“The Project Got Its First Cored Rock Under Its Belt, And That’S A Phenomenal Accomplishment...”

Data received late Sept. 1 from NASA’s Perseverance rover indicate the team has achieved its goal of successfully coring a Mars rock. The initial images downlinked after the historic event show an intact sample present in the tube after coring. However, additional images taken after the arm completed sample acquisition were inconclusive due to poor sunlight conditions. Another round of  images with better lighting will be taken before the sample processing continues. Obtaining additional imagery prior to proceeding with the sealing and storing of Mars rock sample is an extra step the team opted to include based on its exper

Refusal To Receive The Vaccine, Absent An Approved Exemption Or Accommodation, May Be Punishable Under The UCMJ

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall directed the COVID-19 vaccine implementation guidelines for Department of the Air Force total force military members Sept. 3, in accordance with the Secretary of Defense mandate last month. The service implementation plan requires Airmen and Guardians to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the following dates, unless seeking an exemption...

Filed Against Slice of the 406 LLC, 82 and Sunny LLC, and Associated Parties in MT and MN

The FAA's war against illegal charter, a problem that has been growing at a rapid rate for the last few years, has claimed another target -- this time in the Northern part of the USA. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a $339,716 civil penalty against Slice of the 406 LLC, 82 and Sunny LLC, and other associated parties for allegedly conducting illegal charter flights. The FAA alleges that between July 2017 and November 2018, these parties conducted approximately 26 paid passenger-carrying flights in a Cessna Citation II C550.

Piston Airplane Deliveries Increased 12.3%, With 565 Units

GAMA has released its report of general aviation aircraft shipments and billings through the second quarter of 2021. Piston, turboprop, business jet and helicopter deliveries increased across all segments during the first six months of 2021 as compared to the same period of 2020. "Through the first six months of 2021, we can see that the industry continues to progress in its recovery efforts. While it is encouraging to see segments improve from 2020, we still trail when compared to how the industry was faring before the onset of the pandemic. Efforts to address ongoing supply chain issues, strengthen our workforce and enhance environmental sustainability will continue to be at the forefron

Klyde Notes That The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

PSA Airlines and Envoy Air Follow Suit

Piedmont Airlines is offering captains and upgrading first officers a $30,000 bonus, and up to $180,000 in retention bonuses. The program was created alongside the Air Line Pilot Association to ensure stability for pilots in an industry that is still battling the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic. PSA Airlines and Envoy Air are also offering up to  $150,000 in potential earnings. Piedmont’s new retention programs, Elevate Pilot Careers, is offering current and new flight crew members a generous bonus for committing to the company. 

Long-Time Rotorcraft Manufacturer Looks To Build North American Presence

While at EAA AirVenture 2015, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, checked in on the world of kit-built helicopters by visiting with Raul Oreste, the Chief Commercial Officer for Cicare SA Helicopters. Cicare helicopters is located in Argentina but they are now setting up operations in the United States. Oreste tells us that their company now has four models of helicopters on the market. As he discusses each model, you’ll see each one being flown in the video. An unusual twist in their line of helicopters is a tandem seat version. We all know that helicopter training can be c

Pilot Attempted To Cycle The Landing Gear, Via The Emergency Landing Gear Extension Procedures

On August 15, 2021, about 1457 mountain daylight time, a Cessna C177, N8029G, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Albuquerque, New Mexico. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff from St. Johns Industrial Air Park (KSJN), St. Johns, Arizona, he noted a decrease in performance and discovered that the landing gear was not fully retracted. The pilot attempted to cycle the landing gear, via the emergency landing gear extension procedures, and was able to extend to nose landing gear, but he was unable to

AD 2021-16-11 Prompted By A Report Of Reduced Yaw Control, During An Approach For Landing

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Airbus Helicopters Model AS350B, AS350BA, AS350B1, AS350B2, AS350B3, AS350D, AS355E, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, and AS355NP helicopters. This AD was prompted by a report of reduced yaw control, during an approach for landing, that resulted from rupture of  the tail rotor gearbox (TGB) actuating rod and uncoupling of the steel sleeve from inside the external aluminum tube. This AD requires dye penetrant inspecting certain TGB actuating rods for a crack, and depending on the inspection results, replacing the TGB actuating rod, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (

Aero Linx: Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum Update on the Campaign to Save the Museum: The Foundation has been working with Marine Corps leaders with the goal of keeping the collection intact and moving it to a new location. An article by the Foundation’s Executive Director, BGen Michael Aguilar,  about proposed plan to move the collection to Great Park in Irvine, California is covered in a recent podcast. Thousands of you signed petitions to keep the museum open to the public and shared movin

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.

"Through the first six months of 2021, we can see that the industry continues to progress in its recovery efforts. While it is encouraging to see segments improve from 2020, we still trail when compared to how the industry was faring before the onset of the pandemic. Efforts to address ongoing supply chain issues, strengthen our workforce and enhance environmental sustainability will continue to be at the forefront as interest and demand for aircraft remains robust." Source: GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce, following the release of GAMA's 2Q/21 Shipment and Billing Report.