SpaceStation Expedition mission blogs.nasa.gov
Live events NASA_tv
NASA SkyWatch when Station is visible to the eye
Space Shuttle Atlantis lands KSC July 21,2011
  Tour of glass cockpit.

Friends have Tommy memories.  Jan-19-23

  Send a suggestion. helotech@heloman.com Kip

RefDesk Latest News from Bing new window
helicopter airline   klyde humor

Press Release RobinsonHeli BellFlight LeonardoCompany Sikorsky CHC
     AirBus Boeing LockheedMartin GEaviation.com GEadditive JPLnasa

Nov 2 Wed – 2022

– 316th Medical Group and 1st Helicopter Squadron conduct specialized flight training. Specialized training exercises at Joint Base Andrews, Md., (Nov.1,2022) jba.af.mil
– Bell Textron celebrated delivery of 189th AH-1Z Viper to US Marine Corps, completing Program of Record (POR) for latest version of H-1 platform (Nov.02,2022) bellflight.com
– Bell Textron signed agreement for sale of 10 Bell 505 helicopters to Royal Jordanian Air Force. Contract includes delivery of flight training device and comprehensive computer-based training package (Nov.1,2022) bellflight.com
– Coastal Helicopters (Florida) awarded US Navy contract for flight test support of suitable airborne platforms for ongoing testing of sensor systems. L3 Technologies (Utah) awarded US Army contract for Manned/Unmanned Teaming hardware and technical and engineering support for Apache attack helicopter (Contracts For Nov.1,2022) defense.gov
– Refurbished F-117A Nighthawk Stealth Fighter will be unveiled at Palm Springs Air Museum on Saturday November 12, 2022 at 1PM. Ceremony to debut the aircraft on permanent loan from United States Air Force (Nov.1,2022 ) PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org prnewswire.com
– Aviation Nation 2022 Nov.4 nellis.af.mil

– Northrop in partnership with US Air Force plan unveil B-21 Raider during first week of December at Palmdale, California. (Sept.20,2022) northropgrumman.com

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– NTSB Aviation Accident Final Report - Eurocopter EC130 helicopter descend until it impacted river short of intended landing area. NTSB determines probable cause of accident to be pilot entry into vortex ring state and inability to arrest descent while maneuvering for landing. Tennessee (August 3, 2020) ntsb.gov pdf
– NTSB Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - Bell Helicopter Textron Canada 429 substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Elba, New York on April 26, 2022. A section of the tail boom and carbon fiber tail rotor shaft was discovered 1,620ft from main wreckage it exhibited an angled fracture line consistent with main rotor blade contact. ntsb.gov pdf

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– US Helicopter Safety Team "56 Seconds to Live" Unintended Flight into Instrument Meteorological Conditions (UIMC) Awareness and Prevention Course available for pilots ushst.org

– NASA and SpaceX latest blogs.nasa.gov
– Updates Commercial Crew blogs.nasa.gov
– SpaceX launch missions spacex.com

- Mars 2020 mission - Perseverance rover 2021 mars.nasa.gov
- Interagency Aviation Training (IAT) Course Schedule iat.gov

Nov 1 Tue – 2022

– Tier 1 Engineering 3rd generation electric helicopter achieves airport-to-airport cross-country flight 75 years after historic English Channel crossing (Oct.29,2022) tier1engineering.com
– Sikorsky (Lockheed) Connecticut awarded US Navy contract modification exercises option to procure long lead items in support of full rate production Lot 8, CH-53K helicopter (Contracts For Oct. 31, 2022) defense.gov
– NTSB Opens Public Docket for Bell 407 Air Tour Helicopter Accident Hawaii. Docket contains only factual information collected by NTSB investigators. Crash on June 8, 2022 (Oct.31,2022) ntsb.gov

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– FAA Airman Knowledge Test changes faa.gov

– Mars Images mars.nasa.gov

– United Airlines news united.mediaroom.com
– Aviate program provides route to job offer with United Airlines UnitedAviate.com

– Rotorcraft Design Approvals - Helicopter Occupant Safety Toolkit faa.gov
– News Nellis AFB, Nevada nellis.af.mil
– FAA monthly Business Jet Reports faa.gov
– US National Archives and Records Administration - Nationwide Events archives.gov
– NASA Commercial Crew Program blogs.nasa.gov

