America Has a GPS Problem

Spoofing or otherwise interfering with GPS satellite signals is cheap and easy now thanks to gadgets costing as little as $20. Teens and delivery drivers use these to cloak their whereabouts. In 2013 a trucker reportedly interfered with KEWR's tracking system after activating a GPS jamming device in his vehicle. GPS' vulnerability has made it ripe for tampering by U.s. adversaries, criminal organizations and other bad actors. At the end of 2018 Congress mandated creation of a… (www.nytimes.com) More...

Three Planes Full of Potatoes are Flying to Japan to Help Deal With its French Fry Shortage

San Francisco-based forwarders Flexport has been contracted to fly "three 747 loads of potatoes" to Japan to ease a spud shortage caused by flood-related delays at Vancouver Port and ongoing supply chain bottlenecks. A recent move by McDonald’s to limit french-fry portions in Japan has fed speculation that the tater consignee is, in fact, McDonald's. (www.bnnbloomberg.ca) More...

China-Based DJI, Leading Supplier of UAS/UAV to U.S. Law Enforcement, Hid Chinese Government Backing

Chinese drone maker DJI is banned by the Pentagon and blocked by Treasury from receiving U.S. investments. At the same time, DJI grew to become the source of 90% of the UAV/UAS operated by U.S. public safety agencies and 77% of U.S. amateur drones, according to recent analysis. DJI's opaque web of investor entities extends eventually to powerful State agencies. (www.stripes.com) More...

UA182 (B789 N25982), en route from Denver to Frankfurt Monday, reached 800 mph/695 KQ ground speed over Minnesota

Twitter post by W. Kentucky TV meteorologist, Noah Bergren (@NbergWX). Many eastbound flights shave-off considerable time now thanks to current jet stream speeds near 200 mph at FL34. For westbound flights the opposite is true, adding more twists to already jumbled timetables. For examples of other recently affected flights, see this story (paywall rules permitting) by DC meteorologist, Matthew Cappucci: https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/12/29/jet-stream-flights-december. Alternate… (twitter.com) More...

Atlas Air To Fly Special "747" Flight Plan on Final Boeing 747 [N863GT] Delivery Flight

Before leaving Washington State airspace, GTI747's flight plan to KCVG shows it will form the figure of a 747-embossed royal crown over southeast Washington. Aircraft is set to depart KPAE today around 8a PT. See GTI747 on FlightAware. (aviationsourcenews.com) More...

New Mexico Considers Taxing Virgin Galactic Tickets

Proposed bill would tax passengers on Virgin Galactic suborbital flights from the State-owned Spaceport America near Las Cruces. Millions in public funds went toward building the site in expectation of economic and tax benefits. Tax hit on VG's $450K tickets, 700 of which are now reserved, is $31,000 (6.9%). When shopping for future half-million dollar suborbital flights, don't be surprised by the big add-on at check-out. (apnews.com) More...

Wright Brothers vs. Smithsonian: The Bitter Feud Over Who Invented the Airplane

Rival claims to the first powered flight milestone put the Wright Flyer against the "Aerodrome," a plane built by then-Smithsonian boss, Samuel P. Langley. By 1928 Orville Wright was so incensed by the ongoing lack of official recognition that he sent the original Wright Flyer to the UK national science museum, where it stayed (underground) until the end of WWII. (www.seattletimes.com) More...

Medevac Helicopter Flights Could Be Grounded by New 5G Rollout

The FAA has restricted helicopter operations in regions where "hundreds" of hospitals are located until radar altimeter makers can show their devices withstand 5G interference. The limits are among nearly 1,500 new rules imposed on flight operations relying on radar altimeters. One air ambulance operator in the Northeast says: “If we are going to a 5G interference area, we’re going to be going back to the 1990s where we went in with eyeballs and a search light.” (finance.yahoo.com) More...

Moment-by-Moment Pilot Audio of the Shoot Down Of China's Spy Balloon

Ken Harrell, retired Dorchester County (near Charleston, SC) Emergency Services Director and resourceful aviation radio monitor, captured 20+ minutes of fascinating cross-talk between NORAD, USAF F-22 and F-15 pilots and nearby P8 and KC-135 crews up to, during and after the shoot-down of the infamous Chinese balloon off Myrtle Beach. (www.thedrive.com) More...

Watch Boeing's Live Webcast of the Last 747 Delivery [N863GT] to Atlas Air - Today (TU 1/31) 4P ET - 1P PT - 21:00 Z

Ceremony takes place in Boeing's storied Everett, WA factory, the largest building in the world by volume. Hundreds of those who worked on the 747 program over its long history will be on hand for what is sure to be a deeply heartfelt send-off. (boeing.mediaroom.com) More...