Mounting Pressure For FAA Reauth Bill Just Keeps Building
Another aviation stakeholder took their frustrations to Capitol Hill at the end of November, with GAMA proclaiming its irritations shortly after the NBAA weighed in on the issue. General Aviation Manufacturers Association president and CEO Pete Bunce testified before the US House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee regarding the importance of a timely FAA reathorization, titled "Turbulence Ahead: Consequences of Delaying a Long-Term FAA Bill".
Gliding, Autorotating UAV Would Simplify Logistics with Pinpoint Delivery from Afar
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.
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
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 strate
The first bunch of 2024 speakers for the EAA Aviation Adventure Series has been published, including a range of off-beat aeronautical missions and historical happenings. The Series will offer presentations throughout the winter, spring, and summer at 1900 hrs (central time). Each presentation will be held at the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
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 f
Women in Aviation International (WAI) has chosen their crop of inductees for 2024, with 3 historic pioneers being added to their International Pioneer Hall of Fame. Each will be honored at the 35th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference, which will include a ceremony and celebration dinner next March.
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 ar
Inaugural Flight of Ariane 6 to come from June to July 2024
ArianeSpace is aiming to launch their model 6 rocket between June 15 and July 31 next year, according to ESA sources. The first test flight won't exactly be a revenue launch, but it will contain a couple ride-along satellites, including 2 from NASA. The rocket has been long delayed, with work started nearly a decade ago when continental Europe aimed to build sufficient launch capability on its own turf. A second flight is expected by the end of next year, with a further target of 9 to 10 flights per year in 2025 and beyond.
The first of 31 NH90 Sea Tigers took off on a maiden flight from Airbus' Donauwörth, Germany facility earlier this week. The helo will be known as the 'Sea Tiger Multi-Role Frigate Helicopter' in Bundeswehr service, replacing their aged Mk88A Sea Lynx aircraft from 1981. German armed forces already operate NH90 platforms thanks to previous orders of the Sea Lion, an aircraft that recently scored its first naval rescue operation in the North Sea. The Sea Tiger, adapted from the NH-90 NFH (a specialized naval version) will find itself well equipped for the anti-sub mission, with a standard dipping sonar, sonobuoy loadout, and electro-optical suite with ESM capabilities.
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 fami
Boeing's 737 MAX 10 has been given the go-ahead for type-inspection authorization by the FAA, allowing the regulator to begin its own testing on the aircraft after hundreds of in-house flights. Boeing is understandably antsy to get that type certificate in hand for the MAX 10, given a long line of backorders that numbers somewhere north of 1,000 aircraft. The National Park Service and the FAA have published their now complete air tour management plan for Mount Rushmore. All flights must stay 1/2 sm away from park boundaries, or 5,000 ft AGL. The plan isn't a surprise to l
Real Time Flight Routing Saves Fuel, Money at Carrier Scale
NASA has published a brief review of its success in a pilot program with carriers using an EFB-based routing app that provides en-route, real time guidance for improved efficiency and flight times. The Regulator designed the Traffic-Aware Strategic Aircrew Requests (TASAR) system, a piece of algorithmic software that crunches the specs of each and every route possibility to provide the best choice for pilots. With the basis for routing, NASA found an eager partner in APiJET (formerly iJET), a connectivity company that offered a broad spectrum of updated info throughout the air traffic system. The firm licensed TASAR from NASA for use in their "Digital Winglets" app, named after the NASA i
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,
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With The eSPRG Only Weeks Away From Its Start Date, A-AF Will Help To Support Sport Flyers, Worldwide
With the all-new and all-digital SportPlane Resource Guide getting ready for publication early next year, the Aero-News Network is pleased to announce yet another addition to the Airborne video news programming roster… Airborne-Affordable Flyers. Dedicated to keeping people up-to-date on the most affordable aspects of sport and general aviation, Airborne-Affordable Flyers is one of our most exciting offerings yet. A-AF will delve into more than just the current LSA community, but look at all aspects of aviation to examine and ev
As The Engine Power Remained Unchanged, The Instructor Made The Decision To Execute An Emergency Landing
On November 18, 2023, about 1522 Pacific standard time (PST), a Cessna 150M, N6266K, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Woodland, Washington. The flight instructor and student pilot sustained no injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor reported that about 1425 PST, they were departed from Pearson Field Airport (VUO), Vancouver, Washington to practice steep-turns and slow flight maneuvers, to include an introduction to power-off stalls and recovery.
