Also: USAF Pilots, Atlanta Tower Evac, Archer Spotlight Dissipates, Hop-A-Jet Sues

A social-media call for people to point lasers at aircraft flying over Portland’s ICE facility led authorities to treat the post as a credible threat. Officials say the “laser event” could have endangered aircrew, forced medical-flight diversions, and disrupted routine policing of the area. The post invited participants to gather at multiple city locations at 2100 and shine handheld lasers at helicopters and other aircraft, calling them “spy planes.” Verijet has officially filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, with $10.5 million in unused jet card balances. The Florida-based charter and jet card operator has been in a downward spiral for years, most recently being hit with the passing of its founder, Richard Kane. Founded in 2020, Verijet bet big on the troubled single-engine Cirrus SF50 Vision Jet. As the government shutdown drags into the do

Pair Sign Long-Term Agreement for Heavy Maintenance in Nashville

Embraer and Republic Airways have inked a new long-term deal, extending a multi-year maintenance relationship and dedicating three bays to serving the carrier’s more than 240 E170 and E175 jets. This secures 225 more heavy maintenance visits on top of the 650 already completed at Embraer’s Nashville facilities.

Also: Sikorsky Intro's U-Hawk, EAA On UAS-BVLOS, Joby Airshow Demo, Hospital Vertiport

German regulators are pushing forward a law that would allow police officers to shoot drones out of the sky. The legislation follows an unexpected increase in sightings of unidentified drones over major airports, hospitals, and other facilities. The draft law gives police the authority to destroy drones that pose an “immediate threat” to safety. Archer Aviation, developer of eVTOL aircraft, announced that it won the competitive process to acquire the patent portfolio of Lilium GmbH consisting of about 300 advanced air mobility patent assets with a bid of €18M. The assets include IP relating to prime innovations such as high-voltage systems, battery management, advanced aircraft design, flight controls, electric engines, propellers, and ducted fans. The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers - Transportatio

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): Beauty Amongst Ghastly Federal Agencies

Founded in 1971 and based in Oklahoma City, the Transportation Safety Institute (TSI) is a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA). The Transportation Safety Institute is tasked with providing high-quality safety, security, and environmental training to federal, state, and local governmental, private sector, and foreign transportation professionals in the aviation, highway traffic, transit, motor carrier, and hazardous materials sectors.

The Right Wing Impacted A Standing Dead Tree With No Leaves

Analysis: The airplane departed from the backcountry airstrip, located in a national forest, with the intent of repositioning to another nearby backcountry airstrip by a river. Both privately-owned backcountry airstrips are located on the same property. While on the downwind leg, the pilot performed a turn to establish himself on the base leg. During the turn, the right wing impacted a standing dead tree with no leaves. The airplane came to rest on its right side in a forested area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage, both wings, and the empennage.

Aero Linx: International Aviation Fire Protection Association (IAFPA) The International Aviation Fire Protection Association (IAFPA) was established in 2000 by a group of airport fire officers in the UK. From its initial base in the UK, IAFPA’s influence quickly expanded throughout the Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

Flight Check A call sign prefix used by FAA aircraft engaged in flight inspection/certification of navigational aids and flight procedures. The word “recorded” may be added as a suffix; e.g., “Flight Check 320 recorded” to indicate that an automated flight inspection is in progress in terminal areas. 

Good News, Bad News... It's ALL News

As the preeminent online aviation news resource out there, the editorial staff at Aero-News sees a large number of news releases. We look at all of them, and can usually tell whether something merits publishing consideration within reading the first couple of paragraphs. Often, however, a new and innovative product can be overlooked because of the very words written to promote it, by the very people who created it.

“We’ve stopped hiring air traffic controllers when we need them more than ever. In 12 days from now, the Oklahoma City Academy shuts down. The funding runs out for that. And it’s going to put in a whole other level of strain, and it’s not like we get to recover in a day or a week.” Source: National Air Traffic Controllers Association President Nick Daniels, commentig on the fact that the FAA’s training academy in Oklahoma City may soon go dark if the government shutdown drags on. According to industry organizations, the academy will run out of cheddar in less than two weeks, halting the hiring and training of new controllers at a time when the system is already short-handed.

Black Hawk S-70UAS Conversion To Lead & Resupply Air Assault Missions

Sikorsky took the conversion of its UH-60L Black Hawk into the S-70UAS U-Hawk fully autonomous, heavy-lift cargo vehicle from concept to reality in just 10 months. The U-Hawk was modified to have 25 percent more cargo space and integrated it with MATRIX autonomy technology.