Recovery Comes Slowly To The Sport and GA Communities...

Van’s Aircraft reports that they are resuming limited scheduling of demonstration flights at its Aurora, Oregon headquarters (KUAO) and at their East Coast representative’s location at New Garden Airport (N57 – Chester County, PA). But... they also note that they are not currently taking walk-in requests for demo flights – all appointments must be pre-arranged and confirmed and are offered on an as-available basis. The factory, however, is still closed to the public and factory tours are not available at this time.

Also: UPRT Partnership, Launch Activity Areas, AF Youth Programs, Virtual Reality FST

Skyborne Aviation Group has completed the acquisition of its new Flight Academy located in Vero Beach, Florida. “Skyborne Airline Academy Vero Beach” will be the first pilot training base in the United States for the UK-headquartered airline academy. “Skyborne Airline Academy Vero Beach” offers prospective pilots a full-time FAA Part 141 approved training on a 12-month residential program, airline pathway programs with leading US airlines, plus Private, Instrument, Commercial and Instructor cour

Jamaica Defence Force Receives Milestone Aircraft

The 300th Bell 505 Jet Ranger X has been delivered to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF). The first Bell 505 was delivered in 2017, and today there are 300 aircraft in operation across six continents, with customers logging more than 70,000 global fleet hours. “The Bell 505 is one of Bell’s fastest growing commercial programs to date, surpassing several significant milestones since its inception,” said Michael Thacker, Executive Vice President, Innovation and Commercial Business. “As we continue to see interest for the aircraft in Public Safety, Utility and Corporate transport, Bell has invested in new products and technologies to expand the Bell 505’s capabilities.&rdquo

Approved For Cessna Citation 560XL, Excel and XLS Models

Avidyne has received TSO and STC approval from the FAA for installation of their dzus-mounted Avidyne Atlas multifunction FMS in Cessna Citation 560XL, Excel, and XLS models. TSO approval also allows MRO facilities to begin performing their own STCs and installations in turbine-class aircraft.

Total Sales Exceed $568 Million In First Three Months Of 2021

The Aircraft Electronics Association released its first-quarter 2021 Avionics Market Report. In the first three months of the year, total worldwide business and general aviation avionics sales amounted to $568,810,353, or more than $568 million as reported by the participating companies.

A Portrait Of Sally Ride Will Be Unveiled And Presented At The Ceremony

The First Flight Society announced that Sally K Ride, has been named the 2021 Honoree to be inducted into the Dr. Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine located in the Museum and Visitors Center at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, USA. This honor is selected annually by a high-level panel appointed by the First Flight Society, from among numerous nominations submitted from around the world as well as compiled lists of qualified candidates. The Shrine is located within the Museum and Visitors Center at the Wright Brothers National Memorial in Kill Devil Hills, NC. The induction ceremony will be held on Wright Brothers Day, December 17, 2021,

50-Pound Weight Savings Reported

Aerometals has received FAA STC authorization for the Sikorsky H-60 helicopter engine inlet barrier filter (EIBF) following a comprehensive testing program. Based on the original S-92 EIBF developed by Aerometals, the company now offers an improved system to protect H-60 turbine engines from erosion, FOD damage, fouling and corrosion. Aircraft operating offshore or in salt laden environments can benefit from a 96.8% airborne salt nuclei separation protection efficiency.

From 2018 (YouTube Version): Stratos Jets Will Initially Be Offered As Kits

Stratos Aircraft presented an update on its VLJ program and introduced the Stratos 716 model at AirVenture this summer. The Stratos 716X is an evolution of the 714 Proof of Concept (PoC) aircraft. The all carbon fiber 716X features trailing link gear, is powered by a Pratt & Whitney JT15D-5 and is configured with dual G3X screens, GTN 750 MFD, integrated Garmin Autopilot, dual standby attitude indicators, custom switch panels, fully automated pressurization system and air conditioning. The Stratos 716X kit will be comprehensive and include a

The North America Training Center Is One Of 18 Training And Simulation Centers

The Helisim Simulation Center, located inside the Airbus Helicopters Inc. facility in Grand Prairie, Texas, has installed a new Thales Reality H full-motion flight simulator, reportedly the first of its kind in the region. Helisim LLC has already invested $22 million for the new simulation center. The H145 simulator will allow pilots to perform their initial and recurrent H145 training in the Americas.

Also: Ingenuity's Fourth Flight, Online Recurrent Testing, Fire Scout UAV, MissionGO

This week should be chock full of unmanned aviation goodness. AUVSI's annual conference and trade show, AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2021, starts off as an expanded hybrid event series. After the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a virtual staging of XPONENTIAL 2020 last October, the Association decided on a full virtual program this spring followed by an in-person event late in the summer. The series will support its mission to convene the unmanned and automated systems community to accelerate innovation and market adoption o

The Wind Was Coming From The East (Tailwind For Runway 27) At An Estimated Velocity Of 15 Knots

On April 28, 2021, about 0900 eastern daylight time, a Beech C-23, N6009U, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Middleburg, Florida. The pilot, pilot-rated passenger, and one passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness described that around 0840, he heard what he thought was the accident airplane departing from the Spencer’s Airpark (FL13), Middleburg, Florida. Shortly thereafter he heard the sirens of first responders as they proceed toward the accident site.

Aero Linx: Rhode Island Pilots Association Part of RIPA’s mission is to promote aviation safety within the entire aviation community, and we are dedicated to aviation safety. Because of this, the Rhode Island Pilots Association is the principal sponsor FAA Safety Seminars in Rhode Island. FAA Safety Seminars are designed to promote and foster aviation safety in the aviation community by refreshing pilots’ aeronautical knowledge and improving their aeronautical skills.

Simplified Directional Facility (SDF) A NAVAID used for nonprecision instrument approaches. The final approach course is similar to that of an ILS localizer except that the SDF course may be offset from the runway, generally not more than 3 degrees, and the course may be wider than the localizer, resulting in a lower degree of accuracy.

“We are proud to take delivery of the 300th Bell 505 and expand our fleet capabilities. JDF and Bell have a strong history together and today’s delivery marks another milestone in our relationship.” Source: Lt. Col. Brian Lundy, commanding officer of the JDF Air Wing, upon taking delivery of the 300th Bell 505.