Fri, Sep 20, 2024
SpaceX Accuses Agency of Regulatory Overreach and Political Motivations
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has threatened to sue the FAA over recent fines. He claims that the agency’s proposed penalties are an overreach of power and politically driven. Though the fine isn’t much of a financial hit for the multi-billion dollar company, it serves as an indirect warning for future SpaceX operations.
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Fri, Sep 20, 2024
Workers Must Still Approve Tentative Deal
In a tentative four-year agreement that still requires a vote by union members, Air Canada and the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) avoided a costly strike that would have affected more than 100,000 passengers per day as well as freight. Air Canada said the terms of the agreement will remain confidential until after the vote by ALPA members. The vote is anticipated to be completed over the next month.
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Fri, Sep 20, 2024
United Adds Free In-Flight Satellite WiFi To 1,000 Aircraft
Starlink announced it has signed a deal with United Airlines to install the satellite internet service terminals in 1,000 main line and regional airliners. This brings Starlink’s total to 2,500 aircraft under contract that will be fulfilled over the next several years. The service will provide passengers with in-flight internet connectivity (IFC) free of charge, the company said.
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Fri, Sep 20, 2024
Also: Girls in Aviation Day, B-29 Doc Heads 4 Chino, C-17 Tail Cone Detaches, Bulgaria Airshow Accident
One of two private aircraft that launched from Apatity Airport near Murmansk in the Russian Federation with filed flight plans to Arkhangelsk was apparently mistaken for a drone and was fired upon on September 11. The airspace surrounding the Murmansk and Apatity airports had been closed under a temporary flight restriction (TFR) due to Ukrainian drone activity. The EAA recently expressed its concern about a new FAA policy that would limit Phase I testing operations. The order, 8130.2K, is expected to take effect on October 27. Order 8130.2K cuts down on the number of airports permitted for Phase I flight testing. Boeing workers have gone on strike. This follows their 94% vote to reject the manufacturer’s proposed contract on September 12. The 33,000-worker strike is expected to freeze Boeing’s operations at its Seattle h
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Fri, Sep 20, 2024
Also: Sky-High Harassment, Starlink Expands To 2,500 Airliners, Skyborne Academy, Air Canada
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has threatened to sue the FAA over recent fines. He claims that the agency’s proposed penalties are an overreach of power and politically driven. Musk’s threat follows just a few hours after the FAA suggested a $633,009 fine for alleged violations during two Falcon 9 launches last year. He characterized the FAA’s actions as regulatory overreach and an example of “lawfare”. Van’s Aircraft says it has been questioned by several builders recently regarding variations in the depth of stiffening rings and beads in formed aluminum ribs. While understanding the reason for the questions, Van’s says the variations have existed for years. The primary reason for the variances is that the parts were transitioned from T0 to T3 temper. The Marine Corps has presented their highest non-combat medal, The N
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Fri, Sep 20, 2024
More Than 100 Attend Ceremony At Naval Support Activity Philadelphia
Leonardo announced the 100th delivery of the TH-73A Thrasher helicopter to the U.S. Navy on September 17. The milestone was celebrated at the Naval Support Activity Philadelphia base in northeastern Philadelphia’s Lawncrest neighborhood. Attendees included Vice Admiral Daniel L. Cheever, Commander, Naval Forces/Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet and Lt. Gen. Bradford Gering, Deputy Commandant for Aviation for the U.S. Marine Corps.
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Fri, Sep 20, 2024
Pilot Dealt 6 Months For Stalking Woman From Above
66-year-old pilot Michael Arnold was recently sentenced to six months in the can and five years of probation for violating an order of protection. He allegedly used his Cessna 180 to stalk and harass a Schuylerville woman. The stalking began nearly five years ago when Arnold visited the victim’s workplace.
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Fri, Sep 20, 2024
Airport’s Second Fatal Crash This Month Under Investigation
A mid-air collision between a Globe GC-1B Swift and a Cessna 206 has left one confirmed fatality and two survivors. The accident occurred just before 10:00 am on September 16 near Nevada’s Minden-Tahoe Airport (MEV). The accident is Minden-Tahoe Airport’s second fatal crash within a month.
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Fri, Sep 20, 2024
Also: Volato Nixed by Honda, New B-21 Bases, A-10 Unit Inactivated, Gogo/Airshare
Boom Supersonic announced its demonstrator aircraft XB-1 successfully completed its third test flight less than three weeks after the second flight. The flight was piloted by Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg for his second flight. Boom is testing key systems and performance as it systematically expands the flight envelope. The pace of test flights has a target of supersonic flight before the end of the year. The House of Representatives has passed H.R.2864: the Countering CCP Drones Act. This would add future equipment made by DJI technologies to the FCC’s Covered List on the premise that it poses a risk to U.S. national security. Sonex Aircraft announced that the JSX-1, the original SubSonex proof-of-concept personal jet prototype is now a resident of the EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh. The historic aircraft joins the original
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Fri, Sep 20, 2024
Also: Aeroprakt Handicapable Config, Atec 212 Solo, DJI NEO, Aero-TV Profiles Risen Transatlantic Flt
The 16th MidWest Aviation Expo is now history... and it sure was a good show. The ANN team sent four of our top folks to the event and came away impressed with the quality of the aircraft we saw and flew and the fact that the industry is soldiering on despite the fact that MOSAIC has been oft delayed and is creating a lot of uncertainty among manufacturers and buyers. The latest version of Aeropilot’s L600 was a focal point of RT Aviation’s display at the 2024 Midwest Aviation Expo. Test flights in the aircraft were offered throughout the weekend. The light-sport Legend 600 is an all-composite, high-wing, strut-braced two-seater. Its empty weight is a mere 739 lbs, though it still produces impressive performance and easy handling with a climb rate of 1378 fpm and 108kt cruise speed. Piston Aviation exhibited several of their
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