Crew Tests SpaceX EVA Suit’s Thermal Systems And Mobility

The Polaris Dawn completed its planned extravehicular activity (EVA) on Thursday morning September 12. The EVA lasted about 20 minutes with Commander Jared Isaacman and Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis exiting the craft to evaluate the SpaceX-designed EVA suit for mobility and thermal regulation.

Overwhelming Vote to Reject Contract Halts Seattle Operations

For the first time in 16 years, Boeing workers have gone on strike. This follows their 94% vote to reject the manufacturer’s proposed contract on September 12. The 33,000-worker strike is expected to freeze Boeing’s operations at its Seattle hub and cause major turbulence to its supply chain.

Instructor and Pilot Killed, Air Show Canceled

A Bulgarian Air Force Aero Vodochody L-39ZA Albatros went down during rehearsal at Graf Ignatievo Air Base on September 13. They were practicing low-altitude maneuvers in preparation for the upcoming air show, which has been called off in light of the fatal accident. Both crew members on board, Major Petko Dimitrov Dimitrov and Senior Lieutenant Ventsislav Atanasov Dunkin, were killed on impact.

“Our Economy Doesn’t Benefit From Monopolies”

The Chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Jessica Rosenworcel, wants more companies to enter the competition for providing satellite-based internet service -- especially when she can throw some shade at a company not in favor with the administration..  

Former Employee Faces Prosecution After Misappropriating Company Funds

Elizabeth Batten, the former Director of Finance and Administration at McCreery Aviation, pleaded not guilty to fraud on September 6. She is charged with allegedly misappropriating nearly $1.2 million of the company’s funds. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

Iraqi Army Aviation Replacing Mi-17s

Airbus Helicopters announced the Republic of Iraq has purchased 12 H225M helicopters. The contract was signed in Baghdad by Iraq Minister of Defence Thabet al-Abbasi with French Ambassador Patrick Durel in attendance. The Iraqi Army Aviation command will operate the multi-role helicopters as it replaces the older Mi-17 aircraft to enhance its capabilities in a broader range of missions including counter-terrorism, special ops, tactical troop transport, attack, ground support, medevac, and combat search & rescue. Iraq currently operates Airbus helos from the H125, H135, and H145 lines.

Company Equips Japanese Choppers With New Imaging Systems

Teledyne FLIR Defense, a division of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, has secured a major contract to supply its Star SAFIRE 380-HLD multi-spectral imaging systems to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). This agreement, valued at $20.8 million, equips JMSDF's SH-60L helicopters with cutting-edge surveillance technology over the next three years.

Dedicated Charter Operation For All-New Aircraft

Gulfstream Aerospace announced the first of its all-new G400 intended for dedicated charter operations was purchased by DC Aviation Group based in Germany. The deal was announced during a signing ceremony at Gulfstream’s facility in Farnborough, England. The all-new G400 made its first flight on August 15 and officially entered the flight test phase. Its performance and efficiency are said to be class-leading due to the aerodynamics of its clean-wing design and advanced Pratt & Whitney PW812GA engines. It also incorporates the Gulfstream Symmetry Flight Deck and the industry’s first active-control sidesticks, touch-screen technology, and Predictive Landing Performance Syste

The Pilot Turned The Aircraft “Way Too Low” For A Right Crosswind

Analysis: The pilot reported that he was attempting to maneuver the weight-shift aircraft to avoid an incoming aircraft that was going to land at the airport. The pilot turned the aircraft “way too low” for a right crosswind, and during the turn, the wing contacted the ground, and the aircraft “tumbled.” The aircraft came to rest upright in a field populated with crops and the pilot was assisted by witnesses with evacuating from the aircraft. The pilot classified the accident as “pilot error.”

Aero Linx: The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) The Canadian Business Aviation Association (CBAA) is a non-profit association formed in 1961 as Canada's voice for business aviation. Since its inception, CBAA has assumed an increasing role in its advocacy for Canadian business aviation interests. With a membership of approximately 400 companies and organizations, including operators, management companies an suppliers, CBAA represents the entire business aviation community with a unified and collective voice.

Calibrated Airspeed (CAS) The indicated airspeed of an aircraft, corrected for position and instrument error. Calibrated airspeed is equal to true airspeed in standard atmosphere at sea level.

"A lot of the members are pretty upset about our first offer... We're hoping that the second offer is what we're looking for, If not ... we're going to keep striking and stand up for ourselves." Source: 16-year Boeing employee Broderick Conway, expressing his dissatisfaction with previous contract offers from Boeing.