Pilots Insist They Want a Fair Contract, Not a Strike

At 1500 MT on May 29, WestJet Encore pilots issued a 72-hour strike notice to WestJet Encore management and the government. This started the clock on a 72-hour countdown to negotiate a fair and equitable contract before the pilots can legally utilize all the options available to them under the Canada Labour Code. After two weeks of bargaining following the pilots’ rejection of a tentative agreement (TA), some progress has been made; however, both sides remain apart on addressing the issues of central importance to the pilot group.

SportPlane Finds Fans Across Europe, And The World,  Thanks to Value Proposition

Czech sportplane manufacturer Direct Fly has finished delivering its 200th ALTO NG, the latest iteration of their 600-kg sportplane. The Alto was previously offered as the Alto 912 TG model, sporting some light tweaks and changes for improved stiffness and durability. One such modification added additional engine space up front, shifting the weight a tad to prevent the TG's habit of tail standing when disembarking. The newer ones also make full use of the 15-kg baggage compartment, with improved engine performance, intake, and cooling. Improvements to riveting points, welds, and fixtures help to streamline the build for those who complete their own sportplan

Pistons Up (Barely), Bizjets Up... Turboprops, As Well As Piston/Turbine Helis Are Down

GAMA released their First Quarter 2024 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report -- with mostly mixed news and not all that impressive news on any front, at that. The results for the first three months of 2024 when compared to the same period in 2023, show deliveries were flat for piston airplanes and piston helicopters, decreased for turboprops and turbine helicopters, and increased for business jets. Total aircraft billings were up 3.2% at $4.7 billion. 

Engine Gremlins Flare Up for Second Operational Pause, But This Time It's (Probably) Fixed

The US Navy's T-45C Goshawk trainer is back in action, after a 1-month operational pause to assess an inflight engine mishap. The Navy's T-45C fleet can now return to duty, since a probe involving the Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Undergraduate Flight Training Systems Program Office showed evidence of parts failure, and not an issue with the fleet at large. Oddly enough, the pause wasn't the first one for the Goshawk, with another performed in 2022 for nearly the same issue. 

6th Generation Improvement to Cockpit Recording Simplifies Data Retrieval

Universal Avionics has shown off their latest in cockpit recording tech, the 25-hour KAPTURE CVR. The system is a robust cockpit voice and flight data recorder, nominally a 6th generation piece that melds with all the tech operators run up front these days. The CVR/FDR offers readout services with full support for certification, checkouts, and datalink analysis & reporting. That provides easy compliance with EASA, UK CAA, and FAA requirements, all without requiring intense maintenance just to access the info.

Expanding Network of Charter Ops Expands Domestic Footprint

Pegasus Elite Aviation has moved its East Coast airport base to Signature Aviation TEB East in Teterboro, New Jersey. The private charter operator has been collecting planes and accolades in recent years, helped along by an acquisition by Prima Air at the end of 2022. Today, the Pegasus Elite fleet has a pair of Gulfstream G650s, a single Boeing 737, and 10 Gulfstream Gas and GIVs. The change puts Pegasus about 30 minutes from Midtown Manhattan, a pretty good little spot to cater to its hoity-toity business operators in the area. 

Upgraded Citation Flight Deck Arrives for Euro Clientele

RTX Collins has been granted approval by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the installation of their Pro Line Fusion integrated avionics system on the Cessna Citation CJ1+ and CJ2+. The news adds yet another nifty little option for those with legacy aircraft and old fashioned avionics, allowing operators to modernize their flight deck in one fell swoop. The Pro Line Fusion system does everything you'd expect befitting a private jet, with expansive 14" touch displays and the full gamut of flight planning, operations, and reversionary options needed to bring out the best of the Citation platform. 

Also: AMA National Fun Fly, Skyfire SF2, Echodyne Gets BVLOS, Av Meteorology Reference

General Atomics' run at developing the Liberty Lifter ground effect aircraft has been put to rest, with their competitor, Aurora Flight Sciences, retaining theirs for the time being. The Liberty Lifter is one funky duck, as far as prospective military projects go. Looking forward to a contentious Pacific theater, DoD planners see a dire need for seaborne transport, beyond the old school's island-hopping and airstrip-chopping. Hybrid eVTOL manufacturer, or better said, developer, showed off its latest flight test using a smaller scaled version of its high-wing Cavorite

Also: AMA National Fun Fly, Skyfire SF2, Echodyne Gets BVLOS, Av Meteorology Reference

General Atomics' run at developing the Liberty Lifter ground effect aircraft has been put to rest, with their competitor, Aurora Flight Sciences, retaining theirs for the time being. The Liberty Lifter is one funky duck, as far as prospective military projects go. Looking forward to a contentious Pacific theater, DoD planners see a dire need for seaborne transport, beyond the old school's island-hopping and airstrip-chopping. Hybrid eVTOL manufacturer, or better said, developer, showed off its latest flight test using a smaller scaled version of its high-wing Cavorite

Shortly After Takeoff From Runway 18, The Airplane Moved Laterally To The Left...

Analysis: The pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff from runway 18, the airplane moved laterally to the left. The pilot tried to correct by inputting right rudder and right aileron. The left wing rose abruptly, and the airplane crossed to the right side of the runway. The airplane lost lift and landed in the grass on the right side of the runway. The pilot attempted to stop, but the airplane slid into a drainage ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. 

Klyde Is Looking Forward To All That REALLY COOL Video...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

From 2015 (YouTube Version): A Familiar GA Airframe Is Repurposed For Futuristic Missions

ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, spent time at the Unmanned Systems 2015 Conference to find out more about unmanned aerial systems (UAS). When we think about a UAS, it’s common to visualize a remotely controlled vertical lift device or some other special purpose remotely controlled or autonomous aircraft. In this interview with Peter LeHew, the director of flight operations and UAS operations for Aurora Flight Sciences, you’ll

Aero Linx: Malibu M-Class Owners and Pilots Association (MMOPA) The Piper M-Class Owners & Pilots Association (PMOPA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the interests and safety of owners and pilots worldwide who fly PA-46 derivative (Malibu, Mirage, Meridian, M-Class, JetPROP and Matrix) aircraft. PMOPA was founded in 1988, and now serves 1,200 members. Membership is available to any registered or prospective owner and/or operator of qualified aircraft or any qualifying individual or organization involved with or providing a service for the PA-46 family of aircraft. PMOPA is not affiliated with the Piper Aircraft or any other manufacturer/vendor.

Beyond Visual Line Of Sight (BVLOS) The operation of a UAS beyond the visual capability of the flight crew members (i.e., remote pilot in command [RPIC], the person manipulating the controls, and visual observer [VO]), if used to see the aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, spectacles, and contact lenses.

“After eight months of negotiating, and a failed TA, unfortunately management has not recognized the pilots’ needs. We have expressed to management that we are willing to work with them to further address the issues that clearly remain for our pilots. Until WestJet Encore management negotiates a contract that recognizes the current labour market conditions in Canada’s airline industry, and addresses the needs of our pilots, management will continue to struggle to attract and retain the well-trained, highly skilled pilots required to help our airline be successful.” Source: Capt. Carin Kenny, chair of the WestJet Encore ALPA Master Executive Council, following the announcement of a 72 hour strike notice.