From 2010 (YouTube Version): As Amazing As The ABQ Balloon Fiesta Is... The Pilots Are Even More So!
In a few recent Aero-TV programs, we've had the great good fortune to relate some of the amazing sights, sounds and sensations we encountered at the 2010 ABQ Balloon Fiesta... and the word 'amazing' barely does this event justice. Really... it's THAT great an event. But... one particular element stands out as the key ingredient in what makes ABQ a world-renowned event... the people... especially the balloon pilots that flock to this annual gathering of all things that float, fly and levitate amongst the backdrop of New Mexico's stunning Sandia Peak
BIG Upgrades In The Works --- ANN Is Seeking EXCEPTIONAL New Staffers
The last few years have been about as challenging a time as we can recall... but we survive (yeah, we're kinda surprised, too) and look forward to 2023 and what we see as a very rewarding (and yes, still challenging) new generation of activities at ANN. After some truly weird times during the pandemic, ANN continues to expand slowly, but surely, and we have some truly intriguing upgrades coming up over the next few months. In other words, we're about to grow again -- REALLY/TRULY -- and in some novel directions. The much-appreciated expansion of
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And That's But One Of Over A Dozen Major Developments Planned For The Next Year Or So
Aero-News Network is now available on Roku and Amazon FireTV! That’s right folks. You can now get your daily dose of aviation news… right on the ol' giggle box! This is an EPIC development for our network, one of many to come, and we’re thrilled to offer you this new way to watch our news programming. Whether you’re a traditional website reader, podcast listener, or YouTube subscriber, we’re dedicated to giving you quality, honest, aviation news that you can trust and broadening our reach and audience aggressively in the coming years, so that we may both Grow and Inform the aviatio
Brand New! Avoid The Need For A Comeback... Get Your Marketing Right, Right Now!
Some time ago, the Aero-News Network, responding to numerous requests, established a marketing and communications sister company by the name of AEROPRENEUER... and it's been doing amazing work under these difficult circumstances -- and getting results! We're getting rave reviews from our clients, and working hard to earn the trust of a number of new marketing partners along the way. ANN's Amber Cedroni has come up with a few tips to help aero-businesses stay alive in these tough times, and
Emphasis On Growing The Future of Aviation Through Concentration on 'AFFORDABLE FLYERS'
It's been a number of years since the Latest Edition of Jim Campbell's HUGE SportPlane Resource Guide first saw the light of day. That massive 1100 page book last featured over 800 exciting sport aircraft from all over the SportPlane universe... at a time when the SportPlane industry was still a healthy, thriving enterprise (those were the days...). While there has been some consideration, off and on, toward updating the nearly 5 pound book, the near implosion of the SportPlane and kit industry over the last decade has made such a pursuit an unwieldy one... until now.
It’s been a while since we have reminded everyone about all the ways we offer your daily dose of aviation news on-the-go...so here is a full list of ways you can subscribe to our channels and get notifications when there are new episodes or breaking news!
1) Subscribe To Our Newsletter
When surveyed, almost half of our audience shared with us that they rely on our daily newsletter to get their aviation news for the day and stay up-to-date in their field or craft. Are you subscribed yet? If not, use the link below to receive our daily Propwash emails that always feature a feed of our latest stories and breaking news.
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Aero Linx: Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS)
Established in 1980, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) is an international trade association headquartered in the Washington, DC area. AAMS is a non-profit 501C (6) trade association that represents and advocates on behalf of our membership to enhance their ability to deliver quality, safe, and effective medical care and medical transportation for every patient in-need. AAMS is a dedicated team, committed to representing and advocating for the Air Medical and the Critical Care Ground Transport Industry and supporting our members who proudly serve their communities throughout the United States and around the world.
Radar Flight Following
The observation of the progress of radar-identified aircraft, whose primary navigation is being provided by the pilot, wherein the controller retains and correlates the aircraft identity with the appropriate target or target symbol displayed on the radar scope.
Choose How YOU Want To View Your Aero News: View Everything
We're all pretty excited about the new website design here at ANN, but we HAVE heard from some of you that you liked the way that content was displayed on the old site. We hear you, and before you chuck your bitgrinder out a 5th story window, you should know that there are several ways that you can view your Aero-Content.
