China’s CAAC Pauses Deliveries to Analyze Revised Cockpit Voice Recorder

Boeing finally got some good news from back east, hearing that Chinese regulators are approving their widebody aircraft for importation again. That should help them clear out its backlogs of 777 and 787s waiting to be delivered to customers in China, but the 737 Max family remains held up. The widebody Boeings didn't get to enjoy their delivery window for too long, being shut out from 2019 to only a couple weeks before New Year 2024. Only a few months passed until the Civil Aviation Administration of China announced that it would again suspend entry of new Boeing aircraft into the country. Deliveries were apparently halted this time over reviews needed for the 25-h

“Fly-off” Competition is the First Since 2011

Those of us in aviation understand that for all the seriousness involved with defying gravity in machines that sometimes don’t look like they should be doing such things, the underlying element that animates us is that at its most basic level, flying is fun! From DaVinci to the Wright brothers to Chuck Yeager to Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins, the part of the human spirit that seems the most satisfying (to this writer) is the desire to throw off the shackles that keep us Earth-bound and fly through the air as freely as the birds do. Why? Because it’s fun!  And it’s freedom!

Single-Use Deorbit Craft Will Be Designed, Developed by SpaceX for NASA Tasking

Disposal of the International Space Station will be left to SpaceX, according to a recent contract with NASA. The administration chose SpaceX to develop and deliver the "U.S. Deorbit Vehicle", a spacecraft designed specifically to reliably deorbit the ISS while ensuring complete and thorough disintegration without risk to populated areas. SpaceX will develop the Deorbiter, and NASA will take ownership of the completed unit and operate it throughout its mission. The ship won't survive the process, so it will be a single-use arrow that burns up along with its target in the atmosphere.

The Airspace Around Milwaukee Will Be... Interesting... The Week Before Oshkosh!

Our friends at EAA have issued a timely warning... The Republican National Convention being held in downtown Milwaukee on July 15-18 will greatly affect air operations over and around the Milwaukee area on those dates and could impact flight planning for pilots coming to Oshkosh early for EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, which begins... just a few days later... on July 22. Oh boy... 

Worrisome Move Attributed to Fleet Reduction and Lower Attrition

Private jet provider Wheels Up has laid off about 11% of its pilots. The Delta Air Lines-backed company says the layoffs were necessary because more crew members are choosing to stay with the company even as the company consolidates the number of its operating certificates to achieve more efficient management. Prior to the investment by Delta, Wheels Up had scaled back its fleet and reduced its service area. It also sold its aircraft management operation to Airshare, another fractional/charter and jet card provider.

Also: Sonex High-Wing Update, LAA Tech Directive, SERIOUS Balloon Action, Aero-TV: Helix Propeller

The long-awaited hearing before a Delaware Bankruptcy Judge has taken place and Icon Aircraft, carrying over $170 million dollars in debt, was pretty much sold off for less than ten cents on the dollar, to 'SG Investment America' for $15.54M. SG Investment America is a recent subsidiary of Germany's Durkopp Adler GmbH, but is owned by ShangGong Group based in Shanghai, China... and from there the legalities get interesting... but regardless, as forewarned by other investors in the company, Icon is now a Chinese owned enterprise... Risen’s Andreas Vent

Additional 28 Took Voluntary Lay Off

Wichita, Kansas-based Spirit AeroSystems laid off 282 hourly workers on June 20 with another 28 employees taking voluntary layoffs. All those affected will be paid through July 4 and receive their final check on July 11. Their benefits will remain in effect until July 31. The company had notified employees in May that it planned to lay off between 400 and 450 in Wichita due to a slowdown in delivery rates. It attributes the slowdown to a tighter inspection process stemming from the blowout of a faulty door plug from an Alaska Airlines 737 Max during flight in January.

AI to Assist in Design of High Altitude Lighter Than Air Vehicles

Atlantic Industrial Group (AIG), a holding company with brands in the defense manufacturing sector, has entered into a long-term licensing agreement to develop and manufacture advanced, highly maneuverable large manned and unmanned Lighter-than-Air vehicles with the UAV Corporation (UAV) of Wewahitchka, Florida. The agreement was executed on June 17 by Michael Lawson, CEO of UAV, and Maceo Remy, Chief Revenue Officer of AIG.

From 2018 (YouTube Version): Trig Avionics Announces Plans For New Nav/Com Product Family

Trig Avionics has announced plans for a future Nav/Com product family, which is expected to be available to pilots in early 2019. The first preview of the product is being made now, allowing pilots to see the newly designed TX56 Nav/Com. Using a slimline form factor and innovative features the TX56 will be easy to install and use. The TX56 is designed to appeal to aircraft owners and flight training organizations looking for a high quality and great value Nav/Com. The first public showing of the TX56 was at EAA AirVenture in July. A

Pilot Attempted A Forced Landing To A Roadway In A Residential Urban Area In Arvada, Colorado

On June 7, 2024, about 0930 mountain daylight time, a Beech V35A airplane, N150WR, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Arvada, Colorado. The pilot and 2 passengers sustained serious injuries, and 1 passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to Automated Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data, the airplane departed Centennial Airport (APA), Englewood, Colorado, about 0914. The intended destination was Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL), Fort Collins, Colorado. About 10 minutes after departure from APA, the pilot radioed

Aero Linx: South Carolina Aviation Association (SCAA) The South Carolina Aviation Association is the only state-affiliated group for aviation professionals and enthusiasts. Here are three other reasons why you should be part of this organization: Become a part of an all inclusive group of airport executives, airport consultants, federal and state officials, FBOs, pilots and other aviation enthusiasts who are interested in the continued growth of airports and aviation in South Carolina...

Charted VFR Flyways

Charted VFR Flyways are flight paths recommended for use to bypass areas heavily traversed by large turbine-powered aircraft. Pilot compliance with recommended flyways and associated altitudes is strictly voluntary. VFR Flyway Planning charts are published on the back of existing VFR Terminal Area charts. 

"This agreement signifies an advancement in media communications and security capabilities America can offer its partners and corporations through a singular platform. Joining forces with UAV Corp continues our model to utilize and combine proven underutilized technology for highly manufacturable advanced solutions."

Source: Mr. Remy of AIG, commenting as his Atlantic Industrial Group (AIG), a holding company with brands in the defense manufacturing sector, has entered into a long-term licensing agreement to develop and manufacture advanced, highly maneuverable large manned and unmanned Lighter-than-Air vehicles with the UAV