SUPERSONIC DESIGN FLOATED
Virgin Galactic has jumped into the supersonic aircraft business with a Mach 3
intercontinental jet that will seat up to 19 people and cruise at 60,000 feet. The
company’s subsidiary, The Spaceship Company, has also signed a deal with Rolls-Royce to develop “engine propulsion technology for high speed commercial aircraft.” The company said the FAA’s Center for Emerging Concepts and Innovation has reviewed the concept and committed FAA resources to creating a certification plan. “We are pleased to collaborate with the innovative team at Rolls-Royce as we strive to develop sustainable, cutting-edge propulsion systems for the aircraft, and we are pleased to be working with the FAA to ensure our designs can make a practical impact from the start,” said Virgin Galactic Chief Space Officer George Whitesides.
PILOTS FACE RETESTS
Hundreds of pilots face retesting on certificates and ratings after the FAA determined
a Cincinnati FAA examiner was incompetent. Anyone who rode with Michael A. Puehler between 2008 and 2019 might need new tests from a different examiner to maintain their certificates and/or ratings. The FAA sent letters to everyone it found who passed a ride with Puehler and gave them 10 days to contact their local FSDO. Not everyone will need a retest. Those who have upgraded their tickets with different examiners could be exempt but those details must be worked out with the FSDO.
