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November 18, 2024

Airborne 11.18.24: Stratolaunch Roc, Heuer Aerobatic Meet, Alia CX300 Flies

Also: Aspen/Pitkin Airport, McFarlane Aviation, NBAA Fires Back, AST Taps New Glenn

Stratolaunch successfully completed the 20th test flight of its Roc launch platform. The manufacturer will now be increasing test frequency prepping for its recoverable Talon-A2 testbed. The latest test flight included a mid-flight landing, allowing Stratolaunch to switch out its crew before getting back in the air. The second flight crew was able to finalize certification on the aircraft during the flight. Having two certified crews expands Stratolaunch’s ability to conduct more frequent tests. Mike Heuer, son of legendary aerobatic aviator Robert Heuer, recently announced that the Robert L. Heuer Aerobatic Contest is being brought back to life

More Videos

Qantas A380 Logs 34 Flights with Tool Stuck in Engine

4 Foot Nylon Inspection Tool Went Undetected for Weeks

An Airbus A380, operated by Qantas Airways, took 34 flights with an over four-foot-long nylon rod lodged in one of its engines. The tool, which is used to rotate a compressor in the engine during borescope inspections, was accidentally left behind in routine maintenance. Just one day after finding the lost device, Qantas launched an internal incident report and began briefing its staff on the importance of keeping track of tools.

eCTOL Aircraft Debuts after Rolling Off New Virginia Production Line

Beta Technologies recently sent the first production-representative Alia CX300 up for its debut flight. The electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) aircraft is the first to come off the manufacturer’s new production line in South Burlington, Vermont. The aircraft, N916LF, was flown by Beta founder and CEO Kyle Clark.

Manufacturer to Increase Test Frequency Moving Into 2025

On November 14, Stratolaunch successfully completed the 20th test flight of its Roc launch platform. The manufacturer will now be increasing the frequency of tests in preparation for its recoverable Talon-A2 testbed. The latest test flight included a mid-flight landing, allowing Stratolaunch to switch out its crew before getting back in the air.

Aircraft Takes Gunfire Near Cockpit, Passengers Deplaned With No Injury

A Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 was struck by gunfire while preparing to depart from Dallas Love Field (DAL) on November 15. Local police are investigating the incident and no injuries have been reported. This follows just after three back-to-back-to-back aircraft shootings in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Heuer Was First IAC President and Aerobatic Pioneer

Mike Heuer, son of legendary aerobatic aviator Robert Heuer, recently announced that the Robert L. Heuer Aerobatic Contest is being brought back to life. It will be hosted by former IAC Vice President Doug Bartlett in Platteville, Wisconsin just before the 2025 EAA Oshkosh AirVenture. Robert Heuer was the first President and one of the founding members of the International Aerobatic Club.

Flight Attendant Sues Delta Airlines for Discrimination

Crewmember Accuses Carrier of Repeated Antisemitism

A Jewish flight attendant, Roey Segev, recently filed a lawsuit against Delta Airlines over claims of religious discrimination. Segev has apparently run out of patience after reporting several incidents to the carrier to no avail. Segev’s suit follows just two months after another discrimination case against Delta.

Electric Device Aimed to Expand Japanese Mobility

teTra Aviation, or technology for Transportation, showcased its new Mk-7 prototype at the 2024 EAA Oshkosh Airventure. The fully electric, vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) device is a part of the company’s effort to make air transportation more accessible in Japan. The Mark 7 is still in the early stages of development and testing. It has a wingspan of just over 26 feet and is nearly 33 feet long. It has two seats and can maintain a 155 mph cruise speed for a range of 110 miles. The aircraft is teTra’s latest development in its eVTOL series. The manufacturer’s curren

Climbing Through 300 Ft Above Ground Level, The Engine Started To “Misfire” Then Immediately Stopped Producing Power

On October 17, 2024, at 1515 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Zenith Zodiac 601HDS airplane, N511JG, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Altoona, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91personal flight. The private pilot reported that that there were no irregularities noted with the airplane during the preflight inspection, engine runup or taxi prior to departing from runway 3 at Altoona/Blair County Airport (AOO), Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Aero Linx: National Aviation Safety Foundation (NASF) The National Aviation Safety Foundation is a support group whose objective is to enhance aviation safety through educational programs at designated facilities and locations. During the year we provide extensive support for projects, perform safety seminars, and provide a wide dissemination of safety related information to all interested parties.

Standard T An RNAV approach whose design allows direct flight to any one of three initial approach fixes (IAF) and eliminates the need for procedure turns. The standard design is to align the procedure on the extended centerline with the missed approach point (MAP) at the runway threshold, the final approach fix (FAF), and the initial approach/ intermediate fix (IAF/IF). The other two IAFs will be established perpendicular to the IF.

“We know Roc and our team are ready to meet this demand, so it’s now a matter of testing and learning from our first TA-2 flights that we’ll complete later this year. This is an exciting time for our company and our customers as our routine hypersonic flight test service becomes reality." Source: Stratolaunch CEO Dr. Zachary Krevor, reporting after the 20th flight of Roc... They will now be increasing the frequency of tests in preparation for its recoverable Talon-A2 testbed.