Files Charge With NLRB As Strike Enters Fourth Week

Boeing has filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board (NRLB) against the Machinists union representing its striking workers, accusing them of not bargaining in good faith. Acrimony and frustration are growing as the strike extends into its fourth week. Boeing withdrew its latest offer to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, citing the union's refusal to seriously consider the proposal after two days of talks.

National Guard Crew Grounded During Investigation Of Incident

The North Carolina National Guard is investigating an incident in which one of their helicopters flew too low over a hurricane relief camp, scattering tents and supplies with its rotor wash. The crew of the Black Hawk has been grounded while the investigation is carried out. The camp was established by the United Cajun Navy (UCN), a member of which filmed the incident and put it out on X (twitter).

AEA And ARSA Request Meeting To Discuss and Vet  Language In FAR 43.3(d)

The Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA), and other aviation industry groups have requested a suspension of the FAA’s interpretation of the requirement for a maintenance supervisor to be “in-person” until a meeting can be arranged to resolve the discrepancies in the ruling.

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

Peter Dodge’s Memory Honored With One Final Flight

Hurricane scientist Peter Dodge was granted a final flight through Hurricane Milton on October 8. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration honored Dodge’s more than 40 years of service by spreading his ashes through the massive storm’s eye. The idea of this last victory lap has been in the works since Dodge’s death.  

Company Eats Its Words After a Three-Week Strike

Textron Aviation has announced that it will be resuming contract negotiations with its machinist union, IAM District 70, Local Lodge 774. Thousands of union members have been on strike for three weeks following a seemingly unimpressive settlement offer. The machinist strike began on September 23, with eighty-one percent of the union voting in its favor.

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

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

Multiple Women Kicked Off Flight…for Wearing Crop Tops?

A Spirit Airlines flight attendant allegedly removed two women from a flight before takeoff because they were wearing crop tops. The carrier stood by the crew member's decision, referencing its Contract of Carriage. The women were then forced to spend nearly $1,000 on Delta flights.

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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