Also: HondaJet Elite Japan TC, Malaysian Airlines 1st Female Pilots, Twin Otter MOTW Upgrade, CA Fatigue Regs

A long-anticipated dream was realized in Mojave, CA, as Virgin Galactic’s  SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity landed from her maiden spaceflight. Not only is this the first human spaceflight to be launched from American soil since the final Space Shuttle mission in 2011, but the very first time that a crewed vehicle built for commercial, passenger service, has reached space. The historic achievement has been recognized by the FAA who will present pilots Mark “Forger” Stucky and Frederick “CJ” Sturckow with FAA Commercial Astronaut Wings at a ceremony in Washington DC. CJ, as a four-time Space Shuttle pilot, will become the only person to have been awarded NASA and FAA wings. The Saudi National Company of Aviation (SNCA), a CAE Authorized Training Center, has selecte

Also: Drone Detection Security, Electric Helicopter Record, Huerta Joins ParaZero, Mavic 2 Pro Review Series

The FAA and AUVSI have announced plans for the 4th Annual FAA UAS Symposium on February 12-14, 2019 at the Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD. This year’s Symposium is all about “getting down to business.” Come learn how the FAA is partnering with industry stakeholders to find the balance between safety and innovation in order to advance UAS integration. Attendees will hear directly from senior FAA officials, government agencies, industry and academia on how UAS challenges are being tackled today and what to expect in the future. Even the cops have to deal with Drone Paranoia... The ACLU is raising concerns about NYPD's recently-announced plans to deploy a 14-drone fleet to assist in public safety efforts, calling the plan a "serious threat to privacy." ACLU author

Seek Approval From The Brazilian Government For The Joint Venture

Embraer and Boeing have approved to the terms of a strategic partnership that would position both companies to accelerate growth in global aerospace markets.

Will Join The Association Early In 2019

The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) has selected Shelly Simi as the new President and CEO. In this capacity, Simi will work closely with the NASAO Board of Directors and state representatives to actualize the mission and vision while enhancing the goals of the Association. Simi joins NASAO in early 2019, following her time at Aurora Flight Sciences where she is currently the Director of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs.

Alleges Tail Rotor System On The Widely-Used Aircraft Is Faulty

A lawsuit has been filed against Lockheed Martin by the widow of an Army Helicopter Crew Chief who alleges that the company is responsible for her husband's death last year.

Meeting Marks Critical Step In Creating A True BVLOS Test Range For Drones

The Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR), a global leader advancing unmanned systems technology, hosted its first official unmanned traffic management (UTM) kick off meeting with partners in Syracuse on December 11 and 12. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a joint roadmap to advance research and development opportunities, identify and resolve technical issues, and lay the framework for a detailed implementation plan to build an operational Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) UTM system.

Has Held The Position On An Interim Basis Since April

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has named Chad Budreau as its new Executive Director. Budreau has held this position on an interim basis since April 2018, and previously served as AMA’s Public Relations and Government Affairs Director.

Special Milestone Airplane To Be Operated By China Southern Airlines

Boeing has delivered the 787th 787 Dreamliner to come off the production line, marking a special milestone for the super-efficient airplane family and the fastest-selling twin-aisle jet in history.

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

Also: Schiebel Wins, New Generation Robot, 'Buzzy The Drone', DHS Selects PAE ISR

The NYPD has unveiled a new UAS program, which will be comprised of newly acquired UAVs, and the licensed NYPD officers of the Technical Assistance Response Unit (TARU) who will operate them. The TARU provides specialized investigative equipment and tactical support to all bureaus within the NYPD, from officers on patrol to the Emergency Service Unit (ESU). The unit's expertise in audio/visual technology helps: enhance investigations through the recovery of surveillance video footage; record police action at large-scale demonstrations and arrest situations; and provide crucial live video to incident commanders during ongoing emergency situations. Just a few weeks after announcing that it had received $30 million in funding, Airobotics has now announced that it has become the first company in the United States to rece