Expected Release Date Slides by 3 Years After Continued Ejection Seat Problems

The T-7A Red Hawk jet trainer won't be expected to reach initial operational capability until spring of 2027 according to an Air Force release. The aircraft was supposed to be the next-generation replacement for the long-in-the-tooth, but venerable, T-38 Talon. The T-X, as it was initially known, was hurriedly propositioned to replace the aged and increasingly weary Talons after more than 6 decades of service.

Dedrone Equipment Invited to Set Up at 2nd Test Airport

Dedrone announced an expansion to its program under the FAA aimed at mitigating service interruptions resulting from drone flights in the vicinity of an airport. The FAA has invited Dedrone to select another airport from its 5 locales included in the drone program, though the company remains mum on which airport they plan to select. The collection of participating airports includes Rickenbacker International Airport, in Columbus, Ohio; Huntsville International Airport of Huntsville, Alabama; Syracuse Hancock International Airport, in Syracuse, New York; and the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Seattle, Washington, in addition to Dedrone's current test locale in Atlantic City, New Je

Difficulties with Pratt & Whitney Engines Cited

Days after Indian ultra-low-cost airline Go First grounded its Airbus A320neo fleet, German flag-carrier Lufthansa announced on Thursday, 04 May 2023 that it would temporarily ground one-third of its Zurich subsidiary’s Airbus A220 fleet, citing issues with the aircrafts’ Pratt & Whitney engines.

Legacy XL Stationary Panel Replaces Analog Steam Gauges with Dynon Glass

Iowa Lakes Community College Aviation Program is moving to standardize their fleet of Cessna 172s with a quick, turnkey package that changes out the stock analog gauges with a suite of Dynon panels. The school has 11 Skyhawks of various vintages, with 9 172Ms, an -L, and a -K parked on their flight line. Bringing them to modern spec will be completed by Six Pack Aero’s Legacy XL Stationary Panel Kit, retrofitting each cockpit with a 10" and 7" SkyView HDX panel.

115th Fighter Wing Welcomes First 4 of 20 Aircraft with Homecoming Ceremony

A Wisconsin Air National Guard Unit has become the second ANG unit in the country to get its hands on F-35 Lightnings after taking delivery of the first 4 of 20 aircraft. The 115th Fighter Wing received their first F-35s on April 25th, accepting their new charges with a ceremony at their new home at Truax Field. Bringing the fighters home were airmen Captain John Lorbiecki, Major Jacob Jerzewski, Major Joe Pavela and Lieutenant Colonel Michael Koob, who returned to friends, family, and community leaders bearing their brand-new aircraft.

Chinese Drones Deemed Security Risks

On 10 April 2023, the Florida legislature enacted a law by which Sunshine State governmental, police, fire, and similarly-critical agencies were barred from utilizing drones made by a “foreign country of concern.” The legislation tacitly but clearly refers to China, and strongly implies Chinese drone-maker Shenzhen DJI Sciences and Technologies Ltd.—more widely known as Da Jiang Innovations, or simply DJI. On 02 May 2023, Florida lawmakers allocated $25-million to help the state’s police forces replace their Chinese-made drone fleets.

Recipients of Scholarships Bound for FlightSafety, Rolls-Royce, Garmin, Dassault, & More

The National Business Aviation Association announced the recipients of its 2023 Maintenance AMT scholarships, placing young professionals with industry training. Students will be able to kick start their career with free training, courses, and certifications from a number of NBAA supporters and sponsors.

Everybody's A Critic... Including Klyde!

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

From 2013 (YouTube Version): One Of The Most Popular SportPlanes Gets A Safety Enhancement

In the world of sport aviation, you can never get enough of a good thing... especially when that good thing is a safety enhancement for one of the most popular SportPlanes in recent memory. Whole-airframe emergency recovery systems for Vans RV-7 and RV-9 are now available from BRS Aerospace. The "bag deployed" system meets the ASTM Standard F 2316-12 for recovery parachutes. The unit is stowed in a specially designed frame su

Unable To Get The Engine Power Restored, He Initiated A Forced Landing

On April 11, 2023, about 2113 central daylight time, a Ryan Navion A airplane, N4229K, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near New Waverly, Texas. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was being operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that, after a night cross-country flight, he overflew his private airport at 1,500 ft to see if the solar lights were working.

Aero Linx: The Washington Pilot’s Association

The Washington Pilot’s Association started in 1960 and has grown to over 1500 members statewide and includes 28 chapters. Since it’s inception the WPA has built upon the 4 pillars of why we exist. Whether you’re a veteran pilot or just discovered a passion for aviation, we are proud to welcome new members who share the wonders of flight in the pacific northwest! You are the voice of all pilots flying in our state and we know that strength in numbers works.

Unicom

A nongovernment communication facility which may provide airport information at certain airports. Locations and frequencies of UNICOMs are shown on aeronautical charts and publications.

"The idling of the narrow-body aircraft is on top of three other brand new aircraft with Pratt engines that are also down....  Way down in the supply chains, there are elements missing and companies need to rebuild their production facilities.” Source: During a telephone conference with airline industry analysts, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr commented that it would temporarily ground one-third of its Zurich subsidiary’s Airbus A220 fleet, citing issues with the aircrafts’ Pratt & Whitney engines.