Tue, Dec 10, 2024
Introduces FLRAA to Get ‘Twice as Far, Twice as Fast’
The US Army recently introduced its new Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). The rotorcraft aims to replace parts of the existing UH-60 Black Hawk fleet and expand the reach of the Army’s Air Assault. FLRAA is slated to become operational in 2030, despite tests not being expected until 2027 or 2028.
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Tue, Dec 10, 2024
57-Year-Old Guilty of Flying an Unregistered Aircraft Without a License
A 57-year-old man from Palmer, Alaska was convicted on December 4 after nearly causing a mid-air collision last year. He was found guilty of operating an unregistered aircraft, and flying it without a pilot's license. He now faces a $250,000 maximum fine and up to three years in the can per count.
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Tue, Dec 10, 2024
Potential Insider Share Sale Hints at New Record for the Aerospace Giant
SpaceX is reportedly exploring an insider share sale that could bump the company’s total value to $350 billion. If finalized, this figure would mark a dramatic increase from its $210 billion valuation following a tender offer earlier this year. It would place SpaceX as the world’s most valuable private company.
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Tue, Dec 10, 2024
Also: Gogo Owns Satcom Direct Now, Airbus Cuts Jobs, A319 Firefighters, CAP Balloon Challenge
The FAA has confirmed it issued two Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in New Jersey covering the U.S. Army’s Picatinny Arsenal in Dover and the Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Somerset County. The restrictions were issued after requests from “federal security partners” and reports of questionable drone activity near the areas affected. The FBI is said to be investigating the reported sightings of mysterious drone activity over Central New Jersey. Entrepreneur, pilot, philanthropist, and passionate spaceflight advocate Jared Isaacman has been nominated to be the next NASA administrator, announced by President-elect Donald Trump. Isaacman brings an exceptional passion for aviation and spaceflight to the table. As a 16-year-old he founded Shift4, an online payment service which turned into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. H
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Tue, Dec 10, 2024
Accepted Into FAA Part 5 SMS For Air Operations
Joby Aviation announced it has been approved for an FAA Part 141 certificate for its flight training academy as well as its acceptance into the FAA Part 5 Voluntary Safety Management System (SMS). With the Part 141 certificate the Joby Aviation Academy is able to deliver streamlined pilot training. This will enable the company to efficiently and economically develop its own pipeline of qualified pilots to crew its commercial air taxi operations.
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Tue, Dec 10, 2024
Also: DPEs & Basic Med, ERAU ATC Program, Snead State, RCAF PC-21s
Airbus continues to push out ever-more outlandish proposals to see its concept of extended Minimum Crew Operations (eMCO), which is nothing more than a euphemism for single-pilot operations, become reality for widebody aircraft filled with passengers during cruise flight. The EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program has been making a difference since 1963 for young people pursuing aviation careers and has recently passed a significant milestone, as 600 scholarship recipients have completed flight training and earned pilot certificates. Elektra Solar recently put the first aircraft from its Elektra Trainer Fixed-Gear (FG) family into service. The electric aircraft will be used to train students at the Lorenzen Flight School in Landshut, Germany. The Elektra Trainer has been flying since 2011 and is a member of the German ultralight class. It is a modified version of the compan
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Tue, Dec 10, 2024
Also: Russian National Arrested, DTW’s Instrument Approach, Bankruptcy Reform, Bessie Coleman WAI
Hard to believe, but NASA has delayed the Artemis II and Artemis III missions, AGAIN, which were expected to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since 1972, until 2026 and 2027. The decision was made to allow engineers to continue testing on the Orion crew capsule. Tickets for EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 are on sale. The convention will be held from July 21-27, 2025, at Wittman Regional Airport (OSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. 2025 will be the 72nd annual occurrence of “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration.” This event surrounds the theme of ‘One Week: Endless Possibilities.’ The FAA recently published new restrictions on color vision exams, replacing the original paper testing book with ‘modern digital testing equipment. The regulation will take effect on January 1, 2025. The modif
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Tue, Dec 10, 2024
70-Year-Old Florida Man Now Facing Felony Charge
A 70-year-old man from St. Petersburg, Florida is facing criminal charges after purposefully pointing a laser at a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office helicopter. In Florida, “knowingly and willfully” shining a laser pointer at an aircraft is a third-degree felony. The officers were able to pinpoint the man responsible while in the air.
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Tue, Dec 10, 2024
Statement From President Lisa Campbell
After the press conference by NASA announcing the delay of the Artemis II campaign to April 2026, Lisa Campbell, President of the Canadian Space Agency, released the following statement: "Humanity is returning to the Moon and as a space-faring nation with decades of experience, Canada is proud to be part of this technically complex, collaborative international effort. We have full confidence that NASA's decision to delay the Artemis II mission to April 2026 is guided by their commitment to the safety of the crew and the overall success of the Artemis campaign..."
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Tue, Dec 10, 2024
Also: Swift Hits 56000', 100 Midnight Order, $1.4B For ATC, USCG/USAF Rescue Op
INTEGRAL E, the all-electric version of Aura Aero’s two-seat aircraft, made its maiden flight on December 3. When the aircraft enters service it will reportedly have a flight duration of about an hour and will be able to recharge in under 30 minutes. Aura Aero says the INTEGRAL currently has an orderbook of several hundred across all three R, S, and E versions. The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) issued the Third Quarter 2024 General Aviation Aircraft Shipping and Billing Report. The report shows an increase in the overall value of shipments and increased shipments of piston airplanes, business jets, and turbine helicopters. Heart Aerospace recently confirmed plans to send its fully electric demonstrator aircraft, the Heart X1, for its first flight in early 2025. The experimental aircraft will be departing from New York’s Plattsburgh
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