SpaceX Delays Prompt Move, Musk Reacts

NASA is intent on returning astronauts to the Moon as soon as possible, and because of delaysin SpaceX’s Starship Super Heavy and its Starship Lunar Landing System, the agency announced in a surprise shift it is reopening the contract for the Artemis III human lunar lander project. As would be expected, Elon Musk had a few things to say about it in defense of his company.

WindBorne’s CEO Cooperating In Investigation Of Mysterious Incident

After a mysterious collision with what was thought to be either an asteroid or space debris, it’s looking like United Flight 1093 may have hit a weather balloon on Thursday, October 16, as the Boeing 737 MAX was flying from Denver to Los Angeles over Utah at an estimated 36,000 feet MSL.

New Possibilities For Recreational Flight Open Up

The EAA noted the start of a new era of possibilities for recreational aviation on the occasion of the effective date of the MOSAIC – Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification – rule from the FAA.

Shield AI Unveils Scale Model Using In-House Autonomy Software

Shield AI, a company previously known for its autonomy software, has taken a leap into the world of aircraft manufacturing by designing the “world’s first” AI-piloted VTOL fighter jet. A scale model of the drone, dubbed X-BAT, was unveiled on October 21 and has already turned heads across the defense industry.

ROTOR Act Closes Loopholes And Mandate Safety Technology

The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l, issued a statement lauding a bipartisan bill introduced by Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) that is intended to prevent tragedies like the PSA Airlines Flight 5342 in January this year.

Also: DHS Under Fire, Air New Zealand, ALPA Praises Bipartisan Bill, Spirit Budget Cuts

The Minnesota Pilots Association has issued an advisory regarding overflights of the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northwestern Minnesota. Turns out, the Red Lake Tribe of the Chippewa Indians passed a resolution denying the Air Force permission for low-level overflights and simultaneously, banning all flights below 20,000 feet above the reservation. DJI is taking its ‘Chinese Military Company’ label back to the Pentagon in hopes of regaining access to the US market. Judges decided just last month to uphold the DoD’s claims that the company is tied to the Chinese Communist Party despite dismissing much of the evidence. The ruling came in the form of a 49-page opinion that rejected most of the Defense Department’s accusations, including claims that DJI is owned by, controlled by, or directly affiliated with the Chinese Communist Pa

Senate Commerce Committee Passes Cruz’s ROTOR Act

The Rotorcraft Operations Transparency and Oversight Reform (ROTOR) Act, introduced by Chairman Ted Cruz and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell, is making steady progress in its legislative journey, being cleared through the US Senate Commerce Committee on October 21.

Man Arrested After Attempting to Bring an Assault Rifle Into the World’s Busiest Airport

A 49-year-old man was arrested by Atlanta police officers for allegedly planning a mass shooting at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL). Authorities received a tip from concerned family members and found the suspect parked outside the terminal with an AR-15 assault rifle and 27 rounds of ammunition.

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Acme Aerofab Black Ops Gear and Suspension Impress

The viability of a backcountry aircraft is a function of numerous purpose-built components and systems functioning synergistically in service of utility and occupant safety. To at least the same degree as a robust airframe and a reliable powerplant, a rugged, resilient landing-gear system determines the fitness of an aircraft design for the rigors of backcountry flying. As part of its continuous improvement of the long-running, eminently proven Kitfox aircraft family, Kitfox Aircraft LLC and Acme Aerofab have partnered for purpose of offering the backcountry sector a superior landing-gear and suspension system—soon to be available across nearly the entire Kitfox lineup.

Helicopter Descended Into The Lake And Sustained Substantial To The Main Rotor Blades

Analysis: The pilot stated that during a rotorcraft external load operation for firefighting, he was refilling the helicopter bucket at a lake. He stated that there had been wind gusts throughout the day and a right quartering tailwind of approximately 15 kts was present when he was refilling the bucket. He said that when another helicopter flew by his helicopter about 50-100 yds right and 150 ft above his position, he felt a push to the left. He pulled back on the cyclic control, but he could not recover the helicopter, which continued pitching to the left. The helicopter descended into the lake and sustained substantial to the main rotor blades.