“Bell is honored to have been selected for the next phase of DARPA’s SPRINT program and is excited to demonstrate a brand-new aircraft with the first-ever stop/fold technology. This is an achievement we’ve been working towards for over 10 years, as we’ve leveraged our nearly 90-year history of X-plane development to bring new technology to our warfighters.” Source: Jason Hurst, Executive Vice President of Engineering, after Bell Textron announced it has been selected to advance to Phase 2 of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane program with funding provided to complete the design, construction, ground testing, and certification of an X-plane demonstrator.

Everyone Looks Forward to a Fresh Face in Charge

The recent announcement and Senate confirmation of Bryan Bedford as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been met with positivity around the water cooler, as aviation groups welcomed him to the task. Well, except for ALPA, who's still a tiny bit grumpy over Bedford's previous efforts to reduce total time for FO's when he was running Republic Airways... But aside from them, everyone is pretty comfy with the pick.

Retired Bird Enhances Capabilities For Presidential Detail Special Agents

Secret Service agents assigned to the president’s or vice president’s detail are now able to train on an authentic Marine One helicopter that was recently decommissioned and installed at the James J. Rowley Training Center in Laurel, Maryland.

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The Senate confirmed Bryan Bedford to become the next Administrator of the FAA, in a near party-line 53-43 vote. Bedford takes over the agency during a critical time when safety issues have become prominent and Congress has approved initial funding for the complete overhaul of the air traffic control system that is slated to be completed in the next 3-4 years. In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said, "I am pleased to announce that I am directing our GREAT Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy, to be Interim Administrator of NASA. He will be a fantastic leader of the ever more important Space Agency, even if only for a short period of time." NASA’s old-school WB-57 got a workout this week with a novel mission for the classic aircraft: Emergency assessment of the devastated Texas Hill Country. The high-altitude WB-57 has been a trusty workhors

Lightning Suspected Trigger Of Suppression System In Mx Hangar

A Spirit Airlines maintenance hangar at Detroit Metro Wayne County Airport (KDTW) in Michigan inadvertently had its foam fire suppression system activated on July 4, resulting in a massive discharge of foam and prompting the airline to remove three of its airliners from service so maintenance teams could inspect them.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Test Stand Rotor Run

Hydroplane brought hydrogen fuel cell powered rotorcraft flight one step closer to fruition with its successful demonstration of full rotor flight speed on a hydrogen fuel cell driven rotor transmission test stand run.

U.S. Introduction With Production Slot Reservations Open At Show

VoltAero is making what it calls its “high-powered” debut in the U.S. at next week’s EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, by having its HPU 210 hybrid power unit on exhibit for the first time in the U.S. VoltAero will also have open reservations for production slots of its propulsion system for homebuilt, kit-built, and light aircraft.

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Middle Georgia State University will be joining the Federal Aviation Administration’s fight against the air traffic controller shortage through its collegiate training initiative program, known as AT-CTI. It joins six other educational institutions from across the US. With the buzz of the 2025 competition settling down, the Air Race Classic (ARC) is ready to re-stir the pot by unveiling its 2026 route. The all-women’s cross-country will center around Illinois, taking pilots on a southern loop through 10 stops. The race is set to take place from June 23 to 26, 2026, kicking off in East Alton, Illinois, and winding through eight additional stops before finishing in Mount Vernon, Illinois. With an increasingly high rate of flying car customers proving to be non-pilots, manufacturer Samson Sky is introducing a new training program using its Switchblade ve

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Joby Aviation announced its electric air taxi successfully completed a series of VTOL wingborne trial flights in Dubai, signaling the start of its commercial market readiness activities in the region. These flights will contribute to the advancement of Joby’s readiness ahead of its anticipated first passenger flights in 2026. Electra announced it has been awarded a $1.9 million Small Business Innovation Research contract from the U.S. Army to leverage its development and testing expertise in advancing research and development of hybrid-electric powertrain, power, and propulsion systems, or HEPPS. Air taxi developer Archer announced the successful first flight of its Midnight aircraft at Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI/OMAD) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, representing the first test of the aircraft’s performance in the hot, humid, and dusty desert envi

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The Commemorative Air Force Airbase Arizona is taking its “Flying Legends of Victory Tour” to Boeing Field/King County International Airport (KBFI) in Seattle, Washington, where its prized B-17G Sentimental Journey will land on July 28, 2025 to coincide exactly with the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the B-17 prototype on July 28, 2035, from that very same airfield. Three board members of the Northeast Florida Regional Airport (UST) Authority, including board chair Reba Ludlow, are facing criminal charges ranging from a misdemeanor for violating public meeting laws to felony witness tampering. Chair Reba Ludlow and members Dennis Clarke and Len Tucker are facing criminal charges tied to long-running violations of Florida’s Sunshine Law, which mandates public access to governmental decision-making. The North American Aerospace Defense Command