"Our 2024 inductees are shining examples of grit and determination. For over 30 years, WAI has annually showcased the accomplishments of female trailblazers—as individuals and groups—through our Pioneer Hall of Fame. We are proud to honor their unique talents and skill sets which have helped pave the way for other women and largely contributed to aviation and aerospace in unique ways.”
Source: Stephanie Kenyon, WAI Interim CEO, discussing their crop of inductees for 2024, with 3 historic pioneers being added to their International Pioneer Hall of Fame. Each will be honored at the 35th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference, which will include a ceremony and celebration dinner next March.
The death of Warren Buffett's right-hand man Charlie Munger has rippled across the investment industry, providing the disgruntled NetJets union another chance to take aim at their company's parent company, Berkshire Hathaway. The NetJets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots (NJASAP) has been in a long-running back-and-forth with their employer, publishing candid statements speaking to the overall drop in prestige they feel the brand has suffered in recent years. The dwindling pilot base seems to agree, with reports of 270 NetJets pilots leaving the company this year alone - in a pilot base of 3,000, that's a pretty significant portion.
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."
Titan Aviation Fuels to Serve as Title Sponsor for T-6 Texan Team
The North American Aerobatic Team will be parting ways with AeroShell after 2 decades of sponsorship, with all-new livery, uniforms, and promotional materials to be produced for the 2024 season and beyond. The team has long been associated with AeroShell in the public eye, to the extent that few of the youth today may even recognize their "North American Aerobatic Team" moniker. But Titan Aviation Fuels proved to be the title sponsors this time around, and there's no bad blood between the former partners.
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
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 strate
Boeing's 737 MAX 10 has been given the go-ahead for type-inspection authorization by the FAA, allowing the regulator to begin its own testing on the aircraft after hundreds of in-house flights. Boeing is understandably antsy to get that type certificate in hand for the MAX 10, given a long line of backorders that numbers somewhere north of 1,000 aircraft. The National Park Service and the FAA have published their now complete air tour management plan for Mount Rushmore. All flights must stay 1/2 sm away from park boundaries, or 5,000 ft AGL. The plan isn't a surprise to l
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 ar
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&rsq
Helo Manufacturer Empowers In-House Refurb and Repair Capabilities
Schweizer has obtained its FAA Part 145 Repair Station certification, allowing the manufacturer to work on its own aircraft as a post-sale service provider. The brand makes the Schweizer S300, S300CBi, and S333 helicopters. Their repair station cert allows them to now overhaul transmissions and "other labor intensive components" in-house, lowering costs for S-series operators. “We are extremely grateful to our partners at the FAA who helped us earn this additional level of quality assurance and capability as we continue to build back the trusted Schweizer brand,” said David Horton, president and CEO of Schweizer.
Firm Wants More Shareholder Value, Less Scattered Approach to Aviation
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 strength to control and shape its own destiny," said Chief Exec Tufan Erginbilgic. "We are clear where we will not invest and re-allocate capital to parts of the business where we can generate more value."
Brockton Councillors Vote to Sell Saugeen Municipal to Private Interests
A small-town airport in Canada will soon be up for grabs, after the local council voted to sell off the Saugeen Municipal Airport. A Canadian Owners and Pilots Association report shined a light on the tough life of a small town airport, quoting the council's studies that show each year, despite some activity and business, the taxpayers subsidize Saugeen to the tune of about $15,000 CAD.
Academy Proves Popular Thanks to Full-Motion Bell 429 Sim
Bell Training Academy in Valencia, Spain welcomed around 200 students to training using its nifty facilities, its crown jewel being a fully certified Bell 429 Level D Full Flight Simulator. The sim has been a hot commodity, with more than 1,000 hours logged this year alone. The school offers rotary-wing students a chance to experience 'flight' conditions that would otherwise be untenable in real-world operations, whether instrument weather, disorientation, or equipment failure.
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 fami
Deal Brings Za600 Engines to the UK for "World's First Electric Airline"
ZeroAvia found a like-minded partner abroad, finding a deal with up-and-comer Ecojet abroad. 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 - whenever they're certified, of course. At the moment, ZeroAvia is looking for certification in 2025.
