Thu, Dec 07, 2023
Also: NJSAP v Buffet, WAI 2024, NAHF 2024, Alaska-Hawaiian
Van’s aircraft has filed for reorganization under the chapter 11 bankruptcy code. Van’s Founder Dick VanGrunsven said "I realize that the word "bankruptcy" here is shocking, however the key word here is "reorganization", which implies continued operation and improvement. Our doors will remain open and we will continue to work hard to serve our customers." The Collings Foundation have announced an end to their flying WWII aircraft wing, deciding to ground all aircraft and intern them on display at the American Heritage Museum. The turning point appears to be the October 2020 crash of "Nine-O-Nine", a B-17 that saw the deaths of 7 in the process. In the years since, a worsening economy and the continual passage of government-trained WWII mechanics have been taking their toll, making it harder to find qualified personnel to both maintain and fly the vintage air
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Thu, Dec 07, 2023
Also: Rolls Royce Nixes Electrics, 3rd RS-25 Test, Eve Air Mobility and Flynas, ArianeSpace
Skyworks Aeronautics has been busy in recent months, announcing sales, developments and patents in a matter of weeks. Its most recent was an issued US patent for its Precision Airdrop System, an airborne vehicle designed to deliver payloads much like a standoff munition. The PAS offers intermediate-distance deliveries with a gliding stage to target before autorotating down to ensure precise landings. ZeroAvia found a like-minded partner abroad, finding a deal with up-and-comer Ecojet. Ecojet, a nascent carrier promising to be the "flag carrier for green Britain", will be open for business in 2024 using a fleet of standard transport aircraft for its routes to and from Edinburgh. Not long after, thanks to a deal with ZeroAvia, the carrier hopes to retrofit the entire fleet with the firm's ZA600 engines. Airbus finalized a deal with the Spa
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Thu, Dec 07, 2023
Also: Bell Training, FAA Reauthorization, Coulson Aviation, More Pegasus Tankers
A Piper PA-28R-201 crashed in Conway, South Carolina on September 14, 2022, causing fatal injuries to 2. "Shortly after departure, on the first flight following maintenance, the pilot reported a loss of engine power," reads the NTSB report. "The pilot attempted a forced landing onto a gravel road, but the airplane impacted trees and powerlines on final approach. The airplane came to rest against a berm and a post crash fire ensued." During their investigation, the NTSB found a good deal of engine damage, oil, and heat discoloration. Rolls-Royce's recent strategy release showed a minor pivot in the firm's plans to shore up its cash base over the coming years, even to the point of selling off their electric aviation wing to third parties. "We are creating a high performing, competitive, resilient and growing Rolls-Royce that will have the financial strengt
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Thu, Dec 07, 2023
Also: EAA Grant, Oshkosh Dates, Mini B-29 v Golf cart, Aerolite 120 Bows Out
Here’s a look into the future... Flyer Indústria Aeronáutica's locally assembled RV-10 LSA received approval from Brazil's ANAC, making it the first such multi-passenger SportPlane in the world. The Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil started in on their own MOSAIC-style regs by granting authorization to a 4-place aircraft, with approval to a type of plane pilots around the world have eagerly awaited. Light plane manufacturer Robin Aircraft has been pushed into liquidation by way of French court order after the judges overseeing the firm’s troubled state declined the bids offered for the classic company. Owners and operators of Robin Aircraft and CAP10 planes won’t find themselves left out in the cold thanks to an arrangement with CEAPR, a local enterprise that has provided parts and support for the company’s w
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Thu, Dec 07, 2023
Also: New Unleaded Avgas, Gogo Over-The-Air Update, Electrified Caravans, Gone West: Selena Shilad
The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington recently obtained a pair of Sopwith Camel flight simulators, allowing attendees to experience the closest thing to the original today. These simulators will be one of the jewels of the Museum's WWI exhibit, offering visitors an immersive flying experience in the iconic aircraft. Rather than push newbies through the usual flight training curriculum of a flight sim, the Sopwith Camels will give operators a range of scenarios to play with, reinforcing repeat attendance and fresh experiences. The FAA's 5-year reauthorization bill has remained locked in a constant tug-of-war between stakeholders, and Senator John Thune has said he wants to see it all through. Pioneer Aerospace will be bought up by SpaceX thanks to its parent company's bankruptcy (and the many creditors who appear to be getting scre
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Thu, Dec 07, 2023
Also: Archer Aviation, TEKEVER and CRFS, Lunar Hydrogen, Norfolk FD Drones
ARC AeroSystems announced the return of the Avian Pegasus Gyroplane. Avian stemmed from employees of Avro Canada, designing their gyroplanes in Canada and ultimately producing 3 prototype pre-production aircraft to work through the certification process. Ultimately, the firm died out in the early 70s, with its assets put up for sale. One remaining prototype, along with the design's rights and type certification, found their way into ARC AeroSystems' hands in 2023. Stratolaunch LLC has continued its efforts to develop a Mach 5 capable aircraft, helped along by a familiarly Rutanesque design in the form of Scaled Composites' Roc. Stratolaunch had planned to offer satellite launch services by taking advantage of lower costs achieved by mid-air ignition, working with Scaled Composites of Burt Rutan fame to design a twin-fuselage aircraft capable of lifting a small
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Thu, Dec 07, 2023
Also: Hartzell Eng Tech Acquires Kelly Aero, Av Emissions, H125 4 Axis AP, Electrified Caravans
Light plane manufacturer Robin Aircraft has been pushed into liquidation by way of French court order after the judges overseeing the firm’s troubled state declined the bids offered for the classic company. Owners and operators of Robin Aircraft and CAP10 planes won’t find themselves left out in the cold thanks to an arrangement with CEAPR, a local enterprise that has provided parts and support for the company’s work for years already. L3Harris Technologies announced an agreement to sell off its Commercial Aviation Solutions arm for $800M to TJC L.P. The acquisition will be made with a $700 million cash purchase price and $100 million earnout based on the achievement of financial performance goals stretching out through 2024. The deal should close in the first half of 2024. ARC AeroSystems announced the return of the Avia
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Thu, Dec 07, 2023
Easy Online Forms Available For Sport Plane Manufacturers And Suppliers To Be Listed In The Upcoming eSPRG
Work on the SportPlane Resource Guide is going well… Albeit a little bit behind schedule, because as we got into this process, things became a bit more complicated simply because we learned we could do an even better job at certain aspects of this project than we thought from the beginning. They say that the enemy of true quality is the phrase "good enough" and we want to be far more than “good enough.”
FMI: www.sportplane.com, Online eSPRG Vendor Survey Form, Online eSPRG Sp
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Thu, Dec 07, 2023
Observed The Accident Airplane Flying South, Before It Began A Left Circling Turn With A “White Mist” Trailing The Airplane
On October 31, 2023, at 1123 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA32-300, N44601, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Marion, Ohio. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A witness stated that he was standing outside his house when he heard an airplane flying in the distance and the engine sounded like it was “oscillating.’ He looked up and observed the accident airplane flying south, before it began a left circling turn with a “white mist” trailing the airplane. He further stated that the engine “cut out” and the airplane went “nose down” and impacted the ground.
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