“[The class of 2024] represents the true pioneering spirit of aviation and space exploration, from the quest to travel across the globe faster, more safely and efficiently, to inventing the scientific inventions necessary to reach the moon,” said Jim Kidrick, president and CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “Achievements in aviation and space, as embodied by the honorees in the prestigious International Air & Space Hall of Fame, directly represent the human pioneering spirit and pursuit of mankind’s future frontiers.”

Among the members of the IASHF, which was established in 1963, are the Wright brothers, pilots Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Chuck Yeager, and Jackie Cochran,  astronauts Neil Armstrong, Bill Anders, and Jim Lovell, and engineers and aircraft designers such as Igor Sikorsky, Wernher von Braun, Jack Northrop, William Boeing Sr., Reuben H. Fleet, and Glenn Curtiss.

The gala event to welcome the honorees is set for November 9 in the Edwin D. McKellar Pavilion of Flight.

This year’s honorees include:

• Stephen Altemus: Altemus is the co-founder, president, and CEO of Intuitive Machines, a company that develops designs to advance both human and robotic exploration of the moon, Mars, and the planets beyond. Altemus and Intuitive Machines partnered with NASA and are a key player in the plans for a manned return to the moon.

• Bell Flight: Bell has been developing helicopters since 1939. The Bell 47, also known as the MASH helicopter, is one of its more famous designs. Known for its versatility, there is hardly a television news department, medical service provider, or law enforcement agency in a large city that hasn’t used a Bell aircraft, a testament to the versatility of the rotor-wing designs. And, of course, the Bell X-1 was the vehicle that ushered in the age of supersonic flight.

• Salvatore “Tory” Bruno: The president and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA) will be recognized for his leadership at the nation’s most reliable and experienced launch service provider. Since 2006, ULA has made more than 150 consecutive launches using Atlas and Delta rockets. The company is continuing its efforts with the new Vulcan rocket family that will be used for future launches.

• International Council of Air Shows (ICAS): The International Council of Air Shows is the organization behind many of the aviation events that attract thousands to airports around the world. The organization was established in 1967 by airshow professionals and has evolved into a globally recognized authority on airshow safety. ICAS plays a pivotal role in advancing best practices, addressing regulatory and safety concerns, and fostering collaboration with military and civilian stakeholders, resulting in entertaining and safe events.

• Katherine Johnson: The former NASA mathematician was celebrated in the 2016 biopic movie Hidden Figures. Johnson’s calculations in orbital mechanics, done on a chalkboard or with pencil and paper, were instrumental in the success of America’s first crewed spaceflights, including the Apollo moon landings. At the time there were very few women or people of color involved in the space program. Johnson, being both, often had to deal with the stereotypes to have her work recognized and accepted.

• Laurans “Larry” Mendelson: In 1990, Mendelson, with the help of his sons Eric and Victor, took a small Florida-based public company, HEICO, and turned it into an international supplier for aerospace and electronics. Under their leadership, the company makes hundreds of thousands of parts and employs approximately 10,000 team members in 21 states in North America and 15 countries.

• Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider: The B-21 Raider is the next generation of long-range strike bombers. Designed for endurance and stealth as well as manned and unmanned operations, the advanced aircraft is intended to be a key player in the U.S. Air Force strategic bomber fleet.

• Blake Scholl: ,In 2014, Scholl wanted to make high-speed travel a reality as a means to foster deeper global connections, so he founded Boom Supersonic. Through the development of Overture, the world’s fastest commercial airliner, the company strives to create faster, more affordable, and more environmentally sustainable air travel.

The complete list of Hall of Fame members is available here.

The post International Air & Space Hall of Fame Announces 2024 Inductees appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing [MAW] and the ‘Flying Tigers’ while conducting a training flight [Tuesday] night,” Major General Michael Borgschulte, commanding general of 3rd MAW, said in a statement. “These pilots and crewmembers were serving a calling greater than self and were proud to do so. We will forever be grateful for their call to duty and selfless service.” 