Oct 31 Mon – 2022

– Built by Leonardo the Norwegian AW101 All-Weather Search and Rescue helicopter undertook high altitude trials in United States to demonstrate increase engine power and raise Main Gear Box torque rating. (Oct.28,2022) leonardo.com
– UK British Army new Apache AH-64E Attack Helicopter first outing into the field, photo (Oct.28,2022) army.mod.uk

– DHART EC135 medical helicopter struck a bird on final approach into Manchester Airport, New Hampshire. DAMAGING LOWER CHIN BUBBLE (Oct.28,2022) Record 2 asias.faa.gov
– Bell 407 helicopter, Activity AMBULANCE, STRUCK POWERLINES ON LANDING, ROCKDALE, TEXAS (Oct.31,2022) asias.faa.gov

– Amazon opening new production facility in Kirkland to build satellites for Project Kuiper, Seattle area (Oct.27,2022) zdnet.com seattletimes.com
   more on Amazon Project Kuiper satellite internet constellation (Oct.12,2022) zdnet.com cnet.com

– Updates Moon program. Artemis I updates nasa.gov Artemis

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– NTSB Accident Preliminary Report - On July 16, 2022 Bell UH-1H substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chapelle, New Mexico. The pilot, two tactical flight observers, and the rescue specialist sustained fatal injuries. Two witnesses on a ridge about 0.5 mile east of the accident site were observing the sunset and reported the helicopter flew past their location westbound, then rapidly descended without making any turns. ntsb.gov pdf

– Flying in a Brain Fog, Risk Management Magazine (May 29, 2022) safety.army.mil
– NASA Ames TechEdSat nasa.gov

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– History – Kaman HH-43B Huskie at National Museum of USAF. HH-43 Huskie primarily for local base rescue (LBR) and fighting aircraft fires. Kaman delivered first USAF H-43As in November 1958, and B series followed in June 1959, photos NationalMuseum.af.mil

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– NASA, SpaceX, Boeing, United Launch Alliance updates to International Space Station blogs.nasa.gov
   Atlas V rocket, Starliner ulalaunch.com

– SpaceX launch updates spacex.com

– FAA Aeronautical Raster Chart is a digital image of FAA VFR Chart faa.gov

– Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Flying Operations nellis.af.mil
– USAF Week in Photos af.mil
– USAF F35A Demo Team 2022 Airshow Season, All USAF Aerial Events acc.af.mil

– FAA Practical Test Standards faa.gov

– FAA Safety Alerts SAFO
21005 – Risks Associated with Visual Approaches, Date 7.27.21
19006 – Crash Resistant Fuel System (CRFS) Safety Standards
18013 – Updated Rotorcraft External Load Attaching Means and Quick Release Devices for Human External Cargo (HEC).
18010 – Procedures for Avoiding Obstacles Lighted with Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Obstruction Lights While Utilizing Night Vision Goggles (NVG) faa.gov

– NTSB Safety Alerts
Flight Helmet Cords Can Impede Egress, Understand cord connections (SA-068)
Loss of Tail Rotor Effectiveness in Helicopters, Be alert for uncommanded yaw (SA-062).
Helicopter Landing Sites Free from Debris, Foreign object debris can foul rotor systems and cause damage (SA-057).
Flying on Empty, Prevent the Preventable with Careful Fuel Management (SA-067) ntsb.gov

– Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Tours CommemorativeAirForce.org
– B-29 Doc Tours b29doc.com

– Space Weather for Aviation Service Provider swpc.noaa.gov

Oct 29 Sat – 2022

– NASA Lunar Flashlight set for mid-November launch small satellite mission will use lasers to search for water ice inside the darkest craters at Moon South Pole (Oct.28,2022) jpl.nasa.gov
– Stratolaunch completion of first captive carry flight with Talon-A separation test vehicle, TA-0, integrated with Roc center wing pylon (Oct.28,2022) prnewswire.com
   stratolaunch.com
– Helicopter crash in the Gulf of Mexico off Louisiana coast with two survivors in raft rescue by US Coast Guard Jayhawk MH60 helicopter crew (Oct.27,2022) dvidshub.net usnews.com lasvegassun.com

– NASA will provide coverage of upcoming prelaunch and launch activities for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System-2 (JPSS-2) mission. JPSS-2 is third satellite in polar satellite series and is expected to capture data to improve weather forecasts, helping scientists predict and prepare. JPSS-2 scheduled to launch at 2:25am PDT Tuesday, Nov. 1, on United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 401 rocket from Space Launch Complex 3 at Vandenberg SFB in California (Oct 21, 2022) nasa.gov

