Ex-CAFB grad challenges pilots

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - The deputy director of operations at the Hurlburt Field, Fla.-based headquarters of the Air Force Special Operations Command was guest speaker for the graduation of the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training course Nov. 18 at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Col. John Cline thanked audience members for their support to the new graduates; and congratulate to the pilots. “It is a monumental effort to make it through pilot training,” he said. To progress through the rigors of commissioning, medical and aptitude screenings, pilot selection, and flight training was a monumental challenge. Cline, who trained at CAFB, told the pilots: “Now, the work really begins.” But warned graduates that the path they chose is not an easy one and they would face much danger and challenges over the years, but it would be outweighed by the risk. (Source: Columbus AFB 11/23/16)

Paris Air Show delegation

The Mississippi Development Authority is seeking participates for a state-led trade delegation to the Paris (France) from June 19-25. The Paris Air Show draws nearly 150,000 trade visitors, 2,300-plus exhibitors and 296 official delegations from 91 countries. MDA and the Small Business Administration will provide financial and administrative support for two representatives from qualified state companies. Space is limited and available on a first-come basis. Deadline for register is March 31. For more information, call at 601-359-2952 or e-mail asikora@mississippi.org. (Source: Mississippi Minority Business Alliance 11/11/16)

Eaton contract for Army

Eaton Aerospace of Jackson, Miss., was awarded a maximum $11,191,231 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for hydraulic motors for the Army. This is a three-year contract with no option periods. This was a sole-source acquisition. Location of performance is Mississippi, with a Nov. 21, 2020, performance completion date. Type of appropriation is FY 2017 through FY 2021 Army working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime, Warren, Mich. (Source: DOD 11/18/16)

UM aero conference challenges

James B. Lackey, the Army’s director of aviation and missile research and development, was among guest speakers at the “Advanced Materials for Transformative Changes to the Defense, Aerospace and Civil Environments” conference at the University of Mississippi on Nov. 17. He spoke to the Army’s needs for research in the areas of lighter weight, stronger composite systems and materials for missile systems. The conference, in its second day at Ole Miss, was sponsored by the Mississippi Research Consortium, chaired by Gordon Cannon, VP for research at the University of Southern Mississippi. The consortium is made up of Mississippi’s four research universities: UM, USM, Mississippi State and Jackson State. Lackey’s presentation was a prime example of conference goals “to bring forward recent advances in materials science and mechanics in the various sectors (defense, aerospace and civil) and to bridge the gaps between them by increasing awareness of research needs and capabilities in order to create enabling technologies for various applications that have national impact.” Additional presentations were made by the National Science Foundation and NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Alabama. (Source: Hotty Toddy 11/18/16)

MS joins Pan-Pacific UAS test range

Mississippi has joined the states of Alaska, Oregon, and Hawaii as full members of the University of Alaska Fairbanks-led Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex (PPUTRC) on Nov. 8, one of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) seven Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Test Sites. The Mississippi program will be led by Mississippi State University, and multiple UAS test and evaluation sites throughout the state. MSU is also the lead for the FAA’s UAS Center of Excellence - the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence. PPUTRC is the largest and most diverse of the seven test site programs offering a range of geographic and climactic test conditions, including arctic, tropical, high-desert, mountainous, maritime, controlled urban, and many others. The addition of Mississippi to the program provides local test site capabilities to support UAS stakeholders in the Southeastern United States. (Mississippi State University 11/08/16)

FPC fee rescinded for more input

The Federal Aviation Administration officially announced in the Federal Register that it is rescinding a controversial draft Passenger Facility Charge order and will provide “for public review and comment.” Airports raised concerns that FAA's plan could have created more bureaucracy further slowed the PFC application and approval process. The PFC program allows the collection of fees up to $4.50 for every enplaned passenger at commercial airports controlled by public agencies. (Source: Aviation News Today 11/07/16)

Aurora joins ‘Great Whites’ search

NANTUCKET, Mass. - Aurora Flight Sciences recently partnered with OCEARCH, a world-leading marine conservation organization, to provide aerial support in locating and tracking great white sharks off the coast of Massachusetts. The Centaur optionally-piloted DA-42 aircraft flew above the expedition area in a pre-determined flight pattern to help scientists onboard the M/V OCEARCH ship to target, identify and track the location of the great white sharks in real time. Remotely piloted onboard OCEARCH's vessel, Centaur scanned the mission area with a FLIR 230 infrared sensor to pick up heat signatures and movements in the waters below. The live down-linked imagery allowed OCEARCH to enhance its mission by widening their search capabilities. Aurora's Centaur Optionally-Piloted Aircraft flies above the vessel providing assistance in locating the sharks. "We are thrilled about our new partnership with OCEARCH and Centaur's ability to expand on the process for identifying sharks," said Aurora CEO John Langford. "The expedition allowed us to demonstrate the technological and operational capabilities of Centaur, and more importantly, the value and benefits of utilizing optionally-piloted aircraft for a variety of missions which now includes maritime." (Source: PR News Wire 11/09/16) Gulf Coast Note: Aurora operates an aerial production plant in Columbus, Miss.

Expect more holiday air-travelers

More than 27 million passengers - a record for the Thanksgiving holiday - will likely be flying U.S. airlines worldwide from Nov. 18-29, according to the Airlines for America group. The expected increase will add an average 55,000 daily passengers, which is less than the space added. “U.S. passenger airlines are ready and saving you a spot,” said Jean Medina, a spokeswoman for the group. Airlines expect to carry an average 2.27 million passengers daily during the period. The busiest days will be Sunday, Nov. 27; Monday, Nov. 28; and Wednesday, Nov. 23. The lightest day will be Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24. The travel surge follows a 9.6% decline in fares during the second quarter of 2016, according to the Transportation Department’s bureau of statistics. The online travel agent Orbitz.com said the average airfare to the top 10 destinations for the Thanksgiving holiday is $409 this year, with hotel costs averaging $158 per night. (USA TODAY 11/02/16)