Recent Updates

The FAA has told its field inspectors that a video on the Internet is not enough to prove that someone has violated its rules against commercial operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). In a notice (PDF)to its enforcement personnel, the agency says that while video that appears to have been shot from a UAS might […]

Have you ever had these thoughtsrun through your mind while getting ready to fly an airplane? “I hope this thing flies.” “I hope I will be able to handle this thing when I get it off the ground.” “I hope I’ll be able to land it.” Have you ever had these thoughts in flight? “I […]

SpaceX will try again to land its Falcon 9 rocket on a floating barge in June, when its next mission to the International Space Station is scheduled. Tuesday’s launch of the rocket to take the Dragon supply spacecraft to the station was a success, but the landing was not. The rocket made it to the […]

AVweb’s search of news around the world found a newly revamped aviation program at Parkland College, the unveiling of a helicopter laboratory at the University of Miami, an upcoming STC for Aerocet floats, and announcements for this year’s Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame.The Parkland College Institute of Aviation at the University of Illinois announcedspecial opportunities […]

The economics of “synergy” were a driving force that motivated Eclipse Aerospace and Kestrel Aircraft to join together into a new company called One Aviation, Kestrel CEO Alan Klapmeier told AVweb on Wednesday at Aero Friedrichshafen. The new company was announced Wednesday in a news release. “This gives us more choices and more independence,” Klapmeier […]

Epic Aircraft is “pushing hard” for certification of its E1000 turboprop by the end of this year, the company said Wednesday. Structural testing is underway, and the first prototype will fly this spring in the first phase of in-flight testing, Epic said. There are more than 60 reservations from buyers and the first deliveries are […]

At Aero Friedrichshafen this week, Kestrel’s Alan Klapmeier spoke with AVweb’s Mary Grady about his rationale in joining forces with Eclipse Aerospace to form the new company, One Aviation. Duration: 5:04 File Size: 11.6 MB download here

Pipistrel’s all-electric trainer, long known as the “WattsUP,” has acquired a commercial designation, the Alpha Electro. And according to chief engineer Tine Tomazic, she’s ready to meet the public. Tomazic gave us the lowdown at Aero in Friedrichshafen, Germany. view on YouTube

An Indiana company is hoping to demonstrate a multi-copter patterned after unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that can carry a person while in autonomous or remotely operated flight at this year’s AirVenture Oshkosh. AirBuoyant, LLCof Anderson, Indiana, briefly pirouetted its VertiPod with a 125-pound man in a rudimentary cage suspended from a howling quadcopter for a […]

Amazon received an updated letter of approval from the FAA this week to test its package delivery drones after the company said its initial waiver came so late it was “obsolete.” Meanwhile, the FAA stated on its website it’s expediting these types of updated approvals and will also allow sport pilots with driver’s licenses to […]