– U.S. European Command eucom.mil   NATO nato.int

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– James Webb Space Telescope updates. blogs.nasa.gov    JWST webbTelescope.org    Space Telescope stsci.edu
– NOAA satellites news events nesdis.noaa.gov

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– NTSB Preliminary Report - UH-60A helicopter destroyed in accident near Leesburg International Airport, Leesburg, Florida. Helicopter operated on post-maintenance test flight, new water tank and snorkel installed, snorkel violently swinging, snorkel contacting main rotor blades or tailboom. May 25, 2021 ntsb.gov pdf

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– GAMA Publishes Aircraft Shipments and Billings Reports gama.aero

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– Monterey Bay Aquarium MontereyBayAquarium.org
– Asilomar State Beach on Monterey Peninsula in city of Pacific Grove parks.ca.gov
– Tin City industrial makers market for craft wine, beer, spirits, Paso Robles TinCityPasoRobles.com Calif

– California fall color guide CaliforniaFallColor.com Northern Calif Bay Area kqed.org
     CaliforniaFallColor.com Map

– Big Basin Redwoods State Park, California parks.ca.gov
– Mineral King Campgrounds, tent camping only, Sequoia National Park California nps.gov
– Hearst San Simeon State Historical Monument parks.ca.gov

– US Army University Press Archives 2022 Jan-Feb 100th Anniversary, 2021, 2020 armyupress.army.mil
– US Army Military Review Sept-Oct 2022, Economic Sanctions armyupress.army.mil

– Robinson Helicopter Newsletters, Torrance, Calif robinsonheli.com

– Santa Monica Mountains, Southern California. Historical and cultural sites, from old movie ranches to Native American centers nps.gov
– Anza-Borrego Desert Calif State Park wildflower locations and directions, parks.ca.gov
– Angeles National Forest special places, Southern Calif fs.usda.gov

– Pismo Beach, Calif PismoBeach.org    Pismo State Beach parks.ca.gov

– Santa Barbara County Day Use Parks CountyOfSB.org
– USAF Schedule F-22 Demonstration Team acc.af.mil

Oct 28 Fri – 2022

– FiveBladed H145 in New Zealand rescue lives, photo (Oct.28,2022) airbus.com
– Multi-business owner relies on Bell 429 to manage three family-owned businesses in California (Oct.20,2022) bellflight.com
– Leonardo contract with Carabinieri (Italy) for supply of 20 AW119Kx single engine helicopters for Air Service (Oct.27,2022) leonardo.com
– PGE helicopter flights over transmission lines, identifying areas to reduce fire threat in both SLO and Santa Barbara counties (Oct.28,2022) sanluisobispo.com
– Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey central to integration and transformation of military operations (Oct.27,2022) bellflight.com
– Airbus delivered first two H135s to Spanish Guardia Civil and National Police (Oct.28,2022) airbus.com
– Huntington Ingalls (Mississippi) awarded US Navy detail, design, and construction modification to previously awarded contract in support of one Amphibious Assault Ship (General Purpose) Replacement (LHA(R)) Flight 1 Ship (LHA 9) (Contracts For Oct. 27, 2022) defense.gov
   •background Amphibious Assault Ship (helicopter) navy.mil

– USAF confirmed plans to reveal B-21 Raider Dec. 2 during unveiling ceremony hosted and sponsored by Northrop Grumman Corp at production facilities in Palmdale, California. B-21 is long-range, highly survivable, penetrating strike stealth bomber that will incrementally replace B-1 and B-2 bombers, becoming backbone of USAF bomber fleet. (Oct.20,2022) .af.mil
– Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite arrived at Vandenberg SFB in California, where teams will begin final preparations for launch in December on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Center-4 East (Oct.20,2022) jpl.nasa.gov  blogs.nasa.govswot

