Wed, May 15, 2024
Scaled Version of Hybrid eVTOL X5 Shows Promise
Hybrid eVTOL manufacturer, or better said, developer, showed off its latest flight test using a smaller scaled version of its high-wing Cavorite X5. The short tethered test flight shows the Cavorite take off from a standstill, lifting off and testing its behavior as it gently moves through a handful of power settings and control checks. It validated the Cavorite's yaw control system, as well as demonstrated to a small degree how stable and effective the aircraft is while taking off in VTOL mode.
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Wed, May 15, 2024
Seventh Crewed SpaceFlight Now on the Books
Blue Origin has announced its anticipated launch date for the NS-25 mission, taking off from Launch Site One in West Texas on Sunday, May 19th. The New Shepard mission will see 6 passengers through Blue Origin's seventh human spaceflight. The group will include Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hess, Carol Schaller, Gopi Thotakura, and former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight.
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Wed, May 15, 2024
Also: Flt School Security, G600 Steep-Approach, Honduran Aid, PW545D Cert
Two aircraft performing at the Fort Lauderdale Air Show clipped wings during a routine last Sunday, spooking onlookers. The aircraft were performing as a part of the Polaris Ghost Squadron, a team of urban-camo milsurplus jets hailing from across Eastern Europe. The Polaris Ghost Squadron features an eye-catching MiG-29, a trio of Alpha Jets, and a quartet of Albatros L39s. The US Air Force won't be bringing back a damaged B-2A Spirit bomber, further whittling away at the irreplaceable fleet of strategic aircraft. The plane in question was contrasted against one that had a minor crash in 2010. That aircraft was shipped back to Northrop Grumman for repair. The latest incident won't see the same amount of TLC, however, as a recent Force Structure Report showed that the B-2 fleet would head into 2025 one plane short. Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer a
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Wed, May 15, 2024
Also: 'Space Weather', USAF Rescue, Atlanta Warbirds, WestJet Encore Pilots Vote NO
The Perris SkyDive DC-9 is ALIVE! Following initial test flights and practice landings that were flown by a flight crew that had to be brought in all the way from Florida, the California DZ put the DC9 back in service and made at least three jump runs on Saturday, taking about 60 jumpers each to about 15K'. An interesting surprise occurred this week as Wag-Aero customers logged on to their site in order to order a few things...no Wag-Aero. Instead, the site was redirected to Aircraft Spruce, which has apparently bought out the once popular Wag-Aero operations shortly after the same operation divested itself of its interest in Leading Edge Air Foils. The AAIB has disclosed its findings after an accident befell an unmanned, remotely pilots test vehicle which suffered a forced landing following power unit failure, at the Cotswold Airport (Kemble), Gloucestershire on 9
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Wed, May 15, 2024
Drone App Offers Easy Integration for Enterprise Add-Ons
FlytBase, a platform designed to support and coordinate enterprise drone operations, has announced the addition of 'Flinks', or FlytBase Links, an API allowing third party applications and devices to work with the app and expand their scope of business capabilities. Flink acts as a unifying layer, where organizations can "create end-to-end automated workflows and conduct fully autonomous, safe, and efficient drone operations. FlytBase knows that its biggest and most active commercial users have to herd a lot of cats when flying for pay, planning out their operations, checking legality, ensuring traffic awareness, maintaining their aircraft, and fulfilling the mission.
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Wed, May 15, 2024
Also: Vertical Flight Society, NBAA Maintenance Conference, GA Honored, AMT Scholarship
For the first time, students from Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach, Florida, campus took top honors at the AIAA Design/Build/Fly (DBF) Competition, held in Wichita, Kansas. A second Embry-Riddle squad, this one from the Prescott, Arizona, campus, also placed among the top teams, earning eighth overall. The Leadership in Flight Training, or LIFT Academy, has expanded its training fleet with a recent order with Diamond Aircraft, bringing on 56 new planes. The deal sees LIFT gain 50 new single-engine DA40s, and 6 twin-engine DA42s. The training facility has continued to expand thanks to a steady pipeline of students. Epic Flight Academy has officially launched its new aircraft mechanic school at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), marking a significant advancement in aviation training and workforce development in Kentucky. The opening of this
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Wed, May 15, 2024
Also: Axon Acquires Dedrone, 'Space Weather', SOCOM Goodies, Pivotal Awards
UVify is claiming a new Guinness World Record for the most unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) airborne simultaneously. This event took place in Songdo, Korea, where UVify orchestrated a display of 5,293 IFO drones that lit up the night sky. The fleet of IFO drones created intricate patterns and visuals above the crowd, showcasing UVify's programming and drone control technology. The record-breaking feat exceeded the previous record. Airbus has completed the acquisition of US-based Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system (UAS), Flexrotor. Flexrotor is a small tactical unmanned aerial system designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions at sea and over land. The AAIB has disclosed its findings after an accident befell an unmanned, remotely pilots test vehicle which suffered a forced landing following power unit failure, at the Cot
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Wed, May 15, 2024
35 Percent Sustainable Blend Shows Just How Quickly the Industry Embraces Tech
Sustainable aviation fuel has been procured for the upcoming European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE2024) in Geneva, Switzerland. The Sustainable Aviation Fuel sourced for EBACE comes from Jet Aviation, offering a 35% SAF blend for the third year running. It's not the highest titration they have around, but that's 35% less virgin petroleum per gallon, and it can add up quickly.
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Wed, May 15, 2024
UK Industry Group Invests in Future Talent
The Air Charter Association is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a new sponsored internship program, supporting its UK compatriots with enhanced career opportunities as they forge their path into the industry. It has been termed the ACA 75 Internship Program, and will offer a 3.5-month stint where youths 18 to 25 get "expert training, hands-on work experience, a competition project, and a networking and awards presentation event." The Association is accepting applications through June 10th, 2024. Details can be found on their website.
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Wed, May 15, 2024
Also: NBAA on FAA Reauth, DJI AG Drones, HI Insurance Bill Defeated, SPSA Airtankers
The Beechcraft Denali continues moving forward towards certification, having received its FAA Type Inspection Authorization early this year. Textron advertised that their single-engine turboprop competitor has logged more than 2,000 flight test hours across 830+ flights, on track for completion in 2025. Aerodyne, a new gyroplane manufacturer, will be commemorating its entry into the market with an attempt at setting some records as it runs a lap around the United Kingdom. Founder, executive chairman, and pilot Rangaraja Iyengar will make a full lap around the whole lot with his 8-year-old daughter assisting, aiming to complete a 3-day, 5,000-mile journey. The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) that alerts all owners, operators, maintenance technicians, and inspectors of Revo Incorporated Model Colonial C-1, Colonial C-2, Lake L
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