The long-awaited SFAR (ESS-FAR) targeting the increasingly complex needs of the AAM movement has just seen the light of day thanks to FAA Administrator Whitaker who showed up for NBAA (unlike Oshkosh) and had the new rule in hand... EVAS stands for Emergency Vision Assurance System... and is a device that provides a clear space of air for pilots to see flight instruments and out the window in case of in-flight smoke. It is self-contained, easy to install, and recommended by the FAA and other aviation authorities. Join ANN’s Jim Campbell and Nathan Cremisino as they test the system out. Honeywell has released its 33rd annual Global Business Aviation Outlook with insights into current trends and longer term developments as determined by extensive surveys of business aviation operators around the world. Honeywell’s survey results forecast 8,500 new bu
Also: NASA Drive $75.6B To Economy, GAMA On SFAR, Wheels Up Adds Gogo, AAL Fined
Seriously.... If not for bad luck, Boeing would have no luck at all... and recent events prove it to the ‘max’ (Sorry.... Could resist). Once thought to be all but done, the massive and incredibly damaging Boeing worker’s strike is NOT OVER. The International Association of Machinists voted a solid 64% against the deal, as confirmed by the union late Wednesday. The 10th annual Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) event, hosted by Women in Aviation International, reached record attendance numbers with over 33,000 worldwide participants. Members from 194 Women in Aviation International chapters organized and held their own GIAD event on September 21. 59 of these were overseas across 33 different countries, with the other 135 in the US and various US territories. Textron has confirmed that the Cessna Citation Ascend is progressing through its certification progr
Also: AURA AERO Builds in FL, NATA on SFAR, Textron-Starlink, SocMed Drone Scandal
In a move that seemed to come out of left field, Lilium announced it is on the verge of insolvency and has ceased operations. On October 24, Lilium N.V. submitted a Form 6-K filing to the SEC stating that the managing directors of its two operating subsidiaries, Lilium GmbH and Lilium eAircraft GmbH, determined that they are overindebted and will be unable to pay existing liabilities within the next few days. After a number of delays, Blue Origin’s 27th mission debuted the second human-rated vehicle for the New Shepard program, enabling expanded flight capacity to better meet what they claim to be ‘growing’ customer demand. The new crew capsule is named RSS Kármán Line. The FAA announced a new rule at NBAA-BACE that signals the highly anticipated acceptance and integration of powered lift into the FAA’s domain of aviation. The ru
Pilot Felt A Shift In The Basket And Realized That The Passenger Had Jumped From The Ballon
On May 3, 2024, about 1830 Pacific daylight time, an Ultramagic SA Z-90 balloon, N290UM, was involved in an accident near Del Mar, California. The pilot was not injured; however, the passenger was fatally injured. The ballon was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. In a written statement, the pilot reported he launched the balloon with the sole passenger at 1815 for a proposed sunset “celebration of life” flight. At an altitude of about 1,300 ft msl, the passenger asked for privacy for ceremonial reasons, and the pilot turned his back.
Also: Boeing To Sell Off Space Biz?, Naval Aviator Honors, Prop Accident, More B-21s?
The ArkanSTOL executive team announced that its annual event and competition would be suspended indefinitely. They cited “evolving professional and personal responsibilities” as the cause, which is certainly a believable statement with the amount of commitment and planning that these grassroot aviation outings require. This unfortunate, yet understandable decision follows last year’s uniquely successful event. Stratolaunch recently completed a set of flight tests aimed to expand the envelope of its Roc air launch aircraft. With a 385 foot wingspan, the Roc is larger than any other aircraft to date. This series of flight tests were held during May and June. They confirmed Roc’s ability to support speeds up to Mach 0.63, operate at altitudes up to 35,000 feet, and return to flight with a shortened break period. NASA has rel
Aero Linx: International Scientific and Technical Soaring Organisation
An early realization of the attractive possibility for meteorologists to learn more about the structure and behaviour of the atmosphere when using sailplanes, combined with the interest of aerodynamicists, aircraft- and instrument designers, constructors and pilots for improving sailplane performance and characteristics, lead in 1930 to the forming of the first international soaring organization ISTUS (Internationale Studienkommission für den motorlosen Flug).
Common Traffic Advisory Frequency (CTAF)
A frequency designed for the purpose of carrying out airport advisory practices while operating to or from an airport without an operating control tower. The CTAF may be a UNICOM, Multicom, FSS, or tower frequency and is identified in appropriate aeronautical publications.
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“You can see the darkness of space, the curvature of the Earth, the fragile planet below... “I had zero sensation of speed... It felt like I was falling in a void. I had no sense of gravity."
Source: A little over a decade ago, 57-year-old Alan Eustace wore a specially designed suit to protect him from temperature and pressure changes as he ascended beneath a 120 meter tall helium balloon on his way to setting three World Air Sports Federation (FAI) records that still remain intact. It took Eustace a little over two hours to reach the altitude where the balloon stabilized at nearly the outer edge of the stratosphere. He and his Mission Control team began the countdown to release him.
Moves to Sell Starliner to Reduce Increasing Losses
After an extensive and, for the most part, successful run in the space industry, mega aerospace manufacturer Boeing is making moves to offload parts of its Space division. This follows a disappointing finale to its recent Starliner mission. The company has already approached Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin to discuss transferring some of its NASA programs.