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May 03, 2021

Airborne 05.03.21: Crew-1 Returns, Gone West: Chris Heintz, Stratolaunch

Also: WACO Kitchen, Leonardo Opens Heli Academy, TSA Extends Mask Requirement, Warbird Night Flights

Four astronauts splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico in Sunday's wee hours, completing NASA's first commercial crew, long-duration, mission aboard the International Space Station. The return comes nearly six months after the crew members arrived at the microgravity laboratory and also marks the longest-duration mission of a crewed American spacecraft to date. SpaceX's Crew Dragon, carrying NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi, returned to Earth in a parachute-assisted splashdown at 2:56 a.m. EDT off the coast of Panama City, Florida. The note on social media was a sad one...

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Gone West: 'Mr. Zenith' Chris Heintz

Amazingly Prolific Aircraft Designer Had Massive Impact on Sport/General Aviation

The note on social media was a sad one... "It is with great regret that we announce the passing of Chris Heintz on April 30th, 2021. Best known in aviation circles as a prolific and talented aircraft designer, aeronautical engineer, innovator, builder, entrepreneur, lecturer and author, Chris has touched the lives of thousands throughout his exceedingly productive professional life. Chris died peacefully at his home in Southern France where he is survived by Annemarie, his loving wife of 60 years, his five children and a dozen grand-children. As per his wishes, funeral arrangements will be kept simple and private."

NASA's SpaceX Crew-1 Mission Launched Nov. 15, 2020

Four astronauts splashed down safely in the Gulf of Mexico in Sunday's wee hours, completing NASA's first commercial crew, long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. The return comes nearly six months after the crew members arrived at the microgravity laboratory and also marks the longest-duration mission of a crewed American spacecraft to date. SpaceX's Crew Dragon, carrying NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, and Shannon Walker, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Soichi Noguchi, returned to Earth in a parachute-assisted splashdown at 2:56 a.m. EDT off the coast of Panama City, Florida.

First European Registered Delivery Scheduled For Late Q2/21

Piper Aircraft has been awarded approval from EASA for its M600/SLS HALO safety system with Autoland. “The European certification is a key milestone for the M600/SLS aircraft, which has garnered substantial interest with the Garmin Autoland system. Additionally, the aircraft features competitive range, payload and safety features along with outstanding acquisition and operating economics”, said Ron Gunnarson, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Support.

Applauds Extension of Public Health, Safety, and Security Measures

ALPA has issued a statement in support of the recent extensions of current Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security directives and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Special Emphasis Enforcement Program that reduce both public health and safety risks caused by unruly passenger behavior of all types through September 13, 2021...

Klyde Wants To Get In On Those Carbon Credits

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

PWI Expands Aviation Lighting Inventory For The King Air

Now Includes An LED Replacement Variable Dimming Control System

PWI tells ANN that they now offer an LED Variable Dimming Control System for the cockpit map light of all King Air models of aircraft. "LEDs can be extremely powerful which is good on cloudy days and around dusk, but for night flying it can be too much light," says Robi Lorik, President and CEO of PWI. "Most pilots prefer fully adjustable, variable dimming LEDs for their map lights. So, our Dimming Control System will give owners and pilots more options."

From 2016 (YouTube Version): The Compact Robby Mover…

While at Sun ‘n Fun 2016, ANN News Editor, Tom Patton, checked in with a company that was showing an electric tug for the Robinson helicopter. Tom met up with Greg McMichael, the chief design engineer for Minimax Aircraft Tugs to get the details. The first thing you’ll probably notice in this video is that the tug is very compact, and McMichael says that’s the way they intended it. He describes it as being easy to move around and that it can be easily connected to the Robinson helicopter by one person without the need to bend over.

Turning From Base Toward Final, The Engine Sustained A Total Loss Of Engine Power

On April 17, 2021, about 1948 central daylight time, a Piper PA-28R-200 airplane, N2973R, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near McKinney, Texas. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The airplane departed from the Rockwall Municipal Airport (F46), Rockwall, Texas, at 1934 and was flying in the traffic pattern at the McKinney National Airport (TKI), McKinney, Texas. While turning from base toward final, the engine sustained a total loss of engine power.

AD 2021-08-16 Requires Repetitive Inspections Of A Certain Part-Numbered Stainless Steel Cable

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for PZL Swidnik S.A. (PZL) Model W-3A helicopters. This AD requires repetitive inspections of a certain part-numbered stainless steel cable (cable) installed on a certain part-numbered hoist assembly, and depending on those inspection results, removing certain parts from service and reporting the results. This AD also prohibits installing the affected part unless it is inspected per the AD requirements. This AD was prompted by wear of and damage to the cable near the swaged terminal due to movement of the hook assembly. The actions of this AD are intended to address an unsafe condition on these produ

Aero Linx: Alaska Air Carriers Association The Alaska Air Carriers Mission is to support and advocate for the commercial aviation community. AACA fosters aviation safety in Alaska and promotes the uniform treatment of aviation businesses. We promote the welfare of our members by advocacy, cooperation and education and provides a forum for members to express their views while providing accurate information. AACA can help your aviation business stay on top of the latest regulations and maintain a powerful industry presence. Our office works daily to advocate for passage of wise federal and state regulations that affect our membership, and challenge those regulations that stifle heal

National Airspace System The common network of U.S. airspace; air navigation facilities, equipment and services, airports or landing areas; aeronautical charts, information and services; rules, regulations and procedures, technical information, and manpower and material. Included are system components shared jointly with the military.

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (05.03.21)

Aero-News Quote of the Day "Overall, Hopkins, Glover, Walker, and Noguchi traveled 71,242,199 statute miles during their 168 days in orbit (with 167 days aboard the space station), completing 2,688 orbits around Earth. With splashdown, the crew also broke the American crewed spacecraft mission duration record of 84 days, 1 hour, 15 minutes, set by the final Skylab crew in February 1974." Source: From a NASA statement describing some of the many, many, milestones that took place over the course of the flight of Crew-1.