Secondary Radar/Radar Beacon (ATCRBS) A radar system in which the object to be detected is fitted with cooperative equipment in the form of a radio receiver/transmitter (transponder). Radar pulses transmitted from the searching transmitter/receiver (interrogator) site are received in the cooperative equipment and used to trigger a distinctive transmission from the transponder. This reply transmission, rather than a reflected signal, is then received back at the transmitter/receiver site for processing and display at an air traffic control facility. 

Send Them A Story -- We Don't Mind!

Do you need another set of eyes to see that story you can't believe Jim just wrote? Want to spread ANN's unique wisdom and perspective to the masses, or share the latest Klyde Morris with another member of the flying community? (Or perhaps to someone who just really, really likes ants?)

"We’re planning on lots of demo flying, some intriguing flight displays of the latest Affordable Flyers, food trucks to take care of your munchies... and best of all, we’ve already landed some of the Sport Aviation industry's most prominent companies. Seriously, we’ve got VANS, CubCrafters, Gratia Aero and the BD-4C, Dynon Avionics, DeltaHawk, Extra Aircraft, Phil Lockwood and his RV-916, Gleim, King Schools, Hummel Aircraft, and SO MUCH MORE." Source: That's the ANN description of just a few of the MANY MANY reasons why you need to get your tickets NOW for the upcoming 2025 Affordable Flying Expo, now set for November 6-8, 2025! FMI: Check out https://affordableflying.net/attend/ and click the ‘Purchase Tickets’ icon. We’ll see you November 6th, 7th and 8th!!!

Maritime Notice Says On/After October 6

SpaceX has filed a preliminary Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) indicating that Starship’s 11th test flight could launch no earlier than October 6 at 6:15 pm CT/7:15 pm ET/4:15 pm PT. As always, dates and times in preliminary notices are subject to change based on regulatory approval, readiness, and weather.

Comes In Advance Of Shareholders’ Annual Meeting

Just in time for FedEx shareholders to think about as they get together for their 2025 annual meeting, the company’s pilots have issued a formal vote of no confidence in the ability of Rajesh Subramaniam to lead the FedEx Corporation.

Manufacturer Will Be Allowed to Help the FAA Determine Aircraft Airworthiness

The FAA has decided that it is ready to put its trust back in Boeing, restoring the plane maker’s authority to determine aircraft airworthiness years after fatal crashes and production quality concerns led the agency to block the practice. From now on, the duo will alternate weeks issuing certificates for certain 737 MAX and 787 jets.

Two 737 Passenger Jets Will Be Converted into E-7A Wedgetail Prototypes in the UK

In an attempt to save the aircraft from proposed budget cuts, Congress has turned to the UK for the conversion of two passenger jets into advanced E-7A Wedgetail prototypes. The deal marks the first time in more than 50 years that US military aircraft work will be performed on British soil.

Six Decades of Service Remembered in Decommissioning Ceremony

The Indian Air Force has finally said goodbye to its MiG-21s, which entered service more than 60 years ago and have most recently been seen as “flying coffins” rather than fighters. The decommissioning ceremony formally retired the last 36 jets operated by MiG-21 squadrons 23, the Panthers, and 3, the Cobras.

Airline Installs Starlink Internet on its First 737-800 Aircraft

United Airlines has been given the official FAA nod to put Starlink technology on its mainline fleet, and it isn’t wasting time: the equipment has already been installed on the carrier’s first 737-800, with plans to proceed with 50 regional jet installations per month and begin customer flights on October 15.

Replacing Old With Modern, Scalable, Sustainable FMDS System

The FAA announced a Request for Information concerning a contract opportunity for an industry partner to develop a new system for managing air traffic flows smoothly and safely regardless of the situation. The new system is intended to replace the existing TFMS, or Traffic Flow Management System.