US Maven and India's Mangalyaan space missions have bother entered Mars orbits. Mangalyaan is the cheapest interplanetary mission ever, on a shoe string to Mars so to speak ...
The F-22 Raptor...
Probably the most awesome fighter ever, the F-22 Raptor, was used in combat for the first time. Not to fight another airplane, but to hit a ground target with a bomb. Given that before and after footage of the target was available it suggest a UAV was around (the F-22 does not have an imaging pod), which begs the question why a 100 Million Dollar plane (with pilot) was needed to do the job a 5 Million Dollar UAV could do. Pilot training perhaps?
Drones are coming to Hollywood
Apparently FAA will issues first permits for commercial drone flights, to the movie industry.
Man sentenced after drone crashed in Yellowstone
Man who lost drone in Yellowstone sentenced. Man was shooting a short film for a charity. No one was hurt, no damage was done (except to drone). Penalty: 1 year probation and thousands of dollars in fines...
http://www.9news.com/story/news/investigations/2014/09/22/drone-crash-yellowstone/16066805/
British reaper drones may face legal challenges
British reaper drones may face legal challenges for deployments outside of Afghanistan.
PrecisionHawk raises USD 10 Million series B
PrecisionHawk raises USD 10 Million series B round to further develop land surveying UAVs.
Nation's first Aerospace Engineering Program celebrated
University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering Department (1st in nation) celebrates 100th anniversary with history flyover.
JetBlue engine failure
Jetblue flight from Long Beach to Austin has engine failure, returns safely to Long Beach. Emergency landing with slides deployed. In flight video from cell phones available.
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/JetBlue-Engine-Failure-Prompts-Evacuation222779-1.html
Russia and China study new bomber development
Russia and China study new bomber development and measures to keep current fleets up to date. Stealth technology a big issue. China buys tankers from Russia.
http://aviationweek.com/defense/future-bombers-under-study-china-and-russia
Boeing, SpaceX to get $6.8 billion for commercial crew flights
Boeing gets USD 4.2 Billion, SpaceX USD 2.6 Billion from NASA for commercial crew flights.
http://aviationweek.com/space/boeing-spacex-get-68-billion-commercial-crew-flights
Texas UAV testing ground adds runway
Economic impact on Texas from UAV industry may be > 8,000 jobs, and that is with the FAA restrictions in place. Imagine the impact if the industry was given more leeway.
http://generalaviationnews.com/2014/09/16/uas-test-site-adds-runway/
TED Fellow Sergei Lupashin brings aerial photography down to Earth
Tethered drones for pictures from a spot above one's head. May also get around FAA restrictions. But how about the FAA backs off a bit so people can let drones roam free, and to places other than straight up?
http://blog.ted.com/2014/09/12/sergei-lupashin-brings-aerial-photography-down-to-earth/
Several airlines show off their new flying colours
Cool new color schemes on several commercial airlines. Article with lots of nice pictures...
FAA fiddles while canadian drones earn
Transport Canada grants commercial drone permits since 2010, leading to the new industry expanding there, creating jobs. In the US meanwhile the FAA continues to block.
http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA-Fiddles-While-Canadian-Drones-Earn222754-1.html
Saved by ultralight's ballistic parachute
Ultralight and glider collide in mid air over Germany, becoming wedged together, saved by ultralight's ballistic parachute. All survived!
Google looking at delivery via unmanned aerial systems
Google looks to unlock potential of delivery via UAS.
http://aviationweek.com/technology/google-looks-unlock-potential-delivery-uas
Tiny helicopters can't out-hover hummingbirds
Blades of tiny heli drones as efficient as an average hummingbird wing when spun. Spinning about twice as efficient as flapping. Best hummingbird wings (Anna's hummingbird wing), when spun, still 27% more efficient than heli blades.
http://www.futurity.org/hummingbirds-micro-helicopters-740052/
Exciting!
US Maven and Indian MOM Mars spaceships to orbit Mars on Sept 21 and 24 respectively. Exciting!
First flight in 1903...
I confess that in 1901, I said to my brother Orville that man would not fly for fifty years.
- Wilbur Wright
(First flight in 1903)
Government to probe airline fee structures
Turbulence ahead as airline fees are probed.