06 Apr 2021

Aero Friedrichshafen 2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Show for General Aviation will be unable to start as planned on April 21, 2021 on the exhibition grounds in Friedrichshafen. "Following the cancellation of the event last year, the uncertainties surrounding the pandemic coupled with the renewed lockdown extension unfortunately mean that AERO Friedrichshafen will have to be postponed.   With the aim of creating clear parameters for all our customers and partners, we have now decided at this relatively early stage to hold our upcoming AERO as a summer edition from July 14 to July 17, 2021, in Friedrichshafen,” stated Messe Friedrichshafen CEO Klaus Wellmann. Head of AERO Roland Bosch and project manager Tobias Bretzel explained the course correction as follows: "A few weeks ago we started off the new year with confidence and hope. Metaphorically speaking, it was clear flying for the first few days, but we now find ourselves faced, once again, with a thick fog on the landing runway. In fact, we are already able to forecast that it will not be possible to hold AERO 2021 as an international trade show in April as planned.  However, the large overall number of bookings and the very positive feedback that we have received about AERO have encouraged us to plan a summer edition of the event for July.   While we are fully aware that this will be yet another challenge for all of us, we are very confident that we are doing the right thing. Indeed, we view this revamp as a great opportunity to stage this all-important gathering of the entire GA family in pleasant summer conditions.” The idea of a summer edition of AERO has already received prominent endorsements from within the industry. "AERO Friedrichshafen provides the global general aviation industry the opportunity to showcase its latest innovations.  It has also become a premier setting for discussions about the current affairs and future of the industry in Europe. GAMA looks forward to our continued participation in this valuable general aviation expo - also at the upcoming summer edition from 14th - 17th July 2021”, explained Pete Bunce, President and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA).  Walter Da Costa - Chief Sales Officer (CSO) Tecnam Aircraft stated: "As safety is our mantra, Tecnam is happy to support AERO Germany in its decision of postponing the event in summertime.  We hope that the difficult days will be gone and this could revamp the General Aviation community in a further step forward.  For sure we all will be back stronger than ever." Trevor Pegrum, Garmin Aviation Sales and Marketing Manager, Europe agrees: "We applaud AERO organizers for shifting the dates of this marquee event after careful deliberation regarding global health considerations, while also understanding the value AERO has for the European Aviation industry. We look forward to participating in AERO this year and in the future years to showcase the latest Garmin products.” Those exhibitors who already registered for the AERO Friedrichshafen event that was to be held in April will receive detailed information about the new summer edition in the next few days.   To streamline our organizational processes, we kindly ask other interested parties to discuss their tradeshow stand participation in the summer edition of AERO with the project team before the end of January, if possible.   Additionally, we advise all our patrons and customers to arrange for accommodations as soon as possible, as the Lake Constance region is a popular holiday destination in July, particularly under current circumstances. The 2021 summer edition of AERO Friedrichshafen will run from July 14 to July 17.  Detailed information will soon be available at www.aero-expo.com https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/35559891/ https://www.facebook.com/AERO.FN/ https://www.instagram.com/aerofriedrichshafen/

