Number 11 – 12 February 2024

“Perhaps I can summarise it best by saying this: Nations that have pursued equality, like the Iron Curtain countries, I think have finished up with neither equality, nor liberty. Nations, which like us, in the past have pursued liberty, as a fundamental objective, extending it to all, have finished up with liberty, human dignity and far fewer inequalities than other people.” Margaret Thatcher

At first, I thought this was funny. Then I realised the awful truth of it.

Be sure to read all the way to the end! Think bin charges need to be added in as well.

Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table at which he is fed.

Tax his work, Tax his pay, He works for peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat.

Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he tries to think.

Tax his car, Tax his gas, find other ways to tax his ass.

Tax all he has, then let him know, that you will not be done till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers; Then tax him some more, Tax him till he is good and sore.

Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave, Tax the sod in which he is laid.

When he has gone, do not relax, it is time to apply inheritance tax.

Accounts receivable Tax; Airline surcharge tax; Airline fuel Tax; Airport maintenance Tax.

Building permit Tax; Cigarette Tax; Cooking Tax; Corporate Income Tax; Death Tax; Driving permit

Tax; Environmental Tax (fee); Excise Taxes; Income Tax, Fishing license Tax; Food license Tax;

Health Tax; Heating Tax; Interest Tax; Lighting Tax; Liquor Tax; Luxury Taxes; Marriage License

Tax; Medicare Tax; Mortgage Tax; Pension Tax; Personal Income Tax; Petrol Tax (too much per

litre); Property Tax; Poverty Tax; Prescription Drug Tax; Real Estate Tax; Recreational Vehicle Tax.

Retail Sales Tax; Service Charge Tax; School Tax; Telephone Tax; Value Added Tax; Vehicle

License Registration Tax; Vehicle Sales Tax; Water Tax; Workers Compensation Tax.

Now they want a blooming Carbon Tax!

Welcome to Simuflight! May you enjoy the C208 VFR course tremendously in the next few days.

Pivotal BlackFly delivery

Aero Club Communique Feb 2024 #1 – Airweek

Planning for this year’s Airweek is now well underway, with exactly one month to go. Essentially the outline theme will follow the successful Airweek held in 2023, which is an event for all our recreational aviators. The dates are 8 – 10 March 2024, with early arrivals on Thursday 7 March  for those who wish to have an extended stay. Various Sections of the Aero Club will be participating in their various disciplines – the EAA will be hosting its annual Convention, the SAC plan to provide aerobatic demonstrations, SAMAA also plan to provide model flying demonstrations, SAPFA will hold a rally for anybody to try their hand at navigation, there will be early morning balloon and paraglider flights, as well as gliders and parachutists.
Please visit the website for more details. https://www.aeroclub.org.za/airweek/
Registration is also open for attending and those who plan to attend if you can register at this link https://forms.gle/WW75gTci6dMoyRXx6

Those who wish to camp and hire tents, the booking link is https://forms.gle/KcnommnT4GMUuMVB7
For Exhibitors wishing to book exhibition space, visit the Website for details and Exhibitor forms.
https://www.aeroclub.org.za/airweek-the-2024-edition-exhibitor-information/ 
If you have any queries or require information, please e-mail rsvp@aeroclub.org.za as well as to be contact for sponsorship / donations which would be welcome.
If you are not a member and wish to join the Aero Club and any of its Sections feel free to do so     member-renewals-and-new-memberships

CAASA AGM and prize giving

The Commercial Aviation Association of Southern Africa (CAASA) held its AGM and Prize Giving on Friday 9 February at CAASA House, Lanseria International Airport. I am thrilled to report that CAASA’s financial situation has recovered from the pandemic and the management team reported a very healthy balance sheet. Once again CAASA’s membership is growing as aviation businesses understand the importance of this commercial aviation representative body. It was good to see a large contingent of senior personnel from the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) in attendance including the Director of Civil Aviation Ms Poppy Khoza (DCA). A full report with pictures and a video will be published in the March edition of African Pilot.

