First Newly Assigned Aircraft At School In 30 Years

Three A-29 Super Tucanos arrived at Edwards Air Force Base to join the fleet at the Air Force Test Pilot School (TPS). They represent the first newly assigned aircraft at the school in nearly thirty years. The A-29, built by Embraer, is designed as a low-cost close-air support platform. These particular aircraft were originally acquired by the Air Force Special Operations Command, but after their mission requirements changed they were divested. 

Spacecraft Will Explore Jupiter’s Icy Moon For Habitability

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy booster system successfully launched NASA’s Europa Clipper mission shortly after noon on October 14, sending the spacecraft on its journey of approximately 5 and-a-half-years to Europa, one of Jupiter’s four large moons first discovered by Galileo in 1610. Europa Clipper will take an indirect path to the Jovian system by first swinging around Mars in February 2025 for a gravity-assist boost in energy back toward Earth. Then in December 2026 the spacecraft will get a second gravity-assist boost around Earth to slingshot it on a high-velocity trajectory toward Jupiter.

New Show Hub Features Largest Static Display to Date

After seeing a surge in business aviation participation, AERO Friedrichshafen has decided to open up a new facility: the AERO Business Aviation Show Hub (AERO BASH). This will make its debut at the 2025 event, taking place April 9 through 12 in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Laying off 10% of Workforce and Pausing 767 Production

Boeing has confirmed plans to lay off 10% of its workforce and cut production in the midst of a now month-long worker strike. The mega manufacturer has taken a significant financial hit in this ongoing event. “Our business is in a difficult position, and it is hard to overstate the challenges we face together,” commented new Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg.

Residents Evacuated, No Injuries Reported

A KKOB Radio Tower went down on October 11 after being hit by a hot air balloon. The incident occurred near Balloon Fiesta Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, shortly after the launch of the annual Balloon Fiesta and Special Shapes Rodeo. No injuries were reported, and the incident was caught on camera by a local business.  

Organization Unveils Annual Ornament Design

Sporty’s has officially announced its 2024 Christmas Ornament design. This year’s limited-edition crystal piece features a Lockwood AirCam. The “low and slow” AirCam is a twin-engine, open cockpit, experimental kit aircraft. The “low and slow” AirCam is a twin-engine, open cockpit, experimental kit aircraft. It utilizes Rotax 912 power plants, producing 50-100 mph cruise while burning as low as 3.5 gph. The 3rd Generation kit has an empty weight of 1100 lbs, leaving 800 lbs of useful load. AirCam also offers an amphibious floats option weighing in at 1400 lbs.

Also: Bill Moyes Goes West, United All Clear, Flt Training Regs, Raptor Precaution

Blue Origin plans to debut its second human-rated vehicle on the upcoming NS-27 launch. This intends to expand flight capacity alongside increasing customer demand. The new crew capsule, designated “RSS Kármán line,” features upgrades to the vehicle’s performance, durability, livery, and payload accommodation. The recent 10th World Air Sports Federation (FAI) World Canopy Piloting Championships & 4th FAI World Canopy Piloting Freestyle in Pretoria, South Africa, featured an intense competition and challenging weather. But USA’s Cur

Also: Eviation Alice Order, Mayman Aerospace, Toyota $$ to Joby, Detonation Ramjet Engine

Skyryse has been granted a Special Airworthiness Certificate for its Skyryse One helicopter. This moves the aircraft one step closer to FAA certification and production launch. Skyryse One, built on a Robinson R66 frame, made its public debut in February 2024. It is an IFR-capable, triply-redundant, fly-by-wire helicopter that operates with a simple swipe on its touchscreen. AeroVironment, or AV, has successfully completed the first test flight of its Horus A Sunglider. This model, designed for commercial and government customers, has upgraded High-Altitude P

Also: Eviation Alice Order, Mayman Aerospace, Toyota $$ to Joby, Detonation Ramjet Engine

Skyryse has been granted a Special Airworthiness Certificate for its Skyryse One helicopter. This moves the aircraft one step closer to FAA certification and production launch. Skyryse One, built on a Robinson R66 frame, made its public debut in February 2024. It is an IFR-capable, triply-redundant, fly-by-wire helicopter that operates with a simple swipe on its touchscreen. AeroVironment, or AV, has successfully completed the first test flight of its Horus A Sunglider. This model, designed for commercial and government customers, has upgraded High-Altitude Platform

Agencies Work to Develop Integrated Wildland Fire Response

The Oklahoma National Guard, in partnership with Southwestern Oklahoma State University, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and Weatherford Fire Department, recently hosted a wildland firefighting unmanned aerial systems (UAS) integration exercise. This was held at Crowder Lake on September 25 and 26.

For Installation On Aircraft With ProLine 21 Avionics

Innovative Solutions & Support announced that its ThrustSense Autothrottle system has been selected by the U.S. Army for installation on ite C-12 (B200) aircraft equipped with the ProLine 21 avionics suite. The technology enables protection across the full flight envelope, from takeoff to landing, including go-around. With it, pilots can automatically control engine power settings, yielding better efficiency and safety.

The Engine Experienced A Reduction In Power To Idle RPM. The Pilot Then Attempted A 180° Turn Back To The Airstrip...

On October 8, 2024, about 1025 central daylight time, a Quicksilver GT 400 experimental airplane, N2490H, sustained substantial damage when it was involved in an accident near Garden Ridge, Texas. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot and witnesses, the preflight and engine run-up prior to takeoff were normal and no anomalies were noted. During the takeoff roll, the engine achieved full RPM. About 100 ft above ground level, the engine experienced a reduction in power to idle RPM.

From 2017 (YouTube Edition): Kitfox Introduces A New Version Of The Venerable Speedster…

In 1992, Kitfox brought its first Speedster to Oshkosh. In 2017, the company gave the public the first look at the newly-redesigned variant of the aircraft. Working from the very successful and robust Kitfox S7 Super Sport, Kitfox has created a clipped wing, aerodynamically refined and superbly stylized tail dragger that is guaranteed to get the heart rate up to redline.  With Rotax fuel injected power, the 2017 Kitfox Speedster is signif

Aero Linx: International Aviation Fire Protection Association (IAFPA IAFPA was first formed in 2000 by a group of airport fire officers in the UK.  From the initial UK site, the work of IAFPA spread throughout the Asia Pacific and the Middle East.  In March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world and affected almost all economies on the world stage especially aviation and the hospitality industry. With this major impact, the Council decided that to be relevant in the fast changing times and to be mission ready in the post-Covid era, IAFPA needed to restructure itself going forward...

Circle-To-Land Maneuver A maneuver initiated by the pilot to align the aircraft with a runway for landing when a straight-in landing from an instrument approach is not possible or is not desirable. At tower-controlled airports, this maneuver is made only after ATC authorization has been obtained and the pilot has established the required visual reference to the airport. 

“The decision to transfer A-29 aircraft to Edwards is a result of thoughtful analysis by the Test Pilot School and an excellent example of command agility and collaboration to take advantage of a unique, fleeting opportunity. Not only does this repurpose a $63 million taxpayer investment, it also modernizes and expands TPS curriculum to accelerate the fielding of combat capability for the U.S. Air Force.” Source: Michael Banzet, Air Force Test Center Plans and Programs Director explaining how three A-29 Super Tucanos arrived at Edwards Air Force Base to join the fleet at the Air Force Test Pilot School (TPS). They represent the first newly assigned aircraft at the school in nearly thirty years.