“The difficulty is that, whereas the Federal Aviation Administration conditionally approved Lexapro, it has categorically disallowed pilots to fly while treated with mirtazapine. The agency must reasonably explain its actions. It has not done so here. The agency has failed to explain why it categorically disallows medical certification to all pilots who take the medication that Solondz was prescribed and finds beneficial.” Source: Part of the legal record established by Judge Cornelia Pillard, the D.C. Circuit Judge that is ordering the FAA to explain itself after a former airline pilot was denied a medical without receiving any true rationale for the decision. The disqualifying medication, Remeron, seems to carry the same drowsiness-related risks as other antidepressants that the agency takes on a case-by-case basis.

Firm Orders Fill First Two Years Of Production

Swiss electric aircraft developer H55 completed over 50 demo flights in the Palo Alto stop of its Across America tour. The Bristell B23 Energic aircraft demonstrated the reliability of its electric propulsion system and the company said total purchase commitments garnered during the tour now account for the first two years of production.

Limits Data Use To Intended Safety, Efficiency Purposes

The Pilot and Aircraft Privacy Act was introduced in the House by Representative Bob Onder (R-MO) and in the Senate by Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), to federally restrict the use of ADS-B flight tracking data for non-safety-related purposes.

Based At Fetesti Since Late 2023, Now Formally Join Air Force

The Netherlands announced the donation of 18 F-16 fighter jets to Romania for €1, a symbolic amount that signifies the aircraft will formally enter the Romanian Air Force. The announcement was made by Romanian Defense Minister Ionut Mosteanu at a NATO summit in The Hague on June 24-25, coming after the aircraft have been based at the European F-16 Training Fighter Center (EFTC) in Fetesti, Romania, since November 2023.

Stealth Bomber Was Equipped With Microwave, Mini-Fridge, and Toilets

In a recent 37-hour mission dubbed Operation Midnight Hammer, the US sent a team of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers to strike three Iranian nuclear plants. While it is well-known that mid-air refueling can keep a plane flying for longer periods, many are unaware of how pilots are able to stay sane for almost two days in the air.

FAA Completes Realistic 3D Simulation of eVTOL Operations at LAX

The Federal Aviation Administration has completed a remarkably realistic simulation that demonstrates how electrical vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft would fit into the daily flows of one of America’s busiest airports. This shows just how ready the US is to tackle the complexities of air taxis… if the market is ready for it.

UTair and NordStar Planes Face Substantial Damage After Taxiing Incident

Two Boeing 737-800s got tangled on the apron at Sochi International Airport (AER) on June 27, 2025. There were no injuries, but the planes, one from UTair and the other from NordStar, sustained substantial damage. This is the latest on UTair’s list of 737s destroyed on the Sochi Airport grounds.

Officials Reference Low Program Survivability, Budget Overruns

The US Air Force recently announced its decision to cancel the E-7 Wedgetail, referencing extensive delays, cost overruns, and questionable mission alignment. The only question that remains is, what aircraft will replace it?

Int’l Footprint Continues Expanding

AgEagle Aerial Systems, provider of advanced drone and aerial imaging solutions, announced the sale of two more eBee X drones to South Korea, bringing the country’s total installed base to more than 100 units. This sale strengthens AgEagle’s strategic partnership the country and reaffirms its position int the Asia-Pacific drone market.

From 2015 (YouTube Edition): E-Fest -- The Greatest Indoor Airshow We've EVER Seen!

While at E-Fest 2015, it’s obvious that ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, had a great time, and he talked with E-Fest committee member Frank Noll to get some background on this great event. Noll explained that E-Fest is an annual indoor electric R/C Festival that brings together about 250 pilots every February to fly, and to advance their sport. The event takes place at the University of Illinois Track and Field Armory in Champaign, Illinois. The primary sponsor of E-Fest is Hobbico, a major source of the equipment that makes flying indoor electric RC aircraft so much fun.