But... Registration "Will Be Free For The First 30 Days"

OK... the other shoe has dropped and the FAA has admitted that UAV registration will come with a cost. According to the presser just released, "The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced a streamlined and user-friendly web-based aircraft registration process for owners of small unmanned aircraft (UAS) weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (approx. 25 kilograms) including payloads such as on-board cameras."

Spacecraft Under Development For The Department Of Defense

The Critical Design Review (CDR) of the STPSat-5 satellite for the Department of Defense’s (DOD) Space Test Program (STP) has been completed by Sierra Nevada Corp, confirming that the satellite will meet mission requirements and is sufficiently mature to begin fabrication. SNC is the prime contractor on the STPSat-5 program, leading the design and integration of this next-generation science and technology demonstration satellite for the DOD.

Signs $386 Million Contract For ESA’s Next Life-Tracker Inside The Solar System

The European Space Agency (ESA) and Airbus Defense and Space, the world’s second largest space company, have signed a €350M (approx $386 million) contract to develop and build ESA’s JUICE (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer) spacecraft. The contract was signed in Toulouse in the presence of Alvaro Gimenez, Director of Science and Robotic Exploration at ESA, and Eric Béranger, Head of Space Systems Programs at Airbus Defense and Space.

Rehearsal Conducted For Planned 2020 Mission

The final approach to an asteroid has been practiced for ESA’s proposed Asteroid Impact Mission using a real spacecraft camera mounted on a robot arm.

Spacecraft Has Been Waiting For A Year For A Ride To Space

After a year-long wait in storage for a Proton rocket to become available, the EDRS-A laser communications payload and its Eutelsat host satellite are finally at the Baikonur cosmodrome and being prepared for launch in late January.

College Approaching High School Students About Aviation Careers

Every pilot, aviation company, and flying organization knows there is a compelling need to reach out to young people to interest them in aviation. Parkland College Institute of Aviation at the University of Illinois is actively working with a high school in California in an effort to do just that.

Technology Will Help Fast-Track Development Of Ultra-High Resolution Imaging System

NASA’s Ames Research Center and Hera Systems have announced that they have executed a licensing agreement on two pending patents for the Cost Optimized Test of Spacecraft Avionics and Technologies (COTSAT) spacecraft. The agreement enables Hera Systems, a satellite information and analytics company, to leverage NASA’s cutting-edge technology in the development of an ultra-high resolution commercial imaging system that Hera Systems anticipates launching in 2017.

Enhanced Vision System Developed By Astronics

Five Beechcraft King Air aircraft for the South Eastern Section of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia are now equipped with the Astronics Max-Viz 1400 Enhanced Vision System.

Will Allow For Expanded Services And Facilities At Arizona Airport

Cutter Aviation finalized the purchase of Atlantic’s FBO at Phoenix, Deer Valley (Arizona) Airport (KDVT) December 8th, 2015. During the consolidation, Cutter will operate from both facilities (Cutter and former Atlantic).

Says U.K. Government Officials Are Concerned That They Could Be Used To Deliberately Take Down A Passenger Jet

As if the UAV industry didn't have enough on its plate, a "defense specialist" says that unmanned aircraft have the potential to be used as weapons against commercial airliners in an effort to bring them down.

Turkish Fleet Reaches Full Strength With Four Aircraft And Ground Support Systems

Boeing has delivered the fourth and final Peace Eagle Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft to the Turkish Air Force at Konya Air Base today, completing the Turkish AEW&C fleet and enhancing Turkey’s airspace surveillance and battle management capabilities.

Identifies And Tracks Small UAVs While On The Move

Most of our UAV news is about the actual aircraft. But as unmanned systems become more prevalent, and in the hands of potential enemies, land forces will require the ability to track and defeat this growing threat.

Offers New Solutions And Locations

Avfuel Corporation continued its trajectory of growth in 2015 with updated technology, and a spike in customers and global solutions.

An Impressive LSA-Like Airframe Boasts Excellent Numbers... And FOUR Seats!

