Virgin Galactic has successfully completed its Unity 25 space mission, thinking this makes them ready for commercial service after just a few handfuls of flights. Mission specialists Jamila Gilbert, Christopher Huie, and Luke Mays ventured spaceward for purpose of conducting final end-to-end assessments of Virgin Galactic’s Unity spacecraft and overall spaceflight experience. The first delivery of Cessna's passenger-layout SkyCourier was tendered to Western Aircraft, Inc last week, kicking off the industry's next favorite twin-turboprop, light commuter twin - or so Textron hopes. The delivery marks off the first time a passenger SkyCourier has made i
Local Stone Arch Brew Pub to Can Special Kölsch Ale
Attendees of July's AirVenture (and anyone visiting the nearby Fox Valley) can get a taste of some limited-run ale in celebration of the EAA's 70th anniversary. As part of a larger celebration, the group okayed their local watering hole, the Stone Arch Brew Pub of Appleton, Wisconsin, to produce a special commemorative beer. The cans will be available at some participating local grocers apart from July 1st, and will be sold at campground stores throughout AirVenture proper.
"US has More than Enough Airline Pilots to Meet Demand...No Excuse for Attempts to Weaken Safety Standards"
Speaking before the Aero club of Washington, Jason Ambrosi of the ALPA touched on some of the upcoming battles he sees in the industry's future, from safety requirements to increasing student funding. Overall, his message was an interesting piece of insight into where the regulatory winds may be blowing. Of note, the ALPA is not too keen on rocking the boat, with Ambrosi reiterating his support for the current regulatory landscape.
Also: VG Readies for 5.25 Flight, FedEx Strike?, Reliable Robotics, US Aviation Academy
A long time coming? Yes. But a new generation of powerplants has just been certified with the LONG-awaited news that the DeltaHawk DHK180 has received FAA certification... and is on its way to production of the jet-fueled aircraft piston engine. The 180 horsepower DHK180 is the first of a family of engines expected to come from DeltaHawk. The FAA has published a Notice of Proposed Rule-Making (NPRM) germane to the adoption of a new Airworthiness Directive (AD) specific to the B-17. ”The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for all Boeing Model B-1
Test Flights Show Promise for 6th Gen Honeywell Avionics Suite
Honeywell completed the first test flight using its upcoming Anthem integrated flight deck using a Pilatus PC-12 test bed. The futuristic, nearly all-glass flight deck will be the 6th generation of avionics produced by Honeywell, aimed squarely at being as interconnected and information-dense as any operator could ever need. With the ever-present cloud offering improved fleet management and flight planning, Honeywell expects the Anthem suite to be installed on everything from light GA aircraft to defense and electric eVTOL whirlybirds.
South Korean police are holding a man who, on Friday, 26 May 2023, opened the portside, amidships (number-three) exit door of an Asiana Airlines Airbus A321 as the aircraft was attempting to land at Daegu, South Korea’s Gukje Gonghang International Airport (TAE). The in-flight incident incited varying degrees of distress among the flight’s passengers—the entirety of which survived the occurrence.
New Convertible Full-Flight Sim Enhances Training Options in UK
Textron Aviation announced expanded support for its business jet customers in Europe, adding a couple new full-flight simulators to the FlightSafety International campus in Farnborough, England. The new sims will cover the Citation CJ3+ and Cessna Citation M2 Gen2 models with a convertible system, allowing customers to train on a greater variety of modern Citation aircraft. The new sim features as many true-to-life cockpit parts as possible, with a base of 42"-stroke actuators to grant realistic movement outside the capsule.
Recent Additions Offer Greater Data Usage for Business Customers
Inmarsat has announced a change in its range of Jet ConneX inflight broadband plans, with new provisions for high-mileage users looking to more data than previous tiers permitted. The initiative was launched under Inmarsat's JX Evolution program, allowing users of the firm's Honeywell JetWave terminal to connect to the global Ka-band network. Inmarsat will soon offer compatibility with other terminals from Satcom Direct and Orbit.
From 2011 (YouTube Version): How Cool Is YOUR Cockpit???
Aviation publications LOVE to write about all the new wiz-bangs that are seen front and center is today's cockpits... the latest generation of cockpit displays are about a slick as things get these and look sexy as hell. BUT... what about the BEHIND the scenes... those components that allow all those super-cool new technologies to remain... well, super cool?
A few Days in a Swiss Tunnel Help to Suss Out Any Shortcoming
Eve Air Mobility completed wind tunnel testing of its upcoming eVTOL aircraft earlier this month, putting their mock-up through its paces in a facility near Lucerne, Switzerland. The Eve team was able to suss out any issues remaining in the aircraft's design, as well as double-check any discrepancies in lift, efficiency, flying qualities, or performance.
Also: TOCSIN-4 CO Monitor, AAL Labor Agreement, CAP Drones, BAE Compact HUD
Stratolaunch confirmed that it had successfully completed a separation release test of TA-0, the company’s Talon-A separation test vehicle. The flight was Roc’s 11th and occasioned the second instance in which the company’s teams conducted flight operations within Vandenberg Space Force Base's Western Range. The Historic Aircraft Preservation Society announced it is offering a classic Piper J-3/L-4B Cub as the grand prize of its summer 2023 fund-raising campaign. The aircraft, dubbed Lulu Belle, began life as an Army L-4B and was assigned to North Carolina
LuftCar and PowerTap Agree to Create Network of eVTOL, Car, and Utilities Stations for Hydrogen Fuels
LuftCar Corp announced a memorandum of understanding with PowerTap Hydrogen Fuel Incorporation to embark on a joint promotion of hydrogen infrastructure for transportation, utility, and industry. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the agreement is the intent to create a network of hydrogen refueling stations throughout the state of Connecticut, called LuftPads. The H2 corridors will be strewn all over with the intent to support the fueling needs of eVTOL aircraft, road vehicles, and utilities.
The NTSB, on 25 May 2023, released its final report on a 08 February 2020 accident in which a 1981 vintage Cessna Citation 501, registration N501RG, was substantially damaged in an in-flight breakup in the vicinity of Fairmount, Georgia.
Aero Linx: International Flying Farmers
Of all private pilots, Flying Farmers are perhaps the only ones who will tell you their Cessnas and Beechcrafts and Pipers are no different from their combines, tractors, and pickup trucks. After all, airplanes are workhorses too, for hauling supplies, for checking irrigation systems, for compressing the time between the farm and parts store.
ICAO Three-Letter Designator (3LD)
An ICAO 3LD is an exclusive designator that, when used together with a flight number, becomes the aircraft call sign and provides distinct aircraft identification to air traffic control (ATC). ICAO approves 3LDs to enhance the safety and security of the air traffic system. An ICAO 3LD may be assigned to a company, agency, or organization and is used instead of the aircraft registration number for ATC operational and security purposes. An ICAO 3LD is also used for aircraft identification in the flight plan and associated messages and can be used for domestic and international flights. A telephony associated with an ICAO 3LD is used for radio communication.
"In fact, many airlines are hiring pilots, which means pilots are leaving less-attractive positions for more-promising careers at other employers."
Source: Some of the remarks made by Jason Ambrosi of ALPA, speaking before the Aero Club of Washington.
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