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The U.S. Air Force is exploring options for a new long-range/endurance drone for its Task Force 99, based in Qatar at El Udeid Air Base. Established in October 2022, Task Force 99 performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as experimenting with new technologies.
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has announced that its 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) will feature three leading contenders in the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector. The event, set to take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from October 22-24, will showcase Electra.aero, Joby Aviation, and Lilium within the Emerging Tech Pavilion on the convention display floor. Additional representatives from the AAM industry are also expected to participate.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) introduced changes to its cybersecurity standards for new aircraft and equipment in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued Wednesday.
Fractional and charter operator Wheels Up Experience has announced the departure of its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Todd Smith and Chief Legal Officer Laura Heltebran. According to the company, Smith is leaving to assume a new role elsewhere, while Heltebran will "pursue other opportunities."
Signature Aviation, the world's largest fixed-base operator (FBO) chain, has introduced a new membership discount program for small- and medium-sized turbine aircraft operators.
New data from the Department of Transportation (DOT) reveals that U.S. passenger and cargo airlines now employ more than 1 million people, marking it the largest workforce in nearly 23 years.
According to a CNBC report, the pandemic-driven bump in private aviation has begun to level off. Compared to a peak in 2022, private jet charter flights dropped 15% over the first half of this year. The report cites “waning demand and a new competitive landscape for high-end travel.”
The FAA issued an airworthiness concern sheet (ACS) after a cockpit power lever fractured on a Cirrus SR20 as the pilot advanced the throttle for takeoff. The pilot cut fuel to the engine and safely aborted the takeoff. Follow-up visual and dye-penetrant examinations by the training fleet operator revealed cracks in 24 more aircraft. The original failure and the cracks discovered in the remaining aircraft were all located near the section of the power levers with the smallest cross-section. The ACS covers all SR-series Cirrus models, including the SR20, SR22, and SR22T.
The Associated Press reported today that a proposed merger of Alaska Air and Hawaiian Airlines has taken a step forward. The U.S. Department of Justice has decided not to challenge the $1 billion deal, and the DOJ review period expired at midnight last night following several extensions. Both carriers say the merger “will create a company better able to serve travelers.”
Sikorsky’s modified presidential VH-92A made its operational debut as "Marine One" on August 19, transporting President Biden from O’Hare International Airport to the parking lot adjacent to the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, the site of the Democratic National Convention. The development program that led to this helicopter's entry into service has experienced two decades of delays in replacing the previous Vietnam-era helicopters assigned to the presidential mission.
Boeing has suspended certification flight testing of its new flagship 777X airliner after discovering problems with the engine attachments in all three test aircraft, according to a report by The Air Current. A thrust link, which helps secure the engine to its mounting structure, was found broken after a flight from Kona, Hawaii, to Seattle. Subsequent inspections revealed cracks in the thrust links on the other two aircraft, leading to the grounding of the fleet.
A New York Times documentary examines the mental health issues impacting the aviation industry, highlighting the story of an Alaska Airlines pilot who attempted to crash a plane last fall. Capt. Joe Emerson was in the jump seat of an E175, hitching a ride to San Francisco from Oregon, when he tried to pull the engine fire extinguishers. The pilots flying managed to prevent him from fully deploying the fuel cutoff switches and restrained him.
The FAA has issued an Airworthiness Directive (AD) requiring operators of all Boeing 787 models to inspect the flight deck seat switches. This directive follows a sudden forward pitch incident involving a Dreamliner off Australia last March, which resulted in injuries to 50 people. The dive occurred due to an "uncommanded horizontal movement" of the captain's seat, causing the yoke to be pushed forward. Unbelted passengers and crew were thrown about the cabin, with some sustaining serious injuries.
A Montana woman has pleaded guilty to lunging at the controls of a Cape Air Cessna 402 just as it was landing at Havre Airport on March 21, 2023, nearly causing it to crash. Tracy Lynn Eagleman, 36, of Havre will be sentenced in December and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. She is being held in jail until sentencing.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin are reportedly considering selling their space launch business, United Launch Alliance (ULA), to Sierra Space, a subsidiary of Sierra Nevada Corporation. The discussions are in the preliminary stages, according to Reuters. ULA, which competes with SpaceX for government payload launches, has previously attempted to sell its rocket business without success.
Comments are back and different, aiming to offer a better experience for most users. As part of the platform update, the Discourse forum hosting platform has been added to handle comments. A full explanation of using the system and customizing accounts is available. Users who wish to comment on stories and blogs will need to reregister by clicking on the login button and selecting "I forgot my password."
Gulfstream has conducted the inaugural flight of its G400 test article, marking a significant step for its range of big-cabin business jets. The program was announced in 2021 alongside the ultra-long-range G800, which took its first flight in 2022 but remains uncertified due to delays stemming from COVID-19 and FAA regulatory changes following issues with the Boeing MAX. Gulfstream aims to secure certification for the G800 by year-end.
A man killed in the crash of a J3 Cub in Tennessee on Friday does not appear to have had a pilot certificate. The incident has garnered significant attention because the deceased was Scott Bloomquist, 60, a renowned dirt track racing driver widely regarded as one of the best in the sport.
A flight school operating at Virginia’s Manassas Regional Airport, Harry P. Davis Field, abruptly shut down on August 1, leaving several students stranded.
Former Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun is scheduled to meet one-on-one with whistleblower Sam Mohawk, who has raised concerns about safety issues and production practices at the company, according to Newsweek.