Private Airport Approved, Paving the Way for Development

Folks in the Las Vegas, Nevada aerospace ecosystem may gain an additional airport, now that the FAA has approved plans to develop a field 31 miles west of Harry Reid International. The FAA anticipates the usual GA mix to operate there, with single, multi-engine, and helicopter ops slated in their documentation. The airport will sport a single runway, though that will likely change in time as needs shift. Today, the project holds about $10 million in funding from investors, but they've said they need another $20 million in order to meet their first funding goal. 

Private aviation Reeling After Prices Triple

A new fee schedule under the Bahamas Customs Management Regulations 2024 popped eyeballs with manifold increases over previous fees, with inbound flights tripling in cost - or worse. Given the Bahamas' interesting relationship with private aviation, those in the know bemoan a surprise turn that could put a real dent in the amount of small aircraft traffic they get from the mainland. Before, Bahamian Customs levied a $50 USD fee for inbound flights, with outbound permits costing nothing. Now, commercial aircraft with jet power have to pay a $50 inbound and $50 outbound fee. 

Simplified, Technology Focused Helicopter Aims to Make a Splash At Country's Biggest Fly-In

Skyryse, designer and developer of the One, has announced their first public exhibition of the pared-down, simplified-control helicopter. The company will show up with an example of their aircraft at AirVenture, where they hope to court some of the biggest helicopter enthusiasts in the world with their fresh new concept. While at AirVenture, Skyryse will run simulators in their booth to offer visitors a chance to "experience what it's like to fly the groundbreaking SkyOS universal flight operating system". 

SpaceX’s Fifth Test Flight Will Launch from Starbase

SpaceX’s Starship will launch in four weeks according to SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk. Musk, who also owns social media platform X, posted there on July 5, "Flight 5 in 4 weeks." The approximate two-month turnaround after its last flight June 6 is faster than the previous launch interval for Starship. That’s because Flight 4 went entirely according to plan so there were fewer technical issues to resolve and no FAA mishap investigation or regulatory approval were required. So the limiting factor determining the timing of Flight 5 is fixing the remaining technical issues.

Negotiations Continue Between FAs and Airlines

As the world returns from the July 4th weekend, the negotiations are expected to heat back up between the Association of Professional Flight Attendants and American Airlines, after an underwhelmingly productive weak heading into it. July opened with continuation of the running duel between the flight attendants and their employer, preceded by some serious preparations for an impending strike. In the tail end of June, however, the National Mediation Board ordered APFA and American management to continue further negotiations. APFA was a little miffed, saying that the Board had given them only a day’s notice before having to continue, something they called a "very rare move".

Also: Oshkosh EarlyBird Warning, NTSB Sanctions Boeing, Gogo AVANCE, Spirit AeroSystems

The Red Bull Flugtag will be returning for the first time since 2011 to the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. It will be held on Saturday November 9, 2024, outside the Convention Center on the specially-built platform over the Convention Center Marina. Then, all the teams get together in a place where they see which team’s “flying machine” goes the furthest, or looks the funniest or most ridiculous, as they soar off a platform high above water. A homeowner in Naples, Florida, is suing NASA to have them pay for damages his house sustai

After Slumbering in the Hangar for a Lengthy Overhaul, Houston's Fairchild Returns to Duty

The Commemorative Air Force's Houston Wing announced the completed restoration of their classic Fairchild PT-19, following a long seven-year stretch of restoring the aircraft. The Fairchild was given the full-service resto, too, being stripped down to the bare airframe for a complete rebuild. Luckily, the Houston Wing was able to use much of its wings and horizontal stabilizers, since they required very minor repairs. The team added all-new electrical and hoses as they went, adding a few ounces of 'cure' to prevent a few pounds of headaches in the future. The main landing gear were all rebuilt too, before moving on to the tailwheel for a similar rehab. 

Also: Oshkosh EarlyBird Warning, NTSB Sanctions Boeing, Gogo AVANCE, Spirit AeroSystems

The Red Bull Flugtag will be returning for the first time since 2011 to the Tampa Convention Center in Tampa, Florida. It will be held on Saturday November 9, 2024, outside the Convention Center on the specially-built platform over the Convention Center Marina. Then, all the teams get together in a place where they see which team’s “flying machine” goes the furthest, or looks the funniest or most ridiculous, as they soar off a platform high above water. A homeowner in Naples, Florida, is suing NASA to have them pay for damages his house sustained whe

Also: FAA Research Study, Junior Gliding Championships, WestJet Mechanics, Gulfstream-Specific Training

The idea of offering a training program for aviation mechanics and service technicians is finally coming to fruition at Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) in Troy, New York. The 12-month training will take place in a hangar referred to as HVCC West at Albany International Airport (KALB) in Albany. The official name of the facility is the Aeronautical Technology Institute, which is about to receive FAA certification as a Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technical School. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced that the wi

The NTSB has published the final report regarding a fatal crash involving a Super Petrol from the summer of 2023, where a seaplane flew into a set of powerlines while skimming along the lake at low altitude. "The private pilot/owner and the student pilot/passenger departed in the amphibious airplane and flew to a local lake where they were observed conducting a touch-and-go landing and flying low over the water. One witness, who was on his boat dock about 100 yards from a set of energized powerlines that spanned the lake, reported that the airplane was flying level about 100 to 200 ft above the water toward the powerlines.

From 2023 (YouTube Version): An Even Faster Rolling Extra!

Jim Campbell joined General Manager of Extra Aircraft Duncan Koerbel at AirVenture 2023 to talk about what’s up and coming from the classic aerobatic manufacturer. The Extra 330SX builds upon the excellent 330SE to offer pilots an even leaner, tighter dancing partner than before. The 330SX recipe includes a shorter wingspan (about a foot less, tip-to-tip), and the same full-length ailerons as its forebear, offering even better roll rate and performance than ever before. Top it off with lightweight,

Diesel Twins Continue to Build Popularity Abroad

Turkish Airlines Flight Academy has made one of the biggest Diamond Aircraft hauls of the year, taking delivery of a pair of brand-new DA42-VIs and placing an order for 13 aircraft more. The order includes half a dozen DA40 NGs, another 7 DA42-VIs, and a pair of convertible simulators. Academy CEO, Ibrahim Zeki Akyurt spoke highly of their new equipment. 

Aero Linx: Lancair Owners and Builders Organization (LOBO) The Lancair Owner & Builders Organization (LOBO) is a collaborative group and type club for all people who own, fly, build, support, maintain and just plain love Lancair and Evolution aircraft. It is the realization of a collective vision to cultivate an organization designed from the ground up to support Lancair and Evolution aircraft enthusiasts. Many aircraft owners enjoy membership in type clubs; We have been involved with a few over the years. Our experience with type clubs has been tremendously positive, paying dividends many times the cost of dues, including good friendships, great times and personal development toward be

Mach Technique [ICAO] Describes a control technique used by air traffic control whereby turbojet aircraft operating successively along suitable routes are cleared to maintain appropriate MACH numbers for a relevant portion of the en route phase of flight. The principal objective is to achieve improved utilization of the airspace and to ensure that separation between successive aircraft does not decrease below the established minima. 

“Test pilot Ed Vesley reported no significant issues throughout the one-hour flight. We'll now continue to fly the PT-19 for a few more hours to break in the engine, and then it will be put back on the flight line, hopefully in time to offer rides at our July 13 event at Houston Executive Airport.” Source: Part of a Houston CAF Wing announcement celebrating their 'new' PT19.