Ispace Begins One-Month Countdown as its Resilience Lander Enters Lunar Orbit

Tokyo-based aerospace company ispace announced on May 7 that its lunar lander, dubbed Resilience, has made its way into orbit around the moon. The spacecraft is now officially one month out from its inaugural lunar landing. Resilience launched on January 15, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center near Titusville, Florida.

Production-Model AirCar Slated to Hit the Market in 2026

Slovakia-based developer Klein Vision recently unveiled the production-model prototype of its flying car at the 2025 Living Legends of Aviation Gala Dinner in Beverly Hills. If all goes to plan, the AirCar will hit the market in early 2026. Since its maiden flight, the original AirCar has completed more than 500 takeoffs and landings through 170 flight hours.

Also: Hartzell Pathfinder Carbon Prop, RAF Flyby, Qatar's BIG Boeing Order?, ‘Luxury Aircraft Tax’

Three MB-339 jets from the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic demonstration team, dubbed Frecce Tricolori, collided mid-air during an airshow display. Luckily, despite some substantial damage to the planes, no injuries were reported. One of the aircraft hit two others while in formation. The three pilots quickly moved to get their aircraft on the ground. After a lengthy restoration from a collection of scrap off Taroa island, the Military Aviation Museum announced the first flight of their A6M3 Zero–probably the first Model 32 variant to fly since the factory made them in 1945! The Houthi rebels recently lost three out of their four aircraft, including two Airbus A320s and one A330, due to Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s primary airport. All airline and airport employees had been evacuated before the strikes, leaving no h

Also: Rotax Service Instruction, LAA Jabiru Alert, New AMA Boss, FlightSimExpo

ANN’s Jim Campbell got an hour in the SLEEK Blackshape Prime last week along with a chance to wring it out a bit in order to investigate its performance and capabilities. The current generation of tandem hotrods are getting a lot of attention... but the Prime appears to deserve it. Our low-wing composite test bird was powered by a Rotax 915 and an MT prop, retractable gear and a lavish bubble canopy that makes one feel like they are flying a goldfish bowl... The Porto Aviation Risen has gotten a LOT of attention for a non-stop Trans-Atlantic run to oshkosh last year, distinctive looks and some impressive cruise speeds... but now, Porto reports that they have conducted necessary flutter analysis to make sure that the bird can handle the speeds demonstrated to this point. DirectFly USA brought several of its best-sellers, the Alto NG, to this year’s SUN

Proposal Represents Critical Investment In Tech, Infrastructure, Workforce

The Experimental Aircraft Association has accompanied more than fifty other aviation stakeholders in the Modern Skies Coalition voicing strong support for a bill under consideration in the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that would appropriate $15 billion to invest in crucial aviation infrastructure, air traffic control, and workforce development.

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Completes Fleet Additions under $42 Million Grant

Fargo Jet Center finished off a conversion of a King Air 360C for the Hellenic Air Force and showed off their handiwork, with some spiffy new livery and mission-ready interior. “The King Air 360C will significantly boost Greece’s ability to provide emergency medical care, ensuring that patients receive immediate and reliable air transport from remote areas to central locations in Greece and Europe,” said Bob Gibbs, vice president, Special Mission Sales.

32-Year-Old Woman Died During a Jump With Sky High Skydiving

Despite initial reports calling it an accident, the death of 32-year-old seasoned skydiver Jade Damarell is now being called a “deliberate act” by officials. Though investigations are still underway, her love for the sport was clear above all. Damarell was a married marketing manager from England.

An Amazing Experience Awaits The Chosen Few...

Oshkosh, to us, seems the perfect place to get started on watching aviation recover the past couple of years... and so ANN is putting EXTRA effort and resources into our coverage of Oshkosh 2025... just a little under 90 days hence. We are now undertaking the process to seek talented stringers to help us present Oshkosh and the sport and general aviation community to the world around us. If you ever thought about joining us, this is THE year to do it. IF YOU want to be a part of this unique adventure, speak up NOW, rather than later, because we're going to be looking for the best volunteer folks we can find and are planning to do so ASAP. You've been warned (grin)....

Also: AMA Names Tyler Dobbs, More Falcon 9 Ops, Firefly Launch Unsuccessful, Autonomous F-16s

The Air Force has begun ground testing a future uncrewed jet design in a milestone towards pilotless dogfighting. The YFQ-42A and YFQ-44A will be used to evaluate proposed focusing on propulsion systems, avionics, autonomy integration and ground control interfaces, helping to validate the performance of things as they are now while the USAF plans for future developments. A recent analysis claims that drones are responsible for up to two-thirds of near-misses with commercial aircraft at America’s busiest airports. The FAA has taken steps to avoid these events, but the spike in unauthorized drone flights certainly is not aiding their cause. Joby Aviation has reason to celebrate, recently completing its first full transition from vertical to horizontal flight with a pilot on board. This puts the aircraft one step closer to achieving commercial operation

Also: Tricky Golf Course Deadstick, Textron Special Olympics, Artemis II, FlightSimExpo!

Stratolaunch conducted the second successful launch and recovery of its Talon-A2 autonomous vehicle in a flight that exceeded its previous speed beyond Mach 5, also for the second time. Stratolaunch is focused on expanding its hypersonic flight testing to support US defense objectives in its return to hypersonic flight since the end of the X-15 program in 1968. FIFI, one of only two flying B-29 Superfortresses, will be grounded for the next month or so for intensive repairs to two of its engines. Unfortunately, this timing means that the Commemorative Air Force will be forced to push back its 2025 AirPower History Tour. Spirit AeroSystems is temporarily laying off between 250 and 350 employees at its Wichita facility, citing an overproduction of parts for the Boeing 737. The furloughs, which begin May 12 and are expected to last about 30 days. They will