Christmas Fundraiser Garnered More Than $435,000

Good news comes from the Commemorative Air Force: its annual 12 Planes of Christmas fundraiser that concluded on January 1, 2025, raised over $435,854 including more than $40,000 dedicated to the Restoration Grant Fund. Donations are continuing to roll in as people are passionate about preserving aviation history.

Flying Car’s Design Evolved In 2024

Samson Sky discussed the company’s achievements in 2024 in its year-end summary, and although the vehicle displayed good performance on the ground and in the air, it missed its target flight speed goal of 160 mph. So the company pivoted and made significant design changes that were validated in wind tunnel testing.

City Declined to Release the Complete 2023 Air Show Settlement Records

Huntington Beach, California will be forced to chalk up $182,092 in attorney fees and other costs related to a 2023 court case. The city had been sued by a resident after it refused to release the full settlement agreement from the Pacific Airshow lawsuit. The issue began in October 2021 when an oil spill forced the Pacific Airshow to cancel its final day of events.

‘Inexcusable Behavior’ Led To Diversion, Overnight Stays

Ireland-based Ryanair has filed a legal claim for £12,500 (about $15,450) against a passenger who the airline alleges disrupted a flight to the Canary Islands that had to divert to Portugal and the airline was forced to put up the 160 passenger overnight.

Declining FAA Certifications Point to Long-Term Challenges for Airlines

Despite a brief period of pilot oversupply following the COVID-19 pandemic, new data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicates a concerning decline in certifications. This threatens to re-ignite the massive pilot shortage faced in recent years. In 2024, over 9,600 pilots earned FAA certifications.

Also: Volocopter insolvency, FAA Flt School Mtg, New APWO Boss, Drone Company Restricted

There have been some changes in the rumor mill as to who will fill the position of FAA Administrator under President-Elect Trump, following the upcoming resignation of current FAA Boss Michael Whitaker. While the early political rumors pointed to former FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell as a leading possibility to get the nod, the tides have changed. Currently, a number of respected Washington insiders suggest that JSX CEO Alex Wilcox has emerged as a leading candidate to head the FAA. After the overlords in the Kissimmee City Government rushed a rule requiring Use

Looking To The Future And Upcoming Retirements

Duncan Aviation announced changes in its senior leadership as it is looking to the future and begins preparing for retirements. CEO Jeff Lake relinquished the title of President to Mike Minchow effective January 1 but will retain the CEO position. Kasey Harwick was promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Duncan’s Lincoln, Nebraska, facility.

Also: Volocopter insolvency, FAA Flt School Mtg, New APWO Boss, Drone Company Restricted

There have been some changes in the rumor mill as to who will fill the position of FAA Administrator under President-Elect Trump, following the upcoming resignation of current FAA Boss Michael Whitaker. While the early political rumors pointed to former FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell as a leading possibility to get the nod, the tides have changed. Currently, a number of respected Washington insiders suggest that JSX CEO Alex Wilcox has emerged as a leading candidate to head the FAA. After the overlords in the Kissimmee City Government rushed a rule requir

PLEASE Don't Drag Greta Into This, Klyde...

FMI: www.klydemorris.com

Mobile App Connects Dispatch Center With Technicians

Alpha Wingman announced that its workforce management platform, Alpha Workforce, has completed beta testing and is now being deployed. Designed for MRO managers, it enables AOG teams to communicate efficiently and to accomplish maintenance tasks as rapidly as is demanded by the needs of AOG occurrences.

Also: Rotax SB, New Medical Certification, Mesnard Velocity, TTN Aviation Program

Face it, it was an unkind year for Van’s Aircraft, but they ARE recovering... swiftly. Among the latest news, is a report on changes to the RV-15 prototype: The stabilator has been replaced with a conventional tail on a longer tailcone, which has proven to provide more intuitive handling for pilots of varying skill levels... No surprise here, as the inevitable takeover of Icon becomes an International Game. ICON Aircraft will be moving “a portion” (with likely more to come) of its manufacturing to a new state-of-the-art facility in China but will (f

The Instructor Pilot Responded By Saying: “We Are…We Have…We Are Out Of Control Here.”

On December 17, 2024, about 1515 Hawaii-Aleutian Standard time, a turbine-powered Cessna 208B airplane, N689KA, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Honolulu, Hawaii. The two pilots onboard were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the operator, Kamaka Air, the instructor pilot, seated in the left seat, and the pilot receiving instruction, seated in the right seat, departed the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (PHNL), Honolulu, at 1514. The purpose of the flight was to provide the pilot receiving instruction with addit

From 2016 (YouTube Edition): An Amazing Opportunity For Colorado’s STEM Educators…

In this video you’ll hear about a program that is designed to inspire teachers to inspire their students by sharing with them the excitement of flying in a 1942 Boeing PT-17 Stearman trainer plane. Hetty Carlson, of the Teacher Flight Program, explains how they use aviation as a tool to motivate and encourage students. Their Colorado-based operation has a goal of flying one teacher from every school along the Colorado Front Range. Counting up the school districts and the schools involved means that they are offering 1,600 teachers, through the year 2020, the

Aero Linx: Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE) SAFE is a member-oriented organization of aviation educators fostering professionalism and excellence in aviation through continuing education, professional standards, and accreditation. Together with our industry partners and the Federal Aviation Administration, SAFE provides the aviation community with resources to advance the profession and to assist aviation educators in developing skilled, knowledgeable, and safe members of the aviation community.We invite you to get to know us. Explore the SAFE website. Visit us often as we grow. Ask questions. And if you share SAFE’s goals of accountability, transparency, fairness, and

Sail Back A maneuver during high wind conditions (usually with power off) where float plane movement is controlled by water rudders/opening and closing cabin doors. 

“We are humbled and inspired by the outpouring of support. Each year, the heartfelt comments from donors remind us that our work is deeply personal—honoring fathers, uncles, and heroes who served. This year was no different, and the impact of these contributions will be felt across our organization.” Source: Alan Brooks, Chairman of the American Airpower Museum Flying Board, commentong the good news coming from the  Commemorative Air Force: its annual 12 Planes of Christmas fundraiser that concluded on January 1, 2025, raised over $435,854 including more than $40,000 dedicated to the Restoration Grant Fund. Donations are continuing to roll in as people are passionate about preserving aviation history.