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May 28, 2025

Airborne-NextGen 05.28.25: SpaceX Tries Again, Electra Blown Wing, Solar Record

Also: Horizon X7 eVTOL, Golden Dome, Merlin Exp A/W Cert, Rotors v Trees

SpaceX launched its ninth flight test of a complete Starship vehicle nearly on time after a few minutes of holds before getting a move on. This was a far tougher flight test than previous missions, especially for the booster which was subjected to some aggressive and adverse test conditions... which it did not survive before its scheduled landing in the Gulf of America. This was the second flight of the booster... Electra has conducted wind tunnel testing at the MIT Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel that confirmed its blown wing design delivers the high lift for takeoff and landing within just 150 feet, or about 10% of the distance required by conventional aircraft of

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Duffy Pushes FAA to Roll Out Retirement-Delaying ATC Bonus

20 Percent Incentive Aims to Retain Experienced Air Traffic Controllers

As the air traffic controller shortage trudges on, the US Department of Transportation is rolling out even more financial incentives (aka bribes) to encourage experienced controllers to remain on the job beyond retirement age. The latest offer is a 20% annual bonus.

Accelerating Development Pace Toward Hypersonic Aircraft

Hermeus, an aerospace and defense company specializing in high-speed aircraft, announced the flight of its Quarterhorse MK 1 aircraft at the Air Force Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, a significant step in the company’s pace of high-Mach and hypersonic aircraft development.

This Was A Far Tougher Flight Test Than Previous Missions

SpaceX launched its ninth flight test of a complete Starship vehicle nearly on time after a few minutes of holds before getting a move on. This was a far tougher flight test than previous missions, especially for the booster which was subjected to some aggressive and adverse test conditions... which it did not survive before its scheduled landing in the Gulf of America. This was the second flight of the booster... it having been caught by the chop sticks mechanism back at the 7th launch, and its sacrifice this time around was intentional.

San Francisco Authorities Charge Californian with Two Felonies

A woman from Southern California has been charged with two felonies after she allegedly attempted to smuggle more than 150 pounds of cannabis onto an international flight at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This bust follows another recent case at SFO involving an Australian woman.

Aerial Saw to Trim Along More Than 230 Miles of Transmission Lines

Electric utility company Mon Power is deploying a helicopter equipped with a saw to keep overgrown trees away from more than 230 miles of power lines in West Virginia. The aerial saw configuration can be used in areas that are typically inaccessible to ground crews.

De Havilland Inaugurates Subsidiary In Greece

DHC Hellas Strengthens Presence In Region

De Havilland Aircraft of Canada (DHC) announced the launch of its new wholly-owned subsidiary in Greece, DHC Hellas, Ltd, expanding the company’s operations and services that will provide support for customers not only in Greece but also around the region.

Chief Warrant Officer Calvin Bigby’s Army Aviation Career

At the 2025 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, Chief Warrant Officer Calvin Bigby stood loud and proud at the Army Aviation booth to share the story of how he turned a lifelong love of aviation into a career as an Army helicopter pilot. Bigby began his Army career working as a mechanic and crew chief on the CH-47 Chinook. But spending years in the back of helicopters only strengthened his desire to fly them. Eventually, he applied to become a Warrant Officer and entered flight training. Initial training took place in the UH-72 Lakota, where Bigby learned flight basics. Upon completio

Widebodies For Expansion Over Next Decade

Airbus announced a new order from Vietjet, Vietnam’s largest private airline, for 20 widebody A330-900 aircraft to facilitate its expansion over the coming decade. The signing agreement was held in Hanoi, with the honors done by Wouter van Wersch, President of Airbus International, and Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of Vietjet.

Also: Blackhawk’s Replacement, Supersonic Flight, Archer 1Q/25, Long-Range VTOL Program

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy released an update on progress being made with proposed FAA drone rules controlling Beyond Visual Line Of Sight or BVLOS operations and restricting UAS operations at a fixed facility site. These were sent on May 13 to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs for review. RVL Aviation has inked a deal with ZeroAvia to fly what may be the ‘world’s first’ zero-emission cargo service. The operator will utilize Cessna Grand Caravans retrofitted with the hydrogen-electric ZA600 power plant. Zero-e

Video Showed That During The Takeoff, The Nose Baggage Door Was Open

On May 10, 2025, about 0935 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-32RT-300, N30689, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Yulee, Florida. The private pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot’s wife reported that the purpose of the flight was for the pilot to reposition the airplane from Nassau Airport (83FL), Yulee, Florida to Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport (FHB), Fernandina Beach, Florida, where they would wait for approaching thunderstorms to pass through the area before continuing on to Tennessee. She reported that earlier that morning, the pilot had dropped her

Aero Linx: The European Airshow Council The European Airshow Council was formed in 2000 as an informal gathering of like minded individuals from within the European Airshow Community. As the organisation progressed the links and aims of the organisation have grown, with a formal Council and membership, to represent the wider continental European Air Display Industry.

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (05.28.25): Pilot Briefing

Aero Linx: Pilot Briefing The gathering, translation, interpretation, and summarization of weather and aeronautical information into a form usable by the pilot or flight supervisory personnel to assist in flight planning and decision-making for the safe and efficient operation of aircraft. These briefings may include, but are not limited to, weather observations, forecasts, and aeronautical information (for example, NOTAMs, military activities, flow control information, and temporary flight restrictions [TFR]).

"I think what is key, we have offered a bonus to air traffic controllers who are eligible to retire. We are going to pay them a 20% bonus on their salary to stay longer. Don't retire. So as we bring more air traffic controllers in, and keep the older, experienced controllers, we're going to be able to make up that difference." Source: US SecTrans Sean Duffy providing details as the air traffic controller shortage trudges on, the US Department of Transportation is rolling out even more financial incentives (aka bribes) to encourage experienced controllers to remain on the job beyond retirement age. The latest offer is a 20% annual bonus.