12 to 14 February
African Air Expo and conference CTICC, Cape Town
Website: www.airexpo.co.za

POSTPONED indefinitely

17 February
EAA Chapter 322 fly-in breakfast to Kitty Hawk
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

20 to 25 February
Singapore Airshow
Editorial Matt Driskill E-mail: matt.driskill@asianaviation.com
Advertising Kay Rolland E-mail: kay.rolland@asianaviation.com

24 February
Tedderfield breakfast fly-in
Contact Alan Stewart Cell: 083 702 3680

26 to 29 February
HAI Heli-Expo Anaheim Convention Centre, California, USA
Website: www.heliexpo.com

March

2 March
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at EAA Auditorium
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

2 March
SAA Museum Society Specialised Tour limited to nine adults
Contact E-mail: events@saamuseum.co.za Cell: 076 879 5044

8 March
DCA Industry Roadshow Stellenbosch, Cape Town
Contact Ms Charmaine Shibambo E-mail: shibamboc@caa.co.za

8 to 10 March
Aero Club Airweek venue Middleburg airfield
Contact Sandra Strydom E-mail: sandra@aeroclub.org.za Tel: 011 082 1100

8 to 10 March
EAA National Convention Middleburg airfield
Contact Paul Lastrucci E-mail: tailwheel@mweb.co.za

9 March
SAPFA ANR at Middleburg airfield
Contact Iaan Myburgh E-mail: iaanmyburgh@gmail.com Cell: 082 449 2531

15 March
DCA Industry Roadshow Mangaung, Free State
Contact Ms Charmaine Shibambo E-mail: shibamboc@caa.co.za

16 March
EAA Chapter 322 fly-in breakfast to Brits airfield
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

22 & 23 March
Stellenbosch airshow – Fashkosh
Contact Anton Theart E-mail: gm@stelfly.co.za Cell: 079 873 4567

April

6 April
Robertson annual fly-in breakfast Robertson airfield
Contact: Alwyn du Plessis. E-mail: boeredata@breede.co.za Cell: 083 270 5888

6 April
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA Auditorium
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

6 April
SAPFA ANR National Championships – venue TBA
Contact Iaan Myburgh E-mail: iaanmyburgh@gmail.com Cell: 082 449 2531

6 & 7 April
SAC Eastern Cape regionals Wings Park airfield

13 April
Elder’s Flight Brakpan airfield
Contact Felix Gosher E-mail: felixgosher@gmail.com Cell: 066 1919 4603

17 to 20 April
AERO Friedrichshafen 30^th anniversary
Contact E-mail: info@fairnamic.com Website: www.fairnamic.com

20 April
EAA Chapter 322 fly-in breakfast to Eagle’s Creek airfield
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

20 April
Wonderboom airshow
Contact Chris Theodosi E-mail: chris@creativespacemedia.co.za Cell: 071 220 1245

23 to 25 April
MRO Africa Conference incl. African Aviation Training Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Contact Nick Fadugba E-mail: nickfadugba@africanaviation.com www.mroafrica.com

May

4 May
SAAF Museum airshow at AFB Zwartkops
Contact Major Michael Church E-mail: mike.church172@gmail.com Cell: 072 720 0700 

4 May
EAA Chapter 322 monthly gathering at the EAA Auditorium 
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

11 May
Lowveld airshow at the Nelspruit airfield
Contact Willemien E-mail: willemein.hodgkinson@kishugu.com Cell: 079 499 5733

12 to 15 May
African Airlines Association 12^th stakeholders convention in Addis Ababa
Contact E-mail: events@afraa.org   

14 to 16 May
Airport Show with ATC Forum, Airport Security Middle East DWTC, Dubai
Contact Jamille del Mundo E-mail: jamm.delmundo@rxglobal.com

14 to 17 May
NAMPO Harvest Day Bothaville
Contact Wim Venter E-mail: wim@grainsa.co.za Tel: 086 004 7246

17 to 19 May
EAA Chapter 322 weekend fly-away to Pyramid airfield
Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com

