Aircraft Completes First Untethered, Piloted Thrustborne Trial

Vertical Aerospace has kicked off the second testing phase for its VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) prototype. This follows a recent expansion from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to Vertical’s Permit to Fly. Phase 2 will include untethered, piloted thrustborne testing. The VX4 has already completed its first Phase 2 trial, with Vertical reporting that it “surpassed expectations in hover performance, control, and stability.” It will now attempt low-speed maneuvers at the Vertical Flight Test Centre at Cotswolds Airport in the UK.

Seeks To Jumpstart GA By Reducing Cost And Emissions

Corsair Aircraft Engines in Colorado Springs, Colorado, wants to bring a replacement aircraft engine to market that may reinvigorate general aviation by reducing cost, noise, and emissions. The engine has some interesting features that are attractive. First off, the engine is a modified aluminum V8 engine block with significantly modified components. These include a redundant fuel injection (REFI) system, essentially a FADEC, that monitors ambient temperatures and pressures to deliver optimum engine efficiency.

City Wants “Clarity” Whether Airport Closure Is Possible

The FAA reaffirmed its position that the City of Boulder must keep its airport open in perpetuity as a condition of having accepted funding from the agency decades ago, according to the legal motion recently filed by the agency in response to the city’s lawsuit. Officials for the City claim they are not necessarily seeking to close the airport with the lawsuit but rather want legal clarity as to whether closure is even possible. They say this is in part to inform and guide long-term planning for Boulder Municipal Airport (KBDU). The City spent $400,000 in consulting over the past several years that eventually came up with two alternatives for the city council to consid

Deltahawk Engines Seeks To Expand Engineering Team

DeltaHawk Engines, Inc., a leader in high-performance aviation engine technology, is excited to announce two key engineering opportunities: Principal Engineer and Mechanical Engineer III. These roles will have a pivotal impact on DeltaHawk’s innovative mission to redefine general aviation with cutting-edge engine designs that deliver unmatched efficiency, reliability, and performance. As part of the DeltaHawk team, engineers will have the unique opportunity to work from concept to production on advanced engine projects, contributing to a growing legacy of innovation in aviation propulsion technology...

Significant Progress Toward Certification Of Merlin Pilot For KC-135

Merlin announced that its airworthiness plan for the Merlin Pilot KC-135 testing has been accepted by the U.S. Air Force (USAF). The joint USAF-Merlin project will evaluate the viability of scaling Merlin Pilot to large transport aircraft. This milestone shows that Merlin’s processes are consistent with USAF airworthiness standards and allows the company to progress toward aircraft integration, design completion, and testing operations.

Carrier Begins Controversial Merger With Air India

Full-service Indian carrier Vistara recently took its last independent flight before beginning joint operations with Air India. The merger has sparked controversy due to Air India’s relatively low service standards. The final flight, UK782, was given a proper sendoff by ground staff at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) in Bhubaneswar, India. The final flight, UK782, was given a proper sendoff by ground staff at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) in Bhubaneswar, India. It took around a two and a half hour journey to land at  Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi.

Improves E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Situational Awareness And More

The U.S. Navy’s fleet of Northrop Grumman E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft are one stop closer to significant operational improvements following the recent completion of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Delta System Software Configuration (DSSC)-6 Preliminary Design Review (PDR). The new configuration reduces pilot workload while improving situational awareness and enhancing readiness. It provides reliability as well as architecture and cybersecurity upgrades.

Klyde Is Attempting To Ride Out The Last Of The Election Frenzy

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Also: Hartzell Expands, Japan V-22 Ills, RCAF H135 Deal, B-29 Doc On Tour

Skyryse reservations for its Skyryse One First Edition helicopters have sold out in just six months. Early adopters received an exclusive introductory base price of $1.8 million but reservations are still being accepted with current pricing based on placement on the reservation list. The FAA has issued a new AD affecting Lycoming engine models with specific connecting rod assemblies. This was prompted by a series of reports of con rod failures that caused uncontained engine breakdowns and in-flight shutdowns (IFSDs). The directive mandates routine oil inspections to identify bronze

From 2014 (YouTube Edition): One Of Aviation's Great Innovators Tackles The 'Proficiency Issue' Head-On

While at Redbird Migration 2014, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell spent some time talking with Joe Brown, the president of the Hartzell Propeller Company. However, don't expect to hear much about the Hartzell line of propellers. In this video Jim talks to Brown about the issue of pilot proficiency, and this is something that Brown is anxious to talk about. Brown classified himself as an everyday pilot who has come to see the light of the importance of maintaining pilot proficiency at many levels. It has been proven that accidents o

The Basket Touched Down Firmly, Bounced Several Times And Came To Rest On Its Side

Analysis: Following an uneventful flight, the pilot descended the balloon at a steep angle into a vacant field. The pilot had briefed the passengers on the proper brace position before the flight and then again just before the landing. The basket touched down firmly, bounced several times and came to rest on its side. Following the landing a passenger experienced pain in his leg.

Aero Linx: Aircraft Electronics Association Founded in 1957, the Aircraft Electronics Association represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including approved maintenance organizations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of aircraft electronics systems in general aviation aircraft. The AEA membership also includes manufacturers of aircraft electronics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.

Breakout A technique to direct aircraft out of the approach stream. In the context of simultaneous (independent) parallel operations, a breakout is used to direct threatened aircraft away from a deviating aircraft.

“The aircraft performed absolutely brilliantly, and was really stable in the hover. The flight controls felt good, and it’s great to have the tethers off. Everything on the aircraft worked perfectly - no surprises, nice and boring - a great test flight.” Source: Simon Davies, Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot, discussing details as Vertical Aerospace has kicked off the second testing phase for its VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) prototype. This follows a recent expansion from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to Vertical’s Permit to Fly.