T-38 Graduates May No Longer Get Fighter Assignments

The U.S. Air Force has made the tough decision to change up their aircraft assignment policy, forcing a number of T-38 pilot graduates to receive non-fighter posts. This change follows the extremely present and ever-growing shortage of military aviators. For now, the Air Force is attempting to up their recruitment to ease the deficit.

Flight Test Program Accelerating

Boom Supersonic announced its demonstrator aircraft XB-1 successfully completed its third test flight less than three weeks after the second flight. The flight was piloted by Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg for his second flight at the controls. Boom is testing key systems and performance as it systematically expands the flight envelope. The pace of test flights is picking up on its way to the target of supersonic flight before the end of the year.

Personal Jet Prototype Joins Other Sonex/Monnett Aircraft

Sonex Aircraft announced that the original SubSonex proof-of-concept personal jet prototype is now a resident of the EAA  Aviation Museum’s collection in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The historic aircraft joins the original prototype Sonex and other aircraft designed by John Monnett. The display will be reorganized and includes the Sonerai I prototype, the original Moni motorglider prototype, and the Monex racer.

Alleged Launch License Violations Lead To Fines

The FAA has issued proposed civil penalties against SpaceX for allegedly failing to follow license requirements during two launches in 2023. The penalties are in line with guidelines set by statute, the agency said. SpaceX submitted a request in May 2023 to the FAA to revise its communications plan to add a new launch control room in Hangar X and to remove the T-2 hour readiness poll from its procedure. On June 18, SpaceX conducted the launch of the PSN SATRIA mission using the unapproved launch control room and omitted the T-2 hour poll from the launch sequence.

Will Complete Training In India Before Heading To IndiGo Airlines

Skyborne Airline Academy and IndiGo Airlines welcomed 19 new cadets to the IndiGo Cadet Pilot Program in their recent Letter of Intent (LOI) ceremony. The cadets begin flight training at Skyborne’s Vero Beach Regional Airport (KVRB) in Florida. They will complete the conversion of their FAA certification in India and their type rating on the Airbus A320.

Pilots And Maintainers Move To F-35 Lightning

As the retirement of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II continues, the Air Force inactivated the historic 354th Fighter Squadron, which has flown the A-10 since 1991. The transition away from the slow-flying ground attack jets has been under way for years as the Air Force moves to the newer, more advanced F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter. 

DHHS Hopes to Use EVTOL Magic to Reinforce Outlying Communities During Emergencies

BETA Technologies has been given a $20 million contract with the Department of Health and Human Services, kicking off a pilot program "to evaluate next-generation mobility solutions and infrastructure as a means of powering public health preparedness." Under the contract, BETA will install electric aircraft chargers at areas of concern that could conceivably require emergent healthcare and mobility along the East and Gulf Coasts. The hope is that BETA's eVTOL gear will bring an entirely new dynamic of mobility to those facing the worst of mother nature, thanks to their unique blend of affordable running costs, quiet operation, light weight, and accessible operationa

Also: KSM Food Truck Fly-In, 1700th ATR, Sportys' Updates, 'Fund an Angel' 

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association issued the Second Quarter 2024 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report. The report shows that for the six-month period ending June 30, compared to the same period in 2023, deliveries increased in the piston airplane, business jet, and piston helicopter segments. In addition, the total overall value of aircraft shipments was greater year-over-year. DJI unveiled the Neo, a lightweight, palmtop camera operator to give creators a streamlined way to capture 4k UHD video on the go. The Neo is designed to be small and por

At Least Klyde's Not On Strike...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Also: KSM Food Truck Fly-In, 1700th ATR, Sportys' Updates, 'Fund an Angel' 

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association issued the Second Quarter 2024 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report. The report shows that for the six-month period ending June 30, compared to the same period in 2023, deliveries increased in the piston airplane, business jet, and piston helicopter segments. In addition, the total overall value of aircraft shipments was greater year-over-year. DJI unveiled the Neo, a lightweight, palmtop camera operator to give creators a streamlined way to capture 4k UHD video on the go. The Neo is designed to be small

Engine Issues Plague Development And Market Acceptance

The Airbus A220 was touted as the “airplane of the future” when Bombardier launched the clean sheet program in 2008. The single-aisle medium haul aircraft entered service in 2016 as the CSeries that became a favorite among pilots and the flying public.

From 2023 (YouTube version): New Owners Look to Revitalize Popular Ultralight Marque

Kolb Aircraft Company is a Kentucky-based manufacturer of kit-built ultralight aircraft. Founded in 1980 by Homer Kolb—who flew his initial design, the Kolb Flyer, in 1970—the company has marketed a dozen models of ultralight and experimental flying-machines, selling and delivering over 3,500 specimens in the last 43-years.

Airplane Then Leveled Off A Third Time For A Few Seconds Before The Right Wing Dropped And The Airplane Descended Into The Ground

On August 20, 2024, about 0819 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lockwood Air Cam, N2412Y, was substantially damaged when in was involved in an accident at the Minden-Tahoe Airport, Minden, Nevada. The pilot was fatally injured, and the passenger was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to an airport staff member who was parked on a taxiway adjacent to runway 34, they observed the airplane takeoff on runway 34, and several seconds later, it leveled off before the right wing dropped momentarily.

Aero Linx: Find an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) Search for an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) in your area. This tool provides an up-to-date listing of AMEs, based on search criteria you select. Human Intervention Motivation Study (HIMS) AME Listing: HIMS (Human Intervention Motivation Study) AMEs are trained in evaluating airmen for substance- or alcohol-related conditions or other mental conditions. HIMS AMEs can provide sponsorship and monitoring for such conditions when required by the FAA for medical certification purposes.

Notice To Air Missions (NOTAM) A notice containing information (not known sufficiently in advance to publicize by other means) concerning the establishment, condition, or change in any component (facility, service, or procedure of, or hazard in the National Airspace System) the timely knowledge of which is essential to personnel concerned with flight operations. NOTAM (D)- A NOTAM given (in addition to local dissemination) distant dissemination beyond the area of responsibility of the Flight Service Station. These NOTAMs will be stored and available until canceled. FDC NOTAM- A N

"While we would prefer to send every qualified T-38 graduate to a fighter [Formal Training Unit], circumstances dictate that we utilize available capacity to maximize pilot production. In the near term, in addition to traditional fighter/bomber assignments, T-38 graduates will be matched to additional T-6 [First Assignment Instructor Pilot] assignments and opted for non-fighter/bomber aircraft." Source: From an Air Force memo detailing their tough decision(s) to change up their aircraft assignment policy, forcing a number of T-38 pilot graduates to receive non-fighter posts. This change follows the extremely present and ever-growing shortage of military aviators.