Also: Thailand Selects AT-6, Huge Airbus Order, New King Air 350 LED, Massive MAX Order

Enthusiasts throughout aviation may have noted the change over the last decade in the longtime summer getaway SUN n' FUN. Instrumental to its transformation and expansion has been CEO John "Lites" Leenhouts, President and CEO of Sun n' Fun. While under his leadership, the organization saw growth and security, building a foundation that could thrive even in the locked-down 2020 economy. His 11-year tenure as CEO will come to an end after Sun n' Fun 2022, with Lites retiring from his presidential role and transitioning to an ambassadorial one. Russian state manufactur

More Political Nonsense: Whiteman Airport to be Swapped for 184 Acres of Chain Restaurants, Strip Malls, and Premium Housing?

Whiteman Airport, nestled in the heart of the San Fernando Valley of California, is facing its end after a unanimous vote from the Los Angeles city council. A petition has begun in the local area in the hopes that their decision could be forestalled, but like many victims of creeping urban sprawl, the chances are not good that it will remain. The airport is located on what has over time become a rare open space in the area. Originally made as a small farmer's air park in 1946 outside of Los Angeles, the surrounding region has become increasingly urbanized with the explosive growth of the state. In the 70's the airport

Also: Russian Anti-Sat Test Dangers, Avidyne Supply Woes, NVG Air Tractor Accident, China v FlightRadar 24

Otto Aviation has completed testing of its Celera 500L Aircraft, marking 51hours of flight time across 55 successful flights. The aircraft's final phase 1 test flight was flown entirely on sustainable aviation fuel. The Celera is expected to demonstrate fuel economy of 18-25 miles per gallon against a private jet's equivalent 3 mpg, and hourly operating cost under $330 an hour. With a 4,500 nm range, seating for 6, and a  max cruise over 460 mph at 50,000 feet, the Celera could shape up to be a powerful contender IF it can meet its targets. A

Also: Inertial Nav, UAvionix, Climate Plan (For ALL), GPSIIIF Satellites

Russian state manufacturer Rostec has unveiled its new unmanned fighter, currently called the Checkmate, at the Dubai Airshow. The Sukhoi Checkmate has been billed as a 5th generation light tactical aircraft. The fighter appears to offer a 1,700 mile range, a top speed just under 1,400 mph, and 5 internal hardpoints. Like other similar low-vis aircraft, the design will likely negate a portion of its stealth cross section with arms and external fuel tanks, with mission capability determined by the range and level of visibility desired. The compromise was not unforeseen, being commo

Also: WAI $1M Grant, Navy's Advanced Helicopter Training System, ERAU Research, MD Helicopters Scholarship

Bell Training Academy has announced good news for former military service members, now that the Veterans Affairs office has approved the school for pilot training reimbursement. As part of the VA's Education and Training assistance, veterans who meet qualifications to receive GI Bill education reimbursement can apply to have all or a portion of their flight training compensated. Renewing the competition between the Embraer Super Tucano and the Beechcraft T-6 Texan, the Swiss have decided to enter the fray with an advanced, tandem-seat, turbine-pow

P-3 Crew And Partners Seized Over 4,000 Pounds Of Cocaine

An Air and Marine Operations (AMO) National Air Security Operations Center, P-3 Long Range Tracker crew and United States Southern Command partners conducted a counter-drug operation in the Eastern Caribbean Sea leading to the apprehension of  people and seizure of 4,189 pounds of cocaine on November 12, denying transnational criminal organizations operating in narcotic and transit zones an estimated $79 million in illicit proceeds. A National Air Security Operations P-3 Long Range Tracker crew assumed tracking of a suspect go-fast vessel in the Eastern Caribbean Sea and guided in a United States Coast Guard Cutter team. The suspect vessel changed course to evade interdiction.

Klyde Can't Quite Keep Up With The Carbon Credits...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Helicopter Recovery Testing Operations Begin

Rocket Lab has begun its new phase of testing in their efforts to more reliably and affordably recover first stage rockets. The ultimate goal of rotary-wing aerial recovery draws closer as the company begins using helicopters to observe and track their Electron rocket's first stage as it descends back to earth. If successful, the Electron could be the world's first reusable, orbital-class commercial small rocket. The most recent Love At First Insight mission was arranged for BlackSky through space services provider Spaceflight Inc, and made for Electron's 22nd launch from Rocket Lab's complex 1 in New Zealand. The successful launch enabled the delivery of 2 BlackSky Gen-2 Earth-Imaging satellites i

