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September 13, 2021

NTSB Prelim: Cessna 172

Pilot Realized That He And The Front Seat Passenger Were Hanging From Their Seatbelts...

On August 2, 2021, about 1259 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172E, N3090U, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Waxhaw, North Carolina. The pilot and two passengers received minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The accident occurred during takeoff from runway 04 at JAARS-Townsend Airport (N52), Waxhaw, North Carolina. After rotation, just past the windsock located on the fence of the airport, the airplane became airborne and gained roughly 50 feet. The pilot maintained best rate of climb speed (80 mph), but the airplane failed to climb.

Also: Top Gun Sequel, ThrustSense STCs, Inspiration4 Crew Arrives, King Air 360/360ER And 260

California's JetPack Aviation has made their first sales, following through on the plan that the JB-Series jetpacks would go on sale one day. The company announced its very first jetpack sales: two JB-12 units, which sold for US$400,000 apiece to an "undisclosed military customer in South-East Asia," deliverable within about six months. The JB-12 will weigh in at 105 lbs. It'll max out at 528 lb of thrust, and be capable of speeds up to 120 mph. Images of the JB-12 jetpack itself are classified at the moment, but like the current model JB-11, it uses three small Jetcat turbines per side. Virgin Galactic has announced an update regarding the timing of its next test flight, &ldq

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As Expected: Virgin Galactic Calls A Halt To Unity 23 Mission

A Third-Party Supplier Recently Flagged A Potential Manufacturing Defect

Virgin Galactic has announced an update regarding the timing of its next test flight, “Unity 23” with the Italian Air Force. "During preparation for the Unity 23 test flight, a third-party supplier recently flagged a potential manufacturing defect in a component of the flight control actuation system that they supply to Virgin Galactic. At this point, it is not yet known whether the defect is present in the Company’s vehicles and what, if any, repair work may be needed. Out of an abundance of caution, and in line with Virgin Galactic’s established safety procedures, the Company is in the process of conducting inspections in partnership with the vendor.

Most Information Is Still 'Classified'

California's JetPack Aviation has made their first sales, following through on the plan that the JB-Series jetpacks would go on sale one day. The company announced its very first jetpack sales: two JB-12 units, which sold for US$400,000 apiece to an "undisclosed military customer in South-East Asia," deliverable within about six months. The JB-12 will weigh in at 105 lbs. It'll max out at 528 lb of thrust, and be capable of speeds up to 120 mph. Images of the JB-12 jetpack itself are classified at the moment, but like the current model JB-11 (pictured), it uses three small Jetcat turbines per side.

Zefhir Is The First Helicopter In the World To Come With Parachute

Jeff Magnus, US Business Manager for Curti Zefhir, talked to ANN at Oshkosh about the new helicopter kit, and how it flies. “It is absolutely a delight to fly,” he says. “First of all, it is a two-place helicopter with a turbine engine, 251 hp, derated to 141 hp. When you start the engine, unlike a traditional helicopter that has a throttle on the collective, we have a knob on the panel and it starts out at idle, goes to 55%, then goes to run which is 90%, and the engine stays at 90%. The neat part about that whole deal is because we get 100 hp ex

European Deliveries Underway

Textron Aviation has recorded a major milestone with its newest twin-turboprop models, the Beechcraft King Air 360/360ER and King Air 260, as both aircraft achieved European Aviation Safety Agency type certification. Deliveries to customers throughout the region will begin. “EASA certification begins a whole new era for the Beechcraft King Air in Europe,” said Tom Perry, vice president of Sales for Europe, Middle East and Africa. “The King Air has been the turboprop of choice throughout this region for more than five decades, and the new 260 and 360 will build on that legendary reputation. We have incorporated innovative and next generation technologies that enhance the flying experience for an alread

Philippine Airlines Files Bankruptcy

United States Is A Favorite Haven For International Airlines Seeking Protection

Philippine Airlines filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a lender-supported plan to help the carrier recover after the COVID-19 pandemic. The company will get $505 million in equity and debt financing from its majority shareholder, in addition to $150 million from new investors to contribute to debt financing. The goal is to cut $2 billion in borrowings through a proposed restructuring plan, which will need court approval, allowing the carrier to reduce its fleet capacity by 25%. The Chapter 11 filing allows the company to operate while it begins its journey to restructure. The filing comes after the airline negotiated for months with stakeholders.

Peregrine Is Awarded Mexico, ICAO Recorder FAA STC

Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions, SoCal Jets, and Peregrine Avionics have developed a solution that meets the requirements for recorders as outlined in official documents. The Federal Civil Aviation of Mexico, AFAC, approval of this FAA AML STC is in process. This AML STC, “Curtiss-Wright Fortress Flight Data Recorder with Cockpit Voice Recorder, Class C Cockpit Image Recorder, and Dukane Seacom Underwater Locating Device Installation” covers the Learjet 30 Series, Learjet 45, Hawker 800 and 1000 Series and Citation 10 (750) aircraft and incorporates the use of a Class C Airborne Image Recorder camera and a new cockpit voice recorder.

Design Department Breathes New Life Into The Aircraft

A happy customer recently received their newly transformed Gulfstream G550, with a full interior refurbishment and avionics upgrade by Duncan Aviation. The scope of work included refreshing the interior, which was showing signs of age. Lead Designer Jack Bauder said that the Gulfstream 600 was the inspiration for the new seats and handrails. “The owner really liked the G600 seats, but the seat design is always limited by the seat drawings and certifications,” said Bauder. “Our Upholstery shop did a fantastic job blending the G600 seat design with the existing structure to ensure the seats met certifications.”

Aero Linx: International Helicopter Safety Foundation The International Helicopter Safety Foundation is a team of government and industry leaders formed to address the factors affecting an unacceptable international civil helicopter accident rate. Our Vision: An international civil helicopter community with zero accidents. Our Mission: Establish international partnerships in countries with significant helicopter operations and encourage development and implementation of safety interventions by sharing lessons learned through accident analysis.

Transponder Observed Phraseology used to inform a VFR pilot the aircraft’s assigned beacon code and position have been observed. Specifically, this term conveys to a VFR pilot the transponder reply has been observed and its position correlated for transit through the designated area.

Aero-News Quote of the Day "During preparation for the Unity 23 test flight, a third-party supplier recently flagged a potential manufacturing defect in a component of the flight control actuation system that they supply to Virgin Galactic. At this point, it is not yet known whether the defect is present in the Company’s vehicles and what, if any, repair work may be needed. Out of an abundance of caution, and in line with Virgin Galactic’s established safety procedures, the Company is in the process of conducting inspections in partnership with the vendor." Source: From a weekend statement by Virgin Galactic, explaining delays in the Unity 2