From 2015 (YouTube Version): A Unique Gyroplane Offers Side-By-Side Seating
ANN’s roving News Editor, Tom Patton, stopped to talk about gyro planes while he was attending the U.S. Sport Aviation Expo at Sebring, Florida. He had the chance to talk to Chris Lord, the president and CEO of Pictaio aerospace. The gyroplane they had on display is unique because it’s a 2-place machine that seats the pilot and passenger side-by-side rather than the more typical tandem seating of other gyro planes. Tom starts his questioning by asking about this configuration. Among other things, Lord points out that it offers more room for the pilot and passenger a
Unable To Restore Power To The Engine, He Elected To Execute A Forced Landing
On November 17, 2023, about 1708 eastern standard time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair IV-P, N37MB, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Perry, Florida. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he was in cruise flight at 11,500 ft mean sea level (msl) with about 40 minutes of daylight remaining when he noted that a ceiling had developed below him.
Aero Linx: The Swift Museum Foundation
The Swift Museum Foundation is a 501(3)c non-profit, member supported organization. Membership details are available by contacting the Museum Headquarters. Membership benefits include sharing over 60 years experience in the care and maintenance of the Swift by thousands of owner members. The Swift Museum Foundation was started by Charlie Nelson, our President, over 40 years ago with an ad in Trade-A-Plane to Swift owners inquiring about any interest in forming a type club. It started as the International Swift Association, grew and ten years later became the only type club to purchase the FAA Type Certificate for it’s aircraft. It also acquired with the Ty
High Speed Taxiway
A long radius taxiway designed and provided with lighting or marking to define the path of aircraft, traveling at high speed (up to 60 knots), from the runway center to a point on the center of a taxiway. Also referred to as long radius exit or turn-off taxiway. The high speed taxiway is designed to expedite aircraft turning off the runway after landing, thus reducing runway occupancy time.
Choose How YOU Want To View Your Aero News: 'Headlines Only' Mode
We're all pretty excited about the current website design here at ANN, but we HAVE heard from some of you that you liked the way that content was displayed on the old site. We hear you, and before you chuck your bitgrinder out a 5th story window, you should know that there are several ways that you can view your Aero-Content.
“We fear NetJets’s intransigence on this industry-shaping moment will have very serious consequences for the brand’s ability to deliver the unparalleled safety and service product for which our customers pay a premium.”
Source: NJASAP President Pedro Leroux, in a statement emphasizing that NetJets needs to invest in its pilots, retain talent, and rely less on fresh employees to fill the flight deck.
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 bas
Lack of Long-Term Confidence Harms Industry, Says Stakeholder
A handful of GA advocacy groups have taken issue with the "continued short-term extensions of authorization for the FAA", telling Congress that they could "challenge the certainty that industry and the FAA depend on to enable long-term planning and investment in many critical areas required to ensure the safety of the NAS and America's global leadership in aviation." The FAA is only authorized through December 31st of this year, despite months of negotiations. Last July, the House passed bipartisan reauthorization legislation that would see the FAA set through 2028, but the Senate has yet to act on the bill. Patience, it seems, is wearing thin in the industry.
Aerojet Rocketdyne Continues Work on Rocket for Lunar Return
NASA finished the 3rd of a series of 12 ground tests of the SLS rocket that will one day power Artemis program missions to the moon - and beyond. As installed, 4 engines will generate a combined 1.6 million pounds of thrust at launch, and 2 million during ascent. Artemis missions I through IV will use "modified holdover space shuttle main engines", scavenged by NASA and Aerojet Rocketdyne in a feat of thriftiness.
Honda's work with ForeFlight has borne fruit for the clientele of both brands, with HondaJet operators now able to integrate accurate "Runway Analysis" into their everyday flights. The tool "transforms the tedious task of calculating takeoff and landing performance into an integral and effortless part of any jet pilot’s preflight workflow", saving pilots some trouble in their flight planning. Of course, nothing comes free with ForeFlight - the addition must be purchased as an add-on to an existing ForeFlight subscription.
Wittman Regional Remains Home for AirVenture for Years to Come
The Experimental Aviation Association has confirmed dates for their yearly AirVenture fly-in all the way through 2027, confirming each week to take place at Wittmann Regional Airport in late July. The change is great news for those who like to plan a long way into the future, with each convention held in the region since 1970. The EAA knows that it's just about the biggest thing in sport aviation throughout the Western Hemisphere (and even beyond), so it's something of a courtesy to provide a heads-up to the rest of the industry.
