Newest Eagle Variant Reaches Milestone

The newest version of the Air Force’s favorite workhorse, the Eagle, has completed its first-ever operation test mission at Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada. The F-15EX Eagle II was accompanied by its predecessors, F-15Cs and F-15Es for a week-long simulated mission to evaluate its performance and serviceability compared to legacy aircraft. Introduced in 1972, the original Eagle has been developed into a potent tool in the Air Force arsenal after 5 decades of experience, enhancement, and development. The Air Force accepted delivery of the two currently extant F-15EXes last spring, hoping it will survive fleet cuts in air force inventory to fewer types and models. Current plans would leave the Eagle II

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The Citation Jet Pilots Owner Pilot Association (CJP), the largest organization for operators of the Cessna Citation series of light jets, has successfully completed 12 months of accident and incident-free flights. They say their dedication to safe operation through continual education is key to the accomplishment. David Miller, director of programs and safety education for the CJP Safety and Education Foundation, believes their efforts have paid off. Whatever projects they pursue, their market penetration and unique approach towards the end-user tends to have an effe

Blackfly Flies Under Part 103 Ultralight Regs

Hot on the heels of a successful demonstration at AirVenture 2021, we check in with CEO Marcus Leng about Opener’s upcoming Blackfly. The carbon colored, all-electric VTOL aircraft is capable of operation from any kind of surface, even amphibious landings on fresh water. With a scant 313 pound max gross takeoff weight, it flies under Part 103 rules for ultralight aircraft. Pilots will soon be able to enjoy a 30-mile full-charge range, 1,200 foot service ceiling, and 62 mph top speed. When using a 240-volt quick charger, the aircraft can be charged in half an hour.

“I Just Ran Away… Like I Had Another 30 Horsepower on the Engine Compared to the Other One”

World champion aerobatic aviator Sean Tucker has received field approval for the use of a Hartzell composite three-blade Talon performance prop on the first of four tandem seat GB1 GameBirds operated by his new team. The U.S. Composites GameBird features a 303 horsepower Lycoming AEIO-580 engine, with a stock four-blade, wood-core prop in factory trim. The light weight, unlimited aerobatic competitor is ordinarily plenty fast in stock trim, but Tucker says the Talon brings out the best in the plane. When comparing two GB1’s back to back, with nearly uniform characteristics, differing only in propeller fitment, the disparity was

Vegas Strip Gets a High-Speed, Neon Makeover

Next year's CES, the Consumer Technology Association’s banner event for all things technology, has a new opening act to kick off the show. The Drone Racing League (DRL), will close out their 2021 Algorand World Championship Season on the infamous Vegas Strip itself, in Las Vegas Nevada. The DRL is a perfect companion piece for the event, as the world watches the newest advances in consumer technology, the core of the racing series. Unlike traditional sports, the equipment takes center stage, with the rapid pace of UAV advancement bringing continuous upgrades to each race. This year, 5G networking was offered to the drones, allowing for near instantaneous first-person view for the operato

High-Powered Laser Proliferation, Tech, Increases Contacts

The FAA has noted the increase in laser strikes for aircraft in 2021, as the industry sees the highest number of incidents since 2016. The FAA has received 7,186 reports of laser contacts, already exceeding the 2020 total of 6,852. The FAA warning reminds operators that sufficiently powerful lasers can “completely incapacitate” and temporarily blind pilots, a dangerous enough proposition for common general aviation targets surrounded by suburbs- but far more perilous when occurring to an airliner carrying hundreds of passengers. Those found shining their lasers at aircraft face FAA fines of $11,000 per violation with a cap of $30,800 for multiples. The FAA has only issued

Government Quest for Quieter, More Efficient Aircraft Continues

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada has announced the approval of their Dash 8-400 turboprop as the first regional aircraft, and only turboprop, to meet the newer, more stringent ICAO chapter 14 noise emission standards. The aircraft is also now certified to stage 5 standards set by the FAA, making it an attractive offering for regional routes that overfly densely populated, noise-sensitive areas. The Dash 8-400 features six-bladed Dowty propellers on Pratt & Whitney PW150A engines, with an Active Noise and Vibration Suppression (ANVS) system that reduces the effective propeller noise inside the cabin for maximum passenger comfort. With extensive acoustic engineering to mitigate

Aircorps, Dynon, Kaney, and teTra Join the Manufacturing Association

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association, an international trade association,  has added four new additions to the fold, with three members and one associate member. The first, AirCorps Aviation, was founded in 2011 as a Warbird Restoration company. The last decade has led to build-to-print part fabrication, full restoration, parts manufacturing, inspections, and reverse engineering for pieces long out of production. For operators of vintage aircraft, AirCorps can use its imaging systems to generate an accurate CAD model of the part, then build digital records and drawings to preserve the data, or to move it to production.

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Swedish company Jetson has officially launched their ONE, a commercially available, personal electric aircraft with VTOL capabilities. The cockpit is flanked by four twin rotors, and the folding, ultralight vehicle appears ready for sale in its recently released promotional video. The ONE appears suited for the recreational crowd, with space for a single pilot and… well, there’s probably somewhere to wedge a granola bar somewhere in that tubing. Piloting is accomplished by a fighter like HOTAS configuration, with the right hand controlling three axes

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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

Experience(d) A Right (No. 2) Engine Bird Strike And Subsequent Engine Fire During Takeoff Roll

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 2021-20-11 Prompted By Reports Of Incorrectly Staked Spherical Bearings In The Directional Control Bellcrank Assembly

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Bell Textron Canada Limited (type certificate previously held by Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) Model 429 helicopters. This AD was prompted by reports of incorrectly staked spherical bearings in the directional control bellcrank assembly. This AD requires a one-time inspection of the lower surface of the spherical bearing in the directional control bellcrank assembly to determine if it is properly staked and, depending on the findings, applicable corrective actions. For certain helicopters, this AD also requires repetitive inspections and, depending on t

Aero Linx: The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) For over 100 years, the American aerospace and defense industry has shaped the world around us in countless ways with immeasurable impact. Today, we are critical to the health of the U.S. economy—and a seamless, fundamental part of daily life. So today more than ever, it’s vital that the industry has a strong voice speaking on its behalf. The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) has been that voice since 1919. Our work as an advocate and convener is essential to shaping policy, shedding light on the industry’s impact and empowering its future. CEO-level officers from across our more than 300 member companies guide these efforts

Offshore/Control Airspace Area That portion of airspace between the U.S. 12 NM limit and the oceanic CTA/FIR boundary within which air traffic control is exercised. These areas are established to provide air traffic control services. Offshore/Control Airspace Areas may be classified as either Class A airspace or Class E airspace.

"Our Championship Race will showcase the incredible collaboration between T-Mobile and the Drone Racing League on the greatest stage for the world's top technology leaders. Our must-attend event will unveil groundbreaking technology, cutting edge sports competition and visually stunning entertainment..." Source: DRL President Rachel Jacobson explains why a race during CES2022 is the perfect starter for the world famous tech expo. The Vegas strip will get a high-tech makeover, with thousands of LED lights marking the tight, winding confines of the neon-colored race course.