Heliplane Gets More Time For Testing

Aviation manufacturer will have until Feb. 28 to complete a successful flight test on a new cargo trailer it plans to make in Minot, N.D.

Dec 14th, 2009

MINOT, N.D. (AP) -- An aviation manufacturer that is in line to get $500,000 from Minot's economic development fund has been given more time to test its product.

Heliplane of Minneapolis will have until Feb. 28 to complete a successful flight test on a new cargo trailer it plans to make in Minot.

The trailers would be towed by aircraft and guided by an unmanned aerial control system. To get the full $500,000 loan, Heliplane must produce confirmation of successful air testing from the Federal Aviation Administration or the military.

The company says it has experienced weather and manufacturing delays outside of its control. It expects to test before the Kansas National Guard to obtain U.S. Army and Air Force certification.

The final version of the 737 MAX, the MAX 10, passes other 737 MAX planes as it takes off from Renton Airport in Renton, Wash., on its first flight Friday, June 18, 2021. The plane will fly over Eastern Washington and then land at Boeing Field.

New Version of Boeing 737 Max Makes its First Flight

The Max 10 is a slightly larger version of Max jets that are already flying.

Chinese astronauts salute after successfully entering the Tianhe space station module as seen on a screen at the Beijing Aerospace Control Center, June 17, 2021.

Crew Starts Making China's New Space Station Their Home

Pictures showed them busy at work unpacking equipment and, at one point, turning to the camera to greet audiences on Earth.

This artist's sketch provided by Spaceport Camden shows the launch pad complex of the proposed Spaceport Camden in Camden County, Ga. Since 2012, Officials in Camden County have spent nine years and $10 million pursuing a license to operate the 13th licensed, private spaceport in the U.S. The FAA issued a final environmental impact study Thursday, June 17, 2021, and a decision on its license is expected next month.

After 9 Years and $10M, Georgia Spaceport Nears FAA Approval

Camden County would join 19 total U.S. sites available to launch commercial rockets.

Astronauts Steven L. Smith and John M. Grunsfeld are photographed during an extravehicular activity during the December 1999 Hubble servicing mission of STS-103.

Computer Trouble Hits Hubble Telescope

The 1980s-era computer that controls its instruments shut down, possibly because of a bad memory board.

In this image taken from NASA video, French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, top center, and NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough venture out on a spacewalk, June 16, 2021.

Spacesuit Problems Prevent Astronauts from Completing Job

The interruption put the installation of new solar panels outside the International Space Station behind schedule.

In this image taken from NASA video, French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, top center, and NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough venture out on a spacewalk, June 16, 2021.

Spacewalking Astronauts Boosting Station's Solar Power

Powerful new solar panels will help handle the growing electrical demands from upcoming visitors.

In this Feb. 14, 2019 photo, an Airbus A380, left, and a Boeing 747, both from Lufthansa airline pass each other at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany.

EU, US Reach Deal to End Airbus-Boeing Trade Dispute

The U.S. imposed what could have amounted to $7.5 billion in tariffs on European exports in 2019.

This undated file illustration provided by Blue Origin shows the capsule that the company aims to take tourists into space. The price to rocket into space next month with Jeff Bezos and his brother is a cool $28 million. That was the winning bid during the live online auction on Saturday, June 12, 2021.

Winning Auction Bid to Fly in Space with Jeff Bezos: $28M

The flight is scheduled to take place on the 52nd anniversary of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin’s moon landing.

Screen Shot 2021 06 11 At 10 05 04 Am

American Airlines Could Spend $1B on Small Electric Aircraft

Several aircraft and technology companies will acquire stakes in startup Vertical Aerospace Group.

Image of Venus made with data produced by the Magellan spacecraft and Pioneer Venus Orbiter from 1990 to 1994.

3rd Robotic Explorer Headed to Venus

After NASA announced two new missions to our closest neighbor, the European Space Agency announced another.

A Shenzhou-12 manned spaceship and Long March-2F carrier rocket transferred to the launching area of Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, June 9, 2021.

China Ready to Send 1st Crew to Space Station

Three astronauts plan to spend three months conducting spacewalks, scientific experiments, and construction and maintenance work.

A MiG-29 demonstration flight, Moscow, Aug. 2019.

Soviet-Made Jet Crashes into Black Sea

A Bulgarian air force pilot is missing.