Destroys Underground Weapons Storage Units

The US Air Force deployed at least two B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to strike Houthi targets on October 17. The precision attacks centered on five reinforced underground weapons storage locations in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled region. The raid was conducted with the goal of undermining the group's ongoing efforts to interfere with international shipping in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Bab El-Mandeb Strait. US Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed that other Air Force and Navy forces assisted in the sortie.

SpaceX Founder Cites First Amendment Violation For Action

Elon Musk is suing the California Coastal Commission for violating his First Amendment right of free speech when one of its members cited Musk’s posts on X as one reason for voting against increasing Starlink launches from 36 to 50 this year. Musk has been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump’s candidacy for president and has also criticized the FAA, FCC, and FEMA, for other reasons,  in recent months. Musk has said, and several media outlets have also noted, that his political outspokenness is becoming a factor in how California regulators are making decisions regarding SpaceX.

Agency Cites UFLPA In Freeze, Company Disagrees

Chinese drone manufacturer notified its distributors that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is preventing the importation of some of its drones, citing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) as the reason for the stoppage. DJI sells more than half of all drones sold in the U.S., and says that no forced labor is involved at any stage of its manufacturing process The company is happy to provide the documentation verifying its compliance the UFLPA.

Also: Flightoberfest Postponed, Navy Honors Carter, SkyAlyne Awards CAE, Spirit Wardrobe War

SpaceX’s Starship may launch on its Flight 5 test flight as early as October 13, pending regulatory approval. If it does proceed as planned, the launch window will open as early as 0700 CST. In view of the FAA’s continued scrutiny/interference, the schedule may change. By all accounts, Starship’s Flight 4 was a significant success. Both Starship and Super Heavy flew nominal trajectories and hit their landing targets in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, respectively. October 7, 2024 marked the fifth successful test flight for Boom Supersonic&r

Also: Flightoberfest Postponed, Navy Honors Carter, SkyAlyne Awards CAE, Spirit Wardrobe War

SpaceX’s Starship may launch on its Flight 5 test flight as early as October 13, pending regulatory approval. If it does proceed as planned, the launch window will open as early as 0700 CST. In view of the FAA’s continued scrutiny/interference, the schedule may change. By all accounts, Starship’s Flight 4 was a significant success. Both Starship and Super Heavy flew nominal trajectories and hit their landing targets in the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, respectively. October 7, 2024 marked the fifth successful test flight for Boom Super

Just Days After The Storm, Airport At Near-Full Operations

Tampa International Airport (KTPA) closed to the public before Hurricane Milton hit the Gulf coast of South Florida, but only days later it is back to a full operational schedule of airline and cargo flights, the airport is working without issues, and TSA checkpoints are running smoothly. Retail spaces and restaurants inside the airport are all open, though some are running short on some products and may not be open their normal hours. Parking garages and the Rental Car Center sustained no damage and are fully open.

Spaceport Will Be Home to Hypersonic Testing Initiatives

Starfighters Space has announced the addition of a new facility at Midland International Air & Space Port (MAF) in Texas. The base will serve as both an alternate launch location for StarLaunch and a host for Starfighters Hypersonic Testing initiatives. Starfighters Space is headquartered at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Florida. The company operates a commercial fleet of seven F-104 fighter jets, capable of reaching speeds upwards of Mach 2 and air-launching payloads at 45,000 feet.

First G600 With Tail-Mounted System Delivered

Satcom Direct (SD) has announced that its advanced technology Plane Simple Ku-Band tail-mount terminal is now available on Gulfstream production aircraft, and the first production G600 with the system has been delivered. The system is currently available on the G650, G650ER, G500, and G600 production aircraft, and additional installations are in progress.

Electric INTEGRAL E Aircraft On Display With Electric Auto

AURA AERO, a French manufacturer of electric aircraft, announced it was joining its countrymen at Renault in showcasing the launch of the automaker’s electric Renault 4 at the Paris Motor Show 2024 (Mondial de l’Automobile). Renault invited four French startup companies developing decarbonized mobility to join in solidarity and share their values and vision by displaying their mobility examples alongside of the electric auto.

From 2011 (YouTube Version): Rugged, Legendary, STOL Twin Makes A Comeback

The de Havilland Twin Otter is an airplane with a long history, and it gained a reputation as a workhorse of an airplane. But after it went out of production, Viking Air became one of the principal suppliers of spare parts and service to keep the airplanes flying. Dave Curtis, President and CEO of Viking Air Limited, told ANN at NBAA in Las Vegas this year that he often heard operators ask why the airplane wasn't put back into production.

Airplane’s Left Wing Dipped Sharply, And It Entered A Spiraling Descent. The Airplane Completed Two Revolutions Before Descending Behind Trees

On October 1, 2024, about 1540 eastern daylight time, a Beech 95-B55, N5868S, was destroyed when it collided with terrain near Crystal River, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Witnesses at a maintenance facility at Crystal River Airport (CGC), Crystal River, Florida, heard the accident pilot transmit a distress call over the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency. The pilot identified the airplane as “68S” and requested the location of the airport, citing vi

Aero Linx: Australian Business Aviation Association (ABAA) The Australian Business Aviation Association is a non-profit organisation that was formed to act as a collective voice for the Business Aviation community in Australia. As a proven and effective industry advocate in this region and globally, the ABAA maintains a strong, high-calibre membership base and provides professional respected representation on behalf of its Membership across all States and Territories throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) An ultra-high frequency electronic rho-theta air navigation aid which provides suitably equipped aircraft a continuous indication of bearing and distance to the TACAN station. 

"In August we wrote a bipartisan letter supporting more @SpaceX launches at Vandenberg, citing benefits to national security, broadband connectivity, and wildfire response. Yet the Coastal Commission just rejected the plan, citing unrelated political posts by Elon Musk. This illegal action needs to be reversed immediately.” Source: In response to the Coastal Commission’s decision to disapprove increasing launches, Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA-3), posted a letter that a group of Congress members sent to the Commission supporting increasing the number of launches. They cited specifically how Starlink is aiding national security, the U.S. Department of Defense, and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for wildfire