Airport Marking Aids Markings used on runway and taxiway surfaces to identify a specific runway, a runway threshold, a centerline, a hold line, etc. A runway should be marked in accordance with its present usage such as: a. Visual. b. Nonprecision instrument. c. Precision instrument. (Refer to AIM.)

Visual Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) An airport lighting facility providing vertical visual approach slope guidance to aircraft during approach to landing by radiating a directional pattern of high intensity red and white focused light beams which indicate to the pilot that he/she is “on path” if he/she sees red/white, “above path” if white/white, and “below path” if red/red. Some airports serving large aircraft have three-bar VASIs which provide two visual glide paths to the same runway.

"It is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for manned aircraft to see a drone while conducting crop-enhancing and other aerial applications at low altitudes and high speeds. We urge drone operators to equip their UAS with detect and avoid technology and to always yield the right of way to manned aircraft to ensure a safe growing season." Source: Andrew Moore, CEO of NAAA, repeating a message calling on both professional and hobbyist drone operators to exercise heightened awareness and caution during their flights.

NATCA Issues Warning To FAA On Controller Fatigue Amid ATC Understaffing

The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the agency's unilateral decision-making process concerning new policies aimed at addressing air traffic controller fatigue. This comes amid growing concerns over understaffing and the subsequent strain it places on the existing workforce, potentially exacerbating the very issue the FAA seeks to mitigate.

Wisconsin Aviation HAll of Fame to Preserve Kohn Aviation Photography Collection

The Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame has embarked on an ambitious project to preserve the invaluable Leo J. Kohn Aviation Photography Collection. The fundraising campaign aims to digitize over 34,000 negatives captured by the late Leo J. Kohn, a renowned aviation photographer from Brookfield, Wisconsin, whose life's work documented pivotal moments and developments in aviation history.

Epic Flight Academy Opens New Mechanic School at CVG

Epic Flight Academy has officially launched its new aircraft mechanic school at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), marking a significant advancement in aviation training and workforce development in Kentucky. The opening of this $8 million, 32,000-square-foot training facility was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by staff, students, and dignitaries.

Texas A&M Takes Home the Gold Despite the Inclement Weather

The Vertical Flight Society Selected the Winners of this year's Design-Build-Vertical Flight Student Competition, sending the team from Texas A&M home with the gold. The competition assesses student's ability to draft, develop, and construct a VTOL drone from the ground up, and this year's wet and windy conditions added an additional level of difficulty on top of the normal trials and travails of the DBVF. Facing winds of 20 miles an hour, gusting up to 40, competing teams had to get knocked down and repair everything in time for another test run.

Q1 2024 Sees Spike in Preowned Aircraft

The first quarter of 2024 has seen a notable uptick in the sales of preowned business aircraft, sparking continued optimism in the market, as reported by the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA). The association's latest market report highlights a robust start to the year, with 253 resale transactions recorded in the first quarter, showing an increase from 239 during the same period in 2023. Additionally, there were 248 aircraft under contract by the end of the first quarter, up from 206 at the close of the first quarter the previous year.

Viasat and uAvionix in Partnership to Develop UAV Products

In a major step forward for UAV communications, Viasat, Inc., a satellite communications company, has announced a partnership with uAvionix, a pioneering developer of certified avionics for both crewed and uncrewed aviation. This collaboration marks uAvionix's entry into Viasat's Velaris Partner Network, following a strategic alliance agreement aimed at developing innovative products and services for the UAV market.

Aura Aero to Offer Financing for Integral 2-Seaters

Collection of Sport Planes Can Be Had with Loan Terms Beyond 7 Years, "Attractive Interest Rates" Aura Aero has joined hands with the Societe Generale Equipment Finance (SGEF) in order to assist buyers with financing their own private aircraft. Under the terms, Aura Aero's portfolio of 2-seater Integral R, E, and S models will be brought within reach of the common man. The Société Générale group will help move some aircraft with financing at "attractive interest rates", though the deal only applies to the Integral family of training, aerobatic and leisure aircraft - those excited to finance their own 19-seat Electric Regional Aircraft are sadly not covered under the deal.