“Over 2025, Vertical has shown that when we set targets, we deliver. Whilst maintaining our industry-leading capital efficiency, we are not only demonstrating all piloted flight phases, but we are the only eVTOL OEM that has done so under stringent regulatory scrutiny – as mandated by the UK/European Permit to Fly regime.” Source: Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, as they released a ‘first look’ at its certification aircraft ahead of a full public unveiling on December 10, 2025. The company says the VX4, its flagship electric air taxi, is entering the piloted transition flight phase, where it will hopefully prove its fixed-wing capabilities.

Engine Failure Suspected As MD-11 Goes Down In Flames 

A fully loaded UPS McDonnell Douglas MD-11 headed from Louisville, Kentucky, to Honolulu, Hawaii, crashed shortly after takeoff and went down in a large fireball with at least 9 confirmed dead and 11 injured. An uncontained engine failure is suspected, according to a former Department of Transportation Inspector General.

Nearly 20% of A220s are Grounded, Many Airlines are Moving to Retire Them

The A220, once marketed for its profitability and efficiency, seems to be spending a lot more time parked than planned… and operators are starting to lose patience. Nearly 20% of the global fleet is grounded due to ongoing issues with Pratt & Whitney’s PW1500G geared turbofan engines.

Starship Prepares to Return Humankind to the Moon

SpaceX has provided its most detailed look yet at Starship’s progress, positioning the towering vehicle as the backbone of NASA’s Artemis program and the company’s broader goal to make humanity multiplanetary. Starship, designed to be fully reusable and capable of carrying 100 metric tons to the Moon or Mars, is apparently being built at a pace rarely seen in aerospace.

Security Lines and ATC Delays Expected to Skyrocket Nearing Thanksgiving

The federal government shutdown is stretching into its second month with no clear end in sight, potentially making it the longest shutdown in US history. And, as if the situation isn’t bad enough, the busiest travel season of the year is fast approaching with bookings at an all-time high.

Production of Tail Kits Begins as Flight Testing Shows Promising Results

Sonex has announced another major step forward for its eagerly awaited Highwing model: a successful static load test of the aircraft’s horizontal tail section. With the hard part out of the way, production of the Tail Kit is set to begin, and customers will receive shipping timelines by mid-November.

Organization Calls on Longer-Range Aircraft As Jamaica Faces the Tragic Aftermath of Melissa

The National Business Aviation Association is putting its humanitarian arm to work, activating its Humanitarian Emergency Response Operator (HERO) Database as Jamaica faces the aftermath of the strongest Hurricane in its history. The move connects volunteer aircraft operators with relief coordinators to ferry supplies and aid into areas with massive power outages, blocked roads, and collapsed infrastructure.

Includes 15 Cargo and 35 Passenger Models For Late 2025 Delivery

Shanghai-based eVTOL manufacturer AutoFlight announced that Falcon Aviation Services in Abu Dhabi has ordered 50 of its eVTOL aircraft consisting of 15 V2000CG CarryAll cargo aircraft and 35 V2000EM Prosperity passenger models.

More Planes, More Flexibility, and Fewer Barriers to the Sky

The FAA’s new MOSAIC rule doesn’t just reshape how light sport aircraft are built: it changes what Sport Pilots can do. Starting in late 2025, pilots flying under Sport Pilot privileges will gain access to a much wider range of aircraft, which translates to enhanced accessibility, affordability, and flexibility across the board. The most significant update was ditching the long-standing 1,320-pound limit, replacing it with stall speed. This change alone opens the door for popular aircraft like the Cessna 172 and Piper Archer to qualify under the new rules, bringing a huge boost to availability and training options.

Gregory Blatt Discusses Company At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

ANN’s Rex Alexander spoke with Gregory Blatt, co-founder of H55, at the 2025 EAA AirVenture Air Show and Fly-in in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Blatt first recapped the company’s background, which is that he and the two other co-founders were members of the Solar Impulse Project team. That was an electric airplane that completed the first solar-powered flight around the world in 2017. The flight covered 50,000 km with one person onboard and during that groundbreaking achievement, the aircraft’s longest solar flight lasted 5 days and 5 nights, leading to the company’s name, H55. H55 is all about designing, building, and producing certified electric propulsion systems.