Retired Bird Enhances Capabilities For Presidential Detail Special Agents

Secret Service agents assigned to the president’s or vice president’s detail are now able to train on an authentic Marine One helicopter that was recently decommissioned and installed at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland.

Everyone Looks Forward to a Fresh Face in Charge

The recent announcement and Senate confirmation of Bryan Bedford as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been met with positivity around the water cooler, as aviation groups welcomed him to the task. Well, except for ALPA, who's still a tiny bit grumpy over Bedford's previous efforts to reduce total time for FO's when he was running Republic Airways... But aside from them, everyone is pretty comfy with the pick.

Lightning Suspected Trigger Of Suppression System In Mx Hangar

A Spirit Airlines maintenance hangar at Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (KDTW) in Michigan inadvertently had its foam fire suppression system activated on July 4, resulting in a massive discharge of foam and prompting the airline to remove three of its airliners from service so maintenance teams could inspect them.

Also: ANOTHER Illegal Drone, KidVenture Educational Activities, Record Launches, TSA v Shoes

The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to become the next Administrator of the FAA, in a near party-line 53-43 vote. Bedford takes over the agency during a critical time when safety issues have become prominent and Congress has approved initial funding for the complete overhaul of the air traffic control system that is slated to be completed in the next 3-4 years. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said, "I am pleased to announce that I am directing our GREAT Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to be Interim Administrator of NASA. He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time." NASA’s old-school WB-57 got a workout this week with a novel mission for the classic aircraft: Emergency assessment of the devastated Texas Hill Country. The high-altitude WB-57 has been a trusty w

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Test Stand Rotor Run

Hydroplane brought hydrogen fuel cell powered rotorcraft flight one step closer to fruition with its successful demonstration of full rotor flight speed on a hydrogen fuel cell driven rotor transmission test stand run.

U.S. Introduction With Production Slot Reservations Open At Show

VoltAero is making what it calls its “high-powered” debut in the U.S. at next week’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, by having its HPU 210 hybrid power unit on exhibit for the first time in the U.S. VoltAero will also have open reservations for production slots of its propulsion system for homebuilt, kit-built, and light aircraft.

"OIQ"???—What The Heck Is That?

Pay attention, Oshkosh exhibitors... this is IMPORTANT. The OIQ is something essential for those of you doing any kind of business at AirVenture 2025— it's your OSHKOSH INNOVATION QUOTIENT, and it can be critially important to the success of your efforts. It determines your relevance, your ability to innovate, and your value to the aviation world.  And this year, we think there is no better way to display it than one of the most anticipated episodes of ANN's award-winning Airborne news program—dramatically scheduled for the Friday before AirVenture opens the gates. 

From 2021: The Inside Skinny On What Being An ANN Oshkosh Stringer Is All About

By ANN Senior Stringer Extraordinare, Gene Yarbrough The annual gathering at Oshkosh is a right of passage or a pilgrimage to Mecca for many. However the rank and file public rarely have the opportunity to experience the FULL Oshkosh experience. Oshkosh, like onions and ogres, is a multi-layered microcosm within the enigma of the greater Wisconsin county in which it transpires. The Aero-News Network stringer has opportunity, and if so inclined, the access to every aspect of general aviation including the "behind the scenes" view few even know exist.

An Amazing Experience Awaits The Chosen Few...

Oshkosh, to us, seems the perfect place to get started on watching aviation recover the past couple of years... and so ANN is putting EXTRA effort and resources into our coverage of Oshkosh 2025... just a little under 90 days hence. We are now undertaking the process to seek talented stringers to help us present Oshkosh and the sport and general aviation community to the world around us. If you ever thought about joining us, this is THE year to do it. IF YOU want to be a part of this unique adventure, speak up NOW, rather than later, because we're going to be looking for the best volunteer folks we can find and are planning to do so ASAP. You've been warned (grin)....

Also: Sully v Bedford, Embraer Scholarships, NORAD Intercepts 11, GAMA Thankful

Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight against the air traffic controller shortage through its collegiate training initiative program, known as AT-CTI. It joins six other educational institutions from across the US. With the buzz of the 2025 competition settling down, the Air Race Classic (ARC) is ready to re-stir the pot by unveiling its 2026 route. The all-women’s cross-country will center around Illinois, taking pilots on a southern loop through 10 stops. The race is set to take place from June 23 to 26, 2026, kicking off in East Alton, Illinois, and winding through eight additional stops before finishing in Mount Vernon, Illinois. With an increasingly high rate of flying car customers proving to be non-pilots, manufacturer Samson Sky is introducing a new training program using its Switchblade vehicle.