Towers Report an Increasing Number of Missing Controllers Amid Shutdown

As the government shutdown drags into the double digits, air traffic control facilities across the US are reporting growing staff shortages… and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is running out of patience. Eleven major airspace sectors were short on controllers to close out October 9, including Chicago O’Hare, Newark, Boston Center, and Orlando.

Facility Will Be Constructed at Mountain Home Air Force Base for Pilot Training

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth recently announced plans to host the Qatari Emiri Air Force at Idaho’s Mountain Home Air Force Base, crediting the decision to Qatar’s role in hammering out the Gaza peace deal. The facility, which has already drawn some controversy, will be used to train pilots on Qatari F-15 fighter jets.

Finished Ahead Of Schedule, Precision Mod Work Praised By Trainer

Yingling Aviation announced it has successfully completed its first winglet installation as Yingling on a Dassault Falcon 900. The project was finished ahead of schedule and according to trainer Harley Howell of Aviation Partners, who supervised the work, the execution was flawless and Yingling’s experienced sheet metal team delivered a precise structural modification.

Separate Electron Payloads Include Single Satellite And Rideshare

Rocket Lab Corp., based in Long Beach, California, announced it has secured a contract for two dedicated launches of its Electron rocket for JAXA, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. The missions will deploy satellites for JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program.

$173M Deal Brings Total To 34 MH-139A Aircraft Under Contract

Boeing announced that the U.S. Air Force awarded the company a contract to build eight more MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters to include training and sustainment support services. Coming on the heels of a $178 million award for seven helicopters in April of this year, this contract increases the total number under contract to 34.

Upgrades For Business And Regional Jet Models

True Blue Power and 101 Aviation are collaborating on the True Blue Power Gen5 TB50 and TB20 lithium-ion battery upgrades, and announced that the battery STCs for Gulfstream and Bombardier aircraft models will be available in Q1 2026. Further certifications will follow later.

Strategic Attack, Electronic Warfare, ISR As Air Or Ground Payload

Textron Systems announced the introduction of Damocles Launched Effect, its cutting-edge system designed to deliver a strategic advantage in warfare environments. Its GEN2 Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) can deliver top-attack, electronic warfare, and intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance capabilities deployed as either a ground- or air-delivered payload.

Partnership Expands Archer’s Planned Network

Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and Archer Aviation announced plans to establish the first hospital-based vertiport in the United Arab Emirates, to provide direct eVTOL aircraft access to one of the region’s most prominent hospital facilities.

While In Cruise Flight At An Altitude Of 6,500 Ft MSL, The Engine Suddenly Experienced A Total Loss Of Power

On September 25, 2025, at about 0653 mountain daylight time, a Pipistrel D O O Alpha Trainer, N246EA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Wittman, Arizona. The two pilots on board received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilots, while in cruise flight at an altitude of 6,500 ft msl, the engine suddenly experienced a total loss of power, and the propeller stopped rotating. The pilots attempted to restart the engine, but the propeller would not rotate when the starter was engaged, and they were unable to restore engine power.

From 2022 (YouTube Edition): Before They’re All Gone...

Humankind has been messing about in airplanes for almost 120-years. In that time, thousands of aircraft representing innumerable technologies, design philosophies, and aspirations both noble and contemptible have been built and flown. Airshows—the good ones—are lenses into aviation’s past. Events like AirVenture, Sun ‘n Fun, and Frontiers in Flight afford modern audiences glimpses of aircraft that shaped the world in war, and brought it together in peace.