6 DA40 NGs and 2 DA42-VIs Delivered to Sohar Airport

Oman Aviation Academy, based in the country’s Sohar Airport, prides itself as the first aviation training academy in Oman to provide suitably professional civil and military training in the Middle East and African region. Diamond recently fulfilled a purchase order through delivery of 6 single-engine DA40 NG and 2 twin-engine DA42-VI aircraft, as well as a Diamond aircraft convertible FSTD installed. The school took a moment to pose with their staff in front of the fleet, excited to hit the ground running with their shiny new planes. Captain Abdullah Al Bulushi, CEO at Oman Aviation Academy shared his excitement during the handover. “We are very glad to have the Diamond aircraft and

From 2017: Team Trained All Winter To Adapt To U.S. Air Show Rules

The Patrouille de France performed in April at Sun 'n Fun, and then toured a large portion of the U.S. during the month of April. In an interview with ANN Editor in Chief Jim Campbell, Lead Solo Pilot Capt. Aubert said that the team trained all winter for the 2017 demonstration to match with U.S. regulations for military team performances at air shows. The logistics were challenging, but he said that at each location in the U.S., the team had support personnel waiting for them to help facilitate their performances. Capt. Aubert said one change from a European tour was that they brought

Accuses Company Of Alleged Hazardous Materials Violations

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $120,000 civil penalty against Braille Battery, Inc., of Sarasota, Fla., for alleged hazardous materials violations. It is NOT the first time that Braille has come under the thumb of the FAA for battery related infractions. In October and November 2019, Braille Battery offered two shipments of lithium-ion batteries to FedEx for transportation by air. The FAA alleges the batteries did not meet safety criteria for transportation, and therefore were prohibited from being shipped. The FAA further alleges it informed Braille about this prohibition in September 2019.

The Airplane Appeared To Pitch Down And Descend, And Its Nose Struck The Ground

On October 28, 2021, about 1311, a Cessna 172M, N1870V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident in Ukiah, California. The student pilot, who was the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The pilot was flying his second solo cross-country flight and had planned for a full stop landing at Ukiah Municipal Airport. According to preliminary FAA ADS-B data, the airplane departed Napa County Airport at 1219, and flew a direct course to Ukiah, arriving in the traffic pattern at 1308.

AD 2021-22-04 Prompted By A Quality Control Review, Which Determined That The Wrong Aluminum Alloy Was Used

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2019-21-10, which applied to all Airbus SAS Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes. AD 2019-21-10 required a one-time eddy current conductivity measurement of certain structural parts of the outer flaps to determine if the incorrect alloy was used, and replacement if necessary. This AD continues to require a one-time eddy current conductivity measurement of certain structural parts of the outer flaps to determine if the incorrect alloy was used, and replacement if necessary; and also requires a new one-time eddy current conductivity measurement of certain oth

AD 2021-20-09 FAA Has Determined That New Or More Restrictive Airworthiness Limitations Are Necessary

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2021-03-03, which applied to certain ATR-GIE Avions de Transport Régional Model ATR72 airplanes. AD 2021-03-03 required revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2021-03-03, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, as specified in a European Union Aviation Safety Agenc

Aero Linx: The British Aerobatic Association The British Aerobatic Association Limited is a Company incorporated with its liability limited by guarantee and not having any share capital. We are recognised by The Royal Aero Club of the United Kingdom as the governing body of sport aerobatics.  We were founded in 1974 to represent the interests of all those concerned with aerobatic flying in powered aircraft and in gliders, by promoting and organising all aspects of competition aerobatics in the UK, including progressive training, proper conduct and furtherance of the sport. We run regular events ranging from aerobatic training camps to our full annual compe

Localizer Type Directional Aid (LDA) A localizer with an angular offset that exceeds 3 degrees of the runway alignment, used for nonprecision instrument approaches with utility and accuracy comparable to a localizer, but which are not part of a complete ILS.

“Today’s launch was a masterclass from an incredible team of engineers on how to successfully deliver customers’ satellites to space while at the same time demonstrating cutting-edge operations and innovation that pushes the space industry forward on small rocket reusability. This is our third successful proof of concept recovery mission, and further cements Electron as the leading launch vehicle for the small satellite market. We are all excited to move onto the next phase of reusability next year; catching Electron in the air with a helicopter.” Source: Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO, commenting after their most recent launch success. The successful launch enabled the delivery of 2 BlackSky Gen-2 Eart