Jonathan Trappe, who has flown his custom cluster-balloon systems across the English Channel and the Alps, is now in Caribou, Maine, assembling a huge system that he plans to fly across the Atlantic, launching sometime Thursday. Col. Joe Kittinger, the last balloonist to cross from the U.S. to Europe, in 1984, is on site to provide support, and Don Day, the same meteorologist who advised the Red Bull Stratos launch, also is working with Trappe. Close to 100 volunteers, comprising fellow pilots and balloonists as well as trained local residents, are standing by to help assemble the 370 small helium balloons that will carry Trappe and his gondola -- actually, a small boat -- across the ocean. Read More

Cirrus Aircraft will work with Lake Superior College, in Minnesota, to develop and implement a job-skills program in aircraft assembly, the company announced on Wednesday. The program is aimed at recruiting, training and preparing low-income individuals for jobs at Cirrus. "To keep up with production demands, we are projecting the addition of 60 to 80 new assemblers by the end of the year," said Cirrus President Pat Waddick. Students who successfully complete the program will get a chance to interview for a job at Cirrus. If hired, they will get paid training on-site. Read More

Helicopter pilots on their way out of the military into civilian life got a boost last weekend when the Military Officers Association of America teamed up with Helicopter Association International to offer their first-ever career-transition seminar. Read More

The prototype fully rigid Aeroscraft airship produced by Aeros Corp has hovercraft landing gear and operates with a buoyancy system similar to that used by submarines and this week it received its experimental airworthiness certification from the FAA and began flight testing at Tustin, Calif.. Aeros' prototype is 266 feet long and 97 feet wide. It is powered by three engines that provide both thrust and control (by swiveling), augmented at speed by aerodynamic control surfaces. First flights of the airship have been tethered, but untethered flights are expected to follow early next month, and possibly sooner. The test vehicle is ultimately expected to carry loads up to 2,000 pounds, but the final vehicle is expected to carry much more. And that has attracted the interest of the U.S. government. Read More

The blatant oversimplification of basic aerodynamics displayed in a new video implies we'll soon learn what agency, what company, or what individual has decided that showing a paper airplane steadily thermaling over a stove would be a good marketing concept. But, until then, let the debate rage. The video's own description claims it teaches viewers "how to make a paper airplane fly endlessly." It then shows a high-speed version of someone folding a paper airplane before initiating a seemingly perpetual flight. It also notes one very important step along the way. And that, for many pilots, may be where the questions begin. (Click through for video.) Read More

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Six aviation groups, including AOPA, EAA and the National Air Transport Association, have asked the FAA to publish the data and analysis that led to the agency's proposal to require thousands of aircraft owners to inspect and perhaps replace certain ECi engine cylinders. The letter also requests that the FAA either withdraw its NPRM until that information is provided, or extend the comment period 120 days from the time additional information is provided. "To date the FAA has provided no supporting or substantial data of any kind to the docket to back its proposed action," says the letter (PDF). Read More

Seawind says it has overcome the final major technical roadblock to certifying its amphibious touring aircraft. In a news release Tuesday, the Pennsylvania company said it will be the first to certify a Part 23 aircraft with a stall/spin prevention system, clearing the way toward what CEO Dick Silva called "probably the longest certification of a general aviation aircraft in history." The unusual design of the Seawind, with its tail pylon-mounted tractor engine, prevented it from passing a key element of the flight test certification program. Read More

At AirVenture, the really cool airplane wasn't from an airplane manufacturer but from Redbird, the guys who build motion simulators. They showed off a nicely refurb'd Cessna 172 with a diesel engine from Continental, and they invited us to come fly it at their San Marcos, Texas Skyport. So we did. In this video, we offer a detailed analysis of the Redhawk, along with a closer look at the airplane's performance and cost figures. Read More

With a massive AD against ECI cylinders in the offing, we would like to know reader experiences not just with ECI cylinders, but other brands as well. If you've got five minutes to spare, you can tell us about your satisfaction--or lack thereof--with aircraft cylinders you've been flying behind. Read More

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Robert Gahs of Boonsboro, MD tops our latest crop of reader-submitted photos. Read More

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