Short Takes – 7-21-23

Extraterrestrial 'technical supremacy' top concern, Pentagon UFO investigator says. ABC7Chicago.com article. A bit of a clickbait title. Pull quote: “Asked whether he believes intelligent extraterrestrial life exists, Kirkpatrick said: "I think it's statistically unrealistic to think it isn't" and that finding it would be "probably the best outcome of this job."”

‘We are not prepared’: Disasters spread as climate change strikes. Politico.com article. Pull quote: “From a nearly depleted federal disaster fund to state insurance markets that are faltering under the weight of multiple catastrophes, extreme weather is testing the ability of even a rich nation like the United States to withstand the warming that has arrived faster than many scientists expected. So are the torrential rains flooding Northeastern states like Vermont, the shriveling Colorado River that has prompted a multistate brawl over dividing the water, the record temperatures that have raised worries about the stability of the electric grid, and the Canadian wildfire smoke that has repeatedly blanketed D.C. and other parts of the U.S. in recent weeks.”

Special Conditions: Textron Aviation, Inc. Model 560XL(XLS+) Airplane; Electronic System Security Protection From Unauthorized External Access. Federal Register FAA Final Special Conditions. Pull quote: “These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation, Inc. (Textron) Model 560XL(XLS+) airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is associated with the installation of an electronic networks system architecture that will allow increased connectivity to and access from external sources (e.g., operator networks, wireless devices, internet connectivity, service provider satellite communications, electronic flight bags, etc.) to the airplane's previously isolated electronic assets (networks, systems, and databases). The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.”

Special Conditions: Textron Aviation, Inc. Model 560XL(XLS+) Airplane; Electronic System Security Protection From Unauthorized Internal Access. Federal Register FAA Final Special Conditions. Pull quote: “These special conditions are issued for the Textron Aviation, Inc. (Textron) Model 560XL(XLS+) airplane. This airplane will have a novel or unusual design feature when compared to the state of technology envisioned in the airworthiness standards for transport-category airplanes. This design feature is associated with the installation of a digital system that contains a wireless and hardwired network with hosted application functionality that allows access, from a source internal to the airplane, to the airplane's internal electronic component. The applicable airworthiness regulations do not contain adequate or appropriate safety standards for this design feature. These special conditions contain the additional safety standards that the Administrator considers necessary to establish a level of safety equivalent to that established by the existing airworthiness standards.”