Positive Local: Local drone pilot and artist Dj Jkey sent us another amazing video of the Rockford area. Check out this amazing drone footage he has shot from several well known locations.
Do you a drone? If so, you may want to read the following!
FAA Makes Major Drone ID Marking Change
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) posted a rule in the Federal Register requiring small drone owners to display the FAA-issued registration number on an outside surface of the aircraft.
Owners and operators may no longer place or write registration numbers in an interior compartment.
The rule is effective on February 25.
The markings must be in place for any flight after that date.
When the FAA first required registration of small drones in 2015, the agency mandated that the registration marking be readily accessible and maintained in readable condition. The rule granted some flexibility by permitting the marking to be placed in an enclosed compartment, such as a battery case, if it could be accessed without the use of tools.
Subsequently, law enforcement officials and the FAA’s interagency security partners have expressed concerns about the risk a concealed explosive device might pose to first responders upon opening a compartment to find a drone’s registration number. The FAA believes this action will enhance safety and security by allowing a person to view the unique identifier directly without handling the drone.
This interim final rule does not change the original acceptable methods of external marking, nor does it specify a particular external surface on which the registration number must be placed. The requirement is that it can be seen upon visual inspection of the aircraft’s exterior.
The FAA has issued this requirement as an Interim Final Rule—a rule that takes effect while also inviting public comment. The FAA issues interim final rules when delaying implementation of the rule would be impractical, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. In this case, the agency has determined the importance of mitigating the risk to first responders outweighs the minimal inconvenience this change may impose on small drone owners, and justifies implementation without a prior public comment period.
The FAA will consider comments from the public on this Interim Final Rule, and will then review any submissions to determine if the provisions of the ultimate Final Rule should be changed. The 30-day comment period will end on March 15, 2019. To submit comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for “RIN 2120-AL32.”
As Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao promised last month, the FAA also posted proposed new rules to let drones fly routinely at night and over people, and to further integrate them safely into the nation’s airspace. The comment period for these proposals is now open and ends on April 15.
Sources are reporting a Boeing 737 made an emergency landing at the Rockford Airport around 11 am this morning.
It was experiencing mechanical issues a source told us.
Thankfully, It was able to land safely as many emergency personnel were on scene just in case.
We are not able to confirm it yet, but there was a Boeing 737 that did land at the Rockford Airport around the same time. It is registered to Southern Air. (ATLAS AIR INC) Southern Air 362, SOO362 / 9S362 / N362GT
It appears it was circling the SE area of Iowa for awhile before making the emergency landing, possibly to burn off fuel so it could land.
The Rockford Airport has a 10,000 foot runway capable of handling any kind of aircraft for any situation.
What many people do not know is the Rockford Airport hosts all kinds of types of flights. General aviation, Cargo, Experimental, Military, Charters, and they even host the United States Department Of Justice Prisoner And Alien Transportation Service 88
This aircraft that many of you saw is actually “Conair“ a Boeing 737 United States Department Of Justice Prisoner And Alien Transportation Service 88
U S MARSHALS SERVICE
They fly into the Rockford Airport to transport prisoners often.
That is one of many cool things that happens out at the Rockford Airport.
Other things at the Rockford Airport: New England Patriots backup jet is currently parked at the Rockford Airport
Celebrities, Politicians, High level CEO’s, all fly into Rockford Airport all the time. You can also see military aircraft, experimental aircraft, general aviation, etc…
Rockford Scanner.Rockford’s Leading Online News Site!
Video by Chris BREAKING: BOMB THREAT AT THE ROCKFORD AIRPORT
Source sent us the following screenshot. According to this, these passengers were boarding a plane at the Rockford Airport and were checking in a bag. The bag has 2 Christmas ornaments and a bottle of vodka in it. They tried to tell the airport authorities what it was, but they still evacuated the building. They detained the 2 guys in police squad cars while they investigated. They were able to confirm it was not a bomb and gave the all clear.
UPDATE: Police have the airport area blocked off. Initial reports are saying it was a bomb threat. Sources have told us. They do believe it is a possible bomb. The bomb squad is on scene. Rockford Fire Department ambulance went out there with lights and sirens, unknown on injuries at this time. Still developing
Details are minimal right now due to the encryption.
