Beginning last January, U.S. cellular telephone companies began deploying C-band 5G networks that operate on frequencies that could cause interference with radar altimeters installed in aircraft.
The FAA is urging aircraft manufacturers to work with avionics suppliers to develop mitigations for the interference such as electronic filters. At least one avionics manufacturer—FreeFlight Systems—is now offering 5G-resistant radar altimeters but it is not a quick process for airlines to replace equipment in large fleets of aircraft. The FAA also issued Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin AIR-21-18R2 in response to this issue.
Raymond D. “Ray” Zinn exudes the sort of energy and enthusiasm you’d associate with a young entrepreneur and juggles more projects than many young men could handle. Yet this company founder, investor, and bestselling author—who also happens to be an inventor with more than 20 patents and Silicon Valley’s longest-serving CEO—is 85.
A former gymnast, hurdle track star, and long-time pilot, Zinn became legally blind in 1994 due to retinal vein occlusion. Undeterred, he continued to run his company for another 20 years and still manages to copilot his Cessna Citation CJ4.
From the Archives: Understanding the New Subpart K Rules
As fractional ownership programs grew in size, complexity, and number, considerable controversy within the aviation community arose as to their appropriate regulatory structure. The main question was whether they should be conducted under FAR Part 91 or, as in the case of on-demand charter operators, Part 135.
At the FAA, evolving concerns regarding issues of accountability and responsibility for compliance emerged, especially because of an agency regional ruling that originally allowed fractional programs to be conducted under Part 91 without any restrictions. Consequently, during the 1990s the agency continued its analysis of the appropriate regulatory environment for these programs.
The U.S. Air Force has commissioned Reliable Robotics to look into how flight automation technology might allow large military transport aircraft to be remotely piloted for cargo operations. Under a contract announced on February 8, the company will prepare a feasibility study for the application of full and limited automation features on multiple aircraft.
The Air Force is looking at ways to increase the pace and frequency of its missions worldwide and is interested in leveraging technology now being developed for commercial aircraft. The California-based company is working to achieve FAA approval to convert existing utility aircraft, such as Textron’s Cessna Caravan, to operate with its autopilot engaged in all phases of flight, including taxi, takeoff, cruise, and landing.
As NBAA rolled out its Sustainable Flight Department Accreditation program, the organization strived to take a holistic approach toward sustainability. Electric, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and more efficient flight operations and aircraft are widely viewed as central steps for a greener path. But industry leaders also readily agree that they are among numerous steps that companies can take toward a more sustainable future and that all organizations can take some of these actions.
In fact, NBAA’s inaugural class of the audit-based program reflects that with registrations in areas of ground support, infrastructure, and operations, along with flight. Aviation entities are organizing their efforts, aligning with parent organizations, and learning what their companies already have that they can take advantage of in their quest for sustainability, said Stewart D’Leon, NBAA director of environmental and technical operations for NBAA.
FutureFlight: Joby eVTOL Caps FAA Means of Compliance
Joby Aviation has notched another major milestone on the path to type certification for its five-seat eVTOL aircraft. The company announced it has completed the second of five stages in the FAA type certification process by completing its means of compliance, a document that outlines all the ways in which the company plans to comply with the safety rules that were defined in its certification basis.
According to Joby, the FAA has now accepted 94 percent of its means of compliance requirements. The company considers this stage to be “essentially complete,” because “it is typical for a small portion of the means of compliance to remain open to allow for further collaboration on minor design changes and improvements that may occur later in the certification process,” Joby officials said in a February 9 statement.
The Indonesian Transport Ministry temporarily closed the Paro sub-district airfield in remote and militarized Nduga District in highland Papua on Wednesday following the hostage-taking of New Zealand pilot Capt. Philip Mark Merthens by Papuan rebels on February 7.
Merthens was operating a Susi Air Pilatus PC-6 Porter commercial charter flight, registration PK-BVY, with five passengers when he was overcome by separatist fighters in Paro shortly after landing. The West Papua Liberation Army (TPNPB) has taken responsibility for the kidnapping and torching of the aircraft and has threatened to kill Merthens unless Indonesia recognizes West Papua as an independent state.
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