Virgin Galactic is keen to bring intrepid travelers into space on its SpaceShipTwo vehicle, but the company is also looking at alternative revenue sources. Among them, renting out the WhiteKnightTwo (WK2) launch support aircraft for government or private businesses to use for science, research, and national security applications. There’s just one problem: Legally it cannot do that.
FAA
Virgin Galactic makes a move in supersonic travel
Virgin Galactic knows that not everyone will go to space. The company is now (slightly) broadening its potential customer base with plans for a Mach 3 aircraft, focused on delivering high-speed travel around the globe.
Cargo passenger hybrids coming to US airlines
Airlines around the world removed the seats from their passenger planes to make more room for cargo. But not in the US. That could change very soon, as the FAA now allows for exemptions to cargo restrictions, engineering companies are securint certifications for the new configurations and airlines are getting the paperwork in order to make the shift.
Stuck in the past, DOT botches its CARES Act implementation
Empty planes will be flying by the hundreds, spewing excess emissions and placing more airline employees at risk. But at least the DOT did not have to adjust its view of the industry to account for the new reality.
Supersonic sound standards set; Boom schedule slips
How loud will the next generation of supersonic aircraft be? Facing a continued surge in design and construction efforts from a handful of companies, the FAA set out guidelines this week for how the new aircraft are expected to perform. Just as interesting as the numbers is the model that was left out of the […]
FAA blocks flights over Iran, Iraq
The Federal Aviation Administration issued emergency directives on Tuesday evening prohibiting US aircraft from operating over Iran, Iraq, the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The three NOTAMs came in response to escalating military activity in the region. Iran launched an attack just hours prior targeting bases that house US troops, among other things.
Chasing a Jumbo dream in St Vincent
The iconic shape, the stature it projects, the seemingly endless opportunities for connecting to the world. The tiny Caribbean island of St. Vincent is the latest to pursue those opportunities, though success is far from guaranteed.
Boom’s supersonic timing slips
Boom still plans to bring supersonic passenger flights back to the general public, just not as soon as previously predicted. And there are still a LOT of open questions about getting there at all.
FAA declares no-go for Iranian airspace
The FAA is prohibiting flights over portions of Iranian airspace in a move that could further heighten tensions in the region.
Highlights from the FAA and NTSB’s Congressional testimony on the 737 MAX grounding
Leaders from the FAA and NTSB were called before Congress to testify today about the 737 MAX grounding and what it will take to get the plane back into the sky. The tone and content from the two witnesses was impressively different. Here are some highlights from the 2.5 hours of hearings.