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November 05, 2021

Airborne 11.05.21: Bezos v NASA, GA Fuel Upgrades, Air Race Classic

Also: 5G Rollout Paused, Bell 505 Med-Kits, Gulfstream Records, Airbus A319neo SAF

We all knew this was coming, Blue Origin has lost an appeal of its lawsuit with NASA over their contract to build a human lunar lander for the Artemis program. The project to once again land humans on the moon had included the commercial space operation among top competitors in the field, each trying to vie for the largest slice of contract work. Blue Origin filed suit against NASA when they were not named as tenders for the manned lunar lander project, despite being one of 3 major competitors with competitors SpaceX and Dynetics. The EAA is among other industry parties engaged in a request to Congress to increase the level of government support and funding for sustainable, alternative aviation fu

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Final Ruling Made in Blue Origin / NASA Lawsuit

No Contract for Lunar Lander, But Plenty of Chances in Future

Blue Origin has lost an appeal of its lawsuit with NASA over their contract to build a human lunar lander for the Artemis program. The project to once again land humans on the moon had included the commercial space operation among top competitors in the field, each trying to vie for the largest slice of contract work. Those familiar with the “cat rodeo” of government contracting and procurement know the frequency of lawsuits when large companies get squeezed out, and the as-yet unpublished final ruling to Blue Origin’s suit will end any disputes over the matter once and for all.

FAA Warning Heeded, Further Testing Warranted

In a surprising turn, Telecom giants AT&T and Verizon have agreed to temporarily pause the rollout of new 5G service, which was set to activate in limited markets on December 5. AT&T has delayed its start to January 5, after receiving a request from the DOT. Verizon has done a similar pause, but only for the higher frequency ranges in question. Its mid-range frequency bands will go live as planned, since they lack overlap with the aviation frequency range in question. The move gives a measure of breathing room to an industry figuratively backed against the wall, after multiple warnings from stakeholders of the theoretical negative effects of 5G networks on aeronautical navigation equipment were

Makes a ~7,200 nm Sprint from Texas to Riyadh Under 14 Hours

Gulfstream announced the newest milestone for their new G600 and G700 when they added another international city-pair speed record on a flight between Houston, Texas, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Using sustainable aviation fuel in both, as well as offsetting their carbon usage to reach neutrality, Gulfstream was able to demonstrate the exceptional versatility their business jets offer customers and operators. The G700 made the run in 13 hours and 40 minutes, cruising at a speed of mach 0.87. The total flight set a distance record for the G700, flying 7,171 miles. It made another record on its return trip, flying from Riyadh to Savannah, Georgia in 13 hours and 55 minutes, while cruisin

Industry Groups Say Funding Needed for Unleaded Avgas

The EAA is among other industry parties engaged in a request to Congress to increase the level of government support and funding for sustainable, alternative aviation fuels. Before Congress finalizes funding allocations for fiscal year 2022, the groups have asked the Appropriations Committee for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) in the Senate and House of Representatives to boost funding for the Alternative Fuels for General Aviation program.

From 2015: E-Fest -- The Greatest Indoor Airshow We've EVER Seen!

While at E-Fest 2015, it’s obvious that ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, had a great time, and he talked with E-Fest committee member Frank Noll to get some background on this great event. Noll explained that E-Fest is an annual indoor electric R/C Festival that brings together about 250 pilots every February to fly, and to advance their sport. The event takes place at the University of Illinois Track and Field Armory in Champaign, Illinois. The primary sponsor of E-Fest is Hobbico, a major source of the equipment that makes flying indoor electric RC aircraft so much fun.

Airborne-Flight Training 10.28.21: ‘Adapt to Fly’, Sportys, Green Cessnas

Also: Breeze Airways, Drone Safety Seminar, New TN Flight School, Simaero B737-800 Sim

‘Adapt to Fly’ Scholarship from EAA Open for Applications... EAA reports that it is often asked about a variety of disabilities that some prospective aviators feel could prevent them from licensure. While some conditions do preclude students from attaining their desired level of training, many members are surprised to find out just how many can be overcome.Their newest effort to assist those with unique challenges is The Adapt to Fly Scholarship fund, designed to help those with disabilities enter the world of aviation. Totalling $5,000, applications are

The Pilot Noticed That The Engine Temperature Was High, Just Under Redline

On October 3, 2021, about 1620 central daylight time, a Soneral L2 airplane, N9115Y, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Minot, North Dakota. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The flight was conducted under the provisions of Title14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The pilot stated that he prepared for his first flight in the recently acquired airplane. He conducted a preflight, started the engine, and taxied to runway 31 for takeoff at Minot International Airport (MOT). As the airplane climbed into the traffic pattern, the pilot noticed that the engine temperature was high, just under redline. He reduced engine power and the temperat

AD 2021-22-12 Requires Removing And Cleaning The Inner Diameter Of The Flap Control Pushrods...

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Honda Aircraft Company LLC (Honda) Model HA-420 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a report that the flap pushrod assemblies are susceptible to corrosion. This AD requires removing and cleaning the inner diameter of the flap control pushrods and repetitively applying corrosion inhibiting compound (CIC) to this area. The FAA is issuing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products. This AD is effective November 19, 2021.

AD 2021-20-21 Required An Adjustment Of The Engine Push-Pull Control And Replacement Of The Beta Switch

The FAA is superseding Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2018-16-10 which applied to certain GE Aviation Czech s.r.o. (GEAC) H80-200 model turboprop engines. AD 2018-16-10 required an adjustment of the engine push-pull control and replacement of the beta switch to prevent the propeller governor control from going to a negative thrust position. This AD requires an initial inspection and adjustment of the engine push-pull control and replacement of the beta switch. This AD also requires inspection and adjustment of the engine push-pull control after any maintenance, repair or modification that affects the push-pull control and installation of an improv

Aero Linx: Centennial of Flight On Dec. 17, 1903, at 10:35 a.m., two brothers driven by tenacity, creativity and courage completed the world's first successful powered, heavier-than-air flight at Kill Devil Hills, N.C. for a 12-second, 120-foot journey. A new industry was born and a new way of life followed closely behind. The Wright brothers accomplished what people had only imagined since the beginning of time. The national "Centennial of Flight: Born of Dreams - Inspired by Freedom" celebration commemorates this achievement and 100 years of aviation history.

Permanent Echo Radar signals reflected from fixed objects on the earth’s surface; e.g., buildings, towers, terrain. Permanent echoes are distinguished from “ground clutter” by being definable locations rather than large areas. Under certain conditions they may be used to check radar alignment.

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (11.05.21)

“In addition to this contract, NASA continues working with multiple American companies to bolster competition and commercial readiness for crewed transportation to the lunar surface. There will be forthcoming opportunities for companies to partner with NASA in establishing a long-term human presence at the Moon under the agency’s Artemis program, including a call in 2022 to U.S. industry for recurring crewed lunar landing services.” Source: From a NASA statement following Blue Origin having lost an appeal of its lawsuit with NASA over their contract to build a human lunar lander for the Artemis program.