Also: April 1st Episode Coming!, V-22 Osprey 30th!, Florida Air Museum MiG-21, Mission Aviation Fellowship

The Sikorsky-Boeing SB>1 DEFIANT helicopter achieved first flight yesterday. Developed by Sikorsky and Boeing, the Definat’s two coaxial main rotors and a rear mounted pusher propulsor, is unlike current production rotorcraft -- designed to meet the U.S. government’s desire for increases in speed and range while improving maneuverability and survivability. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao has asked that, as part of an ongoing review of factors related to aviation certification, the Inspector General conduct a formal audit of the certification process for the Boeing 737-MAX 8 aircraft. Next week’s Airborne schedule will be preempted so that we may bring you the 2019 AEA Convention and Trade Show... LIVE. Fo

New Technologies, Expert Coverage, and CREATIVE Programming Distinguish This 11th Anniversary Event

The Aero-News Network, in a decade-plus-long partnership with the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA), is pleased to announce the schedule for this week's programming initiatives and programs for the upcoming 2019 AEA Convention and Trade Show, to be held in Palm Springs, March 25-28, 2019, in what will be our record-setting 11th LIVE online programming initiative. Primary LIVE coverage starts Monday, March 25th, with the webcasting of AEA’s pivotal New Product Introduction (NPI) series in which nearly 30 avionics innovators will reveal new products and programs for a live audience. Show coverage commences at 0815 Pacific Time and concludes at approximately 1200 PT. The archives will be available shortly thereafter. FMI: www.airborne-live-net<

Also: Skylum Introduces Airmagic, Resort Community Ban, State Farm Drone Pilots, Airborne Programming

Well... there’s good news and bad news coming from Washington, DC... with the announcement that the Trump Administration has FINALLY nominated a new FAA Administrator. The good news is that we finally know, for sure, who we’re dealing with... the bad news is that the guy comes from the airline industry... which has not always been very kind to the unmanned community. The President has nominated Stephen Dickson, whose last major gig was as senior vice president of flight operations for Delta Air Lines. Dickson is a graduate of the Air Force Academy and was a fighter pilot before flying for Delta. He retired from the airline last fall. Drone airshows, and their popularity, continue to grow. The speedy rise in visibility that the drone community has experienced has certainly benefited it

Send Us Your Wacky Ideas NOW!

ANN E-I-C Note: Folks... we gotta warn you... our Annual April 1st Editions are LEGENDARY -- and after a break last year (due to a death in the family) we intend that this WILL be our best April 1st Edition yet. Based on all the nonsense we've had to endure over the years (which we are duty-bound to lampoon), we certainly have good reason for that... so if you have any ideas of your own as to how to heighten the insanity, this is your CHANCE. We need YOUR ideas for how we might step up the insanity for 2019! I kid you not... as I look over all the stories we've already prepped, we are going to cause serious keyboard damage as people snort their soft drinks all over the place when they start reading this year's edition. This COULD BE OUR BEST YET! As always... NO ONE IS SAFE. We're going to have some fun with EVERYONE... Icon Aircraft (just 'cause it's an easy target doesn't mean it's immune to being lampooned), the FAA, USA Today, Drone

Also: AUVSI Startup Showdown, senseFly eBee X, Airbus' Skyways Drone, Airborne Programming!

As State Farm launched their new drone program to better assist customers after storm damage, they needed to recruit and train employees to become drone pilots. Jessica Hodge, Joy Hillsman-Caffie and Shelley Cole are three of the six drone pilots for State Farm who are women. Her selection came as a shock to State Farm claims specialist, Jessica. Jessica explained that, “I consider myself an early adopter of the technology. State Farm is one of the first insurance companies to use drones and I’m one of the first drone pilots for State Farm. It’s cool to be on the cutting edge.” AirMap and Honeywell are developing a cost-effective drone tracking solution to provide airspace safety authorities with situational awareness of manned and unmanned aircraft operations within

ANN/Airborne/Aero-TV Marketing Department Needs Part or Full Time Personnel

E-I-C Note: For some reason, finding really motivated/honest/professional sales help has been a tough gig. And that need is greater now than ever. As a media partner to two of the most pivotal players in the drone arena... and new programs, on the way, devoted to women working and playing in the aviation and aerospace community, as well as avionics and other major aero-interests, coming soon -- NOW is the time to get this part of our business properly staffed. That's not all... what about all the other aspects of aviation and aerospace? Well... we have most of those covered -- or about to be covered. That's right; there's more... with nearly a dozen such agreements either done or in the works... and MASSIVE upgrades to the Airborne Unlimited program itself. So -- it's time to ramp up some efforts here -- sales, in particular -- and we need exceptional personnel, for the job. If you'd like to help chart th

Joint BioEnergy Institute Researchers Demonstrate That Jet Fuels Made From Plants Could Be Cost Competitive With Conventional Fossil Fuels

With an estimated daily fuel demand of more than 5 million barrels per day, the global aviation sector is incredibly energy-intensive and almost entirely reliant on petroleum-based fuels. Unlike other energy sectors such as ground transportation or residential and commercial buildings, the aviation industry can’t be easily shifted to renewable energy sources using existing technologies.

Airline Partner GOL And Santander Brasil Provides Volunteers For The 16Th Annual Delta Global Build

Delta employees have helped families across the globe for more than 20 years through its partnership with Habitat for Humanity, a global nonprofit organization that works with families to build or improve a place they can call home. Last week, Delta employees, along with employees from partner airline GOL and Santander Brasil, were in Recife, Brazil, continuing this commitment to service to communities worldwide.

Notes Role Battling Woolsey Fire With Firefighting Helicopters

Sikorsky has recognized the County of Los Angeles Fire Department’s Air Operations Section for its efforts in combating last November’s devastating Woolsey Fire with firefighting helicopters. The Fire Department operates eight multi-mission helicopters, including three S-70A Sikorsky Firehawk aircraft.

Will Further Develop Autonomous Software For Air Mission Planning

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded BAE Systems a Phase 3 contract worth $3.1 million to continue developing autonomy software to improve the resiliency of air mission planning for the military. The program, called Resilient Synchronized Planning and Assessment for the Contested Environment (RSPACE), seeks to develop human-centered software decision aids that can assist air operators to better control daily operations in a complex battlespace.