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August 30, 2025

Robinson’s R22 Celebrates 50 Years In The Skies

The Light Utility Chopper First Flew in 1975 Before Being Certified in 1979

Robinson Helicopter Company is celebrating the 50th air-niversary of its iconic two-seat workhorse design: the R22. This light utility helicopter is not only the cornerstone of Robinson’s offerings, but also a staple in the worldwide market for entry-level buyers and flight training centers. Since it hit the market in 1979, more than 5,000 have been delivered.

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Qantas Eyes Beard Ban, Citing Safety of its Pilots

Controversial Study Finds that Facial Hair Compromises Oxygen Mask Seals

Qantas Airways is considering cracking down on grooming standards for its pilots, referencing a recent (and controversial) study that tied beards to improper seals in oxygen masks. Prior research directly contradicts these findings, earning the airline plenty of pushback from crewmembers.

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Philly Runway Reopens With New Runaway Plane Protections

Project Earned $8.5 Million in FAA Funding Last Year

After more than a year, Philadelphia International Airport’s Runway 8-26 has reopened with a new feature to protect runaway aircraft. The Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) is proven technology, with 24 real-world overrun saves already under its belt.

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Airborne 08.27.25: Air Race Tkt Discounts, Europe AvGas, Deportation Flights?

Also: 500-Aircraft Deal With China, Florida ANG's F-35, FAA Denies Petition, UC Central Arkansas Aviation Academy

The Reno Air Racing Association (RARA) is offering its apologies to fans for the double class withdrawal from this year’s National Championship Air Races (NCAR). This comes in the form of 10 percent ticket refunds on existing orders, a 10 percent price drop on all new tickets, and the option to seek a complete refund or deferral to 2026. The three largest European suppliers of leaded avgas were recently granted an extension to the EU’s ban, securing 100LL production until April 2032. The first of the three approvals, granted for S

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FAA Warns of Two-Hour Delays for Starship’s Florida Launch

With SpaceX’s Push for 44 Launches Per Year, Delays Will Only Worsen

SpaceX’s plan to not only bring its Starship megarocket to the Sunshine State, but also expand operations to 44 launches per year could mean serious trouble for major airports and airlines. The FAA predicts average delays of up to two hours… or longer, if Starship keeps its habit of turning launches into firework shows.

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Airborne 08.25.25: Zenith Homecoming, VP Racing, Affordable Flying Expo 2025

Also: GADFLY AI-Driven Engine Analysis, Knockoff Iranian Drones, Russian Surveillance, 40 NASA Missions Chopped

This year’s Zenith Homecoming event will soon be taking off at the plane maker’s kit factory, located on the grounds of Mexico Memorial Airport (KMYJ) in Missouri. 2025 marks the 34th round of the annual Open Hangar Days and Fly-In, bringing together kit builders and aviation enthusiasts from across the country. The event, held on September 19 and 20, has a fairly similar format to previous years. The FAA’s Piston Aviation Fuels Initiative (PAFI) is the current path for unleaded aviation fuels to clear regulatory hurdles&helli

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Airborne-NextGen 08.26.25: Iran UAV Knockoffs, X-37B Spaceplane, Army Training

Also: ERAU Uses UAVs, P550 Group 2 UAS, Starship’s Florida Launches, NASA Missions Chopped

The Air Force has put out a call to commission a one-to-one copy of the Iranian-designed Shahed-136. This is a low-cost attack drone that Russia has been using heavily against Ukraine… and that the US wants to know just how to take down. The request for information specifies that the drone must match the Shahed’s form, fit, and function, though the government isn’t providing any technical specifics. The X37B Orbital Test Vehicle launched this past week, August 21, on its eighth mission, lifting off at 11:50 p.m. ET aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9

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Airborne Affordable Flyers 08.28.25: Midwest Av Expo, Vickers, Air Race Classic

Also: Air Race Tkts Marked Down, Kirk Hawkins Lost, GADFLY AI-Driven Engine Analysis, Sport Aviation Halls of Fame

The Aero-News crew is getting ready to pack up a lot of video gear, their laptops and other tools in order to cover next week’s MidWest Aviation Expo. The 17th ANNUAL Midwest Aviation Expo will be Thursday, September 4-6, 2025 at the Mt. Vernon Outland Airport (MVN) Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Midwest Aviation Expo has been specifically organized to showcase the sport aviation industry and they do it quite well... turning into one of our favorite annual events... affording one and all to see some of the latest LSA and other sport aircraft as well a

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CAP Assists In NASA Aviation Weather Mission

Cadets Collect Atmospheric Observations With GLOBE Observer App

The Civil Air Patrol and NASA collaborate in the agency’s Aviation Weather Mission team to lead a nationwide project to advance scientific understanding of weather in the atmospheric layers where aircraft fly.

