Engineer, Pilot, Astronaut Swept Hangars as Youth

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) paid tribute to USAF Major General Joe Henry Engle, who passed away on July 10, 2024. Engle always had a passion to fly, even as a kid in Chapman, Kansas. But there wasn’t much flying or flight instruction there, so he had to put it off until he got to the University of Kansas where he spent summers sweeping hangars at Cessna. His boss recognized his passion and began teaching and mentoring him about airplanes. Engle graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering and a commission in the ROTC. The commission got him accepted to flight school at George Air Force Base in California. Between graduation and reporting to flight school he and his mentor built a kit airplane Engle flew around Wichita.

Fourth Year of Competition for Students

UAS4STEM is an Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) sanctioned competition for students aged 11 through graduating high school seniors. Teams compete throughout the year to make it to the championship at AirVenture. Teams must design, build, and fly unmanned aerial systems to compete virtually and be selected for the championship, which is in two classes- beginner and advanced based on skill level and age. First, second, and third place teams receive scholarship money and Skydio equipment from AMA.

Has Worked on All Kinds of Engines for More Than Sixty Years

Ralph Holaday began working on aircraft engines since the 1960s and still puts in six to eight hours per day at St. Joseph Aircraft Service who does most of its work at Rosecrans Memorial Airport (KSTJ). He pointed out, "I started flying planes in my younger years. Then I bought one of my own. I gave $800 for it back then." Holaday has since worked on just about every kind and size of airplane, including when he was in the military and when he’s not working on projects in his home workshop. He has worked on diesel boat engines as well. He explained, "At first, I worked out at Rosecrans part-time in the wintertime, back when I had a marine business in town. Pretty soon, I ended up here, and I work with some very good people."

World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration July 22-28

Final preparations for the 2024 EAA AirVenture at Wittman Regional Airport are – and have been – underway for the arrival of more than 10,000 aircraft and 650,000 people during the week of July 22-28. That will be the weeklong convention for all things aviation. That will be the week OSH is the busiest airport in the world with the busiest air traffic control tower in the world. Getting to Oshkosh for EAA AirVenture is THE annual reunion for old friends and new in the aviation family, where we all get to see new products, technology, gadgets, and gizmos that make aviation easier in some fashion, and oh yes- airplanes!

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SpaceX’s Starship will launch in four weeks according to SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk. Musk, who also owns social media platform X, posted there on July 5, "Flight 5 in 4 weeks." The approximate two-month turnaround after its last flight June 6 is faster than the previous launch interval for Starship. That’s because Flight 4 went entirely according to plan so there were fewer technical issues to resolve... A new fee schedule under the Bahamas Customs Management Regulations 2024 popped eyeballs with manifold increases over previous fees, with inbound flights tripling in cost - or worse. Given the Bahamas' interesting relationship with private aviation, those in the know bemoan a surprise turn that could put a real dent in the amount of GA traffic they get. A 50-year lease was signed on Friday July 5 by U.S. Army Garrison Hawai’i Co

Klyde Tries to Find the Brighter Side of A Rare SpaceX Launch Issue

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

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A 50-year lease was signed on Friday July 5 by U.S. Army Garrison Hawai’i Commander Col. Steve McGunegle, Hawai’i Governor Josh Green, M.D., and the Hawai’i Department of Transportation Director Ed Sniffen for Kawaihpai Airfield, known more widely as Dillingham Airfield (PHDH). James Mountain Inhofe, a tireless aviation advocate and Republican retired Senator from Oklahoma, has died at the age of 89 after suffering a stroke on July 4. He had retired from the Senate in 2023 because of his health, and had four years left in his term. He was Oklahoma’s longest serving Senator who served as chairman of both the Armed Services and the Environment and Public Works committees. Aircraft manufacturer Boeing avoided a messy trial and potentially much higher financial penalties by pleading guilty to a charge of conspiracy to defraud t

A New School Take on an Old School System Finds Fans Among UAV Designers

The first set of J-1 engine systems from Wave Engine Corporation has been delivered to an unspecified government contractor, expected to be seen in use on some UAV platforms yet to reach the public eye. Daanish Maqbool, CEO of Wave Engine Corp said that the J-1 is pretty much unbeatable in terms of cost to performance. “We are looking forward to working with our customers to increase production and bring an unmatched combination of cost, simplicity and flight performance to market."

BAE Systems’ Advanced Warning Receivers Increase Survivability on F-16 and C-130J

Tactical radar warning receivers produced by BAE Systems have been used on F-15 Fighting Falcon and C-130J Hercules since the 1990s. Its AN/ALR-56M detection systems are now being installed on the C-130J Super Hercules under a $133 million contract with the Defense Logistics Agency. The AN/ALR-56M has adaptive filtering that can isolate threat signals in dense signal environments with long-range, broad-spectrum detection capability. The system gives pilots timely warning about current search, acquisition, and tracking radars as well as reliable response capabilities so pilots can make rapid decisions to engage or evade the threat.

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The Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School (AAHS) enrolled its first 9th and 10th grade students to begin classes in the fall of 2022. Just two years later the school broke ground on a new campus at the Bessemer Municipal Airport (KEKY) in Bessemer, Alabama. The school is the first aviation, aerospace, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) focused public charter school in the state. And it’s free to attend. A final rule just published by the FAA provides relief for check pilots and flight instructors in Part 135 commuter and on-demand operators who are performing those duties in aircraft, so they are no longer required to have a medical certificate. A final rule just published by the FAA provides relief for check pilots and flight instructors in Part 135 commuter and on-demand operators who are performing those duties in aircraft, so t