SG Investment America Acquires Assets, Future Looks Murky

ICON Aircraft has successfully completed the sale of essentially all its assets to investment banking group SG Investment America (which apparently/ultimately is derived from Chinese ownership), who will continue to operate the company (for now) under the name ICON Aircraft. Jason Huang will lead the company through the transition after joining ICON as President in 2020. Huang expressed enthusiasm for the company’s future, saying, “I am thrilled to be guiding ICON Aircraft into its next phase of growth and development. Our focus will be on ensuring a smooth transition and capitalizing on new opportunities that will drive the company forward. The future holds great promise f

Fallible Technology At Heart Of The Issue

Airline pilots from around the world are very concerned about what they consider to be a potential threat to the safety and security of passengers during commercial air travel: reducing the number of pilots on the flight deck. Given that nearly all airliners are flown by a Captain and a First Officer, that means the safety of airline passengers would be entrusted to Single-Pilot operations. No pilot thinks this is a good idea, as evidenced by the letter sent by the Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA) to Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, who has been a proponent of increasing automation and reducing flight crews in airliners.

Agreements Signal Apache Purchase Nearing

The Defense Ministry of Poland has signed offset deals with Boeing and GE worth nearly $255 million. The deals bring the NATO ally closer to its purchase of 96 Apache AH-64E helicopters for $12 biillion, approved by the U.S. in 2023. Offset deals assist the country buying arms and matériel from abroad by cooperation between foreign suppliers and companies at home. In this case, the Boeing deal is worth $102 million and Poland will be able to cover maintenance support and maintenance training for the Apaches.

Builds On Bilateral U.S.-Australian Agreement

Electric air taxi manufacturer Joby announced it has formally applied for its aircraft to be certified in Australia. The company’s application is submitted to Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) to validate the aircraft’s U.S. FAA type certification solidifies a previous bilateral agreement between CASA and the U.S. Approval of the certification would signal the introduction of emissions-free commercial air taxi services in Australia.

Vertical Flight Society Runs Student Challenge

The Vertical Flight Society (VFS), as the leading non-profit organization promoting vertical flight, hosts a premier competition for students in the field. The VFS announced the appointment of Adithya Ramaswami to serve as the Chair of the VFS Student Competition. The VFS Student Competition is a global Design-Build-Vertical-Flight challenge that encourages university students to learn and develop the knowledge and hands-on skills of uncrewed (UAS) and eVTOL aircraft technology. The overarching goal is to prepare the next generation of engineers and leaders for success in this transformational segment of aviation.

Klyde Senses That Not All Is Right With The Airline 'Force'

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

TFC4000 Frequency Converter Approved on Several Gulfstream Models

True Blue Power, a division of Mid-Continent Instrument Company, Inc., announced the approval of a Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for its TFC4000 Frequency Converter on Gulfstream G450, G550, G650, and G650ER aircraft. The TFC4000 is 30% lighter than competing converters and is the quietest on the market. Its silicon carbide technology, plenum cooling, and custom magnetics yield higher efficiency and better protection for internal components against moisture and other contaminants. True Blue partnered with top certification resource Sterling Helicopter to develop the STC.

Flight Training Alliance Commences Training For ITA Airways

Flight Training Alliance (FTA) is a joint venture between Lufthansa Aviation Training and CAE. FTA is also an Airbus Authorized Training Provider, and recently inaugurated a state-of-the-art 7000XR A220 Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) built by CAE. The latest FFS will be located at the ITA Airways Flight Centre at Rome Fiumicino International Airport and is designed to replicate all the systems and flight characteristics of the Airbus A220. The simulator is equipped with an immersive cockpit, high-fidelity visuals, and realistic flight dynamics. It will also be available to train other A220 customers of FTA to ensure they are thoroughly prepared to operate the aircraft safely a

From 2019 (YouTube Version): The Displays Never Fail To Amaze The AirVenture Audience

The world’s best aerobatic, military, and warbird pilots make Oshkosh a priority for their air show performance schedule because they have the opportunity to strut their stuff in front of their peers in the community, as well as perhaps the most aviation-savvy audience on the planet. AirVenture’s daily air shows feature a vast variety in today’s world of flight - precision aerobatics, the latest innovations, rare and unique flying examples, and history coming alive through warbird and vintage showcases. We're still in the process of editing

Powered Glider Overran The Departure End Of The Runway And Impacted Terrain

Analysis: The pilot of the powered glider reported that, while maneuvering for landing for runway 26, he was distracted by a helicopter and the approach of another glider. He elected to land on runway 17, and while on final approach, the powered glider was high and landed over 1000 ft down the runway. The powered glider overran the departure end of the runway and impacted terrain, resulting in substantial damage to the aft fuselage and empennage.

Aero Linx: International Federation of Airworthiness (IFA) IFA’s mission is to contribute to the debate and formation of policies, which affect the Airworthiness of civil aircraft worldwide, and to influence Regulators, Airlines, Maintenance Organisations and Governments to constantly improve aviation safety. 

Aero Linx: The Flying Dentists Association The Flying Dentists Association is a professional and social association devoted to continuing dental education combined with aviation and family fun. We believe there are skills common to dentistry and flying, and Flying Dentist Association members are more successful and better practitioners due to these skills. We earn a lot of dental and aviation continuing education and learn from each other, but it’s more than that: we are a family that shares the interests of dentistry and flying!

Total Estimated Elapsed Time [ICAO] For IFR flights, the estimated time required from takeoff to arrive over that designated point, defined by reference to navigation aids, from which it is intended that an instrument approach procedure will be commenced, or, if no navigation aid is associated with the destination aerodrome, to arrive over the destination aerodrome. For VFR flights, the estimated time required from takeoff to arrive over the destination aerodrome.

“I am thrilled to be guiding ICON Aircraft into its next phase of growth and development. Our focus will be on ensuring a smooth transition and capitalizing on new opportunities that will drive the company forward. The future holds great promise for ICON, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together.” Source: Reminding us a bit of the Captain of the Titanic, Jason Huang mouthed positive platitudes as he takes the lead over the ever-embattled Icon Aircraft company. Huang nonetheless expressed enthusiasm for the company’s future...