Board To Look Into Feb. 4, 2023 Close Call Between SWA 737 and FedEx 767

You could see this one coming from a mile away... which is more than we can say for how this near-miss almost occurred. The National Transportation Safety Board will hold an in-person board meeting in Washington on its investigation into the near-collision of two airliners in Texas last year. On Feb. 4, 2023, there was a loss of separation and risk of an inflight collision when a Southwest Airlines B-737 was departing and a FedEx B-767 was on final approach to land at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Chapter 11 Filed After Company Admitted To An Astounding $170 Million In Debt

The Bankruptcy Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 financing and set a June asset auction for the Icon A5 Program -- and said that objections had apparently been resolved (for the moment) by shareholders who claimed (not surprisingly) that Icon was being sold to an 'insider.' Judge Craig T. Goldblatt gave final approval to Icon's (DIP) debtor-in-possession financing and approved the sales schedule... but has yet to approve that previously disclosed stalking horse bidder -- according to an agreement reached with those shareholders who contested the proceedings. Icon bailed out and went for Chapter 11 last month after admitting to an astounding $170 million in debt. The company claimed that it wanted to sell its assets and liquidate the program as the debt became so ponderous... though this was unlikely to have been a process they couldn't have seen from FAR away. 

Former KY Air Ambulance Helo Pilot Sentenced for Operating Aircraft Under the Influence of Alcohol

There are lines you just don't cross in this business -- and operating a complex machine like a MedEvac helicopter, 'Under the influence' has to be darned near top of the list. On April 12, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky sentenced Morgan J. Wiljanen, former helicopter pilot for Air Evac EMS, Inc., to 8 months of incarceration, 18 months of supervised release, 4 months of home detention, and a $100 special assessment. In December 2023, Wiljanen pleaded guilty to operating an air common carrier while under the influence of alcohol. 

Enstrom Is Now Seeking Additional Approvals From The UK CAA

Enstrom reports that it will be able to better care for its European customers with its recent repair station validation by the EASA. This validation certifies that Enstrom repair station processes are in full compliance with the latest EASA requirements. Enstrom’s state-of-the-art repair station (EASA.145.8090) operates within its Menominee, MI factory. It will now provide European Union customers with helicopter maintenance, damage repairs, upgrades, and component overhauls, all at the hands of Enstrom’s premier repair experts.

Canadian Ringer Takes Cold Despite All-American Competition

In the 10 Best Reader's Choice Awards Contest, Airshow London was named "Best Air Show in North America" according to the USA Today voting public. The nominees for the airshow spanned a roster of selections from industry insiders and editors of the publication and 10Best.com, with a daily vote running for 4 weeks to determine the faves. Airshow London was the only Canadian one on the list, making its win even more impressive against some all-American faves. In 2020, Airshow London has embraced a drive-in format, allowing its "SkyDrive" to be the only show to run during hysteria of the time. 

Even Designers See that BlackFly is One of the Most Show-Ready eVTOLs on the Market

Pivotal got some bragging rights after their Helix eVTOL won the 2024 MUSE Transportation Design of the Year Award, with the company itself netting the Platinum 2024 MUSE Design Award for technical and creative excellence. "Receiving the MUSE Transportation Design of the Year Award reflects our relentless pursuit of innovation and excellence in the development of light eVTOL aircraft,” said Ken Karklin, CEO of Pivotal. 

Also: NBAA on FAA Reauth, DJI AG Drones, HI Insurance Bill Defeated, SPSA Airtankers 

The Beechcraft Denali continues moving forward towards certification, having received its FAA Type Inspection Authorization early this year. Textron advertised that their single-engine turboprop competitor has logged more than 2,000 flight test hours across 830+ flights, on track for completion in 2025. Aerodyne, a new gyroplane manufacturer, will be commemorating its entry into the market with an attempt at setting some records as it runs a lap around the United Kingdom. Founder, executive chairman, and pilot Rangaraja Iyengar will make a full lap around the whole lot with his 8-year-old daughter assisting, aiming to complete a 3-day, 5,000-mile journey. The FAA has issued a Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) that alerts all owners, operators, maintenance technicians, and inspectors of Revo Incorporated Model Colonial C-1, Colonial C-2,

Also: Vertical Flight Society, NBAA Maintenance Conference, GA Honored, AMT Scholarship

For the first time, students from Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach, Florida, campus took top honors at the AIAA Design/Build/Fly (DBF) Competition, held in Wichita, Kansas. A second Embry-Riddle squad, this one from the Prescott, Arizona, campus, also placed among the top teams, earning eighth overall. The Leadership in Flight Training, or LIFT Academy, has expanded its training fleet with a recent order with Diamond Aircraft, bringing on 56 new planes. The deal sees LIFT gain 50 new single-engine DA40s, and 6 twin-engine DA42s. The training facility has continued to expand thanks to a steady pipeline of students. Epic Flight Academy has officially launched its new aircraft mechanic school at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), marking a significant advancement in aviation training and workforce development in Kentucky. The opening of this

Also: Skydio Chief, Uncle Sam Sues, Dash 7 magniX, OR UAS Accelerator

US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight Simulation Test Aircraft, or VISTA, to illustrate just how far autonomous aircraft have come. The aircraft sounds much snazzier than it is in reality, being a 30-year old, 2-seat F-16D with a nifty paint job and an R2-D2 in one of the seats. The aircraft has long been in the US Air Force Test Pilot School, where it received modifications for multi-axis thrust vectoring and aerodynamics. AgEagle Aerial Systems will ship 40 of its eBee VISION systems, along with 9 more eBees, with all the parts, support, connections, control stations, and miscellany required to keep the fleet operational in French army service. Maxar Intelligence has confirmed that the first two WorldView Legion satellites are performing well after being launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket last wee

Massive Aviation News Event Started 2024 Off With a Plethora of Exciting Info

Last year, we introduced the SnF Innovation Preview in which 25 companies introduced over 30 new planes, products, engines, accessories, and more… in other words… a LOT of news. Rotax previewed the powerful 916iS, CubCrafters showcased the Carbon Cub UL, Bose introduced the A30, Aerox revealed the Boomula… and so much more. This year, we went beyond that... way beyond all that, with a larger selection of news announcements that covered ALL aspects of sport, general and commercial aviation... all at the start of the 50th Annual SUN n FUN Aerospace Expo... the undisputed start to the aviation year. This year was also a major news-breaker... especially with the announcement that the DeltaHawk Diesel engine folks were working with Piper Aircraft on an STC for the PA44 Seminole. It also hosted the first forma