"The next great technological revolution in aviation is here. The United States will lead the way, and doing so will cement America’s status as a global leader in transportation innovation. That means more high-paying manufacturing jobs and economic opportunity. By safely testing the deployment of these futuristic air taxis and other AAM vehicles, we can fundamentally improve how the traveling public and products move." Source: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy announced a new pilot program in the FAA that aims to accelerate the deployment of AAM, or advanced air mobility vehicles. The new technologies are full of potential to transform aviation, expand connectivity in rural America, reduce road congestion in urban areas, and enhancing medical and emergency transport services.

Anderson Composite Squadron Now the Charles Duke, Jr., Composite Squadron

The Civil Air Patrol’s South Carolina Wing recently renamed one of its squadrons to honor Apollo 16 astronaut and retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Charles Moss Duke, Jr. Formerly the Anderson Composite Squadron, the Charles Duke, Jr., Composite Squadron recognizes his career as a fighter pilot, test pilot, and the youngest person ever to walk on the moon.

Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Has Blocked $3.3B in Narcotics Since October 2024

The US Coast Guard’s Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) recently surpassed a major drug bust milestone, intercepting its 1,000th suspected narcotic vessel nearly 400 miles off the coast of Acapulco, Mexico. The missions have blocked nearly $3.3 billion of illicit narcotics from reaching US soil since October 1, 2024, tripling its long-term annual average.

Business Jets and Piston Planes Both Saw Drastic Year-Over-Year Improvement

The recently published Second Quarter 2025 General Aviation Aircraft Shipment and Billing Report, compiled by the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), shows a solid uptick in shipments for the first half of this year compared to last. Business jets and piston airplanes both stood out, though helicopters and turboprops weren’t quite so promising.

Airline Completes Fleet Transition to the Next Generation Airbus A220-300

JetBlue has officially waved goodbye to its Embraer E190 fleet, marking the end of its five-year transition to the next-generation Airbus A220-300. The last standing E190 completed its final revenue flight on September 9, 2025, twenty years after the airline became the first in the world to operate the jet.

Improves Flight Planning For Active-Winglet Equipped Aircraft

Tamarack Aerospace Group and ForeFlight announced an expansion of their collaboration to deliver improved flight planning data for aircraft equipped with Tamarack’s Active Winglet technology.

See Rare Aircraft, USCG Rescue and Bell 47 M*A*S*H Helos

The New Jersey Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum in Teterboro, New Jersey, announced it is holding an Open Cockpit Day on Saturday, September 13, 2025. Visitors will be able to sit in the cockpits of some rare aircraft such as the Lockheed Bushmaster, a U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter, and an example of a M*A*S*H Bell 47 helicopter that was made famous during the Korean War and of course by the long-running television series, M*A*S*H.

Piloted Conventional Takeoff And Landing Tests Complete

Vertical Aerospace, developer of electric aircraft, announced it has successfully completed Phase 3 testing of its VX4 prototype with piloted wingborne flights with conventional takeoffs and landings.

Emerson Had Taken Mushrooms and Was Suffering With Depression During the Flight

A former Alaska Airlines pilot pleaded guilty in federal court after a combination of psychedelic mushrooms and mental health struggles put the lives of 80 passengers at stake. His attempt to cut the engines of an Embraer 175 at 31,000 feet in 2023 has already earned him 50 days in jail, five years on probation, 664 hours of community service, and $60,659 in restitution.

No Record Of A Current Flight Review For The Pilot Was Found

Analysis: The 78-year-old pilot had flown his airplane to the destination airport where an annual inspection was to be performed. The airplane did not have a current annual inspection and did not have a ferry permit for the accident flight. No record of a current flight review for the pilot was found. In addition, the pilot did not possess current FAA medical certification or BasicMed qualifications.