Also: DHS Under Fire, Air New Zealand, ALPA Praises Bipartisan Bill, Spirit Budget Cuts

The Minnesota Pilots Association has issued an advisory regarding overflights of the Red Lake Indian Reservation in northwestern Minnesota. Turns out, the Red Lake Tribe of the Chippewa Indians passed a resolution denying the Air Force permission for low-level overflights and simultaneously, banning all flights below 20,000 feet above the reservation. DJI is taking its ‘Chinese Military Company’ label back to the Pentagon in hopes of regaining access to the US market. Judges decided just last month to uphold the DoD’s claims that the company is tied to the Chinese Communist Party despite dismissing much of the evidence. The ruling came in the form of a 49-page opinion that rejected most of the Defense Department’s accusations, including claims that DJI is owned by, controlled by, or directly affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party. An

Rotating Detonation Engine Could Change Efficiency Game

Venus Aerospace announced that Lockheed Martin has provided a strategic investment to further the development of its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE), an innovative propulsion system it says could revolutionize propulsion and remake efficiency in space and defense systems.

Also: USAF Pilots, Advanced Aircrew Academy, ATC Hiring, Hop-A-Jet Sues

Pan American is attempting a comeback. Aviation merchant bank AVi8 Air Capital, alongside Pan American Global Holdings, has officially kicked off the Part 121 airline certification process to reestablish what was once the picture of aviation luxury. Avi8 claims that it has “assembled a world-class team to lead the certification effort and has received strong initial support from aircraft lessors and key vendors.” Spirit Airlines is announcing further cuts to its workforce as its long-running bankruptcy restructuring drags on. The carrier announced that it will furlough 365 pilots in early 2026, marking another blow to a company already in survival mode after filing for Chapter 11 protection for the second time. OK.... with a little over 2 weeks to go, it’s time to get serious! Thanks to the folks at Sun n Fun, we have a highly professional online t

It Does Indeed Work Every Time, Klyde

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Also: SkyFly’s Axe Prototype, USAF CCA, AV Expands Switchblade, DropShip Cargo Drone 

Air New Zealand has taken its first big step toward electric aviation, flying the US-built BETA ALIA CX300 out of Tauranga Airport as part of what the airline calls a “technical demonstrator” program. The aircraft, on a four-month lease from BETA Technologies, will tour several New Zealand cities as the carrier evaluates its performance and gets its crews situated with the new systems. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, the White House is turning its attention to the airspace above with plans for a $500 million drone program. This is aimed at helping state and local governments counter potential drone threats and keep pace with ever-advancing aviation technology. The effort centers on safeguarding airspace over the 104 soccer matches scheduled across the United States next summer. Textron has confirmed that it will be reti

Phantom 3500 Launches Through a 300-Aircraft Flexjet Deal

Otto Aerospace took the NBAA-BACE stage to give the public a glimpse into the future of business aviation in the form of its next-generation jet: the Phantom 3500. The plane uses a “whole new set of economics”, according to President and CEO Scott Drennan, to drastically cut drag and boost efficiency. The super-midsize jet arrives with a debut agreement for up to 300 aircraft, inked by Otto and Flexjet in late September. First flights are expected by 2027, hoping to get the Phantom 3500 certified by 2030 and begin deliveries shortly after. Otto designed the aircraft to be all-around ahead of its time, featuring a fully digital cabin that replaces everything down to the windows with high-definition screens. The simulated picture displays real-time footage from external cameras to give the same flight experience without the neck pain. The space itself is less of a

Also: Global 8000 Records, Cockpit Window Crack Mystery, Daher Brazilian Ops, Senators Push ADS-B/Safety Reviews 

Boeing has been approved to churn out up to 42 MAX jets per month, giving it some leeway from a cap that was set early last year after a door panel blew off an Alaska Airlines flight mid-air. This comes just a month after the FAA partially restored the manufacturer’s right to certify planes that roll off the line. Flexjet filed a lawsuit against Honeywell in 2023 related to non-fulfillment of a Mechanical Services Agreement the two companies entered into in 2018. Under the MSA, Honeywell was supposed to provide MRO services on several engine types used by Flexjet, but even from the beginning had challenges keeping up with the pace of those services. Textron has confirmed that it will be retiring its eAviation business unit… but only its name. Programs within the sector, including Pipistrel, the Nexus eVTOL, and

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.