The aircraft and aircrew assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd MAW had been reported missing after being declared overdue in returning to San Diego. 

• READ MORE: Crash Prompts Japan to Call on U.S. Military to Ground Ospreys 

The 3rd MAW coordinated search-and-rescue efforts with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol, targeting a remote area of Pine Valley, California. However, access to the search area was a challenge due to bad weather, including snow, according to local media reports.

An investigation is underway, and search-and-rescue efforts have transitioned to a recovery mission for crew remains and the aircraft, the Marine Corps said. 

The post Marine Corps Confirms 5 Killed in CH-53 Crash appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The aircraft is assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is based in San Diego. 

“The Marines were flying a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter from Creech Air Force Base, [Nevada] to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar [California] on February 6, 2024, when the aircraft was reported overdue,” a 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing spokesperson told FLYING.  “The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing is coordinating search and rescue efforts with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol.”

According to local media reports, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, received a call around 2:20 a.m. PST Wednesday that reported the CH-53 missing and last known to be in the area of Pine Valley, California, according to KTLA-TV in Los Angeles. Cal Fire crews are assisting in the search. However, access to the search area has been a challenge due to snow, a Cal Fire official told KTLA.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

The post Search Underway for Missing CH-53 with 5 Marines Aboard appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

Tickets are on sale for the annual gala at the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s Edwin D. McKellar Pavilion of Flight. Since 1963 the Hall of Fame has been recognizing the most significant contributors to the world of aerospace.

Shatner is best known for the role of Captain James T. Kirk of the starship Enterprise from the Star Trek franchise. Kirk and Star Trek have inspired several generations of aerospace professionals and innovators. In addition to Star Trek the original TV series, Shatner played Kirk in seven of the franchise’s movies, one of which he directed. His 70-year acting career also includes non-science fiction roles, including the police drama T.J. Hooker and television’s first reality-based series, Rescue 911. He won Emmys and a Golden Globe for his portrayal of eccentric lawyer Denny Crane on The Practice and Boston Legal. 

In October 2021 at the age of 90, Shatner became the oldest person to go into space on board the Blue Origin NS-18, traveling beyond the Kármán line. Shatner was visibly moved by the experience, saying it had given him a new perspective on life.

Joining Shatner in the 2023 Hall of Fame class are:

Royce Williams: decorated Naval aviator

On November 18, 1952, Williams was flying a Grumman F9F Panther with three other members of VF-781 from the USS Oriskany when they encountered seven Mig-15s. Williams’ flight leader and his wingman had to return to the Oriskany following a fuel pump issue, leaving Williams outmanned against aircraft considered to be superior to the Panther. Despite the odds against him, Williams engaged the seven Migs for 35 minutes, shooting down four in the longest dogfight in the history of the U.S. Navy.

Though his Panther was shot 263 times, he was able to make it back to the Oriskany and land safely. Williams received the Navy Cross, Silver Star, and two Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Jessica Meir: astronaut, scientist, Artemis program

Meir is a biologist, NASA astronaut, and a member of the Artemis program focused on landing the first woman and next man on the moon. She joined the space program as an astronaut in 2013, making history as part of the first all-female space walk in October 2019 alongside Christina Koch. Meir was a flight engineer on Expedition 61/62, logging 205 days in space. She holds a Ph.D. in marine biology and is renowned for touting the importance of the STEM curriculum in helping to develop the next generation of astronauts and inspiring a new generation of explorers.

Meier is currently training for the forthcoming Artemis missions, which will involve both lunar and Martian frontiers. It has been suggested she may be the first woman to walk on the moon.

Robert DeLaurentis: record-setting aviator, businessman, and author 

DeLaurentis is perhaps best known for his solo, around-the-world flight in a Piper Malibu Mirage in 2015. It took approximately four months to cover the 26,000 nm, which included stops in 23 countries as part of a fundraising campaign to support aviation programs.