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SkyDrive SD-05 Completes Demos At Expo 2025 In Osaka

Releases Onboard Video With Gov’t VIPs Attending

Japanese eVTOL aircraft developer SkyDrive announced the successful completion of a series of demo flights of its SKYDRIVE, the SD-05 model, it conducted at the Expo 2025 held in Osaka, Japan, from July 31 to August 24.

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Avcon Gets STC Approval for Learjet Fire Extinguishers

With Vintage Halon Units About the Expire, the Time to Replace is Now

Avcon Industries has been given STC approval for the installation of their non-halon portable fire extinguisher replacements in a long list of Learjets. With Halon on the outs around the globe, it's good news if any Learjet operators are still running around with their original units. Avcon says they've got things started for approval from EASA, but for now, the FAA's given their blessing.

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Airborne 08.22.25: ARC Spinoff, Nat'l Championship Air Races, Hawkins Accident

Also: H55 Completes American Tour, Robinson Trade-Ins, Retired AV-8B Harrier, NS-35 Mission

Organizers of the iconic annual Air Race Classic will soon be opening registration for their spin-off event, called the Air Derby. This so-called “Twist on Tradition” condenses the usual four-day, 2,000-mile odyssey into a one-day exercise in precision, planning, and navigation. Registration opens on September 1, with flights allowed anytime between October 1 and 14… and yes, unlike the original event, it is open to both male and female pilots. The National Championship Air Races have revealed the official lineup of competitors for the 2025 debu

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NTSB Final Report: Excalibur Excalibur

While Flying About 1,500 Ft Above Ground Level, A Large Bird Struck The Right Side Of The Airplane 

Analysis: The pilot reported that while flying about 1,500 ft above ground level, a large bird struck the right side of the airplane and the right main landing gear separated from its attachment point. The pilot flew back to the airport and performed a soft field landing in the grass adjacent to the taxiway.

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Classic Aero-TV: Composite-FX Sets Elevates the Personal Helicopter Market

From 2023 (YouTube Edition): The Mosquito Evolves

Formerly known as Mosquito, Trenton, Florida-based Composite FX is a designer and manufacturer of personal kit and factory-finished helicopters. The company’s offerings comprise three piston-engined models and a single jet-powered machine. The agile XE and the float-equipped XEL both make use of the 63-horsepower, two-cylinder, two-stroke, fan-air-cooled, carbureted, MZ202-powerplant. The larger XE-290 model is powered by the ninety-horsepower, two-cylinder, two-stroke, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, CFX-800 engine. Finally, the flagship XET is motivated by a 95-horsepowe

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ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (08.30.25)

Aero Linx: Historic Aircraft Association (HAA) The Historic Aircraft Association (HAA) was founded in 1979 with the aim of furthering the safe flying of historic aircraft in the UK and, later on, supporting the restoration and preservation of these aircraft. The Association, which currently has over 200 active pilot and engineer members, has made a major contribution to General Aviation, ensuring that British flying heritage is kept alive by promoting the safe flying of valuable, historic and heritage aircraft...

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ANN's Daily Aero-Term (08.30.25): Low Approach

Low Approach An approach over an airport or runway following an instrument approach or a VFR approach including the go-around maneuver where the pilot intentionally does not make contact with the runway. 

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ANN FAQ: Like Us On Facebook

There's A Lot To Like On ANN's Latest Social Media Site

We all know how important Social Media is to a lot of people, particularly those under 30. We also know how important those folks are to the future of aviation. In so many forums and at so many events, we talk about how to attract the next generation of pilots, mechanics, and enthusiasts to our industry, and social media is certainly critical to getting the message out to those who practically live online.

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Aero-News: Quote of the Day (08.30.25)

"This is just an absolute win win win. If there is a rejected takeoff we now have the confidence that the arrestor system will ensure passenger and crew safety." Source: FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, supporting the rationale behind how after more than a year, Philadelphia International Airport’s Runway 8-26 has reopened with a new feature to protect runaway aircraft. The Engineered Materials Arresting Systems (EMAS) is proven technology, with 24 real-world overrun saves already under its belt.

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