Ben Carlson submitted this photo and note: “Mike Downing flying his PA-18 over Cougar Mountain Airfield (49WA) in Yelm, Washington.”
Mars helicopter logs second successful flight
For this second flight test at Wright Brothers Field, Ingenuity took off at 5:33 a.m. EDT (2:33 a.m. PDT), or 12:33 p.m. local Mars time. But where Flight One topped out at 10 feet above the surface, Ingenuity climbed to 16 feet this time. After the helicopter hovered briefly, its flight control system performed a slight (5°) tilt, allowing some of the thrust from the counter-rotating rotors to accelerate the craft sideways for 7 feet, NASA officials reported.
Gary Jet Center becomes Cirrus Aircraft Authorized Service Center
Based at the Gary/Chicago International Airport (KGYY), Gary Jet Center will have trained technicians on both the SR-Series piston aircraft and the Vision Jet, according to company officials. In addition to routine and annual maintenance, Gary Jet Center will offer composite and paint repair, warranty support, CAPS inspection and recertification, ADS-B incorporation, Garmin and Avidyne avionics servicing, and air conditioning service.
New boss for New England Air Museum
The New England Air Museum will have a new executive director starting June 1, 2021: Stephanie Abrams, who succeeds the current executive director, Debbie Reed, who is retiring after more than 31 years with the museum.
Picture of the Day: Celebrating a first solo flight
Mary Ann Lebold submitted this photo and note: “Peyton Pentecost and CFI Wayne Schoor are all smiles after Peyton’s first solo flight on April 19, 2021, at AirHaven at Lenhardt Airpark near Hubbard, Oregon. Terri Coleman took the picture.”
8-seat all-electric turboprop unveiled
Bye Aerospace is developing an eight-seat all-electric twin turboprop class airplane, the eFlyer 800. Performance estimates include up to 320 knot cruise speed, 35,000 feet ceiling, and 500 nm range with 45-minute IFR reserves at normal cruise speed of 280 knots, according to company officials.
Sue Clark honored as Master Pilot
Nominated by friends and colleagues, Sue said getting the award “was quite a surprise and a wonderful honor. I am just an ordinary pilot doing what pilots do.”
Garmin updates eLearning course for TXi flight displays
The updated course offers best practices for operational use, including instruction on features included in recent software updates, as well as the many other capabilities and benefits of the TXi flight displays, according to company officials.
Picture of the Day: Scarlet’s first flight
Reggie Gibson submitted this photo and note: “My granddaughter, Scarlet Rose Gibson, during her first airplane ride in Pop Pop’s 210.”