smoke, temperature seven one, dew point five seven, wind two five zero at five, altimeter two niner niner six. I-L-S Runway Two Five Left approach in use, Runway Two Five Right closed, advise you have Alfa.”

“It was a very difficult decision to cancel. There were simply too many unanswered questions significantly increasing the risk of not being able to produce a safe and successful show for the community. We decided it would be better to focus our efforts on the 2021 show and make a strong comeback next year." Source: Scott Buchanan, Chair, United States Air and Trade Show Board of Trustees, producers of the Dayton Airshow, which has been cancelled completely for 2020. The 2021 Vectren Dayton Air Show will be held on July 10th and 11th and headlined by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.