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– US Army Flightfax July 2022 edition. Mishap Review AH-64E Break Turn. safety.army.mil
– NTSB Aviation Accident Preliminary Report - Robinson R44 helicopter was destroyed when it was involved in accident near Rowlett, Texas (March 25, 2022). Accident flight was lesson 11, which included pre-solo maneuvers, introduction/simulation of emergency procedures, equipment malfunctions, and vortex ring state recognition and recovery. Main rotor blade impact marks adjacent to the separated section of the tail boom were consistent with main rotor blade contact of the tailboom in flight. ntsb.gov pdf
– NTSB Aviation Accident Preliminary Report. Eurocopter AS332L1 helicopter substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near, Azusa, California. During the approach and about 5 feet above the ground, the PIC heard the crew chief call out "hold". While the PIC slowed the helicopter, it became engulfed in dust. Shortly afterwards, the helicopter contacted a tree, descended to the ground, and rolled over onto its left side. (March 19, 2022) ntsb.gov pdf
– NTSB Aviation Accident Preliminary Report – Bell 407 helicopter was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near LaPlace, Louisiana. Dec.14,2021. Helicopter collided with western guy wire suspended between two tall trusses. ntsb.gov pdf
– Calif Moffett Field is one of three homes for US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center Design, Simulation & Experimentation group, partnership between NASA and Army, Jan.10,2022 army.mil

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– Sikorsky-Boeing SB1 DeFIANT helicopter demonstrated cargo capacity by lifting 5,300lbs Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System training load during test flight at Sikorsky Development Flight Center, Florida LockheedMartin.com

– FAA Safety Briefing, September-October 2022 Practicing What We Preach faa.gov
– Nellis Air Force Base, Nev, Flying Operation nellis.af.mil
– Eielson AFB, Alaska, Red Flag eielson.af.mil

– NASA Rotorcraft Publications 2022. Rotor Performance Predictions for UAM-Single vs Coaxial Rigid Rotors Jan 2022 rotorcraft.arc.nasa.gov
– NASA Rotorcraft Publications 2021. Hazard Analysis Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis for NASA Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology Concept Vehicles, May 2021 rotorcraft.arc.nasa.gov

– US Helicopter Safety Team monthly update faaSafety.gov
   more helicopter Reports ushst.org
– US Navy Blue Angels Show Schedules blueangels.navy.mil
– US Navy Community Outreach - Week Schedule navy.mil
– Darpa Opportunities darpa.mil

– US coast Guard MH-65 helicopter program
   Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City, New Jersey, received its first upgraded MH-65E with delivery of CGNR 6510 on Oct. 24, 2022. This is 52nd out of 98 total conversions including avionics upgrades and Service Life Extension work planned by Coast Guard for Dolphin fleet uscg.mil

Oct 27 Thu – 2022

– US Department of Defense advance Hypersonic programs to support first fielding of hypersonic capability to Army in FY 2023. Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) and Army Hypersonic Project Office (AHPO) conducted second High Operational Tempo for Hypersonics flight (press briefing Oct.26,2022) navy.mil
    •background navy.mil
– Triumph Group Actuation Products & Services business awarded agreement from Lockheed Martin to manufacture brake valve assembly for F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. Work will be performed at facility in Valencia, California (Oct.27,2022) triumphgroup.com

– Bell 407 helicopter CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES 20NM OFFSHORE FROM MORGAN CITY, LOUISIANA (Oct.27,2022) asias.faa.gov

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– Ingenuity Mars Helicopter. Mission goal updates mars.nasa.gov
– US Army, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Industry partners will fly pilotless UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter carrying up to 3,000 pounds on supply runs as part of annual Project Convergence experiments (PC 22) this fall. Range of tests will expand significantly across the Pacific. (Sept.21,2022) army.mil
– F-35 Joint Strike Fighter JSF News jsf.mil

– NTSB Accident Preliminary Report - On July 26, 2022 Eurocopter AS365N3 substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Hamilton, Ohio. Pilot made an approach for the south and was looking out for the powerlines but could not locate the wires. Pilot used the landing light and moved it up and down to try and find the wires but could not locate them. He thought the wires were further out from the landing zone and not below the helicopter. As the helicopter descended, the main rotor blades contacted the wires and the helicopter fell approximately 30 to 50 ft. ntsb.gov pdf
– NTSB Preliminary Report - Piper PA-28-181 airplane and a Robinson R22 helicopter were involved in midair collision near Chandler, Arizona, on Oct.1,2021. The airplane sustained minor damage and the helicopter was destroyed. Figure 1 view of helicopter and airplane ADS-B flight track data ntsb.gov pdf

–––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––   –––––––––––––––––––––  

– FAA, Dates of Latest Editions, Visual Flight Rules (VFR) Charts, Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Charts, 2021 Dec faa.gov

– NASA Launch Services Program at Kennedy Space Center. nasa.gov

– NASA Updates - SpaceX, Boeing CST-100 Starliner. blogs.nasa.gov

– US Army CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopter
   Projected Activities, 1QFY21 (1)Limited User Test
   4QFY21 (1)Milestone C, (2)Low Rate Initial Production army.mil

