Downsizing Will Result in 65 Job Losses

Has-been private jet operator Wheels Up has notified employees at one of its locations that they would be laid off in the near future, putting 65 people out of work. The operator told those at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport of Jefferson County, Colorado that pretty much all Wheels Up employees there would be getting the axe. “All of Wheels Up’s operations at the hangar are expected to cease," the announcement reads. It effectively puts to rest ops for the "Uber for Jets" operator at the third largest airfield in the state.

Piper's Spiciest Turboprop Gains More Functionality via STC

The latest iteration of the long-lived Malibu platform - now the Matrix and Meridian - cut a pretty impressive figure upon its recent announcement, offering the same single-engine affordability and family hauling capacity of classic Pipers, with a brand-new Pratt & Whitney PT-6A-52. With better performance than ever before, operators venturing into flight levels may find it a tad irritating to miss out on using Reduced Vertical Separation Minima. Having RVSM equipment and authorization makes planning and flying easier all around, with more tracks and altitude blocks available to aircraft equipped for it.

magniX and Harbour Air Ink LOI for 50 magni650 Electric Engines

In a landmark agreement announced on April 22, 2024, magniX, a leader in electric aviation technology, has entered into a Letter of Intent with Harbour Air to supply 50 magni650 electric engines. This initiative is set to transform Harbour Air, North America's largest seaplane operator, by electrifying its fleet starting with the iconic De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver aircraft. The collaboration between magniX and Harbour Air dates back to December 2019 when they achieved a historic milestone by successfully retrofitting and flying the eBeaver, making it the world's first fully electric commercial aircraft.

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Despite nearly 100 complaints totaling millions of dollars of potential fraud, combined with employees who claim to have been defrauded, numerous false statements, aand an attempt at a bankruptcy that failed; the Rotor X situation continues to decline. Rotor X STILL claims to be reorganizing and entertaining offers from investors -- but this is a well-worn excuse that has been utilized numerous times without fruition. The Fernandina Beach Florida Municipal Airport (FNB) is considering implementing an automated aircraft landing fee system proposed by Airport Director Sam Carver -- one that could have a decidedly negative effect on GA In the area. This initiative, aimed at generating additional revenue, is primarily focused on funding essential maintenance projects, including a $4 million runway refurbishment. Major Shane Gentry, a third-generation Marine a

Elixir Aircraft Rolls Out Additional Capacity

French sport plane manufacturer Elixir Aircraft announced a continuation of its never-ending production expansions, this time adding facilities in the US and France. The new location in France will see the addition of 10,700 square feet near Elixir's flagship location in La Rochelle, France. The new one will produce composite parts for the fuselage and flight control systems, nestled in the comfy little town of Aytré (who apparently offered a better deal for the new factory).

With Expo Ahead, Sim Folks Go Recruiting for Fresh Faces

The Flight Simulation Association capped a successful week of acquiring new acolytes at Sun 'n Fun 2024, thanks to a bevy of demonstrations that showed the IRL pilots just how far the industry's come. At the Future 'n Flight Plaza, the Flight Simulation Association brought out a full roster of all the greats, like Microsoft Flight Sim, X-Plane, and DCS with varying levels of cockpit hardware. Full-motion, virtual reality, and more affordable desktop units show just how deep the flight sim addiction could go - and how realistic its training can be. “

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Boom Supersonic got the first instance of Special Flight Authorization to go supersonic, planning to push their XB-1 aircraft beyond the sound barrier. The FAA granted the authorization for them to test fly at Mach 1+ in the R-2508 Complex and part of the R-2515 High Altitude Supersonic Corridor. The FAA says that it completed a thorough review and Environmental Assessment, paving the way for future supersonic flight testing in the commercial sphere. Paul Poberezny's work needs little introduction in the world of experimental aviation, sport flying, and hobbyist aeronautics, being attached to what has grown into a titan today. Sometimes, growth makes it easy to miss the little things, and today's "little guy" is smarting more than ever just looking at the price tags of "cheap" aircraft. Poberezny, seeing similar things while he was still with us, tried to fores

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Officially, the Carbon Cub UL and Rotax 916 iS is now in its 'market survey development phase', meaning it's just about to head into the oven, but the recipe isn't inked just yet. CubCrafters VP Brad Damm wants to see everyone chip in with their two cents to see how they feel about the prospective aircraft. So far, everything that's been shown off paints a very attractive portrait of a lightweight, capable, eager little bird, boasting an empty weight "well below 900 lbs..." CKD Aerospace hit innovation preview with a couple goodies right off the bat, updating fans on their line of kit aircraft, Fisher Flying Products. Now, Fisher Flying Products are looking to moving from spruce into rag & tube. The Affordable Flying Expo is on the books for January 9th through the 11th of 2025. The new fly-in offers a well-timed excuse to take the family down sou

VFS eVTOL Aircraft Directory Now Documenting Over 1,000 Designs

The Vertical Flight Society (VFS) announced a significant milestone in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector, with its World eVTOL Aircraft Directory now documenting over 1,000 aircraft designs. This comprehensive registry, hosted on the VFS Electric VTOL News website, details a vast array of concepts developed by more than 430 designers, ranging from established aerospace giants to innovative startups and independent designers.

Continental Launches New Engine Designed for Rotary Wing Applications

Continental has announced the launch of its new CD-170R engine, designed specifically for rotary wing applications. Revealed at Friedrichshafen, Germany, the CD-170R is the latest addition to Continental's CD-100 series and aims to enhance the performance of rotorcraft. The engine, which is awaiting certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), builds on the technology of its predecessor, the CD-170, with a 170-horsepower output and advanced Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) systems to improve fuel efficiency and operational reliability.