According to NASA officials, Chopper would be about the size of an SUV, with six rotors, each with six blades. It could be used to carry science payloads as large as 11 pounds distances of up to 1.9 miles each Martian day (or sol).
New book celebrates the American fighter pilot
The book features some of the most iconic and influential fighter pilots, aviation luminaries from World War I to modern-day conflicts, as well as U.S. Air Force pararescue jumpers since the Vietnam War era.
VFR into IMC fatal
Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to initiate a visual flight rules flight into night instrument meteorological conditions, resulting in a loss of control in-flight due to spatial disorientation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of qualifications and experience in night instrument meteorological conditions.
Picture of the Day: King Air Sun
Matthew Baker submitted this photo and note: “A King Air 350 sits on the ramp during this stunning sunset at Bartow Executive Airport (KBOW) in Florida.”
Aviation advocates call for FCC to investige Ligado claims
Aviation advocates are urging the FCC to scrutinize Ligado Networks’ claim of meeting a key requirement to mitigate GPS interference, citing a lack of evidence that such dual-mode devices are available in the marketplace. The NBAA and others continue to push for the FCC to revoke its 2020 approval of Ligado’s controversial broadband network.
uAvionix FlightLine systems installed at six Florida airports
uAvionix FlightLine systems were deployed at Miami Executive Airport (KTMB), Tampa International Airport (KTPA), Orlando Sanford International Airport (KSFB), Daytona Beach International Airport (KDAB), Palm Beach International Airport (KPBI), and Jacksonville International Airport (KJAX).
Robinson Helicopter adds new training courses for 2025
In addition to the current safety courses and Instructor Pilot (IP) standardization courses, there will be an R66 Transition course, Avionics and Autopilot Familiarization course, and Post-Maintenance Procedure course, according to company officials.
Decision to fly plane not yet released from maintenance fatal for two
Probable Cause: The pilot’s decision to fly the airplane without confirming it had been released from maintenance, which resulted in a partial loss of engine power due to loose magnetos. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall.
Picture of the Day: The Golden Age of Aviation
Jim Roberts submitted this photo and note: “A DC-3 in Western Airlines livery flew all the way from Drummond, Montana, to visit the 2024 SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo.”