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June 22, 2022

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (06.22.22)

Aero Linx: United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (USHPA) USHPA's mission is to ensure the future of free flight. We encourage all those who wish to fly, whether it be hang gliders, paragliders, or both, to join the USHPA as members, because together, as an Association, we can ensure the flying we enjoy today will be around tomorrow.

Outer Area (Associated With Class C Airspace) Non-regulatory airspace surrounding designated Class C airspace airports wherein ATC provides radar vectoring and sequencing on a full-time basis for all IFR and participating VFR aircraft. The service provided in the outer area is called Class C service which includes: IFR/IFR-IFR separation; IFR/VFR-traffic advisories and conflict resolution; and VFR/VFR-traffic advisories and, as appropriate, safety alerts. The normal radius will be 20 nautical miles with some variations based on site-specific requirements. The outer area extends outward from the primary Class C airspace airport and extends from the lower limits of radar/radio coverage up to the ceilin

“Installing Hartzell’s Scimitar-style prop covered by this STC delivers 8-10 percent improvement in climb performance, a 2-3 knot increase in cruise, and looks terrific on the ramp coupled with Mooney’s signature tail.” Source: Hartzell President JJ Frigge detailing some of the considerable benefits of the Hartzell Prop upgrade now available for a number of Mooney airframes.

Also: Hartzell M20M/TLS/Bravo Prop, Stratolaunch 7th, Radar-Altimeter Concerns, Sierra Space

At this year’s Aerial Fire Fighting conference in Nimes, France, Fire Boss LLC signed a historic fleet order with Air Tractor Europe. The Fire Boss is a modified AT802F, manufactured by Air Tractor. The order consists of eight Fire Bosses with an option for an additional eight. The first delivery is scheduled for late 2022. Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen and Air Force legend, was laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington June 17. Along with his family and distinguished guests, many senior military leaders attended the service to bid a final farewell to the historic figure. McGee’s aviation career began on O

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Federal Air Marshal Union Sues Uncle Sam

We Have Nothing to Fear—But Bureaucracy

The Federal Air Marshal Service’s motto—Invisus, Inauditus, Impavidus [Unseen, Unheard, Unafraid] is proving uncannily apposite. The head of the Federal Air Marshal Service's Philadelphia office is reportedly tampering with performance reviews, pressuring workers to put off necessary medical care, and opening fraudulent investigations in an illegal attempt to harass and suppress his unionized workforce; so alleges the Air Marshal Association (AMA), a labor union representing Federal Air Marshals.

Bright Side of the Mooney

A Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) has been approved to replace McCauley propellers on Mooney M20M/TLS/Bravo series, single-engine aircraft with Hartzell Propeller's 75-inch diameter, three-bladed, aluminum props. Airplanes covered by the STC are powered by TIO-540-AF1A and TIO-540-AF1B Turbocharged Lycoming Sabre engines. Hartzell President JJ Frigge states, “Installing Hartzell’s Scimitar-style prop covered by this STC delivers 8-10 percent improvement in climb performance, a 2-3 knot increase in cruise, and looks terrific on the ramp coupled with Mooney’s signature tail.”

AeroTV at OSH21: Popular AirVenture Helicopter Rides Thrill Show-Goers

What Goes Up—May Do So 3,500 Times

EAA’s AirVenture at Oshkosh is a big deal, the biggest of its kind—in the world. During the show, the VFR control tower frequency at Wittman Regional Airport, where the event is held, is the busiest—in the world. Last year, the weeklong airshow drew over six-hundred-thousand attendees, ten-thousand visiting aircraft, 2,979 show-planes, and 867 commercial exhibitors. It’s a lot to see—and among the best ways to see it is to avail one’s self of the helicopter rides offered by Jimmy Freeman and his crew.

Also: New FAA Boss, Rolls Royce–Purdue, Project X Winner, USAF Squadron Honored

Electra has acquired California-based Airflow. The transaction creates an addition to the rapidly emerging advanced air mobility (AAM) market. The acquisition places Electra's order book at almost 800 planes, allegedly 'beyond break-even' for commercial development. Altitude Angel, the European aviation technology company and provider of UTM (Unified Traffic Management) software, has announced that London Biggin Hill has become the latest airport to deploy its GuardianUTM Enterprise platform. GuardianUTM Enterprise is an airspace management and surveillance system tha

Threatened Strike Would Impact Challenger Program

In a high-stakes square-off that speaks compellingly to rampant inflation and widening class-disparity, 1,800 workers at Bombardier’s Dorval and Saint-Laurent plants are set to vote on a new contract which, if rejected, will precipitate an automatic and unlimited strike. On Friday, 17 June, the Canadian business-jet maker presented a final offer to the union representing workers on its Challenger program—which accounted for over one-third of the company's 2021 plane deliveries.

Also: Electra Acquires Airflow, Mars Helicopter AOG, AirDialog, Aviation Comm Simulator

Political theater? The Biden Administration may name Democrat standby and aviation industry neophyte Phil Washington its nominee to run the FAA. Originally from the Altgeld Gardens housing projects on Chicago’s South Side and conspicuously light on aviation experience, Washington exemplifies the Administration’s practice of predicating critical appointments on standards other than experience and ability. In yet another shortsighted move, East Hampton, NY town officials have begun the process of permanently closing the East Hampton Airport after litigation preve

British Model Flying Association Celebrates Rich History

In a coordinated, nationwide effort, Member groups of the British Model Flying Association (BMFA) simultaneously launched a total of 3109 model aircraft over England’s green and pleasant land. The May, 2022 event celebrated the British Model Flying Association‘s one-hundredth year, and represented the efforts and skills of an impressive, 263 BMFA affiliated clubs. Event organizers, in addition to commemorating the BMFA‘s centennial, sought to showcase and encourage participation in model-aircraft building. In its time, BMFA has produced promotional materials and products to support events staged by over 800 affiliated clubs.

Lighter Than Air from Over There

RT-LTA—the Israeli company that designs and manufactures the SkyStar family of aerostats—has introduced a new capability by which its SkyStar330 aerostat systems may be remotely controlled. Aerostats (from the Greek ??ρ aer [air] + στατ?ς statos [static]) are lighter than air aircraft borne aloft via containment of a buoyant gas. Aerostats include unpowered balloons and powered airships. Contrariwise, aerodynes (from the Greek ??ρ aer [air] + dynamikos [powerful]) use aerodynamic lift, which requires the movement of a wing surface through the surrounding air mass.

Have Tools, Will Travel

Who Do You Call When Your F-35 Breaks Down in the South Pacific?

Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) is a U.S. Navy aviation repair and maintenance facility located in Havelock, NC on Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point. With annual revenue in excess of $1-billion and more than four-thousand civilian, military and contract workers, the facility is North Carolina's largest maintenance, repair, overhaul and technical services provider, and one of nine main subsidiaries of the Navy's Fleet Readiness Center Command.

"I Am Declaring An Emergency, Loss Of Power."

On June 07, 2022, about 0930 Pacific daylight time, a Beech 77 Skipper, N18244, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident in Hemet, California. The student pilot sustained fatal injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the student pilot's flight instructor, the pilot was authorized to depart Redlands Municipal Airport (REI), Redlands, California and fly about 22 NM south to Hemet-Ryan Airport (HMT), Hemet. The accident flight was the pilot’s second solo cross-country flight from REI to HMT.