Author Archives: The Editor

Ameriflight Orders 20 Natilus Autonomous Feeder Cargo Aircraft for$134M

Natilus, a U.S. corporation designing and producing the world’s first autonomous aircraft for efficient and sustainable freight transport, has announced that Ameriflight, an industry leader in freight operations, has become the first regional U.S. carrier to sign an Aircraft Purchase Agreement with Natilus. The Ameriflight agreement for 20 Natilus Kona feeder aircraft valued at $134M brings total commitments to $6.8 billion for delivery of 460+ aircraft. Continue reading

Drone Use in Construction Can Increase Fall Risk

With the increased use of drones in construction, safety concerns have arisen related to worker distraction and potential collisions while operating at heights. The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), recently analyzed the behaviors of 153 participants “with varying construction experience” in a virtual construction site. Continue reading

Rocket-Powered Bell X-2 – Fast and Dangerous

The Bell X-2 (nicknamed “Starbuster”) was an X-plane research aircraft built to investigate flight characteristics in the Mach 2–3 range. The X-2 was a rocket-powered, swept-wing research aircraft developed jointly in 1945 by Bell Aircraft Corporation, the United States Air Force and the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) to explore aerodynamic problems of supersonic flight and to expand the speed and altitude regimes obtained with the earlier X-1 series of research aircraft. Continue reading