Uncrewed Flight Test for NASA Is Second Try For Troubled Boeing Effort

Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner is FINALLY in orbit, heading for the International Space Station following the launch Thursday of the next-generation spacecraft on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket on a mission designed to test the end-to-end capabilities of the crew-capable system as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Starliner lifted off on NASA’s Boeing Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) at 6:54 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Following an orbital insertion burn 31 minutes later, Starliner was on its way for a rendezvous and docking with the space station.

Foul Play Suspected In Downing Of China Eastern Flight MU5735

On 21 March 2022, China Eastern Airlines flight MU5735 departed Kunming in southwest China around 1pm bound for Guangzhou near the south eastern coast, a trip that would have taken about 2 hours and perished halfway along its route in Guangxi. Surveillance video some distance away captured what appeared to be the airplane plummeting nose first towards a wooded area in Guangxi.

FirstIz Ready To Pop Up Onsite Giving First Person View (FPV) To Emergency Responders

Phil Burks, CEO and Ryan Labarre, Chief Innovation Officer of FirstIz both took some time out of their day to bring us up to speed on FirstIz…the drone-in-a-box. Mr. Burks stated that one of the hats he wears is with the Genesis Group, a company that’s been providing software for first responders for about 30 years, PSAPs 911 Centers all across the United States. PSAPs are Public Safety Answering Points that are responsible for receiving 911 calls and processing them according to a specific operating policy.

Also: ERAU Pilot APP, RESIDCO Launches, CAP Is NOT Lost In Space, Epic Flight Academy

Eric Crump’s storied history in aviation reaches new heights with his appointment as Director of the Aerospace Center Excellence (ACE), beginning 1 June 2022. Mr. Crump was founder/director of the Polk State College Aerospace Program in since 2012, and grown the aviation program from scratch to a student body of almost 300. Additionally, he was the driving force behind making Polk State College in Florida the first to offer a BS degree in Aerospace Sciences. In an interesting twist that Virgin Atlantic referred to as a ‘rostering error, an international fl

East Hampton Airport (HTO) Closure Postponed For Another Day

Previously, we reported that the Town of East Hampton had, in recent years ceased accepting federal funding for the maintenance and upkeep of the East Hampton Airport (HTO), and had planned to close the airport on 17 May 2022 for 33 hours, then reopen with new identifier (JPX) as a private use airport with restrictive covenants.  The aviation advocacy groups in addition to local residents had filed lawsuits objecting to the proposed airport change.

The US Air Force And Drone Racing League To Accelerate Pilot Training

The United States Air Force (USAF) and the Drone Racing League (DRL) have apparently expanded their efforts to accelerate the recruiting and training of drone pilots, in the hopes of supplying new talent to the USAF. For the past five seasons, the USAF has renewed its partnership with the DRL, capitalizing on the latter’s expertise in marketing and attracting talent for its annual first-person view (FPV) drone racing competitions, where drones equipped with cameras live-stream video feed, bringing the remote viewer into the action.

CAP Honors Tuskegee Airmen In Aerospace Education Program

The Civil Air Patrol (CAP), an auxiliary volunteer force of the United States Air Force (USAF) recently announced a new partnership with the Tuskegee Airmen Inc to share CAP’s aerospace educational resources with middle schools. According to the new agreement that was formalized last year, CAP’s Aerospace Education program has produced a new booklet, aimed at middle schoolers, and which highlights the notable achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen. 

Domestic Counter-UAS National Plan Proposed By White House

The White House recently released the ‘Domestic Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems National Action Plan with an eye toward safeguarding the recreational and commercial UAS in the U.S. National Airspace while protecting against malicious use. The plan extends the reach of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in enforcing the plan, through a series of recommendations.

He Noted That There Were Strong Headwinds But Thought He Had Adequate Fuel Onboard

On April 03, 2022, at 1310 Pacific daylight time, a Soneria IIL, N333BM, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Jean, Nevada. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated that he departed from Kingman, Arizona with the intention of landing at his home airport in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

Aero Linx: European Helicopter Association (EHA) EHA’s goal is to be the single voice of the European rotorcraft industry by all its stakeholders, including manufacturers; operators; suppliers; regulatory entities (EASA, ICAO and European Commission); financial institutions; customers and society. EHA influences safety standards and growth of the European rotorcraft industry by creating new opportunities for its members.

Lost Communications Loss of the ability to communicate by radio. Aircraft are sometimes referred to as NORDO (No Radio). Standard pilot procedures are specified in 14 CFR Part 91. Radar controllers issue procedures for pilots to follow in the event of lost communications during a radar approach when weather reports indicate that an aircraft will likely encounter IFR weather conditions during the approach.

"For the past 75 years, the spirit of innovation has driven the U.S. Air Force and enabled our Airmen to Fly, Fight and Win. As we celebrate our historic milestone, we are proud to expand our partnership with the Drone Racing League, a sport that shares our passion around technology, speed and precision, and inspires their young fans to aim high." Source: Lt. Col. Jason Wyche, chief of the national events branch at Air Force Recruiting Service, adding detail to why the United States Air Force (USAF) and the Drone Racing League (DRL) have expanded their efforts to accelerate the recruiting and training of drone pilots, in the hopes of supplying new talent to the USAF.