One Drone Collides With Super Scooper, Creating a Hole in the Wing

Three drone pilots have been arrested for conducting unauthorized flights near firefighting efforts in southern California. The most significant incident left a Super Scooper air tanker grounded with a hole in its wing. So far, fires in the Los Angeles region have scorched over 40,000 acres of land.

50-Year-Old Kelly Melvin Located Near Rock Springs, Wyoming

Search teams found the wreckage of a small plane crash near Rock Springs on January 15. 50-year-old Kelly Melvin, who had been reported missing a day prior, was killed in the accident. The file stated that he took off from Southwest Wyoming Regional Airport (RKS) in his Piper Comanche, but never arrived at his destination in California.

Don't Miss Our Comprehensive Annual Coverage Of Aviation's 'Spring Break'

Here it comes! ANN has prepared its most comprehensive coverage EVER of the SUN n FUN Aerospace Expo... and we guarantee you that this is the best there is. We’re already posting stories to the SUN n FUN Digital Daily website at www.snfdd.com, but the real excitement starts on Monday aftewrnoon at 1600ET when the SUN n FUN Innovation Preview starts with announcements of dozens of new products, developments, and other surprises. Log on to www.airborne-live.net to see it all LIVE... and we have to say... some of these announcements are pretty exciting!

Judged For Essay On ‘My Most Memorable Flight’

Sporty’s and the Richard Collins Family announced the submission period for the 2025 Richard Collins Writing Prize for Young Pilots has opened, and essays will be accepted through March 7, 2025. The winners will be announced in April, with first place receiving $5,000 and $2,500 for second place.

FAA-Approved Satellite Training Facility Expands Program's Reach

The Illinois Aviation Academy (IAA) announced the addition of a second training facility at the DeKalb Talyor Municipal Airport (KDKB) in DeKalb, Illinois, expanding operations from its current location at DuPage Airport (KDPA) in West Chicago.

Also: 727 Sold 4 $10K, Hartzell Carbon Voyager, Duffy Supported, FL Airpost Name Change

The FBI is not kidding around with the pilot of the drone that was involved in a mid-air collision with a firefighting aircraft over Los Angeles on January 9, 2025. It has issued a ‘Seeking Information’ poster that is also on the ‘Most Wanted’ page of its website, and set up a digital media tipline seeking the help of the public in identifying the pilot of the drone. On January 10, 2025, after Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 reached an altitude of 29,481 feet MSL and Mach 0.95 during a 44-minute flight with Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg at the controls, the team is reviewing the flight data to determine whether one more test flight is needed in the quest for achieving supersonic flight. Here it comes! ANN has prepared its most comprehensive coverage EVER of the SUN n FUN Aerospace Expo... this April 1-6,

Also: USAF Contractor Suit, Secret Service UAVs, Delta/Joby/Uber, Ferrovial Acquired

Vertical Aerospace announced the testing program of its prototype VX4 took another significant step by completing low-speed forward maneuvers during its first piloted thrustborne flight. Vertical received approval from the UK CAA to broaden its Permit to Fly, which enabled the progression from hover to low-speed flight maneuvers at altitude using thrust generated by the VX4’s tilting rotor system. A firefighting aircraft operating over the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles is grounded and out of service due to a mid-air drone strike by a civilian drone not assigned to the fire. The aircraft, a Canadair CL-415 Super Scooper, landed safely with no injuries. The Starship 7 test flight has slipped back two days since the last expected launch date... SpaceX has confirmed a new target date of Wednesday January 15, following a weather delay. The launch is schedul

Options From Last Year Converted Into Firm Orders

Embraer announced the purchase of five A-29 Super Tucano aircraft by the Uruguayan Air Force (FAU). The deal is part of a commitment signed in August 2024 to purchase one aircraft plus the options that have now been converted into a firm order. The agreement also includes mission equipment, integrated logistics, and a flight simulator.

Also: Pilot Stalker, Wildfire Drone Incident, Senate Commerce Leadership, Airline BK Woes

Despite a brief period of pilot oversupply following the COVID-19 pandemic, new data from the FAA indicates a concerning decline in certifications. This threatens to re-ignite the pilot shortage faced in recent years. In 2024, over 9,600 pilots earned FAA certifications. This created a slight oversupply in the labor market, with 0.3% more than required for stability. However, analysts warn that the surge is tapering off. The National Flight Training Alliance (NFTA) has been named by the FAA as its industry partner to coordinate efforts in modernizing FAA Part 141. NFTA works to 'unify, protect, and promote' the flight training industry in the U.S. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) issued a'Part 23' Type Certification for an electric aircraft to Liaoning General Aviation Academy’s (LGAA) RX4E. The fixed tricycle gear, high wing, fou

"Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginning's End." - Seneca

01.09.25, Planet Earth: Despite the best bets that many people have made about me over the years, I stayed alive and in one piece (more or less), and turned 68 years old as I wrote this. That includes 54 years since the inexcusably cold day over New Jersey when I soloed a glider and claimed my right as an aviator to play in the sky. I am amazed at what I've seen in the last half-century or so, and I'm even more amazed at the extraordinary experiences and people who became a part of my flying life -- and to whom I owe so much even though way too many of them are but a memory.