Next Flight Could Occur As Early As Saturday

Virgin Galactic has confirmed that the next rocket-powered test flight of SpaceShipTwo Unity will be conducted on May 22, pending weather and technical checks. This follows the completion of whgat tthey term, 'a maintenance review of VMS Eve, the mothership jet aircraft designed to carry SpaceShipTwo to an altitude of approximately 50,000 feet.'

Slow Progress Shown -- But Vulnerabilities Remain

GAMA has released the general aviation aircraft shipments and billings report for the first quarter of 2021. Deliveries increased for turbine helicopters and propeller airplanes while business jet and piston helicopter shipments were flat in the first quarter of 2021 as compared to the same period of 2020, which in its closing weeks saw the onset of the pandemic. 

Ingenuity Ready To Start Science Operations

Plans are underway for NASA’s Ingenuity Mars Helicopter to make its sixth flight on the Red Planet in the next week. The flight is the first to be executed during the helicopter’s operations demonstration phase and includes scouting multiple surface features from the air and landing at a different airfield. In this new phase, data and images from the flight will be returned to Earth in the days following the flight. The Perseverance rover will not record images of the helicopter in flight, as it is preparing for the start of the mission’s science operations.

Over 200 Women Pilots To Compete In International Cross-Country Airplane Race

The oldest race of its kind in the United States, the Air Race Classic (ARC), traces its roots to the 1929 Women's Air Derby, in which Amelia Earhart and 19 other daring female pilots raced from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio. That contest, aka the Powder Puff Derby, marked the beginning of women's airplane racing in the United States. Today, the ARC is the epicenter of women's air racing, the ultimate test of piloting skill and aviation decision-making for female pilots of all ages and from all walks of life.

Astronics Max-Viz 1200 & 1400 EVS Now STC'd for the Airbus EC130 B4 & T2 Helicopters

Astronics has reported that the United States, Canada and EASA approved Astronics' Max-Viz 1200 and 1400 Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS) for Airbus Helicopter EC130 B4 and T2 models. In cooperation with AVIO dg in Calgary, Canada, Astronics obtained the STC for its Max-Viz 1200 and 1400 EVS from the FAA, Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA), and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The initial Maz-Viz 1400 installation using the newly approved STC was performed by Ontario-based EuroTec Canada Ltd., part of EuroTec Vertical Flight Solutions LLC, headquartered in Euroda, Kansas. The EVS will be displayed on upgraded TXi avionics. 

Applied Brakes And Thrust Reversers But Did Not Observe An Indication That The Spoilers Deployed

On May 5, 2021, about 1033 eastern daylight time, an Israel Aerospace Industries LTD Gulfstream G150, N22ST, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1), Ridgeland, South Carolina. The two pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 executive/corporate flight. According to the pilot, he conducted a preflight inspection with no anomalies noted and the first leg of the trip was completed without incident. On the second leg of the trip, he was performing a visual approach to runway 36 at 3J1. The copilot had completed the b

AD 2021-10-09 Requires Removal, Inspection, And Replacement Of The Affected HPT Inner Stationary Seal

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all CFM International, S.A. (CFM) CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B model turbofan engines with a certain high-pressure turbine (HPT) inner stationary seal installed. This AD was prompted by cracks found in the rotating air HPT front seal. This AD requires removal, inspection, and replacement of the affected HPT inner stationary seal and, depending on the findings, replacement of the rotating air HPT front seal, HPT rotor blades, and No. 3 ball bearing. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective June 24, 2021.

Aero Linx: The Arizona Pilot’s Association (APA) The Arizona Pilot’s Association (APA) was organized in 1978 to give Arizona’s general aviation community a voice in aviation matters. Our mission remains much the same today as we continue to promote general aviation through advocacy at various levels of state and federal government, as well as through partnering with other aviation organizations in advocating our common interests: promoting aviation safety, pilot education, and public understanding of general aviation; preserving, maintaining, and even re-opening Arizona’s backcountry and recreational airstrips; broadcasting Arizona aviation news; and connecting Arizona pilots

Radar Required A term displayed on charts and approach plates and included in FDC NOTAMs to alert pilots that segments of either an instrument approach procedure or a route are not navigable because of either the absence or unusability of a NAVAID. The pilot can expect to be provided radar navigational guidance while transiting segments labeled with this term.

“Following a detailed inspection and thorough analysis of our mothership, Eve, we have cleared our Spaceflight System for our upcoming flight. I want to thank our incredibly talented team of engineers, maintenance crew, quality inspectors and support staff for their diligence and hard work, which is testament to our commitment to safety and the integrity of our flight test program." Source: Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic, following the news that VG is planning rocket-powered flight tests early as this Saturday.