Programming Initiative Will Webcast ‘AMA Drone Report’ in Concert with AMA

The Aero-News Network is pleased to announce the first in a series of novel aviation news programming initiatives, via a partnership with the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA)… one of the oldest and most respected aviation organizations in the world with more than 195,000 members and 2,400 clubs across the country. While ANN’s Airborne Unlimited daily programs have already spanned over 1000 iterations, and are augmented by another 10000 audio/video features; several topics from the aviation and aerospace world demanded special attention from the company that created the online aviation news business 20 years ago. Consequentially; the Aero-News Network editorial

Signs Contract For 100 Airbus Airliners

Iran Air and Airbus have signed a firm contract for 100 aircraft, building on an initial commitment signed in January 2016 in Paris. The agreement signed by Farhad Parvaresh, Iran Air Chairman and CEO and Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO, covers 46 A320 Family, 38 A330 Family and 16 A350 XWB aircraft. Deliveries will begin in early 2017.

Flight From McConnell AFB In Wichita Lasted An Hour And 42 Minutes

The first production conforming Scorpion jet has been flown for the first time by Textron AirLand. This program milestone closely follows the recent successful weapons capability exercise on the prototype Scorpion completed in early October.

Last Flight Test For 2016 Was A Successful Run

There was no notice, and little fanfare. Thursday afternoon, Virgin Galactic CEO George Whitesides Tweeted: "Second glide flight of VSS Unity completed. Well done to the pilots and the whole crew. Great way to end the year!"

Asks Boeing To Price Out F-18 Super Hornet 'Comparable' To Lockheed's JSF

President-elect Donald Trump isn't done trying to get the costs of some military programs down. After squawking about the price of a new Air Force One aircraft under development, and criticizing the costs of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program, he's now gone back to Boeing with a request to "cost out" an F/A-18 Super Hornet that would be "comparable" to the new 5th generation fighter.

Will Operate On International Long-Haul Routes

The Lufthansa Group has taken delivery of its first A350 XWB. The aircraft is the first of 25 A350-900s that Lufthansa has on order. Lufthansa will deploy their first A350s on long-haul routes from Munich to Delhi and Munich to Boston.

Second Spacecraft To Be Built By Thales Alenia Space

The first ExoMars mission arrived at the Red Planet in October and now the second mission has been confirmed to complete its construction for a 2020 launch. ESA and Thales Alenia Space have signed a contract that secures the completion of the European elements of the next mission.

Would Keep Hobbyists 'In Check' While Promoting Drone Development

The U.K. is considering taking a page ... or perhaps several pages ... from the FAA playbook and instituting a drone registration system and pilot test, according to a document published by the U.K. government.

Marks Five Years Of Deliveries To 48 Operators Worldwide

Boeing this week delivered the 500th 787 Dreamliner ... a 787-8 ... to Avianca, marking another milestone in the program’s history.

“This is a landmark agreement not only because it paves the way for Iran Air’s fleet renewal." Source: Fabrice Bregier, Airbus President and CEO. Airbus has firmed up an agreement to sell 100 airliners to Iran Air.

The theoretical height above the runway threshold at which the aircraft’s glideslope antenna would be if the aircraft maintains the trajectory established by the mean ILS glideslope or the altitude at which the calculated glidepath of an RNAV or GPS approaches.

NORAD Tracks Santa

For more than 50 years, NORAD and its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa’s Christmas Eve flight.