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October 10, 2023

Airborne 10.10.23: Lancair Sold, Israel Aviation, Masters of the Air

Also: Joby eVTOL, Hélicoptères Guimbal, Space Debris Fine, Seaglider Operations

JetEXE Aviation has acquired storied kit-aircraft concern Lancair—henceforth Lancair Aerospace. Lancair, since its 1981 founding, created a global community of Lancair aircraft owners that comprises thousands of members who’ve logged, in the aggregate, hundreds-of-thousands of flight-hours in 14 Lancair models and variants thereof. The Israeli declaration of war against the Islamic terrorist group Hamas has precipitated worsening violence, abductions, and intensifying land- and air-strikes in Gaza and the West Bank. Notwithstanding escalating hostilities, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) remains open (at the time of this writ

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Airlines Curtail Israeli Operations

Ben Gurion Flights Nearly Halved

The Israeli declaration of war against the Islamic terrorist group Hamas has precipitated worsening violence, abductions, and intensifying land- and air-strikes in Gaza and the West Bank. At least 1,200 lives were lost in the first 24-hours of fighting, and upwards of 150 Israelis (and, allegedly, some Americans) are reportedly being held hostage by Hamas operatives. Notwithstanding escalating hostilities, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV) remains open (at the time of this writing). A number of global air-carriers, however, have suspended flights into Israel.

Proprietary Architecture Occasions Significant Fuel Savings

Renowned French plane-maker Dassault Aviation has developed a new flight planning tool by which Falcon pilots may reduce instances of fuel-tankering by selecting the most fuel-efficient routes. Dubbed FalconWays, the solution comprises, in part, updated global-wind data optimization and model-specific performance algorithms. FalconWays will be offered as a flight app on Dassault’s FalconSphere iPad electronic flight-bag, and is compatible with Jeppesen and Universal flight planning tools.

Passing the Torch

Sacramento, California-based JetEXE Aviation has acquired storied kit-aircraft concern Lancair—henceforth Lancair Aerospace. The deal heralds the advent of a new and promising age for Lancair, one of the kit-plane sector’s most storied, unique, and enduring marques. Renowned for sleek and innovative airframe designs rendered in highly-advanced composites, Lancair aircraft have garnered multiple awards over the company’s four-plus-decades in business—to include multiple victories at the world-famous Reno Air Races.

Putting the Long in Longitude

Textron Aviation subsidiary Cessna has delivered the one-hundredth Citation Longitude business jet to an undisclosed but reportedly longtime Citation customer. Textron Aviation employees celebrated the milestone with a special celebration at the company’s Wichita, Kansas headquarters.

Samantha Hayes Struck by Aircraft Wing While Cutting Grass

Samantha Hayes, 27, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma lost her life when she was struck by the wing of a landing 1972-vintage A-36 Bonanza while operating a riding lawn-mower adjacent the runway at Broken Bow Municipal Airport (BBW).

Western Jet Aviation OPF Location Certified as FAA Repair Station

From Sea to Shining Sea

Western Jet Aviation's location on Florida’s Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport (OPF) has been certified an FAA Part 145 Repair Station. The facility will provide maintenance and avionics services for large-cabin business aviation aircraft. Western Jet Aviation was acquired by StandardAero in February 2023, and is well-known for its Van Nuys, California (VNY) facility—one of the U.S.’s largest independent business jet maintenance providers specializing in Gulfstream aircraft services, including heavy airframe maintenance, structural repair, engine line maintenance, avionics installations, engineering services, and interior soft good upgrades.

Pilot Allowed The Airspeed To Decrease During The Approach, Increased Pitch Attitude, And Exceeded Critical Angle Of Attack

Analysis: A pilot-rated witness observed the airplane during the final approach to the destination airport and stated that the airplane was flying slowly, with a high pitch attitude, and was “wallowing” as if nobody was flying. The airplane stalled and impacted the ground about 300 ft from the runway. GPS and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) data captured the accident flight, but the ADS-B data ended about 0.24 miles before the accident. GPS data showed that the airplane’s speed was at or near the published stall speed for the airplane’s given loading condition.

From 2019 (YouTube Version): Celebrating Women In Aviation At AirVenture 2019

WomenVenture is the largest gathering of passionate female aviators and aviation enthusiasts, held each year during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh since 2008. 2019 marked the 12th year for the celebration. Activities included a networking social, annual group photo with more than 1,000 women on Boeing Plaza, and a ‘Power Lunch’ with keynote speaker U.S. Air Force Col. Kim “Killer Chick” Campbell. Since 2008, EAA WomenVenture has offered the opportunity to bring together female aviators from throughout the flying community. The activities are designed to encour

Aero Linx: The Society of United States Air Force Flight Surgeons (SoUSAFFS) The Society of United States Air Force Flight Surgeons (SoUSAFFS) is the Aerospace Medical Association is(AsMA) constituent organization which represents all Air Force flight surgeons (FS): active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and retired. The society exists to advocate for USAF FSs at the national and international level and to advance education, cross-talk, mentoring, and networking among all flight surgeons.

Aero Linx: Sentinel Owners and Pilots Association The Sentinel Owners and Pilots Association provides information and support to owners, pilots and enthusiasts of the Stinson L-5 "Sentinel", also affectionately called the "Flying Jeep" and sometimes known by the designations O-62, OY-1, OY-2 and U-19. The L-5 is a true "warbird" that was manufactured for the USAAF by the Stinson Division of the Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft Corporation from December 1942 through the end of 1945. There are currently about 140 examples of this venerable plane flying in the world today and more are being restored every year.

Abbreviated IFR Flight Plans An authorization by ATC requiring pilots to submit only that information needed for the purpose of ATC. It includes only a small portion of the usual IFR flight plan information. In certain instances, this may be only aircraft identification, location, and pilot request. Other information may be requested if needed by ATC for separation/control purposes. It is frequently used by aircraft which are airborne and desire an instrument approach or by aircraft which are on the ground and desire a climb to VFR-on-top.

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (10.10.23)

“As we embark on this exciting journey of growth and expansion, our compass points steadfastly toward the future. With an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional customer service, technical support, and advanced aircraft models for our customers, we look forward to navigating the skies of innovation and shaping the future of aviation for generations to come.” Source: JetEXE Aviation founder and CEO Captain Augustine Joseph—a retired Indian Air Force wing commander with over forty-years of military and commercial aviation experience—who has just taken over the Lancair program.