Light Gun A handheld directional light signaling device which emits a brilliant narrow beam of white, green, or red light as selected by the tower controller. The color and type of light transmitted can be used to approve or disapprove anticipated pilot actions where radio communication is not available. The light gun is used for controlling traffic operating in the vicinity of the airport and on the airport movement area.

There's A Lot To Like On ANN's Latest Social Media Site

We all know how important Social Media is to a lot of people, particularly those under 30. We also know how important those folks are to the future of aviation. In so many forums and at so many events, we talk about how to attract the next generation of pilots, mechanics, and enthusiasts to our industry, and social media is certainly critical to getting the message out to those who practically live online.

“We have performed extensive ground testing by comparing warm up times, full power tethered pulls, and overall temperatures in 100 degree environments against other aircraft as well as our Rotax powered Sonex as the "control" aircraft. We have been very pleased with the results... We took to the skies and tested the Onex and its installation. While we expected it to perform well, frankly, we didn't expect to perform as well as it did. The flight went flawlessly. The plane is so well balanced, it would fly with or without a pilot (although we know that's not possible). It did not have a heavy wing, cooling issues, or any issues to speak of. Very uneventful, which is what you strive for on a test flight.” Source: Cooper Aircraft Corporation has started offering expanded support for Rotax installations with a new mount for naturally aspirated engines on the Sonex series.

Recovered In 400 Feet Of Water Under The South China Sea

The Navy has recovered the F/A-18F Super Hornet and MH-60R Seahawk aircraft that crashed in the South China Sea during two separate incidents in October off the USS Nimitz (CVN 68). A contracted boat equipped with an unmanned system retrieved the F/A-18F Super Hornet and MH-60R Sea Hawk from a depth of approximately 400 feet, according to U.S. Naval Institute News.

600 Business Jets to Receive the Connectivity Service By the End of 2026

NetJets is joining the ever-growing number of operators turning to low-Earth-orbit internet, announcing that it will equip 600 aircraft with Starlink connectivity under a new agreement with SpaceX. Installations start almost immediately and are expected to run through the end of 2026, marking one of the largest business-aviation rollouts of the service to date.

The Flying Bulls Will Bring Restored P-38 And DC-6B To EAA AirVenture

Marvin “Lefty” Gardner’s restored P-38 “White Lightnin,” which once flew with the Commemorative Air Force (CAF), will make an appearance this year at Oshkosh when Austria’s Flying Bulls bring the aircraft to the show. As ANN reported in June 2008, P-38 November-Two-Five-Yankee took to the skies after extensive renovation. It had previously been damaged in a forced landing, and the Gardner family sold the plane to energy drink manufacturer Red Bull. It was then transported to Ezell Aviation for an extensive restoration. Gardner, CAF co-founder and former chief check pilot, died at age 87 in 2008. The legendary aviator was a staple at Reno as well as at air shows throughout the country. 

Software Enables ForeFlight Flight Plan Pushed To AV-30

uAvionix, provider of avionics solutions for general aviation, announced the release of AV-30 software version 3.2.0 for the AV-30-E (experimental), followed soon by the update for the AV-30-C (certified). The update enables pilots to plan a route in ForeFlight, push it directly to the AV-30 display, and have the autopilot follow the flight plan.

Administrator Bryan Bedford Did Not Divest From His Old Airline Despite Promises

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford is under fire after the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) told lawmakers he failed to follow through on a key promise he made during his confirmation: divesting from the airline he once ran.

Permits Royce Williams To Become Eligible For Congressional Award

California Representative Darrell Issa (CA-48) announced the finalized 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes his legislation that permits U.S. Navy Capt. E. Royce Williams (Ret.) to be eligible to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. The NDAA is expected to be approved by the House and Senate in the coming days before heading to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.

Gabriel Kesler Left Job In Healthcare To Pursue Flight Training

Minnesota flight instructor Gabriel Kesler has won Sporty’s $2,500 Pilot Training+ Scholarship, which he will use to obtain his multiengine and multiengine instructor ratings. Kesler is a newly certificated flight instructor who teaches in a variety of training environments, including EAA’s Sport Pilot Academy in Oshkosh, where he instructs in RV–12s and contributes to the Pilot Proficiency Center during AirVenture. He left a job in healthcare to pursue flight training full-time.