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30 Mar 2021

James Darcy

James Darcy leads external communications in North America for a global aerospace company and is also a seasoned aerial photographer whose work has appeared on the covers of publications around the world, including Aviation Week, Rotor & Wing, Aviation News, Flug Revue and Air et Cosmos. He posts some of his work on Instagram @jsd_photography. Prior to moving to the corporate sector, Darcy was Director of Communications for U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviation programs. James’ career with the Navy spanned ten years and included work as communications lead for the V-22 Osprey, F/A-18 Super Hornet and X-31 VECTOR, among others. Prior to working for the Navy, he was a writer and photographer for a U.S. Army newspaper. James lives in Virginia, and is the father of two boys, ages 19 and 21. When he is not riding in helicopters, he enjoys building them out of Legos with his sons. How did James Darcy become James Darcy? The track of my career has involved a lot of unexpected turns and a fair amount of luck. When I was a student, I never would have imagined I would be working either in communications or in aviation. I studied developmental psychology in college and graduate school. When I was a kid, my father helped me build a model of a P-51D Mustang, so maybe that planted some sort of seed. And in kindergarten, I earned the nickname “Motormouth” because I talked so much, so I suppose it should have been obvious that communications would eventually become my career. You have a very extensive experience in military communication. How did you come in contact with it? My communications career began with a job as a photojournalist for an Army newspaper (despite being a civilian) way back in 1998. I didn’t know anything about photography, but I had to learn fast. After a couple years, I took a similar job at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, where the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps conduct developmental testing for all their aircraft and aircraft systems. It’s also home to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, whose graduates include the likes of Neil Armstrong and Jim Lovell, to name a few. My job evolved into public affairs, which is the military equivalent of corporate communications. I was a civilian but got to be public affairs officer for programs such as the V-22 Osprey and F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet, that’s also where I learned aerial photography. By the time I left for a corporate job in 2009, I was overseeing public affairs for all Naval aviation program offices, and I also had the test wing’s photo and video shop as one of my divisions. I got to work with some amazingly talented and dedicated people, supporting an important cause. Your assignments cover mainly aviation-related topics. How demanding is this topic when it comes to effectively interact with key-audiences? Because my company is involved in both commercial and military aviation, both fixed wing and rotary, our key audiences are extremely varied: The flying public, the military, the airlines, elected officials, investors and so on. The key is understanding that each of these groups has widely different interests, needs and perspectives, with different cultures and different nomenclatures. Sometimes listening to your audiences is just as important as talking to them. What do you think are the biggest challenges your field of work is facing in the coming years? The COVID pandemic has impacted our industry in profound ways, and much of our efforts across the industry over this past year have revolved around restoring public trust in air travel. At the same time, we have had to conserve cash while maintaining the health and wellbeing of global supply chains, on which the livelihoods of millions of people depend. The focus in coming years will be on emerging from this crisis stronger than we went into it. At the same time, we have aggressive plans for the gradual decarbonization of aviation over the coming decades, and our commitment to that cause is deeply felt at every level of our company. Top 3 elements, according to you, for a successful external communication campaign. A communication campaign has to begin with a business strategy. If you don’t have a clearly defined objective, you can fall into the trap of communicating just for the sake of it, or what a mentor of mine calls “tactics in search of a strategy.” The second key is understanding your audience at a fundamental level and tailoring both your messages and your ways of delivering them to each individual audience. If I had to choose just one more key element, I would say that it is not underestimating the roll of emotion in people’s decision-making. Effective corporate communication isn’t just about impacting what people think, it’s about influencing what people feel. Corporations that fail to see the value of human connection often find themselves wondering why the message they are trying to transmit is not the message people actually receive. The most helpful technological platforms you have used in your career. The keyboard. The ability to write well is the foundational skill in any field of communications. Visual, multimedia storytelling is more important than ever of course, but to succeed in business and in communications, you still need to be able to express yourself well with the written word. Do you believe in achieving new records in terms of performances with non-combustion-powered aircrafts?  