New Program Allows Broadened Parts Options

Thanks in part to persistent and persuasive efforts put forth by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), the FAA has unveiled a new program for the use of off-the-shelf parts in type-certificated aircraft. The approval is the first granted under the new Vintage Aircraft Replacement and Modification Article (VARMA) program—a decisive and important victory in the ongoing battle to keep vintage aircraft airworthy.

Out with the Qualified; Send in the Clowns

The FAA’s top spot remains occupied by Acting Administrator Billy Nolen—a former American Airlines MD-80, 757, and 767 pilot who put in stints with both Qantas Group and WestJet in the capacities of executive manager for group safety and health, and vice-president, safety, security, and quality respectively. That Mr. Nolen is eminently qualified to hold the FAA Administrator position on a permanent basis is self-evident. Whether or not Democrats will back him is another matter entirely.

‘Tis Better to Try and Fail …

In addition to sounding the company's death knell, the failure of Virgin Orbit's 09 January 2023 Start Me Up mission has occasioned renewal of long-standing questions pertaining to the viability of air-launch schemes as a means by which to impel satellites and orbital vessels spaceward ...

Decade-Long Search Yields Famed Formula One Aircraft

After a decade-long search, Nampa, Idaho’s Spirit of Flight Foundation museum announced on 06 April 2023 that a Cassutt IIIM Formula One racing plane has been donated to the museum’s collection. Spirit of Flight Foundation president Gordon Page stated: “We have had several Cassutt aircraft lined up over the years, but they just didn’t work out. Fortunately, a donor answered an advertisement we ran recently, and we are happy to say a Cassutt is on the way to the Spirit of Flight.”

Also: FAA Wants safety, MCI Aviation Director Retiring, FedEx Shrinks Schedule, DA42 to UAE Training Program

As the curtains close on Reno's final Air Race, another contender may have its eye on ascending tot its vacant throne - Air Race X, a conceptually similar, but new take on the sport. World Champion air racers Matt Hall and Yoshihide Muroya announced a presser revealing their plan to combine traditional air racing with digitized, augmented reality to create a world series of sorts. John King meant no offense when he said of Tracy Atobatele; “You are not normal!” In point of fact, Mr. King’s words were intended as high praise for the wi

The Wages of Largess

For over twenty-years, husband and wife volunteer pilot team Stephen and Joanna Bobko-Hillenaar have flown in the service of Angel Flight West (AFW)—a volunteer-driven, Santa Monica, California-headquartered non-profit medical transportation/air-ambulance service providing no-cost, worldwide, bedside-to-bedside transportation for the critically ill or seriously injured. For their contribution and commitment to AFW—which includes 579 (and counting) missions—the Bobko-Hillenaars will be recognized and honored during 2023’s Endeavor Awards, which will take place under the retired Space Shuttle Endeavour at Los Angeles’s California Science Center on 09 June 2023.

Also: FAA Wants safety, MCI Aviation Director Retiring, FedEx Shrinks Schedule, DA42 to UAE Training Program

As the curtains close on Reno's final Air Race, another contender may have its eye on ascending tot its vacant throne - Air Race X, a conceptually similar, but new take on the sport. World Champion air racers Matt Hall and Yoshihide Muroya announced a presser revealing their plan to combine traditional air racing with digitized, augmented reality to create a world series of sorts. John King meant no offense when he said of Tracy Atobatele; “You are not normal!” In point of fact, Mr. King’s words were intended as high praise for the wi

E-Mag Retrofit Frees Owners from Magnetomic Nightmares

Look out for the “D” when you’re buying an aircraft or aircraft engine. “Those things are unreliable and will let you down at the worst moment” is often the sentiment when it comes to aviation engines with the single drive/dual magneto ignition system found on certain engines used in Cessna and Mooney’s. These magnetos are much maligned, and not without reason. Many dual magneto owners are faced with repeated inspections, lack of repair parts, and in some cases no options for repair at all as these units are no longer made or supported by the major ignition manufacturers.

The Perils of Inattention

On 08 February a Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet was substantially damaged following a hard landing at Waukesha, Wisconsin’s Waukesha County Airport/Crites Field (UES). In its 06 April 2023 Final Report, the National Transportation Safety Board rather predictably determined the probable cause(s) of the 08 February accident was the pilot’s failure to ...

From 2016 (YouTube Version): The Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition Lets Us Take a Close Look at Piper’s M600…

Piper Aircraft is proud of their new M600 single-engine turboprop, and our ANN crew decided to take a look and provide you with the inside scoop on this new airplane. While at the National Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) held in November 2016, ANN News Editor, Tom Patton, linked up with Drew McEwen, who is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Piper Aircraft.

Strata of Imperilment

On 07 April 2023, a semi-truck traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 60 west of Mountainair, New Mexico struck an air-ambulance helicopter attempting to evacuate the victim of an earlier accident. Initial reports ascribe the secondary mishap to failure of the 18-wheeler’s brakes.

Aero Linx: Austrian Cockpit Association

Together with our umbrella and partner associations, we are facing up to the challenges of our time. The profession of pilot should remain desirable for young people who want to be highly qualified, specially trained and work in a special environment: in the airline cockpit, or in the cockpit of a civil helicopter or business aircraft. We are committed to this – and to aviation safety in general. 

FUSION [STARS] 

The combination of all available surveillance sources (airport surveillance radar [ASR], air route surveillance radar [ARSR], ADS-B, etc.) into the display of a single tracked target for air traffic control separation services. FUSION is the equivalent of the current single-sensor radar display. FUSION performance is characteristic of a single-sensor radar display system. Terminal areas use mono-pulse secondary surveillance radar (ASR 9, Mode S or ASR 11, MSSR).

“Visitors to the Spirit of Flight in Nampa, Idaho will get to see the beginnings of Formula One Air Racing with Sky Baby and experience what it was like to see a plane roaring around a pylon, thanks to the donation of the Cassutt. The museum displays an incredible collection of air racing history and I can’t wait to see the Cassutt.” Source: Spirit of Flight Museum volunteer and current Reno Air Racer John Flanagan detailing that the Nampa, Idaho’s Spirit of Flight Foundation museum has a Cassutt IIIM Formula One racing plane that was recently donated to the museum’s collection.