Inspector General Unimpressed with Boeing's QC, Conformity, Workforce

NASA's Office of Inspector General published a report looking into the use of Boeing's Space Launch System, and recommended that the company be given "diligent oversight to ensure the contractor delivers a quality space flight system." The program in question largely revolves around a new element that will be added to the SLS Block 1B, the backbone of Artemis IV. In September 2028, the SLS will be used to lift the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle capsule along with the International Habitation Module into lunar orbit...or so NASA plans. That launch will begin lunar orbit operations once it links up with the Gateway Station and Human Landing System in order to send astronaut

The Company’s New Model Proves Its Extensive Capabilities

On August 5th, Piper Aircraft revealed that their new M700 Fury has received the go-ahead for unpaved field operations. This certification highlights the model’s impressive versatility and capability. Being able to operate out of unpaved fields expands the model's environmental adaptability. Deliveries of this model are expected to begin in Q3.

Autonomous Pelican Spray Will Integrate Into Ag Fleet

Pyka, manufacturer of Pelican Spray, the largest autonomous, electric agricultural application aircraft in the world, have announced their first U.S. purchaser is Heinen Brothers Agra Services, one of the largest aerial application providers in North America. Heinen Brothers will begin integrating the aircraft into their extensive ag fleet. This will enhance the company’s capabilities in the South, Midwest, and Western U.S. and the large-scale automation will enable the delivery of its aerial application services during times of peak customer demand. Just a year ago in August 2023, Pyka received FAA authorization for commercial operation of Pelican Spray, the largest UAS ever au

Fatal Australian Crash One Of Four In Two Years Heightens Scrutiny

A military investigation has concluded that the fatal crash of a Marine V-22 Osprey in August 2023 was due to pilot errors during a midair near-miss. It also found that the squadron involved had issues that permitted a lax culture regarding flight safety.

Ambitious Timetable Aims to Produce 650 Midnight eVTOLs per Year

Archer Aviation's biggest facility yet is just about ready, as the firm announced the completion of a 400,000-square-foot factory by year's end.  But there's still a good deal of work to be done, as evidenced by a deeper look into construction. As the calendar flipped the page into August, Archer was only part way through "Phase 2", which saw the placement of the walls and roof. (Phase 1, of course, was the usual foundation and grading work outside.) That's mostly complete, but that leaves Phases 3 and 4 are "on track to be completed in the coming months" - and anyone familiar with building a house, let alone a complex next-generation aviation manufacturing facility knows timeli

SPACECOM Continues to Track Over 300 Pieces of Debris

A Chinese Long March 6A rocket was launched from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on August 6, 2024. Shortly after, observers noticed that the craft’s second stage seemed to break apart. The U.S. Space Command, a branch of the U.S. Department of Defense, later confirmed this on social media and continues to track the debris.

The Organization Celebrates Her Life-Saving Efforts

Sydney Bosmans, a 27-year-old flight attendant for Hop-A-Jet charter company, was able to help save the lives of 2 passengers involved in a fatal plane crash. Her heroic achievements are to be honored by the National Business Aviation Association during their 2024 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). The accident occurred on February 9, 2024, in a Bombardier Challenger 604. It was en route from Columbus, OH to Naples, FL when pilots reported a dual-engine flameout on short final.

Also: New Boeing Boss, Kirby Chambliss, Nat'l Warbird Operators Conference, CV-22 Report

EAA's Jack Pelton is in a good mood... as well he should be... Oshkosh 2024 Attendance was tallied at approximately 686,000 – Highest total on record! (Previous: 677,000 - 2023). The rest of the stats??? Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 16,780 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 18-28, which is an average of approximately 113 takeoffs/landings per hour when the airport is open. The Bob Hoover Academy announced an extr

Just As He Lifted The Airplane’s Tailwheel Off The Ground, The Airplane Immediately Turned Left And Departed The Side Of The Runway

On July 19, 2024, about 1430 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Kitfox Model IV, N788KF, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Palmyra, Pennsylvania. The pilot incurred minor injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, during takeoff from a 40-ft-wide asphalt runway, and just as he lifted the airplane’s tailwheel off the ground, the airplane immediately turned left and departed the side of the runway. The airplane bounced h

From 2023 (YouTube Version): Barking up the Right Tree

Australian-born, the Aeropup is a remarkably robust, fully-customizable, go-anywhere, two-seat, STOL/LSA aircraft. The machine’s rugged, CNC-precision-manufactured chromium-alloy tubular-steel frame surrounds the occupant compartment, protecting those within after the fashion of a high-performance road-vehicle’s roll-cage. The Aeropup’s rugged airframe may be paired with either a conventional (tailwheel) or tricycle (nosewheel) undercarriage, and is borne aloft by an

LOA For 96 AH-64Es Supports Polish KRUK Program

Boeing announced that Poland has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for 96 of its AH-64E Apache combat helicopters.

Aero Linx: International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA)

International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA) is comprised of individuals, schools and ministry organizations. We seek to encourage a spirit of collaboration and cooperation between organizations as they serve Christ around the world. Take a moment to visit our pages to learn more about us and about how you can be a part of our organization.

Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) An FAA-registered aircraft, other than a helicopter or powered-lift, that meets certain weight and performance. Principally it is a single-engine aircraft with a maximum of two seats and weighing no more than 1,430 pounds if intended for operation on water, or 1,320 pounds if not. It must be of simple design (fixed landing gear (except if intended for operations on water or a glider), piston powered, nonpressurized, with a fixed or ground adjustable propeller). Performance is also limited to a maximum airspeed in level flight of not more than 120 knots calibrated airspeed (CAS), have a maximum never-exceed speed of not more than 120 knots CAS for a glider, and have a maximu

“Thanks to the hard work of the Archer and Stellantis teams, we’re tracking towards completing this manufacturing facility by the end of the year. Once complete, we’ll focus on ramping production up to 650 aircraft a year—our goal is to be the first in the eVTOL industry to achieve scaled manufacturing.” Source: Adam Goldstein, Archer CEO, discussing how Archer Aviation's biggest facility yet is just about ready, as the firm announced the completion of a 400,000-square-foot factory by year's end.