Company Violated Deferred-Prosecution Agreement

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing avoided a messy trial and potentially much higher financial penalties by pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to defraud the federal government via the FAA. The offense is a felony and grew out of two plane crashes in 2018 and 2019 involving its 737 MAX commercial jetliner operated by Indonesian airline Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines. The agreement requires Boeing to pay a fine of $243.6 million and spend at least $455 million in the next three years to strengthen its safety and compliance programs. An independent monitor to track progress and compliance will be appointed and will file annual reports. During that time Boeing

New Lease Went Into Effect July 6

A 50-year lease was signed on Friday July 5 by U.S. Army Garrison Hawai’i Commander Col. Steve McGunegle, Hawai’i Governor Josh Green, M.D., and the Hawai’i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen for Kawaihpai Airfield, known more widely as Dillingham Airfield (PHDH). The agreement, announced in a joint presser in the State Capitol’s Ceremonial Room, represents a noteworthy milestone for the state’s aviation infrastructure and the North Shore community. Since 2020 the general aviation field had been under threat of the state’s intent to terminate the existing lease due to legal, ownership, and other issues. However, th

Was State’s Longest Serving Senator... And Our Dear, Dear Friend...

James Mountain Inhofe, a Republican retired Senator from Oklahoma, has died at the age of 89 after suffering a stroke on July 4. He had retired from the Senate in 2023 because of his health, and had four years left in his term. He was Oklahoma’s longest serving Senator who served as chairman of both the Armed Services and the Environment and Public Works committees. He was a partisan iconoclast who nonetheless was able to reach across the aisle on certain issues such as military policy and infrastructure, especially when he saw benefit for the Republican party. He was one of the most conservative members of Congress particularly on energy, defense, and the environ

First of Four for PHI and First in U.S.

The first of four Airbus H160 model helicopters has been delivered to PHI Aviation in Lafayette, Louisiana. This is the initial bracket of the aircraft for PHI with more to follow, and also represents the first H160 to enter service in the U.S.  Airbus Helicopters and PHI entered a partnership in 2021 to launch the H160 in the U.S. and the helicopter received FAA certification in June 2023. PHI will operate them for offshore transportation in the Gulf of Mexico. The H160 medium-class helicopter features improved comfort, advanced technology and safety, and environmental performance in the offshore environment that can be very challenging. PHI will immed

Also: Stealthy CCA Prototype, ispace Readies HAKUTO-R, Skunk Works AI, Electric Jet Propulsor

SpaceX has won the NASA contract to build the vehicle that will bring the International Space Station (ISS) out of orbit and to its resting place on the seafloor in a remote ocean location. The deorbit vehicle contract is worth about $843 million for Elon Musk’s SpaceX. NASA will operate the mission using SpaceX technology. The current contract does not include the cost of launching the vehicle, and the separate contract for that will potentially go to SpaceX as well. VerdeGo Aero has been selected for a contract under NASA’s Small Business Innovatio

Company Notes 100 Day Mark Since FAA Certification

Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.’s G700 business jet has reached the 100-day mark since its certification by the FAA on March 29, 2024. The company, headquartered in Savannah, Georgia, made the announcement today (July 8), and highlighted its seamless entry into service as it has since then added certification by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and type certificate validations from Mexico and seven other countries.

Company Accepting Pre-Orders Now

AeroMech Inc. announced that it is expecting an STC in September to install Starlink highspeed internet on the Citation 560XL series, including the Excel, XLS, and XLS+ models. The company plans to include the Citation Ascend model in the STC. AeroMech is accepting pre-orders for the Citation 560XL Starlink STC Equipment Package at a locked-in discount and have the installation on their aircraft when the STC becomes available. AeroMech also plans to pursue Starlink STCs for other Textron airframes including the Citation Sovereign, X, Latitude, and Longitude models, Cessna Caravan, Cessna SkyCourier, and Hawker 800/900 series.

Also: Stealthy CCA Prototype, ispace Readies HAKUTO-R, Skunk Works AI, Electric Jet Propulsor

SpaceX has won the NASA contract to build the vehicle that will bring the International Space Station (ISS) out of orbit and to its resting place on the seafloor in a remote ocean location. The deorbit vehicle contract is worth about $843 million for Elon Musk’s SpaceX. NASA will operate the mission using SpaceX technology. The current contract does not include the cost of launching the vehicle, and the separate contract for that will potentially go to SpaceX as well. VerdeGo Aero has been selected for a contract under NASA’s Small Business In

Beechcraft Hunts for Trainer Sales Abroad with METS Bird in Tow

Textron has announced it will be attending the Farnborough International Airshow, with a freshly produced, 'missionized' King Air 260 for display. Beechcraft is likely highlighting the fact that the King Air 260 has been chosen for the United States Navy’s Multi-Engine Training System (METS) program, with the first deliveries taking place this year. The appearance at the Farnborough International Airshow will mark the first time a METS aircraft has made it over the Atlantic, sending a strong signal to those in the market for such a trainer that the King Air is ready to go.

From 2023 (YouTube Version): The Best Option for A Pilots’ Worst Days

Since its 1979 founding, Para-Phernalia, Inc. has designed and manufactured the Softie line of pilot emergency parachutes. The products are renowned among aerobatic, glider, and warbird pilots, formation fliers, and kit-plane builders for their high-quality, comfort, and perennial reliability. Emergency parachutes comprise two primary components: the parachute canopy and the harness and container system. The harness attaches a parachute’s canopy to its wearer. The container system retains the packed parachute canopy. Finally, the parachute harness and conta

The NTSB published a preliminary report regarding a Murphy Moose that took a pretty severe hit after what may have been a touch-and-go gone wrong. Unfortunately, however, there are still some questions, since even the pilot can’t quite describe what happened. The NTSB was able to piece together a little bit though, after interviewing locals about what preceded the event. "Witnesses located near the accident location reported that they observed the accident airplane approach runway 33 from the south, touch down on the runway, then took off again to the north. The witnesses stated that shortly thereafter, the airplane banked to the right and descended to the ground in a nose low attitude."

Aero Linx: Fantasy of Flight Welcome to Fantasy of Flight. The large hangar at Fantasy of Flight is filled with vintage aircraft from several aviation eras for your enjoyment. Browse through the gift shop for unique Fantasy of Flight items that can only be found here. We are open seasonally throughout the year so check our calendar for specific dates as it changes annually. Our operating hours are Friday, Saturday and Sundays from 11:00am -3:00pm when we are open.

Cleared For The Option ATC authorization for an aircraft to make a touch-and-go, low approach, missed approach, stop and go, or full stop landing at the discretion of the pilot. It is normally used in training so that an instructor can evaluate a student’s performance under changing situations. Pilots should advise ATC if they decide to remain on the runway, of any delay in their stop and go, delay clearing the runway, or are unable to comply with the instruction(s).

“We will work hard to complete these STCs and bring the best inflight connectivity available in aviation to all these airframes as soon as possible.” Source: Anthony Wiederkehr, AeroMech COO, discussing the pending issuance of an STC to install Starlink highspeed internet on the Citation 560XL series, including the Excel, XLS, and XLS+ models. The company plans to include the Citation Ascend model in the STC. AeroMech is accepting pre-orders for the Citation 560XL Starlink STC Equipment Package at a locked-in discount and have the installation on their aircraft when the STC becomes available.