One of the most rewarding experiences of my career has been working with Perlan Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to soaring a glider into the stratosphere using nothing more than the energy found in the atmosphere itself. In 2018, they set the world subsonic altitude record for level, wing borne flight, reaching 76,124 feet without an engine. Our next ambition is to reach the service ceiling of the pressurized Perlan 2 glider, which is 90,000 feet. That would exceed the official record of the SR-71 and do so without an engine. It really is the ultimate zero emission aircraft, and it is also an ideal research platform for atmospheric research, since it doesn’t contaminate the air around it in any way. To reach those altitudes, we rely on “stratospheric mountain waves,” rising air currents only found a few places on earth. We conduct our flights in the Patagonian region of Argentina, soaring above the Andes mountains during the winter. It’s a challenging environment for aerial photography, but the aircraft and the scenery are absolutely beautiful together. Environmentally friendly propulsion and unmanned-flight technologies are a key-element for the future of Aerospace and Defense Industry. Do you identify yourself with this vision? I’m fortunate enough to work for a company that is very committed to making aerospace kinder to the environment, and we’ve set some very ambitious goals for ourselves. It’s a great feeling to see so many people working on this priority with a real passion for it. We are exploring alternate propulsion technologies such as hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuels, and ways of making airframes more fuel efficient regardless of the fuel type. The Osprey as the future Presidential ‘helicopter’ to replace the Seaking?  When I worked for the Navy, I got quite involved with the Presidential Helicopter program, and I had a chance to fly on both the EH-101 and the S-92. I was also public affairs officer for the V-22 Osprey, and I loved every flight hour in that amazing airframe, with both the Marine Corps and Air Force Special Operations Command. As for the UH-3H Sea King, it was the first helicopter I ever flew in (or dangled under at the end of a rope), so it will always have a special place in my heart. In other words, I am too biased to offer an objective opinion on this topic. You are, on a regular base, an aircrew member, do you also fly by yourself? My secret shame is that I have never gotten my pilot’s license. I’ve had a few hours of stick/yoke time over the years (including in a blimp and in an aerobatic plane) but getting my license has always been something I’ve told myself I will do “one of these days.” Now that my kids are in college (and I’m not getting any younger), I think it’s in my near future. Living in a time in human history when it is actually possible to learn to fly, it seems like a shame not to do so. Shooting pictures from an aircraft is not really the easiest task for a photographer. What are according to you the 3 essential tools an aeronautical photographer has to have in his/her bag in order to take-up the challenge? The first priority – and the number one thing I look for if I’m hiring an aerial photographer instead of shooting something myself – is a focus on safety. The photographer is an integral member of the aircrew with responsibilities for the safe conduct of the operation. That begins with extremely thorough preparation on the ground, and it continues throughout the flight. Photo shoots often involve flying dissimilar aircraft in close formation with dynamic maneuvering, and it only takes one moment of inattention -- or a little poor planning -- for that to end badly. Photographers also need to look after their own personal safety. I’m always amazed to see a photographer show up with $20,000 worth of camera gear and a $30 safety harness. Those people don’t get hired, at least not by us. The second essential piece is an understanding of the limits of the aircraft and the pilots. It includes everything from engine performance to visibility to wake turbulence and extends to the pilots’ experience with formation flying and photography work. I have flown with excellent pilots who could not fly formation well, and it’s important to recognize that and never ask pilots to go beyond their comfort levels. And the final piece is the photography itself. This mostly comes down to the technical elements: What shutter speed do you need to get motion blur on the rotors or propellers? Is that shutter speed viable given the vibration of your own aircraft? How will the windblast in the open door of your chase aircraft affect your camera’s stabilization or your gyro? Will the outside air temperature be so low that it kills your batteries, or just gives you frostbite? (I’ve had both happen). Taking photos from an airplane, in flight, requires a very detailed preparation and meticulous planning. What is the biggest challenge you face with time management during a shoot? You never have as much time as you want, so the more detailed your planning, the more efficient you can be in the air. In flight testing, test pilots use a test card that proscribes what test maneuvers will be flow in which order. I create something very similar for my shoots. Every minute in the air, you are spending money and burning gas (and which of them runs out first varies based on the project). When chasing gliders, you have the additional challenge of their lack of propulsion to maintain altitude. Your dream airframe you haven’t worked on yet. There are too many to name. I once asked Einar Enevoldson, the famous NASA test pilot who founded the Perlan Project, how many different aircraft he had flown over the decades of his career. After a minute’s thought, he said, “It was about 350, maybe a little more.” When I’ve flown with and photographed as many kinds of aircraft as Einar, I’ll be satisfied. What advice would you give to young people who want to follow your career path? When I was a small child, I wanted to be an astronaut. As I grew up, I thought of all kinds of reasons why I shouldn’t or couldn’t be an astronaut; it seemed like something that other people did. What I’ve come to realize over the years is that the people who becomes astronauts are the ones who just refuse to accept that it is for other people. If you have a dream career, hold tight to that idea, and then do the really hard work to get you there. Also, the best steps I’ve taken in my career have been the scariest ones, the ones where I thought I was in over my head and I didn’t know if I could succeed. With a lot of hard work, a fair amount of luck and a little daring, all things are possible.

