Phase 4 Flight Testing Underway For VX4 Prototype

Vertical Aerospace, a Bristol, England-based developer of electric aircraft, announced it received its Permit to Fly from the CAA, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, and has begun “Phase 4 – Transition” flight testing, the final phase of the flight test program for Vertical’s VX4 prototype.

Will Stay In Effect At 6% As U.S. Government Reopens

Vertical Aviation International commented on the FAA freezing flight reductions at the 6% level as the House voted on November 12 to pass the Continuing Resolution that funds the government through January 30, 2026.

Amentum Awarded Five-Year RPA Maintenance Support Contract

The US Air Force has agreed to invest nearly $1 billion into its MQ-9A Reaper fleet, recently awarding the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Maintenance Support IDIQ contract to Amentum. The five-year deal will fund modernization and sustainment efforts for the Reaper system, both domestically and abroad, to boost its combat readiness.

Also: Taiwan Cuts Age Limit, Denver To Pay ATC?, NBAA Calls Out False Claims, Another Regional Shuts Down

The longest federal government shutdown in history is finally coming to a close… but the aviation industry is taking its time to bounce back. Airlines are getting ready to shoulder thousands more flight delays and cancellations as the President himself takes to warning air traffic controllers with pay cuts. The FAA’s game plan involved an initial 4 percent flight reduction at 40 major airports, incrementally working its way up to 10 percent. Through years of first-hand experience, Adriana Barrigan has seen how damaging holes in the flight training industry can be on student pilots… and she created an app to fix it. FlyORKA, which recently made its way onto Apple and Android platforms, is designed to make training more efficient and promote student confidence. Spartan Education Group announced the acquisition of Aviato

New Tactics, Techniques Use Existing Sensors, Weapons To Expand Capabilities

Embraer has revealed an innovative operational capacity for its A-29 Super Tucano turboprop light attack aircraft that transforms into a dedicated anti-drone platform to address the growing demand for an affordable means to defeat unmanned aerial systems.

Also: ATI Strike Prep, Spirit Still Troubled, New CubCrafters Dealership, A-29 Super Tucano

Samaritan’s Purse is officially moving its historic Douglas DC-8 cargo jet into retirement and bringing in a new Boeing 767. This marks the end of an era for the world’s last flying, US-registered DC-8. For more than a decade, the four-engine DC-8 served as the backbone of Samaritan’s Purse’s disaster response efforts. The aircraft was acquired in 2015 and has since flown 217 missions, delivering over 9.2 million pounds of critical relief supplies. Boeing delivered 53 jets in October, bringing its 2025 total to 493 aircraft and marking its strongest output since before the pandemic. Of the log, 39 aircraft were 737 MAX models, including nine to Southwest Airlines and five to Ryanair. Widebody deliveries included eight 787 Dreamliners, two 777 freighters, and four 767s. Dynon’s Trig Avionics announced the introduction of the TT23

Also: Embraer Nixes Next-Gen Turboprop, Boeing $1B Expansion, 12 Class B Airports Closed To GA, Relief Flight Downed

The CAF Gulf Coast Wing’s AC-47 “Spooky” gunship has taken to the air once again. The Vietnam-era aircraft made its return to flight to honor fallen veteran Lt. Col. Paul Mendes. The flyover was held during the Vietnam Veteran Parkway Dedication ceremony. Mendes, a decorated Green Beret and three-tour Vietnam veteran, was among the last American soldiers evacuated from Saigon in 1975 and later played a key role in recovering missing US personnel. Boeing offered a new contract to the more than 3,200 workers at its facilities in the St. Louis area, with increased bonuses and adjusted terms as the company tries to end the walkout that has now lasted more than three months. NBAA is bluntly shutting down any claims that business aviation has been exempted from the FAA’s new traffic reduction measures. The cu

Developing Hydrogen Aircraft Network In Norway

ZeroAvia, developer of hydrogen-powered aircraft, announced it has been awarded a €21.4 million grant by the Innovation Fund to develop a network of hydrogen-electric aircraft and the establishment of the supporting airport hydrogen fuel technologies in Norway. Operations are planned to begin in 2028.

Also: VerdeGo Contract, Medi-Carrier, Gambit 6 UCAV, Blade Urban Air Mobility Pilot

Archer Aviation has inked a deal for control of Hawthorne Municipal Airport (HHR), also known as Jack Northrop Field, in Los Angeles for $126 million in cash. This marks a major shift in its strategy to build a localized urban air-mobility network and test next-gen aviation tech. The 80-acre facility offers roughly 190,000 square feet of terminal, hangar, and office space in a dense urban setting. Joby Aviation announced the start of power-on testing of the first of its FAA-conforming aircraft built for TIA, or Type Inspection Authorization, that is the lead-up to “for credit” flight tests with FAA pilots operating the aircraft. Joby will now proceed to conduct thousands of hardware and software integration tests prior to the start of flight testing. Three Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station watched as their Shenzhou-20 return cap

Also: Duffy Predicts ‘Mass Chaos’, Modern Skies Coalition, More Impacts,  Archer Buys Hawthorne

With only a few months of preparation—and minimal outside media support—the first-ever Affordable Flying Expo successfully unfolded over three energetic days this past week. According to exhibitors and attendees, (not us), it was a success. As with any first-time event, there were lessons learned. Thankfully, we had the expert team from the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo by our side. Two and a half years and 1,000 flight hours after its unveiling captured the attention of business aviators across the world, Textron’s Cessna Citation Ascend has earned FAA type certification. The first few jets have already rolled off the production line and are expected to enter service later this year. In a minorly tearjerking yet hopeful letter from Kenai Aviation owner Joel Caldwell, it was confirmed that the Alaskan regional