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A federal grand jury in the Northern District of Texas returned an indictment charging a former Chief Technical Pilot for The Boeing Company with deceiving the FAA’s Aircraft Evaluation Group (AEG) in connection with their evaluation of the Boeing 737 MAX, as well as scheming to defraud Boeing’s U.S.-based airline customers to obtain tens of millions of dollars for Boeing. Mark A. Forkner, 49, former Chief Technical Pilot for Boeing, has been charged with two counts of fraud involving aircraft parts in interstate commerce and four counts of w

Also: Jaunt Air Mobility, Mars Helo Chief, Electra eSTOL, BepiColombo

A final flight time of 8 days, 50 minutes, and 47 seconds covering 12,200 miles of continuous flight was achieved when the Vanilla Unmanned prototype ISR UAS touched down October 2. It created the newest world record for unrefueled, internal combustion endurance of an unmanned aircraft. The ET-CTF has been essential to the development of Vanilla’s prototype drone aircraft, trying to create a cost-effective, airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance demands for long-term periods aloft. Honda Motor Company recently released its ambitious "2030 Vision", an series of c

Organization Is Helping Pilots with Disabilities

The EAA fields a lot of calls through its volunteer aeromedical program, often asked about a variety of disabilities that some prospective aviators feel could prevent them from licensure. While some conditions do preclude students from attaining their desired level of training, many members are surprised to find out just how many can be overcome. Their newest effort to assist those with unique challenges is The Adapt to Fly Scholarship fund, designed to help those with disabilities enter the world of aviation. Totalling $5,000 through EAA’s Flight Training Scholarship Program, applications are accepted through November 1.

A Yuma Air Branch EC120 Crew Conducted The Initial Aerial Patrol In The Mesquite Mountain Region

Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Yuma Air Branch aircrews and Ajo Station Border Patrol agents rescued an individual in distress in Southern Arizona on October 5. Recently, a Yuma Air Branch EC120 crew conducted an aerial patrol in the Mesquite Mountain region of Southwest Arizona. The pilot located a single male who appeared to be in distress, prompting a landing to assess the situation. An agent learned that the undocumented individual had been left behind by a group because he could not keep up, because of a foot injury.

We're Not Sure That A Five-Stripe Uniform Will Fix Much, Klyde

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Will Be The 11th Base

Life Link III plans to open a new base of operations in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in spring 2022. This new base, which marks the company’s eleventh helicopter base location throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin, will provide additional air medical resources with industry-leading clinical capabilities to support Life Link III’s consortium member-owners and surrounding communities. “Together, Life Link III and Essentia, as well as our valued healthcare, public safety and EMS partners, will work collaboratively to ensure an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and exceptional patient care.”

Airflow’s 9-Passenger Hauler to Come? 

Airflow, an AAM company working on their 4 and 9-passenger electric STOL aircraft, has announced a new investment from Plug Power Inc. Known for their hydrogen engines and mobility fueling systems, Plug will help in the development and certification of a hydrogen fuel cell for short haul regional aircraft. Their new agreement with Airflow is hoped to bring their ProGen hydrogen cells to a wider market of vehicles, later branching to a wide spectrum of missions and aircraft types in the aviation industry.

Helicopter Crew Hoisted The Fishing Vessel’s Master, Who Was Experiencing Chest Pains

It's been yet another busy week for the air wing of the US Coast Guard. Afew days ago, the Coast Guard medevaced a man from a fishing vessel 40 miles off Baffin Bay, Texas. Coast Guard Sector/Air Station Corpus Christi command center watchstanders received a medevac request via VHF-FM channel 16 at 5:23 a.m. from the fishing vessel The Jake M stating the vessel's 58-year-old master was experiencing chest pains and an accelerated heart rate. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac. A Coast Guard Sector/Air Station MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew launched to assist.

From SnF 2021: ASR Takes Over The Iconic Strong Enterprises Parachute Operation

Aviation Safety Resources has acquired Strong Enterprises, turning them into one of the world’s parachute technology powerhouses overnight. In addition to announcements in which ASR chutes will be included in a number of new airframes, the strong deal is a massive development in the civil, commercial, and military segments. ASR reached an agreement with Marcie LaVanway to acquire 100% of the stock of Strong Enterprises -- who designs, engineers, tests

Remotely Operated Cargo Operations Expanding

Reliable Robotics has raised $100 million in a Series C funding round for further development of their Remotely Operated Aircraft System. Breaking from other unmanned aerial platforms, Reliable's technology is independent from any one aircraft, capable of future fitment across a multitude of planes. The funding round, led by Coatue Management, brings a fresh infusion of capital to Reliable's research, enabling them to scale up its aircraft certification program and expedite the launch of commercial cargo operations. On the offering, Jaimin Rangwalla, Senior Managing Director at Coatue, said the team's progress and track record so far gave them confidence. "We believe Reliable Robotics is a leader i

Flight Crew Reported Receiving An No. 2 Engine Fire Warning, Discharged Both Fire Bottles

On October 2, 2021, about 17:14 eastern standard time, an Airbus A320-271N neo, registration number N922NK, operated by Spirit Airlines as flight number 4922, and powered by two International Aero Engines PW 1127G-JM turbofan geared engines experience a right (No. 2) engine bird strike and subsequent engine fire during takeoff roll from the Atlantic City International Airport (ACY), Atlantic City, New Jersey. The flight crew reported receiving an No. 2 engine fire warning, discharged both fire bottles, aborted the takeoff at a groundspeed of about 90 knots and stopped the airplane on the runway.

AD 2021-20-12 Prompted By Failure Of An Emergency Flotation System (EFS) Float Compartment To Inflate

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Leonardo S.p.a. Model AB139, AW139, AB412, and AB412 EP helicopters. This AD was prompted by failure of an Emergency Flotation System (EFS) float compartment to inflate during maintenance of the EFS. This AD requires inspecting certain EFSs and depending on the results, marking certain parts or removing certain parts from service, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD, which is incorporated by reference. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 22, 2021.

Aero Linx: Civil Air Navigation Services Organization CANSO is the global voice of the air traffic management industry. As the industry association, we bring the world’s air navigation service providers, leading industry innovators and air traffic management specialists together to share knowledge, develop best practice and shape the future for secure and seamless airspace. Together we are experts, we are innovators and we are the architects of future ATM.

Marker Beacon An electronic navigation facility transmitting a 75 MHz vertical fan or boneshaped radiation pattern. Marker beacons are identified by their modulation frequency and keying code, and when received by compatible airborne equipment, indicate to the pilot, both aurally and visually, that he/she is passing over the facility.

“Because of the intense heat and potential for dehydration, the challenging terrain, and the injuries the man sustained, the stranded man would not have survived without the rescue efforts of the Yuma Air Branch aircrews and our Tucson Sector Border Patrol partners.” Source: CBP/AMO Supervisory Air and Marine Agent, Isidro Linares, describing the Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Yuma Air Branch aircrews and Ajo Station Border Patrol agents actions in rescuing an individual in distress in Southern Arizona on October 5.