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17 Mar 2021

BIRD STRIKES!

“Never underestimate the possibility and danger of bird strikes during a flight.”

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23 Dec 2020

WeFly! Team

The Wefly! The team is the world’s only air acrobatic team where two of the three pilots are "disabled" and represent proud Italy’s Civil Aviation. #1 Alessandro Paleri, leader, with over two thousand hours of flight time, tetraplegic since 1987 and #3 Marco Cherubini, left wingman, with about 1,800 hours of flight time under his belt, paraplegic since 1995. Both do not have the use of their legs and fly using only their hands, thanks to special controls designed and built by Alessandro himself, an aerospace engineer. #4 Erich Kustatscher, a flight instructor with over 25,000 hours of flight time on both planes and helicopters. The team is completed by the presence of the PR and speaker, Pino Di Feo, pilot and journalist of the AskaNews Press Agency, and by the pilot and aeronautical photographer, Marco Tricarico. The WeFly! Team was born in 2007 thanks to the initiative of Alessandro Paleri and #2 Fulvio Gamba, unfortunately, died in a flight accident. Since then, the team acts as the spokesman of the Italian Disabled Pilots Federation "The Broken Barons" taking part to the most important air shows around the world. The exhibition, which lasts about 10 minutes, does not include real aerobatic maneuvers, instead of a series of close formation evolutions, almost a dance, that highlights the elegance of the figures itself and the skill of the pilots, always within the structural limits and thus the safety of the employed ultralight aircraft. In addition to taking part in airshows, the team also engages every year in promotional days dedicated to flying for disabled people. "Dare to fly" is the motto in which the WeFly Team believes. The Team’s pilots are all fully qualified for their flight activities and can boast an experience gained in years of hard training, part of it carried out also together with ex Frecce Tricolori pilots. All three pilots detain also full PPL(A) licenses and with Erich Kustatscher detaining also a helicopter license). Marco Cherubini, in May 2016, has been the first disabled pilot in history to obtain a PPL SEP(A) license in Italy, at the Aeroclub of Cremona, on a Piper PA-28 aircraft specially certified for use with adapted controls. All pictures ©Marco Tricario

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09 Sep 2020

Scott L-39 GXT pilot

Finally, I found a comfortable custom made flight helmet to match my flight requirements and style.

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09 Sep 2020

KIM, BBJ and passionate L-39 Albatros pilot

The Best custom flight helmets I have found in the market, the service is incredible, and the attention to detail very accurate.

