Incident Was First Time In The Red Sea

During his address at the Surface Navy Association Symposium on January 16, 2025, Admiral James Kilby confirmed that a U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter shot down a Houthi rebel drone for the first time in the Red Sea.

First US Civil Supersonic Aircraft Breaks Barrier In Historic Mojave Airspace

In a historic first for American aviation, Boom Supersonic’s XB-1 demonstrator aircraft flew beyond the sound barrier at Mach 1.1 at the Mojave Air & Space Port (KMHV) in California. XB-1 is the first civilian supersonic jet independently designed, developed, and built in America.

White House Statement Confirms Drones ‘Not The Enemy’

In a statement that comes as a surprise to no one, the White House said that the drone activity over New Jersey were in fact authorized by the FAA. It is not yet clear why the agency was not forthcoming about this activity, given the hysteria generated by the thousands of sightings not just there, but all up and down the Northeast as well as other states.

Agency Oversees FAA, Among Others

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) expressed gratitude for the U.S. Senate’s vote to confirm Sean Duffy’s nomination as Secretary of the Department of Transportation, the agency which oversees the FAA, among other administrations under its purview.

Enhances Pilot Training Prior To Starting Commercial Ops

Riyadh Air in Saudi Arabia announced it has been awarded an operational certificate by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) for its first advanced full-flight Boeing 787-9 RX7000 simulator that will establish a world-class pilot training environment and signal a critical milestone prior to the airline’s inauguration of commercial operations in 2025.

Also: Presidential TFRs, Daher FL Lease, Charter Security, T-7A Acquisition

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (AD) for certain Rotax engines installed on various general aviation aircraft. Rotax previously notified owners of such aircraft about the issue through its own Alert Service Bulletin (ASB) in December 2024. The family of Barrett Bevacqua, a student pilot killed in a 2023 plane crash, is suing the flight school and airline related to the flight. They claim that the flight instructor is to blame and are seeking $27 million. 20-year-old Bevacqua enrolled in the Ascend Pilot Academy, spearheaded by

Historic Agreement Initiates Utah’s Air Transportation System

Beta Technologies and 47G | Utah Aerospace & Defense organization will sign an historic agreement that is intended to begin establishing Utah’s air transportation system by building out a logistics network to bring electric aircraft and charging stations to the state. The partnership represents a major step forward in preparing a well-functioning statewide air cargo and transportation system in advance of the 2034 Winter Olympic Games.

Envisions Integrating Human Expertise To Complement Technology

Merlin announced the release of a white paper, Innovate to Elevate; Automation’s Role in the Ongoing Evolution of Aviation Safety, that describes its vision for moving aviation safety forward. By highlighting safety challenges and proposing solutions, the company seeks to collaborate with officials from the new administration as they seek insight into key priorities of the aviation industry.

Accident Pilot Told Him He Didn’t See The Wires Until It Was Too Late Due To The “Snowy Backdrop”

On January 12, 2025, about 1430 central standard time, a Bellanca 7GCBC, N8569V, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Batesville, Arkansas. The pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Another airplane was flying behind the accident airplane about a half mile back and about 2,000 feet higher. The pilot of the following airplane had just commented to his passenger that the accident airplane was really low in the valley just before seeing blue sparks and the accident airplane become entangled in a high-tension powerlin

From 2016 (YouTube Version): The Airplane From Down Under Is A Proven Trainer…

Jabiru was one of the early light sport aircraft (LSA) brought into the U.S.A. when the sport pilot rules were initiated in 2004. They have long been popular for pilot training in Australia, and while at the Deland Sport Aviation Showcase 2016, ANN News Editor, Tom Patton, found out more about a new model of Jabiru trainer that has been recently introduced to the U.S.

Aero Linx: T-34 Association The T-34 Association was formed in July 1975 so that individuals purchasing then military surplus T-34As had an organization which would provide support for these aircraft.  The idea was to share operating and maintenance information to all members.  As the popularity of the T-34 Mentor grew over the years so did the T-34 Association.  Today there are over 600 members in the Association and many are not aircraft owners. 

Coupled Approach An instrument approach performed by the aircraft autopilot, and/or visually depicted on the flight director, which is receiving position information and/or steering commands from onboard navigational equipment. In general, coupled non-precision approaches must be flown manually (autopilot disengaged) at altitudes lower than 50 feet AGL below the minimum descent altitude, and coupled precision approaches must be flown manually (autopilot disengaged) below 50 feet AGL unless authorized to conduct autoland operations. Coupled instrument approaches are commonly flown to the allowable IFR weather minima established by the operator or PIC, or flown VFR for training and safety.

“It has been a privilege and a highlight of my career to be a part of the team that achieved this milestone—every single member of this team was critical to our success. Our discipline and methodical approach to this flight test program created the safety culture that made a safe and successful first supersonic flight possible. With the lessons learned from XB-1, we can continue to build the future of supersonic travel.” Source: From a statement by Chief Test Pilot Tristan “Geppetto” Brandenburg, shortly after the Boom XB-1 exceeded mach for the first time.