Kyle Wilson submitted this photo and note: “Kyle Wilson and his father, David Wilson, who are both private pilots, fly the Eagle’s Nest RV-12IS from Houston to San Antonio for the day. Kyle is home visiting his family from the United States Air Force Academy. He’s currently finishing up his junior year and plans a commission as an Air Force officer in May 2024.”
General Aviation
E3 Aviation Association launches
The new aviation association is “a community of aviators connected by our love of aviation,” according to one of its founders.
Sustainable control towers coming to general aviation airports
The first groundbreaking could be in 2024 for new sustainable control towers at 31 smaller airports.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel approved for Piper turboprops
Piper Aircraft reports that all PA-46 based, single-engine turbine-powered aircraft, including the M600/SLS, M500, and Meridian, can now use Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Using SAF in a Piper turboprop will not require a change in aircraft placarding or Pilot’s Operating Handbooks.
Aircraft Spruce appointed distributor for Comant Antennas
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. has been appointed an authorized distributor by Cobham Aerospace Communications, the manufacturer of Comant antennas, which are in use on general aviation aircraft worldwide.
Flight into IMC proves fatal for non-instrument-rated pilot
The noninstrument-rated pilot’s intentional flight into instrument meteorological conditions, which resulted in spatial disorientation and loss of airplane control.
Picture of the Day: Airport sunset
Lindsay Petre submitted this photo and note: “My helicopter CFI, Mike deMarchi, sent me this glorious sunset photo taken from the helipad at Danbury Municipal Airport (KDXR) in Connecticut.”
Questions from the Cockpit: What’s so mean about mean sea level?
Cassandra, working on her Sport Pilot ticket on the Florida coast, writes: I’ve just started my flight training, and have learned about the two different ways that altitude is expressed: AGL and MSL. Above Ground Level is self-explanatory, but I’m having a harder time wrapping my head around Mean Sea Level. I mean, I get that it’s the altitude above sea level, but what’s the “mean” all about?
NASA’s Mars helicopter completes 50th flight
“When we first flew, we thought we would be incredibly lucky to eke out five flights,” said Teddy Tzanetos, Ingenuity team lead at JPL. “We have exceeded our expected cumulative flight time since our technology demonstration wrapped by 1,250% and expected distance flown by 2,214%.”