LauncherOne Rocket Deployed 10 CubeSats Into The Team’s Target Orbit

Virgin Orbit confirmed that its LauncherOne rocket reached space during the company’s second launch demonstration Sunday, successfully deploying 10 payloads for NASA’s Launch Services Program (LSP). Virgin Orbit’s launch system uses a technique called air launch, in which a rocket is launched from under the wing of a jet aircraft, rather than from a traditional launch pad on the ground. In addition to improving the payload capacity of the rocket, this technique allows the LauncherOne system to be the world’s most flexible and responsive launch service — flying on short notice and from a wide variety of locations to access any orbit.

Also: Alaska Airlines 737 MAX, Super Bowl LV, COVID-19 Test Requirement, Atlas' Last 747-8s

ANN received official confirmation that COVID concerns have again halted a sport aviation event. And lets face it this was something many of us were looking forward to. The January 30th DeLand 'Flyway to Highway' event, under the direction of the folks who conduct the annual DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase, which was was designed to be an interim event to help the industry gather a bit before their main event next November, BUT, it’s now officially OFF.  It was a beautiful thing to see... Blue Origin su

Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge of Recklessly Operating Drone

As previously noted, a CA drone pilot was arrested on suspicion of his having flown his hobby drone into an LAPD helo. Now, this overtly errant drone pilot has pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge that he recklessly operated a drone that crashed into and damaged the fuselage of a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter. Andrew Rene Hernandez, 22, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft. According to his plea agreement, on September 18, 2020, at approximately 12:18 a.m., Hernandez heard police vehicles driving near his residence and a police helicopter flying overhead. Curious about the commotion, Hernandez launched a drone that he owne

Heavyweights Like Robinson and Bell (Among Others) Will Not Be There

Heli-Expo 2021 may not be all that difficult to get around in... despite aggressive efforts by HAI to assure exhibitors and attendees that they expect to have a safe event. HAI has dug in their heels and seems bound and determined to pull this off -- and restore some normalcy and score a positive event on behalf of the imperiled commercial aviation industry... despite a number of vendors pulling out on the last allowable cancellation day.... some with big names like Sikorsky, Airbus, Bell and Robinson.

This Concludes The Department’s Review Of The Aircraft

The Government of Canada seems to think it knows more about the 737 Max dilemma than the FAA and has set additional conditions above and beyond that of the FAA, in order to return the beleaguered jet to service. Transport Canada has issued an Airworthiness Directive for the Boeing 737 MAX which outlines the required modifications to be made to the aircraft prior to a return to service in Canadian airspace. This concludes the department’s review of the aircraft.

Mr. Spencer Was The 76th Secretary Of The Navy

Aviation Safety Resources, Inc., (ASR), has appointed Mr. Richard V. Spencer to its Board of Directors in conjunction with his recent investment into ASR. “ASR is delighted to welcome Mr. Spencer to our board of directors," commented Larry Williams, President and CEO of the Company. "Mr. Spencer brings with him a wealth of industry operational experience. His experience strengthens ASR’s board. We look forward to working with Richard as we advance ASR towards more and more significant milestones.” Mr. Richard V. Spencer, Board Member, was the 76th Secretary of the Navy.

Moran Once Flew Bombers For The US Air Force

It's an amazing statistic... Col. Bill Moran, former New Hampshire Wing commander, flew his 1,000th Civil Air Patrol Instructor Pilot/Check Pilot sortie Nov. 22, despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. "A big congratulations to one of our own," said Mike Moyer, CAP's senior program manager for standardization and evaluation, who announced the feat and described Moran as "a consummate professional to Civil Air Patrol."

From 2019: Celebrating Women In Aviation At AirVenture 2019

WomenVenture is largest gathering of passionate female aviators and aviation enthusiasts, held each year during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh since 2008. 2019 marked the 12th year for the celebration. Activities included a networking social, annual group photo with more than 1,000 women on Boeing Plaza, and a ‘Power Lunch’ with keynote speaker U.S. Air Force Col. Kim “Killer Chick” Campbell. Since 2008, EAA WomenVenture has offered the opportunity to bring together female aviators from throughout the flying community.

Victory for Business Aviation in Final IRS Rules for Management Companies

NBAA's requests for favorable inclusions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), apear to have been answeered... and the association seems happy with what heas resulted to this point -- and will 'provide certainty and clarity for aircraft management companies and owners regarding their federal excise tax (FET) obligations.' In 2017, lawmakers introduced key tax reforms, such as 100% bonus depreciation for new and pre-owned property, including business aircraft. The TCJA also made clear the 7.5% FET on commercial air transportation is not due when owners conduct flights on their own aircraft with a management company’s assistance.

Also: Duncan Aviation, Living Legends of Aviation Postponed, Tailwind Technologies, Boeing 4-Q

An extraordinary effort reached a milestone this week... the first flight AND return of a painstakingly handcrafted replica of the Spirit of St Louis -- The Spirit of St Louis 2. Piloted by Robert Ragozzino, the bird made a 15-20 minute first flight and returned to a hangar in Bethany OKlahoma, for a chance to debrief and 'de-squawk' the bird before the resumption of the flight test program. What's this about? The goal of the SOS2 project is to recreate Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo flight from New York to Par

One Hour After The Departure, The Pilot Experienced A Loss Of Engine Power

On August 9, 2020, at 0800 Pacific daylight time, a Page/Le Master, Vari-eze experimental airplane, N2ZE, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Kelso Valley, California. The pilot sustained serious injury and the passenger sustained minor injury. The airplane was operated as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated he departed California City Municipal Airport (L71),California City, California, with 16 gallons of fuel on board. About one hour after the departure, the pilot experienced a loss of engine power.

Aero Linx: Parkwater Foundation Founded in 2007, Spokane Turbine Center dba Parkwater Foundation (The Foundation) is a 501 (c)(3) organization that offers funders the opportunity to make an impact through aviation educational opportunities. Its adult program contributes to healthy and vibrant communities by serving the aviation organizations that provide global emergency response, disaster relief, and/or missions aviation. The Foundation has its origins in providing highly subsidized aviation training to humanitarian aid and missions aviation professionals that operate the KODIAK 100 aircraft, an aircraft that was originally designed by missionaries for missionaries in Sandpoint, ID...

Stop Altitude Squawk Used by ATC to instruct a pilot to turn off the automatic altitude reporting feature of the aircraft transponder and ADS-B Out. It is issued when a verbally reported altitude varies by 300 feet or more from the automatic altitude report.

"After careful consideration, Robinson Helicopter Company made the difficult decision, in light of the current COVID situation, to forego this year's HAI Heli-Expo in March. Heli-Expo is a yearly highlight and we are sorry to miss it, however, we will look forward to seeing our dealers, customers and friends in Dallas, 2022." Source: Robinson Boss, Kurt Robinson, explaining the company's decision to stay home and miss this year's Heli-Expo event in New Orleans.