Simple, Reliable Backup Provides Affordable Peace of Mind

Sporty's showed off the newest addition to their radio lineup with the L6, a handheld aviation radio capable of connecting directly to LEMO headset connections. The new kit hits a spot in the market usually occupied by finicky dongles, adapters, and kludges, with most handhelds being compatible with U-174 military or 2-plug GA connectors - all too often, the LEMO market is left out in the cold. Perhaps out of the idea that any LEMO-equipped aircraft is pricey enough to have its own in-built backup radios. 

Patience’s End

The Southwest Airlines Pilot Association (SWAPA)—the Dallas-based non-profit employee organization by which some ten-thousand Southwest Airlines pilots are represented—has filed a request with the U.S. National Mediation Board (NMB) seeking official and expedient release from mediation. SWAPA has been mired in contract negotiations with Southwest Airlines’ management for upwards of three years.

Union Urges Congress to Maintain Pilot Experience Requirements

As the U.S. airline industry braces for the onset of the busy Fourth of July travel weekend and the long and tensely-awaited kickoff of the 5G wireless era, Congress is poised to pass legislation by which aviation safety may be diminished, flight delays and cancellations increased, and the rights of American workers undermined—so states the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA).

Meet George Jetson …

Santa Clara, California-based Alef Aeronautics is a composite automotive/aviation concern about the business of developing a novel flying car dubbed the Model “A”. Subject vehicle is electrically-powered and designed to be driven much like a conventional automobile on public roads. The Model A's vertical takeoff and landing capabilities are unremarkable. Its forward-flight architecture, however, is eminently unique. Comes now June 2023 and news of Alef’s Model A having received FAA Special Airworthiness Certification.

With 1 Megawatt Mark Reached, NASA Altitude Testing Looms

Wright Electric hit a record 1 megawatt using its aerospace-specific motor-generator. The record is a new high for the company, breaking the 1,300 horsepower mark with a single unit. The record led the firm right into announcing a recent Space Act Agreement with NASA that will see their equipment tested at altitude using the NASA Electric Aircraft Testbed.The versatile Wright propulsion system can be operated as a motor or a generator, enabling its installation as a standard APU or turbogenerator for direct propulsion. 

Unleashed in the East

Swiss aerospace manufacturer Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. announced on 29 June 2023 that Japanese “Private Jet Membership” concern OpenSky, Inc. had taken delivery of its first PC-12 NGX. The newly-delivered aircraft—replete in a unique, Asian-style livery—will carry passengers, henceforth, to destinations across the Japanese Islands.

The Course, Velocity, and Altitude of Things to Come

A first-of-its-kind joint effort to manage flights across the airspaces of multiple countries by calculating aircrafts’ future positions as functions of known courses, speeds, and prevailing and projected meteorological and air-traffic conditions, has proved successful.

Also: Diamond’s DART-750, FlightSimExpo, NATO Pilots, CAE RW Contract

Military aviators eyeing separation got another data point to consider before filing their paperwork - a $50,000 bonus aimed at keeping the USAF's investments in the service. The bonuses come under the Legacy Aviation Bonus Program, which builds off the previous bonus with a bump from its previous monetary cap of $35,000 per year up to $50,000 per year. Sporty’s has updated its online Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) for 2023, adding a bevy of new topics for up-to-date focus areas and a sleeker, higher quality user interface than previous packages. "As always," said Spo

Deal Will “Create High-Paying, High-Quality Jobs”

Aura Aero and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University signed a memorandum of understanding at the Paris Air Show, agreeing to “establish a major footprint” for the brand in the school's Daytona Beach Research Park. The Florida-France partnership is a new one for many, but Aura Aero thinks its arrival in the US will allow it to “create some 20 exceptional new jobs in Volusia County as well as internships for student pilots.”

An Automotive Legend Lends its Touch to the E-Jet

Recaro’s Aircraft Seating subsidiary reached an accord with Embraer for the development of a Supplier Furnished Equipment (SFE) catalog of seats for E1 and E2 aircraft. Recaro, perhaps known best for their halo-car tuner seating, has been a consistent name in the European seating category since its inception. The firm will get to work at providing linefit and retrofit configurations for the bestselling layouts seen in Embraer E1/2 jets, improving the baseline quality of even economy seating.

