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’s XB-1 demonstration aircraft. It flew to an altitude of 17,800 feet MSL in the R-2515 airspace and represents the halfway point in the 10 subsonic flights planned before breaking Mach 1. NBAA has activated its Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) database to aid in mobilizing

Also: World Ultralight Fly-In, Pipistrel Velis, EAA Touts Larsen, Aero-TV: Keeping the Helicycle Legacy Alive

Flight testing of the new Van’s Aircraft RV-15 engineering prototype is underway, and despite a few setbacks, the process is in full swing. The company is currently working on a few tweaks to enhance both aerodynamics and usability. Van’s released several other changes, including moving the flap handle from the overhead position to a floor mount, updating aileron control systems, and evaluating a conventional horizontal stabilizer/elevator design. Zenith’s 33rd annual Homecoming event was hosted on September 20 and 21 in Mexico, Missouri. Visitors flew and drove in from across the country for a chance to learn and mingle with both kit lovers and builders. The annual event is the primary gathering for Zenith owners and kit enthusiasts. The Trio Avionics Pro Pilot Autopilot was recently granted three new Supplemental

Also: Bill Moyes Goes West, United All Clear, Flt Training Regs, Raptor Precaution

Blue Origin plans to debut its second human-rated vehicle on the upcoming NS-27 launch. This intends to expand flight capacity alongside increasing customer demand. The new crew capsule, designated “RSS Kármán line,” features upgrades to the vehicle’s performance, durability, livery, and payload accommodation. The recent 10th World Air Sports Federation (FAI) World Canopy Piloting Championships & 4th FAI World Canopy Piloting Freestyle in Pretoria, South Africa, featured an intense competition and challenging weather. But USA’s Curt Bartholemew’s superior skills in Accuracy, Speed, and Distance earned him the top spot on the podium overall to garner another gold medal. On October 5, longtime volunteer and board member Brian Coughlin crashed in his Fokker D-VIII replica. The fatal accident occurred during Old Rhin

Klyde's Really Not Sure What To Make of All This...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Also: Textron's 180 About NBAA, NetJets Prevails In Suit, Cebu Pacific A321neo, Mackay Trophy 

After seeing a Facebook post about a family stranded on a mountain, Jordan Seidhom and his son set out on a rescue mission with their R44 helicopter -- at their own expense. After some successful efforts, local authorities intervened, inexplicably threatening to arrest Seidhom if he proceeded with rescue operations. Seidhom, the former head of Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit and a 1,400-hour pilot, knew that he could help locate and rescue them. He found a safe place to land, loaded up on supplies, and got clearance from ATC before departing. An American World War II-era 500-pound bomb that had lain buried beneath a taxiway at Miyazaki Airport (KMI) in southwestern Japan exploded suddenly and without warning, leaving a crater about 20 feet wide and 3 feet deep in the taxiway. Thankfully, no one was injured in the expl

Also: SkyAlyne Awards CAE, Atlas Air And Spartan, All Clear 4 United, New F-35 Training Facilities

The FAA has published a rule that’s been long awaited by pilots, instructors, and flight schools that ease restrictions on transition training and other specialized instruction in experimental, primary, and limited category aircraft. The rule was proposed in the summer of 2023 and this issuance finalizes several changes to Parts 61 and 91. The FAA has issued an NPRM that will expand the models of Piper aircraft that are subject to the AD adopted by the FAA in January 2021. The AD requires wing spar cap inspections and was prompted by an accident involving wing separation on a Piper Model PA-28R-201 Arrow III. The FAA announced that graduates of two college air traffic control programs may bypass the training academy typically required to be sufficiently trained as a controller. The FAA has been struggling with a shortage of air traffic co

Also: Eviation Alice Order, Mayman Aerospace, Toyota $$ to Joby, Detonation Ramjet Engine

Skyryse has been granted a Special Airworthiness Certificate for its Skyryse One helicopter. This moves the aircraft one step closer to FAA certification and production launch. Skyryse One, built on a Robinson R66 frame, made its public debut in February 2024. It is an IFR-capable, triply-redundant, fly-by-wire helicopter that operates with a simple swipe on its touchscreen. AeroVironment, or AV, has successfully completed the first test flight of its Horus A Sunglider. This model, designed for commercial and government customers, has upgraded High-Altitude Platform-Station (HAPS) capabilities for improved stratospheric performance. The Horus A is a solar-powered UAS with a 150 lb payload and 1.5kW of power available. Lilium recently completed the first systems power-up of its eVTOL jet. This successful test is a significant milestone on the path toward

Massive Aviation News Event Started 2024 Off With a Plethora of Exciting Info

Last year, we introduced the SnF Innovation Preview in which 25 companies introduced over 30 new planes, products, engines, accessories, and more… in other words… a LOT of news. Rotax previewed the powerful 916iS, CubCrafters showcased the Carbon Cub UL, Bose introduced the A30, Aerox revealed the Boomula… and so much more. This year, we went beyond that... way beyond all that, with a larger selection of news announcements that covered ALL aspects of sport, general and commercial aviation... all at the start of the 50th Annual SUN n FUN Aerospace Expo... the undisputed start to the aviation year. This year was also a major news-breaker... especially with the announcement that the DeltaHawk Diesel engine folks were working with Piper Aircraft on an STC for the PA44 Seminole. It also hosted the first forma

Also: Insurance Trial, Elixir Contract, Crazy Russkie Su-35, Airline Cautions

Nathan Finneman has been flying since childhood, including hang gliders for a time. But when he found paramotors in 2010 he’s been flying them over the world and in air shows. He also represented the USA in the World Air Sports Federation’s (FAI) world paramotor slalom championships. Finneman was at the Lake County Airport (KLXV) in Leadville, Colorado, to launch on his record-setting flight. LXV is the highest public-use airport in North America at 9,934 feet MSL. The record actually took two attempts due to some issues such as turbulence he experienced on the first flight. California has a new law a bill that prohibits the sale, distribution, or making available leaded avgas beginning on January 1, 2031. Brought by State Senator Caroline Menjivar, it originally had a much shorter timeline, but was still opposed by some environmental groups. To no one&

Easy Online Forms Available For Sport Plane Manufacturers And Suppliers To Be Listed In The Upcoming eSPRG

Work on the SportPlane Resource Guide is going well… Albeit a little bit behind schedule, because as we got into this process, things became a bit more complicated simply because we learned we could do an even better job at certain aspects of this project than we thought from the beginning. They say that the enemy of true quality is the phrase "good enough" and we want to be far more than “good enough.” FMI: www.sportplane.com, Online eSPRG Vendor Survey Form, Online eSPRG Sp