Also: NTSB Says CFIs Need More Scrutiny, USAF Thunderbirds, Bell 505, Amazon Buys Boeings

Shortly after the resignation of DoT Secretary Elaine Chao, FAA chief of staff Angela Stubblefield disclosed that, “This evening the Secretary and the Administrator received resignation letters from all our non-career staff members here at FAA. These resignations will be effective Monday evening. Our colleagues’ decisions, given the gravity of the scary capitols events, are understandable. Like all of us, they are outraged by the brazen and violent attack on one of the sacred institutions of American de

DRL Races To Become The First Aerial Sporting Event Upon Which Fans Can Wager

The Drone Racing League (DRL) has announced a deal with DraftKings Inc. to make the sports technology and entertainment company an Official Sports Betting Partner of DRL. Upon completion of this deal, DRL drone races became the first aerial sporting event upon which fans can wager. Mobile sports betting on DRL drone races is currently legal in Colorado, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Tennessee and West Virginia with regulatory approvals pending in additional states. "The sky is now the limit for DRL fans to get skin in the game, and we're thrilled to partner with DraftKings to transform our high-speed race competition into the ultimate sport to bet on," said DRL President Ra

SpaceX Waves Off Undocking of Cargo Dragon

As a result of adverse weather conditions at the targeted splashdown zone off the coast of Daytona Beach, Florida, SpaceX waved off Monday’s planned departure of an upgraded SpaceX Dragon resupply spacecraft. Teams are currently assessing weather conditions to determine the next opportunity for undocking. Splashing down off the coast of Florida enables quick transportation of the science aboard the capsule to the agency’s Kennedy Space Center’s Space Station Processing Facility, delivering some science back into the hands of the researchers as soon as four to nine hours after splashdown.

Opportunity For Students To Gain Hands-On Experience

Duncan Aviation has 33 student summer internship opportunities at the company’s three full-service facilities in Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah. These paid internships allow students to learn more about the company and explore possible career paths in business aviation service and support. Internships, listed on the company’s career page, are being offered in Airframe, Engine, Install, and Interior production departments. 

IRS Finalizes Rules for Aircraft Management Tax Exemption

The IRS has finalized regulations intended to clarify how the exemption from commercial transportation excise taxes for aircraft management services is applied. NATA is reviewing the regulations and will provide detailed analysis to the membership. In late September 2020, NATA joined with the National Business Aviation Association in submitting comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking. “We are pleased that the IRS seemed to listen to and adopt many of our recommended changes to the rules. We look forward to participating in future projects to provide additional guidance referenced by the IRS,” stated NATA Senior Vice President Ryan Waguespack.

Competitive Recompete Win Worth More Than $275 Million Over Next 8 Years

The United States Air Force has awarded CAE USA a contract to continue providing comprehensive KC-135 training services. The eight-year contract, awarded as a one-year base contract with seven additional one-year option periods, is valued at a total of more than US$275 million. CAE USA recently won the recompete of the U.S. Air Force KC-135 Aircrew Training System contract and will continue providing training to more than 4,500 KC-135 crewmembers annually.

From 2017: Connectivity Provided Through Iridium Satellite Network…

Airtext solves the problem of staying connected electronically to business, friends, and family without the high cost of a traditional internet option. Airtext allows up to 16 passengers the ability to send and receive SMS messages anywhere in the world. On the ground or in the air. Using the iridium satellite network, AirText has designed a product that allows connectivity through your cell phone while on the airplane.

Adds Capabilities of Dawley Aviation & Dawley Manufacturing

Tailwind Technologies’ sister operating companies, AMI-AWI, have acquired the assets of Dawley Aviation and Dawley Manufacturing. AMI-AWI are industry leaders in aviation component manufacturing, tubular components, thin-wall welding, precision machining, and exhaust systems. Both of the newly acquired companies also serve the general aviation market, as do other Tailwind portfolio companies, including Hartzell Propeller, Hartzell Engine Technologies and Quality Aircraft Accessories Holding Corporation.

Fishing Vessel, Taking On Water, Calls For Help

The Coast Guard rescued two people from a 68-foot fishing vessel taking on water near the Brazos Santiago jetties in South Padre Island, Texas, Monday. Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi watchstanders received notification at 5:08 a.m. from the crew of the Captain Jerry, a 68-foot fishing vessel, stating they had struck the Brazos Santiago south jetty and were taking on water. Four crewmembers were reported to be aboard. The Captain Jerry crew was able to free the vessel from the jetties and anchor.

This Was A “Test Run” For A Flight He Planned To Conduct

On September 10, 2020, about 1243 central daylight time, an experimental amateur built, Zenair CH750 Cruzer airplane, N656BN, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Boaz, Alabama. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. On the day of the accident, the pilot planned to fly from Tom B David Field Airport (CZL), Calhoun Georgia, to Tupelo Regional Airport (TUP), Tupelo, Mississippi, to Northeast Alabama Regional Airport (GAD), Gadsden, Alabama, and then return to CZL. According to a family member, this was a “test run” for a flight he planned to conduct on Sept

Aero Linx: Cardinal Flyers Online The Cardinal Flyers are a group of owners, operators and flyers of the Cessna 177 Cardinal. This is our web home, the Cardinal Flyers Online. Our purpose is to bring Cardinal Flyers together around the world, both virtually and physically, while communicating our member's experiences, wisdom and knowledge in creative and effective ways. We are about technical knowledge exchange, but also about building a community of Cardinal owners.

Coupled Approach An instrument approach performed by the aircraft autopilot, and/or visually depicted on the flight director, which is receiving position information and/or steering commands from onboard navigational equipment. In general, coupled non-precision approaches must be flown manually (autopilot disengaged) at altitudes lower than 50 feet AGL below the minimum descent altitude, and coupled precision approaches must be flown manually (autopilot disengaged) below 50 feet AGL unless authorized to conduct autoland operations. Coupled instrument approaches are commonly flown to the allowable IFR weather minima established by the operator or PIC, or flown VFR for training and safety.

“We are pleased that the IRS seemed to listen to and adopt many of our recommended changes to the rules. We look forward to participating in future projects to provide additional guidance referenced by the IRS." Source: NATA Senior Vice President Ryan Waguespack, commenting on the IRS having finalized regulations intended to clarify how the exemption from commercial transportation excise taxes for aircraft management services is applied.