Aviation News

Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen took to the airwaves this evening (March 14) with the challenging mission of reassuring airline passengers that it remains safe to fly, even as U.S. aviation officials have begun “to see things that we don’t expect to see,” a clear reference to a string of close calls involving airliners. In an […]

Urban air mobility (UAM) developer Volocopter and SITA, self-described as an information technology (IT) provider to the air transport industry, announced today they have formed a partnership to develop operational infrastructure. Volocopter’s developmental VoloCity electric air taxi is designed to operate in high-density cities, where passengers could hail a flight from one of multiple “vertiports.” […]

The U.S. Air Force has asked for additional 2024 budget funding specifically for retention and recruitment bonuses. The global pilot shortage coupled with the difficulties of bringing in new airmen are driving the service to expand its financial incentives for current and future personnel. The Air Force budget for 2024 is pegged at $185 billion, […]

Beta Technologies has announced it plans to develop, certify and produce the CX300, a dedicated electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) version of its electric-powered Alia-250 vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company has been flying two test aircraft; one with vertical takeoff capability and one without a working rotor system required for the […]

Short takeoff and landing (STOL) bush plane videos are fun to watch, and it’s always entertaining to see the talent of the pilots and admire the performance of their increasingly specialized aircraft. Red Bull and extreme sports promotor XDubai upped the ante today (March 14) by landing a highly modified CubCrafters Carbon Cub on a […]

Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky has announced plans to produce a fully autonomous hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) prototype. According to the company, its Hybrid-Electric Demonstrator (HEX) will be used to evaluate “large aircraft design, novel propulsion systems and control architectures for sustained hover, and ranges greater than 500 nautical miles.” The prototype is expected […]

After more than two years, Piper Aircraft has officially resumed tours of the manufacturing facilities at its headquarters in Vero Beach, Florida. The company postponed public tours in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Piper has been building aircraft at Vero Beach since the late 1950s and currently produces nine models at the location including […]

NASA has chosen teams led by four universities to participate in the agency’s University Leadership Initiative, researching “key challenges facing the future of air travel.” This year’s participants include teams headed by New Mexico State University, Boston University, the University of Notre Dame and Tennessee Technological University. The group is the sixth to participate in the […]

The new aircraft that will serve as Air Force One won’t be finished for another four to five years but they’re already on their second paint scheme. During his term, former President Donald Trump ordered the livery of the updated aircraft be changed to a red, white and blue scheme. President Joe Biden has decided […]

Flight training organizations along with EAA and AOPA are urging the FAA to take a hard look at the availability and effectiveness of aviation knowledge tests. In 2018, the agency awarded an exclusive contract to PSI to administer the gamut of written tests. On Jan. 1, 2023, the company cut the fee it paid to […]