BRM Aero and H55 Announce All Electric B23 Energic

BRM Aero and H55 have announced the upcoming commercial availability of the B23 Energic, the first fully electric aircraft in the CS-23 general aviation category. The development opens the order book for 2025 deliveries, with initial batches earmarked for a select group of flight schools under favorable commercial conditions. The collaboration between BRM Aero, known for their 2-seater training aircraft, and H55, a leader in electric propulsion systems, signifies a significant advancement in aviation technology. The B23 Energic offers a flight endurance of one hour plus reserves, with a charging time of approximately one hour depending on conditions. This efficiency presents a sustainable alternative in aviation, promising lower ownership costs and the adaptability to update battery technology throughout the aircraft's lifecycle.

CAF Will Bring C-47 and R4D Normandy Vets to Salis Museum in June 

This June, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) is bringing two significant pieces of World War II aviation history to the Salis Museum in France for an exceptional event commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The aircraft, the C-47 "That's All, Brother" and the R4D "Ready 4 Duty," will be part of a larger exhibit organized by the Salis Flying Museum, the D-Day Squadron, and the French Wing of the CAF. Scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, 2024, the event allows the public to explore these historic aircraft closely. Admission is set at 19€, providing an affordable opportunity for history enthusiasts and the general public to engage with a pivotal piece of World War II history.

Also: Flight Club, Jet Shades, MyGoFlight’s FlightFlix Acquisition

FIFTY YEARS! What a milestone for the aviation world’s master aero-education duo! John, Martha, along with their CEO Barry Knutilla have come to Sun ‘n Fuin to celebrate a half-century of keeping us educated while also casting eyes upon the future. Ya want to land and take off REALLY short? Ya want to keep it simple? Ya want it to cost less than your house? Bryce Angell’s newly created Top Rudder aircraft has some affordable, highly capable STOL-ready aero-toys for you! The ultimate cockpit visual aid? Aileronics has introduced the Sentinel, a portable sensor that can be mounted in any cockpit and assist with the chores of seeing and avoiding hazards in your flight path. There is a cool new offering by the name of Flight Club... Flight Club is a double-sided marketplace that connects aircraft owners with pilots looking to rent an aircraft. The idea is

Also: Seaplane Pilots Association, Rotax 916’s First Year, Gene Conrad

After a decade and a half of struggling with the FAA and other aero-politics, G100UL is in production and there are a million gallons currently available. You can NEVER have too many good aids in keeping a flight safe... Holy Micro has an interesting approach to keeping pilots informed. The folks at Plane Tags have collected memorabilia from over 200 aircraft of all makes and categories... And offer mementos of great planes in aviation’s proud history. SPA’s Steve McCaughey updates the Airborne team on the latest and greatest in one of the aviation world’s coolest (sometimes we mean that literally) aviation pursuits. ANN had the honor of helping to introduce the Rotax 915 at last year’s Innovation Preview and we got a chance to review what a year in the field is teaching the aviation biz. Gene Conrad Catches His Breath During Our Morning Brie

Model Finds Home in Kids' Museum

Northrop Grumman has handed over ownership of a full scale model of the NASA James Webb Space Telescope, granting it to the Space Foundation for display in their museum in Colorado. The model once graced skylines across the country for a time, garnering interest as it displayed the unusual multi-sail protective sheeting and convex lens. The model helped to raise awareness of the next-gen telescope program, but now it can head on to rest at the Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado Springs. "From New York to Paris, this life-size replica of the Webb Telescope inspired communities around the world and, in doing so, invited friends and families to explore the cosmos together to better understand the origins of the universe," said Chris Adams, vice president and general manager, strategic space systems, Northrop Grumman.

Shell Game of SAF Storage Shows That Nascent Fuel Industry Requires Some Planning At This Stage

Boeing was pleased to announce the purchase of 9.4 million gallons of blended sustainable jet fuel for use in its US commercial operations, offering a small pocket positive PR in a never ending slurry of drama. The blended fuel sports a 70/30 split, with the lesser portion coming from waste by-products like kitchen fats, greases, oils, and the like. All 10 million gallons will be put into the Boeing ecoDemonstrator program, for one, with the rest spread out over company flights when they can use it. Interestingly, Boeing couldn't just grab all of that fuel in one place, having to spread out their total order across their own facilities and partner tanks. Boeing's own fuel facilities in the Pacific Northwest will see 4 million gallons, while Neste will ship 2.5 million to EPIC Fuels and 1.5 million to Avfuel.

Also: B-29 Superfortress Reunion, FAA Wants Controllers, Spirit Airlines Pulls Back, Gogo Galileo 

Van's Aircraft posted a short video recapping the goings-on around their reorganization as they continue to move away from the brink, and by all accounts, things are going great. Clyde Hamstreet indicated that things are going pretty well in the Chapter 11 process, and they expect their reorganization plan to be approved by the court come May. Hammerstreet noted, with pleasure, that few companies in a similar position manage to survive the process, but Van's is sitting pretty. The Affordable Flying Expo is on the books for January 9th through the 11th of 2025. The new fly-in offers a well-timed excuse to take the family down south to enjoy the Florida sunshine in the same excellent facilities as Sun 'n Fun. The Affordable Flying Expo will focus on the love of flight, and all things that bring it into reach of the average, fun-loving p

Engineer Dies of Prop Strike at Gray Butte Airfield

The tragic incident involving Stephanie Cosme at Gray Butte Airfield underscores critical issues in operational safety and situational awareness in high-risk environments. Cosme, a 32-year-old test engineer employed by Sumaria Systems, LLC, was fatally injured on September 7, 2023, when she walked into a rotating propeller of an MQ-9A Reaper drone during a ground test. The Air Force's investigation into the accident highlighted several key factors contributing to the unfortunate event. Firstly, the report indicates that Cosme was inadequately trained on how to properly approach the aircraft while conducting telemetry readings.

Also: Martha King Scholarship, Montaer Grows, Textron Updates Pistons, FlySto

The FAA is hiring thousands of air traffic controllers, but the window to apply will only be open for a short time. The FAA has issued a call to action, requesting anyone and everyone meeting the relatively accommodating standards. They will have to bolster their numbers soon, with plans to hire 1,800 more controllers this year, and another 2,000 in 2025. Spirit Airlines announced its decision to defer the delivery of new Airbus aircraft and furlough approximately 260 pilots. The budget airline, headquartered in Miramar, Florida, is taking these measures as part of its strategy to boost liquidity amidst challenging times. Redbird Flight, manufacturer of flight simulators and training devices, came out in force to Sun 'n Fun 2024, with all kinds of new goodies in tow. Their new friends at the Recreational Aviation Foundation have kept up their momentum in keeping a

Wilbur Air Goes Shopping for Sustainable Aviation Down Under

Electric air taxi operator Skyportz announced a new subsidiary to provide all-electric operations under the Wilbur Air name, adding another future carrier to the Australian travel landscape. Wilbur Air opted to go with Electra.Aero's eSTOL for their flagship aircraft, inking a deal for 100 units with the American manufacturer. Wilbur Air does say that they won't just rest with the single-model fleet though, future buys will add everything from heavy lift and drone delivery to long-range sustainable passenger transit.