About this episode
We explore In Flight USA Magazine which is targeted to the general and business aviation community, as well as to aviation enthusiasts. In the news, aviation events are postponed or canceled due to COVID-19 while aviation museums and other operations are closed. Also, updates on the military Gray/Grey Wolf programs and T-X jet trainers, a new free online course for youngsters from WAI and Embry-Riddle, commercial pilots without a job are offered options by their airlines, and where are all those airliners going that were taken out of service? Guest Annamarie Buonocore, In Flight USA Magazine. Annamarie Buonocore is associate publisher and a second-generation owner of In Flight USA Magazine . Based in Silicon Valley, the magazine primarily serves business and general aviation as well as student pilots and aviation enthusiasts. This is accomplished through print and digital advertising, strong editorial content, and creative aviation photography. Annamarie is involved in every aspect of the business from distribution to production and layout. Annamarie explains the magazine’s target audience and how it includes not only pilots but also aviation enthusiasts and those looking for activities after arrival at the airport. In Flight USA Magazine is distributed at airshows, airport terminals, businesses, flight schools, as well as to private subscribers. Articles are written by magazine staff as well as other topic experts. A digital version is available on the In Flight USA Magazine website. Annamarie is currently a student pilot at Hayward Flight at the Hayward Airport in Hayward, California. She enjoys attending airshows, taking pictures, and writing. She spends time with her two Maltese Poodles, Pericles and Sophocles, who sometimes appear in podcasts. Aviation News Arsenal of Democracy flyover and events rescheduled from May to September 24th-25th The Arsenal of Democracy (AOD) Executive Planning Committee has rescheduled the AOD Victory Gala and Flyover commemorating the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II to September 24th-25th, 2020. Planes of Fame to Temporarily Close The Planes of Fame Air Museum is temporarily closed through April 6th 2020. National Aviation Hall of Fame Temporarily Closed AEA Cancels Convention The Aircraft Electronics Association announced its decision to cancel its 63rd annual AEA International Convention and Trade Show that was scheduled for March 24-27, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. The event will not be rescheduled. Federal Air Marshals Still Flying Air Marshal Association President John Casaretti said, “We hope Congress and the American public recognizes the determination and integrity of our Federal Air Marshals. Despite low job morale, ongoing pay issues, long shifts without rest, and lack of critical health services, our Federal Air Marshals have demonstrated that they are America’s most flexible, capable, and patriotic officers.” Museum of Flight Matt Hayes, President and CEO, announced that the Museum of Flight is closed to the public. “We do not have a reopening date yet, and these next few weeks – or possibly months – will be very challenging for us all, both financially and emotionally.” The collection can be viewed online, as well as virtual tours of aircraft cockpits and many educational resources. SDASM TV SDASM TV is the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s new video channel. They showcase insider stories, archival footage, personal and oral histories, and STEM challenges. AFRL Industry team successfully demonstrates first ever 200-lb thrust class low-cost engine A low-cost turbojet engine is being developed under the Gray Wolf low-cost cruise missile program. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Northrop Grumman, and Technical Directions Inc. (TDI, a division of drone maker Kratos) recently tested the TDI-J85 engine. See also, Air Force’s Gray Wolf Program Tests Game-Changing Small Low-Cost Jet Engine . Door Gunners On The Air Force’s New Grey Wolf Helicopters Need Protection From Sub-Zero Temps The MH-139A Grey Wolf light utility helicopter is a planned replacement for the UH-1N Twin Huey helicopters that protect intercontinental ballistic missile silos. It’s a derivative of the Leonardo AW-139 helicopter that the Italian company is building in the United States with Boeing. Air Force Wants To Acquire Losing T-X Jet Trainers To Help Revolutionize Pilot Training The US Air Force is looking to lease T-50 trainers until the bid-winning T-7A Red Hawks are available. WAI and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to Launch Free Online Course For Girls Ages 8-17 The new, self-paced Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) is tailored to learners ages 8-17 and celebrates Girls in Aviation Day. It’s called Aviation is Your Future . Youth who complete the course can earn digital badges and a personalized electronic certificate. The course is offered several times throughout the year. Registration is now open. American Airlines’ Offer To Pilots The airlines have significantly scaled back flights so they don’t need as many pilots at the moment. American and the Allied Pilots Association (APA) have an agreement for pilots to take a voluntary leave of absence. United Airlines Offering Pilots (Partially) Paid Leave United Airlines is offering 777 and 787 pilots the opportunity to take the month of April off at reduced pay. Parked Delta Planes Shut Down Three Runways At Atlanta Delta has parked 600 of its 900 grounded aircraft at Hartsfield Jackson Airport in Atlanta. Lufthansa Storing Grounded Aircraft At Unopened Berlin Airport Glut of Jet Fuel Is on Brink of Overwhelming Global Storage Knowledge test provider PSI temporarily closes centers PSI, the FAA knowledge testing provider, is temporarily closing testing centers that it owns and operates in the United States and the United Kingdom. The closures come in response to the global coronavirus pandemic. Aircraft of the Week David tells us about the Sikorsky R-6A Hoverfly II. Positive Airline Story of the Week Our Main(e) Man Micah brings us a positive airline story of the week about United Airlines. Stuck at home? Our Reporter at Large Launchpad Marzari has some suggestions on what to watch to get you through being stuck at home. The History Guy YouTube Channel King Schools Mentioned The BBC podcast The Documentary Podcast has an episode titled Something in the Air? that addresses commercial aviation “fume events.” SkyCourier Completes Initial Ground Engine Tests The Textron Aviation Cessna 408 SkyCourier program advanced with the successful completion of initial ground engine tests. The tests of the prototype airplane verified the functionality of the fuel system and two Pratt & Whitney PT6A-65SC engines, as well as the interface with the avionics and electrical systems. Mitsubishi SpaceJet JA26MJ embarks on maiden flight The Mitsubishi SpaceJet M90 Flight Test Vehicle 10 (FTV10) completed its maiden flight in Japan. FTV10 is the first SpaceJet M90 in final, certifiable baseline configuration. FAA issues emergency AD following Vietnam Airlines A321 uncontained IAE V2533 engine failure From Aviation Safety Network: “The U.S. FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive following an uncontained engine failure of an IAE V2533-A5 engine of an Airbus A321.”