Also: GA UK Restrictions, Educational UAS Protections, Duncan Aviation Interns, CAE USAF KC-135 Training

The flight school business is one of the few that seems both intent and surprisingly successful surviving even during a pandemic. As such, the community is readying a critically important get-together to takes notes and learn from each other as well as a great line-up of speakers and instructors in just a few more weeks. Flight school operators, chief flight instructors, and persons considering opening a flight school should take special note of the upcoming International Flight School Operators Conf

'Ideal' Aircraft For Their Skydiving Operations

The delivery of a Kodiak 100 to Héli-Béarn makes this air services company the first French customer for the aircraft. Among the Kodiak 100’s duties for Héli-Béarn – which is based at Pau-Pyrénées Airport in southwestern France – will be skydiving operations. In the skydiving configuration, the aircraft is equipped with a sliding door and accommodates up to 15 skydivers. Benefitting from its rapid climb capability of 9 min. 30 sec. to an altitude of 12,000 ft., the Kodiak 100 can perform an average of four rotations per hour for the deployment of parachutists.

Launches New On-Landing Parachute Release Device

Fruity Chutes has launched the Raven On-Landing Parachute Release (ROPR), a device that allows a parachute to be automatically released from a payload upon landing. This mitigates potential damage caused by wind that could otherwise drag a valuable payload after landing. Unlike other on-landing release devices, the Raven On-Landing Parachute Release is designed specifically for UAV and rocketry use and is lightweight, compact, and easy to use.

Will Pursue The Testing Of Hybrid And Electric Propulsion Technologies

Airbus Helicopters has started in-flight tests on board its Flightlab, a platform-agnostic flying laboratory exclusively dedicated to maturing new technologies. Airbus Helicopters’ Flightlab provides a test bed to quickly test technologies that could later equip Airbus’ current helicopter range, and even more disruptive ones for future fixed-wing aircraft or (e)VTOL platforms. Airbus Helicopters intends to pursue the testing of hybrid and electric propulsion technologies with its Flightlab demonstrator, as well as exploring autonomy, and other technologies aimed at reducing helicopter sound levels or improving maintenance and flight safety.

Klyde Has To Be VERY Careful About What He Says...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

From 2017: Major Engine Supplier Joins Forces With Small Aircraft Manufacturer…

GE recently made an agreement with Venom Aircraft to supply engines for the kit-built airplane which the company hopes can gain some traction in the military and para-military market. Roy Plackis, Director of Operations for Venom Aerospace, told ANN news editor Tom Patton at Sun 'n Fun in April that the engine that is being offered with the airplane is a GE H-80 family engine producing 750 horsepower. It will cruise at 350 knots, and will climb anywhere between 6,000 and 6,500 feet per minute, Plackis said.

Delivery Of This Aircraft Is Expected In The First Quarter Of 2021

Kaman Air Vehicles has received a signed purchase agreement for a K-MAX medium-to-heavy lift helicopter. Delivery of this aircraft is expected in the first quarter of 2021 and follows the delivery of two aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2020. “We are excited for the opportunity to deliver our third K-MAX aircraft in the last two quarters. Our industry and our operators are benefiting from the cost effective repetitive lift mission capability of the K-MAX,” stated Roger Wassmuth Senior Director, Business Development.

Will Be New HQ, Engineering, Manufacturing And Testing Facility

magniX is setting an HQ in Everett, Washington. Featuring over 40,000 square feet, magniX's new facilities will consolidate all of its Australia and Redmond operations under one roof to be home to the global headquarters, engineering, manufacturing and testing of its electric propulsion systems. magniX's consolidation in Everett has already resulted in additional employees being hired and more job openings becoming available.

Attempted An Air Restart, But Was Unsuccessful

On January 13, 2021, about 1350 mountain standard time, a Hughes 269C helicopter, N7480F, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Spanish Fork, Utah. The instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the flight instructor, they performed an uneventful preflight inspection, started the helicopter and transitioned into a hover. The pilot receiving instruction reported that during the engine run-up, which was performed at 2,500 rpm, they reduced engine power to idle and observed normal rotor and rpm separation.

AD 2021-01-02 Requires Repetitively Inspecting The PPC For Proper Torque

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for M7 Aerospace LLC Models SA26-AT and SA26-T airplanes. This AD was prompted by reports of the airplane power lever linkage detaching from the TPE331 engine propeller pitch  control (PPC) shaft. This AD requires repetitively inspecting the PPC for proper torque and making any necessary corrections until the replacement of the PPC assembly and the installation of a secondary retention feature (safety wire) are done. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective February 26, 2021.

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Special Activity Airspace (SAA) Any airspace with defined dimensions within the National Airspace System wherein limitations may be imposed upon aircraft operations. This airspace may be restricted areas, prohibited areas, military operations areas, air ATC assigned airspace, and any other designated airspace areas. The dimensions of this airspace are programmed into EDST and can be designated as either active or inactive by screen entry. Aircraft trajectories are constantly tested against the dimensions of active areas and alerts issued to the applicable sectors when violations are predicted.

“Investing in the future remains essential, even in times of crisis, especially when those innovations bring added value to our customers by targeting increased safety, reduced pilot workload, and reduced sound levels. Having a dedicated platform to test these new technologies brings the future of flight a step closer and is a clear reflection of our priorities at Airbus Helicopters.”  Source: Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters CEO, describing Airbus Helicopters' Flightlab, a platform-agnostic flying laboratory exclusively dedicated to maturing new technologies. Airbus Helicopters’ Flightlab provides a test bed to quickly test technologies that could later equip Airbus’ current helicopter range, and even