Long-Simmering Issues Between Pipistrel-HQ and Various Dealer/Distributors Produce Battle

Though the situation was rumored to be in the offing for a fair number of months, Pipistrel Boss Ivo Boscarol, has pulled the plug on his long-time contract and distributorship agreement with Michael Coates' Pipistrel-USA organization. This happ[ened within days after Coates completed his participation in an extensive display at Oshkosh, which he has conducted and financed for a number of years, and allegedly refusing to credit orders taken by Coates at the show. Both sides have stated reasons with which to dispute the other, and ANN has waded in to determine whatever truth can be derived from the facts that are slowly working their way through to us --

Also: FAA Fines Again, Tamarack's Klinginsmith, October Airshow Cancelled, Federal Mask Mandate

SpaceX’s lunar lander contract on hold again pending Blue Origin’s lawsuit. The running battle between Blue Origin Boss Jeff Bezos and NASA over a prominent contract to build the next Moon Landing vehicle has run into yet another roadblock. After recently losing an attempt to contest the contract award to Spacex, who not only underbid Blue Origin, but also already had extensive experience in landing vehicles that had achieved orbital velocities, Bezos lawyers went back to work after the GAO went against their wishes. As the 20th anniversary of th

Also: Vertical Flight Society, Airspace Link, Cygnus Spacecraft, NASA’s Ingenuity

AUVSI’s XPO21 is ON! And the ANN crew is there! The tradeshow floor opened today and continues through to Thursday... The event invites industry changemakers and end users to experience new technology that is solving real world problems, from safety and defense, to energy and infrastructure, business, construction, health, and the environment. The convention features keynote speakers, panel presentations, educational programs, workshops, networking opportunities, and an extensive exhibitor hall. T-Mobile and The Drone Racing League launched their first 5G

Litigation On Blue Origin Suit MAY Conclude November 1

NASA halted work on a $2.9 billion lunar lander contract with SpaceX after Blue Origin sued the government agency -- again. The suit was filed in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims last week and according to Blue Origin, was "an attempt to remedy the flaws in the acquisition process found in NASA's Human Landing System." A US judge has set an Oct. 14 hearing for this case. "In exchange for this temporary stay of work, all parties agreed to an expedited litigation schedule that concludes on Nov. 1," NASA said. "NASA officials are continuing to work with the Department of Justice to review the details of the case and look forward to a timely resolution of this matter."

To Fly Model Aircraft In Canada As A US Resident, You Must Have A MAAC Membership

The former mutual agreement between the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) and AMA is no longer in effect because of the recent changes in the country’s Canadian Aviation Regulation (Canada’s counterpart to the FAA) Part IX and the exemption granted to MAAC and its members. In order to fly model aircraft in Canada as a US resident, you must have a MAAC membership. There are two options to join MAAC. You can purchase a temporary 90-day foreign membership for $40 CAD or a full membership for $80 CAD. Please visit MAAC’s website for more information.

Take The Stress Out Of Aircraft Maintenance

Bombardier reports the launch of its new myMaintenance App. Smart Link Plus subscribers now have the ability to make real-time in-flight data-driven decisions to track, troubleshoot, and manage their aircraft service needs. The 'easy-to-use' app makes it a breeze for flight and maintenance crews to prioritize and troubleshoot in-flight fault notifications thus increasing the aircraft’s operational efficiency.

Excel High School Partners WIth Pilot Institute

Excel High School has partnered with Pilot Institute to offer private pilot and drone pilot training to its students, giving them an early chance for success. The online high school is regionally and nationally accredited from its base location in Minnesota. Students will receive two credits upon completion and take the course over four semesters. The program is designed to familiarize students with the knowledge required to pass the FAA’s written exam.

Nextant Aerospace Unveils Updates Free of Charge

The FAA has approved Nextant Aerospace’s upgraded software Supplemental Type Certificate for Challenger 604 aircraft with Pro Line Fusion Avionics. This software upgrade is set to provide added avionics capabilities to enhance safety and help pilots save time. The upgrade will be made free of charge for current Challenger 604 Pro Line Fusion operators. Nextant Aerospace Director of Engineering and Certification Kevin Himelright speaks on the much-anticipated approval, “The FAA approval of the upgraded software STC for Challenger 604 aircraft will improve flight crew safety and awareness, and is consistent with our commitment to meeting the needs of our customers,” he said

"Aircraft Malfunctions Don’t Always Happen At The Most Convenient Locations..."

Stuck in Bumfudge, USA, without a local maintenance facility to deal with your ailing bird? Well... if the unfortunate machine happens to be a Pilatus, then Cutter Aviation may be available to come to your rescue. Cutter Aviation has confirmed the addition of a Mobile Service Unit to assist Pilatus Aircraft on the Ground in the vicinity of our Cutter Aviation Authorized Pilatus Sales & Service Center in Denver, Colorado at Centennial Airport. “We know aircraft malfunctions don’t always happen at the most convenient locations such as your base airport or near your service center. Based on Pilatus PC-12 and PC-24 versatility, we as service centers m

Also: Civil Air Patrol Milestone, Vy 400 High Speed VTOL, WWII Aviation Artwork Book, Trace Aviation

Ampaire is celebrating a major milestone for Scotland with the first set of hybrid electric flights taking place in the north of the country on August 12th. The trials are part of the Sustainable Aviation Test Environment project, led by Highlands and Islands Airports. Running on battery power and a combustion engine, Ampaire’s Electric EEL is a modified six seat Cessna 337. A very happy Piper Aircraft has announced an order for twenty (20) Pilot 100i single-engine trainers from Pennsylvania and Delaware based flyGATEWAY Aviation Institute. The or

The Flight Instructor Directed The Private Pilot To Recover “Gradually And Easily”

On August 9, 2021, about 1335 eastern daylight time, a Diamond DA-42-L360 airplane, N906ER, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hiddenite, North Carolina. The flight instructor and a private pilot were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor and private pilot had completed several maneuvers and simulated emergency procedures during the multi-engine instructional flight. Following a simulated single-engine approach and landing to Wilkes County Airport (UKF), North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the instructor attempted to simulate a rig

Aero Linx: Pilots for Patients Pilots for Patients is a newly chartered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Pilots participating in the program donate their time, fuel and airplanes for the flight and are not reimbursed for these expenses. Patients who are medically stable fly for free to wherever treatment awaits. Pilots for Patients will focus on transporting Louisiana patients. Patients needing specialized care will have access to medical centers such as MD Anderson in Houston, Texas and St. Jude, in Memphis Tenn.

Remote Communications Air/Ground Facility An unmanned VHF/UHF transmitter/receiver facility which is used to expand ARTCC air/ground communications coverage and to facilitate direct contact between pilots and controllers. RCAG facilities are sometimes not equipped with emergency frequencies 121.5 MHz and 243.0 MHz.

"Until we have enough detail to be comfortable with the matter, ANN has suspended all commercial business and sponsorship with any Pipistrel affiliate and will withhold our endorsements of any particular product--especially our most recent eval of the Pipistrel Panthera, until we can be sure that the companies involved live up to the promise presented by the products--which we still maintain to be some pretty decent airplanes. Yes, we have liked the products... but no product is worth a damn if the company that builds and/or distributes it is not working to best effect." Source: From an ANN statement following a news story describing legal issues between the builder of Pipistrel Aircraft in Slovenia and its North American Distrib