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January 06, 2025

Airborne 01.06.25: Starship UPGRADED!, 2024 Skydiving Safety, HÜRKUS-II 1st Flt

Also: JetBlue Fines, AMA Optimistic, New Mars Chopper, Laughlin's Final T-1A Jayhawk

SpaceX is gearing up to send Starship on its seventh test flight with a new and improved ship. Test flight seven will feature several improvements to the Starship upper stage. Its forward flaps were shrunk and moved further from the heat shield in an attempt to reduce their thermal exposure. SpaceX also upgraded the propulsion system by adding 25 percent more propellant volume and a new fuel feedline system... It’s a proud day for the skydiving community, with annual civilian skydiving fatalities having hit single digits for the first time since 1961. The number has been on a steep descent in the past few decades despite the exponential growth

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Starship Flight Test Seven Prepares for Lift Off

Next Generation Ship to Take Flight, Attempt to Catch and Reuse

SpaceX is gearing up to send Starship on its seventh test flight with a new and improved ship. The upcoming experiment will include multiple reentries working towards catching and reusing the ship, as well as launching and returning the Super Heavy booster. Test flight seven will feature several improvements to the Starship upper stage.

Work On New Advanced Trainer Began In 2021

Turkish Aerospace (TUSA?) announced that its newest advanced trainer, the Hürku?-II successfully conducted its maiden flight on December 30, 2024 from Akinci Air Base. The aircraft was decorated with a drawing by the young daughter of engineer Zahide Güçlü Ekici, who was killed in a terrorist attack in Ankara on October 23, 2024.

Double Kill Confirmed In First Use Of Naval Drone Missiles

UPDATE: This updates a previously published article on the Ukrainian naval drone shooting a missile to bring down a Russian helicopter. The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence agency (DIU) has confirmed that two Russian Mi-8 helicopters were shot down and damaged a third with missiles fired from a naval drone in the first-of-its-kind combat engagement with drone weapons being deployed in an aerial attack. The agency also confirmed that the crews of the two shot down helicopters were killed.

Allows Program to Expand Fleet and Student Enrollment Capacity

Jim Justice, the Governor of West Virginia, recently delivered a $2 million grant to the Fairmont State University Aviation Center of Excellence. The funds will be used to expand the program’s trainer fleet, update older aircraft, and increase enrollment. The Fairmont State College of Business and Aviation runs two degree pathways.

Whistleblowers Are Dismissed, Face Retaliation and Frustration

For whistleblowers in the aviation industry, exposing safety issues often leads to professional and personal turmoil rather than resolution. Santiago Paredes, a former quality inspector at Spirit AeroSystems, found this out the hard way. His whistleblowing efforts came at great cost—job loss, reputation damage, and financial strain.

JetBlue Fined $2M For Chronic Flight Delays

Passengers To Be Compensated Now And In Future

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has penalized JetBlue Airways for “operating multiple chronically delayed flights.” It is the first time DOT has imposed a fine on any airline for consistently delaying flights, labeling it a “prohibited unrealistic scheduling practice which can harm both passengers and fair competition across the industry.”

Also: Rotax SB, New Medical Certification, Mesnard Velocity, TTN Aviation Program

Face it, it was an unkind year for Van’s Aircraft, but they ARE recovering... swiftly. Among the latest news, is a report on changes to the RV-15 prototype: The stabilator has been replaced with a conventional tail on a longer tailcone, which has proven to provide more intuitive handling for pilots of varying skill levels... No surprise here, as the inevitable takeover of Icon becomes an International Game. ICON Aircraft will be moving “a portion” (with likely more to come) of its manufacturing to a new state-of-the-art facility in China but will (for now.

Little Guys Continue to Fall as Four Major US Carriers Grow Their Dominance

In late December, just a month after the breakdown of famously low-cost Spirit Airlines, Silver Airways filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This trend is bad news for those looking to avoid the major carriers for their next tropical vacation. The US airline industry is dominated by four players: American, Delta, United, and Southwest.

Also: Bizarre Naples Airport APP, Atlantic City Airshow NoGo, Starlight ICAS, Friendly Fire

Growing concerns over the environment, local businesses, and the community have led Sagarmatha National Park officials to consider placing a ban on commercial helicopter flights. The park, home to the famous Mount Everest, draws in upwards of 100,000 visitors per year. The FAA is investigating an incident at Orlando’s Lake Eola holiday performance. Several drones dropped from the sky during the routine and landed in the crowd, injuring a seven-year-old viewer. The Holiday Drone Show, held at Lake Eola Park, was the third consecutive year of operation, with t

Pilot’s Efforts To Restore Engine Power Were Not Successful, And She Executed A Forced Landing To A Muddy Field

Analysis: The accident airplane was being flown to the pilot/owner’s home after a replacement engine had been installed. According to the pilot, the maintenance facility had conducted about 4 hours of flight testing after the engine installation was completed. Additionally, the pilot flew 4 takeoffs and landings on the day before the accident flight. The airplane was fully fueled before the flight on the morning of the accident.

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): From DC3s to 737s and Back

Bridgewater, Virginia’s Dynamic Aviation is a provider of modified aircraft which the company leases and operates worldwide in service of niche markets the likes of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR); Airborne Data Acquisition (ADA); aerial application of fertilizers and pesticides; and aerial photography. Dynamic Aviation’s 150-aircraft fleet comprises 124 Beechcraft King Airs, 15 De Havilland Dash-8s, four Boeing 737s, and a complement of ten vintage aircraft including Miss Virginia, a pristine DC-3 which formerly served as the United States&rsqu

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (01.06.25)

Aero Linx: N3N Owners and Restorers Association The N3N holds a special place in aviation history. The aircraft was both designed and built by the Naval Aircraft Factory, located on the grounds of the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. It is believed to be the only primary training aircraft ever produced as a convertible (land and sea) design. It holds the distinction of being the last biplane in US Military service – in operation at the Naval Academy (Annapolis) until 1959.

NORDO (No Radio) Aircraft that cannot or do not communicate by radio when radio communication is required are referred to as “NORDO.”

“We accept no compromises when it comes to ensuring the safety of the public and our team, and the return will only take place if conditions are right.” Source: A statement by SpaceX, a few days before the expected launch of Starship 7... a vehicle that boasts a number of improvements and upgrades over its predecessors.