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January 02, 2024

Airborne 01.02.24: Falcon 9 Dunked, Young Eagles, Drone Smacks R44

Also: B-29 Doc Returns 4 2024, USAF Reopens Tinian, DA62s to Nigeria, Honor Flight Plans

SpaceX lost one of its Falcon 9 boosters, a 19-time launch veteran, off the side of its recovery ship among rough seas on Christmas Day 2023. The booster had soldiered on through 19 space launches, capping off its last one on December 23rd for a well-earned retirement. During the recovery process, the 135-foot tall fuselage, standing on its tail just as it does for launch, toppled over amid rising waves and increasing winds. EAA’s much-lauded Young Eagles program continued its post-pandemic recovery in 2023, as more than 57,000 young people received flight experiences from volunteer EAA-member pilots as of December 17, 2023. The total numbe

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FL Drone v R44 Meetup Does Not Go Well

Drone Destroyed, R44 Main Rotor Blade Damaged

It was not exactly a Happy Holiday for a few flyers this past weekend in Volusia County, FL. An in-flight collision between DJI Mavic 2 Pro drone and a Robinson R44, flying sight seeing tours, took place near the Daytona Beach Flea Market, resulting in a costly bit of damage to the R44 main rotor and obliterating the drone. Volusia County deputies reported that the helicopter was flying on behalf of Leading Edge Helicopter Tours when it was impacted by the drone less than 200 feet in the air at approximately 1400ET, Saturday, December 30th.

After Missing Out On Canadian Tender, a $326 Million Order Raises Spirits

Bombardier announced the firm reception of a 12-aircraft order from an unnamed mystery client, adding up to $326.4 million at list price. The order will see the delivery of a dozen Challenger 3500 aircraft beginning in the latter half of 2025, apparently outfitted as regular Bombardier planes. The client reportedly chose the Challenger 3500 for its "outstanding performance, refined cabin and sustainably minded features", at least they did according to Bombardier's PR department. The announcement is a large order with no mention of any special equipment packages, precluding the possibility that the client is a governmental customer looking for some special mission aircra

Recently Obtained Certification For The EH216-S "Pilotless Passenger-Carrying Aerial Vehicle"

Chinese eVTOL manufacturer EHang completed a passenger-laden test flight using its EH216-S aircraft. It's another milestone for the brand, which recently obtained certification for the EH216-S "pilotless passenger-carrying aerial vehicle" in its home market. The flight bore out the passenger carrying capability of the small eVTOL, showing prospective customers just what the aircraft can do. Guangzhou, and Heifei, China became the first high-profile home to EHang demonstrations, picked for their large metro populations and snarled commuter traffic. Short scenic tours of the local sights provided some fun highlights and photo opportunities for those in

AD 2023-26-05 Requires Periodic Replacement Of Affected Titanium Threaded Bolts...

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. (Pilatus) Model PC–24 airplanes. This AD was prompted by a determination that the titanium threaded bolts at the forward end of the short rudder trim tab actuating rods could be subject to unexpectedly high oscillating loads due to aerodynamic forces acting on the rudder trim tab. This AD requires periodic replacement of affected titanium threaded bolts, a one-time inspection of the rudder mass balance arm and other elements of the rudder trim tab installation for correct attachment, damage (gouges), cracks, deformation, surface finish, and corrosion on any surroundin

AD 2023-25-03 Is Prompted By A Report Of Corrosion On The Various Aluminum Alloy Reinforcements In The Horizontal Stabilizer...

The FAA is adopting a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain Piaggio Aviation S.p.A. (Piaggio) Model P–180 airplanes. This AD is prompted by a report of corrosion on the various aluminum alloy reinforcements in the horizontal stabilizer (HS) central box caused by a humid environment inside the box from water ingress and/or condensation. This AD requires a one-time detailed inspection of the HS central box for corrosion; an assessment of the corrosion level; and depending on the determination, repetitive detailed inspections of the HS central box for corrosion and the internal composite structure for surfa