Also: USCG Awards Air Medal, Liberty University Aviation Program, Sen. Moran, UAL HQ

No one has to tell you that the cost of ‘just plane flying’ keeps getting greater... and greater. And the cost of airplane ownership has done likewise. However; a new offering from James Wiebe of Belite fame may be just the thing that allows flyers to find an affordable way back into the aviation game. The Chipper SS is a Single Seat Aircraft that can be operated as a Part 103 Ultralight or as an Experimental  airplane. Wiebe reports that it will be easy to build, and economically priced. The design features a 28 mph stall speed with a Max cruise of 62 mph. With five gallons of fuel, the bird’s gross weight is tallied at 484 pounds. Boeing has given employees a look at its newest airliner, the 777X. The first fully-assembled 777X was revealed in a ceremony at Everett, WA. Boeing had initiall

Also: SpaceX Crew Dragon, AUVSI USDPS Event, XQ-58A Valkyrie, Global Hawk At Avalon 2019

A Chinese drone company has plans to undertake an initial public offering in the US, in order to raise approximately a half billion dollars... and no, it's NOT DJI. News reports are quoting sources claiming that EHang is planning a US IPO this year. While eHang has had it problems getting a toehold in a number of recreational and commercial drone markets, it has made a lot of news in the process. The five year old company made serious headlines three years ago with the first showings of the eHang 184... which looked like a multi-copter on steroids... but was designed as a first generation attempt to configure such technology for small passenger drone operations... mostly via autonomous control modes. In the wake of the devastating tornadoes that ripped through Alabama last week, rescuers deployed drones into a

Also: Lego Disses Drones?, Drone Defibrillator Delivery, UK Airfield Restrictions, Airborne Programming

The Drone Racing League (DRL)  has announced a new streaming partnership with Twitter and broadcast agreement with NBC and NBC Sports (NBCSN) to air the 2019 DRL Allianz World Championship Season. The series will premier Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 2pm ET on NBC and Twitter. Twitter is collaborating with DRL to expand into robotic sports and share non-stop drone racing action on Twitter for the first time. DRL's partnership with NBC and NBCSN will offer racing fans the opportunity to watch more than 44 hours of DRL coverage on NBC and NBCSN. For the first time ever, DRL will feature pro drone racing content concurrently on all screens, including mobile phones, tablets, PCs, and TVs, immersing fans worldwide into thrilling FPV (First Person View) action. The Small UAV Coalition has filed comm

Company Supporting The Probe, Finalizing Software Updates For MCAS

Boeing Chairman, president and CEO Dennis Muilenburg has issued a statement regarding the report from Ethiopian Transport Minister Dagmawit Moges late last week. In his report, Moges said that data from the Ethiopian 737 MAX 8 Flight Data Recorder showed "clear similarities" with the accident last year involving a Lion Air airplane.

Directed By Their Union To Cease All Flight Operations Into That country

In light of the U.S. State Department's Level 4 Travel Advisory issued regarding Venezuela, APA president CA Dan Carey directs all APA pilots to cease flight operations into Venezuela. In its Travel Advisory, the U.S. Department of State cites "crime, civil unrest, poor health infrastructure, and arbitrary arrest and detention of U.S. citizens."

Announces Successful Hybrid Aero Propulsion Tests

Rolls-Royce has taken a significant step towards realising our ambition to provide hybrid-electric propulsion systems for the next generation of aviation, with successful ground tests of a hybrid system using our M250 gas turbine – a highly successful engine usually powering helicopters. The tests are part of one of the world’s most comprehensive hybrid aerospace turbine engine development and integration programs and pave the way for experimental flights on aircraft in 2021.

Completes First Deployment In Real Port Conditions

Airbus has begun shore-to-ship trials in Singapore with its Skyways parcel delivery drone. This marks the first time drone technology has been deployed in real port conditions, to deliver a variety of small, time-critical maritime essentials to working vessels at anchorage.

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

Available As Either A Part 103 Or Experimental Airplane

Belite Aircraft has introduced the Chipper SS, a single seat aircraft that is either Part 103 or Experimental.

Will Become Airbus Canada Limited Partnership

CSALP is pleased to announce it will soon change its name to Airbus Canada Limited Partnership. The new name reflects the majority interest of Airbus in the limited partnership since July 1, 2018. The organization will adopt the Airbus logo as its single visual identity.