Airborne 08.19.24: SmartSky Kaput, Unlicensed Pilot/Cub Fatal, Wright Bros Fire

Also: Guimbal Cabri G2, SpaceX Rebuts CNBC, ‘Disgruntled’ Worker Crashes Plane, Zipline Fined

Tough Times... Effective August 16, 2024, SmartSky Networks has ceased all business operations. The provider ultimately stated that they were unable to continue to finance their mission. SmartSky Networks went public with their in-flight connectivity mission in 2014. After several delays, their mobile broadband network officially went live towards the end of 2021. An aircraft accident was reported near Hawkins County, Tennessee, where the pilot and sole occupant, race car driver Scott Bloomquist, was reported killed. Bloomquist was not a licensed pilot. The plane he was flying, a two-seat 1938 Piper J3C-65 Cub, had also not been licensed for over 12 years. On August 13, firefighters responded to a fire near West Third Street and Cowart Avenue in Dayton, Ohio. Upon arrival, they determined the fire was inside a historic Wright brothers factory. The Dayton Fire Department reached the scene only 5 minutes after the call and quickly deployed hose lines. After about an hour, the fire was extinguished. No injuries were reported, and Dayton Police arrested a juvenile related to the incident. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne-Unlimited!!!

Airborne 08.19.24 is chock full of info in this Daily News Episode, Monday, August 19th, 2024... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Host Holland Lee. Holland is supported by ANN Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, as well as ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell. This episode covers:

SmartSky Networks Moves Into Early Retirement
Iconic Race Car Driver Lost in J-3 Accident
Fire Breaks Out at Historic Wright Brothers Facility
Guimbal Cabri G2 Helicopters Reach Fleet Milestone
SpaceX Rebuts CNBC Story About Flame Deflection System
‘Disgruntled’ Worker Crashes Plane Into Former Workplace
FAA Recommends $73,000 Penalty on Zipline International

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