Also: Sporty’s Revamps CFI Course, Oshkosh Anniversaries, Enstrom 2 Oshkosh, Indigo Busy BIG

Alaska State Troopers reported that noted bush pilot, television personality, aviation executive, and long-time Alaska resident Jim Tweto (68) lost his life in an as-of-yet poorly understood aircraft accident in the vicinity of Shaktoolik, Alaska. One of the earliest intact BF-109s is up for grabs from Platinum fighter sales. The 1938 Messerschmitt BF-109E-1 started its career with the Condor Legion in Spain, flying with their Air Force through 1950. It was discharged from official SAF service then, flying as a trainer through 1958. The aircraft made its way int

Pair of ATR 72s to be Outfitted with Refreshed “HighLine” Interior

Malaysian carrier Berjaya Air announced the purchase of an unorthodox pair of aircraft, with a pair of brand-new ATR 72-600s to be outfitted with what the manufacturer calls the ATR HighLine interior. The “All-Business Class” configuration provides a single aisle, 1-by-1 row layout with personal storage space beside each leather-upholstered recliner. It’s a nice looking design, one that looks more like an upscale private jet than a point-to-point regional turboprop. The new aircraft will help Berjaya to rebrand itself into a premium marque to ferry customers throughout its collection of resorts and hotels.

Also: Airbus to Recruit 13,000, Prop Shop Seminar, Looming Machinist Strike, Aviation Talent Forecast

A number of anti-aviation environmental and outdoor recreation groups have filed a lawsuit against U.S. Forest Service officials. The suit alleges the agency, by dint of the named officials’ malfeasance, allowed and even encouraged the 'illegal' use of remote airstrips in an Idaho wilderness. Aerobility is a U.K. charity about the commendable mission of providing disabled individuals access to the liberating, self-affirming, independence-fostering challenge of piloting an aircraft. Through various fundraising initiatives and thoughtful management strate

Stilling the Rattling Sabers

On 27 June 2023, an Ilyushin Il-96-300 aircraft belonging to the special flight detachment of Aeroflot subsidiary Rossiya Airlines landed at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Before the day was out, the aircraft repositioned to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) for reasons as-of-yet unknown. According to TASS, Russia’s state-owned news-agency, the 2007-vintage Il-96, registration RA-96018, traveled to the U.S. for purpose of retrieving a number of Russian diplomats from Washington D.C. and returning such to Moscow.

From 2015 (YouTube Version): The Stunning Technology Behind What Keeps Much Of The Aero-World Flying

In this video we have the pleasure of meeting, J.J. Frigge, the Executive Vice President for Hartzell Propeller, and we receive a personal guided tour of the Hartzell production facility. The Hartzell Propeller Company goes back to the early days of aviation when they were innovators in airplane propeller research and development. The spirit of those days has not been lost on the modern company. The video takes us through the production process of Hartzell propellers that are found on some of the highest performance propeller-driven airplanes. 

Two Dead in Tragic Colonial Beach, VA Mishap

The NTSB has released it preliminary report on a 07 June 2023 accident in which an experimental, amateur-built Vans, RV-6, registration N835BC, was destroyed and its two occupants—a father and son—fatally injured shortly after departing a grass runway in the vicinity of Colonial Beach, Virginia The accident-aircraft was operated as a personal flight under Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations.

Aero Linx: Sun 'n Fun International Fly-in and Expo From its humble beginnings in 1974 as a fly-in for sport aviation enthusiasts, the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo has grown into one of the largest and most successful aviation events on earth. We are Florida’s largest annual convention of any kind, and each year over 200,000 visitors flock to what has become known as “Aviation’s Season Opener” or “Spring Break for Pilots.”

UAS Facility Map (UASFM) Defined grid squares showing maximum altitudes around airports where the FAA may authorize Part 107 sUAS operations without additional safety analysis. The maps should be consulted prior to conducting UAS operations (Part 91, Part 107 or Section 44809) in controlled airspace. The UASFM will aid in determining if the airspace authorization or waivers are necessary. UASFM(s) are charted on the UAS Data Delivery System (UDDS) at the following website address.

“While all eyes are on this weekend’s holiday travel and efforts to mitigate 5G interference with aircraft safety systems, we cannot lose sight of the fact that Congress is poised to pass legislation that contains multiple anti-safety provisions that would introduce even more risk into the U.S. aviation system. Recent flight delays and cancellations are a reminder that the industry is still recovering from the pandemic, and we must remain vigilant in maintaining safety.   Source: ALPA president Captain Jason Ambrosi, speaking in response to Congress -- which allegedly is poised to pass legislation by which aviation safety may be diminished, flight delays and cancellations increased, and the rights of Ame