Despite the Continental Offerings Abroad, BAA Still Buys American
International flight enterprise BAA training inked a deal for 48 C-172s, expanding their educational Cessna fleet around the world. BAA Training is a full-spectrum GA provider with facilities in Spain, Lithuania, France and Vietnam. Additionally, pilot training services are provided through a consultancy office in India and a sales representative office in the UAE. Their sprawling flight training kingdom means they need plenty of trusty trainer planes, and they're willing to pony up for the blue chip of the GA world in the C-172 Skyhawk. They went all-in on a purchase for 48 spiffy new Cessnas, taking a bit of an unusual tack in a region where Diamond's little DA-20 Katana or do-all DA-40
Breadth of 500, 550, 560 Series Covered with Backup EFIS
Blackhawk Aerospace Technologies has obtained the STC for the retrofitment of the GI-275 Electronic Standby Instrument System for Cessna Citation aircraft. The models included in the STC vary, including all serial number aircraft for 500,501,550,S550,560,560XL series Citations. As usual, the GI-275 is a fave for those running older, less reliable systems - a well-placed unit can be a very affordable way to have faithful standby instruments that operators can go the distance with minimal fuss. A Blackhawk Aerospace PMA kit rounds out the ease of installation.
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Germany’s Best by Way of Florida
Established in 1980 by German aerobatic pilot Walter Extra as a means by which to design and develop his own airplanes, EXTRA Aircraft—EXTRA Flugzeugbau in its founder’s native tongue—has evolved into one of the world’s premier makers of aerobatic aircraft. EXTRA’s aircraft line-up comprises the EXTRA 330 SC, a single seat, low-wing, aerobatic monoplane possessed of the sort of aerobatic performance that won world championships in 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022; the EXTRA 330 LX, a two-seat, tandem arrangement, low-w
Airbus finalized a deal with the Spanish Ministry of Defence for the development and acquisition of SIRTAP, a "High Performance Tactical UAS that will reinforce the tactical capabilities of the Spanish Army and the Air and Space Force." The contract will include 9 total systems, each including a suite of 3 uncrewed aircraft and one control station. To help provide cost-effective training, a pair of simulators will be included too. SIRTAP sports a payload of 330 lbs and a range of 1,200 sm. Its 20-hour endurance provides a flexible, stationable, responsive day/night operator even in controlled airspace. All of that remains somewhat theoretical at the moment, with the first prototype flight expected to take plac
Finished with Testing and Evaluation, the 6th Aircraft Delivery Heralds Start of Mass Production
Boeing has begun its move towards low rate initial production for the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter after tending the 6th and final test aircraft to the USAF in October, ending its Research, Development, Test & Evaluation phase. LRIP will begin assembling 13 new aircraft as contracted, with up to 80 more on order should they be chosen. The first of the new batch has already headed into final assembly, and Boeing believes they can have the first completed unit of the batch in customer hands in 2024.
Conducting A Low Pass Over An Off-Airport Landing Strip At An Altitude Of 100 Ft Above The Ground
Analysis: The pilot reported that, while conducting a low pass over an off-airport landing strip at an altitude of 100 ft above the ground, the airplane encountered a downdraft. The pilot felt the airplane was unable to climb out of the valley without stalling, so he maintained airspeed, but the airplane descended and impacted the ground. The airplane subsequently rebounded and came to a rest in an upright position, which resulted in substantial damage to both wings, fuselage, and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operatio
Aero Linx: Commercial Aviation Safety Team (CAST)
CAST’s initial goal was to reduce the commercial aviation fatality risk in the United States by 80 percent from 1998 to 2008. By 2008, CAST was able to report that by implementing the most promising safety enhancements, the fatality risk of commercial air travel in the United States was reduced by 83 percent. CAST’s goal over the next decade is to transition to prognostic safety analysis. CAST aims to reduce the remaining U.S. commercial fatality risk by 50 percent from 2010 to 2025 and continue to work with our international partners to reduce fatality risk in worldwide commercial aviation.
