Aviation News

The Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) issued a call to action requesting pilots submit feedback on a proposal from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) regarding the closure of 16 airstrips in Utah’s Bears Ears National Monument (BENM). According to the RAF, the Bureau of Land Management’s plan would restrict aircraft operations to only the Bluff […]

Spirit AeroSystems is expected to lay off some 400-450 workers at its Wichita, Kansas, facility following a decrease in production rates at Boeing, the company’s largest customer.   The news was initially reported by Wichita-based KSN, which obtained an internal memo stating, “The recent slowdown in the delivery rate on commercial programs compels a reduction […]

President Joe Biden signed the long-awaited bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act into law on Thursday May 16—funding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for another five years. After months of several short-term extensions, the $105 billion dollar legislation passed the House on Wednesday and the Senate last week before being sent to the president’s desk for final […]

Sporty’s Pilot Shop recently released its Aerobatics with Patty Wagstaff app optimized for the Apple Vision Pro virtual reality device. Sporty’s says the app offers pilots and aviation enthusiasts a “safe and engaging pathway to experience the complexities of aerobatic flight maneuvers through immersive 360-degree video.” The app enables users to virtually experience what it […]

The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) announced today its EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship program has now seen 500 recipients complete flight training and earn their private pilot certificates. Founded by James C. and Joan L. Ray, the Ray Foundation enables EAA and its chapter network to provide up to $11,000 for deserving youth to help cover […]

The U.S. Transportation Department will “vigorously defend” its newly enacted rule against what it calls airlines’ “hidden junk fees.” Last Friday, Airlines for America (A4A), along with American, Delta, United and three other carriers, filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration Transportation Department in federal appeals court. The suit, filed with the 5th U.S. Circuit […]

An organization known as SoCalSFV (Southern California San Fernando Valley) contacted AVweb in advance of concurrent anti-general-aviation protests it had planned for Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) and Long Beach Airport (KLGB) today (May 16). According to the letter, the protests are focused on National Air Transportation Association President and CEO Curt Castagna, who also heads […]

Airbus Helicopters has introduced a high-speed demonstrator rotorcraft named the Racer. Designed with what is described as a “simple, safe, and proven aerodynamic formula,” the Racer is meant to find the best compromise between high-speed cruise (216 knots), cost-effectiveness and optimum mission performance. The Racer builds on the Airbus X3 demonstrator, which the company says […]

The House voted today (May 15) to pass the FAA five-year reauthorization bill and sent the legislation along to President Biden for signature ahead of the Friday deadline. The House vote was 387-26, following last week’s Senate vote of 88-4. Passing the long-term funding bill ended a frustrating chain of four short-term extensions. The bill […]

Last night (May 14), the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to confirm the Biden Administration’s nomination of Jennifer Homendy to another five-year term as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and a second three-year term as chair of the board. Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Sen. Maria Cantwell, […]