Father Responds After Confused Bystanders Threaten His Son’s Plane

A Utah father is urging the community to handle the mysterious drone sighting frenzy more delicately. He spoke out after social media commenters suggested shooting down what they thought was a drone, but was instead his son on a training flight. The government seems to have no true explanation for the strange sightings, yet continues to assure the public that there is no threat to safety.

Nine Fatalities Occurred in 2024 During Civilian Jumps

It’s a proud day for the skydiving community, with annual civilian skydiving fatalities having hit single digits for the first time since 1961. The number has been on a steep descent in the past few decades despite the exponential growth of the jumping community. A total of nine people died in civilian skydiving incidents in 2024.

First Time Drone Missile Is Used In This Manner

The Ukrainian military shot down a Russian helicopter with a missile fired from a naval drone in the first-of-its-kind combat engagement with a drone weapon being deployed in an aerial attack. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry posted a video on X showing the Russian Mi-8 helicopter firing at the Magura V5 drone boat before the drone fired an R-73 Sea Dragon missile that brought down the helicopter in the Black Sea off the coast of Crimea.

F/A-18 Super Hornet Downed By Friendly Fire Over Red Sea

The U.S. Navy is still trying to decide whether or not to recover the F/A-18 Super Hornet that was downed by a surface-to-air missile in an apparent friendly fire incident on December 22, 2024. Several factors are complicating the decision, including the possibility of Houthi attacks on salvage operations.

FAA Reauth Includes Language Favorable To Hobbyists

The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) has been working with the FAA to gain approval for operations at higher altitude limits in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. Currently, the limit is 400 feet AGL, the same as applies to sUAS operations, but the AMA is encouraged that it will be raised up to the floor of controlled airspace at either 700 feet or 1200 feet.

Textron Competing With Griffon For Contract

The U.S. Army is testing drones for use by brigade-level commanders that will provide high-altitude views of the battlefield terrain where their soldiers are maneuvering. Recently, the Army took delivery of a Textron-made MK 4.8HQ Aerosonde prototype and will be trained on its deployment for about a month.

VAC Calls Off Event Because of Runway Resurfacing

The Valiant Air Command (VAC) has officially called off the 2025 Warbird Air Show at Space Coast Regional Airport (TIX) in Titusville, Florida. The organization listed resurfacing work on the runway as its primary reason. Space Coast Regional, previously known as TICO, last hosted an air show in 2022.

(Witness) Observed The Airplane “Fall Very Fast Out Of The Sky And Crash In The Center Median.”

On December 12, 2024, about 1846 eastern standard time, a Costruzioni Aeronautiche Tecnam P2008, N298PM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Greenwich, Connecticut. The commercial pilot was fatally injured, and the private pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 flight. According to preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) air traffic control audio and Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data, after takeoff about 1809 from runway 27 at Linden Airport (LDJ), Linden, New Jersey, the flight turned left and proceed

Aero Linx: The Flying Circus Originally formed in 1970 using the name “Flying Circus Aerodrome”, a group of aviators decided to fly replicas of WWI aircraft to simulate the "barnstorming" activities of that post war period. However, this proved to be a daunting task as these rather fragile aircraft required a considerable amount of time, effort, and money to keep them flying. As a result, many members of that original group, worn out from the effort, decided to close down the operation...

Tailwind Any wind more than 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the runway. The magnetic direction of the runway shall be used as the basis for determining the longitudinal axis.

“It is a testament to the hard work and continuing vigilance of drop zone operators, safety and training advisors, instructors, skydiving equipment manufacturers and the individual jumpers themselves... The loss of any life is deeply tragic, especially for the loved ones left behind. While it may not lessen their sorrow, I hope these families can find some solace in knowing that as a community we learn everything we can from every accident so their loss may serve to make the greater community safer in the future.” Source: From statements by USPA and USPA Executive Director Albert Berchtold, following the news that the sport of skydiving continues to log safer and safer numbers each year as the accident rate lessens an