Lost Communications
Loss of the ability to communicate by radio. Aircraft are sometimes referred to as NORDO (No Radio). Standard pilot procedures are specified in 14 CFR Part 91. Radar controllers issue procedures for pilots to follow in the event of lost communications during a radar approach when weather reports indicate that an aircraft will likely encounter IFR weather conditions during the approach.
It's A Collaboration, And We Want To Hear From YOUR Organization
It is no longer enough, in our view, to build a successful business... but to build a successful structure by which this business (and our valued partners) can collectively have a positive impact on the industry that wasn’t possible, individually.
"This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the FAA’s aviation safety and infrastructure programs for five years and provides the multi-year structure, resources, and direction the FAA needs. Additionally, H.R. 3935 recognizes the vital national role of our industry by including the first-ever general aviation title, which makes critical reforms to FAA services of specific interest to our industry segment. This bill enables the FAA to move forward on areas of significant importance to general aviation including workforce development, regulatory process improvement, airspace modernization, and the development and enabling of new technologies."
Source: From an address by the NBAA concerning after the House passed bip
76-Year-Old Veteran of NASA Science Mission Directorate Memorialized
Mary Cleave, a 2-flight veteran of the shuttered shuttle program, passed away at 76. "I’m sad we’ve lost trail blazer Dr. Mary Cleave, shuttle astronaut, veteran of two spaceflights, and first woman to lead the Science Mission Directorate as associate administrator,” said NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana. “Mary was a force of nature with a passion for science, exploration, and caring for our home planet. She will be missed.”
Visitors to WWI Exhibit Can Fly the Legendary Dogfighter
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. The sims were designed and built by local company one-G Simulation in collaboration with Cignatec, an education tech company. 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.
eSTOL Expected to Be a Solid Performer in Bristow Service
Electra.aero, Inc.’s eSTOL demonstrator aircraft has struck a deal to provide the Bristow Group for 5 early delivery positions for the upcoming production aircraft. The agreement was firmed up by the payment of a deposit agreement, riding on a 2021 memorandum of understanding. That MoU saw Bristow gain pole position as the principal launch customer for the Electra eSTOL, with a big pre-order for up to 50 aircraft. These first 5 could be just the tip of that iceberg, should Bristow decide to exercise its options later on.
Quick Reaction Force Gains Chinook Support for 6th Year Running
Coulson Aviation will station 3 of its Boeing CH-47 Chinook Very Large Helitankers, a Sikorsky S-76 recon helo, and full staff with Southern California Edison in support of their Quick Reaction Force. Since their first year contracting, the firm has flown over 700 hours, with 60% of that time logged at night under NVGs. Throughout the missions, they've dropped more than 4.5 million gallons of water on nearly 200 wildfires. The company proudly notes that "every fire Coulson fought with the QRF was successfully extinguished in its initial burn - none have expanded into large campaign fires."
JB Investments Adds 3 More Aircraft in Aircraft Offerings
Bell Textron signed a pair of purchase agreements for 2 Bell 407GXis and a Bell 505 to JB Investments of Poland. The aircraft will be put to use as private travel runabouts, added to the distributor's GA and helicopter offerings in the Polish market. The purchase of all 3 aircraft was celebrated with a signing ceremony at the Bell booth during the recent European Rotors 2023 expo in Madrid, Spain.
Boeing will build 15 more KC-46A Pegasus tankers under a Lot 10 contract awarded by the USAF to the tune of $2.3 billion. Those new aircraft will join the USAF fleet of 76 of the type already delivered. At the moment, the fleet boasts 153 of the refuelers on contract around the world to various clients, and the more hours they rack up, the more trustworthy they appear to would-be customers. Earlier this year the USAF awarded a Block 1 upgrade contract to the firm, looking to add "more advanced communications capabilities to enhance the aircraft's data connectivity and situational awareness."
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Barking up the Right Tree
Australian-born, the Aeropup is a remarkably robust, fully-customizable, go-anywhere, two-seat, STOL/LSA aircraft. The machine’s rugged, CNC-precision-manufactured chromium-alloy tubular-steel frame surrounds the occupant compartment, protecting those within after the fashion of a high-performance road-vehicle’s roll-cage. The Aeropup’s rugged airframe may be paired with either a conventional (tailwheel) or tricycle (nosewheel) undercarriage, and is borne aloft by an innovative and efficient wing comprising three spars—the principal of which featur
Liberty University signed on to purchase 16 more Cessna Skyhawks for delivery through 2026, adding to their fleet of 24 of the type. "We are proud to support Liberty University's aviation program and equip students with access to the industry-leading Cessna Skyhawk," said Chris Crow, vice president, Piston Sales. "Liberty University's commitment to excellence in aviation education aligns with Textron Aviation's vision of inspiring the journey of flight, and we are confident that these aircraft will enhance the training experience for their students."