Sources are reporting a bomb threat the Rockford Airport.
They are evacuating the Rockford Airport. Almost 200 people have been evacuated. Several emergency personnel are en route to the scene.
This is still developing, check back later for updates
“I live near the 3300 block of E.State. I was outdoors after dark on Wed. I saw a green object go across the sky from south to north. It wasn’t a comet or meteor as they are not green. it was moving too fast for a weather balloon as there was no wind. I googled it and the explanation I got was that it was either a UFO or Russian spy satellite. I am curious if anybody else seen it.”
Several fans have contacted us in regards to a helicopter that is flying around the area.
The helicopter is assisting the local police tonight and also through the holiday weekend in combating crime.
Police have made several releases over the last few days saying they are cracking down of criminals this holiday weekend. The Department Of Homeland Security assists the local police in combating crime.
This helicopter has assisted the local police on several occasions in the past. The helicopter has at least one local police officer in it, to relay communications to the officers on the ground.
The technology on the helicopter is very high tech and can easily help combat crime and assist the officers on the ground.
The helicopter is used in a variety of situations. From roadblocks, special patrols, violent crime scenes, chasing criminals, etc…
Last week there was shots fired near the Auburn High School area. The RPD said they were cracking down and doing special patrols.
The helicopter has been assisting the police and providing security for the local schools, and the Winnebago County area tonight and for the holiday weekend.
On 08/18/2018 at 9:31 am Janesville Police and Fire responded to an ultralight aircraft (single man aircraft with a motor, single propeller and parachute) crash at the Memorial Bridge.
The pilot was traveling from north to south and collided with the Memorial Bridge. The forty-eight year old pilot sustained non-life threatening, but critical injuries.
He was the only person injured and was transported to a local medical center by Janesville Fire for treatment.
The investigation of the accident is still on-going and will be done jointly between the Janesville Police Department and the Milwaukee Flights Standards Division of the Federal Aviation Administration.
UPDATE: The plane is a Piper aircraft that is registered to DBG AVIATION INC out of Roscoe, Illinois.
Three people were injured. One male, One Female, and unknown on the 3rd victim. (Possible juvenile female)
At least one person was flown by helicopter to a local hospital.
They took 2 victims from the plane via an ATV, and one victim from the plane straight to an ambulance and then to the emergency helicopter.
Two of them were alive and conscious and had bandages around their heads. Two appeared to have head injuries. Unknown on the 3rd victim.
The cause of the accident is under investigation. Unconfirmed, but possible mechanical issue. Reports of the aircraft losing power, just prior to crashing.
The airplane had just taken off from the airport, just prior to the accident. It crashed in the middle of the cornfield, just a few hundred yards from the IL/WI border.
The pilot, was one of the first people to call emergency personnel.
Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department Press Release:
On 08/12/18 at 0832 hour the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Department, South Beloit Police Department, and local Fire Departments were dispatched to a cornfield in the area of Manchester Rd. East of Gardner Rd. for a plane crash. The airplane was found in a cornfield several hundred yards south of the runway of the Beloit Airport. This cornfield was just into Illinois by a few hundred yards.
Shortly after 8:00 A.M. this morning the private airplane (A Piper Lance airplane), took off from the Beloit Airport enroute to the Wisconsin Dells Area. Shortly after takeoff witnesses saw the airplane crash into the field South of the Runway. The crash site was located by first responders. First responders rendered aid to the passengers on board the airplane.
There were 3 people on the plane. A Male adult Pilot, a female adult passenger, and a juvenile female passenger. The adult pilot and the juvenile passenger were transported to a local hospital and were treated and released from the hospital. The adult female passenger is being treated at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.
Winnebago County Sheriff’s Deputies have secured the scene and the investigation will be conducted by The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).
Specifications (1972 model PA-32-300)
Data from 1972 Piper Cherokee Six 300 “E” Owner’s Handbook
General characteristics
Crew: One
Capacity: five passengers (or six with optional seat)
