Aerospace
News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.
ATC
Eurocontrol Handles Civil, Military Traffic in German Airspace
Controllers at the Maastricht Upper Area Control Center in the Netherlands take responsibility for high-altitude traffic over northwest Germany.
Aircraft
China Developing Homegrown 'Blue Whale' Tiltrotor
Unlike tiltrotors such the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey or Leonardo AW609, the "Blue Whale" is a quad proprotor design.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Assumes Ownership of Unmanned Helicopter Maker
The Italian industrial concern acquired the remaining 60 percent of shares in a joint venture that developed the SD-Hero unmanned helicopter.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
NASA Drives Vision of Air Traffic Management for Drones
The NASA-led UAS Traffic Management (UTM) research effort is shaping the rules and capabilities of this coming low-altitude ecosystem.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA’s National Drone Registry Marks First Anniversary
Registration is required for drones weighing 250 grams to 55 pounds.
Safety
UAS Training Program Offers Law Enforcement Discount
The Unmanned Safety Institute looks to help the Airborne Law Enforcement Association's members in their UAS safety training
Safety
Study: 12% of Pilots Could Be Suffering from Depression
Seventy-five participants, or 4.1 percent, reported having suicidal thoughts within the past two weeks before taking the survey.
Avionics
EFVS Final Rule Allows ‘No Natural Vision’ Landings
Under the new FAA rule pilots can continue the approach to landing using only the images displayed by the EVS on the HUD.
Aerospace Icon Senator John Glenn Flies West
On Feb. 20, 1962, strapped into a cramped Mercury capsule, 40-year-old Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth.
Maintenance and Modifications
Georgia Aviation Maintenance School Draws FAA Fire
Atlanta Technicial College had the plug pulled on its aviation maintenance technology program after the FAA uncovered shoddy record keeping.
ATC
Spire To Provide Lower-cost ADS-B Aircraft Tracking
75-satellite network will be put into a diverse set of orbits to provide aircraft tracking over oceanic areas, polar regions and other remote places.
Aircraft
Airbus Announces Job Cuts Tied to Integration
Targets mid-2017 to conclude agreements with employee groups on “social measures”
Maintenance and Modifications
AEA Highlights Need for UAS Maintenance, Inspections
Study finds that equipment problems accounted for 65 percent of accidents and incidents.
Rotorcraft
Life Flight Network To Take Two More AW119Kx Rotorcraft
EMS providers fleet will increase to 21 Leonardo aircraft by year end
Maintenance and Modifications
AAR Spools Up New Major MRO Facility
The Rockford center, which recently secured U.S. FAA approval, will eventually house 500 workers.
Maintenance and Modifications
NATA Backs FAA Guidance on MRO Compliance
NATA encourages the FAA's effort to encourage more certificate holder involvement with safety assurance systems.
Aircraft
Zodiac Boosts Delivery Rates as Recovery Continues
Aircraft equipment maker Zodiac could take another three years to fully restore profitability.
Aircraft
GE’s McAllister Replaces Conner as Boeing Commercial CEO
Shakeup comes amid establishment of third company division led by Stan Deal
Safety
NTSB Issues Safety Alert on Midair Avoidance
Errors by ATC resulted in the pilots’ inability to take action to avoid the collisions, the NTSB said.
Aircraft
Embraer Ready To Assemble First E195-E2 Wing
Plans to attach newly extended airfoil to center fuselage by end of year
Maintenance and Modifications
Ruag Opens Component Repair Station in Malaysia
Ruag's new component repair facility in Kuala Lumpur will support a variety of twin turboprop aircraft and helicopters.
Avionics
EASA Proposal Seeks EFB ‘Level Playing Field’
The specific objectives of this proposal are to ensure compliance with the ICAO standards and recommended practices.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Chip-maker Expands Intel-powered Drone Technology
Intel's UAV group is working on a variety of drone technology projects, from aircraft inspection to massive drone formation aerial light shows.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drone World Expo Highlights Commercial UAV Operations
The second annual Drone World Expo opened in San Jose, Calif., November 15 and ends on November 16.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
AeroVironment Launches Quantix Commercial Drone System
The Quantix drone system combines hardware, software and analytics in a single platform.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
'Angel One' Predator C Avenger Made Available for Aid Missions
General Atomics said the jet-powered Predator C can drop humanitarian aid rations from its internal payload bay.
Airports
FAA Will Evaluate 'Counter-UAS' Technology at Denver Airport
The agency aims to develop a concept of operations to protect airports against the threat of rogue drones by next year.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Insitu Drone Headed for Smithsonian Museum
N202SE is the first unmanned aircraft to perform an FAA-approved commercial beyond visual line of sight flight in the National Airspace System.
Safety
Airborne Li-ion Fires a Growing Threat
Li-ion battery fires can emit toxic, highly-flammable, ether-based vapors and smoke that can quickly reduce visibility in an aircraft.
Training and Workforce
APS To Teach Army Upset Training
The company is partnering with CAE as part of the U.S. Army’s Fixed-wing flight training program.