18 May
Parys airshow
Contact Chris Theodosi E-mail: chris@creativespacemedia.co.za Cell: 071 220 1245

18 May
SAC Free State regionals at Tempe airfield

21 to 23 May
Air Finance Africa Conference and Exhibition Sandton Convention Centre
Contact Nick Fadugba E-mail: nickfadugba@africanaviation.com

23 to 25 May
SAPFA President’s Trophy Air Race at Louis Trichardt civil airfield (FALO)
Contact David Le Roux E-mail: David@pilotinsure.co.za Cell: 073 338 5200
Contact Iaan Myburgh E-mail: race@sapfa.co.za  Cell: 082 449 2531

23 to 27 May
NAC fly-away venue TBA
Contact Agnes Phillips E-mail: agnes.phillips@nac.co.za Cell: 082 893 3399

25 May
Tempe airshow Bloemfontein
Contact Conrad Botha E-mail: rowco24cc@mailbox.co.za Cell 082 465 4045

T-129 attack helicopters enter service with Nigerian Air Force

On 6 February Vice President Kashim Shettima attended the induction ceremony of two T-129s (NAF 500 and NAF 501) as well as a Beechcraft King Air 360ER aircraft (NAF 205) at NAF Base Makurdi, expressing confidence that the deployment of the new platforms would significantly assist the NAF address security challenges, both domestically and within the West African region. In his speech he spoke about the formation of the NAF in 1964 and how the Nigerian Air Force had been playing critical roles in national security, peace-keeping and humanitarian operations globally, noting that its “contributions to the sustenance and maintenance of peace and security in places like The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Mozambique, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Cameroon have not only been a source of pride to Nigeria but have projected the nation as a reliable regional power.”

According to Turkish Aerospace Industries, the T-129 has been designed for hot and high operations. It is equipped with a 20 mm cannon and can be armed with rockets, UMTAS anti-tank missiles, CIRIT laser-guided missiles and Stinger air-to-air missiles. The helicopter is 14.5 metres long and has a maximum take-off weight of just over five tons. Two CTS800-4A engines each developing 1 373 hp give a maximum cruise speed of 280 km/h, range of 537 km and service ceiling of 4 570 metres. An Aselsan Aselflir-300T gimbal includes an infrared camera, TV camera, laser rangefinder and target designator.

The NAF is operating an increasingly diverse range of combat helicopters. In addition to its seven Mil Mi-24V/P ‘Hind-E/F’ and 17 Mi-35M/P ‘Hind-E/F’ gunships, the NAF will be receiving 12 Bell AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters valued at nearly US$1 billion.

The Nigerian Air Force plans to induct 46 new aircraft types over the next 18 months. It is believed that these include two AW109 Trekker helicopters from Leonardo Helicopters, two King Air 360 twin turboprops, four DA 62 surveillance aircraft, six T-129 helicopters, three Wing Loong II unmanned aerial vehicles, two Airbus C295 transport aircraft, 12 AH-1Z attack helicopters and 24 Leonardo M-346 trainer / attack aircraft. In addition the Nigerian Army will be acquiring 12 MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopters from MD Helicopters.

Hawker 900XP crashes in Utah, killing two

On Wednesday a Hawker 900XP (N900VA) crashed near the Colorado-Utah border killing the two people on board. The plane was a chartered aircraft owned by Houston-based VICI Aviation and headed to Tacoma, Washington from the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) in Colorado. The plane was destroyed when it impacted terrain just 10 minutes after taking off. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said that it received a report of a downed aircraft in a remote area near the Colorado border. Deputies and emergency personnel raced to the scene to search for survivors. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed the pilot and second command were on board but the identities have not been released.

ADS-B data records the Hawker’s speed slowing down once it reached 20,000 feet, dropping from over 300 knots at 16,100 feet to 276 knots when it first reached 20,000 feet. The data shows the plane between 19,975-20,000 feet over the next minute, the speed gradually dropping down to just over 160 knots. The speed continued to drop, reaching the 160-range before the plane began to descend quickly with the speed. The last recorded altitude was 11,525 feet at 76 knots and descending roughly 13,184 feet per minute. According to KKCO News Utah, the pilot and copilot have not been found. The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said an investigation and the next of kin notifications will take precedence over releasing the names of involved parties.