– NASA CallBACK monthly safety newsletter • September 2022 What Would You Have Done nasa.gov

– US Army Aviation Digest -
   Talk About Flying - April-June 2022 army.mil

– Federal Register for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) federalregister.gov
– USAF Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Team Schedule acc.af.mil
– Airline passengers can obtain updated information on how to Fly Healthy flyhealthy.gov

– DoD Artificial Intelligence ai.mil
   National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence nscai.gov news

– Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) B-17 bomber Aluminum Overcast tour. eaa.org

Using novel polymerization process MIT chemical engineers created new material that is stronger than steel and as light as plastic, and can be easily manufactured in large quantities. New material is two-dimensional polymer that self-assembles into sheets, unlike all other polymers, which form one-dimensional, spaghetti-like chains. Feb.2, 2022 mit.edu

HH-60G Pave Hawk prepares for takeoff at Moody AFB as a part of Heritage Flight with HH-60W Jolly Green II, photos moody.af.mil

CH-53K performs Degraded Visual Environment flight testing in Yuma, Az navair.navy.mil navair.navy.mil CH-53K

Sikorsky (Lockheed) and Boeing released details of DeFIANT X advanced helicopter for US Army Future Long Range Assault Aircraft competition (FLRAA). Fastest, most maneuverable and most survivable assault helicopter Jan2021 boeing.mediaroom.com LockheedMartin.com

Nanoparticles and Nanomaterials - Events - News nano.gov

Going West on the Lincoln Highway map LincolnHighwayAssoc.org

Calendar Grand Canyon NP nps.gov

August 1, 1943 - "Hell\\\\\'s Wench" B-24 badly damaged by anti-aircraft artillery fire, led 93rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) in daring low level attack on oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania, photo 142fw.ang.af.mil

History of San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport, photos SanLuisObispo.com
Friends of the Inyo exploring new places, Calif FriendsOfTheInyo.org
Death Valley National Park - Scotty Castle nps.gov
   Road Information nps.gov
California Fall Color, scenic drives and hikes LAtimes.com
SAFO - Helicopter Stabilized Hover Checks Before Departure faa.gov pdf
GE tested Advanced Turboprop Engine with 3D-Printed parts. Civilian turboprop engine to combine 855 separate components into just 12, photo ge.com
FAA Administrator Fact Book returned on-line faa.gov    pdf faa.gov
Top 10 Martin Gardner Scientific American Articles, Mathematical Games column began January 1957 scientificamerican.com
B-17F Memphis Belle(tm) to be placed on public display on May 17, 2018 at National Museum USAF, photo nationalmuseum.af.mil
   Fact Sheet nationalmuseum.af.mil
   1944 movie Director Lt. Col. William Wyler afi.com American Film Institute
2017 Ladies Love Taildraggers 5 scholarships ladieslovetaildraggers.com
Robinson Helicopter Safety Alerts -- Low-G Mast Bumping Accidents Dec2016 robinsonheli.com

From 2022
Dangerous laser strikes topped all previous records in 2021. FAA received 9,723 reports 2021 from pilots, 41 percent increase over 2020. release Feb.4,2022 faa.gov
ADS-B Exchange Serving the Flight Tracking Enthusiast adsbexchange.com

From 2021
US Army Center of Military History released Modern War in an Ancient Land. US Army in Afghanistan 2001-2014 two-volume history. These volumes include fifty maps, wide range of campaign photography and artwork. Nov.17,2021 army.mil
Sikorsky S-97 RAIDer helicopter flew two demonstrations before US Army officials at Redstone Arsenal, photo LockheedMartin.com
NTSB determined probable cause of accident was pilot failure to properly manage B17G. Pilot failure to properly manage airplane configuration and airspeed after he shutdown No.4 engine following its partial loss of power during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot/maintenance director inadequate maintenance while the airplane was on tour, which resulted in the partial loss of power to Nos.3 and 4 engines; Collings Foundation ineffective safety management system (SMS), which failed to identify and mitigate safety risks; and FAA inadequate oversight of Collings Foundation SMS ntsb.gov pdf

From 2020
Video images from NASA Juno mission nasa.gov
Boeing delivering new technologies and performance improvements to US Special Operations Command with Block II Chinook helicopter. Boeing Philadelphia team recently delivered first MH-47G Block II Chinook to SOCOM boeing.mediaroom.com