FAA Publishes Overview of Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

The FAA has promised a "Flexible Framework" for UAVs weighing less than 55 pounds. Here are the basics as are just now being announced by FAA Admin Huerta and SecTrans Foxx. The following provisions are being proposed in the FAA’s Small UAS NPRM.

Barely 12 Hour Notice of Conference May Be Reaction To Accidental Release of Affiliated Docs

We're not quite sure to make of all this, but it turns that there is going to be a Media Phone Conference at 1000 ET SUNDAY with BOTH FAA Admin Huerta and SecTrans Foxx.... with the topic announced as "DOT and FAA Announce New Rules for Unmanned Aircraft Systems." Following what appears to be the accidental release of related documents just before the weekend, it appears that the FAA and DoT may be in damage control mode. Searches for the document now show the applicable information to have been "Withdrawn by FAA."

Possible Broken Nose and 'A Few Scratches'

No one said that air racing was easy... and the Red Bull style of air racing the least of all. However; it appears that Red Bull Air Racer Kirby Chambliss escaped serious injury when his canopy failed while staging for a Red Bull Air racing event. According to a limited statement from the Chambliss support team, "Kirby's canopy came off when he was in the hold and warming up, waiting for Peter (Besenyei) to finish in Heat 2. The canopy hit him in the face resulting in a possible broken nose and a few scratches. He is going to be fine!"

Sets Plans For Runway Extension To 5,000 Feet In Motion

The FAA has approved and environmental assessment that sets in motion plans for an extension of the Hilton Head Airport (KHXD) runway to 5,000 feet.

Lockheed Martin Lands $82 Million Firm, Fixed-Price Contract

The U.S. Army has awarded an $82 million Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract for AH-64 Apache helicopter Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system sustainment to Lockheed Martin.

Carries More than 40,000 Passengers Each Year On Sightseeing Flights

February 5 marked Maverick Helicopters’ 10-year anniversary at its Grand Canyon South Rim location, adjacent to the Grand Canyon National Park. Throughout the years, the company has serviced thousands of flights to this landmark, deemed as one of the greatest “Seven Natural Wonders of the World.”

Course Provided Insight Into Aircraft Maintenance And Its Effect On Asset Value

Jet Support Services, Inc. (JSSI), and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) concluded their sponsorship last week of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Aviation Valuation Educational Series for 2015.

More Than 100 Hospitals And Medical Organizations To Benefit From $3.2 Million In Free Flights In 2015

As many as 101 medical facilities including nonprofit hospitals and medical organizations from across the nation will benefit from the Southwest Airlines 2015 Medical Transportation Grant Program announced Tuesday. Through the program, participating nonprofit hospitals and medical programs provide complimentary, roundtrip airline tickets to families who need to travel for specialized medical care.

Hookup Could Lead To Significant Fuel Savings For The Carrier

Icelandair has signed a partnership agreement with OpenAirlines in order to monitor its fuel consumption and develop best practice solutions for its operation.

Critical Communications Now To Be Handled Digitally By The Airline

A project to improve the quality of cabin services has been initiated by Turkish Airlines in partnership with tech company Innova. Using a new Digital Cabin Management System (DCMS), flight attendants are able to file all necessary reports instantly by using iPads instead of paper-based systems. The DCMS also helps staff to address important issues as soon as they arise.

Twelve Programs From 14 States Selected For Launch In 2016-2018

NASA has selected more than dozen small research satellites that each could fit in the palm of your hand to fly in space on future rocket launches.

Handoff An action taken to transfer the radar identification of an aircraft from one controller to another if the aircraft will enter the receiving controller's airspace and radio communications with the aircraft will be transferred.

Aero Linx: The American Aviation Historical Society The American Aviation Historical Society was founded in 1956 as a non-profit ( 501.3.c. ) educational organization. The primary objective of the organization is the preservation and dissemination of the rich heritage of American aviation. The Society maintains an extensive collection of books, documents and photographs that are available to researchers and aviation enthusiasts on a wide variety of American aviation history. The AAHS publishes an outstanding quarterly Journal and informative AAHS FlightLine that provides information into interesting and often little known facts associated with American aviation. The Society serves as a catalyst by providing a forum for com

"The runway extension to 5,000 feet is the signature undertaking of seven projects included in the Hilton Head Island Master Plan Update that will make our airport better and improve our level of service. The determination by the FAA that our project is consistent with national environmental policy marks an important milestone in our mission to provide an efficient, modern facility. We are excited to continue this great momentum and look forward to move the runway extension project forward.” Source: Beaufort County Airports Director Jon Rembold, commenting on the proposed runway extension for Hilton Head Island.