A business jet crashed on Highway I-75 near Naples Florida

At around 15h15 (local time), A Bombardier Challenger 600 jet with five people on board crashed on Highway I-75 while trying to land Naples Airport, Florida. Early reports are that power was lost in both engines and pilots attempted an emergency landing three miles from the airport. Three people escaped the accident alive and two people are confirmed dead. It is not known yet if those people were on the plane or on the ground. The Collier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed two deaths. The interstate between mile marker 111 and mile marker 105 in the area of the crash will be closed for 24 hours, the Sheriff’s Office said. The plane collided with a vehicle. A wing dragged a car and slammed into the wall. Further updates are expected in the next few days.

US Marine Corps confirms five killed in CH-53 crash

On Tuesday last week five Marines aboard a CH-53 Super Stallion that went down in a remote area of Southern California have been confirmed to be diseased. “It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing [MAW] and the ‘Flying Tigers’ while conducting a training flight on Tuesday] night,” Major General Michael Borgschulte, commanding general of 3rd MAW, said in a statement. “These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so. We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service.”

The aircraft and aircrew assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd MAW had been reported missing after being declared overdue in returning to San Diego. The 3rd MAW coordinated search-and-rescue efforts with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol, targeting a remote area of Pine Valley, California. However, access to the search area was a challenge due to bad weather, including snow, according to local media reports. An investigation is underway, and search-and-rescue efforts have transitioned to a recovery mission for crew remains and the aircraft, the Marine Corps said.

Boeing 737 MAX 9 was missing bolts before depressurisation event

Last week the NTSB released its prelim on the 5 January depressurisation incident in a Boeing 737 MAX 9 where the door plug was blown off at 16,000 feet, reporting that the bolts were missing before the door blew off. Alaska Airlines flight 1282 in a 737 MAX-9 (N704AL) returned to the Portland International Airport (PDX) after the left mid-exit door plug departed the plane, leading to a rapid decompression event. The report said the captain was flying and the first officer was pilot monitoring and the flight crew told investigators the preflight inspection, engine start, taxi, take-off and departure climb were unremarkable. The crew was cleared to flight level 230 (23,000 feet) and while climbing through about 16,000, the captain said there was a loud bang. The crew said their ears popped and the captain’s head was pushed into the heads-up display, pushing his headset up and nearly off of his head. The FO said her headset was completely removed with the rapid outflow of air from the flight deck. Both of the pilots quickly donned their oxygen masks, telling investigators the flight deck door was blown open and it was noisy and hard to communicate.

FAA anticipates a permanent inspection deployment at Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems

FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker anticipates an indefinite deployment of inspectors at both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems following its current six-week audit of the companies’ production and quality control measures. “I think we are also going to look at a culture survey that is due at the end of the month and make a determination of how many folks we need on the ground in both places,” Whitaker told lawmakers on Tuesday during testimony before the House Transportation & Infrastructures’ aviation subcommittee. “We have not made that determination, but I do anticipate we’ll want to keep people on the ground there. We do not know how many yet, but we do think that presence will be warranted.”

Whitaker said the agency has 20 inspectors at Boeing facilities and ‘half a dozen’ at Spirit. The increased presence at Boeing, Whitaker said, “is to allow us to have direct conversations with employees about pressures they might be feeling or instructions they might be getting and what incentives they are dealing with.” He also said Boeing has been informed that the FAA will not grant production expansion of 737 Max units “until we are satisfied that quality control issues uncovered during this process are resolved.”

The FAA’s ramped-up oversight of Boeing and Spirit, a key Boeing supplier, was initiated in the aftermath of the 5 January incident in which a mid-cabin door plug blew out of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. Asked about the most recent 737 Max setback involving incorrectly improperly drilled holes in fuselages built at Spirit’s Wichita, Kansas, facility and shipped to Boeing’s Renton, Washington, plant for final assembly by Boeing, Whitaker told lawmakers that the FAA is working with Boeing to understand what happened. “These are small rivets that hold a window in place,” he said. “We know it is not built to compliance, but we want to understand why it has not been manufactured per design. Then we will see what corrective actions need to be taken to repair the windows and when that has to happen.”