A company located in South Africa named, The Aircraft Factory (TAF), produces some great airplanes, and ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, visited the TAF Torrance, CA headquarters to ask about their Sling 4, four-place aircraft. Jim met with Matt Liknaitzky, the president of MGL Avionics USA, and he heads up the U.S. distribution of Sling Aircraft for TAF. Jim’s first question was about the uniqueness of their Sling 4. It’s unique because it is a four place airplane, yet it’s powered by an engine of abo

No, I Don’t 'Blame' Aviation… And I Never Will

Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you're alive, it isn't. ~ Richard Bach A Note From Jim Campbell, December 13, 2015: I wrote this five years ago, still in shock over Vic's loss the year before... a process that has never quite abated (nor should it). And yet now, I have more to be grateful for then ever before... especially in light of the lessons I learned as a a result of the time that Vicki was in my

Commemorative Air Force Leads Aviation Celebration And AVG Flying Tigers Tribute

Chamblee, Georgia’s Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (KPDK) will be transformed into a World War II airfield September 24-25, 2016 when a squadron of vintage military aircraft from across the United States descend on the former Navy training base to celebrate the third annual Atlanta Warbird Weekend.

Also: Spirit of St. Louis Replica, NTSB Video, Small Airplane Certification, ALPA Commends, CA Aviation Hall Of Fame, Piper Diesel

ANN Airborne Link: /index.cfm?do=video.playVideo&videoid=896c78fb-8b21-4d06-a58f-d31f46dade94 YouTube Airborne Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRj4mQ6SBVY Jet flight in a Honda has n

'Team 21' Will Deliver Aircraft, Simulators, And Long-Term Support

The Australian Defense Force (ADF) has signed a contract for the purchase of 49 PC-21 training aircraft. Under the new contract, “Team 21” – a partnership between Lockheed Martin, Hawker Pacific and Pilatus – will deliver aircraft, simulators, other training equipment and a comprehensive long-term support package.

Also Names 'Belt Of Orion' Recipient For 2016

Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame (CAHF) will induct four new members, and recognize a Belt of Orion recipient, at its 43rd annual gala dinner and ceremony, to be held Thursday June 9, 2016, at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, at Rockcliffe Airport in Ottawa.

Klyde Needs To Be Careful With His Pronunciations...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Charity Fundraiser Offers Chance To Win A Once-In-A-Lifetime Experience Flying An Iconic WWII Fighter.

You don’t have to be a history buff to appreciate the legacy of the P-51 Mustang. Introduced in 1940 to provide air protection during bombing missions, the Mustang was a formidable foe to the enemy while being an Allied pilot’s dream to fly.

Allowed A Former Porn Star To Visit The Front Office On A Flight From London To New York

A Kuwait Airways pilot has reportedly had his license revoked after allowing an ex-porn star to visit the cockpit during a flight from London to New York's JFK airport two years ago.

Aero Linx: The International Auster Club The aims of the The International Auster Club are: To bring together Auster owners and enthusiasts and anyone wishing to support or learn about Auster aircraft throughout the world. To foster and promote the worldwide survival of the type in an airworthy state through the provision of information and advice as is within the scope of the Club’s technical and financial resources. To raise awareness of the brand by means of marketing and publicising Auster’s contribution to the UKs aviation heritage. To organise activities on a regular basis for Club members and guests...

Convective SIGMET A weather advisory concerning convective weather significant to the safety of all aircraft. Convective SIGMETs are issued for tornadoes, lines of thunderstorms, embedded thunderstorms of any intensity level, areas of thunderstorms greater than or equal to VIP level 4 with an area coverage of 4/10 (40%) or more, and hail 3/4 inch or greater.

“We have chosen to honor the Flying Tigers and to support the AVG Flying Tigers Association’s mission to preserve, respect, inform, educate and keep alive the accurate history of the AVG. In just seven months of intense aerial combat, the AVG earned a lasting niche in aviation history, operating under shortages and difficulties.” Source: Moreno Aguiari, the CAF Dixie Wing Marketing Officer and Atlanta Warbird Weekend Co-Chairman, commenting on how Chamblee, Georgia’s Dekalb-Peachtree Airport (KPDK) will be transformed into a World War II airfield September 24-25, 2016 when a squadron of vintage military aircraft from across the United States descend on the former Navy training base to celebrate the third annual Atla