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US President Donald Trump recently vowed to declassify all files related to legendary aviator Amelia Earhart, who disappeared in 1937 during her attempt to circumnavigate the globe. This development was requested by Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Representative for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, in July. Avionics provider uAvionix recently debuted a major software update to its AV-30-C multi-function panel display, designed as a drop-in digital replacement for legacy instruments. By popular demand, the instrument will now feature wind speed and direction capabilities, enhanced angle of attack indications, aural altitude alerts, and many other safety and usability improvements. Aviation consultant Kit Darby recently published his pilot demand forecast for the ‘big four’ airlines in the US. The “conservative” analysis expects America

Supports Initiatives Accelerating AAM Vehicle Development

Vertical Aerospace, an electric aircraft developer based in Bristol, UK, praised the country’s Department of Transportation’s announcement of funding for projects focused on next-generation advanced air mobility vehicles and vertical takeoff and landing technology.

Shutdown, Schmutdown, Klyde... The Feds Are Going To Get Theirs...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

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After more than a year being grounded for modifications, the Scaled Composites Model 437 “Vanguard” has returned to flight testing. The aircraft first flew in 2024, quickly taking a break from the skies as it prepared to serve as the airframe for Northrop Grumman’s Beacon autonomy test program. Sergei Sikorsky, whose father, Igor, founded Sikorsky Aircraft decades ago, passed on September 18 at 100 years old. He spent 41 years building his father’s legacy in the industry, taking Sikorsky’s groundbreaking developments and shaping them into some of the most renowned military helicopters in history. Yosemite National Park has been off limits to BASE jumpers for nearly 50 years. Now, a nonprofit called BASE Access is suing in federal court, arguing the ban is unconstitutional and that Yosemite should reopen to legal jum

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The US Army recently confirmed its plans to thin out its active duty aviation ranks, cutting 6,500 positions as it phases in unmanned systems. The changes are slated to begin in the coming months and continue through fiscal year 2027. Currently, about 30,000 soldiers serve in aviation roles ranging from pilots to support crews. By the time the cuts are finished, roughly one in five of those positions will be gone. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy announced that the FAA met and exceeded its goal for hiring air traffic controllers for Fiscal Year 2025 by bringing on 2,026 new controllers. The goal was 2,000 controllers, and the number of new hires is 20 percent more than the previous administration hired from January to September 2024. The US Air Force is well on its way to flying its next-generation fighter, with the first of many F-4

Also: NATO Jets Intercept, Check-In System Failure, Embraer E195-E2 Sale, Laser Felony

Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works revealed its new autonomous drone it calls “Vectis,” which it says is the right size and is adaptable enough to partner with both Air Force and Navy crewed combat aircraft. While the aircraft is not necessarily aimed at Increment 2 of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, it will be flying within two years and it could fit into the Increment 1 criteria as well. Drone parachute manufacturer Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions (AVSS) has voluntarily allowed the FAA to revoke its certification for operation-over-people with the Skydio X10 system. The permission was granted in August 2024, but after spending months on the market without a single sale, it appears the parachute-equipped drone has been abandoned altogether. uAvionix is calling on Pilots to support Portable EC under the FAA&r

Dozens of Companies Unveiled Innovative Products Ahead of the 51st SnF Aerospace Expo

Kicking off the 51st SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, we hosted the second annual SnF Innovation Preview to give more than 20 companies just enough time in the spotlight to debut their new planes, products, engines, accessories, and more… In other words… it was a LOT of news, and it’s all still up for your viewing pleasure.

Third-Edition Resource Guide is Getting Ready… But It’s Waiting on You

The third edition of the SportPlane Resource Guide—soon to launch as the expanded, fully digital eSPRG—is almost ready for release. The layout is there, dozens of instructional chapters are written, and hundreds of aircraft write-ups are complete. This edition will be bigger, more detailed, and easier to update than the previous 1,100-page print version (probably settling in at more than 2000 pages!), with the potential to far exceed even our own anticipations with S-LSA, E-LSA, ultralights, avionics, and accessories. The only major thing slowing it down is one simple piece: more data from manufacturers.

With The eSPRG Only Weeks Away From Its Start Date, A-AF Will Help To Support Sport Flyers, Worldwide

With the all-new and all-digital SportPlane Resource Guide getting ready for publication early next year, the Aero-News Network is pleased to announce yet another addition to the Airborne video news programming roster… Airborne-Affordable Flyers. Dedicated to keeping people up-to-date on the most affordable aspects of sport and general aviation, Airborne-Affordable Flyers is one of our most exciting offerings yet. A-AF will delve into more than just the current LSA community, but look at all aspects of aviation to examine and evaluate the most enjoyable, and most affordable, solutions to flying, operating, and owning aircraft in the 21st century.

Airplane Continued To Bank To The Right And “Went Straight Down Into The Hillside At What Sounded Like Full Engine Power.”

On September 12, 2025, about 1421 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Lancair Super ES, N905ET, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Mount Hamilton, California. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot’s sister reported that the pilot was due to depart from Ryan Field Airport (RYN), Tucson, Arizona, with the intended destination of the Norman Y Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), San Jose, California.