FAA reauthorisation bill passes Senate Committee

On Thursday the US Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation approved legislation that would reauthorise and fund the FAA for the next five years. Called the FAA Reauthorisation Act of 2023, the bill would authorise the agency for fiscal years 2024 through 2028. It covers more than $107 billion in appropriations, including $720 million for the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) over the same period. Broadly, the legislation features provisions aimed at growing the aviation workforce, improving safety, funding airport infrastructure projects and improving aircraft accessibility for people with disabilities. The bill also looks to continue research and development for aviation technologies, modernise the National Airspace System (NAS) and improve customer protections for airline passengers.

Some specific items covered include expanding air traffic controller training capacity, a requirement for the FAA to hire more manufacturing safety inspectors, engineers, technical specialists and increased funding for the Aviation Workforce Development Grants programme. The legislation would also establish an Aviation Medical Innovation and Modernisation Working Group tasked with addressing pilot mental health. In addition, it would mandate 25-hour cockpit recording devices for aircraft required to carry them, stronger safety requirements for commercial air tours and helicopter operations and the establishment of a new system and requirements for continuous aircraft tracking including high-altitude balloons.

The bill was sponsored by Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Cruz, aviation subcommittee chair Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and subcommittee ranking member Jerry Moran (R-Kan). It will need to be approved by the full Senate, reconciled with the House’s companion legislation and signed by the president before becoming law. The last long-term FAA authorisation legislation expired on 30 September 2023. Two short-term bills have been passed in the interim, extending authorisation and funding for FAA programmes and activities first through to 31 December 2023 and then until 8 March 2024. FAA reauthorisation legislation was introduced in the US House of Representatives and Senate in June with the House bill passing in July.

Bombardier shipments reach 138 in 2023

Bombardier’s revenues climbed by 16 percent year-over-year in 2023, topping $8 billion, as it scaled deliveries to 138 Challengers and Global business jets. Further, the Montreal-headquartered business jet manufacturer expects deliveries to take another step up to between 150 and 155 this year, returning to levels not seen since 2016.  However, Bombardier expects most of that growth to come from its super-midsize Challenger 3500s this year, with Global deliveries remaining stable. Bombardier president and CEO Éric Martel said this is purely a function of balancing production in the face of supply-chain uncertainties. “While we have everything in place to achieve our objective, I want to highlight that our delivery profile for the year is largely set by the pace at which we receive parts from our suppliers,” he said. “We are in an environment where we continue to play the cards, we are dealt versus planning an ideal production schedule.” As such, Bombardier projected revenues to grow to between $8.4 billion and $8.6 billion this year, with aftermarket also helping that bump. Meanwhile, Global deliveries are anticipated to expand in 2025. As for 2023, deliveries were up by 15 units year-over-year, with Challenger shipments increasing by 13, to 63 and Global aircraft by five, to 75. However, 2022 totals also included three shipments from the now-discontinued Learjet line.

Bell demonstrates high-speed vertical take-off and landing (HSVTOL) technology

Bell showcased high-speed vertical take-off and landing (HSVTOL) technology capabilities upon completion of testing efforts at Holloman Air Force Base. The team has utilised the Holloman High Speed Test Track to demonstrate the folding rotor, integrated propulsion and flight control technologies at representative flight speeds. “The successful sled test completion is a culmination of Bell’s HSVTOL research and unprecedented technology development,” said Jason Hurst, Executive Vice President, Engineering. “The technology demonstration provides Bell with critical experience and knowledge that will inform our X-plane development for DARPA’s SPRINT programme. It is a pivotal step in the creation next generation of high-speed vertical lift aircraft for future war fighters.”

The SPRINT programme intends to design, build and fly an X-Plane, an experimental aircraft to demonstrate enabling technologies and integrated concepts necessary for a transformational combination of aircraft speed and runway independence for the next generation of air mobility platforms.

