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Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, in partnership with NASA, successfully completed the first flight of the X-59, an innovative, quiet supersonic aircraft designed to return the capability of supersonic flight to commercial air travel. The X-59 launched from the Skunk Works facility at the U.S. Air Force Plant 42 in Palmdale, California, and landed near the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. King Schools is stepping up to help fill the gap left by the sudden closure of AceCFI, offering impacted CFIs a major discount to its Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC). AceCFI, an online FIRC service, ceased operations after its FAA authorization expired on September 30, 2025. While the FAA had officially removed AceCFI from its list of approved providers on August 29, few customers received any advance notice. Nearly a m

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The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office is at the front end of a year-long AI policing experiment, putting a completely autonomous, $200,000 squad car equipped with thermal imaging drones to the test. The so-called Police Unmanned Ground (PUG) Patrol Partner was developed and donated by Policing Lab and Perrone Robotics. The SUV comes on a Ford Explorer platform, fitted with 360-degree cameras, thermal sensors, license plate readers, and a rooftop drone dock. U.S. National Parks have prohibited the use of drones for any reason – absent a special permit – since 2014, yet increasing numbers of drone pilots have ignored the ban, and there are some reports that it’s gotten noticeably worse since the government shutdown, although that is not entirely clear. Conducting illegal drone flights can lead to penalties of up to $5,000 and six month

The Engine Began To Violently Shudder, And Engine Power Began To Degrade

On October 27, 2025, about 0530 central daylight time, a Denney Kitfox III airplane, N5241N, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Chilton, Texas. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight departed from the Easterwood Field Airport (KCLL), College Station, Texas, about 0445 and was en route to the McGregor Executive Airport (KPWG), Waco, Texas. About 20 nautical miles from KPWG, the engine briefly sputtered. The pilot verified all switches and fuel selectors were in the proper positions. The engine began to violently shudder, and engine power began to degrade. The pilot pitched for best glide and flew towards a nearby airfield. 

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Microburst A small downburst with outbursts of damaging winds extending 2.5 miles or less. In spite of its small horizontal scale, an intense microburst could induce wind speeds as high as 150 knots 

“As we start to implement this drawdown in service. It will be restricted to these 40 high volume traffic markets. We’re going to ask the airlines to work with us collaboratively to reduce their schedules.” Source: Bryan Bedford, FAA Administrator, commenting on measures being disacusssed to relieve ATC staffing issues. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced on October 5 that he ordered the FAA to begin reducing the number of commercial flights by 10% at 40 major airports around the country. Prompting the decision are concerns over air traffic safety as the government shutdown extends into a sixth week.

Aircraft is Ready to Begin Transition Flight Tests and Will Be Unveiled in December

Vertical Aerospace is releasing a ‘first look’ at its certification aircraft ahead of a full public unveiling on December 10, 2025. The company says the VX4, its flagship electric air taxi, is entering the piloted transition flight phase, where it will hopefully prove its fixed-wing capabilities.

The Day to Retire the Orbiting Laboratory is Nearing as Weak Points Show

With the International Space Station having officially carried humans around for the past 25 years, the time is fast approaching for NASA to retire it and move forward with new space research ventures. If the current timeline remains, less than five years remain before the orbiting laboratory plunges into the ocean.

OSM Aviation Academy Inks LOI for 25 IFR-Certified P-Mentors

Tecnam’s latest poster child, the P-Mentor, has earned itself another major customer in a recent deal with OSM Aviation Academy. The Letter of Intent contains 25 of the IFR-certified trainers, with the option for 5 more as operations ramp up.

Aircraft Features Completely New Cockpit, Autoland, Other Innovations

Pilatus Aircraft announced the delivery of its first PC-12 PRO aircraft to a U.S. customer. The new owners, Ravi and Pheroza Arcot, received the aircraft that represents the latest evolution of the world’s best-selling single-engine turboprop at the company’s North American headquarters and completion facility at Rocky Mountain Metro Airport (KBJC) in Broomfield, Colorado.