T-6 Trainers Run on StandardAero Overhauls, with more than 500 Happy Engines
StandardAero just capped off 10 full years of support for the military's favorite advanced trainer aircraft, the T-6 Texan II. Since obtaining the contract to provide engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, the firm has worked on more than 500 Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68 turboprop engines. The full spectrum of T-6s can be daunting for some, given its -A, -B, -C, and -D models, not to mention foreign iterations like their sister ship the Canadian Harvard.
Flight Instructor Took The Controls From The Student And At That Time Realized The Flaps Were Still At 30°
Analysis: The flight instructor and student departed on an instructional flight and flew to a nearby grass airstrip for pattern work. Although the flight instructor had flown into the airstrip before, he did not check the runway length before the flight departed and thought it was longer than the actual published 2,400-ft length. After arriving at the destination airstrip the, student entered left downwind for runway 13, resulting in a right quartering tailwind of about 5 knots. The flight instructor told the student to perform a short field landing...
Aero Linx: Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association (LPBA)
LPBA is an international non-profit bar association that promotes aviation law through its quarterly journal and semiannual CLE meetings at resort locations. There are membership categories for lawyer-pilots, pilots, lawyers, law students, and all those interested in aviation, aviation safety, and the law. Our membership includes approximately 600 attorneys and aviation enthusiasts.
Light Gun
A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of light transmitted can be used to approve or disapprove anticipated pilot actions where radio communication is not available. The light gun is used for controlling traffic operating in the vicinity of the airport and on the airport movement area.
How To Get A Story On Aero-TV News/Feature Programming
How do I submit a story idea or lead to Aero-TV?
If you would like to submit a story idea or lead, please contact Jim Campbell via the link below. Please include the following information when submitting a story idea or lead: who the intended subject is, a general story outline of said subject, important dates or deadlines for the story lead, and any appropriate contact information for both yourself and related subjects.
“I’m sad we’ve lost trail blazer Dr. Mary Cleave, shuttle astronaut, veteran of two spaceflights, and first woman to lead the Science Mission Directorate as associate administrator. Mary was a force of nature with a passion for science, exploration, and caring for our home planet. She will be missed.”
Source: NASA Associate Administrator Bob Cabana, with an excellent remembrance of an exceptional aerospace pioneer.
From 2023 (YouTube Version):The Best Option for 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
Aero Linx: International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers' Associations (IFATCA)
IFATCA is the global voice of Air Traffic Controllers. It furthers air traffic safety, influences the sustainable evolution of aviation, and embraces all members of its community. The apolitical federation provides guidance, representation, training, and other services to advance the status and professionalism of air traffic control. It collaborates with other international organizations to achieve mutual goals.
Landing Area
Any locality either on land, water, or structures, including airports/heliports and intermediate landing fields, which is used, or intended to be used, for the landing and takeoff of aircraft whether or not facilities are provided for the shelter, servicing, or for receiving or discharging passengers or cargo.
“This successful demonstration of a fully autonomous flight from takeoff to landing is a great step towards the reduced pilot workload and simplified HMI that the Airbus Urban Air Mobility team intends to implement on CityAirbus NextGen. It could also have immediate applications for helicopters in low-level flights close to obstacles thanks to the information provided by the lidars on board."
Source: Michael Augello, CEO of Airbus UpNext, chatting about how Airbus has completed a series of hands-off helicopter flights using a "simplified human-machine interface", controlling it entirely via tablet.
Hi Folks...
This is a special issue of the Propwash newsletter, dedicated only to its being a personal message from the ANN gang to you. I promise not to do this too often, but hope that I can impose on you for a few minutes in order to seek your continued support. We'd like to make one last pitch for book orders while they might affect the total print order. We have sent this book to the printer and are in pre-press prep right now (proofs expected today)... and the more we can add to the print tally, the more cost-effective our printing prices (per book) become.
As you