Seven F-35s return to flight

Seven of 10 F-35 test planes have been cleared to resume flights after a grounding was ordered. The grounding came after one plane experienced an in-flight failure of two electrical generators and an oil leak last week. The suspension was lifted on seven aircraft with older-model generators. The three using a newer version remained grounded. In another F-35 related matter, the Navy said it would buy 680 F-35s, half suited for aircraft carrier landings and half short-takeoff and vertical-landing versions for the Marines. (Source: Bloomberg via Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 03/14/11) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., will be home of the F-35 training center.