How ANN Spent a Week At Lakeland’s Annual Aerospace Expo

The annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo is truly a magical and unforgettable experience for pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike. During our week at the show’s campus in Lakeland, Florida, the Aero-News Crew was hard at work to give visitors the resources they needed to make the most of their time. And, trust me, we enjoyed it as much as you did.

Vision Jet Operator Builds on Its Already Lengthy Court History

Florida-based charter and jet card operator Verijet is being forced to chalk up $328,000 for a default judgment, won by a customer who claims that he was denied the 100 flight hours that he purchased. This adds to the company’s ever-growing stack of legal losses.

Lockheed Martin to Deliver Seven More By the End of 2025

As part of a sixteen-jet order, Lockheed Martin has delivered its first F-16 Block 70 jet to the Bulgarian Air Force. This marks the start of the nation’s transition away from Soviet-era fighters. The other seven jets from the first order should arrive before the end of the year.

Yuma Air Branch Aircrew Flying An AS350 A-Star Helicopter Discovered A Capsized Boat

Air and Marine Operations (AMO), an operational component of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, conducted a life-saving rescue after discovering a capsized boat in the Colorado River. On March 27, 2025, a Yuma Air Branch aircrew flying an AS350 A-Star helicopter discovered a capsized boat in the Colorado River approximately 22 miles south of Hoover Dam. The aircraft was returning to Yuma after completing operations in Las Vegas, NV. The aircrew discovered a capsized boat along with a female victim who was in distress. The aircrew landed at the riverbank and deployed an AMO emergency medical technician with his medical equipment.

'WestJet Management Will No Longer Pursue The Hiring Of Any Pilots Through The TFW Program'

ALPA Canada, who have worked alongside the pilot leadership of WestJet and WestJet Encore to hinder WestJet management’s efforts to hire pilots through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), are boasting that WestJet management will no longer pursue the hiring of any pilots through the TFW Program. 

Sudden Route Cuts Follow Months Of Work to Build Up International Flights

Mexico-based airline Volaris has cut eight routes that took passengers from Monterrey to the US. Despite the carrier’s previous effort to expand international flights, it seems that the current trend will leave few Mexico-US routes on its roster by the end of summer.

Over 5,000 Pilots Join the ‘National Pause for GA Safety’

In response to two recent general aviation accidents that made national headlines, more than 5,000 pilots have joined the “National Pause for General Aviation Safety.” This is a six-month campaign launched in April 2025 by the Air Safety Institute.

REAL History Was Made Long Ago, Klyde

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Pilot Stated That He Did Not Recall Any Aspects Of The Accident Sequence

On April 8, 2025, about 1308 central daylight time, a PPHU Ekolot KR-030 Topaz light sport airplane, N568RD, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Platteville, Wisconsin. The pilot sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) data initially depicted the airplane at 1233:04 about 1.5 miles southwest of the Platteville Municipal Airport (PVB). The initial altitude was about 1,400 ft mean sea level (msl). The pilot maneuvered in a 3-mile arc, circling east and then north of the airport.

From 2012 (YouTube Version): Aggressive New Unusual Attitude Training Program Targets Commercial Pilots

First Webcast 11.29.12: It's not easy flying in the NAS... and its only gotten more complicated over the years -- especially if you are a busy commercial pilot. But Lee Lauderback's Stallion 51 operation believes that they can ease the life of today's commercial pilots... and keep them from harm when one of the most disabling e

Aero Linx: Flying Wings of Louisiana Rusty Lavergne is the founder of Flying Wings of Louisiana along with his wife and co-founder, Kelly Lavergne. Rusty is a former Army Blackhawk Helicopter Pilot (1994-2002)and  has been fulfilling his passion of aviation by  flying helicopters for the past 28 years. Rustys love of aviation has led him to flying fixed wing airplanes where he has acquired his CFI, CFII and MEI. Having raised their 3 sons, Rusty and Kelly were ready for another chapter in life of giving back. Cancer has affected both of their families and they decided to focus their efforts by supporting those who are in any stage of cancer.  Flying Wings  serves cancer

Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN)  An ultra-high frequency electronic rho-theta air navigation aid which provides suitably equipped aircraft a continuous indication of bearing and distance to the TACAN station. 

“Despite this development, we strongly encourage WestJet management to work with ALPA pilot representatives to find more practical solutions for attracting and retaining skilled professional pilots that do not involve utilizing a federal program, which was never intended for this purpose. As the voice of over 95% of Canada’s professional, unionized pilots, we know this issue goes beyond WestJet Encore—it impacts us all!” Source:  Captain Tim Perry, ALPA Canada President, in styatements made as ALPA CVanada boasted that WestJet management will no longer pursue the hiring of any pilots through the TFW Program.