Resource Hub

The deadline is Monday, Oct. 6, to submit comments on the proposed FAA rule, Normalizing Unmanned Aircraft Systems Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS), also known as Part 108.

Mike Becker of Yandina Creek, Queensland, Australia–based Swashplate shares lessons learned from an unexpected flight straight into a cloud—including never assume, remember your training, and keep your cool—in the latest edition of the United States Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) newsletter.

Michael Kaplan will rejoin the company Oct. 6 to succeed Steve Sinquefield, who is retiring after more than 10 years in the role.

The company has appointed Natasha Dean as head of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) sales. She will oversee regional account managers in North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

The FAA is requesting comments by Nov. 14 on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD), which would supersede AD 2021-23-04, issued Dec. 6, 2021. The proposed AD would retain the existing requirements for repetitive inspections of the affected area for cracking while adding additional helicopter models to the applicability. It would also require a modification of the affected area, which would constitute a terminating action for the repetitive inspections.

The FAA is accepting comments until Nov. 14 on this proposed airworthiness directive (AD) for the AS355 E, F/F1/F2, and N models. It would require repetitive inspections of the side supports of the tail-rotor transmission fan for cracks and, depending on the results, replacing both side supports.

The FAA has issued a correction in reference to a measurement in the regulatory text of Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2025-18-13, which takes effect Oct. 23.

Joby Aviation and Skyports Infrastructure have reached an agreement with the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to develop an electric air taxi service with plans to launch in 2027.

The maker of the SkyOS operating system has launched Skylar, an artificial intelligence (AI) flight assistant designed to simplify aircraft communications, navigation, and operations.

The FAA and US Department of Transportation have rejected a request to extend the deadline for comments on a proposed rule involving beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations. The deadline for feedback is Monday, Oct. 6.