Two international Aerobatic Formations teams performing at AirVenture Oshkosh 2024

160 days to go and this year’s Oshkosh promises to be extra special with the Italian Airforce Frecce Tricolori team performing during the first half of the week and the Royal Canadian Snowbirds during the second half. The Italian team, last seen at Oshkosh in the 1980’s, will be flying their Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN two-seater fighter / trainers and the Canadian team their CT-114 Tutors. Along with the other airshow performers, both military and civilian, there promises to be a feast of entertainment, both day and night.

But remember, Oshkosh is way more than just an airshow, the Twilight Fest, the STOL contest, the Seaplane base, the AirVenture Museum, more than 1 000 exhibitors, 12 000 aircraft, warbirds and kit-built planes, this is truly the world’s BIGGEST aviation event! A week in Oshkosh is simply not enough! Look out for the AirVenture App which should be available early July, everything you need to know about the event is on the App!

Tour Options for 2024 – seats available again!

Due to passenger breakaway requests some seats have become available on our Alpha Tour which was previously full booked. This option flies Turkish Airlines departing Johannesburg on Friday 19 July and returning Tuesday 30 July. We have also managed to secure another 10 seats on our Charlie Tour ex Cape Town. Flights are on United Airlines direct to the USA also departing Friday 19 July and returning to Cape Town Monday 29 July. Contact Neil Bowden E-mail: airadventuresa@gmail.com.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 to light up night sky with 500-drone performance

The growing aerial art form of lighted drones is coming to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2024, as Starlight Aerial Productions brings its spectacular displays to night airshows on 24 and 27 July. The 71st edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is coming to Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. Up to 500 state-of-the-art drones will take to the sky for the performances during AirVenture’s popular night airshows, offering dazzling light displays and captivating illustrations in front of the audiences.

“Drone shows have emerged as a marvellous way to add technology, colour and entertainment to nighttime events and for us, this is a perfect complement to the skill and excitement brought to the legendary Oshkosh night airshows by our aerobatic pilots and aircraft,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programmes, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This addition will make the night show even more memorable in 2024.”

Based in Michigan, Starlight Aerial Productions most recently filled the night sky over Detroit with a 400-drone show that celebrated the NFL Detroit Lions’ appearance in the NFC Championship Game. The Oshkosh performance will include American-made Lumenier ARORA drones equipped with LED lights that can create more than four billion colour combinations along with animated sequences that are tightly synchronized to a musical score.

Starlight’s parent, Great Lakes Drone Company, made its initial appearance at Oshkosh in 2018 with a sample of the then still-emerging technology. Today’s drone shows feature innovations that make flying hundreds of drones more efficient and capable of executing much more complex formations. Additional details regarding Starlight’s drone shows at EAA AirVenture will be released as it is finalised.

US legislation paves the way for flying cars

Elected officials across the United States are working on laws to ensure flying cars can be easily registered and licensed in all 50 states. Samson Sky was one of three flying car companies that provided industry input to New Hampshire’s House Transportation Committee, resulting in the 2020 passage of the first ever legislation for state registration of roadable aircraft. Dubbed the ‘Jetson’s Law,’ it includes wording to allow flying cars a simpler method of state registration to allow their use on state roads and highways. Others offering input included flying car companies Terrafugia, which has since moved its operations to China and PAL-V, a Dutch company with a US office in New Hampshire.

“As with any small aircraft, you are not allowed to take-off from or land on public roads in flying mode, except if you have declared an emergency, as is accepted under existing rules for aircraft,” officials with Samson Sky noted. “The new legislation basically specifies that drivers of roadable aircraft are required to adhere to the rules of the road while driving, the same as any other car, truck, bicycle, motorcycle, or farm vehicle.” With Jetson’s Law as a precedent for nationwide flying car regulations, officials with Samson are working with numerous other states on similar legislation.