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08 Jun 2020

RECCO Search & Rescue System

- BE SEARCHABLE -    https://recco.com/ The RECCO rescue technology was developed in response to an avalanche tragedy that involved the inventor, Magnus Granhed, in Åre, Sweden, in 1973.He was riding the ski lift to the Mörvikshummeln when he heard a tremendous roar. An avalanche had ripped down the very steep slopes of Svartberget. The result was chaos. Nobody knew how many people, or who, had been swept away in its path. "We started to search with our ski poles," recalls Magnus. Later, probes and avalanche rescue dogs arrived, but in those days, that was the only help available. Magnus remembers feeling "utterly helpless poking a ski pole into the snow" in an area the size of two soccer fields. By the time they found the two buried skiers, the search had gone on for hours, and both skiers had died. The accident in Åre set him thinking about the possibility of an electronic locating device to locate buried people.[2] Granhed had just graduated with a Master of Science degree and turned to Professor Bengt Enander, Department of Electromagnetic Theory at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. After some testing, they saw that thermal imaging did not work, and transceivers were too limited. It led Magnus to come up with the concept of a passive reflector that could be carried by a skier at all times and would be a practical and straightforward solution. During the winter of 1978-1979, Magnus worked together with the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, testing radio frequency penetration of snow. All winter, radio waves were sent into the snow, and by varying the frequencies every few hours an optimum frequency for penetration of the snowpack was arrived at. It took Enander's team another two years to develop a harmonic radar that could be used to detect passive reflectors.[4] Magnus formed RECCO AB in 1983 and soon created the prototype, and although it was heavy and cumbersome, it worked.[4] In 1987, a woman was localized with the RECCO rescue technology from a helicopter in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. She was the first live rescue found with the RECCO rescue technology.[4] As of 2009, the active part of the RECCO rescue technology utilizes a small handheld detector, which can easily be carried by one rescuer traveling on foot or from a helicopter. These detectors are now standard equipment with more than 900 ski resorts, mountain rescue teams, and parks worldwide.[5] In 2015, RECCO introduced the SAR-1 helicopter detector that expands the use of technology from avalanches to finding a missing person lost in the outdoors (mountains, forest...).[6] The RECCO rescue technology consists of two parts: a reflector (integrated into clothing, boots, helmets, and body protection) and a detector (used by professional rescue teams).[7] The RECCO reflector The reflector is a small (13 mm × 51 mm × 1.5 mm), light (4g), and they consist of a diode and an antenna. The reflector is a passive transponder, meaning it requires no batteries or activation. RECCO collaborates with more than 150 brands to integrate the RECCO rescue reflectors into their outdoor gears. Outdoors enthusiasts can thus equip themselves with products incorporating reflectors such as ski boots, helmets, hiking shoes, jackets, pants, and backpacks. The RECCO handheld detector The detector sends out a highly directional signal and if the signal 'hits' a reflector it bounces back, the returned signal is translated into an audio tone if the detector is pointed in the direction of a reflector. Judging from the audio tone a trained professional can determine the location of a buried victim. Due to the diode, the returned signal is doubled in frequency - harmonic radar. RECCO's newest, 9th generation, detector (R9) was released in 2009. The detector is the size of a school book and weighs 900 grams allowing for easy handling, and transportation. The signal sent from the RECCO detector passes through the air, snow, and ice. Its maximal range is up to 20 meters through the snow. Signal's range through snow is dependent on snow's dryness since liquid water absorbs the signal. Rescuers need to make slight adjustments to their search tactics when searching in wet snow conditions. It is equipped with an avalanche transceiver which allows a single rescuer to perform both the search for RECCO reflectors and avalanche beacons at the same time. Outdoor rescue The RECCO SAR helicopter detector is designed for a large-scale search of missing persons in open terrain and used by professional rescue teams. In order to be located by the signal of the detector, one has to be equipped with a RECCO rescue reflector. With a search corridor up to 100 meters wide 1 square kilometer can be searched in about 6 minutes, which equals 30 football fields a minute.[8] This search device makes it easier to search and find any outdoor sports enthusiasts equipped with RECCO rescue reflectors and practicing any outdoor activities, from skiers to hikers, mountain bikers, and climbers, in case of an avalanche or if lost in the outdoors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkshO60hrhA 

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04 Feb 2020

Behind the Scenes: Helmet Collection The Jet Age

As the Intrepid entered the Jet Age, aircraft are flying higher and faster than ever before. As a result, pilot helmets needed to evolve as well. Learn some of the histories behind the helmets in our collection. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTjYClGjYeQ

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04 Feb 2020

Flight Helmet Cords Can Impede Egress: Understand the hazard of direct-to-airframe cord connections

If you wear a flight helmet, consider using an intermediate cord to allow for faster disconnection in an accident or emergency.  Watch the video to find more information that can save your life in case of an emergency egress https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMinY5tg5P0

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