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December 16, 2024

Airborne 12.16.24: Flight Design BK, XB-1 Flt 9, Drone Arrest Near Rocket Base

 Also: USCG Helo Pilot Receives DFC, Enstrom And Japan, Alternative Fuel Growth, ‘Moon to Mars’ Plans

 
 
Flight Design general aviation GmbH has filed for bankruptcy. The company is based at Eisenach-Kindel airfield in Germany. This development follows a string of financial troubles in the aviation industry, including bankruptcies from Hoffmann Propeller, Lilium, Sonaca, and ICON earlier in the year. The insolvency case is being managed by lawyer Marcello Di Stefano. Boom’s XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft completed its ninth test flight on December 13. The flight sets a high standard for the upcoming subsonic test campaign finale. The test flight, piloted by Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenb

Supersonic XB-1 Completes 9th Flight Test

Flight Achieves Record Speed and Altitude

Boom’s XB-1 supersonic demonstrator aircraft completed its ninth test flight on December 13. The flight set records for both speed and altitude, laying a high standard for the upcoming subsonic test campaign finale. The test flight, piloted by Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, lasted a total of 56 minutes.

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Starlink Mini Works On Small Planes But…

SpaceX Says May Be Used As PED, With Caveats

SpaceX, provider of Starlink internet services and equipment, says the use of its Mini option in small aircraft does not have FAA approval or authorization, but it does function and may only be used as a portable electronic device. Starlink emphasizes on its website that use of the Mini in this manner is neither certified nor approved by the FAA or any other civil aviation authority. The company recommends owners or pilots in the U.S. to contact their local FSDO with their questions and to become familiar with the FAA Advisory Circular 91.21-1D “Use of Portable Electronic Devices Aboard Aircraft”

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Man Charged for Flying Drone Over US Rocket Launch Base

Chinese Citizen Took Aerial Images of Vandenberg Space Force Base

A Chinese citizen, 39-year-old Yinpiao Zhou, was arrested and charged after flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base and using it to take aerial photos. A month prior, he allegedly made a Google search for “Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules.” On December 9, officers arrested Zhou while he was attempting to board a flight to China out of San Francisco International Airport. He made his first court appearance a day later and was charged with the failure to register an aircraft not providing transportation and the violation of national defense airspace.

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NASA Provides Updates to ‘Moon to Mars’ Plans

Prepares for Transition from Lunar Exploration to Crewed Mars Missions

As NASA begins to work its way through the Artemis lunar exploration campaign, it has released new information on how it is preparing for crewed missions to Mars. The latest documents include revisions stemming from a recent Architecture Concept Review.

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NATA Lauds Graves Chairing House T&I Another Term

Republican Steering Committee Waived Term Limit

The National Air Transportation Association release the statement below, praising the announcement that Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO) will serve an additional term as Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna’s statement: “NATA is thrilled to congratulate Chairman Sam Graves on his selection to the lead the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and we thank the Republican Steering Committee for providing a term-limit waiver and approving him as chair..."

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Enstrom And Japan Celebrate Operational Milestone

TH-480B Fleet Reaches 100,000 Flight Hours

Enstrom Helicopter Corporation President Todd Tetzlaff and VP of Product Support Doug Smith traveled to Japan to celebrate with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) on its fleet of TH-480B helicopters achieving 100,000 flight hours. The milestone was commemorated in a special ceremony in Utsunomiya, where Tetzlaff delivered a speech to celebrate the achievement and highlight Enstrom’s long partnership with the JGDSF.

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IATA Analysis Dubs Alternative Fuel Growth as ‘Disappointingly Slow’

2024 Output Found to be Far Below Previous Estimates

The latest analysis by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) found that the growth of alternative aviation fuels was “disappointingly slow” in 2024. It referenced several major sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producers pushing production back to 2025.

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Ukraine Strikes Russian Airfield With Western Missiles

Attack Supposedly Utilized US-Made ATACMS

Ukraine launched several missiles at the Russian Taganrog airfield on December 11, reportedly by using its recently obtained US-made ATACMS. Russia has since promised retaliation. The Taganrog airfield is located in southern Russia by the Azov Sea, less than 100 miles from the front line in Ukraine.

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Classic Aero-TV: The Stemme S-12--Upgrading 1 of the 7 Wonders of the Aero-Verse

From 2016 (YouTube Version): The Stemme S12 Powered Glider Offers Cadillac Features and a Glide Ratio of 53 to 1…

While at EAA AirVenture 2016, our ANN news crew visited with the Director of Flight Operations and Maintenance for Stemme USA. Wes Chumley gave us an inside view of their new motorglider, known as the Stemme S12. The aircraft’s appearance at AirVenture is the first time it has been shown in the USA. Motorgliders come in various sizes and shapes, but the Stemme is quite different from most of them. It’s unique in that the engine is mounted in the front of the aircraft and the propeller is retract

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NTSB Prelim: Piper PA-28R-200

Flight Instructor Declared An Emergency With ATC And Took The Airplane Controls From The Pilot Receiving Instruction

On December 1, 2024, at 1821 central standard time, a Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, N41997, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Boscobel, Wisconsin. The flight instructor and pilot receiving instruction were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the flight instructor, they were established in cruise on the return leg of a night cross-country instructional flight at 9,000 ft mean sea level, when they noticed an odor in the cockpit.

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ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.16.24)

Aero Linx: The Formation and Safety Team (FAST) The Formation and Safety Team (FAST) is a worldwide, educational organization dedicated to teaching safe formation flying in Warbirds which are former military aircraft. FAST is comprised of seventeen signatory organizations whose mission is to support education in the safe and responsible restoration, maintenance and operation of their members' aircraft.

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ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.16.24): Back-Taxi

Back-Taxi A term used by air traffic controllers to taxi an aircraft on the runway opposite to the traffic flow. The aircraft may be instructed to back-taxi to the beginning of the runway or at some point before reaching the runway end for the purpose of departure or to exit the runway.

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Aero-News: Quote of the Day (12.16.24)

“SAF volumes are increasing, but disappointingly slowly. Governments are sending mixed signals to oil companies which continue to receive subsidies for their exploration and production of fossil oil and gas. Make no mistake that airlines are eager to buy SAF and there is money to be made by investors and companies who see the long-term future of decarbonisation." Source: Willie Walsh, IATA’s director general, in remarks concerning the latest analysis by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) found that the growth of alternative aviation fuels was “disappointingly slow” in 2024. It referenced several major sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) producers pushing production back to 2025.

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