Flight Simmers Gain Another Option with HOTAS Controls

Turtle Beach has continued to capitalize on the waxing interest in flight sim equipment, releasing a more complex and capable HOTAS controller called the VelocityOne Flightdeck. Its complexity belies a comprehensive suite of flight controls needed for quick, one-handed operation for both throttle and stick, allowing for complex flight simmers and dogfighters to stay in full control without having to pull away to proc systems on their keyboard. Turtle Beach's software allows for a bevy of customization, allowing users to tweak things to perfection. Unfortunately for Mac fans and Linux nerds, Turtle Beach says this one is specially designed for Windows PCs to deliver "full-spectrum dominanc

Anthem Integrated Flight Deck to Helm Future Supersonic Flights

Honeywell's recently introduced Anthem integrated flight deck will be the avionics of choice for all Overture supersonic passenger carriers, not long after the system began test flights for its FAA certification. The combined Boom/Honeywell effort will see Anthem's modularity pay off in spades, with techs from both sides integrating the system into the Overture's development process. The interface will be included in the simulator development for the type, too, providing perfect training continuity to future Overture pilots. The system remains quite new, with Anthem taking to the skies for the first time in May of this year, installed on a testbed Pilatus PC-12.

Longer Range, Gas-Slurping Regional Carrier Shows Pivot to Tried and True Tech

Dutch manufacturer-to-be Maeve Aerospace announced a second aircraft model in their roster of products, building on their electric 44-seat commuter plane, the Maeve01, with a hybrid concept about double its size and capacity. The new aircraft will eschew the naming scheme of its predecessor, being called the M80. Instead of the Maeve01’s purely battery powered flight, the M80 will be given longer range, more easily refueled hybrid powerpants. It will accordingly see twice the range, 800 nm to the 01’s 400 nm, while hauling 80 passengers.

View-Limiting Shield Enjoyed at CAE's Dothan Training Center

ICARUS Devices highlighted the fact that CAE will utilize the Instrument Conditions Awareness Recognition and Understanding System (ICARUS) in training to support its own contract teaching the USAF Rotary Wing - Introductory Flight Training program (IFT-R). The "full-spectrum Inadvertent Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IIMC) awareness solution" offers a more polished version of the good old "duct tape over safety glasses" system, offering students a wearable shield that can be optionally activated at their instructor's discretion.

Approval and Testing Continues on Nearly a Dozen Discrete Models

GE Aerospace announced the completion of testing on its 10th engine model burning 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in 2016. The milestone gave them a chance to crow about their eco-friendly bonafides, particularly important as the industry looks at looming net-zero goals. The development surrounding 100% SAF usage continues to pick up speed, with most of its current testing programs having already moved far beyond various blends of traditional Jet-A. Now, the race is on to offer carriers the first airliner with 100% guilt-free, SAF-powered revenue flight.

Heavy Lifter Remains Perennial Favorite for Special Ops

The US Army Special Operations Aviation Command is replenishing their fleet of heavy-lift Chinook aircraft, granting Boeing a contract to produce 6 remanufactured MH-47G Block II aircraft. The deal is worth $271 million, good news for Boeing's refurbishers. The USASOAC fleet has enjoyed their Chinooks so far, finding them a capable partner when the mission requires a high-capacity, stable, roomy, and high-altitude performer. The block II models feature the newer "digital cockpit management system", and Digital Automatic Flight Control Systems.

Also: NJSAP v Buffet, FAA Reauth, Sopwith Camel Flight Sims, FAA Flight Training Dispute

International flight enterprise BAA training inked a deal for 48 C-172s, expanding their educational Cessna fleet around the world. BAA Training is a full-spectrum GA provider with facilities in Spain, Lithuania, France and Vietnam. Additionally, pilot training services are provided through a consultancy office in India and a sales representative office in the UAE. Bell Training Academy in Valencia, Spain welcomed around 200 students to training using its nifty facilities, its crown jewel being a fully certified Bell 429 Level D Full Flight Simulator. The sim has been a h

Efficiency Efforts Continue Towards 5%-10% Improvement in Fuel Consumption

NASA selected GE Aerospace of Cincinnati to work on the agency’s Hybrid Thermally Efficient Core (HyTEC) project, a program that will hopefully "develop more fuel efficient engines for single-aisle aircraft." The HyTEC Phase 2 Integrated Core Technology Demonstration offers a cost-sharing contract with a maximum value of about $68.1 million, with a 5-year performance period that begins on February 15th, 2024. The contract is awarded with a 50% minimum GE Aerospace cost share during the contract period.

Klyde Tries To Keep Up With The Anomaly Excuses...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

The Airplane Collided With 80-Ft-Tall Hardwood Trees

On December 3, 2023, about 1548 eastern standard time, a Beech C23 airplane, N76SB, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Midland, Virginia. The commercial pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated  as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Initial Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) track data revealed that the pilot departed from runway 15 at Warrenton-Fauquier Airport (HWY), Midland, Virginia about 1308 and conducted several practice instrument approaches to Stafford Regional Airport (RMN) in Stafford, Virginia and Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR) in Culpeper, Virginia before returning to attempt an approach and land

From 2015 (YouTube Version): Fly By Wire Is No Longer Just For Fighter Jets And Airliners!

This video addresses the subject of active side sticks for aircraft with fly-by-wire control systems. NBAA2014 was the place to get the latest information on this technology, and ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, spent some time at Sagem Avionics Division talking with Phillipe Arnaud, the vice president of sales and marketing, about their entry into this high technology field. As more aircraft enter the market with fly-by-wire control it’s been typical for side stick controllers to have little feel for the aircraft and limited or no crossover

Aero Linx: The South Dakota Aviation Association

The South Dakota Aviation Association is an organization comprised of pilots, business owners and allied industry representatives. We use aircraft to assist agricultural producers in the production of food, fiber and biofuel. Our pilots take to the skies to not only protect crops, but also rangeland, timber and areas threatened by fire.

Precision Runway Monitor (PRM) System Provides air traffic controllers monitoring the NTZ during simultaneous close parallel PRM approaches with precision, high update rate secondary surveillance data. The high update rate surveillance sensor component of the PRM system is only required for specific runway or approach course separation. The high resolution color monitoring display, Final Monitor Aid (FMA) of the PRM system, or other FMA with the same capability, presents NTZ surveillance track data to controllers along with detailed maps depicting approaches and no transgression zone and is required for all simultaneous close parallel PRM NTZ monitoring operations.

“To my knowledge, there are currently no alternatives in development that are equally sustainable, cost-effective, and match the operational needs of airlines and airports. If there are, I would applaud them, because we need more of these realistic solutions to become sustainable”. Source: Martin Nuesseler, CTO, of Dutch manufacturer-to-be Maeve Aerospace -- as they announced a second aircraft model in their roster of products, building on their electric 44-seat commuter plane, the Maeve01, with a hybrid concept about double its size and capacity.