Third Of Eight Stops In H55’s Across USA Tour

H55, Swiss-based developer of electric aircraft, announced the conclusion of the Arizona segment of its Across USA Tour for its Bristell B23 Energic aircraft with 104th landing up to this point. This was the third stop of its planned eight-stop tour across the states to demonstrate its electric aircraft is past being just a vision but is a viable and operational commercial product ready for deployment.

Representatives Limit Flights After an April Crash that Killed Six

After 6 were killed in a helicopter crash over the Hudson River, several aero-ignorant US Representatives presented  questionable legislation that would ban pretty much all non-essential helicopter operations across New York City. The bill allegedly addresses a general heightened concern for growing air traffic rates in high-density areas.  

DOJ Says Private Jet Mogul Flew on Members’ Money, Landing Him a Court Date

Patrick Britton-Harr, the founder of troubled private aviation company AeroVanti, was recently indicted by the US Department of Justice on six counts of wire fraud tied to his now-infamous "Top Gun" membership program.

Union Approves a New Four-Year Contract in a 74 Percent Majority

Around 3,000 machinists from two Pratt & Whitney plants in Connecticut officially inked an end to a three-week strike over wages, job security, and retirement benefits by approving a four-year contract. The strike, which began on May 5, marked the company’s first labor stoppage since 2001.

Also: Elektra Solar Trainer, U.S. Nationals Update, SeaMax M-22 Catches Fire, Bearhawk Aircraft At SUN ‘n FUN

The Vans Aircraft engineering team recently provided its spring progress update to the RV-15 build, showing off its redesigned tail, control system, and fuel tanks. The plane is nearing its final configuration. The design was first introduced at Oshkosh 2022, hoping to bring it to market in mid to late 2023. Followers got some new updates at the 2024 airshow, including a delayed anticipated production date of late 2025. The EAA announced that the FAA-approved updates to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025 Notice, commonly known as the Oshkosh NOTAM, has been released for this year’s 72nd fly-in and convention that runs from July 21-27 at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The changes and updates are based on pilot feedback and FAA review of recommendations pertaining to arrival procedures. The folks at Lon

Also: Hermeus Quarterhorse MK1, Seaplane Rating Guide, Vietjet A330neos, SFO Wacky Weed Bust

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. Vertical Aerospace announced that its VX4 eVTOL performed its first successful winged flight with a pilot at the controls, marking the first piloted wingborne flight of a winged eVTOL in open European airspace. The flight, piloted by Chief Test Pilot Simon Davies, came on the heels of approval by the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority, or CAA. 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

Former MWAA Employee Released Unauthorized Copy To Media

A former employee of the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority who was charged with making an unauthorized copy of a video showing the collision between a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter and American Airlines Flight 5342, and subsequently sharing it with CNN, has pleaded no contest to the charge.

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 similar size. Elektra Solar announced that its Elektra Solar Trainer aircraft successfully completed a 900-mile trip from southwestern Germany through Austria and Hungary, terminating in Brasov, Romania. The trip, orig

Second Public Strip Opened By Backcountry Aviation Foundation

The Jim Richmond Backcountry Aviation Foundation (JRBAF) announced the opening of its second public-use airstrip at its Star Valley Ranch property in southwest Idaho, representing an important step in fulfilling its mission to expand backcountry access to the flying public now and into the future.

Also: Warbirds In Review Schedule, Yak-55M Gets Tossed, DOGE-NTSB Budget Cuts, Joint Base Andrews

The Ercoupe Owners Club announced its 2025 National Convention will be held from Tuesday, July 15 to Saturday, July 19, at the Wausau Downtown Airport (KAUW) in Wisconsin. This year’s event will celebrate the 85th anniversary of the ‘Coupe’s Type Certificate. After the convention, the group will depart for the EAA AirVenture fly-in at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh. Federal Air Surgeon Susan Northrup, MD, PHD, discussed on the FAA’s YouTube channel “Pilot Minute” what came out of the Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) on mental health. Their work was informed through feedback gathered from aviation and medical professionals around the world regarding the barriers that prevent or hinder pilots from reporting and seeking treatment for mental health concerns. The General Aviation Manufacturers Associ