Russell Bousfield, Samson’s legislative analyst, noted that bills are actively being drafted in eight of the more populous and forward-looking states. It is expected that these bill will be introduced in 2024. “We are very excited to provide industry input to state legislators who are laying the foundation for this new form of transportation,” he said. “It has been very rewarding to work with influential lawmakers that share a desire to bring about new technologies and advancements in aerospace. Legislation to help simplify the integration of roadable aircraft into the highway system will serve to benefit all flying car manufacturers,” said Bousfield.

Samson’s flying sports car, which performed its maiden flight in November 2023, uses unleaded auto fuel rather than leaded aviation fuel. “From your garage, you drive your street-legal Switchblade to a nearby airport,” company officials explain. “Once there, you transform the vehicle from driving to flying mode and fly to the airport closest to your destination, where you land, transform back to driving mode and drive the last few miles to your final destination.” The Switchblade seats two, side-by-side and flies up to 500 miles on a single tank of fuel.

Archer receives Part 145 certification from the FAA

Archer Aviation, a leader in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, has received its Part 145 certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Under FAA regulations, Archer is now authorised to perform specialised aircraft repair services while maintaining the highest levels of safety and compliance, a key requirement for operating a commercial aviation business. This certification reinforced Archer’s close collaboration with the FAA and reinforced its progress on the path toward commercial flight operations.

“This is a major vote of confidence from the FAA on Archer’s promise and potential for operating a full-scale urban air mobility service in cities across the country,” said Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer. “As we continue to rapidly advance towards commercial operations, we will be working closely with the FAA and regulators around the world to ensure Archer’s aircraft are safe and ready to transform mobility, providing a sustainable, low noise and cost competitive alternative to decongest our biggest cities.”

The FAA’s Part 145 certification is essential for commercial aviation operators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), authorising them to conduct specific maintenance and repair tasks on crucial aircraft components such as airframes. This certification represents a commitment to stringent safety and operational standards, including the meticulous handling and shipment of hazardous materials. It further demonstrates that Archer is prepared to operate repair stations that meet the FAA’s rigorous safety and quality benchmarks. As a mark of trust and reliability, it guarantees that maintenance and repairs are executed by authorised experts, ensuring that operations like Archer’s adhere strictly to federal regulations, thus enhancing the safety and security of airline operations and passenger travel.

Archer’s goal is to transform urban travel, replacing 60–90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10-20-minute electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low-noise and cost-competitive with ground transportation. Archer’s Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights. 

General Atomics debuts new XQ-67A Air Force sensing drone

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has lifted the lid on its drone offering for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) programme, a new vehicle dubbed the XQ-67A that could soon be moving into flight testing. Images and videos released by GA-ASI last week show that the XQ-67A, whose design stems from the drone maker’s Gambit family of aircraft that the company is also proposing for the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme is conducting high-speed taxi tests in preparation for a first flight.

“We think you are looking at the future of unmanned combat air vehicles,” GA-ASI spokesman C. Mark Brinkley said in a statement on Thursday. “Without getting into specifics, I can say that we are stepping through the OBSS programme methodically and working closely with our government partners to hit all of the markers for the project and deliver on our promises. We are focused on speed to ramp, accelerated design processes and bringing true capability to the fight.”

The US Air Force originally awarded GA-ASI and Kratos contracts for the OBSS programme in 2021, eliminating  Kratos in 2023. Few details have been publicly confirmed about the highly secretive effort, though the programme is thought to be aimed at fielding an unmanned aircraft with an exquisite sensor suite that can fly ahead of fighter jets and relay back targeting data and other threat information. Besides the XQ-67A, the US Air Force has been experimenting with Kratos’s XQ-58A Valkyrie. In addition the US Air Force has expressed interest in using Boeing’s MQ-28 Ghost Bat for testing, which the company brought to the United States after being originally developed for Australia.

Under the separate CCA programme, the US Air Force envisions a fleet of drones that could act as missile trucks, serve as sensing stations, conduct electronic attack and even draw enemy fire. Service officials have said, the drones will provide ‘affordable mass’ to compensate for the service’s aging and shrinking fighter fleet and counter numerical advantages enjoyed by China. GA-ASI is one of five companies selected by the US Air Force for an early stage of the separate CCA programme.

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