Salem-News.com Aviation articles

Airbus Perlan Mission II Glider Soars into History

Glider begins journey to 2016 world record flight to 90,000 feet without an engine

(REDMOND, Ore.) - The Perlan 2 glider, the world’s first engineless aircraft designed to reach the edge of space, achieved its successful first flight today in a historic moment about 5,000 feet above Robert’s Field, the Redmond Municipal Airport in Oregon.

This was the first test flight of the aircraft, which next year will attempt to set a new world altitude record for any airplane. The goal of this project is to open up a world of new discoveries related to high-altitude flight, climate change and space exploration.

Harrison Ford Battered, but OK After Plane Crash

His classic aircraft had engine failure and he crashed on a golf course.

(VENICE, Calif.) - Harrison Ford, American iconic actor, crashed his plane on a golf course near the Santa Monica airport this afternoon.

He radioed the tower and told them his engine had failed and he was headed back in immediately. They told him to land on one strip, too far for him to make and he said he'd have to take another. He didn't make it that far.

Oregon Coast Plane Crash Victims Identified

The plane went down shortly after take-off from the Newport Airport -- which is about 7 to 10 miles west -- of the crash site.

(TOLEDO, Ore. ) - A 51-year-old man from Newport and a 4-year-old girl from Seattle died Saturday afternoon when the small plane they were traveling in crashed along the Oregon Coast.

Douglas Nebert was identified by authorities as the pilot of the homebuilt RV-10, which was headed from Newport to Seattle.

Several SL Aircraft Banned from Entering Air Space of European Countries

Economic sanction in disguise?

(COLOMBO Lanka-e-News) - A number of planes belonging to the Sri Lankan (SL) aviation service have been declared as not airworthy and a number of European countries have therefore banned their use of the air space of those countries, according reports reaching Lanka e news.

The reason for this ban is the use of corroded decrepit airplanes by the SL aviation service to transport passengers, which do not conform to international standards and hence risky for passenger travel.

Study Suggests Veteran`s Agent Orange Exposure for C-123 Crews Will Cost $1.8 Million

Veterans have been forced to resort to expensive legal procedures to access necessary scientific and administrative documents.

(SALEM) - This week it was estimated that an Institute of Medicine study of veterans’ Agent Orange exposure aboard C-123 transports will cost approximately $1,800,000.00.

The study, ordered by the Department of Veterans Affairs, addresses exposure concerns raised by veterans who flew these former Agent Orange spray transports between 1972-1982.

Aerojet Rocketdyne Propulsion Supported United Launch

Alliance Successful Atlas V Mission for the National Reconnaissance Office

(SACRAMENTO) - Aerojet Rocketdyne, a GenCorp (NYSE:GY) company, played a significant role in successfully launching a national security payload into orbit for the U.S. government.

The mission was launched from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket, with an Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10A-4-2 upper-stage engine, four AJ60 solid rocket boosters, five helium pressurization tanks and a dozen Centaur upper-stage thrusters used for roll, pitch, yaw and settling burns.

Drones Are Hot Item in Vegas

RTDNA presses FAA for rules decision

(AUSTIN) - Every year at the NAB convention in Las Vegas, there are hot technology items that seem to attract everybody’s attention—and this April, it’s the year of the drones!

It was hard to get near the demos at exhibitor’s booths, as these unmanned craft were flown up and around cages that had been set up. The pictures displayed on the hi-def monitors were truly amazing and it was so clear the time has come for us to be allowed to use drones to gather news!

Explosion at Ernst Irrigation Rocks St. Paul

"I heard a very loud boom when I was coming out to my car" - witness, Mark Winder

(ST. PAUL) - Firefighters in Saint Paul called for a Life Flight helicopter after responding to an emergency at Ernst Irrigation where an apparent industrial fire broke out. The Life Flight was eventually canceled, and the patient was transported to the hospital by ground ambulance.

Fire officials confirmed that an explosion occurred and one man was injured. The blast and fire happened at Ernst Irrigation, 20179 Main Street.

Honored Air Guard Special Tactics Airmen Reflect Core Values of Talented Unit

The strength of the 125th STS is reflected in their unique mission and the camaraderie they have quickly shaped as a unit in less than nine years, becoming officially founded on May 1, 2005.

(CLACKAMAS) - They left behind civilian jobs or college class rooms to deploy, chancing their own safety to protect their teammates and carry out grueling operations that changed virtually every day during their six months in combat.

Hometown heroes Doug Matthews, Matthew Matlock, Christopher Jones and George Thompson were honored this week.

Hindus Call for Prayers for Missing Malaysia Airlines Flight

Expressing deep sympathies to the families and loved ones of the passengers and the crew of this plane missing since March eight after departing from Kuala Lumpur, Rajan Zed said that it was highly tragic and difficult time for them.

(RENO) - Distinguished Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has called for prayers for the passengers and crew of the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 and their relatives and loved ones.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, appealed to the worldwide Hindu community to hold special prayer sessions in Hindu temples.