A Lesson for Those Inclined to Learn

Among the most visited locales at EAA’s AirVenture 2023 is the NASA pavilion. Often a queue of event attendees forms outside the venue, each waiting patiently to enter therein—not only because the space is well air-conditioned, but because it houses a preview of aerospace’s future. Near the pavilion’s center sits a small table atop which a model of a blue-and-white aircraft is displayed. Subject model depicts NASA’s X-57, an unusual high-wing monoplane bristling with underwing pods and fitted with sizable wingtip fixtures—an aircraft that could have been built but wasn’t.

Helicopter v Gyro MidAir... and a T-6 Down in Lake Winnebago

The wind-up weekend of AirVenture 2023 has taken a bad turn. ANN is researching details of what has been reported to be a T-6 that went down in Lake Winnebago, with apparent fatalities, as well as a MidAir collision that involved a Rotorway Exec Helicopter and an ELA Aviacion ELA-10 Eclipse Gyroplane. Just after 0900 local time, reports came in of an accident at Lake Winnebago. A North American T-6 had apparently descended rapidly to the water and went down in an area that was about 20 feet deep.

AirVenture Crowds Find New Home for Beloved Homebuilt

While the order form has been live for a while, Timber Tiger hasn’t really made a big deal out of their newly available Early Bird Jenny kit, a charming little riff on the classic WWI warbird in reduced scale. The Curtis JN-4 Jenny cemented its place in history as a classic barnstormer in the early heyday of aviation, built up through plentiful government surplus and a never-ending roster of daring pilots willing to put the new-old-stock through its paces. Surplus Jennys, of course, have faded into history over the last century, with only 4 airworthy ones left by the late 70s.

A Tale of Two Ethea

The FAA Reauthorization Act ratified by the U.S. House of Representatives on 20 July 2023 includes an amendment permitting Transport Category Aircraft operating under Part 121 of the Federal Aviation Regulations to continue flying with compulsory safety-upgrades only partially completed. Moreover, the legislation allows the Federal Aviation Administration to approve interim aircraft design changes in the absence of public input pertaining thereto. The provisions were lobbied for by Boeing and other aircraft OEMs.

September in San Diego

For members of the aviation teaching and training community, a unique opportunity to share ideas and experiences with your peers from all over the country will come in September, when King Schools hosts its Aviation Education Symposium in San Diego. The first-of-its-kind event will kick off a year-long celebration of John and Martha King’s fifty-years in the aviation education field. Beginning as traveling ground school instructors, the Kings have built a worldwide business of video and online instruction that has helped tens of thousands of pilots and other aviation professionals realize their dreams.

Voice Your Opposition

Currently, the NPS and FAA are working to codify the Bandelier National Monument ATMP, which seeks to eliminate ALL air tour flights over the New Mexico plateau upon which Ancestral Puebloans made their homes between 1150 and 1600 A.D. In addition to dramatically curtailing park access for innumerable elderly, disabled, and very young visitors, the proposed ATMP stands to undermine the air tour industry to a degree commensurate with the forced closures of many smaller air tour operators. Pilots, aviation stakeholders, nature lovers, and all Americans are asked to take action on behalf of the nation’s aerial tour operators by submitting comments to the National Park Service—comments establishing public support for

Connect Breakfast Draws 350 Attendees

Now in its sixteenth year, WomenVenture, a week-long social and networking event for women during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, attracts thousands of women who are part of the aviation community and gather to be inspired, to network, and to have fun together at the Oshkosh airshow. Women in Aviation International (WAI) kicked off WomenVenture Wednesday with WAI’s annual WAI Connect Breakfast followed by the WomenVenture annual group photo on Boeing Plaza with thousands of women in attendance.

Development of XTI TriFan-600 Aircraft Proceeding Apace

Nevada-based Inpixon is a developer and manufacturer of Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) has entered into a definitive merger agreement with Denver-based XTI Aircraft, an aviation concern currently developing the TriFan-600—a fixed-wing, Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft.

Rob Jaap of Sylvan Lake, Alberta Recognized for Aviation Service

This year’s COPA Volunteer Awards have been published, recognizing pilots’ hard work in helping to foster a culture of aviation while going “above and beyond to advance, promote and preserve the Canadian Freedom to Fly in their local communities.” The winner of the President’s Award is Rob Jaap, of Sylvan Lake, Alberta. The straight-tail Cessna pilot spends his time backcountry flying and leading the Innisfail Flying Club.

And, Oh Yeah, The Start of My Next 50…

I’ve known it was coming (unless I did something really stupid)… but its ‘recent’ immediacy is an intellectual and emotional shock to my senses… When I  set foot on Wittman Field for Oshkosh AirVenture once again, it was my 50th such event…. Spanning all the years from age 16 to the present day… and all the lessons, memories, and incredible people that were a part of it all. I’ve come to Oshkosh in a myriad of ways… as part of the Rocket Racing League, in an ultralight all the way from California (at 45-50 mph!). Via Super Cub, Mooney, SR-22, R-22, Meridian, T-6, Long-EZ, and others. But… like Paul Poberezny tol

About 20 Minutes Into The Flight, The Right Engine Lost Power

On June 24, 2023, about 1615 central daylight time, a Cessna 421 airplane, N123SM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Rockport, Texas. The pilot and three passengers were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had flown the airplane from the West Houston Airport (IWS), West Houston, Texas, to the Corpus Christi International Airport (CRP), Corpus Christi, Texas, where he picked up the airplane owner and his friends for a return flight to IWS.

Some You Win, Some Toulouse

Airbus SE reported consolidated financial results for the Half-Year (H1) ended 30 June 2023. The numbers are good.

Amalgamation and Capital

At a special 16 March 2023 meeting, executives of Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc. announced that 99.7-percent of the company’s stockholders had voted in favor of L3Harris Technologies’ proposed acquisition of the storied, El Segundo, California-headquartered aerospace propulsion firm and its diversified holdings. Comes now 28 July 2023 and an announcement from L3Harris—the American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider—heralding the completion of its acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne.

Aero Linx: The International Cessna 170 Association The International Cessna 170 Association (TIC170A) was formed in 1969. We have more than 980 members that own over 1000 Cessna 170s. The purposes TIC170A was formed (per the Constitution) include: A.  To encourage, aid, and engage in the preservation, improvement, and better understanding of the Cessna 170 aircraft. B.   To foster, promote, and engage in aviation education. C.   To provide a source of information about the maintenance and operation of the 170.

Expedite Used by ATC when prompt compliance is required to avoid the development of an imminent situation. Expedite climb/descent normally indicates to a pilot that the approximate best rate of climb/descent should be used without requiring an exceptional change in aircraft handling characteristics.

“It was a very busy and productive week for WAI during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh highlighted by our successful Connect Breakfast and numerous meetups with our members and allies. The WAI team and enthusiastic volunteers had a fantastic week connecting with members and encouraging them to join a WAI Chapter near them, get a mentor or be a mentor with WAI’s new Mentor Connect program, apply for WAI’s upcoming round of scholarships (the value of which is nearing $1-million), and join in the inspirational Girls in Aviation Day events on 23 September 2023.” Source: Speaking of the recently concluded 2023 WomenVenture event, WAI Interim CEO Stephanie Kenyon laid out plans for the future.