Small-Timer Gets a Win in Court, but the Battles Are Far From Over

A lawsuit against Boeing from shuttered electric aircraft startup Zunum went against the big manufacturer, with the jury awarding the little upstart $81 million in damages. Zunum had pressed the case saying that Boeing's investment during a seed round was actually a covert technology transfer, allowing the big dog to snatch its nascent technology and beat the smaller company to market. Zunum was working on a hybrid aircraft to tackle the small regional jet market, anticipating a shift in the travel market. The jury believed its case that Boeing's actions were "willful and malicious", which opens the door for even more damages to be awarded. 

Last of its Kind to Make Rare Showing at 71st Fly-In

As time runs out before AirVenture 2024, the Royal Canadian Air Force has confirmed it will make an appearance with a vintage WWII Avro Lancaster Mark X, the last example of the breed on the continent. The addition of the Canadian bird will bring out plenty of their other gear, too, with the Lancaster being accompanied by the Canadian Forces CF-18 demo team. It's a rare showing for one of the "rarest warbirds in North America" for the 71st edition of the country's biggest fly-in.

eVTOL Developer Now Hunting for UAS Contracts

Joby Aviation snapped up Xwing Inc. in the hopes of bolstering its Autonomy Division, using the firm's Superpilot software suite. Joby apparently felt that it was easier just to grab something off the shelf instead of starting from square one, and Xwing was fairly good to go. In operation since 2016, the firm had made Superpilot to be the "world’s first fully autonomous gate-to-gate flight technology", using it to complete hundreds of fully automated flights and even more auto-landings.

Improvement Brings LSA to Poland, Germany, & Hungary

Czech LSA manufacturer Direct Fly has given its low-wing, tricycle geared LSA an upgrade, with a bump to a max takeoff weight of 600kg. The news comes after their Light Aircraft Association, their domestic aero regulator, approved the takeoff weight increase for the Alto NG. The change isn't anything too new for US buyers, since local Alto NG's are good to go at our full 1,320-pound max, but the approval does pave the way for the firm to begin selling the Alto NG in Poland, Germany, and Hungary.

Autonomy Developer Picks Most Wanted

Merlin's completed test flights with the KC-135 have borne just some fruit, with the firm's recent publication of updated tasking for their autonomy development team. They point to a trio of tasks that they put at the top of their to-do list, including automated checklist procedures, dynamic navigation, and emergency landing. Merlin stressed that they aren't just doing it all in a vacuum either, since they're working with "human pilot expertise to build a comprehensive autonomy framework that underpins the full suite of pilot skills and supports a safer, more scalable and resilient air network."

After Years of Lag, Stakeholders Discover 'Prevention' Worth Just as Much as 'Cure'

In the usual run-up to summer, the wildfire industry is getting ready for another "hot one", as they seemingly have every year for the last decade or more. Even if it's just media bluster, it's nifty to know someone's on the case, ready to strike pop up fires and head off crises before they can spin out of control. The US National Guard signaled their readiness after a small roundtable designed to bring attention to readiness, though not everyone is on the same level of wildfire risk.

Also: uAvionix AV-Link, F-16 Viper Demo, TN National Guard, 'Staff the Towers'

A Saturday afternoon jump run, originating from SkyDive Kansas City, went bad when it was reported that, "a Skydiver premature parachute deployment at 14,000 msl damag(ed) the tail section." The turbine-upgraded Cessna 206, N29173, was abandoned by the pilot, who made a safe and successful jump, though the aircraft is a total loss. The parachute-equipped jump pilot exited the aircraft after all six jumpers had cleared the aircraft. The fourth flight test of Starship could launch as soon as June 5, pending regulatory approval. SpaceX notes that Starship’s third fli

Also: uAvionix AV-Link, F-16 Viper Demo, TN National Guard, 'Staff the Towers'

A Saturday afternoon jump run, originating from SkyDive Kansas City, went bad when it was reported that, "a Skydiver premature parachute deployment at 14,000 msl damag(ed) the tail section." The turbine-upgraded Cessna 206, N29173, was abandoned by the pilot, who made a safe and successful jump, though the aircraft is a total loss. The parachute-equipped jump pilot exited the aircraft after all six jumpers had cleared the aircraft. The fourth flight test of Starship could launch as soon as June 5, pending regulatory approval. SpaceX notes that Starship’s third flight tes

Klyde Is Getting Mighty Tired of The Waiting Game

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Helix Grants Optimized, Lighter, Slimmer Seats with Bigger IFE

RTX's Collins Aerospace showed off its new Helix main cabin seat suite aimed at aircraft overhaulers and operators, providing an in-flight system that cuts weight and adds comfort for those in the cattle car. The Helix seat is more than just a bigger screen in a traditional seat, being a full product in its own right. The Helix suite sports increased underseat storage and minimized weight impact while supposedly providing a similar level of comfort to legacy seating. Seatbacks can be had with a large touchscreen for those raking it in with in-flight entertainment. In a more down-to-Earth approach to saving money and keeping things timeless, Collins offers the Helix without any of that

Pilot’s Failure To Engage The Turbocharger For Takeoff And His Improper Decision To Continue The Takeoff... 

Analysis: The owner recently purchased the experimental amateur-built, modified airplane. He did not have a lot of experience in the make and model airplane, so he hired the accident pilot to conduct the first flight since recent modifications. Witness statements and recorded video showed that during the takeoff roll from the 5,500-ftlong asphalt runway, the airplane  accelerated slower than normal, used more runway than normal, and lifted off the runway in a nose-high attitude.

From 2012 (YouTube Version): Updates To Proven Zenith Designs...

While at the U.S. LSA Expo 2012, ANN News Editor Tom Patton speaks with Sebastien Heintz, the Owner and President of the Zenith Aircraft Company. Tom’s first question was to ask what’s new with the Zenith Zodiac 650. Heintz said the Zodiac 650 is the newest in a long line of successful Zodiac aircraft. The 650 has a new style canopy, a new style rudder assembly, and the demonstrator is fitted with the new UL Power 350iS engine. The discussion moved on to the Zen

Aero Linx: MC-12W Liberty The MC-12W is a medium-to low-altitude, twin-engine turboprop aircraft. Its primary mission is providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support directly to ground forces. The MC-12W is a joint forces air component commander asset in support of the joint force commander.

Airport Taxi Charts

Designed to expedite the efficient and safe flow of ground traffic at an airport. These charts are identified by the official airport name; e.g., Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

"To advance autonomous flight systems, our focus remains on automating pilot skills that enhance efficiency but most importantly, prioritize safety at every stage. Progressing these skills underscores our commitment to gradually integrate automation with human pilots so that eventually these systems can autonomously perform tasks and alleviate the current constraints aviation faces such as pilot availability, training requirements, and crew rest." Source: Alex Naiman, Merlin Chief Technology Officer, remarking as Merlin's completed test flights with the KC-135 have borne just some fruit, with the firm's recent publication of updated tasking for their autonomy development team.