In 2019, DeLaurentis launched in a modified 1983 Turbine Commander 900 he named Citizen of the World for a 26,000-mile polar circumnavigation. The flight was planned for five months, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, turned into a nine-month journey.

DeLaurentis is also an author, with adult books including Flying Thru Life: How to Grow Your Business and Relationships with Applied Spirituality; Zen Pilot: Flight of Passion and the Journey Within; and children’s books The Little Plane That Could; and The Little Airplane That Could Let’s Fly!

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI): remotely piloted aircraft systems

GA-ASI is a worldwide leader in the design, development, and production of remotely piloted aircraft systems, commonly referred to as drones.

General Atomics created the Predator and Reaper aircraft, and its designs have made a significant impact on military operations and helped foster developments in civilian and commercial drone applications. GA-ASI, founded in 1993, is a subsidiary of General Atomics, a diversified technology and defense company.

The post William Shatner Highlights International Air & Space Hall of Fame Class appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The four people on board the aircraft, reported to be two pilots and two flight nurses, were killed. There were no reported injuries of persons on the ground.

The aircraft, identified as N880Z, was operated by Med Jet, LLC, a medical transport company. The accident happened at the end of an 18-minute flight from John Wayne Airport (KSNA) in Santa Ana, California to KSEE.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the Lear 35 was on an IFR flight plan and had been cleared for the GPS approach to Runway 17 at KSEE. 

The Learjet 35A was equipped with a cockpit voice recorder; it was not equipped with a flight data recorder.

— NTSB_Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) December 28, 2021

According to air traffic control recordings of communications between the pilot and the tower at KSEE, the pilot was approaching from the north, and he had been cleared for the approach to 17. Runway 17 measures 4,145 feet by 100 feet with a displaced threshold of 450 feet. The runway is equipped with a VASI. The approach plate for runway 17 indicates that circle to land approaches are not authorized at night. The lowest minima for the GPS 17 approach show an LP MDA of 1,360 feet and a required visibility of 1 and 1/4 miles. 

The weather at the time of the accident was reported as VFR with light winds and localized rain with a ceiling of 2,000 feet. However, a local public safety official who responded to the accident reported significant rain in the area.

The pilot asked the controller to cancel his IFR clearance and stated that he wanted to switch to Runway 27R for landing. Runway 27R measures 5,342 feet in length. In order to reach 27R, the pilot would have had to initiate a circle-to-land approach. According to the published approach plate, the circling minima for the approach are 1,440 feet and 1 and 1/4 miles. The approach plate notes rising terrain east of the airport.

The pilot asked the tower controller to increase the intensity of the airport lights. The controller replied that the lights were already set to the maximum level. The pilot’s IFR clearance was cancelled and he was given permission to switch to Runway 27R for landing.

The tower controller instructed the pilot to cross over the airport and then enter a left downwind for 27R.  

Approximately 75 seconds later, the pilot can be heard shouting obscenities. As the aircraft turned from base leg to final, it experienced an abrupt loss of altitude.

A preliminary report detailing the circumstances of the accident is expected to be published on the NTSB website in several weeks. The final accident report, including the probable cause and any contributing factors, is expected to be completed in 12 to 24 months.

— NTSB_Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) December 28, 2021

The jet came down in a subdivision approximately 1.4 miles from the approach end of the runway. 

The aircraft collided with several power lines, knocking out electricity to the neighborhood. The impact resulted in a fire which destroyed at least one car, but no homes. 

Video from the scene shows the aircraft wreckage heavily fragmented, covering about 200 feet of pavement. Firefighters reported it was raining heavily when they arrived on scene.

According to data published on FlightAware, N880Z began the day with a 30-minute afternoon flight from KSEE to Lake Havasu City Airport (KHII) in Arizona. This was followed by a flight later in the day to KSNA, and finally the flight to KSEE.

The NTSB will release a probable cause report at the end of the investigation, which can take a year or more to complete.

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