Loss of Su-57 During Flight Test

While an event like this is certainly a big deal in the evolution of any new airplane, the craft has been in the air quite a while before suffering its first crash. (By contrast, the F-16 was almost lost on its unintentional maiden flight, and the F-22 suffered a serious crash very early in its flight testing due to flight control problems leading to a PIO.)

That said, a more informative and potentially worrisome hunk of information may be visible in the picture at the link below.

https://taskandpurpose.com/russia-su-57-fighter-crash

I have been out of pocket for a while, so many of you may understand this better than I do, but those bumps and apertures behind the canopy may be more important than they first appear. You don't add that kind of stuff to the outside of a stealth bird unless they are VERY helpful.

Is this machine intended to be a major node in the operating agency's data network?

Leonardo Gains Momentum on AW609 Certification

Moving from prototype to near-production avionics doesn't sound all that sexy, but it often represents entering the home stretch, assuming that air frame testing is going well.

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2019-12-27/leonardo-flies-fourth-flight-test-aw609

ATTENTION "FTT" READERS! CHANGES ARE JUST AHEAD!

In the near future, and for a number of reasons, I am gong to change the blog from "Public" to "Private". What this means is that only certain folks will be able see the blog for a while. I may be in a position to go back to "Public" in the future, but for now, if you enjoy the blog, please attach a comment stating that you would like to be included on the "Private" list and I will see if I can get the technology to cooperate so that you will be included.  This will probably mean that you will have to sign in to the blog (or another associated social media account) before using it.

Sorry for the inconvenience!

China's C919 Maiden Flight! (I know it has been a long time... Sorry!)

I have been (and remain) crazily over-committed, but could not let this one slip past.
Congratulations!

http://www.aeronewstv.com/en/industry/commercial-aviation/3892-china-eyes-global-market-after-comac-c919-maiden-flight.html 

I will get back on the job in the next couple of weeks and perhaps do a little catch up.

Gulfstream G600 Makes Maiden Flight Ahead of Schedule!

Well... ahead of the most recent schedule anyway. Even so, this is pretty rare!

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/gulfstream-g600-takes-flight-ahead-of-schedule-300380511.html

Lockheed-Martin F-35s Engage in Multiship Comms Evaluation

This doesn't really sound all that exciting, but those who understand the F-35 concept of operations realize that this kind of test may be more important than weapons clearance, or even performance and flying qualities. Their primary role is more likely to be as nodes in a very robust communications network. If that doesn't work, none of the other stuff really matters. A battle plan is probably right on the money if most F-35s never directly interact with the enemy at all.

http://www.edwards.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1022990/multiple-f-35s-take-to-the-skies-to-test-communication-data-links

Boeing-Saab TX Trainer Entry Scores First Flight

The story at the link below has a lot of the typical chest pounding after a first flight, but it does shae a few details about the envelope cleared and duration of the flight. Looks as though there will be a number of entries for this competition.

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/boeings-t-x-takes-its-first-flight