Aviation News

A Vancouver-based film company and its drone operator were fined $30,000 for unlawfully flying a drone too close to endangered killer whales in 2021. Wildlife production company River Road Films pleaded guilty to the charges and was subsequently fined $25,000 while the drone pilot was fined $5,000. According to DroneDJ, the case marked the first […]

New data from the Department of Transportation (DOT) reveals that U.S. passenger and cargo airlines now employ more than 1 million people, marking it the largest workforce in nearly 23 years. Airlines for America (A4A), the organization representing U.S. passenger and cargo airlines, shared the news in an Aug. 13 press release noting that the […]

The Federal Aviation Administration introduced changes to its cybersecurity standards for new aircraft and equipment in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) issued Wednesday. According to the agency, the proposed rules would tackle cybersecurity threats for transport category aircraft, engines and propellers. The goal is to standardize the FAA’s cybersecurity criteria, which would help lower […]

The U.S. Air Force is exploring options for a new long-range/endurance drone for its Task Force 99, based in Qatar at El Udeid Air Base. Established in October 2022, Task Force 99 performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, as well as experimenting with new technologies. According to a post on the Defense Scoop online news service, […]

Fractional/charter operator Wheels Up Experience, long troubled with financial setbacks, announced its chief financial officer and chief legal officer are both leaving the company. CFO Todd Smith is said to be leaving to assume a new role elsewhere and legal officer Laura Heltebran will “pursue other opportunities,” according to the company. Wheels Up CEO George […]

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced it will feature three top contenders in the advanced air mobility (AAM) movement at the trade group’s 2024 NBAA Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in October. The Emerging Tech Pavilion on the convention display floor will include a significant presence from Electra.aero, Joby Aviation and Lilium, as […]

International cargo carrier Atlas Air announced on Monday (Aug. 19) it has formed a partnership with Spartan Education Group to create Atlas Cadet Academy at a dedicated facility in West Chicago, Illinois. The program is tailored to train pilots for Atlas’ fleet of Boeing 747, 767, and 777 widebody freighters. Atlas believes it is the […]

The Associated Press reported today that a proposed merger of Alaska Air and Hawaiian Airlines has taken a step forward. The U.S. Department of Justice has decided not to challenge the $1 billion deal, and the DOJ review period expired at midnight last night following a number of extensions. Both carriers say the merger “will […]

According to a CNBC report, the pandemic-driven bump in private aviation has begun to level off. Compared to a peak in 2022, private jet charter flights dropped 15% over the first half of this year. The report cites “waning demand and a new competitive landscape for high-end travel.” Notwithstanding a boost from the Summer Olympics […]

Sikorsky’s long-awaited modified presidential VH-92A made its debut as “Marine One” yesterday (Aug. 19), as it transported President Biden from O’Hare International Airport to the parking lot adjacent to the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, site of the Democratic National Convention. The development program that led to the helicopter’s entry into service has been […]