Business & Military

Diamond’s Christian Dries First of all, thank you for recognizing and writing about a gentleman who, despite his larger than life personality when you are with him, has most certainly not had the public recognition he deserves. But then again, Christian was never in it for recognition but rather to make a difference in an […]

Six general aviation associations have issued a statement strongly opposing the inclusion of provisions to privatize air traffic control services in the government reorganization proposal unveiled by the White House on Thursday. “We are disappointed that the Administration continues to reintroduce a failed proposal,” the groups said. “Instead, it should put its weight behind FAA […]

I have a handful of vivid memories of Christian Dries, founder of Diamond Aircraft, but none are more searing than watching him storm across a windswept ramp in Austria all but foaming at the mouth. He wanted me to commit to my notebook his solemn pledge that the airplane I was looking at would absolutely, […]

The U.S. government issued a policy directive aimed at managing growing space traffic more safely and effectively, including tackling increasing orbital debris, on Monday. Space Policy Directive-3 (SPD-3) calls for “a new approach to space traffic management (STM) that addresses current and future operational risks.” SPD-3’s goals also include encouraging commercial space travel, developing STM […]

American Airlines has issued a statement asking the U.S. government to “refrain from using American for the purpose of transporting children who have been separated from their families due to the current immigration policy” on Wednesday. United and Frontier have taken similar positions. Whether they can legally prevent the government from using their services in […]

I was inbound for landing at Reid‑Hillview airport and had a traffic alert off to my left, 300 feet higher and faster. About a minute after the traffic alert the tower told me I had traffic above and to the left of me. I replied that I did not have traffic in sight. Tower said, […]

I was flying over central Kansas when I overheard Center clear a jet pilot “direct destination.” The pilot, grateful, confirmed the clearance and added the compliment, “You’re a gentleman and a scholar.” The controller, apparently unfamiliar with the phrase, replied, “Say again?” The pilot, simply replied, “Thank you. Have a great day.” Jerry Arnold Valentine, […]

To no one’s surprise, those in favor of splitting air traffic control from the FAA are busy planning their next move. After a last-minute grassroots lobbying effort blocked an amendment snuck into the FAA reauthorization bill passed last month that would have laid the legal groundwork for such a move, the CEO of one of […]

Wildfire fighters may soon have a new aerial attack weapon in the in the form of a retired Southwest Airlines Boeing 737-300. Coulson Air Tankers, the Canadian company that displayed the last flying Martin Mars flying boat at AirVenture 2016, bought six of the airliners from Southwest and has finished converting one to a multipurpose […]

A historic World War II C-47 that was nearly scrapped is again flying and readying to return to Normandy next year. In this AVweb video, the Commemorative Air Force’s Keegan Chetwynd tells the remarkable story of That’s All Brother, the airplane that led the D-day invasion. view on YouTube