Also: DJI Microsoft Partner, ALPA 'Keeping A Close Eye', King Online Drone Course, Solar UAV
First announced last October, this White House initiative partners the FAA with local, state and tribal governments, which then partner with private sector participants to safely explore the further integration of drone operations. “Data gathered from these pilot projects will form the basis of a new regulatory framework to safely integrate drones into our national airspace.” said Secretary Chao. Two proposed drone rules have been sent to the White House by the DOT even as the agency was unveiling th
Also: DJI Microsoft Partner, ALPA 'Keeping A Close Eye', King Online Drone Course, Solar UAV
First announced last October, this White House initiative partners the FAA with local, state and tribal governments, which then partner with private sector participants to safely explore the further integration of drone operations. “Data gathered from these pilot projects will form the basis of a new regulatory framework to safely integrate drones into our national airspace.” said Secretary Chao. Two proposed drone rules have been sent to the White House by the DOT even as the agency was unveiling the 10 winners of UAV pilot projects. One aspect of the rules would allow flight over populated areas and gatherings of people. The other would allow for tracking of unmanned aircra
Bell Helicopter has received certification for the Bell 505 Jet Ranger X from the Civil Aviation Administration of China. This is a major milestone for the international expansion of the Bell 505, as anticipation is growing in country to receive the deliveries of over 110 aircraft.
Union Leaders Can Call Strike If Contract Negotiations Break Down
With only a few days left in the 21-day cooling-off period, WestJet pilots, represented by the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), sent another strong message to WestJet management late last week with an overwhelming vote of support for lawful job action or a strike. A 91 percent “yes” vote demonstrates WestJet pilots’ resolve for a fair contract that addresses the large gaps in proposals on total compensation, working conditions, and job security.
But Current Rules Say Light Sport Aircraft Must Be Powered By A Reciprocating Engine
The cities of Reedley and Mendota, CA recently purchased four Pipistrel Alpha Electro aircraft for use in a pilot training program through a $1.3 million grant from the state. But until FAA regulations change, the airplanes are not allowed to be used for that purpose.
Autonomous Rotorcraft Will Travel With The Mars 2020 Rover
NASA is sending a helicopter to Mars. The Agency's Mars Helicopter, a small, autonomous rotorcraft, will travel with the agency's Mars 2020 rover, currently scheduled to launch in July 2020, to demonstrate the viability and potential of heavier-than-air vehicles on the Red Planet.
Other Companies Selected For Autonomous Delivery Testing
One of the companies that hopes to be a major player in the drone delivery business was noticeably absent from the FAA's list of participants in the Drone Pilot Program announced last week.
Landing Aircraft Struck Another Helicopter On The Ground While Performing Parking Maneuver
The NTSB has released a probable cause report from an incident involving two helicopters at Van Nuys (CA) Airport that substantially damaged both aircraft.
All Jumpers Has Exited The Plane Before It Went Down
The pilot of a skydiving plane in Ireland and the seven-year-old son of one of the skydivers who had already exited the airplane were fatally injured over the weekend when the plane went down in a boggy area in Co Offaly in central Ireland.
Company Offers Comprehensive Web-Based Flight Planning
The FAA will discontinue the Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS) at 2359 ET this Wednesday, May 16, and for pilots in search of a DUATS replacement, iFlightPlanner is encouraging them to look no further than an iFlightPlanner Free membership.
PRODUCT: Certain Airbus Model A319 series airplanes; Model A320-211, -212, -214, -231, -232, and -233 airplanes; and Model A321-111, -112, -131, -211, -212, -213, -231, and -232 airplanes.
The FAA will discontinue the Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS II) Program, effective May 16, 2018. Internet services, including access to weather and aeronautical information, flight plan filing and automated services will remain available at no charge to pilots at www.1800wxbrief.com. To continue to receive free services, users are encouraged to register on the new Leidos web portal. The FAA will work with current DUATS II providers on transition activities, including conducting pilot outreach, establishing commercial interfaces, and providing user migration assistance.
Focus Is On Issues Identified With American, Allegiant Airlines
In June 2017, the DOT Office of Inspector General announced a review of the FAA's oversight of air carrier maintenance. Based on the initial audit work and additional congressional requests, the scope of the audit is being adjusted.
Acting Administrator Dan Elwell Tells Uber Executive That Agency May Not Move That Quickly
At the second annual Uber Elevate conference last week, acting FAA Administrator Dan Elwell was supportive of the company's efforts to offer automated eVTOL air taxi service in the U.S., but also said that approval may not come by the stated 2023 target date.
As the official record keeper for United States aviation, the National Aeronautic Association tracks dozens of world and national record attempts each year. New U.S. records are certified by NAA and those qualifying as world records are then ratified with the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI). At the end of each year, under the direction of the NAA Contest and Records Department, records certified for that year are reviewed and a list of the "most memorable" is created.
As divergent as the keynote speakers who addressed a full house at Xponential 2018 were last week, they shared a common message of optimism for the future of unmanned systems. From a business point of view, PrecisionHawk Inc., CEO Michael Chasen described how his company’s work in preparation of the newly released Pathfinder Report provides a practical path toward ensuring that manned and unmanned aircraft could share the skies safely. The FAA has begun expanding an automated system that will ultimately provide
Will Be Reviewed By ALPA's Master Executive Council Before Ratification Vote
JetBlue has announced it has reached an agreement in principle with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) regarding JetBlue’s pilots. The agreement is subject to a ratification process which includes final documentation, review, and consideration by the ALPA Master Executive Council before being distributed to JetBlue pilots for final ratification.
Creekview High School Team Bests 799 Rocketry Teams From Across America To Win The Team America Rocketry Challenge
Creekview High School of Canton, GA has taken home the top prize at the world’s largest and most competitive student rocketry contest – The Team America Rocketry Challenge.
“While we are disappointed, ALPA is no less determined in calling for the United States to enforce its trade agreements and ensure U.S. workers have a fair opportunity to compete internationally.” Source: ALPA president Capt. Tim Canoll, on a legal decision in favor of Norwegian Airlines.
East Hampton’s 1st Skirmish On Closing HTO—No, No, No, Let’s Not Follow SMO
From the JDA Journal, East Hampton in New York has a variation on the SMO theme. It has closed the boarding area for Fly Blade, Inc. at HTO. [Contrary to the headline in the East Hampton Star, the City did not halt the aviation APP company’s flights.